5 tips how to save energy during summer

Summertime means an increase in temperature, and if you’re part of the majority of people in the U.S., it may also mean an increase in your utility bills as well. There are some changes you can make this summer that will help reduce your energy consumption and still keep you comfortable.

   

1.    Clean your air conditioning filters every month. Most people ignore the air filters until something goes wrong. Cleaning your air filters every month will help ensure that your system is functioning as efficiently as possible.

    2.    Unplug electronics when they’re not in use, or use a Smart Strip. Simply turning off the T.V. or other appliances won’t put a stop to your power consumption. While it might not make a huge difference, keeping items plugged in can add up over the year.

    3.    Shut doors and vents of unused rooms and use ceiling fans when you can. This can all lighten the load on your air conditioner.

    4.    Turn up your thermostat. Set your thermostat to 77 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. You will save 1-3% per degree for each degree the thermostat is set above 72 degrees.

    5.    Shade your windows. Install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens to shade your home from the sun. Also, plant trees, shrubs, and vines strategically to properly shade your windows and keep the sun from heating up your house.

Home Luxuries on a Budget

We all would love to have the homes we see in magazines and all over online design and idea sites. However, many of us just can’t justify spending the kind of money having those kinds of homes would take. There are still simple, inexpensive ways to add luxuries to your home.

Here are five home luxuries you can add on a budget:

1. Easily programmable or “smart” thermostats. The energy you use to heat and/or cool your home is probably a large part of your household budget, and your comfort plays a large part of the feeling of luxury in your home. Programmable or smart thermostats can raise and lower the temperature based on your activities, ultimately saving on energy costs. There are a number of options out there, and most of them retail for less than $350.

2. Crown molding or baseboards. Crown molding can be used to add detail to the ceiling, while chair molding can be added to protect and divide wall space. Decorative molding is an affordable way to add luxury and design to your home.

3. Updated light fixtures and lighting. Sometimes all you need to do to update the look of your home and add luxury is replacing old light fixtures with new ones. Also, consider adding tap-style lights under kitchen cabinetry. When placed in the space between cabinets and countertops, the subtle light will add an elegant ambiance after dark. The best part is that tap-style lights are usually less than $5 per light.

4. Built-ins. One way to add luxury to your home is to make it look and feel organized and clean. Built-in storage systems, desks, bookshelves, and even trash centers optimize your space.

5. Outdoor lighting. Drape your backyard or terrace in twinkle lights or outdoor lighting. Outdoor lights will add a chic ambiance to your yard. Also, outside candles can add to the atmosphere of your backyard.

Why You Shouldn't Buy That House

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a home. Making a list of must-haves should be the first step in the home buying process, but what about those items beyond the “must-haves?” Once you’ve found a home you think you want to buy, there are still some things you should think twice about before closing. Buyer’s remorse is real, and many new homebuyers find themselves facing its effects, and you don’t want to be one of them.

Consider these 4 things before signing on the dotted line:

    1.    Is the home too expensive for you? The amount you can qualify for and what you can actually afford can really be two different amounts. You constantly hear about people being “house poor,” meaning that they spend so much money on their mortgage every month that they have little money for anything else. If this is your first home, it’s important to think about the expenses you haven’t had to pay while renting that you may incur when purchasing a home. There may be sacrifices that you have to make as far as your budget goes. Are you prepared to make them? Don’t establish your home buying budget on what your lender says you can afford. Center it on what you honestly know you can afford and stick to it.

    2.    Is the location right? A good location should be toward the top of your list of “must-haves.” However, a good location doesn’t necessary mean it’s the right location for you and your family. Do you want or need space to play? Does the location make sense for your work commute? Are the schools in the location good schools you want to send your children to? Do you want to be near stores and other conveniences or would you prefer to be closer to the suburbs? Are you part of an HOA, and are you okay with that? If you compromise on your location, give it serious thought.  

    3.    Are you purchasing the home with intent to sell or refinance it within a short period of time? This was how so many people got in trouble and upside down in their homes in the first place – buying homes they couldn’t necessarily afford after the short-term financing terms changed, and assuming they would be able to sell or refinance the house. If you are purchasing a home, and you’re not an investor or contractor, plan on purchasing a home you and your family could live comfortably in for at least 5 years.

    4.    Are you unsure about your job security? While this economy can be unpredictable, and job security is becoming more and more a thing of the past, if you are trying to get into a home because you are concerned that an upcoming layoff might disqualify you for a home loan, maybe you should put off purchasing a new home until you are no longer concerned about an interruption of income. If you’re confident in your current career, can get work with another company easily, or have a large cushion of savings that could handle a temporary interruption of income, then proceed with the purchase. However, if you are seriously concerned about the short-term stability of your job, seriously consider whether purchasing a home is right for you.

Why School District Matters when Buying a Home

There are many things to consider when buying a new home. Of course you automatically consider price, location, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the condition of the home. However, something you might look over that is important to anyone purchasing a new home is the school district of the home.

According to the 2012 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 25% of home buyers listed school quality and 19% listed proximity to schools as deciding factors in their home purchase.

Even if you don’t have school-age children, living in a good school district boosts property values. When it comes time to resell, you learn quickly that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers.

Parents of school-aged children often pay attention to a district’s performance ratings and are likely to pay more to want to live near public schools with higher scores. A school’s high rating can often drive up the price of a home.

Parents always want the best school they can afford for their kids. When you are buying a home, consider the resale value and how the school district could affect it. School districts and their boundaries, whether or not you have children, should always be on your radar when buying a home.

Keep your Lawn Green while Conserving Water

Summer is approaching and many of us have been outside getting our yards and lawns ready for the warmer weather.

Communities around the U.S. have started to impose water restrictions in an effort to conserve water resources. In some cases, utility companies will increase rates once customers pass a certain usage level. There are many creative ways to conserve water while maintaining a beautiful lawn this summer.

How Much Water Does My Lawn Need?

Using too much water when watering the lawn is a big mistake many homeowners make. Lawns generally don’t need as much water as we assume they do. One to two inches each week should be sufficient for any lawn. Excess moisture may even damage your lawn. Yellow or pale grass is a sign of overwatering.

Using a rain gauge can be helpful in determining how much water your lawn is receiving.

When Should I Water My Lawn?

It’s important to make sure you water your lawn at appropriate times. Watering your lawn in the morning or during the day will likely just waste water. Most of it will evaporate before it’s absorbed. The best time to water your lawn is in the late evening after the sun sets or during the early morning when the air is cool. Watering for just a few minutes every day only allows for the upper roots to thrive, while the lower root system dries out. Watering for a longer length of time just a few days a week allows the lower root system to get sufficient moisture.

Creative Lawn Watering Ideas that Conserve

    •    Kids love playing in the sprinklers. Allow your kids to play in the sprinklers and move the sprinkler around the lawn while they play to ensure all parts of the lawn are watered.
    •    If you have a kiddie pool, empty it over different parts of the lawn to recycle all that water.
    •    Give your pets a bath out on the lawn.
    •    Rinse off outdoor furniture on your lawn.
    •    After a picnic or barbeque, empty coolers over the lawn to reuse that water.

Seeing a Home's Potential

Shopping for a home for the first time can be very exciting. You have a list of “must-haves,” and you think you know exactly what you want and how your new home will look.

The only problem with this approach is that there are sometimes gems that get overlooked due to bad decorating, a neglected yard, or dated carpet and walls. If you can’t see past some more minor details and quirks of a home, you may be missing out on a home with great potential.

We are no longer in a buyer’s market, and many homes are being sold as soon as they are on the market. Being too picky might mean missing out, so learn where you are willing to bend a little on your expectations.

Qualities that can make a home a good investment:

Great Location
You will get a better return on your investment if you find a home that doesn’t necessarily have everything on your must-have list in a great neighborhood than any home in a less desirable neighborhood. Low turnover in a neighborhood is a great sign. Ask around and do your research to determine whether the home is in a good location.

Simple Upgrades and Cosmetic Changes
The home may not have granite countertops, stylish cabinets, or new carpet, but it might be a beautiful home in a great location with a great yard. Look at the cosmetic aspects of the home that you may be able to change or overlook. Envision what the house could be. Ask an interior designer or professional remodeler for their opinions.

A Desirable Floor Plan
Find a home with a basic layout that you like. The floor plan is one of the most important things about your home. If the floor plan isn’t exactly what you want, consider whether you can rearrange it, add on, or remodel at a low cost, and determine if it’s worth making an offer on the home.

Tips for a Successful Open House

Spring is almost upon us, which means Open House season is, too. If you’ve already listed your home, right now is the time to decide whether or not you want to hold an open house.

Holding an open house can be the best way to get as many prospective buyers in your home at one time. It’s an informal, pressure-free way for visitors to see your home and hopefully fall in love with it.

If you decide to hold an open house, here are some tips to make it as successful as possible:

    •    Sanitize and completely declutter your home. Clean your house better than you’ve ever cleaned it before. Make sure you pay attention to places that you normally don’t such as baseboards, corners, ceiling fans, cupboards, and closets. Remove all clutter from the house, especially in the closets. People visiting an open house will open the cupboards and closets to see inside. Wash the inside and outside of your windows, and don’t forget to clean up your yard.
    •    Stage your home. We cannot stress enough how important home staging is. If you aren’t comfortable with staging your home yourself, hire a home stager. Home staging is more than just decluttering and cleaning. Home staging is arranging and decorating your home in the most appealing way possible that allows potential buyers to see themselves living in your home. Staging includes everything from removing personal knick-knacks and photos to the smell of your home.
    •    Promote your home. If you have a good real estate agent, they should be able to help you promote your home in as many ways as possible. However, you can also promote your open house by placing signs around the neighborhood and community, handing out flyers, and using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Also, don’t underestimate the power of “old” email marketing!
    •    Leave your home, and take your pets with you. Your real estate agent can be in charge of the tours. Let them do their job. If you’re not there, visitors will feel more comfortable touring the home and asking questions. Also, not everyone is going to love your pooch as much as you do. Remove all signs of any pets living in your home, if necessary, and don’t forget to take your pet with you during the open house.