6 Inexpensive Ways To Lower Home Energy Costs

Homeowners, sooner, or later, discover, a significant, monthly expense, is what they pay, for their energy needs. This includes, heating, cooling, and electrical needs, and, while there might be many ways, to reduce these, many of the fixes, are somewhat expensive! With all the other stresses, and strains, of our every - day, lives, these might be extremely challenging, to afford, so, many of us, simply, continue, without making any attempt, to try to reduce our energy costs. While, they may not address, the total, overall needs, of a homeowner, in this area, this article will attempt to briefly consider, address, and discuss, 6, relatively, inexpensive ways, to lower energy costs.

1. Windows: Many people replace their windows, with more energy - efficient types, but, this is, often a costly, messy process! If those costs, are, beyond one's means, and/ or comfort level/ zone, they should consider, some ways, to make these somewhat more efficient. Sealing, and caulking around windows, making them more, leak - free, as do, making certain, any cracks, are repaired, etc. In addition, ensuring storm windows, work effectively, helps reduce, heat, which, literally, flies, out - the - window!

2. Doors: Much heating, and cooling, escapes, under, and around, entry doors, to houses. One inexpensive approach, is putting, a sweep, below, the bottom, of a door. In addition, examine, how the door, is hung, to ensure, it aligns, properly. There are also, seals, which can be used, around the sides of these entry - ways. Make certain, storm doors, close fully, as an additional protection, and savings!

3. Attic insulation: Is your attic, effectively, and efficiently, insulated? Might you benefit by rolling - in, some additional insulation, near the roof, of your house, where so much, energy, often escapes?

4. Light bulbs: Are you taking advantage of energy - efficient, light bulbs? Many of today's light bulbs, will save, a homeowner, significant amounts, on their electric costs.

5. Set - back thermostat: How one sets, and uses, his thermostat, have a significant impact, on our energy costs. We do not need, to heat our homes, or cool them, to the same degree, at all hours. Based on a specific homeowner's usage and needs, using a set - back thermostat, can create a significant savings! In addition, using a similar system, with air - conditioning, makes a real difference!

6. Do all preventive maintenance: Making minor enhancements, rather than waiting for them to become major problems, creates a savings, overall. Have your energy provider, or service company, do preventive maintenance, on items, such as your boiler, and burner. In addition, do minor jobs, yourself, such as putting insulation, behind, sockets, etc.

An ounce of prevention, and some common sense, often, makes a significant difference, in a homeowner's overall energy costs! Will you protect your single - biggest, financial asset - your house?

Mortgage Options And Alternatives: The More, You Know!

Since, for most of us, our house, represents our single - largest, individual, financial asset, and most people, use some sort of financing, usually mortgages, to be capable of buying a home, doesn't it make sense, for people, to understand, recognize, and know, the different possibilities, when it comes to mortgages, and some of the options, and alternatives? The more one knows about this, the better, he will become, to make the smartest decision, for his personal situation. With that in mind, this article will attempt to consider, review, and evaluate, some of the options, and the advantages and disadvantages, of each of these.

1. Fixed Mortgage: Using a fixed mortgage, provides one, with the ability, to prepare, each monthly, because he knows, fairly well, what his monthly mortgage expense, might be! In addition, sometimes, these have points, which represent, a pre - payment (1 point = 1% of the mortgage principal), and, these are sometimes, necessary, to pay - down, the loan, in order to qualify, while, at other times, these are used, to lower the monthly interest rate. In addition, loans come in a variety of terms, and lengths, and, usually, the shorter the term, the lower the rate. However, shorter terms translate, also, to higher monthly payments. Terms are most often, either 15, 20, 25, 30, or 40 years, and each individual should recognize the difference, in terms of his monthly expenses. Many take longer - terms, so they can pre - pay, and pay - down, when affordable, while maintaining a lower requirement minimum!

2. Adjustable/ variable: An adjustable or variable loan, generally has a lower up - front interest rate, for a specific term, and changes, at specific points, in time. These may also have points, or none! Consider the specific index being used, to determine future rates, as well as any potential cap, both, each period, as well as an overall cap. Also consider, how often the rate might be adjusted.

3. Which one's for you?: Know your personal financial needs, and abilities, and act wisely! Consider several factors, including your personal comfort zone, existing rates (low, or high), probability of rates rising or falling, and what you might be able to afford!

The more one knows, about mortgages, the better the possibilities of making the best decisions! Will you learn, so you might protect, your best interests?

The ABCDEF Of Effective Homeowner Representation

Since, for most people, the value of their house, represents, their single - biggest, financial asset, wouldn't it make sense, if a homeowner, who is considering selling his home, seek, and hire, the best real estate agent, who is ready, willing and able to offer effective homeowner representation? After, more than a decade, as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York (for more information, on all things - real estate, look at my website: http://PortWashingtonLongIslandHouses.com and LIKE the Facebook page for real estate: http://facebook.com/PortWashRE ), I have developed, what I've come to refer to, as the ABCDEF of effective real estate representation. 

1. Attitude; attention; articulate: Interview several real estate agents, and closely examine, and consider, their attitude, seeking only individuals, with positive, can - do, ones! Will the individual focus his attention on your needs, and priorities, and customize his service, to meet these? Consider whether someone, effectively articulates his ideas, and justifies his value, because if you aren't impressed, chances are, he won't attract others, efficiently, and effectively!

2. Benefits; best effort: Listen closely, and ask lots of questions! Does the individual speak about features, he offers, or how, his service and representation, will benefit you, and what those benefits, are? Will he accept, good - enough, or consistently demand his best effort?

3. Cooperative; clever; CMA; character: Agents should seek a cooperative, team approach, in a clever, outside - the - box, way! You need someone with the quality, of character, which benefits his clients! Listen to how he recognizes his Competitive Market Analysis, or CMA, and whether, his suggestions, are, both logical, and compelling!

4. Delve deeply; deliver: Avoid being represented by anyone, who offers, simplistic solutions, rather than delving deeply, and delivering, the finest service, and representation, on a regular, consistent basis!

5. Empathy; emphasis; excellence: When you interview potential agents, observe whether they are willing to listen, far more than they speak, so they become ready, and capable of understanding, your goals, needs, and priorities, and, will, therefore, exhibit the utmost degree of genuine empathy, you should be seeking, and deserve! How one empathizes, generally, directs their emphasis, and unless, it is on serving your needs, how will he, be able to provide the utmost excellence, you deserve?

6. Face facts; fruition; faithful: It is essential, for your representative, to be absolutely faithful, to his clients! To do so, he must possess genuine, absolute integrity, a willingness to face the facts, and the persistence, to bring, the best possible, solution, to fruition!

Pay attention to this ABCDEF of quality, effective, homeowner representation! Don't you owe that, to yourself? 

Can I Sell My House?

As a New York State licensed real estate salesperson, a Real Estate Cyberspace Specialist, and an Ecobroker, I am asked all the time, "Can I sell my house?" Generally, I answer that any house can be sold, if it is priced correctly, and one will generally receive his best offer in the first few weeks after a house is listed on the market.

In all economies, houses sell. Obviously, there is quite a bit of price fluctuation, and there are areas where the real estate market is stronger, and others where the housing market is weaker. The key, however, to marketing and eventually selling one's home, is properly pricing it from the very beginning. Too many homeowners list their homes with whichever real estate agent suggests listing the home at the highest price, yet that is probably the worst strategy in most cases. If a homeowner truly wants to sell his home, the price asked for the home should be based on a tightly and properly prepared, in-depth, professionally formulated Comparative Market Analysis, known commonly as a C.M.A.

A Comparative Market Analysis evaluates homes in very comparable areas, nearby, in the same condition, with similar attributes. It should look at homes on the market presently, houses that have sold recently (in a weaker market, only prices of houses sold in the last approximately six months should be considered), and houses that the listing expired, which means did not sell during the listing period. Homeowners should understand that today most buyers begin their search on the internet, and the majority of them do a search by area and price range. Therefore, pricing a house at $799,999 will often appear in many more searches than, for example, pricing it at $800,000.

When pricing one's home, and doing accurate comparables, the clever agent will recommend pricing at or below the median price in the group of homes on the market in similar condition, etc. The key to selling one's home is most often statistical, which means the more "looks" at the house, the better the chance of it selling. In general, if a house is getting few looks, the listing price is too high for current market conditions. If the house is getting looks but no quality offers, either there is some "sticking point" that is causing resistance, or the house "does not show well."

About three months ago, I had a quality, pre-approved client that I was helping as a buyers' agent. This couple had specific needs, and had more than twenty percent to put down, excellent credit rating, and was motivated. The house they were interested was a lovely house, but had certain limitations. The sellers listing price was $879,000 although nothing on the block ever sold for more than $828,000, and the one house that sold for that price, was a new "build," and was sold in a stronger housing market. Realistically, this house should have been sold for somewhere in the low $800,000 range. After several offers, my client offered his final offer of $820,000, and the buyer would not come anywhere close to that price. In my opinion, it is doubtful, in the present market, that there will be any other offers nearly as high. The bottom line is that house is still not only on the market, but is still listed at $879,000. Whether it is an unrealistic homeowner or a weak or poorly informed real estate agent, the seller certainly did himself no favor.

Houses are selling in this market. Yes, it is more difficult to qualify and get a mortgage, and banks are much more conservatively appraising houses values in terms of how much mortgage to offer. Yet, if one has a decent financial record, has twenty percent to put down, and is realistic, houses are selling, and are a good deal. With mortgage rates near historic lows, the combination of lower house prices and lower interest rates can dramatically reduce a new homeowners monthly housing costs.

However, until consumers feel more confident, realtors understand that they don't make money unless homes sell, and both buyers and sellers become truly motivated and realistic, the housing market will not be as robust as a few years ago. However, for those willing to accept "today's rules," they can do extremely well.

Interesting News in Housing Market

Today, FNMA appeared to be prepared to alter its established policy regarding foreclosures on properties they control. It appears that they have made the decision to rent out these distressed properties instead of foreclosing and selling them. If this policy is maintained, it would go a long way toward stabilizing housing because it would somewhat reduce the "supply side" of homes by removing these distressed properties from the marketplace. The net effect of that should eventually be shoring up home prices, as well as reducing the amount of average days on market for houses listed for sale. It would also reduce "bottom-feeding" tendencies, and create a more realistically priced housing market.
In addition, the Fed's decision this week to maintain low interest rates for the foreseeable future, should help keep mortgage interest rates close to the low levels they currently are at. In addition, news about the Fed and certain large public companies working together to share the risk on distressed properties/ loans, should eventually loosen the mortgage lending market to some degree.
The recent election results have also indicated that people have become "fed up" with the high taxes they are paying. If this then translates into finally addressing the high real estate taxes paid in certain areas of the country, this will also help the housing market.
There also seems to finally be some awareness that we must control our energy costs, and if that rhetoric translates into some action, it would be another positive for the housing market and real estate industry.
Finally, if our politicians now get the message that the joblessness issue has to be addressed, and Americans begin to see some job creation and consumer confidence, then there will be a rebound in the housing market.
The consensus is that the housing market has or nearly has bottomed out. Therefore, 2010 should be a much better year.

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