How to Save As Much Energy as You Can in Your Home

Realty Times- By Julia Gomes Monday, 29 September 2014

 

If yours is like other households, meeting your financial obligations each month may be getting harder to achieve.  There are some interesting ways that you and your family members can save as much energy as possible so that your utility bill can be lower each month and under your budgeted amount.  Let’s look at some questions that you can pose to your family so that you can begin to work together on cutting your energy bill drastically before winter arrives.

1.      First examine the type of light bulbs that you are using so that you can be assured that they are low energy rated bulbs.  Different kinds of bulbs use less electricity and can help to reduce your utility bills and will last longer too.

2.      When you or a family member leaves a room are you turning the lights off?  When children or teenagers exit their rooms, make sure that they develop the habit of switching the lights off so you won’t be illuminating an empty room and wasting energy that could be easily saved.  Forming good conservation habits when they are young will help your children become thrifty savers in the future.

3.      Adjust your thermostat down a couple of degrees and you’ll be surprised at the savings that you realize on your quarterly energy bills especially during the winter.  By keeping a consistently lower temperature throughout your home you’ll be cutting your energy costs significantly.

4.      Wearing an extra layer of clothing around the house can also help you to save money on your energy bill; you won’t be uncomfortable when you adjust the temperature in your home and you’ll be cozy in your additional clothes.  If you are struggling to meet your energy bill each month, this could be an immediate solution to your problem and one in which all family members can participate.

5.      Check the insulation that you have in your home.  If it’s not adequate, you should arrange to have additional insulation added so your heating and cooling system will work more effectively.  You specifically need to check the loft and cavity wall insulation so you can run a more energy efficient household.

6.      What type of glazing do you have in your windows?  Many old homes still have the single glazed windows which tend to let draughts in and the heat from your home out.  It’s more economical to use double or triple glazed windows so that you can avoid losing heat through these openings;  The professionals on this website can offer you advice and expertise that is unmatched in the industry; they are knowledgeable about what will work best for your needs and can extend competitive pricing to you.

From drawing the curtains at night to switching off your appliances such as your television, DVD player, and audio equipment, you can find a plethora of ways to save a great deal of energy in your home.

How to Make the Most Out of an Open House

By Debbie Benoit, Boston.com

 

 

Open Houses are wonderful vehicles for potential buyers to do their research, hone in on communities and neighborhoods that fit their needs and ideally, even find their dream house. Knowing what to expect and what is expected will make those Sunday afternoons more productive and entertaining. Here are five tips to help you navigate and make the most of the open house.

 

1. Don’t be afraid of the real estate agent or the sign-in sheet – The host of the open house may or may not be the listing broker. Regardless, you should not hesitate to sign the register and give at least one means of communication. Sellers deserve to know who is touring their house. If you are working with a broker, list the broker’s name next to yours and communicate that to the broker. Feel free to ask all the questions you have of the host broker, whether there have been any offers, the benefits of the local school, neighborhood etc. If you aren’t working with anyone yet, this is your chance to try this one on. If he or she is attentive, well-informed, knowledgeable about the local inventory, and offers you information that will help you make the informed decision, you may have found the perfect agent to help you with your search.

 

2. Make yourself at home but remember your manners – I like to think of an open house as a party I throw every Sunday! Feel free to take your time and look all around at your leisure. It’s okay to open closets, kitchen cabinets etc. You need to know if this house will fit your needs. If you’re thinking of expansion or renovation, don’t hesitate asking the broker for his/her opinion. Chances are the broker has been involved in many a project and may have good ideas to share. Keep your comments positive. You cannot be sure friends or neighbors are not within earshot and you should let other buyers form their own opinions. Remember, you are a welcome guest in the house so you should be mindful of your manners.

 

3. The “Poker Face” rule—I have to admit I love an enthusiastic buyer, but I always advise buyers to restrain their emotions. The broker does work for the seller so you don’t want to give too much information that might compromise your position.

 

4. Focus on the property – Brokers will usually have handouts with property descriptions, floor plans, square footage, and special features. If you’re seeing a lot of properties in a day, take notes, ask the pertinent questions, even take a photo or two (with the agent’s permission) to help you keep them all straight. Make each visit productive. If the broker does not have the information you need to either yeah or nay it, ask them to send it to you.

 

5. Size up your competition – In an extremely competitive market, there will be times that you will be elbow to elbow with the competing offer on that property. Often, offers are accepted immediately following the open house. A smart buyer listens to the remarks made around him. You may very well learn something that will help you craft your offer.

Mortgage Rates Hit 2014 Low

By Les Christie 

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level in over a year.

The average rate for a 30-year loan now stands at 4.1%, according to Freddie Mac. That matched its lowest level since June 2013, when it stood at 3.93%. The average 15-year fixed was 3.23%.
The government's stimulus program has helped keep borrowing costs down. The Federal Reserve has been purchasing Treasury Bonds and mortgaged-backed securities for years, providing a steady market for mortgages.

But the Fed has cut back on its purchases, and plans to end the buying program entirely in October, reducing demand for mortgage bonds. That should eventually cause rates to climb.
Low mortgage rates and home prices that are climbing more slowly should boost the housing market, said to Keith Gumbinger, spokesman for HSH.com, a mortgage information company.
"That should provide a solid foundation for home sales this fall," he said.

It was a strong summer.

Sales of existing homes rose 2.4% in July to an annualized rate of 5.15 million homes, according to a different report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors
Stronger job growth has boosted the market, according to NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, and a larger inventory of homes on the market give buyers more to choose from.
"That's making prospective buyers less hesitant about entering the market," he said.