Energy saving tips...

• 

  5 Tips for Saving Energy in the Family Room

  Reduce your electricity bills by systematically purging your family room of wasteful energy practices. Read
• 

  12 Tips for Saving Energy in Your Home Office

  Cut your power consumption, lighting, and heating and cooling costs when you work from home. Read
• 

  7 Tips for Saving Energy with Home Lighting

  Lighting eats up as much as 20% of your annual electric bill, but using energy-efficient bulbs and making other simple changes can cut lighting costs dramatically. Read
• 

  10 Tips for Saving Energy in the Kitchen

  Maintain your large kitchen appliances is part of a smart home energy efficiency plan. Read
• 

  7 Tips for Saving Energy in the Laundry Room

  Understanding your laundry room appliances is part of a smart plan to help you save energy in your home. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

7 Tips for Selling Your Home-Back to the Basics

It's About the Basics: Tips for Selling Your Home
It might just mean the difference between selling within a month and selling within a year.
Here are some basic tips from State Farm on selling a home:

Set your price carefully
Too high and buyers may not consider it, too low and you're selling yourself short.

Don't do major remodeling
Don't break the bank preparing your home for sale. Pricey items such as a new roof may be big hits with buyers, but rarely does the buying price end up. When possible, stick with the simpler (and less expensive) options rather than major remodeling.

Make a good first impression
Curb appeal is important. Keep your lawn and landscaping neatly trimmed, weeded and watered. Check for things such as peeling paint, foundation cracks or loose shingles; fix what is needed. Clean the windows. Maybe give the front door a fresh coat of paint. Add a few flowers in the spring and summer and in the fall/winter keep the walks cleared of leaves and snow.

Clean!
Seller's commandment: "thou shalt clean". Remove all clutter from every room, including closets. Have a garage sale! Paint walls and trim if necessary. Clean all windows, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Bathrooms should always be squeaky clean. Inspect and make any necessary repairs to the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems. Highlight the bath and kitchen by selecting some attractive new towels, curtains or cabinetry knobs.

...And keep it clean
It's hard, but it's necessary.

Light it up
When showing your house, provide plenty of light and make your home a warm, welcoming place. Open the curtains to let in the sunshine. In the event of an evening showing, make sure you have ample lighting available in all areas. Fresh cut flowers make a nice addition, and a pleasantly scented house is very inviting.

Go away
Many agents and potential buyers would prefer that the seller not be present during a showing, to avoid limiting the buyers' conversation or making them uncomfortable. Children and pets should also be absent or out of the buyers' way during a showing, if at all possible.
For more detailed information, visit: It\'s About the Basics: 7 Tips for Selling Your Home

What is happening in YOUR housing world-Find out here

Take 1 minute to update yourself on what's happening in YOUR housing world.

Other states information is available at the bottom.

August 2010 Newsletter

Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, housing market video reports, blogs, real estate glossary, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and information on local communities.

Click on link or copy/paste  http://annmariegarganoparks.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/
To find out what is happening in YOUR state, scroll all the way down to the bottom.

You Can Keep Your Good Credit During This Recession - If You Know The Score

How Do You Keep Your Good Credit During This Recession?

Don't wreck your credit score-know how the system works.

RISMEDIA, August 9, 2010
"With the same amount of money, you can make decisions that kill your credit score or ones that keep your score - or at least give you the ability to rebuild your score quickly later," he said. "Most people have wrong or little information about how the system works, and that's a big reason scores go down when difficult decisions are made during a recession."

Johansson advises major financial institutions and consumers on the FICO credit score model used by most lenders in deciding the borrower's risk and interest rate. He described THREE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS that needlessly lower credit scores.

MISCONCEPTION #1: Paying late didn't hurting my credit since I'm caught up now.

MISCONCEPTION #2: Dollar Amounts Matter in Credit Scores.

Johansson emphasized the importance of paying all your bills on time, every time. However, he says that if you must pay late and want to avoid damage to your score, pay the accounts that report to credit bureaus first. You can find this information by getting a copy of your credit report.

MISCONCEPTION#3: Closing Credit Card Accounts Helps Your Score.

Don't Make a Bad Situation Worse.

Johansson emphasizes- "good credit is an important part of financial security and must be considered when making the best long-term decisions. Having the right information is necessary to make good choices - now more than ever."

for additional information:
http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9632

Keep Close Tabs on Your Credit Score

Watching your credit score is a must. Here are a few strategies that could improve the chances of getting a loan AND possibly getting a better rate.

RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010-With banks tightening their grip on loans, getting one is requiring more work and vigilance on the borrower's part. Even people with excellent credit are jumping through hoops to verify everything.

So what can you do?


Paying bills on time, don't be overextended on credit. Lenders look at how credit is managed,  it is important to pay down credit before applying for a loan. This can help raise your credit score and get a better rate.

When you do pay down a debt, such as on a credit card, keep the account open to show you have a long credit history and you are responsible by not maxing out every loan you get.

Next, verify your credit score every year. Requesting your own report does no damage to your record. There are three credit bureaus that maintain reports. Request them all through www.annualcreditreport.com. Reports are free once a year.

Dispute mistakes.

The importance of good credit in our changing economy cannot be overemphasized. You run the risk of not having a lifeline when times are tough. In addition, those with poor credit also face higher expenses such as interest rates, insurance premiums, and rental rates can be higher for those without excellent credit, not to mention employers may shun applicants that do not demonstrate responsible money management.

So stop right now, go to your iPhone or Blackberry or whatever you use to manage your busy life and make a yearly "To Do" of auditing your credit.


For detailed info go to:
http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9553