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Going GreenQ&A with Cleaning Coach Leslie ReichertArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Published: October 11, 2011 Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of GreenCleaning, talks to HouseLogic about homemade green cleaning products and whatclean really is.  We're all for protecting our health and ourplanet. But do so-called green ingredients really get things clean? Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of Green Cleaning, is a greencleaning green cleaning expert(http://www.houselogic.com/green-living/green-cleaning/) who shows clients howto replace toxic cleaning chemicals with natural solutions. Wetalked recently with Reichert about why she went green, why everyone should, andhow to make no-fail green cleaners. Why did you go green? Leslie Reichert: I had a house cleaningservice years ago and found that the pine cleaner we used was stinging oureyes, and the fiberglass cleaner was hurting our lungs. I know everyone has a showercleaner that makes their eyes water or makes them cough. That's your bodysaying you shouldn't be using it, that there's something in the cleaner that'shurting you. Why do people resist using greencleaners? LR: Believing things are clean is psychological.There are tons of men who love the smell of bleach and believe things aren'tclean unless they smell like chlorine. Nothing will clean everything. You wantto get the dirt. But we have a bacteria phobia and get so wrapped up in killingthem with all these funky chemicals. In reality, soap and water work just aswell. What do you think about steam cleanersand ultraviolet wands that purportedly kill bacteria? LR: I have a steam cleaner, and it canshoot down into crevices that are hard to reach. The ultraviolet wands need tobe placed on the bacteria for a while to work. If you just wave it over acounter, the bacteria just gets a suntan. You can't ever totally get rid ofbacteria: They multiply in minutes, and they're always in the air. What would you say to people who are onthe fence about going green? LR: There are really three reasons to gogreen. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family, because you can make a smalldifference in their world. And do it for the environment. If I can make peoplechange one spray bottle at a time, that's all I need to do. Where's a good place for people tostart? LR: Mix up a green cleaning scrub thattakes the place of a cleanser. It's one cup each of salt, baking soda, borax,and a little lemon grass to make it smell like a cleanser. It leaves the sinknice and shiny, but there's nothing really harsh. Do you have a favorite green cleaner? LR: My great grandmother's laundry soap,which I found written into an old Bible that was given to me after she passedaway. You mix up 2 cups soap flakes, 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda (alsoknown as soda ash), and 1 cup baking soda. I had to order the soap flakes fromLondon. But I mixed it up, tried it out, and thought, "Oh my gosh, itreally works." But making laundry soap yourself can bepricey. Your grandmother's soap costs 50 cents per load, while Tide costs 20cents. LR: The soap flakes are expensive, althoughother homemade cleaners are cheaper(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/cheap-eco-friendly-bathroom-cleaning/). Butyou can make your own flakes with bars of Ivory soap. Let them dry for a whileand grate them. But it's a lot of work. Is it better to make your own greenproducts, or buy them in a store? LR: The cleaning industry does not have toreveal the ingredients in a product. They say it's proprietary. But until youknow what's in a product, it's best to make it yourself. Most chemical cleaners will last in theirbottles forever. Can you store your green cleaners? LR: Sure. I store my green scrub in aplastic container and keep it in my bathroom. It will last until it runs out.But I have to store my all-purpose cleaner, which contains hydrogen peroxide,in a dark bottle, because the hydrogen peroxide will break down. Got any green suggestions for keeping petstains on rugs from re-emerging? LR: Replace the pad, because it acts like asponge, then steam-clean the back of the rug. What about cleaning grease stains from, say, aThanksgiving turkey? LR: Alcohol will cut through grease. Fill aspray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray it on the grease. Vodka works, too. Is there a green cleaning happy hour? LR: A good vodka cleaning around 4:30 inthe afternoon is not a bad thing. For more green cleanup tips, check out thisvideo: Do you use a green cleanser that works?Share your formula! Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Saving Money Still Trumps Green Unless It?s DIY GreenArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Christina Hoffmann Published: October 17, 2011 The green movement appears to be shiftingaway from buying green products (too expensive) and toward make-it-yourselfsolutions.  It's just like we've always said here atHouseLogic: Green living (http://www.houselogic.com/green-living/) is great,but it's even better when it saves you money, too. The New York Times yesterday reported that green fanciers are opting for - gasp - products thataren't green because, frankly, they cost less.But don't count green out. You can still begreen for less, often just by doing it yourself, the report said:"Activities like growing and canning food, raising chickens, and makingyour own clothes and other household goods ... are now seen by many as a way toeconomize while staying true to green values." So we rustled up a list of some of thesmartest things you can do as a home owner to be green and save green: ?Seal air leaks(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/maintenance-repair/seal-air-leaks-around-windows-and-doors/).Caulking and weather stripping needn't cost a lot ($50-$350, depending on yourhome's size). Don't forget to seal leaks in basements(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/insulation/basement-air-leaks/) andattics (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/insulation/fixing-attics-air-leaks/)too. Combined with insulating your attic(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/insulation/attic-insulation-savings/),you could reduce your energy bills by 10%. ?Curb your water usage(http://www.houselogic.com/blog/saving-water/3-tip-stop-squabbles-about-water-usage/)by installing an aerator on your faucets. It costs about $3 at a hardware orhome improvement store and reduces the flow rate without compromising yourwater pressure. ?Turn down your water heater(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/water-heaters-5-tips-for-saving-energy/3/).Every 10 degrees lower saves 3% to 5% on your bill. The sweet spot is 120 to140 degrees. If the thermostat on your water heater doesn't have a numberedgauge, put it midway between the "low" and "medium" marks. ?If raising chickens is your thing,check out our slideshow of chicken coops(http://www.houselogic.com/photos/outdoors/chicken-coops-of-the-rich-and-famous/). ?And if that weren't enough, here are9 more energy and money savers(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/saving-energy/energy-money-savers/). What's your best energy-saving tip? Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  The Thin House London This is one of London's remarkably thin buildings - stand at the West End of this building and marvel in the thin end of this wedge. Goldhawk Road  There really is no room to swing a cat but this two-bedroom house just 66 inches wide is set to sell for more than half a million pounds. The property in Shepherd's Bush, west London, on the market for £549,950, has been described as one of the skinniest houses in Britain. And estate agents are using that feature as its selling point. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1233444/Thin-house-fat-wallet-Property-6ft-wide-sale-550-000.html#ixzz1mfIOqYEx  Creative Ways to Afford a Home 1. Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov. 2. Explore seller financing. In some cases, sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase price of the home and let you repay them gradually, just as you would do with a mortgage. 3. Consider a shared-appreciation or shared-equity arrangement. Under this arrangement, your family, friends, or even a third-party may buy a portion of the home and share in any appreciation when the home is sold. The owner/occupant usually pays the mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance costs, but all the investors' names are usually on the mortgage. Companies are available that can help you find such an investor, if your family can?t participate. 4. Ask your family for help. Perhaps a family member will loan you money for the down payment or act as a co-signer for the mortgage. Lenders often like to have a co-signer if you have little credit history. 5. Lease with the option to buy. Renting the home for a year or more will give you the chance to save more toward your down payment. And in many cases, owners will apply some of the rental amount toward the purchase price. You usually have to pay a small, nonrefundable option fee to the owner. 6. Consider a short-term second mortgage. If you can qualify for a short-term second mortgage, this would give you money to make a larger down payment. This may be possible if you?re in good financial standing, with a strong income and little other debt. Reprinted fromREALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag)with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  Budget Basics WorksheetBudget Basics Worksheet 
Reprinted fromREALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag)with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  Solar Water PumpArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Published: August 19, 2011 The look and sound of running water calmsnerves and heals spirits. But if you've included a water feature in yourlandscaping, you probably know how aggravating running water can be.  The look and sound of running water calmsnerves and heals spirits. But if you've included a water feature in your landscaping(http://www.houselogic.com/home-improvement/outdoors/landscaping), you probablyknow how aggravating running water can be. My blood pressure climbs just thinking about the hours I've tended my concretegarden (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/saving-water/how-to-save-water-when-gardening/)fountain -- a fluted pedestal topped with a clamshell bowl. In winter, I lugthe bowl inside or risk it cracking from the cold. In spring, I repair nickswith ribbons of silicone that never really work. In summer, I plug and unplugthe fountain's electric pump, run in and out adjusting the spray, and fill andrefill the bowl. Calming, this is not. But balance has returned now that I've found Nature's Foundry's Universal SolarPump Kit, a plastic insert that turns any 2-inch-deep bowl into a gracefulfountain of soothing, healing water. Forget lugging concrete bowls: Any oldpasta or salad bowl sitting in the garden will do. The pump ($60-$90) is juiced by solar(http://www.houselogic.com/home-improvement/renewable-energy/solar) cells. Justset it into any deep bowl, fill 'er up, and place in full sun. No extensioncords or rubber tubes, no concrete, no refilling every hour. Just a solar(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/solar-access-rights-help-you-catch-some-rays/)pump that hums softly and sends water out a tube. The kit comes with severalcaps that create different water patterns. As I write, I'm watching water fall into an old fruit bowl I've placed in mygarden. Oh wait, here comes a cloud and off goes the pump. And nowwwwww thecloud's floated by and the fountain is humming again. What the fountain lacksin non-stop flow, it gains in ease. I love watching the show - the water singing and dancing, the robins preeningand bathing in the cool cascade. Itturns out, falling water is not just a delight, it's a natural boost to ourbodies and minds, says Mary Gregerson, an environmental health psychologist whouses running water as a therapeutic tool to help depressed patients. "Normal people can get benefits from free-flowing water, too," shesays. Gregerson's not talking about drip, drip, dripping water, which will drive youcrazy. She's talking about running water from a fountain or waterfall thatrevives dead air with health-promoting negative ions. According to Gregerson,these ions: ?Increase alertness, productivity, andconcentration ?Boost immune reactions to colds andflu ?Reduce the severity of asthma attacksand increase lung capacity ?Relieve migraines and hay fever The LifeTree Healing and Teaching Center inOntario uses sound therapy, including the sound of fountain water, to healstressed-out clients. "Everyday we disconnect from nature," Begovits says. "Butultimately, we are nature. Water shuts off the mind. It's a form of meditation." Do you have a water feature in your garden? Do you love it? Or are you aslave to it? Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Granny Flat or In-Law Suite?Which is More Prudent?Article From HouseLogic.com By: Dona DeZube Published: August 19, 2011 If you need to house aging parents or adultchildren, or if your family is multi-generational, what's better -- an in-lawsuite or a little granny cottage in the back yard?  If you need to house aging parents or adultchildren, or if your family is multi-generational, what's better - an in-lawsuite or a little granny cottage in the back yard? Our data says you'll spend less remodelingthe basement(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/basements/return-basement-remodel/) oradding an in-law suite to your attic(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/planning-your-remodel/evaluate-your-house-attic-bedroom/).But a USA Today feature suggests you consider building a small house or cottage in the back yard. For instance, the article notes that inVancouver, detached cottages or "laneway houses" have become popular:"[Architect James Tuer] ... designed several, including one that cost$200,000 and rents for about $1,600 monthly. He says the owners have agingparents who may live there, or they may use it themselves at some point andrent out their main house." A Seattle builder is also building backyard cottages in the neighborhood of 800square feet and at a cost of about $125,000. Building a second house on your propertymeans a trip through the zoning(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-additions/property-zoning-laws-workshop-studio/)process versus the much simpler permit process you follow when you remodelexisting square footage. And if you don't live in a trend-settingmetropolis, zoning rules will likely keep you from building a second house onyour lot unless you physically attach it to your existing house and put afamily member in it rather than a renter. If that's the case for you, maybegrandpa or the kids can make do with an apartment in the space over the garage. How are you accommodating in-laws, grown kids, or renters in your home? Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Hotel Puerta America Every floor a different design adventure! Every floor a different designer masterpiece! With 12 floors and communal spaces providing a unique style designed by 19 design agencies, your choice of room is critical at Hotel Puerta América. Although floors have a similar layout, when you exit the elevator on each floor you feel in altogether different worlds - from futuristic red plastic to black marble through to traditional leather and wood. With every floor a different artistic design, this hotel challenges the senses in an architectural assault course of design. Thankfully the front desk staff anticipate guests changing rooms. A menu of design choices for the different floors is provided at check-in and you are recommended to study closely, or make an inquiry for details and availability in advance Read More from the Source  Quick Fixes to Increase ValueTo attract buyers, sellers must up the ante to convince them that their property offers what many want most ? top value for dollar expended. Here are eight fast fixes:  2. Enrich with color. Paint?s cheap, but forget the adage that it must be white or neutral. Just don?t let sellers get too avant-garde with jarring pinks, oranges, and purples. Recommend soft colors that say ?welcome,? lead the eye from room to room, and flatter skin tones. Think soft yellows and pale greens. Tint ceilings a lighter shade. 3. Upgrade the kitchen and bathroom. These make-or-break rooms can spur a sale. But besides making each squeaky clean and clutter-free, update the pulls, sinks, and faucets. In a kitchen, add one cool appliance, such as an espresso maker. In the bathroom, hang a flat-screen TV to mimic a hotel. Room service, anyone? 4. Add old-world patina. Make Andrea Palladio proud. Install crown molding at least six to nine inches in depth, proportional to the room?s size, and architecturally compatible. For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament. It?s all in the details, after all. 5. Screen hardwood floors. Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time-consuming. Screening cuts dust, time, and expense. What it entails: a light sanding, not a full stripping of color or polyurethane, then a coat of finish. 6. Clean out, organize closets. Get sorting ? organize your piles into ?don?t need,? ?haven?t worn,? and ?keep.? Closets must be only half-full so buyers can visualize fitting their stuff in. 7. Update window treatments. Buyers want light and views, not dated, fancy-schmancy drapes that darken. To diffuse light and add privacy, consider energy-efficient shades and blinds. 8. Hire a home inspector. Do a preemptive strike, since busy home owners seek maintenance-free living. Fix problems before you list the home and then display receipts and wait for buyers to offer kudos to sellers for being so responsible. Sources: Ernie Roth, Roth Interiors, Los Angeles; Angel Petragallo, abrÒ, Group One, Boise, Idaho; Melissa Galt, Galt Interiors, Atlanta; Steve Kleiman, CEO, Oakington Realty, Houston; Sid Davis, Sid Davis & Associates, Farmington, Utah, and author of First-Time Homeowners? Survival Guide (Amacom, 2007); Steve Hochman, Friendly Note Buyers, Roxbury, N.Y.; Margi Kyle, designer and spokesperson for Hunter Douglas.  Questions to Ask your Lender1. What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular?  2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for me? Why? 3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable? 4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost, and how long will it be required? (NOTE: Private mortgage insurance is usually required if your down payment is less than 20 percent. However, most lenders will let you discontinue PMI when you?ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.) 5. Who will service the loan ? your bank or another company? 6. What escrow requirements do you have? 7. How long will this loan be in a lock-in period (in other words, the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored)? Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if it drops during this period? 8. How long will the loan approval process take? 9. How long will it take to close the loan? 10. Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan? Used with permission from Real Estate Checklists & Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com.  Child-Proof Doors & WindowsKeep Toddlers, Elderly from WanderingArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Dona DeZube Published: August 12, 2011 If you have a toddler who thinks midnight isa great time to hit the playground without you, or a dad with Alzheimer's whogets lost a block from home, you need to know when someone heads out the door(or a window) of your home.  If you have a toddler who thinks midnightis a great time to hit the playground without you, or a dad with Alzheimer'swho gets lost a block from home, you need to know when someone heads out thedoor (or a window) of your home. Short of moving your family into a prison, your options for keeping everyonewhere they belong range from simple lock products to help child-proof doors andwindows that cost about a buck to sophisticated electronic surveillanceequipment costing thousands. These products will help give you peace of mind: ?A hook and eye latch (about $1)installed at the top of the door out of reach of the toddler and out of sightof your wandering dad. ?Three or four barrel bolt locks ($4each) installed so you have to slide some to the left and some to the right toget out. Put them at the top and bottom of the door where you wouldn't normallylook for a lock. ?Keyed window locks ($7) will keeptoddlers and parents from opening the window, but heads up: If there's anemergency, a window lock may block escape routes. You'll have to decide whichis the greater risk. These products alert you when a door orwindow is opened: ?A string of Jingle Bells (about $4)attached to the door will tell you when it's opened, but test to make sure youcan hear the bells from all over the house. ?Electronic window alarms ($7) run onbatteries and let you know when a window is opened by sounding an alarm orchime. ?If you want to know when someone getsout of bed, a pressure-sensitive mat alarm(http://www.harborfreight.com/pressure-sensitive-alarm-mat-96481.html) (about$10) mat will play music or blast a 105-decibel alarm when a person (or a pet)steps on it. You can also put it under a rug in front of the door. ?A motion detector alarm ($20) mountedover the front door or a window tells you when someone passes by, whilemounting one under the bed will tell you when someone gets up at night. Installing solar-powered motion-sensorlighting ($33 at Lowe's) around your home's exterior will tell you whensomeone's outside. Secure the whole houseFor $250 to $700, have a simple homesecurity system(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-security/home-security-systems-types-and-costs/)installed, or for about $1 per square foot, have an alarm company install afull perimeter system for all doors and windows. Set the system to chime rather than call the security company when a door orwindow opens so you don't scare the pants off grandpa or baby with a screechingalarm. Don't be surprised if the brand-name home security companies refuse to installa system unless you agree to pay them $35 to $75 a month to monitor it. A localcompany is more likely to install without demanding a monitoring fee. It's not easy keeping track of someone who doesn't understand why it'sdangerous to be outside alone. Here's hoping some of these solutions work wellenough to make your days and nights a little easier. What have you done to keep your family members safe from wandering? Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Reasons for a Mortgage RefinanceOther Than Lowering Your PaymentArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Barbara Eisner Bayer Published: October 22, 2010 There's more to a mortgage refinance thanlowering your monthly payments.  Naturally, if you're paying 6% for yourmortgage and you can refinance at 5%, you're gonna do it. Although cutting yourmonthly payment remains an important motive, there are at least five otherreasons to consider a mortgage refinance, for long-term savings andconvenience. 1. Change your mortgage termIf you decrease the term of your mortgagein a refinance by going from a 30-year to a 15-year, you'll pay a lowerinterest rate and shorten your total interest costs. You'll build home equitymore quickly, and pay off your loan sooner, even though your monthly paymentsgo up. 2. Move from an adjustable rate to a fixed rateARMs offer low introductory rates, but theyalso offer long periods of uncertainty that make it hard to budget. It makessense in a mortgage refinance to go from an ARM to a fixed-rate loan during alow-interest rate environment. You'll get emotional security and your ratewon't fluctuate with changing economic conditions. 3. Take out cashWith a cash-out mortgage refinance, you canturn an intangible asset-accumulated home equity-into a tangible one-cash. Itmakes sense for a project that will generate long-term benefits, like a homeimprovement or funding a child's college education (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/deduct-mortgage-interest/).However, don't do it for frivolous reasons. Unless you're extremelydisciplined, you could find yourself in even deeper debt. 4. Consolidate two mortgagesWhen interest rates are low, a mortgage refinancelets you consolidate your main mortgage and an outstanding home equity loan torealize a lower overall monthly payment. Plus, you'll have only one mortgagepayment to make each month. 5. Recover from divorceIf your home is jointly owned with your soon-to-beex-spouse, a mortgage refinance will turn a joint obligation into theresponsibility of the person keeping the home. Nothing is more frustrating thantracking down a former spouse who doesn't keep up with his or her end of themortgage payment. Lay the groundworkIf one of these reasons resonates with you,contact your current lender to see if it'll offer you preferred rates orreduced closing costs on a mortgage refinance. But don't assume the currentlender is best: Leave no stone unturned by searching for lenders online andcalling community banks and local credit unions. No matter which lender you choose, a mortgage refinance for the right reasonscan save you lots of money-and that's the best reason of all. Barbara Eisner Bayer has written about mortgages and personal finance for thepast 16 years for the Motley Fool, Mortgages.com, and Nursevillage.com, and hasbeen the Managing Editor of MortgageLoan.com, CompleteGrowth.com, andCredit-land.com. She has recently survived the challenge of refinancing hersecond home. Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  The Bubble HouseTourettes-sur-Loup, France  Source  How to Hold a Successful Garage SaleGarage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter ? and earn a little extra cash ? before you sell your home. But make sure the timing is right. Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips for a successful sale.  2. Get a permit. Most municipalities will require you to obtain a special permit or license in order to hold a garage sale. The permits are often free or very inexpensive, but still require you to register with the city. 3. See if neighbors want to join in. You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up with neighbors. However, a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it?s a group event. 4. Schedule the sale. Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic, especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early, 5. Advertise. Place an ad in free classified papers and Web sites, and in your local newspapers. Include the dates, time, and address. Let the public know if certain types of items will be sold, such as baby clothes, furniture, or weightlifting equipment. On the day of the sale, balloons and signs with prominent arrows will help to grab the attention of passersby. 6. Price your goods. Lay out everything that you plan to sell, and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, garage sales are supposed to be bargains, so try to be objective as you set prices. Assign simple prices to your goods: 50 cents, 3 for $1, $5, $10, etc. 7. If it?s really junk, don?t sell it. Decide what?s worth selling and what?s not. If it?s really garbage, then throw it away. Broken appliances, for example, should be tossed. (Know where a nearby electrical outlet is, in case a customer wants to make sure something works.) 8. Check for mistakes. Make sure that items you want to keep don?t accidentally end up in the garage sale pile. 9. Create an organized display. Lay out your items by category, and display neatly so customers don?t have to dig through boxes. 10. Stock up on bags and newspapers. People who buy many small items will appreciate a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile items. 11. Manage your money. Make a trip to the bank to get ample change for your cashbox. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your cash; never leave the cashbox unattended. It?s smart to have one person who manages the money throughout the day, keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much. Keep a calculator nearby. 12. Prepare for your home sale. Donate the remaining stuff or sell it to a resale shop. Now that all of your clutter is cleared out, it?s time to focus on preparing your house for a successful sale! Reprinted from REALTOR®magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) withpermission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  Fung Shui Concepts To Help Sell your HomeTo put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.  1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the ?mouth of chi? (chi is the ?life force? of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It?s also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere. 2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms. 3. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It?s even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender. 4. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners. 5. The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed. Reprinted from REALTOR®magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) withpermission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved. Source: Sell Your Home Faster With Feng Shui by Holly Ziegler (Dragon Chi Publications, 2001)  Can Remodeling Spook Sleeping Ghosts?Article From HouseLogic.com By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Published: October 18, 2011 Sometimes home owners don't know theirhouses are haunted until a remodel disturbs the spirit world.  Over the years, I've had more than onefriend tell me their house is haunted. Usually, the ghosts are harmlesspranksters who move items on a dresser, or leave small toys in a house thathasn't seen kids in years. What prompts this supernatural silliness? It may be a recent home improvement(http://www.houselogic.com/home-improvement/) project. "When you remodel, you change the restful spirits' environment, and it maynot be comfortable with the outcome," according to David's Ghost HuntingBlog , which collects ghost stories."Some may bother you just to let you know, 'Hey! You may have changed thehouse, but I'm still here!" We at HouseLogic want you to get the most out of your remodel project.Occasionally, that may mean more than you bargained for. Get your Halloweenspirit stirred up and check out these spooky renovation tales: Boo! 1. After a major kitchen remodel, a Virginia home owner believes a ghostrepeatedly locks her son in the basement, even after she has removed all keys from sight. 2. Soon after a young couple bumped out the front of their house, an otherwisefriendly ghost began making trouble. The ghost stole tools, pulled down drywall(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/repair-tips/must-have-drywall-tools/),and pushed workers. 3. Through the years, claims have surfaced that the White House is haunted. Mysterytopia haspictures of a 1950 remodeling that shows, if you look hard enough, anapparition supposedly standing in the middle of the renovation. 4. The moment a South Dakota woman walked into her 1910 home, she felt that thekitchen was backwards, even though she'd never been in the house before. Whenthe real estate agent confirmed that during a previous kitchen remodel(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/tips-for-kitchen-remodeling/),the configuration had indeed been reversed, the new home owner wondered if shehad been receiving messages from another world. 5. Soon after remodeling began on the historic Felt Mansion in Holland, Mich., shadowy figures appeared and doors opened and closedthemselves. Click on this video and decide foryourself if the mansion is haunted. Have you disturbed the ethers during a remodel at your house? Share yourotherworldly story! Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Cleaning House:Secrets of a Truly Deep CleanArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Jane Hoback Published: January 14, 2011 Deep clean your house and you'll brightenrooms and help maintain your home's value.  Deep cleaning your house is thattop-to-bottom, take-no-dust-bunny-prisoners, mother-in-law-quality cleaningthat truly maintains the value of your home.(http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/maintenance-repair/value-home-maintenance/)Here are frequently overlooked areas that a little spit and polish wouldn'thurt. De-bug the light fixtures See that bug burial ground within youroverhead fixtures? Turn off the lights and carefully remove fixture covers,dump out flies and wash with hot soapy water. While you're up there, dustbulbs. Dry everything thoroughly before replacing the cover. Vacuum heat vents and registers Dirt and dust build up in heat vents andalong register blades. Vents also are great receptacles for coins and missing buttons.Unscrew vent covers from walls or pluck them from floors, remove foreignobjects, and vacuum inside the vent. Clean grates with a damp cloth and screwback tightly. Polish hardware To deep clean brass door hinges, handles,and cabinet knobs, thoroughly wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, then polishwith Wright's or Weiman brass cleaner ($4). Dish soapshines up glass or stainless steel knobs. Use a Q-tip to detail the ornamentalfiligree on knobs and handles. Replace grungy switch plates Any amateur can wipe a few fingerprints off cover plates that hide light switches, electric outlets, phone jacks, and cable outlets. Butonly deep cleaners happily remove plates to vacuum and swipe the gunk behind.(OK, we're a little OCD when it comes to dirt!) Make sure cover plates arestraight when you replace them. And pitch plates that are beyond the help ofeven deep cleaning. New ones cost less than $2 each. Neaten weather stripping Peeling, drooping weather stripping ondoors and windows makes rooms look old. If the strip still has some life, nailor glue it back. If it's hopeless, cut out and replace sections, or justpull the whole thing off and start new. A 10-ft. roll of foam weather strippingcosts $8; 16-ft. vinyl costs about $15. Replace stove drip pans Some drip pans are beyond the scrub brush.Replacing them costs about $3 each and instantly freshens your stove. Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Elbe Philharmonic HallThe Elbphilharmonie Hamburg is a concert hall under construction in the HafenCity quarter of Hamburg, Germany. The concert hall is designed by Herzog & de Meuron on top of an old warehouse (Kaispeicher A).[1][2] It will be the highest inhabited building of Hamburg.  On 2 April 2007 the First Mayor of Hamburg Ole von Beust, Henner Mahlstedt, Hochtief Construction AG, project coordinator Hartmut Wegener, Hamburg Minister of Culture Karin von Welck and architect Pierre de Meuron were laying the foundation stone in the warehouse Kaispeicher A. In 2007, the construction was scheduled to be finished in 2010 with an estimated cost of ?241 million.[3][4] In November 2008 as an endorsement to the original contract, the costs for the project were estimated at ?450 million.[5]  Get Your Finances in OrderGet Your Finances in Order: To-Do List  2. Reduce your debt. Lenders generally look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. This figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 and 28 percent of your net household income. So you need to get monthly payments on the rest of your installment debt ? car loans, student loans, and revolving balances on credit cards ? down to between 8 and 10 percent of your net monthly income. 3. Look for ways to save. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up, too. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You?ll probably spot some great ways to save, whether it?s cutting out that morning trip to Starbucks or eating dinner at home more often. 4. Increase your income. Now?s the time to ask for a raise! If that?s not an option, you may want to consider taking on a second job to get your income at a level high enough to qualify for the home you want. 5. Save for a down payment. Designate a certain amount of money each month to put away in your savings account. Although it?s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down, or even less, you can usually get a better rate if you put down a larger percentage of the total purchase. Aim for a 20 percent down payment. 6. Keep your job. While you don?t need to be in the same job forever to qualify for a home loan, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate. 7. Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills, too. Pay off the entire balance promptly. Reprinted fromREALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag)with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain ? the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same holds true when selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations. How to Calculate Gain In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate, follow these steps: 1. Purchase price: _______________________ The purchase price of the home is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing. 2. Total adjustments: _______________________ To calculate this, add the following:
3. Your home?s adjusted cost basis: _______________________ The total of your purchase price and adjustments is the adjusted cost basis of your home. 4. Your capital gain: _______________________ Subtract the adjusted cost basis from the amount your home sells for to get your capital gain. A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria: · You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years. · You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale. · You meet what the IRS calls ?unforeseen circumstances,? such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency. Reprinted fromREALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag)with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  Thinking of Retirement?Make the Most of It with Universal DesignArticle From HouseLogic.com By: Christina Hoffmann Published: October 19, 2011 When planning for retirement, remember yourhome is your castle. Make it work for you with universal design.  The latest "Best Places" listfrom U.S. News and World Report, "The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012,"is out and it lists some unexpected cities. Ithaca, New York? But it also brought to mind another topic:universal design(http://www.houselogic.com/home-improvement/planning-your-remodel/universal-design/).Here at HouseLogic, we often refer to it as ageless design(http://www.houselogic.com/blog/universal-design/ageless-design-renaming-contest/),a moniker we crowdsourced with you, our readers. The term refers to common sense featuresyou can include in your home - smooth floors with no uneven spots, walk-inshowers, contrasting colors, and lots of light - that are helpful no matterwhat age you are. Even better, universal design adds beautyand function(http://www.houselogic.com/photos/universal-design/universal-design-combines-beauty-function/).Take a spin through our new slideshow to see if you can spot the universaldesign features. We bet you'll be surprised that the features aren't nursinghome-like. Let us know how you do on our picture challenge! Soif the list of Best Places to Retire has you planning a new retirement home -or if you're thinking of staying put in your current home - we heartily suggestbecoming more familiar with ageless design. What do you think of universal design?Do the features appeal to you? Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  Ventless Fireplaces:What You Need to Know Article From HouseLogic.com By: Rich Binsacca Published: November 23, 2009 Ventless fireplaces provide a convenient,low-cost alternative to traditional fireplace options, but they aren'ttrouble-free.  Ventless fireplaces, which don't include aflue or chimney, have been sold in the U.S. since 1980. They're powered bynatural gas, propane, alcohol-based gels, and electricity. Although lessexpensive and easier to install than a traditional fireplace, ventlessfireplaces suffer from a reputation of being unsafe, unhealthy, and cheapalternatives to "the real thing." However, modern ventless fireplace modelsare strictly regulated by federal agencies and standards groups for safeoperation in your home, making them a viable, low-cost, supplemental heatingoption compared to more expensive fireplaces. If you're considering theinstallation of a fireplace in your home, here's what you need to know about ventlessoptions. Types of ventless fireplacesVentless fireplaces are typicallyfreestanding units that don't require or feature a flue or chimney to exhaustcombustion air to the outdoors, making them relatively easy to install in anyroom. Those fueled by natural gas or propane can be positioned anywhere that a supplyline can be installed-usually against a wall or inside an existing masonryfireplace. The latest models also feature automatic ignition, a function thateliminates the need for an outside electrical circuit to spark the pilotlight-a handy feature should the electricity ever go out. Gel-fueled units are even more versatile, as they're completely self-contained(not tethered to a supply line) and light with a match. Electric units needonly a 120-volt outlet nearby, and a dedicated circuit isn't necessary. What does "ventless" mean?Ventless fireplaces fueled by gas orpropane rely on indoor air for combustion, and they exhaust a low level oftheir combustion gases into the room in which they're located. A chimney orflue isn't necessary. The risk to your health is a long-standing and on-going debate. Proponentssuggest that any emissions are negligible, and well within indoor air qualityguidelines as set by various regulatory agencies. Essentially, these products must meet the general requirements for allcombustible heating appliances established in the 2002 version of the NationalFire Protection Association's(http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/ROP/211-F2002-rop.pdf) standards that requireventless fireplaces to have factory-installed carbon monoxide monitors andoxygen detection safety devices (ODS). These safety devices automatically shutoff the fireplace if the carbon monoxide level in the room rises above 25 partsper million, and/or the oxygen level falls below 18%--levels for indoor airquality (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html) suggested (but not standardized orregulated) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Critics, however, claim that such monitors are unreliable and imprecise,allowing oxygen and carbon monoxide levels to fluctuate out of range before theunits shut down, resulting in potential health hazards. The state of Californiacompletely bans these products, citing concern for occupant safety and health. Ventless fireplaces that use gel canisters or electricity, meanwhile, are abovethat fray, as they don't emit anything other than a low amount of heat. Any ventless fireplace is generally suggested for supplemental space heatingand perhaps aesthetics alone. Those with automatic ignition or that use gelfuel can supply a low level of room heat for short spans of time and duringpower outages, when electricity isn't available. Installation and maintenanceVentless fireplaces that are connected to agas or propane line require professional installation by a gas or plumbingcontractor, and shouldn't have a heating capacity that exceeds the appropriateroom size recommended by the manufacturer. Despite their relative ease of installation, and regardless of fuel source,ventless fireplaces aren't a turn-them-on-and-forget option. All units requireat least annual cleaning of the log set and other exposed components, while gasand propane products should also have their oxygen and carbon monoxide monitorschecked and adjusted annually for optimum performance. Although suppliers may tout the integrity of factory-installed carbon monoxidemonitors, installing a hard-wired, independent carbon monoxide monitor in theroom in which the fireplace is located is a smart second tier of safety. Expectto pay $100-$200 for an hour of an electrician's time and the monitor. CostsGas- or propane-connected ventlessfireplaces usually include a factory-finished enclosure and/or mantle. Withprofessional installation, they cost $2,000-$6,000. Installation may notrequire a building permit, but check with your local building department toconfirm if there are any regulations or limits on the use of a ventlessfireplace. Gel-powered ventless fireplaces generally cost less, $300-$700, and don'trequire professional installation and associated costs. Some assembly by thepurchaser may be required, including the placement of factory-supplied logs infront of the gel canisters. The fuel comes in 13-ounce canisters that costabout $3 and last about 2.5 hours each. They are sold in cases of 24 for about$80 or $110 for a dozen, 30-ounce refill bottles. Electric fireplaces also are standalone, self-contained, and factory-finished,requiring no installation other than removing them from the box and pluggingthem into a wall socket. They cost about $1,000 and up, depending on thesophistication of the mantel and surround. Suppliers claim these productsproduce a realistic flame effect created by randomly filtered lighting, butjudge for yourself at a retailer before you buy. Choosing the correct sizeIt's important to size a ventless fireplacefor the size of its room. A large, open space, such as a great room, shouldhandle a ventless gas/propane fireplace with a 25,000 BTU or higher output,akin to the heat output from a sealed and vented gas fireplace. For smaller rooms, such as a bedroom or bathroom, ventless gas- orpropane-fueled fireplaces can be sized down to 5,000 BTUs. For optimum controlover heat output, these units can be regulated by a wall thermostat or remotecontrol. Gel-powered units can output up to 9,000 BTUs. Electric fireplaces, like spaceheaters, provide very localized output-at most, 4,500 BTUs-but will remainworking as long as they are plugged in and switched on. Regardless, ventless fireplaces of any kind and size are nearly 100% efficient,as very little of the heat they emit escapes the room. By contrast, anopen-faced, wood-burning fireplace with a chimney may lose 85% or more of itsheat output through the flue. Rich Binsacca has been writing about housing and home improvement since 1987.He's the author of 12 books on various home-related topics, is currently acontributing editor for Builder and EcoHome magazines, and has written articlesfor such magazines as Remodeling, Home, and Architectural Record. He intermittentlyuses the wood-burning fireplace and the gas-fueled freestanding stove that camewith his current home. Visit houselogic.com for more articles likethis. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFREALTORS® Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.  The Shoe House The Shoe is the work of entrepreneur and artist Ron Van Zyl, who built it in 1990. It is the third mimetic piece he has built along this road. His wife Yvonne wanted a shoe, so he built her one. Source  The Shoe House, built in 1948, was by far "Colonel" Mahlon N. Haines' most outlandish advertising gimmick. It is a wood frame structure covered with wire lath and coated with a cement stucco. It measures 48 ft. in length, 17 ft. in width at the widest part and 25 ft. in height. The interior consists of five different levels and contains three bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen and living room. Source The Shoe House--Hellam, Pennsylvania  Source  What You Need for a MortgageLender Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage ? W-2 forms ? or business tax return forms if you're self-employed ? for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.  ? Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances. ? Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts. ? Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans. ? Addresses where you?ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate. ? Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account. ? Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement. ? Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension. ? Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years. Reprinted from REALTOR®magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) withpermission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  Forms You'll Need to Sell Your HomeForms You?ll Need to Sell Your Home  2. Purchasers access to premises agreement. This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move. 3. Sales contract. The agreement between you and the seller on terms and conditions of sale. Again, check with your state real estate department to see if there is a required form. 4. Sales contract contingency clauses. In addition to the contract, you may need to add one or more attachments to the contract to address special contingencies ? such as the buyer?s need to sell a home before purchasing yours. 5. Pre- and post-occupancy agreements. Unless you?re planning on moving out and the buyer moving in on the day of closing, you?ll need an agreement on the terms and costs of occupancy once the sale closes. 6. Lead-based paint disclosure pamphlet. If your home was built before 1978, you must provide the pamphlet to all sellers. You must also have buyers sign a statement indicating they received the pamphlet. Reprinted from REALTOR®magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) withpermission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. Allrights reserved.  |
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