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Water audits prepare you for the future
Despite a very wet season this past winter, the increase in rainfall didn’t make up for many years of below-average water levels. In 2009 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in an effort to manage the drought crisis. Since then, many water companies have put into place mandatory water rationing with financial penalties for homeowners who don't comply. Before you find yourself paying more for your water, be prepared for the future by conducting a water audit (don't worry, you don't have to find all your water bills from the past two years).
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Energy upgrades can yield tax credits
If you’ve been putting off energy-efficient home upgrades, now may be the time to take on some home improvement projects. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17, there are new incentives for consumers to eliminate outdated, inefficient building systems that affect residents’ comfort and pocketbooks.
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Buying an existing home that’s “green”
With rising energy costs and growing awareness – and availability – of environmentally friendly products, it's no wonder that interest in purchasing green homes is rising. Green remodels on existing homes both save the environment and save homeowners money on monthly bills. As green home remodeling becomes more abundant, so does the demand to purchase these homes. This increased interest in existing green homes has created a need to educate buyers on what is really considered "green."
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Protect real estate from Medicaid
DEAR BENNY: Seven years ago, when my mother was 80, my husband and I purchased cooperative apartment shares in a senior complex for her to live in. Since at least one of the tenants had to be over 55, we put her name on the shares, as well as my name. The actual paperwork reads: " 'My Mother's Name' or 'My Name' as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common."
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Delay move until deal is done
Sellers should start packing as soon as they think they might want to put their home on the market. That is, they should start weeding out all the personal property they no longer want or need. It makes no sense to spend time and money packing and moving these things.
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Sellers face new dilemma in timing the market
Some sellers have been biding their time for three years and now wonder if they should continue to wait or bite the bullet and sell now.
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Appraisal rules tough on additions
Recently a homeowner in the hills above Oakland, Calif., applied for a refinance. An appraiser visited the property and measured both levels of the house. The appraiser called the homeowner a few days later to find out if the lower level had been added with a permit. The public record indicated the house had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,513-square feet.
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Is security sign advertising?
DEAR BENNY: I am an 81-year-old widow who bought a townhouse four years ago. There were some odd things going on here so I installed a security system. I have been told that the security sign I have in front of the townhouse is considered advertising and I have to take it down. There are three other areas in town that have townhouses and none of them have a problem with this. What happens if I refuse to take the sign down? --Lillian
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