Buying vs Renting
Are you still on the fence trying to decide whether to keep on renting or take the leap into home ownership? You may never again experience these low home prices combined with the lowest interest rates ever again. Check out this handy calculator to help you see the advantages of home ownership. (CLICK HERE)
If you are still unsure, you should contact a REALTOR to discuss the advantages of purchasing a home and find out how much of a loan you can qualify for.
Don’t be left sitting on the fence saying should’ve…..would’ve…..could’ve Act now and contact your Real Estate specialist.
77% Live Paycheck to Paycheck
As the recession lingers on workers are really feeling it in their pocket. Nearly eight-in- ten (77%) of workers in 2010 said they felt they lived paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, up from 61% in 2009. One-in-five (22%) said they have missed payments on bills in the last year in a survey conducted by Career Builder between May and June, 2010.
Some workers are making ends meet by dipping into their long-terms savings. More than one-in-five (21%) say they have reduced their 401(k) contributions or savings to get by; while 33% state they do not participate in any programs such as 401(k), IRA or retirement plans. 30% also reported they don’t put any money aside into their savings each month while 28% set aside $100 or less for savings and 14% save less than $50.
As a result some workers said they have made changes to their living and spending habits as follows:
- Cut back on leisure activities – 54%
- Used coupons or shopped at discount stores – 48%
- Drove less to save on gas – 37%
- Cancelled cable and other subscriptions – 12%
- Used public transportation – 5%
This survey found that six-in-ten felt that the recession has made them more fiscally responsible.
Solar Energy – Advantages / Disadvantages
With utility costs on the increase, homeowners and businesses are making the move towards solar energy. We know that solar energy is a good thing, but we don’t always know why.
Advantages
- Government financial incentives available
- No fuel required
- Savings on your utilities are noticed immediately and for many years to come
- Energy from the sun is virtually free
- Solar energy is clean, sustainable and renewable which helps protect our environment
- Solar energy doesn’t release carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the air like most traditional forms of electrical generation does
- Contributes to the decrease of harmful greenhouse gas emissions
- Solar energy is generated where it is needed and can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption
- Continues to supply energy to your home in the event of a power outage
- Virtually maintenance free and will last for decades
- No additional recurring costs after installation
- If additional energy is required, you can add additional panels
Disadvantages
- Initial upfront costs to install
- Solar panels require a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency
- Efficiency of the system relies on the location of the sun; however this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components
- Production of energy is effected by the presence of clouds
- No energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem
- Pollution can be a disadvantage as it can degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic cells
- Appearance
As you can see, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for installing solar energy and with all of the government incentives now may be the time for you to consider solar energy.
Check back for the next blog on Government incentives available for Solar Energy products.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE CONTACTING A SOLAR CONTRACTOR
CCSE (California Center for Sustainable Energy) and California Contractors State License Board also offers the following tips and recommends that you consider the following:
- Get three different contractor’s bids
- Check the status of Contractor’s License at https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/checklicense.aspx. License must be an active A, B, C-10, or C-46 in order to meet the eligibility requirements for the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Program
- Check the Better Business Bureau or personal references of contractor
- Look for feedback from previous customers, talk to customers who have used the contractor and conduct an internet search to find out about the Contractor and Company
- Find out what the average project costs, how much contractors charge per watt, etc. by downloading CCSE program data at https://csi.powerclerk.com/Default.aspx
- Don’t pay more than 10% or $1,000 whichever is less, as a down payment
- Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see their license
- Don’t hire the first contractor who comes along
- Don’t rush into repairs
- Don’t pay cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work
- Get a written contract
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5 Tips for Fall Lawn, Tree and Shrub Care to Prep for Spring
With fall around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your lawn for the winter months. According to TruGreen, here are five tips for homeowners to prepare their lawns for spring’s growth.
ASSESS
Inspect your lawn, trees and shrubs. Identify problem areas in need of pruning, replacement or treatment. Note area where grass has thinned out or is in need of nutrients which appears as light green. Also look for pest and weed infestation and overgrown shrubs and trees
AERATE & PRUNE
Help your lawn breathe through fall core aeration to strengthen roots and prepare for spring. Conduct corrective pruning of trees and shrubs to enhance plant appearance and thin rather than top-shear overgrown shrubs and flowering trees to preserve their shape.
REPLACE
Fall is the ideal time for successful seeding of bare lawn areas and over seeding of healthy grass to improve lawn thickness and density. Replace dead or floundering plants in fall for a healthier landscape and improved curb appeal in spring.
MOW & MULCH
Mow your lawn into the fall and avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf blades with each cut. Return grass clippings and back to the sol for added lawn nutrients and use tree leaf compost to nourish plants.
FEED
Feeding your lawn gives grass roots, trees and shrubs the energy needed to prepare for a healthy spring revival. Keep fertilizer on target to prevent run-off and seep fertilizer granules that may reach pavement back onto your lawn.
