Sustainability starts at home, in your household and in your neighborhood. Following a few of these steps will not only be good for the environment, but will also save you some cash.
1. Install sink water aerators. These are inexpensive and easy to install and they greatly reduce the flow of water out of your sink, saving you money and water use.
2. Install low-flow shower heads. A low flow showerhead can significantly reduce the water coming out of your shower head without reducing water pressure.
3. Replace your light bulbs with LED lights. A small upfront investment in LEDs can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars (and a lot of energy) over the lifespan of these bulbs—which can be as long as 10 years! Buy them on sale and replace
Ah, the end of the summer season! No matter the geographical location we never want to let it go. From the Hamptons to the Pacific Coast we want to seize that fleeting moment of late sunset strolls, camping days and the invaluable summer holiday time spent with family and friends that is gradually drawing to a close. The kids are back in school and the evening temps begin to give the air that crisp autumn feel.
The Labor Day Weekend, however, is an excellent reminder - and a nice recap - of everything unique and memorable the summer season's got to offer. Whether you are a San Diego dweller or situated further along the coast, enjoy some great summer art, music and food events this weekend to soak in every last bit of the great season. Oh,
Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:
Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept, and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer.
Incremental negotiations: Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow
Organic food usually tastes better, and is better for you, but it can also be very expensive compared to non-organic products. Organic food can cost nearly 50 percent more, thanks to the extra labor required to produce it and consumers’ demand exceeding supply.
So how do you get tasty organic food without spending a ton of extra money? Follow these tips to get more bang for your buck.
Shop at farmers’ markets: You can get fresh organic produce for far less at a farmers’ market than you’d pay at the grocery store. It’ll taste just as good, and you’re getting your food straight from the source.
Choose seasonal produce: Out-of-season produce usually has to be imported, and that can really drive up the price. Focus your meals on in-season fruits and
You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.
But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.
THE DOWNSIDE
The downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years, and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20-percent down payment,
“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE.
For years now, we’ve been hearing that interest rates will be on the rise, and although there have been some small increases, you’re still in a great position to drastically lower your interest rate. The general rule is if your mortgage interest rate is more than one percent above the current market rate, you should consider refinancing.
IT’S NOT TOO TIME CONSUMING.
Don’t brush off refinancing just because it seems like a long and daunting process. An informational call
Going green is great for the environment, but that’s not the only benefit. When you make green upgrades in your home, it can also lead to some major savings.
Solar panels: The upfront cost is big, but the long-term savings are huge. Solar panels will cost several thousand dollars to install, but ongoing maintenance costs are very low, and a typical system could save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can even sell your surplus electricity.
Wood furnace: Wood-burning furnaces are relatively inexpensive, and though the yearly savings aren’t as dramatic (about 10% on heating bills), it adds up over the long run.
Insulation: There’s a good chance your insulation isn’t very efficient, especially in older homes. Look into installing floor,
As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview.
A short sale comes into play when a homeowner needs to sell their home but the home is worth less than the remaining balance that they owe. The lender can allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed, freeing the homeowner from the financial predicament.
On the buyer side, short sales typically take three to four months to complete and many of the
The Heritage Ranch is celebrating 30 years of sharing history!
On January 20th at 3pm you can join our "wagon trail" tour of the museum's past 30 years. Enjoy craft beer, wine and delicious fare along with educational and entertaining stops along the way all leading to our big announcement at the end of the trail. Live music, food and fun for the entire family from 3pm to 5pm.
Admission is free and a good time is almost guaranteed!
Figuring out when to plunge into the real estate market can be quite intimidating—especially when prices are high, choices are limited, and history urges restraint.
"We’ve seen two or three years of what could be considered unsustainable levels of price appreciation, as well as an inventory shortage that resulted in a record-low number of homes for sale across the country," says Javier Vivas, director of economic research for realtor.com®. "When you factor those together, you have a market that has to either explode or see some relief."
Comforting, right? Well, take heart: Experts agree that relief is indeed on the horizon.
New predictions for 2018 forecast more moderate gains in home prices and rising inventory levels, while low unemployment
