Real Estate Information

No matter where you live solar power pool and hot tub heaters are an excellent investment.  Here in Berkshire County many people believe we don’t get enough sun throughout the year for solar power to work well, but that just isn’t the case.  You many add them to an in ground, above ground pool, or hot tub.   The solar power system just plugs right into the existing filtration system.  As with many things it is usually a good idea to hire someone who has experience in these systems.  You may find many local dealers in the Berkshires, just check the yellow pages.  That said there are do it yourself systems out there, so if you are confident in your technical and building skills you will be able to find cheaper systems out there.

Another thing to keep in mind is while the initial investment on any solar power upgrade may seem expensive in the long run it is a smart use of money.  Not only will you be saving money on your electric bill but if you decide to sell your home it will be a huge selling point and raise the value of your home tremendously.

A great website to check out is coolerplanet.com it will give you a great idea of what to expect in initial cost of investment and also savings to expect down the road.

Cheers!

Solar Hot Water…Now is the time!

Solar hot water is a great option for those who desire to reduce their carbon footprint but can’t afford to go completely solar.  An average 4 person household with an electric water heater is responsible for about 8 tons of CO2 yearly, which is about double that emitted by an average car yearly.    A family of 4 using natural gas or oil hot water would produce roughly 2 tons of CO2 yearly.  (Found in a study by University of Wisconsin’s Solar Energy Lab)  The same family of four using either a natural gas or oil-fired water heater will contribute about 2 tons of CO2 emissions annually in heating their water. 

A Solar Water heater for the home runs about $1500-$3500, whereas conventional systems run $300-$1000.  With the savings in electricity or gas/oil, the solar water heater would pay for itself anytime from 4-8 years.  That may seem like a long time, but factor in that solar water heaters last anywhere from 15-40 years (the same as conventional systems) that means many years of free hot water. 

Right now the government is offering up to 30% tax credit for most solar powered hot water systems.  Check this website to find a list of eligible systems: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=solar_wheat.display_products_html   and remember that you should act now, because this rebate is only good if you purchase the unit before the end of December 2010.

Be sure to research your local laws for the installation of solar water heaters in your community, because some zoning and building codes may apply.  Hiring a qualified person to install your water heater is essential, make sure you see their credentials and get a referral.  A qualified company will be able to help you choose the right system for your household, install it and repair it if problems arise in the future, just like a company that installs conventional systems.  A good place to start your search is the yellow pages for Berkshire County, under Solar Power.

Not only will this bring you and your family peace of mind knowing you are doing your part environmentally, but also it will be a major feature if down the road you want to sell your home.  Environmentally conscious features are becoming more and more a quality that people desire when searching for a home to buy.

Be sure to check back next week when I will discuss solar power water heaters for pools and hot tubs

Energy Star Tax Credits
Many of us want to lessen our carbon footprint.  And the majority of us want to spend less on our utility bills.  But we also find it hard to invest the money in buying more energy efficient models of water heaters and oil heaters not to mention investing in solar power systems or wind turbines.  But right now the government is lending a helping hand to those of us who want to green up our houses.  There is a huge list of systems that qualify for the tax credit including, insulation, roofs, heating and cooling systems, windows and doors, solar and wind systems and even some geo-thermal heating systems.

   Now is the time to invest in that coveted on demand water heater or high efficiency biomass stove to heat your home.  Many energy star models are eligible for a tax credit of 30% and up to$1500.00 on select models .  However you can save 30% (with no cap of maximum dollars) on select geo-thermal heat pumps, solar power systems, and small residential wind turbines.  Essentially you will be paid to upgrade to highly efficient systems, and you will save money in the years to come.  This is your chance to retrofit and get that solar power system or wind turbine you've dreamed, saving money and the environment.

    For those of you who are thinking of selling your home in the future, energy conscious and environmental features are more desirable to potential home buyers in todays market. 

Rain Water Havesting: Conserving water

When it comes to gardening it's pretty easy to go "green!"  One thing many gardeners are finding is the amount of water needed to have a beautiful garden leaves them feeling guilty.  But there is a way to keep your plants healthy and well watered without wasting one of our most precious resources.  Harvesting rainwater is not only great for the environment but it will also save you plenty of money with minimal effort.

   You can go from fairly simple, a barrel placed under the down spouts on your house, to fairly elaborate--an irrigation system with pumps and sprays professionally installed.  It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much you want to save.

   I have found many helpful websites on making your own rain water collection system.   But no matter how far you decide to take it, every drop saved counts!  Here are a few links I think will get your started in managing your rainwater and save you some big $$ over those hot summer days. 

www.watershedactivities.com/projects/rainbarl.html

www.aquabarrel.com

www.rain-barrel.net

www.rainharvest.com

www.skyharvester.com

Home improvements can be daunting.  But there are things that just about anyone can do that will improve the quality of their living space.  These are not only economical but environmentally helpful tips.

1. Switch light bulbs to energy efficient flourecent or LED bulbs.  Both are great but the LED although might be a bit more expensive at first last longer and are the most eco-friendly light blubs on the market today.  You can find them online for a fraction of what they cost at a store. 

2. Take advantage of the cash for klunkers appliance sales and upgrade your old appliances to energy star models.  The most important one is the refirgerator, switching to an energy star model can save a couple hundred dollars a year in electric bills.

3. Think about a new coat of paint for your interior walls, especailly the kitchen and living room.  There are a number of options out there for eco-friendly paints that dont have toxic fumes.

4.If you own a woodstove consider intsalling a few small fans in your house to help the efficiency.  Just two small fans placed correctly will help you heat your house tremendously.

I wanted to share with you a few easy ways to improve the air quality of your home. When showing a house it is important your house smells fresh and clean. These are all easy to make and often times much cheaper than commercial chemical-ridden products.  Not to mention they are safe for you, your children and pets.

Homemade carpet freshener:

In a bowl combine the following ingredients: 1 cup dried fragrent herbs (lavender, thyme, rosemary etc.) with 2 tsp ground cloves, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 4 tsp baking soda.  Whisk well then sprinkle all over carpeted area.  Let herb mixture rest for 1-3 hours then vacuum it up.                                                                                                                         One more tip:  Use an empty, clean parmesan cheese container with the snap on lid and shaker to keep a supply of carpet freshener on hand.

Homemade Air Freshener:

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to an empty clean spray bottle.  Add 2 parts water to one part white vinegar.  The vinegar neutralizes any unpleasant odors while the essential oil leaves the room smelling nice.                                                                                                       One more tip:  opening a window for a few minuets everyday in the winter and longer in the warmer months will improve air quality greatly.                      

Cheers to your health and wellbeing!

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates go up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.