Help with Home Priorities
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Home Maintenance Strategies for You
While our homes provide shelter, they are also the largest financial
asset owned by most American families. As we weather today's economy,
home owners are staying in their homes longer and adjusting their
spending habits from "consume and dispose" to more traditional "save
and invest". Let's look at the different approaches to home maintenance. DO NOT
focus on which is the best or right approach. What is most important,
is picking one that you are comfortable with ... read more.
2010 Cash for Appliances
The
federal appliance rebate program starts early this year with funding of
$300 million or about $1 per US resident. States get roughly this
amount based on population, with California getting the most at $35.2
million. The focus is on upgrading older appliances to more energy
efficient models that use less energy and in some cases, less water. See what appliances qualify.
New Home Owner Tax Credit
If you own a home, you probably didn't pay much attention to the home
buyer tax credit for First Time Home Buyers. Think again as the bill
just passed in Congress now makes many home owners eligible, to help get
the cycle of buying and selling real estate moving ... as it affects the
economy! The new tax credit is worth of up to $6,500 for qualified
move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a
principal residence. Read full article here ...
 Energy Tax Credit Good through 2010
Tax credits are good for you and good for the environment (more about global warming).
Early in 2009, new home energy tax credits were enacted ... and they
remain good through year end 2010. To help those who may not have taken
advantage ($1,500 once during 2009 to 2010), here is a recap of the
many choices you have for saving energy in the coming years. Learn about eligible energy savings ...
New EPA Rules for Lead Safety
Beginning in April 2010, strict new EPA rules go into effect for all
renovation, repair and painting projects in homes built before 1978.
The rules focus on lead present in paint sold prior to 1978. Lead if swallowed or breathed can poison people, and young children are especially vulnerable. Home owners should be aware that effective April '10, the following processes are required for all home projects. Learn more ...
 Remodeling Cost vs Value, Updated for 2009
Given the ups and downs of the economy and the housing market, no one tried to project the results of this years Cost vs Value Remodeling Report, 2008-2009. More important than just the 2009 data, are the trends compared to prior years. Read full article ... |
We're all trying to absorb more information and it's a challenge. When writing an article on the EPA's new lead program, I realized there is simply too much! It's time to step back, look at the big picture and 
