With the summer heat upon us, and low rain fall recently, we all need to do our part to conserve water. Here are a few ideas how you can do your part.
1. “Plant” Synthetic Grass If you are thinking about planting a new lawn this year, know that AstroTurf is back. It’s not what you think. Synthetic grass actually looks like grass, and it does not need a drop of water to maintain its lush green color. An additional bonus is that you’ll never have to mow the lawn again.
2. Water Efficiently Residential properties are regularly overwatered by 30 to 40 percent http://www.stopwaste.org). Learn how to water your lawn efficiently and at the correct time of day. For example, watering your lawn either in the late evening or early morning reduces evaporation.
3. Go to a Car Wash Using a running hose to wash a car uses up to 150 gallons of water. Most car washes use about five to 10 gallons of water per car http://www.epa.gov/). In addition, the water used to wash a car in a driveway goes from the street gutter straight to bay or rivers without being treated. Car washes must treat their water before it enters the water system. Many car washes also recycle graywater, keeping the environment clean and conserving at the same time.
4. Use a Broom Running a garden hose can waste up to 10 gallons per minute http://conserve.sfwater.org) and is unnecessary when cleaning a driveway or sidewalk. The water from a garden hose also contributes to the pollutant waters already abundant in sewer systems.
5. Check for Leaking Sprinklers and Hoses A leaky faucet can waste 100 gallons a day http://www.sscwd.org/), which includes outdoor systems. Check for and replace leaking hoses or sprinklers. Place automatic water shut-off nozzles on any hoses.
6. Plant Mulch Planting a layer of mulch around trees and plants, such as chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation. By doing so, 750 to 1,500 gallons of water can be saved a month http://www.mwdh2o.com/).
I can be so easy to conserve. I found this information from a CAR newsletter and thought I’d share it with everyone. Enjoy.
~ Barry
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make. You’ll want to protect it with title insurance when you buy the house.
Obviously, if you own the property, you have strong rights to it. But others may have rights too, through liens, unpaid taxes, etc. Even if you know nothing about these risks, as a homeowner you are still vulnerable to such claims on your property.
Title insurance, which protects against claims on your real estate by others, requires that certain risks be eliminated before the policy takes effect. It then cover hidden risks thereafter. If you have go to court in regard to your property, the title insurance company will pay for your legal counsel.
That’s why we use a title company during the escrow period when you buy a home. They will check the title and make sure problems are cleared up prior to closing escrow.
The cost of title insurance is usually less than 1% of the cost of your home. In some counties it’s customary that the buyer pays for it, and in other areas, the seller may pay it. Check with me for a list of those counties.
Furthermore, there are two policies for each transaction. One covers the buyer and the other covers the lender.
For other title questions, feel free to contact me.
If you’re buying a home, you’ll probably be signing up for homeowner’s insurance as well. In fact, most lenders will require it.
Most insurance policies include both property and liability coverage. The property section covers damage to your possessions, home, & garage from fire and more. Personal property coverage will usually pay 50% of replacment value, although there may be a limit on items such as jewelry.
The liability section typically covers expenses from any judgements against you, medical care for anyone (other than family) who is injured on your property, and the legal fees that may be incurred as a result.
Most lenders require that you have insurance before you close escrow so their interest is covered.
If you have questions about the real estate industry, please call me. I will be happy to help any way I can.
Are you planning a family vacation ? Imagine returing from a trip only to find our that you’ve been robbed. The best way to avoid this misfortune is to have someone housesit for you, but that may not be a option for you, so consider these tips:
1–Make your home look as though it’s occupied. Use timers on lights, inside and outside lights.
2–Ask a friend to neighbor to pick up mail and newspapers while you’re away.
3–Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway.
4–Keep your yard clean. Mow the grass before you leave and prune hedges so that they do not block windows.
5–Lock all doors and windows. Do not leave any spare keys outside.
6–Make sure you activate your alarm system…many people actually forget.
Fremont Adopts Limited Second-Story Ordinance: On Tuesday, April 28, the Fremont City Council adopted a new ordinance aimed at making second story additions in the Glenmoor and Mission Ranch neighborhoods fit in with existing single-story homes.
The interim ordinance also allows Fremont city staff to apply more scrutiny to proposed additions. Previously, the city was essentially approving all second-story addition requests, which resulted in the construction of very large homes in predominantly single-story neighborhoods. The interim ordinance will allow second- story additions but also require more design work to better integrate them into the existing neighborhood style.
The council action also prohibits additions greater than 35 percent of the existing home’s first floor area. The prohibition, which only applies to the Glenmoor and Mission Ranch neighborhoods, will be in effect until the city finalizes the second- story addition design standards.
The adoption of the interim ordinance strikes a compromise between private property rights and preserving neighborhood character. Property owners in these areas will now have a better understanding of what types of additions will be allowed in these neighborhoods. This approach is much better than a proposal last year that could have led to an outright ban on second-story additions.
Rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.85 percent for the week ending March 26, following an announcement by the Federal Reserve that it is launching a new effort to assist the U.S. housing market. The rate marked a record low in the history of the Freddie Mac survey. The previous low was 4.96 percent set during the week of Jan. 15.
To read the full story, http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.co…
Home buyers to be dinged with new fees
Beginning April 1, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will increase mandatory fees and toughen credit-score and down-payment rules.
Under the new guidelines, applicants will be charged more for down payments of less than 30 percent. Home buyers with FICO scores between 700 and 720 will pay an extra three-quarters of a point. Applicants who purchase a condominium and do not have a 25 percent down payment also will pay a three-quarter point add-on penalty, regardless of their FICO score, for purchasing a condominium instead of a single-family home.
The two Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) said the additional fees are to counter higher risks and losses associated with certain loan products, buyer equity stakes, and credit scores.
This is a ridiculous new loan fee. In a time where lenders are already making it harder for home buyers to qualify, now they are charging more fees.
I thought you all should know about it.
~ Barry Ripp
Information obtained by the CA Asso of Realtors
Staging home for sale worth the cost
By Paul Bianchina
If you’re selling your home, you obviously want to get it sold quickly and for the highest amount possible. One very important strategy to keep in mind is staging, which is simply the process of arranging the inside of your home so that it shows off to its full potential.
Staging plays up your home’s good features, such as enhancing a great view or drawing the buyer’s eye to some spectacular wood floors. It also helps to minimize some of the home’s drawbacks, such as making a small bedroom look larger. But also understand that staging does not in any way mean concealing structural defects, such as hanging a picture over a water stain or putting curtains over a broken window! …more
or click http://www.clientdirect.net/news/?Pub=2903
My monthly real estate online newsletter.
~ Barry Ripp
Real Estate Broker
510-386-5066
Paying down mortgage faster can make sense – sometimes
Homeowners who find themselves with extra cash may be considering paying down their mortgage. While this can help some people in certain situations, like seniors close to retirement age or those with adjustable-rate mortgages, it may not be the best choice for all homeowners. Paying down the mortgage more quickly can save homeowners a significant amount in interest in the long run. However, some financial experts advise clients, especially those with fixed-rate loans at favorable interest rates, to use extra money to pay down high-interest debt and build up an emergency fund.
To read the full story, please click here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/10/AR2009011000173.html
Hope this information is helpful.
~ Barry Ripp
Information obtained by the C.A.R.
Fixed-mortgage rates fall below 5%
The average interest rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages for the week ending Jan. 9, decreased to 4.89 percent from 5.07 percent, according to the most-recent survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Credit restrictions, negative or minimal amounts of home equity, and high levels of outstanding debt have resulted in the denial of nearly 70 percent of borrowers’ applications to refinance.
To read the full story, please click here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-mortgage-rates-below-5-percent-jan15,0,7714045.story
Information obtained from the California Assoc of REALTORS
Jan. 16. 2009
