6 Ways to 'Green' a Home

Here are some great tips on how to "green" your home. Don't forget to stop and visit us at www.AnneArundelCountyReal.Estate

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS

More home owners and buyers are ranking energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home features high in surveys.
AOL Real Estate recently highlighted a few easy steps home owners can take to make their homes more “green”:

• Swap out the light bulbs: LED light bulbs are known as being 80 percent more energy efficient and lasting as much as 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
• Have a programmable thermostat: These devices that allow you more easily to adjust the temperature can save a home owner about $180 a year in energy costs, according to Energy Star.
• Trade in the old water heater: A heat pump hot water heater is known to be more than twice as efficient as standard electric resistance tanks, according to the AOL Real Estate article.
• Add aerators to faucets and showerheads: These devices can limit the amount of water that is used.
• Add ceiling fans: “Energy Star-qualified fans are 50 percent more efficient than conventional units and can save up to $15 per year on utility bills,” according to AOL Real Estate.
• Use Energy Star appliances: For example, replacing a dishwasher that was made before 1994 with an Energy Star-certified one can save $40 on utility bills by using less water. Energy Star-rated refrigerators can save home owners from $200 to $1,100 over the life of the appliance.

Thanks again for stopping by today and feel free to contact us with any Real Estate questions you may have.

How to Choose the Right Neighborhood

I really think this is a great read, when you are buying a home the neighborhood is so very important. When you are starting your home search go to www.MarylandHomesLocator.com, there you will find all Maryland homes. Please call us anytime with any Real Estate questions.

By:Michele Lerner

Any good Realtor will share the mantra “location, location, location” when talking about the attributes that help a home hold its value and potentially appreciate. However, no one neighborhood is right for every buyer. Determining which community meets your needs and your budget requires research and some soul searching about your priorities.
Establish Your Priorities
Before a Realtor can begin to help you look for a home, you (and your spouse or partner) should develop a list of needs and wants. For some buyers, the home itself is of paramount importance: they want a particular style or size or a big yard. For others, the neighborhood is more important. If you have an unlimited budget you may be able to find the perfect home in a desirable neighborhood, but since most buyers need to meet a budget, you may have to compromise on either the house or the community.
Next, think about what amenities you’d like to have nearby or whether you’d like to live in a rural area without neighbors. If you like to swim or golf or play soccer or your kids do, facilities for those sports should be on the list of things you look for in a neighborhood. On the other hand, you could be more focused on easy access to cultural amenities or nightlife. Think about whether you’d like to live in place where residents interact often or whether you prefer to have cordial but distant relationships with your neighbors.
Schools Matter – Even If You Don’t Have Kids
If you have children or are planning to have a family in the future, buying a home in a community with good schools is already likely to be a priority. Even if you don’t have children to educate, though, you should be aware that homes located in a good school district typically hold onto their value better than those in less highly regarded districts. In fact, Redfin real estate company completed a nationwide study in 2013 that shows that Americans pay $50 per square foot more for homes served by a top-ranked school than for homes served by an average-ranked school.
The Fair Housing Act prevents Realtors from providing information directly to buyers about specific schools, but they can share links to websites that rate schools and to local school systems.
Transportation Issues
A major consideration for most home buyers when it comes to choosing where to live is how they’ll get to the places they go regularly. In communities near or in a city, prime locations are typically close to public transit options. Many suburban communities are being designed around a ‘town center’ concept so that residents can walk to restaurants, shops and entertainment and sometimes even to work.
When you’re looking for a home, you should consider how convenient it is for you and for future potential buyers when you’re ready to sell.
Homes that are located close to a subway station or to popular commuter routes are often more costly than those that require a longer commute to a city center, so ask your Realtor to show you areas that may have similar attributes but are less expensive. Alternatively, if living in a particular neighborhood is your number one priority, you may need to compromise in terms of the size home you buy or its condition.
How to Compare Communities
It’s important to visit a prospective neighborhood at various times of day and on both weekdays and weekends to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Look at how the homes are maintained to see if they meet your standards. Try to talk to residents about what the community is like and test out your commute at the time of day you typically go to work.
Finding the right neighborhood takes some legwork, but it’s important to choose a place to live where you want to come home every night.

Bacardi's Corner:Getting your Canine friend prepared for the Warm Season

Hey everyone it is Bacardi from Bacardi's Corner. I don't know why but Lynn has not ask me to write anything lately, so I figured I would step up to the plate. I know you all come here for great Real Estate tips, but I am taking it upon myself to make this checklist for all my canine brothers and sisters. Don't worry it some of the list will also help with your house keeping it cleaner and if you are selling that is important

-First thing you should do if you have stopped heart worm medicine for the winter, please start it back up,now is the time.

-Start back our flea and tick medicine, besides you don't want those bugs in your house, especially if you are trying to sell it.

-Have us groomed, remember dogs can only sweat through their tongues and paws.

-Please remember we get allergies also, so when we come in from outside wipe us down, we are constantly cleaning ourselves and will adsorb those allergens.

-Right now a lot of folks are doing yard work, spraying things on their yard, fresh mulch, please clean our paws good (it will also keep your carpet clean).

-Don't forget we like to exercise outside as well (been a long winter) so please if you take us for a hike or anything remember to pack some water and a dish for your canine buddy.

Well folks I have to get back to being a lovable, cute dog...Have a great week and feel free to leave me a comment on here.

Your Canine Buddy,       

Bacardi 

How to Get a Mortgage With Bad Credit

Here at Lynn Nichols Real Estate I am always to trying to find articles that are helpful, here is something for folks with soft credit. One thing I would say is never think your credit is too bad to talk to lender, always talk to a professional, that is what they do and you may be closer to buying that home than you think...As always if you have questions feel free to contact us at www.AnneArundelCountyReal.Estate

By: Michele Lerner

 If you have a credit score that’s considered fair, poor or even bad, you may be assuming that qualifying for a mortgage is out of the question. While that’s true for some would-be borrowers who need to improve their finances as well as their credit, there are some mortgage options for homebuyers with less than perfect credit.

Your Credit Profile

Mortgage lenders rely heavily on your credit score to evaluate your qualifications for a home loan because your score indicates how you have handled credit in the past, which serves as a predictor of your future repayment pattern. According to Credit.com, excellent credit gets a score of 750 or above; good credit, 700-749; fair, 650-699; poor, 600-649; and bad credit is a score under 600.

Rather than guess at your credit profile, you need to request your free credit report and pay a small fee to get your credit score from www.annualcreditreport.com. Fix any errors and take steps to improve your score with improved financial behavior before applying for a mortgage loan. A lender can help you determine which steps will boost your credit score fastest, but depending on your situation it could take at least several months or even a year before you can push your score high enough to qualify for the lowest interest rates on a conventional loan.

Loans for Borrowers With Poor Credit

In the thick of the housing boom borrowers were approved for home loans without providing documentation of their income and assets. Subprime lenders approved loans for borrowers with low credit scores, although they often charged higher interest rates to those borrowers. Since the housing crisis, the majority of subprime lenders went out of business, but, depending on your circumstances, you may still qualify for a home loan.

The most commonly used loan product for borrowers with lower credit scores is the Federal Housing Administration’s loan program. The FHA insures lenders against potential default and requires a minimum credit score of 580 or above for a loan with a down payment of 3.5%. Most lenders, though, require a credit score of 620 or 640 and above to approve an FHA loan. In addition to your credit score, you will need to provide full documentation of your income and assets and meet the lender’s debt-to-income ratio, which is typically a maximum of 41% to 43% of your monthly gross income that goes toward the minimum payments on all of your revolving and installment debts.

The downside of FHA loans is that they have higher mortgage insurance requirements than conventional loans. The mortgage insurance payments must be made for the entire life of the loan unless you make a larger down payment. However, FHA mortgage rates are comparable to conventional loans regardless of your credit score, so you won’t be stuck paying a higher-than-average mortgage rate.

Special Programs for Credit Challenges

The financial crisis and recession hurt a lot of consumers who lost their homes and jobs. If your bad credit is a result of a personal financial hardship rather than your own mismanagement, you may qualify for the FHA’s “Back to Work” program, which allows borrowers to qualify for a home loan more quickly after a period of unemployment or reduced income.

The only way to know with certainty about your ability to qualify for a mortgage is to meet with a lender who can go over your individual financial circumstances. There is no charge to consult a lender, so even if you are not ready yet to get a loan approval, you can still benefit from a lender’s advice about how to prepare for a loan application.

'Heartbleed' Bug Prompts Call to Change Internet Passwords

Good Morning Everyone and thanks for stopping by. About two weeks ago I got a huge virus on my computer, it took the Geek Squad six hours to get it off of it. I saw this article in the Realtor Magazine about bugs in your computer and I strongly believe in constantly changing passwords and by the way that is what the Geek Squad recommended as well.

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014           

A massive security flaw exposed on websites could put at risk your private information, such as credit card numbers and other data. The bug is known as Heartbleed, and security experts are warning Internet users to change their passwords on sites they use — and then be prepared to change them again soon.
Researchers uncovered the vulnerability in a Web security measure known as OpenSSL. Websites that have a lock next to the URL typically indicate that the site is encrypted and that third parties will not be able to read or receive the information you send. But the Heartbleed bug potentially could break the encryption and expose users’ personal information.
Researchers believe that up to two-thirds of websites could be affected. Google, Facebook, and Yahoo! recently confirmed that they had been affected and said they were applying fixes to their systems, The New York Times reports.
Administrators to websites are upgrading their software and applying added protections from Heartbleed. Still, security experts are advising consumers to change their passwords at any site that holds their sensitive data.
But beware: “Changing your passwords before sites were patched could simply lead to re-exposure,” says Bruce Schneier, a cryptographer and security consultant who discovered the OpenSSL flaw on his own site. He urges people to find out if the sites they use have fixed the problem — or if they were ever at risk — before changing their passwords.
The company LastPass has set up a “Heartbleed test” for consumers to check specific sites to see whether they are safe from the bug.
Companies will likely begin contacting customers soon about resetting passwords, but Brian Krebs, a security researcher, says consumers may want to be proactive in changing passwords now even if it means they may need to do it again later.

Thanks for stopping by and as always if you have any Real Questions or needs please contact us at www.AnneArundelCountyReal.Estate

Looking for a New Home???? Here are two Candidates

Looking for that new home???? Here are two great candidates... Just click on the picture and it will take you to a website about that property.

If you are looking to buy a new home you can also visit us at www.MarylandHomesLocator.com and continue your search there.

Keep Water at Bay

Your home is a huge investment, and last thing you want is something water damage to happen and have a huge bill to fix it. So this article is great for preventive measures, take a read please. As always you can contact us at anytime with questions you may have at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

Keep Water at Bay

Here are 5 tips for protecting a home from water hazards.

BY BARBARA BALLINGER

There’s no need yet to acquire an ark, but water certainly has become a bigger menace in many parts of the country. Even storms that don’t escalate into the next Katrina or Sandy can still destroy basements, foundations, roofs, and interiors that once seemed immune to heavy rains.
To prevent damage and avoid large out-of-pocket expenses, home owners should stay on top of maintenance and repair needs. The average water damage insurance claim between 2008 and 2012 for a worst-case flood totaled more than $38,000, according to National Flood Insurance Program data.
These are key steps home owners should consider to protect their property from the ravages of water.

1. Block Water From Entry Points:
   • Roof shingles that are missing or damaged need to be replaced. Curling shingles can allow water to leak in, and rusty nails or cupping shingles may indicate damage.
   • Gutters and downspouts that are too narrow, aren’t cleaned periodically, or aren’t pitched properly may permit water to come too close to a house, seep in, and damage the foundation, according to Wayne Owczarzak, owner of Mr. Handyman in Wheaton, Ill.
   • Windows and doors with broken glazing will likely allow in water and should be repaired or replaced.
   • Foundations, basement floors, and walls with cracks are additional sources of water entering from the ground, says Owczarzak. White haze, baseboard warping, and paint cracking are all warning signs.
2. Put in a Second Line of Defense:
   • Sump pumps collect water and send it away. Because they operate electrically, a home owner may want to consider purchasing a generator in case power goes out during a storm. Pumps need to be cleaned periodically so silt from yard waste doesn’t settle, says Randon Gregory withRam Jack, a foundation repair company in Ada, Okla.
   • French drains collect water along the perimeter of a home and direct it to a sump pump. Exterior waterproofing offers even more protection.
   • Interior drain tiles direct water that gets in to a drainage system under the floor, which pumps it out.
   • Boilers and furnaces should be elevated to keep from being flooded, says builder Jeffrey Collé of East Hampton, N.Y.
   • Window wells should drain properly and be accessible for debris removal. Precut plywood to cover window glazing is useful for hurricane-prone areas.
   • Alarm systems in your home can connect to a computer, the Internet, or a mobile device to warn you of impending disaster. ConnectSense, for example, makes sensors that monitor water and temperature extremes.
3. Buy the Right Insurance:
   • While home owners in high-risk zones must carry flood insurance, it might be wise for others who live near water, whether a creek or an ocean, to do so as well. “Many claims come from low-risk areas,” says Lisa S. Jones, owner of Carolina Flood Solutions LLC. Advise your clients to buy a policy that covers all possibilities, including “sudden water damage.” Condo owners also need coverage. Take inventory, photograph valuables, and save receipts of significant purchases for possible insurance claims.
4. Act Fast if Water Pours in:
   • Water damage should be dealt with immediately to avoid more costly problems, says Will Southcombe with PuroClean, a property damage restoration franchise. “Time is your greatest enemy. Bacteria can become activated, resulting in sour smells and contamination. The cost [of waiting] can be five times greater,” he says.
   • Turn off pipes once water starts flowing.
   • Call in a damage restoration company—it can determine where water has gone and where it’s headed. Pros will help stop the flow, remove damaged property, dry the interior, decontaminate to avoid mold, and demolish unsalvageable materials.
   • Prioritize people and pets. If water comes in fast and furiously, get everyone out, says Southcombe. Never touch wires that could shock you. Lives matter more than a house and its contents.
5. Protect Your Pipes:
   • Insulated pipes won’t freeze and burst in cold weather. Master water valves should be turned off in vacant homes, or if home owners in a cold climate leave for a while.
   • Open cabinet doors to allow in warmer air and let faucets drip, both help avoid freezing when temperatures plummet.

Hope this was helpful and gave you good information. Again you contact us for any questions, or if you are looking to buy or sell a home at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

Save Green Indoors and Out with Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades

Whether you are a first time home buyer, home buyer or selling your house this is a great read which will help you to save a lot of green, and add value to your home.  Have any questions contact us here at www.AnneArundelCountyReal.Estate.

Spring is the perfect time to think green. For some it’s spurred by the coming of Earth Day, others the renewed greening of our lawns. And many are motivated by the desire to save a little green in their wallets with a fresh new season of home repairs. If you’re one of these people, you can help save some green for the planet, as well as your hard-earned cash, by making energy efficient upgrades throughout your home.

Helping the world stay green gained traction with the first Earth Day held March 22, 1970, as declared by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. As a nation, much has been accomplished with the environmental movement, yet there are also easy things you can do at home to “go green” and save money at the same time. Here are some tips for home energy-efficient upgrades indoors and out.

1. Cool efficiently.

   When it comes to home energy bills, heating and cooling accounts for as much as half of the average home’s utility costs, according to energy.gov. Get ready for the hottest days of summer by tuning up your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system so it’s operating efficiently. Change your HVAC filters regularly. In addition, if your cooling system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with one that has a Seasonal Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 20.00 for better savings. Trane’s XL20i, for example, can mean a savings of up to 60 percent on your annual cooling costs – that’s cool cash in your pocket.

2. Programmable temperature controls.

   A programmable HVAC control can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent compared to traditional nonprogrammable thermostats. Today’s HVAC control systems, like the Trane ComfortLink II Control, now monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures, plus home energy use over time, to help you manage energy and comfort even further.

3. Conserve water.

   Remember, water isn’t free. Indoors, lower water bills by installing low-flow water fixtures including toilets, showerheads and faucets. Outdoors, add a water-saving spigot for the garden hose. To avoid water evaporation, water your plants early or late in the day, and when your green lawn starts to grow, don’t mow too low. If you have lawn sprinklers, double check that they are set to water grass and shrubbery instead of the driveway or sidewalk. Rather than hose down your deck to clean it, save water by sweeping instead.

4. Lighting.

   About 10 percent of the energy your home uses goes to lighting costs, according to energy.gov – in fact, by just replacing five of your home’s most frequently used lights with energy efficient ENERGY STAR bulbs, you could save $75 a year in energy costs. Compared with traditional incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescents can yield as much as 75 percent energy savings and last six times longer. You can save even more energy and wasted heat by switching to LEDs. Outdoor lights using CFLs or LEDS save energy, too, so look for ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures designed for outdoor use.

By taking these steps, you can help make the world a little greener, keep your home a little greener, and save even more green where it really hits home – in your wallet.

Thanks for stopping by today and again visit us at www.AnneArundelCountyReal.Estate

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home

Found this great article on Realtor.com, and if you are getting ready to buy a home, great advice. If you would like to get your home search started now feel free to go to www.MarylandHomesLocator.com,

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. “Sometimes we want something so badly, we’re not willing to ask all the questions we should,” says Leslie Levine, author of “Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?” To make sure your dream home isn’t a mirage, follow these 14 tips:

1. Visit at various times of day.
The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you’re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for.

2. Research recent local news.
You need to look at more than the house: Examine the factors you can’t see. For example, perhaps the municipal water well has high levels of contaminants, or a perhaps a high-voltage power line may soon be coming through your back yard. You can also check with the city or county to see if there are any proposed projects.

3. Talk to neighbors.
How many people in the neighborhood own their homes? What do neighbors say are the pros and cons of the area?

4. Ask if the neighborhood has an association.
“Is there a newsletter for it? How often does the neighborhood get together? Do they have a block party every year?” Levine asks. “The fact that they’re having a gathering says they care about their community, that they want to get to know each other, that they’re willing to socialize that way. People who behave that way are building a community. They’re going to look out for your kids; they’re going to look out for your house.”

5. Quiz the sellers about house problems.
What past problems are the sellers aware of? Even if the issues have been fixed, it’s good to know that the house may be prone to, say, ice dams or water leaks so that you can take preventive measures rather than find out the hard way. If you know that the basement flooding was solved by building up the landscaping in a particular area, you won’t level the ground there.

6. Get a home inspection.
Virtually all houses have defects. Some are obvious, and most are curable. But knowing what needs repair can help you negotiate a lower price — or at least prepare you for costs you’ll soon incur. Strongly consider getting inspections for lead paint, radon and wood-eating pests, too.

7. Get detailed records on past improvements.
This isn’t always possible. But if you’re told the house’s exterior was painted two years ago — and then see a receipt noting the whole project cost just $1,000 — then you’re forewarned that cheaper materials were used and that you may be looking at repainting sooner than you thought.

8. Don’t assume remodeling will be easy.
If you voice your ideas to the sellers, you may glean valuable insights. For instance, perhaps that shower is in an odd location because, when the previous owners remodeled 10 years ago, they discovered a costly structural impediment to putting a shower where it would seem more appropriate.

9. Consider the view.
“So many neighborhoods now have teardowns,” Levine notes. “So look at the two houses on either side of you.” Do the adjacent houses look like they might be candidates for a teardown? Is the next lot empty? Does the neighborhood or town have restrictions about what your prospective neighbors can build there? “They may build some behemoth structure that affects your light or the way your house looks or your view,” Levine says.

10. Ask for utility bills. 
You may adore the Cape Cod architectural style or the high ceilings and glass walls in a modern home, but those winter heating and summer cooling bills may not fit your monthly budget. Ditto for the water bills that come with maintaining a pristine landscape.

11. Pay close attention to taxes.
Don’t just ask about the seller’s most recent tax bill; ask the amounts for several recent tax bills. In some areas, houses are re-appraised — and taxed at higher rates — frequently. That great deal and good investment may not seem quite so grand if the property taxes skyrocket year after year. Look at local news and talk to your Realtor about how taxes are used in this area. In some cities, schools are substantially funded through property taxes, which means you can count on yours increasing regularly.

12. Check with city hall.
Look into the property’s and the neighborhood’s zoning, as well as any potential easements, liens or other restrictions relating to your property. The seller should disclose these facts, but it’s better to be proactive. If you’re using a buyer’s agent, they should be able to help.

13. Reconsider the bells and whistles.
Are you sure you can live with a one-car garage, or a detached garage, or on-street parking? The pool may be a nice bonus, but can you afford the upkeep?

14. Explore the surrounding area.
If you’re new to the area, you may not know that only three blocks away, this pretty neighborhood backs up to a dumpy commercial zone or a less-than-savory part of town. If the home is near an airport, fire station, police station, hospital or railroad track, expect to hear trains, planes or ambulances throughout the day and night. Make sure you’re not too close to an agricultural area that may generate odors or kick up dust or other airborne problems.

Diane Benson Harrington wrote this article

Thanks again for stopping by and seeing us today.

For a Limited Time, DHCD is Offering Special Maryland Mortgage Plan Rates for Military Personnel, Veterans and Disabled Veterans

To all Maryland military personal, veterans and disabled veterans, this is a must read. If you have been on the fence about buying now is the time. Please take time to read this and if you have any questions please contact me today at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com, time is limited.

Crownsville, MD – DHCD is offering special mortgage rates and significant down payment assistance for veterans and active duty military personnel and an even lower rate for disabled veterans.

The special rates are through the Maryland Homefront: The Veterans and Military Family Mortgage program and is in appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

But the special rates are for a limited time only. The initiative ends at the close of business on May 30.

Through the Maryand Homefront program, veterans and active duty military personnel are eligible for a special interest rate of 3.5 percent for a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage. Disabled veterans can qualify for a 3.0 percent rate. Qualified borrowers can utilize the conventional, FHA, VA or Rural Home Service programs and they can purchase a home anywhere in Maryland.

Veterans purchasing under the program may utilize the $5,000 Down Payment Assistance program plus any applicable funds through DHCD’s Partner Match program. Working with employers, developers, local governments and community organizations, the Partner Match program often can make the difference for families that have the income and the credit they need to qualify for a home but not the down payment and settlement costs.

Maryland Homefront is one of several new homeownership initiatives coming this spring and summer. They are designed to help families take advantage of low prices, competitive rates and significant down payment assistance available  through the Maryland Mortgage Program, the state’s flagship homeownership program.

To learn more about the Maryland Homefront program, click here.