Find Places to Recycle Electronic Gadgets
Electronic gadgets become obsolete very quickly. But what do you do with the old gadgets? You can give away or even sell some gadgets. Other gadgets just aren’t useful anymore. However, throwing them away isn’t a good idea.
Cables, batteries, laptops and inkjet cartridges all contain hazardous materials. You don’t want those in a landfill. Recycling is a much better option. But finding an appropriate recycling center can be a hassle.
This site, www.ecosquid.com, makes it easy to find a nearby recycling center. Just enter the gadget you want to recycle. The site lists recycling programs in your area that will accept it.
Some recycling programs will offer money or a tax deduction in exchange. Other programs require payment. The site lists all that information.
There is also a section that will help you resell cell phones. You can get anywhere from $8 to $150, depending on the phone. It’s much better for everyone than just throwing it away.
And, if you are really looking for a way to recycle that old monitor, check this out: Make-a-Cat-Bed-from-a-Computer-Monitor
Winterization Tips for Homeowners
As always at this time of the year, we like to remind our clients (and area Homeowners) that it is time to think of winterizing your mountain home. Home winterization is important in our area because of the extreme winter weather we can have. Thus, we have put together a list of “Winterization Tips” which we have listed below.
If you would like to print out the tips please click here to access a pdf file of the Winterization Tips which you can save and/or print: Winterization Tips.
We hope you will find the list of tips helpful!
Guidelines for Primary and Secondary Homeowners in the Truckee – Lake Tahoe Area
(This list may not be complete and is to be used as a guideline only.)
Preparing for Winter Weather
Tips for All – Both Primary & Secondary Homeowners
- Disconnect hoses from outside water spigots. Most homes in our area have “freeze proof” exterior water spigots. Thus, you only need to disconnect hoses from the water spigots so that water does not collect and freeze. Some older homes may not have “freeze proof” spigots. If you are not sure which type your home is equipped with, consult a local plumber for specialized instructions. Also, be sure to drain irrigation and sprinkler systems.
- Caulk and maintain weather stripping. Ensure that your doors and windows are air tight; this will help reduce your heating bills. Maintain weather stripping around doors and use caulk on openings or outlets around pipes, foundation, windows, etc. You want to stop any migration of water and air.
- Insulate water lines. Put foam rubber insulation around hot and cold water pipes, you’ll increase efficiency and save energy. (You can buy it in a home store.)
- Maintain heating units. Make sure your heating appliances are cleaned and serviced and ready for winter. Make sure your furnace filter is clean. Check that venting is clear and open.
- Maintain chimneys and stovepipes. Have chimneys and stovepipes inspected & cleaned. (Be sure you have a high-quality chimney cap.)
- Repair roof as needed. Check the roof of your home for missing shingles, shakes, or damaged materials (metal). Also, be sure to check around roof vents for any damaged materials. Repair as needed.
- Close foundation vents. Close foundation vents when colder weather begins and reopen again in the spring for proper ventilation. (Some contractors suggest that you leave at least two sub-area vents, for cross ventilation, open year round for proper ventilation.)
- Check your home insurance. For cold-weather homeowners, winter is a season that can bring damage from snow and ice, so it’s a good time of year to look at your homeowner’s policy.
Miscellaneous Winter Preparation Tasks:
- Contract for snow removal.
- Maintain snow blower. (Change the oil as needed. Gasoline can go bad and cause damage to your motorized equipment, so take your gas cans to the dump and then refill them with fresh gasoline.)
- Install snow stakes.
- Stock your wood supply, if necessary.
- Check batteries in smoke & carbon monoxide detectors & alarms. (Stock back up batteries to have on hand.)
- Put away patio furniture.
- Add anti-freeze to your vehicles, if necessary.
Winterizing Your Home for Extended Away Periods
Pipe Freezing Prevention
If you are a second homeowner or if you are a local who is heading out for a long vacation, you should consider turning off your water the next time you leave. Here’s the procedure for preventing pipe freezing in your home:
- Turn water off.
Locate the water shut off for your home. Then turn off the water — if a special tool is needed, use it. CAUTION: Turn the water shut off handle only as far as it will go in the direction it will move . . . normally clockwise ¼ turn to shutoff; ¼ turn counter-clockwise to open. - Open all faucets and flush all toilets.
Once the water is off, open all the water faucets throughout the house and flush all the toilets to empty the tanks — this allows any excess water to drain from the lines and tanks. - Add RV Anti-freeze to all drains and toilets.
Pour anti-freeze (environmental or RV) in every drain (including sinks, showers, and baths) and in the toilet bowls and tanks (after flushing to empty them).
Drains: 1 cup Toilet Bowls: 4-5 cups Toilet Tanks: 2 cups - Set thermostat at 50 degrees +
Other things to consider doing when leaving for an extended period:
- Disconnect clothes washer water hoses.
- Disconnect refrigerator water hoses (to ice maker and water dispenser).
Governor Vetoes C.A.R.-Sponsored Anti-Deficiency Bill
On Thursday, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 1178 (Corbett), California Association of Realtors’ (C.A.R.’s) sponsored bill that would have expanded anti-deficiency protections. In his veto message, the Governor made clear his view that the bill interferes with an existing contract. While disappointed in the Governor’s misinterpretation of the bill, C.A.R. is grateful to the almost 13,000 California REALTORS(R) who urged him to sign the bill by responding to the Red Alert.
C.A.R. sponsored SB 1178 to better protect homeowners going through foreclosure. SB 1178 would have ensured that homeowners keep the same “anti-deficiency” protections they have in the original loan after the loan has been refinanced.
California’s anti-deficiency protection for “purchase money” mortgages says that if a homeowner defaults on a mortgage used to purchase his or her home, the homeowner’s liability on the mortgage is limited to the property itself. The law has worked well since the 1930s to protect borrowers, ensure the quality of loan underwriting and allow borrowers brought down by financial crisis to get back on their feet.
Unfortunately, the 1930s law hasn’t kept up with current times. Current law doesn’t apply to loans used to refinance the original purchase debt, even if the refinance was only to gain a lower interest rate. Recent years of low interest rates have induced tens of thousands of homeowners to refinance their mortgages. During those years, almost no one realized that refinancing their mortgage to obtain a lower rate, they were forfeiting their protections and were becoming personally liable on the new note.
SB 1178 would have corrected this injustice by extending anti-deficiency protections to those who have refinanced their loans.
Five Mistakes Home Buyers Make
Affordable home prices and historically low interest rates have created an ideal situation for many qualified first-time home buyers to purchase a house. Despite this opportunity, some buyers may be overconfident and make mistakes during the home-buying process.
MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS
- Some first-time buyers are unaware of the vast amount of paperwork and negotiations that go into purchasing a home. As a result, buyers may think they can save money by forgoing the use of a REALTOR®. However, managing the nuances of offers, inspections, financing, and other pivotal steps when buying a home often causes confusion and anxiety for buyers. Working with a REALTOR®–who is obligated to put the buyer’s best interests first–will help to alleviate buyer concerns during this process.
- Online mortgage calculators can help buyers estimate the amount of house they can afford, but calculators should not be the sole source for mortgage-approval information. Buyers are advised to meet with a mortgage broker or banker prior to beginning the home search to help determine the loan amount for which they are most likely to be approved.
- Although there is a large selection of homes available for sale, home buyers should not assume they can make low offers or unreasonable demands. Even in hard-hit housing markets, homes in desirable neighborhoods are receiving multiple offers.
To read the full story, please click here.
Source: The Wall Street Journal – September 1, 2010
5 Reasons Homeownership Trumps Renting
The seemingly endless run of bad housing news is discouraging some potential home buyers from considering a purchase. But the truth is that the advantages of homeownership have very little to do with investment gains. The best things about owning a home have a lot more to do with personal comfort and satisfaction.
Here are five of them:
- Be your own landlord. The bank can only kick you out if you don’t pay; a landlord can be much less dependable – deciding to sell the property or choosing to live there themselves.
- Paying the principal is forced savings. Yes, it’s possible that home prices will fall further. It is also possible that your 401(k) will lose value. But over the long haul, both are likely to enjoy modest gains in value.
- Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
- Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
- Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.
Source: The New York Times, Ron Lieber (08/27/2010)
