One of the best ways to select a contractor is to ask friends or relatives for recommendations. Make sure they have worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance in case of accidents on the job.
Building codes set minimum safety standards for construction. Generally, a building permit is required whenever structural work is involved. The contractor should obtain all necessary building permits.
- Hire only licensed contractors.
- Contact the Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.com.gov or at 800-321-2752 to verify the contractor’s license.
- Get three references and review past work.
- Get at least three bids.
- Get a written contract and don’t sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
- Pay 10 percent down or $1,000 whichever is less.
- Don’t let payments get ahead of the work.
- Don’t pay cash.
- Don’t make a final payment until you are satisfied with the job.
- Don’t rush into repairs or be pressured into making an immediate decision.
Spring and summer projects are getting underway. Good luck with your home improvements!
Governor Schwarzenegger today signed AB 183 providing $200 million for home buyer tax credits. The bill allocates $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers who purchase existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes.
Eligible taxpayers who close escrow on qualified principal residences between May 1, 2010 and December, 31, 2010, or who close escrow on a qualified principal residence on and after December 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, pursuant to an enforceable contract executed on or before December 31, 2010, will be able to take the allowed tax credit.
This credit is equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. Under the bill, purchasers will be required to live in the home as their principal residence for at least two years or forfeit the credit (i.e. repay it to the state). Buyers also must be at least 18 years old and be unrelated to the seller. First-time buyers are defined as those who have not owned a home in the past three years.
A new study by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate finds that more immigrants are choosing to put down roots in mid-size cities rather than larger gateway areas, in part because many smaller metro areas feature established, growing neighborhoods of fellow immigrants and less competition for entry-level jobs. The study, “Immigrants and Housing Markets in Mid-Size Metropolitan Areas,” finds that mid-size markets, such as Nashville, Detroit, Colorado Springs, Colo., Minneapolis, Sarasota, Fla., and El Paso, Texas, had an average 27 percent increase in new immigrant population at a time when the major gateway cities are losing residents. The largest numbers of immigrants came from Mexico and China. The study estimates that immigrants and their descendents will make up 82 percent of U.S. population growth over the next 40 years. re Immigrants Choose to Live in Mid-Size Cities A new study by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate finds that more immigrants are choosing to put down roots in mid-size cities rather than larger gateway areas, in part because many smaller metro areas feature established, growing neighborhoods of fellow immigrants and less competition for entry-level jobs. The study, “Immigrants and Housing Markets in Mid-Size Metropolitan Areas,” finds that mid-size markets, such as Nashville, Detroit, Colorado Springs, Colo., Minneapolis, Sarasota, Fla., and El Paso, Texas, had an average 27 percent increase in new immigrant population at a time when the major gateway cities are losing residents. The largest numbers of immigrants came from Mexico and China. The study estimates that immigrants and their descendents will make up 82 percent of U.S. population growth over the next 40 years.
from CRS member connect newsletter
Arranging your office so you can be efficient is important, but since you spend so much of your time there, you also want to be comfortable while you work.
To promote well-being and prevent injury, you should try to position your body so your joints are naturally aligned. Leaning forward, slouching or having to extend your arms to reach the keyboard can strain your muscles, tendons and skeletal system. With time or repetition, this can lead to aches and pains or more serious conditions. Neck stiffness, tight back and aching wrists are common complaints of people who work daily on a computer. But these aches and pains can be avoided if you follow these tips:
- When sitting at your desk, your head should remain in line with your torso and parallel to the floor orslightly tilted forward. Your monitor should be placed on your desk at a distance between 20 to 40 inches away from you so you can easily read text.
- Adjust your keyboard and chair height so your shoulders are relaxed and your elbows are close to your body and bent at an angle between 90 and 120 degrees.
- Once you have your keyboard where you want it, you should place your mouse near the keyboard so yo can easily reach it. If your wrist is bent when using your mouse or keyboard, you may need to use a wrist or plam rest for additional support.
- Your chair should provide full lumber support and have a padded seat that cushions your hips and thighs.
- When sitting, your knees should be approximately parallel to your hips and bent at a 90 – 100 degree angle with your feet flat on the floor or elevated on a sturdy footrest.
If you are interested in purchasing a new home, you’ll need to research your financing options. One major part of financing is the annual percentage rate (APR). As you enter into a deal, you will likely know your area’s prime interest rate, but you also need to learn about the lender’s APR.
The APR is the final rate the lender charges you annually. After adding on any loan fees that are involved and points that will be charged, the final rate will usually be higher than the prime interest rate.
When applying for a mortgage, the lender must notify you about the APR within three days of receiving your application. The APR may change before final settlement, but there are limits on how much it can change.
So while shopping for a mortgage, make sure you know the annual percentage rate, as well as what you will have to pay for points, application fees and mortgage insurance.
Being fully informed is the only way you will be able to make the best decision.
The economic crisis has affected Americans’ spending and borrowing habits. According to a Harris Interactive poll. Nearly 2/3 of Americans say they are spending less, while 64 percent say they are less likely to take out a loan. Another 33 percent say they are using their credit cards less often than before.
The survey also finds that one in five Americans (21 %) with a personal savings account and one in ten with retirement savings have added bank savings and CDs to their portfolios in the past six months.
However, many Americans admit that they have not saved enough to weather a downturn, either now or in their retirement years. Almost 1/4 (22%) of those polled say they have no personal savings, and 30 percent say they don’t have any retirement savings.
Middle-aged and affluent Americans are cutting back most on credit card spending. Approx. 45 percent of those ages 40-49 and 41 percent ages 50-64 say they used their credit cards less in the past six months. Of those earning $75,000 or more, 41 percent say they used their credit cards less.
