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At present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Alameda County Water District is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or www.epa.gov/safewater/lead
this information taken from the ACWD newsletter
Residential sales by foreign buyers totaled $82 billion for the year ending March 2011, up from $66 billion a year ago, according to the 2011 Profile of International Home Buying Activity released by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The $16 billion increase is one of the largest in recent years.
The average price of a U.S. property purchased by an international buyer was $315,000 compared to the U.S. average of $218,000. But nearly half of international purchases were for properties worth less than $200,000. Nearly two-thirds of international purchases were reported as all-cash transactions.
More than half of all REALTORS® (55 percent) say they worked with at least one international client in the past year, while the bulk of international transactions were handled by a small percentage of REALTORS®.
International buyers represented 70 different countries, up from 53 countries in 2010. For the fourth consecutive year, Canada was the top country of origin with 23 percent of sales, followed by China, Mexico, the United Kingdom and India. Foreign buyers often find U.S. properties to be less expensive than comparable properties in other parts of the world, the report concludes. U.S. properties are also viewed as a secure investment, and they offer rental opportunities and long-term appreciation potential. One new trend the survey finds is the increased number of foreign families who are purchasing U.S. properties in college towns so their child has a place to live while they attend school.
from CRS Connect, on-line newsletter
Installing a home security system can ease a lot of homeowner worries, and many systems now offer even greater peace of mind with samrtphone-ready features. With your mobile device, you can stay connected to your home and monitor it whether you’re near or far.
ADT’s Pulse, an add-on to its standard security system, allows homeowners to arm or disarm the alarm system, control lights and thermostats and obtain realtime video of security cameras from anywhere they have an internet connection. The system, which is available as an app for the Android and iPhone, also provides a list of secure or unsecure ares, alerting users which doors or wndows have been opened.
The Total Connect system from Honeywell Security, which is available as a remote keypad or a free application for the BlackBerry, iPhone, or iPod Touch, contains many of the same features as other systems, including the ability to check the status of your security system, control the lights and review video feeds. It also allows users to bypass alarm systems remotely for a specified entrance for unscheduled maintenance, and its support for multiple accounts lets you keep an eye on vacation homes or investment properties.
GotoCamera’s system, which includes a residential webcam, allows users to access a mobilefriendly website for a instant feed on their home at any time. For an additional fee, users can set up mobile alerts that send an image or a 10-second video clip of disruptions in motion detection straight to their phone.
More than four out of five (82 percent) independent landlords say they would rent to someone who lost a home to foreclosure, assuming the applicant had a history of good credit, according to a survey by the National Association of Independent Landlords (NAIL). Despite their recent financial problems, applicants who have lost a home to foreclosure can prove to be good risks, mainly because they once owned a home. “Landlords typically won’t rent to applicants with poor credit — and a foreclosure will absolutely slam someone’s scores. The exception is when they see people who have paid their bills their whole life, but lost their job, can’t meet their mortgage and must hand their keys back to the bank,” says NAIL president Tracey Benson. A thorough background check can help determine whether an applicant’s financial woes are a recent occurrence or a lifelong trend.
info from CRS member connect on-line newsletter
Getting you house in top shape is important when welcoming potential buyers inside. But you don’t want to forget about enticing buyers from the outside as well. Your yard is definitely part of the first impression and having it in tip-top condition can help set the tone of any visit. Unfortunately, summer’s scorching sun can often work against you. Here’s how you can keep your garden and yard looking healthy and beautiful even in the hottest months:
Keep Watering, Set up a sprinkler in your yard and make sure your flowers and grass get water daily. You’ll save water – and plants – by only watering in the evenings or early mornings when the sun isn’t beating down.
Choose Summer Flowers. When planting your garden, always keep in mind the amount of sun and heat flowers might receive. With a little bit of TLC, your snapdragons and petunias will maintain their blooms throughout the summer.
Fertilize. When fertilizing summer blooming flowers, use a fertilizer high in phosphorus or use a “bloom booster” formula. This will help stimulate flowering throughout the summer, ensuring your garden will always look its best.
If all else fails, hire a local landscaping company or gardening center to plant a season of colorful flowers. While this is an additional cost, it’s worth it if it helps your house sell faster and at a higher price.
When the housing market does begin to recover, Generation X adults (ages 31 to 45) will likely lead the way, according to a panel of real estate experts who delivered an educational webinar presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). While Generation X is not the largest generation, it makes up roughly one-third of the home-buying population. They are the most mobile of the generations, they are in the prime of their careers, and they need to accommodate growing families, the panel experts say. While community amenities are important to Generation X buyers, many look for homes on large lots in suburban locations. They also want more storage, an open floor plan and flexibility in the garage. “While Gen X numbers are smaller than the birth cohorts before and after them, their numbers have been enlarged by steady immigration,” says NAHB chief economist David Crowe. “Gen X may wait longer than their predecessors to establish their own household or buy a home because of the recent recession impacts, but the trends are still likely to occur as they have for past generations.”
Are you expecting a tax refund this year? If so, you probably already have plans for how you’re going to spend it – new clothes, a weekend trip, that big screen TV you’ve been waiting to buy. This year, instead of going on a shopping spree, why not put that money to work for you?
One financially savvy decision would be to pay off any high-interest debt you may have…you know, those credit card bills left over from the Holidays. The Federal Reserve estimates that credit card debt has reached a level where every man, woman and child in the United States would owe almost $3,000.
Another wise choice may be to invest in your retirement; an annuity or life insurance policy, or your childs education. These often have great tax deferred & tax free advantages.
Sure, you can get instant gratification by spending your tax refund, but wouldn’t it be much more satisfying to try to reach your financial goals and invest in your long-term happiness?
A large majority of Americans believe home prices will stabilize over the next 12 months, according to the latest national housing survey from Fannie Mae. Nearly four out of five Americans (78 percent) believe housing prices will hold steady or increase over the next 12 months, up from 73 percent a year ago. But nearly two-thirds (61 percent) still believe that the economy is on the wrong track, which is unchanged from last year.
The survey also finds that younger Americans, Hispanics and African-Americans have more positive views about owning a home than the general population. Almost six out of 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 say buying a home has potential as an investment, while 34 percent of Hispanics and 35 percent of African-Americans say they expect to purchase a home within the next three years, compared to only one in four (23 percent) of all other Americans.
from CRS member connect on-line newsletter
More than 4,000 Americans die and approximately 25,000 are injured each year in fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an overwhelming number of fire occur in the home. Yours doesn’t have to be one of them- are safe with these simple tips:
Have at least one working smoke alarm. Test it monthly, keep it free of dust, and replace the battery at least once a year.
Prevent electrical fires. Never overload circuits or extension cords, and don’t place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high-traffic areas.
Use appliances wisely. Overheating, unusual smells, shorts and sparks are all warning signs that an appliance isn’t safe to use.
Use portable heaters with care. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away. Kerosene heaters should be used only where approved by authorities and never use gasoline or camp-stove fuel.
Keep fire in the fireplace. Use fire screens and have your chimney cleaned annually. The creosote buildup can ignite a chimney fire that could easily spread.
Plan your escape from every room in the house. Stay low to the floor, and never open doors that are hot. Remember to get out before calling for help.
Even as many homeowners struggle to make mortgage payments and foreclosures weigh down the housing market, 70 percent of Americans still view homeownership as part of the American Dream, according to a recent Trulia survey. More than three out of four homeowners (78 percent) say their homes are the best investment they ever made. Only 20 percent say they feel trapped in their “underwater” homes, while 14 percent say they would walk away from their homes if they could.
The survey also finds that members of the Millenial generation have gained an appreciation of homeownership. More than one in four (26 percent) of this group say their views of homeownership have become more positive over the past six months, while 15 percent developed more negative views.
Great article from my CRS MemberConnect on-line newsletter
