10 Tips to Avoid Your Pipes Freezing in Winter

Source: Keith Howard at LawnCareService.net http://www.lawncareservice.net/blog/2011/10-tips-to-avoid-your-pipes-freezing-in-winter/

There is nothing worse than waking up after a long and cold winter’s night just to find that none of your faucets are working because your pipes have frozen solid. This is a nuisance for many reasons, starting with the costs for professional thawing of pipes, to the wait that you will endure if you can’t pay someone to do it for you, as well as the nuisance of not having an essential resource in your home.

Having water is one of those things that are difficult to go without, and of course just as your pipes are freezing you always seem to have more need for your home’s water supply. Well, if you don’t want to go through the nuisance or costs of freezing pipes, which could easily reach $200 or more, you can follow these 10 tips to avoid your pipes freezing in winter.

These tips will help ensure that you don’t get one of these bothersome mornings after a cold midnight freeze.

1. Insulating pipes is a must. If you are in an older home, you will find that not many, if any of the pipes are insulated, whether they once were or never have been. With most new homes, the pipes have already been insulated, but there are times when you must look them over to ensure they are. If not, it is essential that you insulate the pipes to avoid them getting too cold and freezing when the temperature drops.

2. Leave a slow drip on. If the water is flowing, chances are that it won’t freeze up as quickly; giving you time to thaw out what does freeze before your water is halted. At night before bed, or before leaving if you will be away for long, you can turn the faucets on just a smidge so there is a slow drip that will prevent your pipes from freezing.

3. Frequently turn faucets on and off. There are some of you that live in areas that are so cold the pipes can freeze fairly quickly. For this reason, it is often a good idea to go around the house turning faucets on and off to ensure a good flow of water and unfreeze any frozen water in the pipes before it sets in.

4. Heated tape. If you do experience a bit of freezing in your water, which can affect your water’s flow, you can use heated tape in order to ensure the pipes remain warm and free from freezing over. This is also a great solution for those of you who have waited too late and may have already experienced some pipes freezing.

5. Make sure the area of the main pipes is warm and insulated. Most times, the pipes that freeze are those located under and outside of the house, those that are exposed to the coldest of the weather. For these pipes, it is important that you ensure the part of the house in which they can be found that there is a sufficient amount of warmth and insulation to ensure the cold air isn’t penetrating through to the pipes.

6. Keep space heaters in rooms that have pipes that freeze. If last winter you found that your bathroom pipes were freezing before any others due to the temperature in the bathroom, then it is a wise tip to make sure you have a good and functioning space heater in that room to make sure the pipes remain warm. This can be done within any room that you frequently find the pipes frozen in the winter.

7. Make sure pipe system is updated. There are many outdated systems that are comprised of copper and steel pipes that are known for freezing fairly easily. For this reason, it is important that you check your pipe system to ensure that it has been updated. If not, it is a good idea to either update or insulate very well.

8. Shut off water supply to any outside taps of your home. These are the first of your pipes to freeze, and although located outside, can cause major interior damage. For this reason, you should find the shut off valves for these pipes and cut them off before the winter arrives.

9. Don’t forget the hot water pipes! There are many with the misconception that only the cold water pipe is going to freeze, leaving them with the ignorance to leave hot water pipes unprotected. These pipes must also be insulated in order to prevent freezing and the risk of burst water pipes in the home.

10. Drain all water from pipes if leaving for an extended amount of time. If you are going to one of those great holiday family get together events out of town, it is always wise to cut the main water valve off and drain all water from pipes to ensure that there is no freezing and damage while you are away.

New Home Sales Surge

New single-family home sales in December rose to their highest level in eight months and prices were the highest since April 2008, raising cautious optimism for a housing market recovery.

The Commerce Department said sales jumped 17.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted 329,000 unit annual rate after a downwardly revised 280,000-unit pace in November. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales rising to a 300,000-unit pace in December from a previously reported 290,000 unit rate. Compared to December a year earlier, sales were down 7.6 percent. Overall 2010 sales dropped 14.4 percent to a 321,000-unit rate.

Economists saw the gains as significant.

"Clearly we are seeing stabilization in new home sales and this data suggests some upward momentum that we have seen in existing home sales. What is important to realize is even in a period of softer new home sales, inventory continues to decline, said Dean Maki, chief U.S.. economist with Barclays Capital in New York.

“The level of inventory is at its lowest since the 1960s," Maki said. This suggests the big declines in housing starts are now behind us and housing starts should be on a gradual trend in 2011.”

Brian Bethune, an economist with HIS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass added: "It's meaningful to the extent that there is a pattern of numbers showing increases. It's a sign that there is a turnaround. Things are definitely perking up, but there is a question whether it's sustainable.

Read the latest report from the National Association of REALTORS®: December Existing-Home Sales Jump

Source: "New Home Sales Surge in December," Reuters(Jan. 26, 2011)

Where is buying a home cheaper than renting one?

It’s cheaper to buy a home rather than rent one in 72 percent of the 50 largest U.S. cities, according to Trulia’s rent vs. buy index, which compares the total cost of home ownership to the cost of renting.

"Since the start of the 'Great Recession,' many former home owners have flooded the rental market,” Pete Flint, CEO of Trulia, said in a news release about the index. “Following the principles of supply and demand, renting has become relatively more expensive than buying in most markets.”

The index compares the median sales price of homes with the median rent on two bedroom apartments, condos, and townhomes that were listed on Trulia as of Jan. 10, 2011.

Here are the top 10 cities where it’s best to buy than rent, according to the index:
1. Miami
2. Las Vegas
3. Arlington, Texas
4. Mesa, Ariz.
5. Phoenix, Ariz.
6. Jacksonville, Fla.
7. Sacramento, Calif.
8. San Antonio, Texas
9. Fresno, Calif.
10. El Paso, Texas

Source: Realtormag.com - “Cheaper to Buy Than to Rent in 72% of Largest U.S. Cities,” Inman News (Jan. 24, 2011)

Is That Home Renovation Worth The Cost?

Most homeowners think that all renovations or home improvement project ideas will increase the value of their property. The problem is that most people don't want to pay extra for someone else's dream project when it comes to buying a home.

Investing in home renovations can be important to do to make your home more comfortable for your family, but if you're going to be putting your home on the market any time soon or you are in the business of house-flipping, certain upgrades could end up doing you more harm than good.

If selling your home is on your list of things to do in the near future, here are some renovations to avoid:

1. Over-the-Top Kitchens

A $30,000 kitchen upgrade might seem like a necessity to you, nut this could be a turnoff for potential buyers who don’t necessarily like to cook. To these folks, the top-of-the-line stainless-steel stove and refrigerator may seem excessive, and they're not going to want to pay for them.

2. Over-the-Top Bathroom

Super-sized jet tubs and multiple shower heads, be your idea of perfection, but to budget or eco-minded buyers, all that extra water use is going to be a drawback. It’s best to keep your bathroom remodeling ideas modest, if you think you'll be putting your home on the market any time soon.

3. A Pool or Hot Tub

A pool can add significant value to your home. If you choose to put in an above-ground, it can knock 2 percent of your home's purchase price, since they're less appealing than in-ground pools. There are constant swimming pool costs ($1,500 on average per year) and they require a lot of maintenance. Pools are also a liability, especially for families with young children, and could affect home-owners insurance coverage. Pools will limit how many people want to buy your home, so keep that in mind before you have one installed (or consider buying a home with an existing pool).

4. Garage conversions

Turning your garage into an office, gameroom, or extra bedroom may not be the best idea. Potential buyers may have a problem with parking on the street and storing their lawn equipment in a storage building out back. If the extra space is needed to make your family more comfortable and you don’t mind alternate parking, converting a garage may be a good idea only if you are planning on living in your home for awhile. Potential buyers are likely to see this conversion as a waste of space, and a project (and expense) they'll have to deal with if they buy your home.

Real Estate Transfer Taxes in Texas

As the Texas Legislature begins its 2011 session, it will be looking at various ways to eliminate the projected $25 billion shortfall from the 2011-2012 state budget. One of the ideas that will be considered again is the initiation of a real estate transfer tax.

There has been talk of a real estate transfer tax in Texas for years. In fact, last legislative session, more than 11 attempts were made to pass a real estate transfer tax. Thankfully, all of these bills were defeated. Real estate transfer taxes raise the cost of purchasing and selling homes, price some buyers out of the market, and reduce economic activity.

What it is

According to the Texas Association of REALTORS®: "A real estate transfer tax is a tax assessed when ownership of property is transferred from one party to another. Some states also assess such a tax on long-term leases. This type of tax typically comes in the form of a percentage of the value of the property."

Currently, Texas is one of only 13 states without a real estate transfer tax. However, with a $25 billion projected budget shortfall, the state is eager to get money from any means available and the real estate industry is a prime target. Transfer tax amounts vary by state from 0.1 percent of the purchase price to as much as 1.5 percent of the purchase. Therefore, on the sale of a $200,000 home, a 1.5 transfer tax could add as much as $3,000 in additional costs that a buyer or seller would have to pay at closing.

Impact

According to the Texas Association of REALTORS®: "The National Association of REALTORS® commissioned a study to analyze the effects of a transfer tax on real estate. The report assumed a tax rate of 0.5% and a $125,000 purchase price. Based on these assumptions, the cost of buying a home would increase by about $600, and home sales would decline by almost 3%. In addition, the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University concluded that the creation of a transfer tax on real estate may create more problems than it solves. This type of tax could cost Texas $955.5 million in lost economic activity with 11,575 jobs lost."

What it Does

•Transfer taxes raise the cost of purchasing and selling a home-pricing many buyers and sellers out of the market and reducing local economic activity. This kind of taxation is damaging and it affects anyone who is trying to buy or sell a home, land, or business, including: New homeowners, seniors wanting to downsize, churches, civic groups, and military families needing to move due to relocation.

•Transfer taxes are discriminatory as they tax only one type of asset-real estate. Similar taxes are rarely applied to financial assets, such as stocks and bonds.

•Transfer taxes can be volatile. For example, a transfer tax of $10 per transaction was initiated in New Jersey, but within 12 months the rate was increased to .78 percent of the sales price.* Therefore, a home priced at $300,000 initially had a transfer tax of $10, but at .78 percent that tax increased to $2,340.

•A real estate transfer tax in excess of the costs associated with the administration of property-ownership records is an arbitrary levy. This levy is not systematically related to a household's ability to pay, or to the benefits derived from public services.

During the 81st regular session of the Texas Legislature in 2009, there were three senate bills (SB-950, SB-934, SB 942) that were introduced that could potentially increase the costs of purchasing a home.

Senate Bill 942, was a bill that would have allowed Texas counties to enact new taxes for transportation projects. A new tax option considered was a real estate transfer tax to be paid within 30 days of the transfer of property. Each county would have had the power to set their own transfer tax rates and would require that the real estate transfer tax be paid before the county clerk records any instrument relating to a real estate transaction in the state of Texas.

This spring, the 82nd Texas Legislature will look at implementing a transfer tax. Be sure to voice your concerns to your state office holders by asking them to oppose any real estate transfer tax and by giving your fair share to TREPAC. Your TREPAC dollars will help fight to keep taxes like these from ever becoming law.

*According to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Web site, www.realtor.org.

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

Oren Arnold

Boost Your Home's Curb-Appeal in the Winter!

During summer months when gardens are in bloom and the sun is shining bright, curb appeal comes naturally to many homes. But when the autumn chill turns to winter cold and the sun sets earlier in the day, it becomes more difficult to create that inviting exterior look that grabs buyers from the curb.

Fortunately, it is possible to create striking winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes, says Charlene Storozuk, a home stager and designer with Dezigner Digz in Burlington, Ontario—a city that averages 51 inches of snow per year. It just requires a little creativity.

She and other home-design experts offer these tips:

1. Add splashes of green and purple. Plants, grasses, and evergreens can liven up a home’s winter landscape. Experiment with tall grasses, such as fountain grasses, that survive harsh winters. And in late fall and early winter, plants from the cabbage family add a vibrant purple color. Make the front door the focal point with a large wreath adorned with a colorful ribbon. To finish the look, place large, colorful planters filled with evergreens beside the front door, suggests Elizabeth Lord, broker with Carolina Farms & Estates LLC in Rock Hill, S.C.

2. Give it seasonal sparkle. Transform an unused bird bath or fountain into a seasonal display by adding twigs with red berries. Or fill frost-resistant urns with twigs, winter greenery, and sparkly baubles (sold at most craft stores), Storozuk says. For extra sparkle, roll twigs in glitter and incorporate a gazing ball—a mirrored glass ball available in various colors—into the display.

3. Make the garden statuesque. Roman- or Greek-themed outdoor sculptures can add class and elegance to a garden in winter. Be sure to use frost-resistant statues so they don’t crack, Storozuk says. Place the statues strategically throughout the garden to draw buyers’ eyes around the outdoor space.

4. Light it bright. During the winter, it’s more likely that buyers will be viewing home after sunset. Use clear flood spotlights to focus on the home’s architectural features, Storozuk says. Keep exterior lighting fixtures at maximum wattage and clean them regularly. When snow covers the ground, Michele Thompson, broker-owner of White Fence Real Estate in Vevay, Ind., takes photos of listings at night with all of the interior lights on—the light bounces off the white snow to create a warm, inviting glow. For the best results, turn off the flash, and use a tripod to avoid blurring, she says.

5. Make the deck an extension of the house. Set up your outdoor tables and chairs just as you would in warmer months. “Home owners often cover their furniture and place lawn objects haphazardly on the deck,” says Kitty Schwartz, president and owner of Classic Home Staging in Katonah, N.Y. For added appeal, she adds a weatherproof cafe set with pillows that play off of interior accent colors. “Glancing out onto this type of vignette can make the indoor space feel larger and more interesting,” she says.

6. Create a photo display of sunnier days. Show buyers what the outside of the home looks like during other seasons by displaying some landscape photos in frames or using a digital photo frame with a slide show of images. “This will give a sense of what the property looks like at other times of year,” Storozuk says. If the home has a garden, make a list of what’s planted where. “Perennials can be expensive,” she says, “so treat them as a selling feature.”

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey as posted on Realtormag.com