Archives for October, 2006
Fall Maintenance Checklist: Finding Air Leaks in Your Home
Monday, October 30th, 2006
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You can save 10% or more on your energy bill by reducing the air leaks in your home. Here’s how you can find them:
Test your home for air leaks. On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to the common sources of air leaks shown below. If the smoke travels horizontally, you have [...]
Fall Maintenance Checklist: Caulking and Weatherstripping
Monday, October 30th, 2006
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Warmed or air-conditioned air mixes with outside air through gaps in your home’s thermal envelope — exterior walls, windows, doors, the roof, and floors. Such air leaks can waste large amounts of energy.
Most experts agree that caulking and weatherstripping any gaps will pay for itself within one year in energy savings. Caulking and weather stripping [...]
Citizens to Drop Most Investment Properties
Wednesday, October 25th, 2006
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The state-run insurance pool is getting ready to move second homes, vacation homes and most investment properties off its books.
An insurance bill passed in May requires Citizens Property Insurance to stop offering windstorm coverage to non-homestead properties after March 1, 2007. The aim of the law is to reduce risk and slow the growth for [...]
How To Prevent Wood Floors From ‘Cupping’
Wednesday, October 25th, 2006
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Excess moisture eats away at homeowner finances.
“cupping” of your newly installed floorboards is likely the result of excessive moisture. One possible source of the problem might be that the wood flooring was not allowed to stabilize before it was installed. If the wood contained excessive moisture at installation, natural warps and cups appear as it [...]
Home Buyers: Don\’t Repair Defects Without First Calling Inspector
Tuesday, October 24th, 2006
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When I bought my home, I made the mistake of not being present for the home inspection. Instead, I trusted that the inspector did a good job and that everything was OK. After moving in, I began finding things the inspector had missed. Worst of all was moisture and rotted wood at the base of [...]
Property Owners Get Tax Relief
Friday, October 20th, 2006
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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida - Palm Beach County commissioners voted unanimously in September to drop the county’s tax rate by less than a percent. It’s the second time in two months they have agreed to lower the rate. The commission agreed to cut $3 million in unallocated money from the county’s spending plan, resulting in [...]
Home Buyers: 5 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Wednesday, October 18th, 2006
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Fall 2006 is proving to be a great time to be a home buyer (but not such a great time to sell your house or condo). In most cities, it’s a very strong “buyer’s market” for homes.
A buyer’s market means there are more houses and condominiums listed for sale than there are prospective home buyers [...]
Tips for Maximizing Bathroom Remodel
Friday, October 13th, 2006
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People do lots of thinking when they remodel a bathroom. They agonize over colors, countertop materials, and choosing the latest lavatory sink, but too often they overlook the kind of improvements that would matter most.
Simply upgrading your bathroom with fancy fixtures and materials won’t do a thing to improve its function. You’ll just be trading [...]
Homeowners Forced Out of Citizens Offered Relief
Thursday, October 12th, 2006
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Florida insurance regulators offered some relief to the thousands of homeowners who were forced out of Citizens Property Insurance to Florida Peninsula Insurance and HomeWise Insurance.
Both companies charged much more than Citizens - but their rates have yet to be approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Regulators today ordered Citizens to offer those policyholders [...]
Several ways to save: You won’t pay tax if you buy energy-efficient appliances by Oct. 11
Friday, October 6th, 2006
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(South Florida Sun-Sentinel (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Buying a new refrigerator or air conditioner has never been so cool: Beginning Thursday, Floridians who buy certain energy-efficient appliances will save sales tax and help lower their electric bills.
Washing machines, dishwashers, ceiling fans and a few other household items also are tax-free under the first [...]
