Most water testing labs, both those run by your local health department and private water testing labs offer packages of tests for clusters of common private water supply contaminants.
If you want water tests not offered through your local health department don't hesitate to use a private water testing laboratory, provided the lab is licensed by your state. Beware - a few labs offer water tests in states where they have no license to do so, possibly using methods which are not approved by state authorities. Remember to ask.
If you are moving into a home and are testing water for the first time, it is recommended to order one of the more extensive test packages, typically costing $200 to $300.
If that test detects no problems, it is recommended to follow-up testing the water supply annually, using a less costly minimum screen for bacteria or coliform bacteria, typically costing less than $50.
Another tip: if a home is new to you, ask the neighbors, the local health department, and local labs if they are aware of any special contamination issues on your street or near your home. By doing so, you may want to order tests for unusual contaminants which otherwise no newcomer would have thought to look for.
More information such as: Choices of Water Tests & Fees: A Summary of Types of Water Tests, Degrees of Comprehensive Water Testing, Details of Water Test Parameters and Maximum Allowed Drinking Water Contaminant Levels,
Can be found at the below link:
http://www.inspectapedia.com/water/watrtest.htm
Source: The American Society of Home Inspectors
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Mold Information
The media sounded an alarm, the public heard the horror stories, and now homebuyers worry about the presence of molds in the homes they purchase.
If the high-profile status of molds is relatively recent, the subject of all the concern has been around forever. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Molds can be found almost anywhere; they grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present. Outdoors many molds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood and other plant debris."
EPA says molds are here to stay. "There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture."
But homebuyers want to know more than this. Unfortunately, just as when the public first became aware of asbestos, radon and problems with E.I.F.S., the body of knowledge about molds in indoor environments is far from complete.
What is known, according to the EPA, is that "molds can trigger asthma episodes in individuals with an allergic reaction to mold." Because of this health factor, it recommends the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as a source of information.
Here is a link to the EPA: A Brief Guide
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html
Source: The American Society of Home Inspectors
If the high-profile status of molds is relatively recent, the subject of all the concern has been around forever. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Molds can be found almost anywhere; they grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present. Outdoors many molds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood and other plant debris."
EPA says molds are here to stay. "There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture."
But homebuyers want to know more than this. Unfortunately, just as when the public first became aware of asbestos, radon and problems with E.I.F.S., the body of knowledge about molds in indoor environments is far from complete.
What is known, according to the EPA, is that "molds can trigger asthma episodes in individuals with an allergic reaction to mold." Because of this health factor, it recommends the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as a source of information.
Here is a link to the EPA: A Brief Guide
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html
Source: The American Society of Home Inspectors
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Appliance Information
-
Appliance Maintenance: Refrigerators
Keep your refrigerator running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Read
-
Appliance Maintenance: Water Heaters
Keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Read
-
Appliance Maintenance: Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Read
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Appliance Maintenance: Clothes Washer & Dryer
Keep your clothes washer and dryer running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
10 Common Errors Home Owners Make When Filing Taxes
Error #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes
You take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind—that is, you’re not billed for 2010 property taxes until 2011. But that’s irrelevant to the feds. Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in 2010, no matter what the date is on your tax bill.
Error #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid
If your lender escrows funds to pay your property taxes, don’t just deduct the amount escrowed. The regular amount you pay into your escrow account each month to cover property taxes is probably a little more or a little less than your property tax bill. Your lender will adjust the amount every year or so to realign the two.For example, your tax bill might be $1,200, but your lender may have collected $1,100 or $1,300 in escrow over the year. Deduct only $1,200. Your lender will send you an official statement listing the actual taxes paid. Use that. Don’t just add up 12 months of escrow property tax payments.
Error #3: Deducting points paid to refinance
Deduct points you paid your lender to secure your mortgage in full for the year you bought your home. However, when you refinance, you must deduct points over the life of your new loan. If you paid $2,000 in points to refinance into a 15-year mortgage, your tax deduction is $133 per year.
Error #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance
Lenders require home buyers with a downpayment of less than 20% to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Avoid the common mistake of forgetting to deduct your PMI payments. However, note the deduction begins to phase out once your adjusted gross income reaches $100,000 and disappears entirely when your AGI surpasses $109,000.
Error #5: Misjudging the home office tax deduction
This deduction may not be as good as it seems. It often doesn’t amount to much of a deduction, has to be recaptured if you turn a profit when you sell your home, and can pique the IRS’s interest in your return. Hampton’s advice: Claim it only if it’s worth those drawbacks.
Error #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit
If you met the midyear 2010 deadlines, don’t forget to take this tax credit into account when filing.Even if you missed the 2010 deadlines, you still might be in luck: Congress extended the first-time home buyer credit for military families and other government workers on assignment outside the United States. If you meet the criteria, you have until June 30, 2011, to close on your first home and qualify for the tax credit of up to $8,000.
Error #7: Failing to track home-related expenses
If the IRS comes a-knockin’, don’t be scrambling to compile your records. Many people forget to track home office and home maintenance and repair expenses. File away documents as you go. For example, save each manufacturer's certification statement for energy tax credits, insurance company statements for PMI, and lender or government statements to confirm property taxes paid.
Error #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains
If you sold your main home last year, don’t forget to pay capital gains taxes on any profit. However, you can exclude $250,000 (or $500,000 if you’re a married couple) of any profits from taxes. So if you bought a home for $100,000 and sold it for $400,000, your capital gains are $300,000. If you’re single, you owe taxes on $50,000 of gains. However, there are minimum time limits for holding property to take advantage of the exclusions, and other details. Consult IRS Publication 523.
Error #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits
If you made any eligible improvement, fill out Form 5695. Part I, which covers the 30%/$1,500 credit for such items as insulation and windows, is fairly straightforward. But Part II, which covers the 30%/no-limit items such as geothermal heat pumps, can be incredibly complex and involves crosschecking with half a dozen other IRS forms. Read the instructions carefully.
Error #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction
You can deduct mortgage interest only up to $1 million of mortgage debt. If you have $1.2 million in mortgage debt, for example, deduct only the mortgage interest attributable to the first $1 million.This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances.
*Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
Source: NAR, Bob Meighan CPA and vice president at TurboTax and Dave Hampton CPA and tax manager of Burke & Schindler
You take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind—that is, you’re not billed for 2010 property taxes until 2011. But that’s irrelevant to the feds. Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in 2010, no matter what the date is on your tax bill.
Error #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid
If your lender escrows funds to pay your property taxes, don’t just deduct the amount escrowed. The regular amount you pay into your escrow account each month to cover property taxes is probably a little more or a little less than your property tax bill. Your lender will adjust the amount every year or so to realign the two.For example, your tax bill might be $1,200, but your lender may have collected $1,100 or $1,300 in escrow over the year. Deduct only $1,200. Your lender will send you an official statement listing the actual taxes paid. Use that. Don’t just add up 12 months of escrow property tax payments.
Error #3: Deducting points paid to refinance
Deduct points you paid your lender to secure your mortgage in full for the year you bought your home. However, when you refinance, you must deduct points over the life of your new loan. If you paid $2,000 in points to refinance into a 15-year mortgage, your tax deduction is $133 per year.
Error #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance
Lenders require home buyers with a downpayment of less than 20% to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Avoid the common mistake of forgetting to deduct your PMI payments. However, note the deduction begins to phase out once your adjusted gross income reaches $100,000 and disappears entirely when your AGI surpasses $109,000.
Error #5: Misjudging the home office tax deduction
This deduction may not be as good as it seems. It often doesn’t amount to much of a deduction, has to be recaptured if you turn a profit when you sell your home, and can pique the IRS’s interest in your return. Hampton’s advice: Claim it only if it’s worth those drawbacks.
Error #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit
If you met the midyear 2010 deadlines, don’t forget to take this tax credit into account when filing.Even if you missed the 2010 deadlines, you still might be in luck: Congress extended the first-time home buyer credit for military families and other government workers on assignment outside the United States. If you meet the criteria, you have until June 30, 2011, to close on your first home and qualify for the tax credit of up to $8,000.
Error #7: Failing to track home-related expenses
If the IRS comes a-knockin’, don’t be scrambling to compile your records. Many people forget to track home office and home maintenance and repair expenses. File away documents as you go. For example, save each manufacturer's certification statement for energy tax credits, insurance company statements for PMI, and lender or government statements to confirm property taxes paid.
Error #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains
If you sold your main home last year, don’t forget to pay capital gains taxes on any profit. However, you can exclude $250,000 (or $500,000 if you’re a married couple) of any profits from taxes. So if you bought a home for $100,000 and sold it for $400,000, your capital gains are $300,000. If you’re single, you owe taxes on $50,000 of gains. However, there are minimum time limits for holding property to take advantage of the exclusions, and other details. Consult IRS Publication 523.
Error #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits
If you made any eligible improvement, fill out Form 5695. Part I, which covers the 30%/$1,500 credit for such items as insulation and windows, is fairly straightforward. But Part II, which covers the 30%/no-limit items such as geothermal heat pumps, can be incredibly complex and involves crosschecking with half a dozen other IRS forms. Read the instructions carefully.
Error #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction
You can deduct mortgage interest only up to $1 million of mortgage debt. If you have $1.2 million in mortgage debt, for example, deduct only the mortgage interest attributable to the first $1 million.This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances.
*Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
Source: NAR, Bob Meighan CPA and vice president at TurboTax and Dave Hampton CPA and tax manager of Burke & Schindler
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Water Service
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has established procedural changes regarding “taking contracts” (when the new buyer calls and wants to transfer or turn on water/sewer service in their name) from customers requesting water/sewer service. DPU realizes there may be delays in getting a deed recorded so they have instituted a new policy to “take the contract”. It will now be their policy to take a contract for water/sewer service from a customer stating they are purchasing a property, even though they may not be the recorded deed holder at the time of the call.
DPU still needs one business day notice and access to the inside meter to take a reading to close out the previous customer and start service under new owners name. Sellers can still order turn off (one business day notice) service. If the buyer calls before DPU turns off the service there will be no interruption of service. If the water is off they "contract for service" and DPU will turn on in one business day.
Source: Toledo Board of Realtors
DPU still needs one business day notice and access to the inside meter to take a reading to close out the previous customer and start service under new owners name. Sellers can still order turn off (one business day notice) service. If the buyer calls before DPU turns off the service there will be no interruption of service. If the water is off they "contract for service" and DPU will turn on in one business day.
Source: Toledo Board of Realtors
Monday, October 25, 2010
Make a Small Room Look Larger
1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.
2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.
3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the room.Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.
4. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.
5. The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to "open up" the space above.
6. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size.
7. Don't place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.
8. Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.
9. The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.
10. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep the appearance of an open and free space.
Source: Lowes How To library
2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.
3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the room.Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.
4. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.
5. The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to "open up" the space above.
6. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size.
7. Don't place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.
8. Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.
9. The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.
10. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep the appearance of an open and free space.
Source: Lowes How To library
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