Chance Gates' Blog

Once again it is time to take a break from Reno/Sparks real estate and celebrate the New Year by talking football.  Thanks to New York Giants for losing last week which put the Dallas Cowboys into the playoffs.  I hate the last week of the year you never know who is going to actually play.  I really like the Carolina Panthers to knock off the New Orleans Saints however I haven’t seen a line on that game so we will pick Da Bears giving up 3.5 points.  I know I usually like the dog but Cutler need to finish this year strong before they boo him out of Chicago.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a special plans and member please don’t drink and drive.

This is another one of those Northern Nevada  real estate blog entries that was derived from a commonly asked question.  This once again starts from the saying “there are no stupid questions”, which my son has proven wrong many times.  However if you do have a question, it does make picking a topic so much easier on me.

Trying to keep this as simple as possible a home warranty,  for the most part covers items inside the house:  leaky pipes, electrical systems, dishwashers, pumping of septic tanks etc…

This is most commonly purchased by the year, plus a small service fee every time used. The homeowners warranty is usually not required in order to get a home loan.  This is something I highly recommend to everyone of my clients buying a home.

items covered will vary from policy to policy be sure to get your policy explained to you in detailed.

RESPA Reform

The Objectives:

1.)  Help consumers shop for the best loan, through competition bring lower prices.

2.)  Disclose to consumer, the loan information quickly in an easy to understand format.

3.)  Facilitate comparison of Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and HUD-1 or HUD-1A Settlement Statement.

THE GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE (GFE):

1.)  The lender has 3 days after receiving a complete loan application to provide the buyer with a GFE.

2.)  The buyer has 10 business days to review the GFE.

3.)  Page 3 of the GFE must have a “Shopping Cart” to allow the borrower the ability to compare terms and conditions.

THREE TYPES OF GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE FEES

1.)  Zero Tolerance are fees on the GFE that may not be exceeded at closing.

2.)  10% Increase Permitted are fees that the total aggregate of all charges are subject to a 10% tolerance.

3.)  Unlimited Change Permitted are fee that HUD does not limit the amount of increase

Other terms and conditions may apply please contact a Nevada real estate professional to answer any questions  that you might have.

Once again it is  time to take a break from Reno/Sparks Real Estate and talk some football.  I’m going out on the limb this week.  I like the St. Louis Rams and the points.    The Arizona Cardinals have clinched a playoff birth and are one of the most streaky teams I’ve ever seen.  Plus the fact that the Cardinals usually play down to their opponents level, there is a small chance the Rams win this game outright.

The good news: in the middle of a really tough economy, you land a job offer. The bad news: you have to explain to your teenage children that it means moving out of state. Being one of those teenagers, who got pulled out of state more time than I would like to count. I understand the frustration that is involved. There are, however, steps you can take to make the transition more manageable.
As a child, I would prefer to move before school let out. This way I had time to make friends before the summer. It didn’t hurt that track season always started in the spring and I would pick up a lot of my friends during track.
The nice thing is the internet has made it possible for the whole family to do the research. Looking at local bloggers is a great way to check out different parts of town. With everything that goes into relocation, it is easy to turn family life into a never-ending series of “to do” lists. Find time to let your family talk out loud about the move. Let your kids know that it is okay, everything will workout. When I was young there was no conversation it was “we are moving start packing”. So talk to the children let them know this is what is best for the family. This is also a chance for them to start over. For example my oldest son last year kept getting in trouble at the school he was attending. Instead of getting picked on he was quickly becoming one of the bullies. I decided this was not a good thing. So I pulled him out of the local High School and put him into an academy. I also let him know, in this school no one knows you, and this is a fresh start. The turn around was remarkable, for the first time in a long time, he actually cares how he is doing in school.
Don’t wait to get your family members involved with hobbies or sports that they love to do. It not only feels more like home when everyone is doing what they enjoy. It is also away to work out a lot of frustration.
Start gathering data from your physician, dentist and school administrators earlier rather than later. It will make one less thing to worry about when it is time to move.
Moving is a very complex thing and you have enough to worry about. So make sure you use a professional who knows the local real estate market. If you don’t know one, ask around almost everybody ask a good real estate story to tell.

Once again it time to take a break from Reno/Sparks Real Estate and turn to the NFL.  This week I like the San Fransisco 49ers plus the pts.  Philadelphia Eagles is coming off a big win last week against the Giants.   I’m expecting for a let down game.  With any luck(saying I’m a Dallas  Cowboy Fan)  the 49ers will win this game.

Upgrading to a qualifying energy-efficient metal or asphalt roof can cut your cooling bill as well as knock off up to $1,500 from your tax bill.

The roof of your house protects against more than rain. The sun’s rays beat down relentlessly, especially during summer. The intense heat can raise the temperature inside your home. Proper venting and insulation help keep the cool air in and the warm air out. So, too, do energy-efficient roofing materials, which take the brunt of the solar onslaught. Uncle Sam is encouraging homeowners to improve the roofs of their primary residences with a tax credit worth up to $1,500.

During 2009 and 2010, you can claim a credit for 30% of the cost of qualifying asphalt or metal roofing materials. The credit, which should be taken on IRS Form 5695 for the tax year in which the work is completed, can be split between 2009 and 2010 but can’t exceed $1,500 total for both years. You can’t claim more in credits than you owe in taxes.

Metal vs. asphalt roofs

To qualify for the tax credit, you must use either metal or asphalt roofing materials that are designed to reduce heat gain—the amount of heat transferred into a home—and meet the requirements of Energy Star, a federal program that promotes energy-efficient products and practices. Metal roofs must have appropriate pigmented coatings and asphalt roofs must have appropriate cooling granules. Asphalt materials can be either traditional shingles or modified bitumen (rolled asphalt sheets). Energy Star has a list of all of its approved roofing products, but only the metal and asphalt materials may qualify for the tax credit.

It’s a good idea to hang on to manufacturers’ certification statements that attest to the tax credit-worthiness of the roofing materials you purchase. These can usually be found on product packaging or company websites. You don’t need to file these with your tax return, but the IRS could ask for them later. Consult a tax adviser.

Dean Kucharski, a 22-year veteran of the roofing business in Pontiac, Mich., estimates that for a typical 2,200-square-foot home, a mid-range asphalt roof will run about $7,000 to $12,000, including labor. The good news is that it will likely last 20 years or more. For a metal roof, expect to pay twice as much, though it can last for 50 years, he says. If you hire a contractor, get an itemized bill that breaks out the cost of materials since labor doesn’t count toward the tax credit. Materials should account for about half the bill on standard roofing jobs.

How much roof do I have?

You can get a rough estimate of how much roofing material you’ll need by figuring the square footage of the footprint of your home and adding about one-third more to account for roof pitch, overhangs, dormers, gables, and so on. Roofing contractors often quote in terms of “squares.” One square equals 100 square feet. So if a roofer says your house is 20 squares, it means it’s roughly 2,000 square feet—20 times 100.

Once you’re ready to pick a roof type, Kucharski suggests talking to an area building wholesaler or a company that specializes in roofing materials. It’s important to consult with someone who knows what types of materials are appropriate for a given region’s climate. Big-box retailers may not have as wide a selection or knowledgeable staff.

Finding a good roofer entails the same steps as finding any qualified contractor: ask neighbors for recommendations, collect at least three bids, check references, and get everything in writing. Craig Silvertooth, executive director of the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, recommends finding a contractor through the National Roofing Contractors Association, which has about 4,000 members.

Save on cooling bills

You’ll get the most bang for your roof-renovation buck if you live in a hot climate, namely the South and Southwest. Expect to save between 7% and 15% on your cooling costs with energy-efficient roofing materials, says Michelle Van Tijen of the Cool Roofs Rating Council. If you pay $300 a month to cool your home, figure you’ll cut your monthly bill by up to $45.

Ironically, with roofs there is such a thing as being too energy efficient. In winter months, roofing materials with very high heat-deflecting qualities can increase heating bills. However, you’re more than likely to make up the difference on your air-conditioning costs. That’s especially true if you live in an area where you run your air conditioner much of the year.

Think hard before replacing a roof that’s in perfectly good shape. Consider instead a roof coating, a material painted over your existing roof that offers insulation and sun reflection, says Silvertooth. Roof coating costs about 75% less than replacing a roof, though it doesn’t qualify for the tax credit. Another affordable way to save on cooling costs that doesn’t even involve the roof is to add more insulation to your attic. This home-improvement project can even be tackled by weekend warriors, and it qualifies for a federal tax credit.

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.

Gil Rudawsky has been covering business and consumer issues as a reporter and an editor for 18 years, most recently as a business editor at the Rocky Mountain News. He lives in a house built in the 1930s, and always keeps the homeís character in mind when making upgrade.
 http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tax-c…

RISMEDIA, December 12, 2009—Looking for fast, free ways to save on energy around the home this winter? According to Tom Kraeutler, host of the nationally-syndicated home improvement radio show, The Money Pit, there are many common-sense things you can do everyday in your home to lower energy bills.

Tip #1 – Lock your windows. Don’t just close them, but lock them to create an airtight seal that keeps out air leaks and drafts.

Tip #2 – Plug power-draining computers and electronic equipment into a power strip with a switch, so they can all be easily turned off when not in use.

Tip #3 – Turn off lights when leaving a room.

Tip #4 – Get free solar heat by opening the blinds and shades during the day.

Tip #5 – Chill out and do your laundry in cold water.

Tip #6 – Add a sweater and lower the thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you may be able to save 5% on heating costs.

Tip #7 – Run only full loads in your dishwasher.

Tip #8 – Remove lint often from your clothes dryer and its outside vent. And, run your dryer in the evening, when the extra heat helps warm your house.

Tip #9 – Close the doors (and the heating vents) in rooms with minimal use, like walk-in closets, laundry rooms and guest bedrooms, to reduce heat use in those areas.

Tip #10 – Snuggle up under more blankets at night and turn your heat down lower to reduce energy costs.

“Small things can add up to big energy savings in the home,” says Kraeutler. “You’ll be surprised to find your energy bills dropping by 20, 30 or more dollars each month when you consistently make the effort.
Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-12-12/around-the-home-10-no-cost-tips-for-saving-energy/#ixzz0ZgYdqFR2

Its now time to take a break from Reno/Sparks real estate and take a look at the NFL.  I usually do not like overs and under it just seems to much like gambling to me.  However, this week I really like the Under 41.5 in the Chicago Bears Vs Green Bay Packers game.  I do believe this game is in Chicago being played at  Soldier Field.  I’m  seeing a great day to play football in the cold and snow.

Trulia, Inc., a real estate search site, has announced that 22% of homes currently on the market in the United States as of December 1, 2009 have experienced at least one price cut.
Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-12-10/home-pric…

When we already know for the first time in years nondistressed properties had more sale than the short sales or foreclosed properties.
 http://chancegates.com/2009/12/02/octobe…

As presented in the article http://chancegates.com/2009/11/23/180/
interest rates have hit an all time low. With the tax credit extensions for first time buyer which now includes move up buyers also. http://chancegates.com/2009/12/03/first-…
Should make March and April very active months in the Reno/Sparks real estate market, as everyone tries to beat the April 30 deadline.

If your selling a house here is a helpful real estate blog post so you will not be one of the 22%.  http://chancegates.com/2009/04/27/sellin…

If your buying a house in the Reno/Sparks real estate you can visit these helpful blogs post:
 http://chancegates.com/2009/12/06/home-o…

 http://chancegates.com/2009/11/02/home-l…

 http://chancegates.com/2009/09/16/hud-ho…

 http://chancegates.com/2009/10/19/how-to…

 http://chancegates.com/2009/08/12/city-o…

If looking to purchase real estate in Lyon County here is another helpful real estate blog post:
 http://chancegates.com/2009/08/03/new-ns…