Posts from June 2016
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12
Beat the Heat: Tips to Cut Cooling Costs
Cooling your home is costly—even more so if your system is inefficient. There are several, inexpensive ways to cut back on energy consumption and costs.
The first step is to have the air conditioning unit serviced—preferably before temperatures rise to uncomfortable levels. According to the experts at New Jersey-based Gold Medal Service, the technician will clean the unit's coils, filters and fins so that the system operates at peak performance throughout the season.
"Temperatures are finally starting to heat up, and we want to help homeowners stay comfortable this summer and avoid steep increases in their utility bills," says Mike Agugliaro, co-owner of Gold Medal Service. "We also want to make sure homeowners have their A/C ready to go when they need it. Now is the best time to schedule your annual air conditioning unit tune-up to ensure fast service and a cool house all summer."
Another way to keeping cooling costs unde...
9
Why Title Insurance Matters
An owner's title insurance policy protects your property rights as a homeowner. Those purchasing a home should obtain a policy to insure against defects associated with the title of the home.
Owner's title insurance is worthwhile because…
…it protects your investment.
A home is likely the largest investment you'll make. Insuring it, says the American Land Title Association (ALTA), is like insuring any other valuable asset. Owner's title insurance protects the rights of the property owner for as long as he or she (or heirs) owns the home.
…it mitigates your risk.
Issues inevitably arise for every homeowner, but title discrepancies shouldn't be one of them. An owner's title insurance policy will cover you in the event a title claim occurs. According to the ALTA, these include a tax lien against the property, an outstanding mortgage or a pending legal action related to the property.
8
Sellers: What Every Buyer Wants to Know about Your Home
Home sellers are in an advantageous position this summer, with demand high and sales at their strongest in close to a decade. Planning to list your home in the coming weeks? Get the most for your house before the season's up by making it accessible to buyers—with information.
Every homebuyer wants to know specific aspects of homes they're considering purchasing—information that may seem premature to advertise initially, but could ultimately be determining factors in their decision to make an offer.
This information may include:
- How old is the home? When was it last renovated? How old is the roof?
- What structures or fixtures are included in the list price? (Appliances, ceiling fans, lighting, shed, swing set, window treatments, etc.)
- What are the home's annual costs? (Electric, municipal wa...
2
VA Loans: What They Are and How They Work
Most active-duty service members and veterans and some National Guard members and reservists can seek out home-related loans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
VA home loan programs may be used to finance the purchase of homes, condominiums or manufactured homes, refinance an existing home loan, or install energy-saving improvements. The three main types of guaranteed home loan benefits are:
• Purchase Loans
• Cash-Out Refinance Loans
• Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans
Qualified vets need suitable credit, sufficient income and a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan. Private lenders underwrite and fund VA home loans according to VA standards. VA's partial guaranty for these loans means that nearly 90 percent of all VA-guaranteed home loans are made with no down payment required.
If a VA-guaranteed loan becomes delinquent, the VA will work with the...