New and Improved Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers

HUD: Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs FHA-approved lenders received the go-ahead to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront, according to eagerly awaited guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on so-called home buyer tax credit loans that was released today.Under the guidance, FHA-approved lenders can develop bridge loans that home buyers can use to help cover their closing costs, buy down their interest rate, or put down more than the minimum 3.5 percent.The loans can't be used to cover the minimum 3.5 percent, senior HUD officials told reporters on a conference call Friday morning. Thus, buyers applying for FHA-backed financing with an FHA-approved lender that offers a bridge-loan program can get a bridge loan to bring down the upfront costs of buying a home significantly but would still have to come up with the minimum 3.5 percent downpayment.There remain many sources of assistance for buyers needing help with the 3.5 percent downpayment, including many state and local government instrumentalities and nonprofit lenders.In addition, some state housing finance agencies have developed their own tax credit bridge loan programs, so buyers in states whose HFAs offer such programs can monetize the tax credit upfront to cover all or part of their downpayment. These programs are separate from what HUD announced today. The first-time homebuyer tax credit was enacted last year--and improved upon earlier this year--to help encourage households to enter the housing market while interest rates are low and affordability is high. The credit is worth up to $8,000 and is available to households that haven't owned a home in at least three years. The credit does not have to be repaid, and is fully reimbursable, so households can get their credit returned to them in the form of a payment.Learn more about the credit, including how to apply for it this year even if you've already filed your taxes, at REALTOR.org.Source: Robert Freedman, REALTOR® Magazine Online

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10 weekend projects to make yours a smarter home

For the most part, having a smart home is simply a matter of energy efficiency. These projects, plus 14 quick tips, will help you save both energy and money.

By Popular Mechanics

Kitchen

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1. Find sustainable finishes.
Kitchen upgrades offer a chance to choose products made from recycled or renewable materials. Consider a stone countertop made with recycled glass, a sustainable cork or natural linoleum floor, or cabinetry made from formaldehyde-free plywood.

Slide show: 10 Earth-friendly kitchen counters

2. Go chemical-free.
Caustic chemicals will partially dissolve a clog, but they contaminate water supplies and the fix won’t last. Instead, turn to the sink plunger — its flat bottom sits flush with the sink, unlike a bell-shaped toilet plunger. Before snaking a drain or removing the sink’s trap, try using needle-nose pliers or creatively bent coat hangers.

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Living room

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3. Build better fires.
To boost efficiency in the fireplace, begin by replacing the leak-prone midchimney “throat” damper with a “top-sealing” or “chimney cap” damper. This opens, shuts and seals like a storm door for the chimney. Then add a fireback — a handsome iron plate that protects firebox brick and radiates heat into the room. A fireplace heater will distribute the fire’s warmth by circulating air into the fireplace. A heat exchanger warms the air and fans blow it (smoke-free) back into the room, increasing the fireplace’s efficiency from 5% to 65%. If you don’t use your fireplace at all, contact the National Chimney Sweep Guild to find a certified contractor to seal your flue, which will prevent heat loss through the chimney.

4. Upgrade the thermostat.
Nearly half of the average home’s $2,000 annual energy bill goes toward heating and cooling, but a programmable thermostat can reduce that figure by about $180. Instead of a seven-day model, opt for a five-plus-two-day one — this will allow you to program the temperature for different weekday and weekend schedules, maximizing comfort and efficiency.

Basement

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5. Insulate the edges.
Sealing a basement’s perimeter walls with a vapor barrier and insulation helps heating and cooling systems work less hard to maintain indoor temperature and humidity. Insulate the ceiling’s joist bays against the foundation walls with expandable foam for an airtight seal. Then spray foam to plug up gaps where pipes and vents exit the house.

6. Heat water wisely.
Use foam jackets to insulate exposed hot-water pipes within 5 to 10 feet of the heater. Gas users can upgrade to fuel-saving tankless heaters; electric users should add timers so water stays hot only when it’s needed.

Attic

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7. Ventilate the space.
Install inconspicuous ridge vents that run the length of the attic’s peak. These work with soffit vents to cool the attic in summer; in winter, an exit route for warm air reduces the risk of leak-causing ice dams.

8. Cut air conditioning consumption.
Whole-house fans pull in outside air through the downstairs windows and push out hot air through the attic vents, cooling your house at a fraction of the cost of central air conditioning. Effective except on the most stifling summer days, the typical whole-house fan consumes less than 600 watts, but a 5-ton central air unit can draw more than 6,000. Solar-powered attic fans are very efficient, too, but ventilate only the attic space, not the living area.

Yard

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9. Make decks last decades.
Composite decking built with recycled plastic uses waste headed for a landfill. Redwood, cedar and ipê (pronounced ee-pay) naturally resist rot and can last much longer than pressure-treated wood. But buy only lumber certified “Pure” by the Forest Stewardship Council — there are no bad species, just bad forestry.

10. Add an awning.
Decks reflect the sun’s rays into your house, but adding shade above nearby windows and glass doors can reduce heat intake by up to 77%. In the summer, a retractable awning cuts an adjacent room’s air conditioning use by nearly 25%. It rolls out of the way in the winter to allow warm sunlight in.

14 steps to take today

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Stroll through your home with Popular Mechanics’ list of low-cost (or free!) upgrades, making quick fixes as you go.

1. Turn down the water heater: Lower the temperature to 120 F, and for every 10-degree drop, you recoup 3% to 5% of the power bill. No temperature dial on the tank? Check the temperature at the tap farthest from the heater.
2. Unplug appliances: Turn off power strips or pull the plug on appliances completely. Idle machines suck up 11% of your home’s electricity.
3. Clean your dryer: Slip a shop-vacuum hose into the dryer’s guts to remove lint wads and boost efficiency. Use an electric leaf blower to clear lint from vents that lead to the outside. It’ll work like new.
4. Optimize heating and cooling: Move furniture and rugs away from vents and radiators. Run a fan with the cooling system raised 2 degrees to drop cooling costs by 14%.
5. Drip-irrigate beds: Line gardens with hoses — no sprinklers, no hassle. Use mulch to retain moisture, and set timers to water in the morning.
6. Adjust mower blades: Cut no more than one-third the grass blades’ height — this helps your lawn develop strong roots, remain moist and absorb runoff.
7. Trust the dishwasher: Fully loaded, the dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing dishes. Save power by using the air-dry mode, not heat.
8. Insulate the attic hatch: Keep the conditioned air downstairs by weatherstripping the attic hatch’s edges. Cover the hatch with rigid polystyrene insulation.
9. Use small appliances: Downsize your cooking device: Toaster ovens consume half the energy of a full-size electric oven; microwaves use only one-third.
10. Install storm windows: Storm windows reduce heat loss through windows by 25% to 50%. Magnetic internal storm windows go up without a ladder.
11. Streamline the fridge: Fridges work best at about 38 F; freezers should register between 0 F and 5 F. Leave a thermometer inside for 24 hours, then check it.
12. Keep filters clean: Pleated electrostatic filters catch up to 60% of allergens (blue fiberglass ones catch only lint and dust). Change them every two to three months or as soon as they show discoloration.
13. Draw the curtains: Cover windows to prevent air loss. Curtains engineered for insulation multiply the R-value (a measure of thermal resistance) of standard insulated glass.
14. Fix a leaky toilet: Drop food coloring in the tank; if it ends up in the bowl, there’s a leak. Replacing the flapper can save thousands of gallons of water a year.

This article was written by Elizabeth Svoboda for Popular Mechanics.

Up to $14,999 Down Payment Assistance When Purchasing Foreclosed Property

New Program To Help Stabilize Missouri Neighborhoods

MHDC is offering a new product to help stabilize and rebuild the neighborhoods of Missouri hard hit by the housing downturn. The commission received $4.2 million from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which was part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. These funds are intended to be used for down payment and closing cost assistance for qualified buyers purchasing foreclosed property that will be used as the owner’s principal residence.


Qualified buyers may receive up to 20% of the purchase price (up to $14,999) to use for down payment and closing costs.

Buyer must use MHDC First Place Loan program for first mortgage.

NSP funds provided through a second mortgage with an interest rate of 0%, which is forgiven after five years of occupancy.

First-time and repeat buyers are eligible.

Purchase price must be discounted a minimum of 5% from the current appraised value. This must be determined by an appraisal completed within 60 days prior to making an offer on the property.

Borrower must receive eight hours of homeownership counseling from a HUD-certified counselor.


Borrower income limit is 120% of area median income, see Income & Price Limits.


Must be an owner-occupied, foreclosed property that has been without tenants for the last 12 months.

First-time homebuyers utilizing this program are also eligible to receive the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers if the home is purchased prior to December 1, 2009.

Don't Sit on the Fence, Now is the time to Buy

With the Spring and Summer season upon us, there couldn't be a better time to buy! Inventory is still high in most markets, giving the home buyer many choices. The first time home buyer $8,000 tax credit is available to buyers who have not owned a home in the last three years. You can amend your tax return and get a check this year if you make a purchase now. FHA is in the process of possibly allowing the tax credit to used as a down payment, I'll post more on that as the news breaks.

Here in St Charles County, MO we are starting to experience a definite increase in showings and closed sales. I'm confident that with the sunny weather we also have a sunny real estate forcast. According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, NAR Research, in a recent market update, "Housing affordability is one of the best headlines I can give you. The first quarter housing affordability index figure of 172 is the highest ever recorded since NAR began tracking the measure. The higher the figure, the more people have the financial capacity to enter the market. A median-income family, earning $61,100, could afford a home costing $291,600 in March with a 20 percent down payment, assuming 25 percent of gross income is devoted to mortgage principal and interest." If you've been on the fence about buying now is not the time to hesitate! As interest rates begin to increase, even a .5% hike could cost you $30,000 in interest over the length of your loan (based on $150,000 purchase price). You'll never find conditions more favorable- BUY NOW!

Beautiful Incline Village Listing

See a Virtual Tour of this home by clicking the link below

http://vu.realbiz360.com/preview_listing.php?listing_id=68251

You'll feel like you're on vacation living in beautiful Incline Village: lakes, golf, tennis, fishing, and only 10 minutes from Wentzville. If you like the peace that a resort community supplies with the convenience of city living then this is for you. This 1600+ sq ' ranch has beautiful bamboo wood floors(10X stronger than oak), that come with a life time warranty, in the great room, kitchen and breakfast room. The tasteful interior paint, vaulted ceilings, plant shelves and fans in every room give this home a warm and inviting feel. The extra large master bedroom suite features double entry doors, a walk in closet and luxury bath, the perfect place to unwind and relax. You'll enjoy the great outdoors on the deck while the kids have fun with all their playmates in this family oriented neighborhood. This home is priced to sell.


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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS IN ST CHARLES COUNTY

Week 1 June 8 - 12
• Camps Edge, 9 am - 3 pm: Calvery Church on Mid Rivers for K - 5th Grade or 9am - 11:30 for 4 years old +: $30 or $15 respectively - register online or at church
• Crocodile Dock, 6 pm - 9 pm: Willott Road Community Church, 4 years old - 6th grade
Week 2 June 15 - 19
• Gadget's Garage, 9 am - noon: Immanuel Lutheran in St. Charles
• Crocodile Dock, 9 am - noon: Messiah Lutheran in Weldon Springs
• Bommerang Express 6 pm - 8:30 pm: First Baptist Church O'Fallon, pre K+
• Camps Edge, 9 am - 3 pm: Calvery Church in Wentzville for K - 5th Grade or 9am - 11:30 for 4 years old +: $30 or $15 respectively - register online or at church
Week 3 June 22 - 26
• Boomerang Express 9 am - noon: First Baptist Church Harvester, 3 years old+ if potty trained
• Crocodile Dock, 9 am - noon: Zion Lutheran in Harvester
• Crocodile Dock, 9 am - noon: St. Cletus in St. Charles
Week 4 June 29 - July 3
• Crocodile Dock, 9 am - noon: First United Methodist in St. Charles, 2 years old+
Week 5 July 6 - 10
• SunRock Kids Camp, 9 am - noon: St. Charles Presbyterian Church
Week 6 July 13 - 16
• Camps Edge, 6 pm - 8:30 pm: St. Charles Christian Church, 2 years old+

Tips to Help Sell Your Home this Spring Season

By JUNE FLETCHER
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in my hometown of Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of the spring home selling season.

If you, like me, are preparing to put your home on the market, that means that you not only have to stage your home's interior to impress potential buyers, but you have to spruce up your yard, too.

Although many sellers in my market hope that a drift of daffodils will clinch a deal, in truth, plants can hurt a home's curb appeal as much as they can help it. For instance, a drift of wild, weedy onions hidden in the grass can make a newly mowed lawn smell like a gas station restroom; trees planted too close to a house mask its best features and conjure alarming visions of weekends on a rickety ladder, cleaning gutters. That's not the impression you want to make on buyers who fantasize about lounging on the patio, not messing with pole pruners. So here are some tips for staging your yard for sale:

Baby the lawn. Find a high-quality weed killer with lots of micronutrients as well as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with pre-emergent herbicides (organic ones use corn gluten) to kill growth before it starts. Send your soil to your county or state's extension service, an agricultural resource center that you can find through the USDA's Web site, to have its pH levels tested; spread lime on your lawn if the pH level is below 6.0, or an acidifying agent like gardener's sulfur if it is above 7.0. And set your mower high (about three inches) to reduce the grasses' stress and cut down on the need for water.
Trim the overgrowth. Prune any branches that touch the house, cover a window or block a path. To reduce mold growth, keep plant material at least a foot away from siding.
Splurge on mulch. The new mulches that retain color throughout the season cost about a dollar a bag more than traditional mulch, but good first impressions are worth it. Although I normally use chipped mulches because they last longer, I plan to use a finely shredded texture this spring for its superior visual appeal.
Edge your flowerbeds. There's no easier way to make your yard look neat and groomed. Don't bother with the plastic edging; simply tie a string between two sticks and follow the line with a sharp, flat-ended spade pushed about four-to-six inches into the soil.
Powerwash everything. Cobwebs, mold and dirt accumulate on decks, patios, fences, trellises, eaves, windows and siding over the winter, but can be blasted away in an afternoon with a power washer. Just be sure not to get the water under the siding courses or in soffit vents, where the moisture can cause damage.
Plant annuals. Perennials are wonderful if you're building a long-term garden, but they are expensive and tend to have short blooming seasons. For color and impact, place low-care annuals like impatiens, petunias and geraniums in beds. Potted flowers and hanging baskets can brighten dull spots in your yard, draw attention to features you want to emphasize or flank an entrance—and you can take them with you when you move.
Plant a garden. If you have a sunny corner, a small raised bed with decorative veggies such as rainbow-stemmed Swiss chard and bush beans, or fragrant herbs like sage and rosemary, can suggest your yard is useful as well as pretty. (And hey, the Obamas did it.) But stay away from plants, like corn, that suggest a barnyard, or are prickly and prone to spilling out of bounds, like summer squash and pumpkins. If you must have tomatoes, choose pretty, bush-style cherry tomatoes rather than the regular vining varieties which need to be caged and are prone to unattractive wilts and fungal attacks.
String a hammock. Nothing suggests that the living is easy (and your yard is low-maintenance) as much as a hammock. If you don't have two trees close enough to string one between them, spring for a hammock stand.
Create conversation areas. To draw attention to a birdhouse, sculpture or other attractive feature in your yard, arrange two colorful side chairs and an end table facing it. When you have an open house, place a book and a small glass of water with yellow food coloring on it to suggest lemonade (don't use the real thing, or you'll attract bees).
Write to June Fletcher at fletcher.june@gmail.com

Copyright 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Green Home of the Future

By ALEX FRANGOS What will the energy-efficient house of the future look like? It could have gardens on its walls or a pond stocked with fish for dinner. It might mimic a tree, turning sunlight into energy and carbon dioxide into oxygen. Or perhaps it will be more like a lizard, changing its color to suit the weather and healing itself when it gets damaged. The Journal Report See the complete Energy report. See the green houses of the future: The Rios Clemente Hale House and The Mouzon Design House The William McDonough + Partners House and The Cook + Fox House Those are just a handful of the possibilities that emerged from an exercise in futurism. The Wall Street Journal asked four architects to design an energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable house without regard to cost, technology, aesthetics or the way we are used to living. The idea was not to dream up anything impossible or unlikely -- in other words, no antigravity living rooms. Instead, we asked the architects to think of what technology might make possible in the next few decades. They in turn asked us to rethink the way we live. "This is a time of re-examining values, re-examining what we need," says one of our architects, Rick Cook, of the New York firm Cook + Fox. "We are re-examining the idea of home." A fresh look may be long overdue, given the amount of damage that homes can do to the environment. It's easy to envision a power plant spewing pollution or a highway full of cars burning billions of gallons of petroleum. But buildings -- silent and unmoving -- are the quiet users of much of our energy, through electricity, heating and water consumption. The U.S. Energy Department estimates buildings are responsible for 39% of our energy consumption and a similar percentage of greenhouse-gas emissions. The growing awareness of that fact helps explain why green building is one of the most pervasive trends in the construction industry -- even as the economy struggles and home-building is at its lowest level in a generation. So, how will the green homes of tomorrow help solve the energy puzzle? Here's a gander into the future. View Full ImageRCH Studios ON THE HOUSE The Rios Clementi Hale Studios house has a garden façade that includes chickpeas, tomatoes and other plants. The plants also provide shade and cooling. A rooftop reservoir collects water and keeps the building cool, while rooftop windmills generate energy. Out on a Limb "I'd love to build a house like a tree," says architect William McDonough of the Charlottesville, Va., firm William McDonough + Partners. And that's what he set out to do here. The surface of his house, like a leaf, contains a photosynthetic layer that captures sunlight. Unlike today's solar panels, which are often pasted above a roofline, these are woven into the fabric of the exterior. They heat water and generate electricity for the home -- and create oxygen for the atmosphere, to offset carbon produced in other areas of the home. The appeal of ultrathin, integrated solar panels goes beyond convenience. Today's solar is plain ugly and off-putting to many homeowners, something Mr. McDonough calls the "potpourri of miscellany stuck on our roofs." Unseen solar arrays, especially ones that create hot water, will be a "breakthrough from aesthetic perspective, which is a huge issue," he says. As for the rest of the design, Mr. McDonough envisions a sleek, curved roof with generous eaves to provide shade, which lowers the heat load in summer, thereby reducing the need for energy-hogging air conditioning. The roof also insulates and provides an outdoor garden. (Mr. McDonough designed a similar "green roof" for a Ford Motor Co. factory -- one of the first large U.S. buildings with that design.) The "bark" of the treelike house would be thin, insulating films that would self-clean and self-heal, Mr. McDonough says, thus avoiding the need to replace them after years of exposure to the elements. View Full ImageWilliam McDonough and Partners BRANCHING OUT William McDonough + Partners envisions its house like a tree. The "bark" of the house is made up of thin, insulating films that would self-clean and self-heal if damaged. A curved roof with large eaves provides shade, which lowers the heat load in summer. The "trunk," or the frame of the home, consists of carbon tubes, while the "roots" are a heat-pump system buried in the yard. It sounds far-fetched, but some of these technologies already exist. Self-cleaning glass, for instance, has a special coating that uses ultraviolet sunlight to break down organic dirt; rainwater then washes the filth away. Self-healing paints that contain microscopic capsules of color are in use on some car paint, for instance. These vessels break open when the surface of the paint is scratched to repair the damage. Similar ideas could expand to repair other materials such as glass or cladding. The "trunk" -- or the frame of the home -- would eschew wood or metals. Instead, lightweight, "resource efficient" carbon tubes would keep the structure standing upright. Finally, the "roots" of the home would be a ground-source heat-pump exchange system buried in the yard. It would take advantage of the relatively constant temperature of the soil to control the home's climate -- bringing in heat in winter, when the ground is warmer than the surrounding air, and cool in the summer, when the ground's temperature is lower. Such systems exist today, but cost puts them out of the reach of most homeowners. Other technological advances in the home include cement that would absorb carbon dioxide as it cures, offsetting the heavy loads of energy used to make the material. What's more, special surfaces on the house would capture condensation for water use, avoiding the need for wells or faraway sources. The design also takes into account what happens to the building when its useful life is over -- something most builders never consider, Mr. McDonough says. Today's buildings are often filled with chemical insulators and films on windows. While there have been major advances in these areas, such as the use of low-chemical-emitting paints and carpets, most insulating windows today still contain mercury and other heavy metals. View Full ImageCook+Fox UNDER MY SKIN Cook + Fox's house reacts to the weather, turning dark in the bright sun to insulate the house from heat and turning clear on dark days to absorb light and heat. The façade also captures rain and condensation to fill the household's water needs. Inside, walls and furniture are on rollers to take advantage of the fact that some spaces, such as bedrooms, are underutilized most of the day. Mr. McDonough envisions a building industry in which everything that goes into a house eventually breaks down harmlessly, much as a tree falls and biodegrades on the forest floor. So, in his house, building materials from the cladding to the floors would be easily disassembled and reused, or, as he says, "return to the Earth." The Reptile House If Mr. McDonough's house is a tree, then this one is a lizard -- whose skin is among its most important features for survival. Cook + Fox's house has a "biomorphic" skin that reacts to the weather, turning dark in the bright sun to insulate the house from heat and turning clear on dark days to absorb as much light and heat as possible. The façade also captures rain and condensation to fill the household's water needs -- much like a desert-dwelling horny lizard rolls drops of dew from its nose to its mouth. Mr. Cook sees the house of the future looking toward nature's way of solving problems as much as it looks to technology, a concept called biomimicry. "You need to view a house as a surface area for life, as opposed to a thing to be power-washed," Mr. Cook says. Cook + Fox is well known for its green designs. Its biggest green project is the New York headquarters of Bank of America, which is known as One Bryant Park. The sculpted white-glass tower, Manhattan's second-tallest after the Empire State Building, creates massive ice blocks in the evening when electricity is cheapest. As the "ice batteries" melt, they are used to cool the building during times of peak electricity loads during the day. View Full Image OLD AND NEW The Mouzon Design house uses tomorrow's technologies -- as well as ancient techniques to reduce energy use. Solar paneling built into the roof and façade provides electricity and hot water. The house also employs a "breeze chimney," an ancient architectural tool, as a kind of air conditioning. The Cook + Fox house has a modern look, but it's designed to fit into a traditional neighborhood setting. Inside, rooms are easily configurable for lounging or work. Walls and furniture are on rollers, for instance, to take advantage of the fact that some spaces, such as bedrooms, are underutilized most of the day. What's more, toilets and washrooms are separated, serving more people with less space. Making a house that's more conducive to work is important for energy efficiency because it eliminates driving -- and thus reduces energy consumption. A key feature of the house is perhaps its most traditional: a front stoop, which enables the home dweller to look out on neighbors and observe the area. Noting an idea from scientist E.O. Wilson, Mr. Cook says, "No matter how advanced we get with technologies, there are things that make the human feel good no matter what. People like to see a horizon view and feel safe." Meals at Home Rios Clementi Hale Studios cheekily calls their concept the "Incredible Edible House." This somewhat fantastical design seems to be as much about the future of food production as architecture. The façade of the three-story abode is slathered in a vertical garden that includes chickpeas, tomatoes, arugula and green tea. Step outside in the morning and harvest your meals. The plants both nourish the inhabitants and provide shade and cooling, absorbing heat better than a wall made of wood, brick, stucco or glass. Rios Clementi Hale, based in Los Angeles, has a reputation for playful and innovative designs. Its best-known works include the angular red, ochre and green-striped campus of the California Endowment in downtown Los Angeles. It has also done designs for Hollywood powers such as Walt Disney's Robert Iger and movie and music impresario David Geffen. But the plants aren't the only striking feature of the design. At three stories, the edible house is also more vertical than the typical suburban home, a nod to the importance of building dense, urban-style houses in order to reduce energy use. A rooftop reservoir collects water and keeps the building cool; rooftop windmills generate energy. The house is also put together in an intriguing way: It's made of three prefabricated containers stacked on top of each other that can be moved on a trailer if the mood fits. This method exists today, but it's not used very much, since homeowners associate prefabrication with lower-end homes. But the benefits for lowering energy use are substantial. The standardized construction in prefabricated homes reduces defects that can hamper energy conservation. And it's easier to ship prefabricated parts, which means reduced fuel use for deliveries. Learning From the Past Looking to the future isn't the only way to be innovative. The house from architect Steve Mouzon, of Mouzon Design in Miami Beach, Fla., uses tomorrow's technologies while mining ancient techniques to reduce energy use. For instance, solar paneling built directly into the roof and façade provides electricity and hot water. But the house also employs a "breeze chimney," an architectural tool used by the ancients, as a kind of old-school air conditioning. The difference between the air pressure in the chimney and outside causes hot air to flow out of the chimney stack and cooler air to enter through windows and doors. "It must make sense first," says Mr. Mouzon, a so-called New Urbanist architect who believes in traditional designs that emphasize pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. His house "isn't trying to do wild and wacky things with roof shapes or wall shapes but a good sensible building that is highly lovable. It is inventive where it needs to be." Like Rios Clementi Hale, Mr. Mouzon sees the house as a source of food. He would add "melon cradles," an invention he says he thought up for this project, to allow heavy melons and other vegetables to grow vertically up the sides of his house. Another of his innovative ideas would require Americans to do more than just feed the goldfish bowl: He would install tilapia pools in a "kitchen garden" to provide fresh fish to the homeowner. It's among the most energy-efficient ways to raise animal protein, Mr. Mouzon says. But the most important order for Mr. Mouzon is to make the house compact. "The smaller thing you can create, the more sustainable it is." In fact, that's something that all four of our architects agree on: Americans need to learn to live in smaller spaces if we are going to make an impact on the environment.—Mr. Frangos is a Wall Street Journal staff reporter in New York. Write to Alex Frangos at alex.frangos@wsj.com Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page R1 Copyright 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com
Posted by SCHNEIDER Real Estate at 9:51 AM
Labels: Career in Real Estate, Green Home, posted by Jane Nicoletti, SCHNEIDER Real Estate, St Charles, st charles county

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Habitat for Humanity "Women's Build"

Habitat for Humanity is doing a "Women's Build" on a home in St. Peters, MO. It's my understanding that is is being built for a single mom. SCHNEIDER Real Estate is putting together a team of Diva's headed up by Julie Quinones to participate in a work day. Tentatively scheduled for the 24th of June to assist in dry walling the home, we are all looking forward to a productive day and an opportunity to "Give Back" to our community.

9 Easy Room Makeovers That Wow Buyers

View before and after photos of readers' room transformations to get ideas for your listings.

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

A home has only one chance to make a first impression on potential buyers, and a poorly designed room can be a quick turnoff. REALTOR® magazine asked readers to send in stories of how they took action against their listings’ trouble spots.

Visit SchneiderSells.com for remodeling returns in the St. Louis area

Less-Than-Desirable Living Room

Name: Cheryl Oliveri-Daly

Company: Camden Real Estate Company, Camden, Maine

Problem: "The furniture was misplaced in the area, there was a cluttered bookcase, insufficient lighting, plants were too scattered, and the window seat, built-in bookcases, and the view were not being highlighted."

Solution: "I re-arranged the furniture, bringing in furniture and lamps from other rooms in the house—such as a coffee table, stacked suitcases, and baskets. I re-hung the artwork; grouped plants in one area; and de-cluttered the bookcase, arranging items in groups, such as by same color accessories, fewer books, random baskets, etc. I also added colorful decorative pillows to highlight the window seat and to make the couch 'pop,' with an added a touch of red to bring the room together."

Cost: $50—the only purchase for this room was a few decorative pillows

Result: The number of Web hits on the listing and showings increased after it was staged and an offer quickly came but ultimately fell through. The price of the home is $329,000.

A Bathroom With Too Much Design

Name: Julie Kern

Company: F.C. Tucker, Carmel, Ind.

Problem: "It was dated and there was too much personality."

Solution: "I replaced the striped blue walls with warm, sandy-tone walls that highlighted the white trim and fixtures. I then changed out the busy toile shower curtain to a textured, clean white curtain. With the addition of calming spa accessories, the bathroom now serves as a clean, modern bath retreat and all for a very low-budget makeover."

Cost: Less than $200 for the paint, shower curtain, vanity accessories, and towel.

Result: The property updates put the home in a better competitive position against the other listings in the condo development. The condo is listed at $99,900.

Bringing Warmth to an Empty Bedroom

Name: Stephanie Myers of Whisenhunt Stevens Properties, Bellaire, Tex., and Karen Brown of Trendsetter Realty

Problem: "It was empty, so potential buyers were being fooled by how they perceived the size of the space. In this particular room, the space seemed small."

Solution: "As tricks of the trade, stagers sometimes use air mattresses to complete a master bedroom look. We also added inexpensive side tables and lamps, a side chair and simple jute boxes from Ikea. We also added inexpensive draperies from Wal-Mart and attached them with nails and hooks—no drapery hardware was needed. We already had the bedding and furnishings from previous staging. This look showed potential home buyers how much space this room really had."

Cost: Almost $200, including approximately $60 in an air mattress, $80 in bedside tables and lamps, and the rest in inventory.

Result: After the rehab, this property originally was going to be listed at $220,000. After the staging, it was listed at $244,900, and the house sold in two weeks with a sales price of $243,000.

A Ruffled Master Bedroom

Name: Marilyn Gibson

Company: The Best Seller GMAC, St. Peters, Mo.

Problem: "This master bedroom's main problems were the strong colors, the floral pattern of the ruffled curtains and bedskirt, and the unnecessary furniture and TV."

Solution: "I simply removed the busy curtains to show off the room's bay window. I also removed the wall pictures because they were too small. Overall, these small changes drastically improved the room and made it much more current."

Cost: $0

Result: The property was listed for $164,900 for four months with no offers in its "unstaged" condition. Once it was staged and again listed for the same price, the property had an accepted contract within nine days. It closed in a total of 24 days from listing to closing date.

Orange Alert in the Family Room

Name: John Badalamenti

Company: Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS®, Wayne, Pa.

Problem: "The room was painted in an Adobe, orange color motif, which many buyers found too loud for their tastes. It was hurting the sale of the home."

Solution: "The seller originally gave me resistance about changing the color, but after reading the feedback I was sending him from buyers, he finally realized the room needed to be re-painted. I suggested an off-white, neutral color. The paint job made a world of difference. Up until that point, I was having nightmares about this room!"

Cost: The cost in supplies and paint was under $200. The seller did the painting.

Result: The work was completed the first week of October 2008 and the property went under contract on Dec. 30, 2008, selling for $335,000 on Feb. 2, 2009.

A Clutterfest Comes Clean in the Living Room

Name: Celeste Boglioli

Company: Prudential Holmes & Kennedy Real Estate, Somers, N.Y.

Problem: "About 30 years of collecting 'stuff' finally caught up with the home owners in this room. There was too much furniture, the built-ins were filled to the max and camouflaged. There was not a blank space on the walls, and the beautiful hardwood flooring was not even visible."

Solution: "I removed excess furniture pieces, rearranged furniture to optimize space, removed clutter from the built-ins and arranged themes (such as a music theme with the guitar behind the piano), while still leaving a good amount of space. I removed wall hangings and pictures, and I removed the area rug to expose the gorgeous hardwood floors, which also gave the room a more spacious feel. "

Cost: Free—Boglioli did all the work herself and used furniture and accessories the owner already had in other areas of the home.

Result: An accepted offer was received on the home within a week after the staging for 90 percent of the list price.

Worn-In Living Room

Name: Valerie M. Blake, associate broker

Company: Prudential Carruthers REALTORS®, Washington, D.C.

Problem: "The couple's two-year-old daughter and large Labrador had taken over the space. What was meant to be a place for adults to entertain and relax had turned into a play room filled with toys. Poor lighting and clutter compounded the problem. The sofa was oversized and worn. The wall art was out of scale and the room lacked style."

Solution: "First, I moved the child's items to her room and had the owners remove and store the leather sofa and gold carpet. I rearranged the remaining furniture and art, using a smaller love seat, a rug, and a club chair to establish a cozy conversational grouping and highlight the oak floors. Borrowing furniture from other rooms in the house, I added end tables, lamps, and a writing table and chair to direct the eye toward the beautiful bay window. Finally, I enlisted the aid of my favorite staging company to provide a coffee table and plants, which brought attention to the room's high ceilings, crown molding, and period chandelier."

Cost: About $350; the costs mostly stemmed from using small items from the staging company and getting the house professionally cleaned.

Result: The house received three offers in two weeks and sold on March 24, 2009, for $583,000.

A Not-So-Great Room

Name: Jim Hinton and Mike Scott

Company: Cutler Real Estate, Akron, Ohio

Problem: "The carpet was old, worn, and stained. The walls were stained by cigarette smoke. The light fixtures were very dated, with a dingy brass finish. There was no drama in the room—it was empty, uninviting, and cold. What's worse is that it was the first room that buyers saw when walking in the house, giving them little desire to continue with the showing."

Solution: "We removed the carpet to expose the hardwood floor, which was in pretty good condition. The walls were repainted in a neutral light sand tone, but we used a darker tan color on the largest wall to highlight the cathedral ceiling and architectural beams. We added furniture, anchored by a black rug, to create a warm, homey feel in the living room area. Two tall, thin portraits were placed on the focal wall, adding a variety of colors that played off the other accessories. We defined the dining room space with the table and chairs and spray-painted the fixtures black. Finally, we added a mirror to reflect the sunlight from the large windows."

Cost: $480 for labor and materials

Result: Six showings in eight days, with two offers. The home sold in February 2009.

Old-Fashioned Kitchen

Name: Tim Franks

Company: Coldwell Banker, Pinnacle Properties, Florence, Ala.

Problem: "The kitchen was very outdated with wood paneling, old countertops, and worn, vinyl flooring."

Solution: "I added new cabinet door fronts and hardware, painted, and installed new tan laminated countertops. I also added stainless steel appliances and new vinyl tile flooring to give the kitchen a more modern look."

Cost: $4,000, with nearly half of the expense going toward to new appliances.

Result: Renovations were just recently completed, but buyer traffic to the listing had dramatically increased, Franks reports.

Record Low Interest Rates- Time to Buy!

Rates Below 5% for Ninth Week Straight Freddie Mac reports a slight rise this week in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.86 percent from 4.84 percent in the previous week.Rates have been below 5 percent for nine weeks in a row. Last year at this time, the average 30-year rate was 6.01 percent.The 15-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 4.52 percent from 4.51 percent. Meanwhile, the five-year adjustable mortgage rate slipped to 4.82 percent from 4.9 percent; and the one-year ARM fell to 4.71 percent from 4.78 percent. Freddie Mac collects mortgage rates on Monday through Wednesday of each week from lenders around the country.Source: Freddie Mac

Spring Cleaning & Repairs Money-Saving Tips from the Pros

Fresh rains in the early spring are symbolic of the season itself, offering a revitalizing cleansing of the outdoors. The warming weather also offers a reminder to homeowners that now is the ideal time to do a bit of spring cleaning.
After all, a bit of due diligence by homeowners not only freshens their living quarters, it also helps them save money and avoid more costly repairs down the road.
"Making a list of items to check around the home this season – and then actually following through with the tasks – can help reduce home maintenance and utility costs," says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, the nation's leading provider of consumer ratings on local service providers.
It's important that homeowners schedule needed services as quickly as possible to avoid a backlog of busy service providers.
Angie's List went to its highly rated service providers to come up with a list sure to help those homeowners who don't know what to check and when, as well as those devoted annually to giving their homes a good once-over.
General Spring Cleaning
Experts recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months – but this can vary depending on how many people live in your home, and if you have children or pets. A dirty carpet contains soil and other debris that will wear your carpet's fibers. Schedule an appointment with carpet cleaners now to cut down on your wait time.
Check your gutters. Professionals recommend gutter cleaning in the spring and the fall. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage in your home.
Use a garden hose on your siding and deck to remove the film left by dirty snow and rain. Attach a soft-bristled, long-handled car brush to the hose for some extra help. Use a mild cleanser to get those tough-to-clean spots.
Remove wet leaves and debris from your deck, front porch and around your house. Allowing the debris to accumulate can trap water, lead to staining or mold build-up, as well as create an ideal environment for termites.
Home Maintenance
Snow, ice and wind can wreak havoc on your home, so be sure to go over the structures in early spring. Finding damage early will increase your chances of getting an early repair, as many home improvement companies begin their busy season this time of year.
Scrutinize your crawl space for water accumulation or excessive moisture, and keep an eye out for water damage on the sub-floor and joists beneath the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas.
Give your roof a "once-over" for damage inflicted during the winter. Depending on the style and pitch of your roof, you may want to use a ladder and a pair of binoculars to look for missing or broken shingles and other damage. If you don't feel comfortable on a ladder, call a professional before the busy season begins.
Check the weather stripping around doors and windows. The winter season may have caused some damage. Also, remove any storm windows and replace with screens.
Check the valve where water enters your house, outdoor faucets and valves to toilets, bathroom and kitchen sinks. Turn each off and on several times to identify any leaks.
Outdoor Maintenance
Talk with your landscaper or local garden center about the best way to enrich your soil for the types of plants in your yard. Proper fertilization can keep your soil and your plants in great shape throughout the year.
Bring in your mower for service in early spring. This will help avoid breakdowns and extend the life cycle. It also helps you beat the rush so your mower is in tip-top shape when you need it. Warning signs that your mower needs maintenance can include difficulty in starting, a smoking engine, and reduced horsepower. A service appointment should include a check of the oil, blade, spark plugs, filter, battery and belts. Always ask for an estimate and guarantee on the work. Be sure to sharpen the blade at least once a year. Cutting grass with a sharpened blade is important for lawn health, promoting better grass health.
If you've postponed tool care, now is a good time to get in the garage and take a closer look at your garden equipment. Garden service companies will get busy in the next couple of months, so make an appointment now to have those tools cleaned and sharpened.
Spring is a good time to examine your asphalt driveway's surface for damage. Water that seeps into your driveway can freeze, causing cracks and other damage. Regular resealing is the best way to protect the surface and keep it in good shape. If you're planning to hire a professional to seal the driveway, summer is peak time of year, so call now to get on their schedule.
Appliance Maintenance
Regular maintenance on major home appliances can help to ensure their efficiency and lifespan.
Get your air conditioner serviced. Technicians can test your air conditioner as long as the temperature is above 60 degrees. Call now to get on their schedule before the first warm days of spring.
Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks on garage doors with a greaseless lubricant. Avoid using petroleum-based lubricants. Lack of lubrication puts additional strain on the garage door. Don't attempt to service the opener mechanism yourself. Your garage door opener can be one of the most dangerous appliances around your house. Contact a professional for assistance.
Get your water heater serviced. Maintained properly, water heaters will last for years and deliver gallon after gallon of hot water. Left alone, they'll quickly lose efficiency, sucking dollars out of your wallet with every degree of heat.
Spring rains can be heavy, so if you have a sump pump be sure it works properly. To test, fill the sump pit with water and go outside to make sure the pump is actually discharging water. You can also eliminate any build-up in the system by pouring white vinegar through the unit.
Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie's List, a website where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 425 different categories. Currently, more than 750,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie's List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie's List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie's List complaint resolution service.

Finish Stong Video- One to Watch- Awesome!

FINISH STRONG!!! (edit/delete)
Finish StrongHow Do You Respond to Challenge?

Finish Strong!!!

Finish StrongHow Do You Respond to Challenge?

Irving Berlin once said, "Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it." So, how do you take it? Before you answer the question, we urge you to use the next few moments to watch Finish Strong, an inspirational video with a meaningful message.
Any challenges you face in life will always elicit a response on your part. As Dan Green points out in the book that inspired this month's Simple Truths video, how you respond is completely your choice. His message - ALWAYS choose to finish strong.
Through telling us stories about real people who've overcome some incredible challenges, Green is able to point out a very simple fact. No matter how difficult your life may seem, there is someone who has overcome a greater challenge. The point here is not to draw comfort from their situation, but to find inspiration in how they dealt with it.
When it feels like the game is over, or an opportunity has passed you by, you must remember that the story isn't complete until you respond to the challenge at hand. According to the Greek philosopher, Epictetus, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react that matters."
So, how will you choose to respond to life's challenges? Think carefully because the choice is only yours.
Good luck and remember, always choose to finish strong.
YOU Magazine is pleased to present Finish Strong, a short film produced by Simple Truths, a consumer-direct publisher of motivational books and films. Visit www.simpletruths.com to learn more about this unique company.

$8,000 Tax Credit can be used for a Down Payment!

Real Estate News May 12, 2009 ShareTax Credit Can Be Used for Down Payment Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.Previously, most buyers wouldn't receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has been calling for the change. “We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment,” Donovan says. His remarks came in an address to several thousand REALTORS® gathered Tuesday morning at "The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy," at the 2009 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C..He says FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.Other Solutions for Today's MarketDuring his address at the summit, Donovan went on to say that the Obama administration plans to further stabilize the housing market. “I do think we have some early signs that the market overall is stabilizing,” Donovan says. “Since January we’ve seen both home sales moving up and down around a relatively stable number and we are seeing the first signs that the rapid decline in home prices is starting to abate.”The morning session included a panel discussion that was moderated by CNBC’s Ron Insana. Panelists examined cutting-edge solutions necessary to promote and preserve homeownership and real estate development, stimulate the economy, and protect the nation’s taxpayers. They also shared their ideas on what the role and responsibility of the federal government is in the revitalization effort. “Right now the Federal Reserve is the market,” said panelist Jay Brinkman, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. “What will be the effect when the Fed stops buying?” Brinkman explained that an exit strategy must be planned for the long-term; the federal government cannot continue to support the mortgage markets indefinitely.“We are thrilled that so many high-caliber individuals were able to join us today at this important meeting to promote stability in the housing market and the U.S. economy,” said NAR President Charles McMillan. “We look forward to an ongoing dialogue and action toward this goal, during our midyear meetings this week and beyond.”

Are You On The Fence? Now’s The Time to Jump Off

Intrepid first-time homebuyers jumped off the fence and made an important impact on the housing market this week. Pending home sales rose 3.2 percent in March, according to the National Association of Realtors Pending Home Sales Index. Closer to home the news is even better–pending home sales in St. Charles County rose 26 percent in March, says Karen Vennard, president of the St. Charles County Association of Realtors.

Investors liked the news too. Infused with a sense of optimism about the economy, the stock market responded with the Dow Jones Industrial gaining 214 points and the Nasdaq 44 points in one day.

First-timers evaluated the housing situation and decided that now is the time to buy. Interest rates are at an all time low, there is plenty of housing available, prices are affordable, and then there’s the 8 percent tax credit incentive for first-time buyers.

That tax credit expires December 1, 2009. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to $8,000. This has really moved people into the market instead of waiting to see what might happen down the line.

Because of the time limit on the tax credit, if you are a first-time buyer even remotely considering a home purchase this year, now is the time to get organized. This is excellent advice even if you don’t qualify for the tax credit.

Potential buyers should:

• Keep saving! Cash is king and the bigger the down payment, the better mortgage terms you’ll get.
• Investigate financing now and get pre-qualified for a loan.
• Be very honest with yourself and determine how much house you can really afford. Do research on how much your monthly payment would be and consider expenses like utilities and taxes.
• Check your credit report. You don’t want any surprises there.
• Work with a SCHNEIDER Real Estate Realtor who knows the neighborhoods, schools, social amenities and has your interest as a buyer as first priority.
  

Sellers should:

• Communicate with your Realtor. Pass along improvements you’ve made that would make a good selling point. Open communication is absolutely necessary for your Realtor to bring you the best qualified buyers and avoid misunderstandings.
• Speaking of communication, make sure everyone knows your home is for sale. Word-of-mouth is one of the best marketing tools. Welcome neighbors at your open house. They in turn may very well bring your buyer to you Realtor and clinch the sale.
• Keep your property neat, clean and inviting. Mow the grass, trim the shrubs, water those annuals and perennials. Nothing says you’re not welcome like dead flowers and overgrown grass. Potential buyers will find your listing on the Internet or in the newspaper and drive by to preview the property. You have about 45 seconds of curb appeal to convince a buyer that your home is well cared for and the right purchase.
• Green, green, green is the way to go. The current movement toward energy savings and sustainable resources is not a fad. Buyers are looking for ecological solutions in their purchases and sellers need to incorporate these features into the home’s selling points.
  

While things are looking up right now, we still don’t know if the market has bottomed out and is on the way up to more robust times. Both buyers and sellers must make their own personal decisions about the housing market. Returning to a growing economy and housing market won’t be easy. But if we all get off the fence and show some confidence, we’ll get there sooner rather than later.

Think Outside the Box for Charity

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Judy Bateman, SCHNEIDER Real Estate agent, recently hosted a "Shop Till Your Drop" shoes purse and jewelry party with a percentage of the proceeds going to charity. Women loved the UNIQUE shoes that have interchangeable tops creating many pairs of shoes out of one sole http://www.onesole.com/ and the purse that had interchangeable covers and handles http://www.michebag.com/change your purse without removing all the contents to another one! It was a fun night with lots of good appetizers and drinks and just in time for Mothers Day. The proceeds were split between the Karen Weidinger Foundation ( benefits breast cancer patients with "creature comforts" such as wigs, head covers etc. founded by a local Loan Officer who was a co-worker of Karen's) and our local Multiple Sclerosis Chapter.
Posted by SCHNEIDER Real Estate at 1:07 PM 0 comments
Labels: Karen Weidinger, SCHNEIDER Real Estate, st charles county, written by Jane Nicoletti

SCHNEIDER Agent Help Host Local Fear Factor!

SCHNEIDER agent Julie Quinones, recently hosted a fun-filled night under the big top at their AWANA lock in. Boys and girls 3rd - 6th grade are locked in for a night of clowns, gross out games, circus themed food and sleep around 4 am when the movie began-and very grateful adults!
Julie is also co-ordinating a team to assist in the Habitat for Humanity "All Women's" build breaking ground next Friday in St. Peters. Her once small group has gown to about 50. These 50 enthusiastic women (including SCHNEIDER agent Becky Jecha) have been attending the free LOWES seminars weekly to learn the tricks of the trade.

You are invited to view wrccsoundbooth's photo album: Awana 2009 Overnighter

St Charles County Real Estate Forecast for the Future

Today's General Membership Meeting (sponsored by St Charles County Association of Realtors and St Charles Chapter Women's Council of Realtors) featured guest speaker Joe Zanola. Zanola Company, LLC, specializes in Feasibility Studies, Market Graphics and Business Consulting. Mr Zanola gave a very informative power point presentation showing past, current and projected trends in real estate. His research was very insightful on such topics as supply and demand and how that has changed over the last few years and what that means in conjunction to Realtors selling homes successfully. Joe had charts of each city in our county with helpful statistics including the projected "growth markets". Joe's was an excellent presenter full of helpful facts and insight