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Direct: 469-443-8151
Keller Williams
18383 Preston Rd Suite 150
Dallas, Tx 75252
Now available in Sunset Pointe. Follow the link below.
http://singleentrylisting.com/4193/3028_baybreeze_dr
Minutes from the Tollway and new LL toll bridge. Master suite with dual vanities, game room, formal living and dining and a large backyard. Corner lot on very quiet friendly street. LEISD is an Exemplary school district.
It’s finally spring, I think. This year I’m doing things a bit different. I’m taking a new look at how I can do all my old tasks in a “greener” way. If we each continue to make new eco-friendly choices we can do our part to help make our world a better place.
So here are my top five eco-friendly things to do this spring:
For starters just do one task in an eco-friendly way and then pass this list on to a friend and encourage her to do the same. We can create a better planet one step at a time.
Now available in Sunset Pointe. Follow the link below.
http://singleentrylisting.com/4193/3028_baybreeze_dr
Minutes from the Tollway and new LL toll bridge. Master suite with dual vanities, game room, formal living and dining and a large backyard. Corner lot on very quiet friendly street. LEISD is an Exemplary school district.
A credit score is one of the most important numbers in a person’s life. It determines the cost of major purchases like cars and homes. It is a deciding factor for landlords in picking renters and some employers use credit scores to find dependable workers. Unfortunately for borrowers, a favorable credit score is not easy to obtain. The economic crisis that began in 2008 forced lenders to raise their expectations for borrowers in the hopes of lowering their risks. The once “good” credit score of 680 has been devalued in favor of scores of 720 or more.
Credit scores range from 330 to 830 and the average score in the United States is 698. Even the nation’s top average score of 713 in New England is not high enough to qualify for the best rates on loans. This means that many Americans will find themselves spending hundreds or thousands of dollars more for cars, homes and other major purchases.
The Dirty Secret
Lenders evaluate FICO scores based on a tiered system that divides credit scores into five ranges. Scores below 620 are often considered subprime, and borrowers in this range will either be denied loans or be offered higher interest rates and lower loan limits. For example, a non-profit state loan agency set 770 or higher as the top tier of FICO scores. Borrowers in this range received the lowest interest rates. In previous years, the same agency ranked 680 in the lowest tier in which borrowers were subject to interest rates that were 4.15% higher than those with scores in the top tier.
Borrowers with a FICO score of 689 were placed in the lowest tier. A score only one point higher, 690, was enough to be bumped up to the next tier and amounted to an interest rate that was 2.5% lower. These same dramatic jumps in interest rates can be seen in other industries such as home mortgages and car loans. Borrowers are encouraged to shop around for loans because each lender has their own “break point” between tiers. If you can find a lender that places your score in a higher tier, it could result in significant savings over the term of your loan. Another option is to find a co-signer with a higher credit score who would be able to get you placed in a higher tier.
So What Does That Mean?
Using the standards of the nonprofit state loan agency in the example above, imagine that you need a 6-month loan for $4,000. If your credit score is 689, you would be charged an interest rate of LIBOR (London Interbank Offer Rate) plus 6.45%. As of Nov. 17, the LIBOR rate for 6-month loans was 0.44%. Based on those numbers, the interest rate would be 6.89 %. If your credit score was one point higher at 690 you would be bumped up to a higher tier. Your interest rate would be calculated at LIBOR+3.95% which equals 4.39%. Individuals who have poor credit will often be subject to higher interest loans which they might not be able to pay off accordingly; as a result their credit becomes worse and worse untill they are no longer able to qualify for loans.
Some experts say that as the economy continues to improve lenders will gradually lower the benchmark for solid credit. In the meantime, consumers with scores in the lower tiers should wait a few months before applying for a loan, and follow basis financial advice such as paying bills on time, monitoring their credit reports and managing debt to help raise their scores.
The Bottom Line
The tier system of credit scores can be extremely fickle. One point can be the difference between hundreds or thousands of dollars in loan payments. With the higher expectations of lenders, it is more important now than ever to shop around for the best rates and make financial decisions that keep your credit score as high as possible.
Frisco Square and the Spring Creek Model Railroad Club announce the Christmas in the Square 2010 model railroad display schedule, located on the first floor of The Residence at Frisco Square, 6255 Frisco Square Boulevard, November 26th – December 18th 2010.
Beginning Friday, November 26th, enjoy a nightly, display of one of the most unique model railroad displays in North Texas. Established in 1986, the Spring Creek Model Railroad Club has several demonstrations a year including Christmas in the Square. With almost 300 feet of dual mainline tracks with multiple switching areas and train models from many eras, starting in the 1880s, the club features engines with steam, diesel, freight, and passenger style trains for everyone’s enjoyment. Included in this year’s event, the American Railroad Museum will participate in the exhibit.
Run dates for the model train display are: Fridays and Saturdays, November 26th – December 18th 5:00-9:30 p.m. For more information about the Spring Creek Model Railroad Club contact Jeff Liedl, 972-736-6324.
Frisco Square is a pedestrian-friendly, urban experience that blends shopping, dining, office space, apartment living, town homes, park space and Frisco’s city hall and library. Additional information about Frisco Square and Christmas in the Square is available at www.friscosquare.com/CITS2010 or through the Frisco Square information center at 469-633-1721. Frisco Square is on Facebook or download the Frisco Square iPhone app to access up to date information around the square. Receive Tweets about Frisco Square at Twitter.com/Frisco Square.
As temperatures fall in autumn and winter, the cost to keep a warm home begins to rise. Winterizing is necessary to avoid freeze-related home damages and keep your heating budget manageable. Pick up a few of these tested tips, and you can help control those energy and financial leaks before they start!
Weatherstripping
This most common form of winterization involves sealing the cracks around movable joints in your home, most commonly for windows and doors. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are many kinds of weatherstripping products on the market, including vinyl, copper, aluminum, felt, reinforced foam or stainless steel. By detecting air leaks, you can determine which windows and doors you should focus on first, and then measure the perimeters of each to know how much you will need to purchase. Additionally, it is recommended to add 5-10% in your calculations to accommodate waste from measurement or cutting errors.
Since each product is designed to work in a different area of the home, read product packaging carefully to determine if it is best suited for windows or doors, as well as indoor or outdoor use. Weatherstripping should always be applied to clean, dry surfaces and shouldn’t interfere with the operation of the window or door.
Door Sweeps
Many of the same manufacturers that offer weatherstripping products also make door sweeps to accommodate various sizes of doors. They are most effective when installed at the same time as weatherstripping, as they require many of the same measurements. Automatic sweeps are available for a steeper price, but are easier on carpet.
Sealing Cracks
Perhaps the most quick and simple way to guard your interior against chilly breezes and pests is with a commercial sealant. They come in many varieties, including expandable foam, silicone caulking, and oil or resin, among others. Each type of sealant will have a different use, although it is recommended that you avoid sealing gaps larger than one inch. For best results, the area being sealed should be clean, dry, and free of any previous sealant, and the product should be applied in one continuous line, as compared to multiple, short applications. Because some types of caulking can shrink over time, avoid being skimpy on your application.
Storm Windows
If your home’s windows came with additional storm panes, it is important to install them in the weeks before colder weather starts. If not, you may find it too expensive to purchase stand-alone storm windows. For a more affordable approach, plastic insulation kits can give windows of any size or shape a better insulating factor when installed on the inside of the home. Kits start at around $3 per window, and usually include everything needed for installation.
Hot Water Heater Wrap
The majority of homes still use a single electric or gas hot water heater for all of their hot water needs, and covering these appliances with an insulator can prevent heat from escaping during the winter months. Covers, or “blankets,” can be purchased at most home improvement stores for between $35 and $70, and are easy to install without professional help. However, be certain that the placement of a blanket will not void your manufacturer’s warranty.
Clean Gutters
Leftover leaves and debris can cause gutters to clog, causing headaches for homeowners when the temps reach freezing. To be sure that your gutters aren’t warped or broken from ice building up and expanding over the winter, do one final clean before the snow flies.
Get a Furnace Check-Up
While this one may involve the help of a professional, it can be well worth the cost. Have your furnace or heating system inspected at least once a year, before the elements require you to turn it on. A simple inspection of the working parts can ensure that you’ll have heat when you need it, and it can prevent a costly after-hours emergency call when you’d least expect it! While you’re at it, make sure your vents are clean and any filters have been changed. Your furnace professional or a helpful home store associate should be able to point you in the right direction for the type of filter you will need.
The Bottom Line
It’s a long list, but once you’ve tackled all the necessary winterizing tasks, you can sit back and stay warm all winter long. Spending some time and money well before the weather turns cold can provide a wonderful return on a much-needed investment!
Turn on the floors? You might think that this sounds a bit out of the ordinary, but having radiant floors in your home is quickly catching on.
As more people look for ways to improve the “green factor” of their homes, radiant floors are becoming a great source of economical heat. As the floors warm up, they help to heat the rest of the room. With the addition of a control device and one or two valves, the same hydronic tubing can cool a home as well as heat it.
One big advantage is the invisible heating design that is incorporated into the floor. This allows your home to be heated without any noise. You will also have the ability to place furniture anywhere in the room without having to worry about blocking registers.
There are a few different types of radiant heat: air heated, electric and the most popular, hydronic, which uses liquid.
Before you decide to install radiant floors, research the different types, and decide which one best fits your needs. Look for a qualified installer and make a list of questions.
Rismedia-Fall is the perfect time for homeowners to ensure their house is prepared for winter weather. A home should be winterized so it will be able to sustain damage severe weather may bring for those living in these climates. Additionally, if a house is winterized and damages do occur, the homeowners insurance policy will cover the house against the weather damage. HomeownersInsurance.net offers advice so people can prepare for winter weather and help avoid potential costly issues.
Homeowners must first inspect their house thoroughly so that possible issues can be avoided. The most important interior areas are the furnace and fireplace. HVAC professionals can inspect the furnace and clean out the ducts. Furnace filters should be replaced on a monthly basis to keep ducts clean.
Any flammable materials around the furnace should be removed.
If there is a hot-water radiator, the valves need to be opened slightly to bleed. When water is seen, they can be closed. If propane is used in the home, the tank will need to be filled. These should all be inspected to be sure they are working properly.
If there is a fireplace in the house, the screen or cap on the top of the chimney should be secure to keep out any birds, squirrels or rodents. The chimney should be cleaned by a professional occasionally because buildup of soot can cause fires. The damper should open and close properly and the mortar between the bricks should not be cracked. Any cracks should be fixed so heat does not seep into areas it should not be in, creating a fire hazard.
The next step in preparing for winter for safety and insurance purposes is to examine the exterior. Damage may not be evident immediately during winter months, and may only be noticed with the first spring rain. The doors and windows should be checked for cracks, and then fixed. If the homeowner has a basement, shields can be placed over the window wells for protection from snow melt. Any worn shingles or roof tiles should be replaced so melted snow does not seep into weak areas. Gutters and downspouts should also be unclogged and leaf guards should be installed.
Debris should then be cleared from the foundation to look for further cracks to repair.
If you would like additional information, contact Adam Franzetti.
For most people, a home is one of the most valuable assets they’ll ever own. Unfortunately, there are some major perils that can befall a house and put a serious dent in the value of that asset. Many of these perils are much more insidious than a fire or natural disaster. Read on to learn about some of the most expensive damage that can occur in your home, how much it costs and how to avoid it.
Sewer Line Problems
The portion of the sewer line that extends out from a home and onto city property is often the homeowners’ responsibility when it comes to repairs. Sewer line problems are most common in older neighborhoods, where the line may have sagged or has been damaged by tree roots. If you have slow running or gurgling drains, frequent backups in your plumbing system or sewage smells outside your home, these may be indications of a problem. Again, your home insurance policy may cover this cost, expect this doozy to cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for a 100-foot sewer pipe.
How to prevent it: If you experience signs of sewer problems in your home, have a professional inspect your lines. Clogs and tree roots can often be removed at a lower cost, without complete replacement of the pipe.
The Bottom Line
With careful inspection and proper maintenance, you can avoid many of the worst perils that can befall your home — or at least fix them before they become so expensive. Homeowners should also create an emergency fund to pay for unexpected home repairs.
For most people, a home is one of the most valuable assets they’ll ever own. Unfortunately, there are some major perils that can befall a house and put a serious dent in the value of that asset. Many of these perils are much more insidious than a fire or natural disaster. Read on to learn about some of the most expensive damage that can occur in your home, how much it costs and how to avoid it.
Water Damage
If your home isn’t water tight, this isn’t something you can ignore. Beyond the possibility of mold, long-term water damage can cause rot, which can lead to all kinds of expensive repairs to the structure of your home. It’s difficult to estimate the cost of this type of repair, but it can easily run into the thousands depending on how much wood needs to be replaced and how intrusive the repairs are.
How to prevent it: Be vigilant about water damage in your home; if you find leaks or areas that tend to be damp, have them repaired before long-term damage occurs. If you find rotten wood in your home, repair the problem before it gets out of hand.
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