Remodeling your dream home? New Lead Regulations You Need to Know

While we're all aware of the health risks posed by lead, you might not realize that even common renovation projects can be hazardous in terms of lead. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create dangerous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to both adults and children.

To protect against the lead risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, as of April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978 must be EPA certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

If you are embarking on a home-improvement project, be sure to use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.

 

Make sure that your renovators employ the following practices - and you, too, if you're a do-it-yourselfer:

• Contain the work area

• Minimize dust

• Clean up thoroughly

According to the EPA, to permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead "abatement" contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.

For more information on the dangers of lead and the new regulations regarding remodeling, please visit www.epa.gov, or contact us directly. I encourage you to pass this important information along to anyone you know who might be renovating their home soon.

1 Cottage Avenue Winchester: Walk to Town and Train

Elegant well maintained Townhouse offers many amenities for today’s buyers including master bedroom suite, office/study, family room/den, updated kitchen, hardwood floors, basement w/ work out area and much more. Cedar lined closet on 3rd fl. The lovely brick patio in fenced back yard is perfect for entertaining. This charming property boasting with charm and character includes a 1 car detached garage and beautiful landscaping. Walk to Town center, schools, shopping & Wedgemere commuter rail.

FIRST Open House Sunday August 8th 1-3pm.

Check out the web site for more details: 1 Cottage Avenue

Getting Your Home Ready for Appraisal

If you’re looking to sell or refinance your home, you know that a home appraisal is a necessary step in the process. While the value of your home may not be what it once was, it is important for homeowners to be realistic when it comes to getting their home appraised.

Here are things your should know and ways to prepare for a home appraisal:

1. The appraiser will need approximately 30 minutes to complete the inspection phase of the appraisal process, which includes: exterior photos of the front and rear of the home and a photo of the street in front of the property; measurements of the exterior of the home, garage and any outbuildings; a walk-through inspection of all rooms and levels of the interior of the home, including the basement.

2. Get organized. Put together a checklist that will help you get ready for your appraisal.

3. Be flexible when scheduling the appointment.

4. Have a copy of your home’s floor plan and plot plan to help verify measurements and lot size.

5. Provide a list of improvements made to the property since the purchase. Improvements that should be noted include adding a pool, patio, updating your kitchen or bathroom, and any room additions, etc.

6. Allow your appraiser access to the entire property, including access to any crawl space or attic areas.

7. Keep in mind that a clean home makes a good impression. Be sure to trim the lawn, clean the pool and garage, repair cracked windows or torn screens, check for leaky faucets and secure gutters and down spouts before your appraisal.

8. Point out any amenities that may not be obvious to the appraiser: sprinkler systems, patios, pools, security systems, built-in pool vacuum, etc.

9. Provide a copy of last year's tax assessment information.

10. Know what year the house was built and when improvements were made.

11. The first thing appraisers look for is comparables, so be prepared and have a list of recent sales of similar properties in the immediate neighborhood.

Why You Should Buy a Home Now…Even after the Tax Credit

While much press coverage has been given to the recent first-time and move-up buyer tax credit, there are many time-sensitive factors that make the current climate an exceptional time to buy a home…even without the tax credit.  There are many outstanding opportunities that exist for home buyers today that will not be around forever.

Besides mortgage interest rates that have been hovering at record lows, homes in many markets have become more affordable. Prices have moderated from the highs of the housing boom that occurred in most of the country, especially in major markets where they had increased significantly.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), new construction homes are an especially wise investment for home buyers. New homes are generally built to be much more energy efficient than homes constructed a generation ago, making them more affordable to operate. Plus, new homes often incorporate open floorplans, flexible spaces, improved safety features and low-maintenance materials—making them well-suited for today’s modern families.

So, if you’re thinking about buying a home, please don’t count on interest rates or prices staying at currently low levels—We’ve seen them change unpredictably and quickly! Mortgage rates are sensitive to market conditions, and even a slight increase can push monthly payments beyond a family’s budget. As the country recovers from the recession and people stabilize their financial situations, NAHB economists expect that home prices will begin to increase by 2011.






Hot Stuff!

It's going to be 91F today in Winchester. Summer fun is about to begin. As things heat up, we remind you of the importance of regularly caring for your HVAC system.

Failing to properly maintain your HVAC can cost you thousands of dollars. The good news is, while the cost to replace an HVAC system can be in the $10,000 range, simple maintenance is not costly at all. A filter is usually less than $10 and replacing it monthly keeps your air cleaner and your house less dusty.

Filters should generally be replaced every month when the system is running. Replace filters with the same kind and size as the original filter. If your filter is not disposable, follow the manufacturer instructions for cleaning. If you're using a high-density filter such as an electrostatic filter, check with your local HVAC expert, who can raise the external static pressure of your system. If the external static pressure exceeds the design criteria of your system, it can negatively impact the performance and life of your equipment.

Your air filter should be located in either the blower compartment of the furnace, in an attached filter case, or in a return air grille in a wall of your home. If you cannot find the air filter, contact your local HVAC dealer for assistance.

Have your local HVAC dealer perform preventative maintenance before the start of a new season. Many companies offer service agreements that may include reduced rates on labor and parts and provide priority response.

Like many of us, your home is most likely your biggest investment. Simple and regular maintenance will not only preserve your home’s value but help you avoid a potential crisis and unexpected expense. For more information or for a recommendation on a local HVAC expert, please e-mail us.

Mortgage rates drop!

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.58 percent in the Bay State last week, from 4.7 percent the prior week, according to online mortgage tracker Zillow.

Nationwide, the average mortgage rate was also 4.58 percent, down from 4.67 percent at the same time a week earlier. This is the lowest rate recorded since Zillow Mortgage Marketplace launched in April 2008, according to Zillow.

Mortgage rates in New York were the lowest, with rates dropping to 4.51 percent, from 4.59 percent a week earlier.

Backyards of Winchester

The Winchester Chamber of Commerce's annual garden tour will take place on June 16th from noon to 4pm. This year you will see waterfalls, stone walls and get numerous ideas for your inner gardner. Tickets are on sale for $20 at Bookends and a the Winchester Chamber of Commerce.

Royal Barry Wills in Winchester, MA

Royal Barry Wills has been one of New England’s favorite architects for his award winning mastery of the Cape Cod Style house. His homes were built with simplicity in mind while achieving pure elegance. Floor plans flow effortlessly for entertaining & comfortable living. Their charm and popularity resulted from the seamless blend of old and new details, their straightforward construction and, above all, their livability. Will’s hallmark was the oversized central chimney.

Royal Barry Wills Architecture

Royal Barry Wills understood that it was the details that made the difference – that made a newly built Cape look like it was built in 1760, not 1960.  Some of those details include:

• Large central chimney
• Correct pitch of the roof Graduated clapboards
• Windows with 24 to 36 individual lights
• Clapboards set close to the ground

He only wanted to design the indigenous New England house supremely well, and succeeded beyond any other architect.

Check out these newly listed Royal Barry Wills homes in Winchester.

7 Fernway, Winchester, MA

Open house 5/23 1-3pm

6 Wood Lane, Winchester MA

Open house 5/23 1-3pm

For a private showing please call 781-729-6200

Energy Efficient Appliances | Earn Cash Rebate From Massachusetts

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!

The Massachusetts State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, commonly called Cash for Appliances, is scheduled to begin April 22, marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. This program is open to all Massachusetts residents.  $6M have been allocated in Federal Stimulus funds for this program.Registration on the Mass Save site is required.  Registration begins at 10 AM today April 22nd and will close as soon as the funds are exhausted.  Note that some of the local utilities have rebates you can combine with the Federal rebates to save even more!
The mail-in rebate program will help residents replace older appliances with new Energy Star qualified appliances. Advance rebate reservation is required. The program is scheduled to run through May 5.

Rebates will be available on the following appliances:

• Dishwashers - $250
• Refrigerators - $200
• Clothes washers - $175
• Freezers - $50

Each Massachusetts household is eligible for one rebate per product category, for a total of up to four rebates.The state is requiring that all older appliances be recycled. For refrigerators and freezers, residents must purchase the appliances at participating retailers that will recycle them and provide proof of recycling for consumers to submit in order to get the rebate.

Good luck and let us know if you score a great bargain!

Home Buyer Tax Credit Expires in 8 Days | 4 Simple Steps

The special tax credit for both first-time and long-time resident homeowners will soon April 30th. There are 8 days remaining to put plans in motion to contractually close on home on time.

According to the tax rule, first-time home buyers, or resident home buyers interested in a new home, must purchase their home or be locked into a Purchase & Sale contract to close by midnight on April 30, 2010, and must close by midnight on June 30, 2010. The Internal Revenue Service considers the purchase date to be the date when the home closing takes place and when the title to the property is transferred to the new owner. 

Finding a home is simple.

1. Find a Local Lender You Can Talk To in Person
Local lenders understand your market and know of loan programs that might be beneficial to you.

2. Be Specific in the Area You Want To Live
Narrowing your search will speed up the process.

3. Don't Shy Away From Houses That Need Some Work
Just because a house needs some paint or cosmetic fixes doesn't mean it's not a good buy. Ask your REALTOR about the HUD program known as 203(k) that enables you to fold repair money into a primary mortgage.

4. Be Prepared To Act
Sometimes the first home you see is the right one for you. Don't discount it. Remember, good deals still go fast.

Enjoy your search!