Log Homes - What's Different About Log Homes?

Newcomers to the world of log homes will notice that log homes look different than conventional "stick-built" homes. But are log homes really different, other than in appearance? If so, how?

Let's take a look at some of the ways in which log homes differ from conventional homes.

Log Walls - This is the main difference. Instead of walls constructed of 2x4 or 2x6 framing lumber, packed with insulation, covered on the outside with with sheathing, moisture barrier, and siding, and on the inside with sheetrock and paint, log homes simply have solid log walls. The logs act as their own thermal and weather barrier, as well as being the primary load-bearing structure in the house.

Style - Although log homes can be built in practically any style, most log home owners prefer the traditional "cabin" or "lodge" style. This style is often distinguished by such features as wood flooring, wood interior, stone fireplace and chimney, porch, loft, rustic staircase, open floorplan, raised-seam metal roof, cathedral ceilings, and exposed interior beams.

Maintenance - Conventional home exteriors typically need to be washed, repaired, and painted every few years. Log homes are similar except that, instead of paint, they require a preservative stain combined with a treatment to prevent insect damage. As with any home, log walls must be protected from excessive moisture.

Utilities - Since many log homes are built in rural or mountain locations, some standard utility services may not available. Often, log homes use propane gas, water wells/pumps, and septic waste systems.

Cost - Log homes typically cost 10%-30% more than a similar conventionally-built "spec" home primarily because most log homes are custom-built with unique features. However, there are many ways in which costs can be eliminated or reduced.

Financing - Construction loans for log homes are usually different that those for conventional homes, primarily because log home "kit" providers want to be paid up front, and getting comparable appraisals can be somewhat difficult. Therefore, some banks and mortgage companies don't like to finance log homes. This may mean a little more legwork to find a cooperative bank or a mortgage company that specializes in log home loans.

Al Hearn is owner and operator of http://www.LogHomeAdvisor.com, a web site for log home enthusiasts that provides information and advice about planning and building log homes.

Estate Planning Isn't All About Lawyers

You're First Consideration, whether you are a young adult of age 18 or a senior of age 65 plus, you need to set up a viable estate plan that protects and provides your loved ones with financial security. So who than should be considered the best possible combination of professionals needed in setting up such a valuable plan?

Make no mistake, there are books and a multitude of software packages available containing pre-written legal documents that are available for your purchase and subsequent use. However, bear in mind Federal laws change and State laws vary on estate planning issues. An outdated form or one containing the incorrect legal terminology can most certainly invalidate or at minimum, create an extended probate of what you thought was a drum-tight estate plan.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be the first to admit that I have the highest regard for the hard core do-it-yourself individual. However, when it comes to estate planning and all the complex legal issues, I'd also be the first to highly recommend one seek the advice of the schooled professionals. Recommended, with a professionalism requirement in mind, here are some fields of expertise you should consider in achieving a complete estate planning team;

ACCOUNTANT - One of the most personal financial documents you complete annually is your state and federal tax returns. If you use a tax consultant, no one is usually more familiar with your financial situation than these accountants. If you run your own business, the accountant is the one who completes the check and balance sheets. So of course, use your accountant to assist in gathering the information necessary to put together a good estate plan that holds no oversights.

ATTORNEY - Like many professional fields, attorneys as well have specific fields and levels of competence. So, you do not need a criminal lawyer, patent attorney, bankruptcy or medical malpractice specialist configuring your estate plan. Usually a good estate planning attorney can be found under the Family Practice area of expertise. These attorneys are highly capable in drafting wills and preparing the many trusts available for your consideration should you decide such an instrument is needed. There are many other documents available as well and these practicing attorneys are schooled in the essential elements needed to satisfy specific legal requirements. To narrow down your search needs, see my article "Selecting an Estate Planning Attorney."

FINANCIAL PLANNER - When it comes to estate planning, the financial planner's specialty is giving advice to you about the multitude of programs and investments available to suit your means. Let there be no doubt, your money can always be more productive! Just remember, there are professionals and there are those that hang a shingle claiming to be an expert. For your own protection and ultimate well being, consider exploring a financial planner that belongs to a National Professional Group. For additional information you can contact the Financial Planning Association at, fpanet.org: the Society of Financial Service Professionals at, financialpro.org: and/or the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors at napfa.org.

LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITER - Across the age spectrum it is not unreasonable to state that most of us are underinsured. When it comes to estate planning, life insurance should be an integral part of this plan. Young families should consider Term Insurance which would provide necessary support for a family should one or both parents die. There may be a need for life insurance to make your estate more liquid for example - to pay the taxes without being required to sell assets to settle this debt. Your life insurance underwriter is the most suitable one to determine your needs and the subsequent amount and type of insurance that most favorably meets those needs.

TRUST OFFICER - To help manage your assets even better, you might consider a retirement trust. Perhaps you have already established a trust for your minor children. Talking to your bank or financial institute's trust officer about their fees and services is most certainly, time well spent. Particularly about trust's established for minors, as they could require a trust guardian to avoid squandering inherited assets because of their blind faith or immaturity.

In summary, You may or may not need every member of the estate planning team suggested, or at least all of them at any given time within your lifespan. As you grow and achieve the more complex your estate becomes. Thus, the more likely the chances you will have to call upon the range and far reaching capabilities of the professional services suggested.

In conclusion , just as in the current day real estate market, within the estate planning market, it is a buyer's market as well. So remember, you are doing the hiring! You are not the one being employed and as such, despite the wealth of legal knowledge your team has, you remain in charge of the decision making process. You are the boss and the estate plan you decide upon is a final decision you make based upon your teams professional and legal advice.

Ronald Hudkins is an advocate for consumer awareness. He has noted that more than 70% of the American public fails to make appropriate estate plans prior to death or incapacitation and as such; authored an Ebook "Asset Protection and Estate Planning for All Ages" It is available for free download at http://stores.lulu.com/rhudkins

Kitchens and Bathrooms Sell

People spend a large part of their day in their kitchen and bathroom. Research has shown these two rooms to be at the top of the list of selling features when it comes to real estate sales.

A big open kitchen can be good for watching the kids while making dinner, but not only growing families are looking for a larger kitchen. Open kitchens are also great for those who enjoy cooking and entertaining. Take care to make sure your kitchen is showing its true counter and cupboard space by clearing countertop clutter and removing excess decorative items from the tops of cupboards and in glass door cabinets. Also, make sure there are no additional carts, bookshelves or tables hindering the traffic flow.

Today's image of the ideal bathroom is that of a spa-like getaway inspiring a sense of relaxation and freshness. No matter the size or style of your bathroom, you can make it a more restful place to escape.

Here is a list of things you can do to improve these two key areas in your home:

* Start with the paint color. Pick a neutral color that will flow nicely with the rest of the home. Paint the ceiling a tint of that color and the trim a lighter color. White trim can give a clean feeling to a room.
* Fix damaged tiles or replace unattractive flooring. Old vinyl tile with mold and mildew stains will really diminish the value of your home. Update with current flooring to make the room look more appealing and larger. Take the time to line up new tiles properly, crooked tiles or inconsistent patterns are not an improvement.
* In showers, sinks, tubs, or toilet repair damaged caulking and get rid of mildew stains. Wash fabric shower curtains to remove mold and mildew or purchase new shower curtain liners.
* Shine hardware. Make your faucet, taps, and showerhead sparkle. Use a toothbrush around faucets where it is difficult to clean. Turn your shower curtain bar, so that the shiniest part is facing outward. The eye is attracted by shiny things and it will make any hardware look new again.
* Sinks should be clean and stain free.
* Tighten or replace loose cabinet handles. Updating cupboard hardware can be a really quick update and change the whole feel of the kitchen or a bathroom vanity.
* Leaky faucets should be repaired.
* Old kitchen and bathroom cabinets should be painted or refinished. Do not be afraid to paint wood.
* Countertops that are old and scratched should be replaced; an updated countertop will make a big difference in the offers that you receive.
* Remove garbage and knick knacks for a clean look and smell. Make it smell pleasantly clean but be careful not to over-scent with products that may be offensive to some.
* Allow natural light to come in. Tie back curtains and reevaluate window treatments. Window treatments should highlight the window, not conceal or distract from it. Clean mirrors, lighting fixtures and bulbs as well as, windows inside and out.
* Remove bills, papers, and personal items from countertops to show their true size and functionality.

Fixing up your kitchen and bath following these steps can easily increase the market value of the home you are selling and make buyers jump to make you an offer.

Colette Robicheau, President of Organize Anything, is a consultant, coach, and public speaker offering corporate, residential, and personal organizing services. Colette's humor and positive attitude are a great asset in her roles as professional organizer and life coach. An extensive background in professional organizing, project management and business development, have given Colette a no-nonsense approach to project completion with the ability to deliver on budget and on schedule. Email Colette or for more information, including great organizing tips, visit http://www.organizeanything.com.

Buyer Beware - Choosing a Real Estate Agent Before Looking For a House

Here is the biggest mistake home buyers make when deciding it is time to buy a house.

The most common error is not spending enough time choosing a real estate agent. Why is interviewing prospective agents so important?

If you are looking for the best buy on a house you need the best Realtor to lead the way. Everybody wants a deal when buying a house. And why not? For most people it is the biggest purchase of their life.

But buyer beware! There is another bargain you need to find before you shop for a house. Look for a great Realtor! Indeed this action could have the greatest impact on your home buying experience.

But the trick is deciding your criteria for choosing a real estate agent.

Line up meetings with three to five Realtors. Just as you are not going to buy the first house you see, you need to shop for an agent. Just as you will probably look at many houses before you decide which is right for you, don't settle for the first Realtor you meet without interviewing at least two more.

Choosing a real estate agent, the one right for you, to guide you through the entire house buying process is essential to your success.

Here is another tip. A big mistake many home buyers make is skipping from agent to agent to find their dream home. Don't! Instead make it your intention to find an agent you are going to stick with.

Believe me, don't let greed trick you into thinking that you are limiting your opportunities by working with just one specific broker. It is actually just the opposite. If you hunt for the best agent you can find before shopping for a house, you are far more likely to discover that dream home you are looking for.

So invite several real estate brokers to your home instead of going to their office. Watch how they relate to you and your family. If you feel they are hesitant around you, move on to the next candidate.

Most important, do you feel comfortable with them?

Before they visit prepare a list of questions you will want to ask during the interview. Start by briefly explaining what you want to accomplish. In two or three sentences tell why you need the services of a real estate agent and what type of property you are looking for.

It is important that you merely state your intention at first and not launch off into detail. After all, you are the interviewer and the Realtor is the interviewee. Then take note of their reactions to your needs.

Ask these questions during your interview.

#1 Why did you choose the real estate industry? As they speak with you, observe whether they are passionate about their profession.

You can continue questioning.

#2 May I speak with a several of your previous home buyers? In the next day or two, follow through and call them. Look for indications during your conversation pointing to this agent being someone you can work with.

#3 Do you specialize in certain types of property? Personally I like working with agents who focus on certain areas, neighborhoods, or types of property. For example, if I am looking for a condo, choosing a real estate agent that specializes in condos makes the most sense.

#4 Finally, ask them to describe their game plan. Because you have a certain goal in mind, you want to know how they will go about bringing you the solution you are looking for. The best brokers with a strategy can easily articulate their plans. See if their strategy matches up with your goals.

After interviewing several Realtors, it is time to make a decision. Try using a process of elimination by asking yourself some of the following questions.

What agents do you feel uncomfortable with? Which ones answered your questions directly and which didn't? Are they enthusiastic about helping people? Who can you freely question without feeling ignorant? Does their expertise match the type of homes and the neighborhoods you are interested in? Can they articulate a specific strategy and if so what is it?

Now it's time to choose a real estate agent and go find that home you are dreaming about.

Kate Ford at Get Your Best Mortgage Rate is today's mortgage translator on a crusade to help homeowners save money. For buying a house and how to get a mortgage, get answers online in real-time from Kate.

What to Expect From a Professional Rental Management Company

Owners of rental property, particularly multiple locations, tend to be busy people. When you own property like a home, apartment complex or duplex, or a large house divided into efficiencies, the stress of handling several tenant issues at once can take its tolls. When the work involved in managing property becomes too much for one person, it may be time to consider letting a real estate or property management company shoulder some of the responsibilities.

Rental and Property Management

It is not uncommon for a real estate agency to offer rental management as part of its many services. Realtors are committed to helping people find a place to live, and it stands to reason that some agencies are willing to work with landlords to place suitable tenants. If you are a property owner interested in handing over the reigns of management, however, you want to be certain the company is reputable and will perform the necessary tasks in order to maintain a happy, secure environment for everybody involved. The ideal property manager will assist you with the following:

Marketing - When you are ready to rent out to new tenants, your manager should help with promoting the available property. A real estate company will advertise on their website or promote through others means (print, social media, classifieds)

Rent Collections - In the event a tenant should default on rent, you want to be certain you know what your rights are with regards to court procedures and eviction. Some real estate agencies that work in property management may provide legal assistance for such matters.

Accounting - When you need somebody to keep record of rent payments and outgoing bills, a good property manager should oversee this with minimal problems.

Applicant Screening - You may not have time to review every interested potential tenant. A good property manager will do the research for you. From checking credit and employment records, interviewing past landlords, and making other background checks, your manager will make sure the ideal candidates make the cut.

Property Inspections and Maintenance - It's important to make sure your property is always up to code. A reputable property manager will see that your homes or apartments are properly maintained and repaired by licensed, bonded contractors.

For the busy property owner, hiring the services of a good property manager can save you money in the long run. Consider the services of a rental property manager or real estate company to take care of the day to day operations of keeping your property in good shape.

Kathryn Lively writes freelance articles on Virginia Beach real estate and Gainesville bed and breakfast inns.

Selling Your House in Tough Times - San Deigo Home Tips

Why is my house not selling? The question that is haunting many a home owner across the nation at this time. You may already have the answer and may not know it or just don't want to believe it. The housing boom which has now lead to the housing crisis is leaving people wondering what to do and where to look for answers. The person to start with is you. That is right, you. You ask how can it be me? You have to start with what you want and what you need to sell your home. What is your motivation for selling your home? In this situation we are trying to sell the house before going into foreclosure. What amount of money do you need from your home and how much should you spend to sell your home? These questions are very tough for some people to answer. The home owners out there are of all different ages and back grounds. You know yourself the best, so that is why it starts with you. You can say, I am not a home sales agent. Why would it start with me? You know what you need, you just need a little direction.

Let's just jump in here and get right to it. You have a house and you want to sell it. Let's also get out of the way, I am a home improvement expert with a long list of credentials and experience in the home improvement market. I have specialized in preparing people and their homes for the sales market. So, you will not see a article filled with key words or tags to just get my work found by the search engines, which so many are concerned with now days. I write to help people, and to sell their homes. My works are mostly free and can be found across the Internet on variety of writing sites and blogs. So, with that out of the way let's now get started again. You need to look at your self and ask yourself why should I sell my house instead of having the bank take it in foreclosure? Take a tablet of paper or your lap top and sit down and write the reasons out and go over them with your spouse or other vested party in the sale of the house. These reasons will determine how and what you will need to do to sell your house. Once you have these, you can move forward to the next steps to sell your house. I have seen many reasons people are selling their homes. The big one as of late is people are trying to sell before they have the bank take their home in foreclosure. This reason is now running rampant across the nation and people feel they are helpless in these situations. Many of these people can still sell their house and re-coupe funds if they look to themselves first and move forward.

The foreclosure home is a home that most people have come to thing is the most run down home on block or the home which looks or is abandon. You say to yourself, if I cannot pay mortgage how can I help to sell my house. You first need to jump in and work at it. This is hard for many and they just feel bad about the potential loss, so why do anything? One reason is you can still put money back into your pocket for you and your family. You purchased the home with the intention of making it yours correct? So, you would probably have some lawn tools, paint brushes and good old fashioned hard work to use. Take the time to see what you can work on to fix the appearance of your house, without spending alot of money. People, there are so many ways to renew your house on the cheap. Did you know you can go to some paint stores and get returned paint where they custom mixed paint for someone and they did not care for it. This stuff can sell for $5.00 a gallon of paint. So, instead of going to a fast food place, go to a paint store and buy some cheap paint. Painting even when buying top end paint is still the cheapest way to make a house look much better. You may have hit hard times and need to sell your house, but most people will still have some funds, if directed and used in the correct manner could put you one step closer to getting your next house, then you think.

You need to take that tablet out again and look at what you can do to the house to give it appeal to a buyer. You don't have to spend a ton to get it done. The paint example above is proof of that. You just need a little direction and you will be amazed at what you will be able to do. The right mind set is where you need to start. Don't look as all is lost. Look at doing a job and paying yourself to do it. Sitting on your couch and waiting for the knock on the door to get out is easy and sad. Why not take some time and effort and put money back into your pocket and enjoy a job well done. People can look at foreclosure for a host of many reasons. It still comes down to can you sell it before they take it. Selling it leaves you in a much better position not only financially but also mentally. Working on a house can be very rewarding, especially when the job is done and you sell the house. We can cover this couple areas in this article, as it would take a whole book to cover a full step by step and how to get the house sold. We need to get you going in the right direction for starters.

The right mind set is what will make or break you. Try again to look at it as if you were working for yourself and putting money into your pocket, because you are. Sitting around waiting to have a foreclosure happen in itself can lead to some very stressful times for people. Keeping yourself busy will help you in many ways. First take the tablet of paper out to the front of the house and write down what you see. What you see here is what others will see also, if you don't like what you see odds are nor will others. This goes for all houses that are getting ready to hit the market. Take a few minutes, no need to rush it as this time is you investing in yourself. Once you have what you see wrote down, take a walk around the whole property on the out side. Remember this is how others will first view your house. The out side has to get them to stop or at least slow down as they come by the house. Many exterior problems can be addressed by hard work and a few tools. Over grown grass and weeds 10 feet high around house are not appealing to most. This is one example of what you would have wrote down. There will end up being a large list, most likely. That is ok, you now have a idea of where to start.

This should be enough for now to get you going. Put forth the amount of effort you want to get out of it. Getting the house sold will come along more quickly and easier if you start with you and not others. Good luck in selling your home and start moving forward. Remember, always safety first.

http://www.prepareyourhomeforsale.biz/blog

How to Get Your Phone Calls Returned

Getting people to return phone calls in this economy can be a real challenge for marketers of real estate and construction services. It's not easy, but there are a few common sense things that may help when leaving voice mail messages.

Be brief.

Leave a long winded message and see it get deleted. People have busy schedules. Get to the point quickly and improve your chances that they'll return your calls.

Speak slowly and clearly.

Ever get a message where someone races through the phone number? It's really annoying for the receiver to have to replay the voice mail message several times just to figure out the caller's phone number. Speak slowly and clearly and make it easy for people to return your calls.

Always leave your phone number.

Even if you know that the person you're calling already has your phone number, leave your phone number again. Don't assume they have caller id. Failure to leave your phone number will often require the message receiver to go and find your phone number. Do this and reduce your chances that people call you back.

Make it convenient and easy for the person to call you.

Give a variety of times they can reach you. The telephone tag game is alive and well in real estate and construction and it's a big turnoff. It's also rude to ask them to call you back at a specific time. Give the person some choices and reduce the phone tag fiasco. The above tips may sound like common sense, but it's amazing how often they're ignored. It's tough to win new work in this market, There are a lot of contractors fighting for a significantly smaller pool of projects and simple tasks like these can make the difference in winning versus losing new projects.

John P. Kreiss

New Home Buyers Beware - Carlsbad Home Inspections

Ican't believe how many homebuyers purchase a house, with very little information and a Lotta hope. I'm a general contractor and often work on these homes, after they have been purchased and a homeowner has their money, the real estate professional is no longer involved in the transaction and the new homeowner is starting to experience the pitfalls from buying the home, that they sincerely believe was in good condition.

It's usually somebody like me that gets involved with the new homeowners after everyone else is out of the picture and chooses not to return their phone calls or explains to them quite simply, it's not our responsibility, you're the new homeowner and we really feel sorry for you, please call us again if we can help you with anything.

You couldn't even help me with that, why would I want to call you again if I had a problem. I never could understand this thinking but have ran into it often. It sounds like an oxymoron when someone refuses to help you but offers you help in the future. What ever!!!.

If homebuyers had something else to rely on besides their real estate salesperson, home inspection service, mortgage or insurance professional, I believe they can eliminate some of these problems. Where do you start and how do you get the information. You can gather information from reputable people, books, the Internet and so on.

The problem is how do you know these people are reputable and the books on the Internet have good information. This brings us to another problem, but I've got the solution that will help eliminate some of the grief. I'm not going to remove all of the grief from your life but have a suggestion for you that will eliminate some of the pain when buying a home.

Arm yourself with a good home inspection checklist. You can search the Internet and they have quite a few good home inspection checklist to work with. These checklist can provide you with things you might not have thought of, and this is where you can eliminate some of the problems.

If you took one of these checklists with you while you were shopping for a home, you would be aware of some of the problems with the home. You might not find all of the problems but these checklist will help you with some of the problems.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

DIY Solar Power System - Useful Tips When Building a Power System Using Solar Panels

With a DIY solar power system in your home, you can convert sunlight into electrical energy without spending much. The amount of electricity which you can produce through this will depend on the number and size of solar panels you have installed and the amount of direct sunlight these panels are able to capture.

Since sunlight is a renewable energy source, this solution will not be detrimental to the environment. In fact, if more people will opt to use this form of power, the less pollution there might likely be. Aside from being a practical solution to the problem of high electric bills, this can also be used as an opportunity to earn money. If the solar panels that you installed are able to produce electricity that is more than enough for your consumption, you can choose to sell these excess power to electric providers.

Nevertheless, installing a high quality solar power system in your home does not always come cheap. You would have to spend not only your money but also your time and effort to make sure that the system will be sufficient for your needs. There are certain factors to be considered before deciding to have such an energy producing unit in your home.

First, you have to make sure that you will be staying in your house within a duration that will allow you to recoup whatever you spent for the energy system you installed. Otherwise, the money you spent will go to waste as you are not able to fully benefit from it.

Second, you have to make sure that the area of your roof is large enough to support the solar panels that will be installed there. It should be possible for them to be exposed to direct sunlight within a minimum of six hours. Moreover, make sure that there are no trees nearby as these can obstruct the rays of the sun.

Third, if you do not feel confident installing the units on your roof, opt to hire a professional. This way, you will not have to worry about inefficient installation. Consider this when preparing your working budget for solar power system installation.

If you choose to buy ready-to-install energy units, make sure to buy only from reputable sellers or retailers. If you would like a DIY version, buy your spare parts from trusted sellers. Look up the yellow pages or your local newspapers for the names of these possible sellers. Moreover, when choosing where to buy from, select those that offer telephone technical support and warranty. If you prefer a DIY solar power system, better ask assistance from people who are more experienced with such tasks.

Tired of high electric bills? Discover how thousands of families are using homemade solar power systems to power their homes!

Feng Shui Books

Own Solar Power For Home Electricity

Have you been considering getting solar power for home use? If so, you're not alone. Many of today's homeowners find the idea of solar power t be intriguing. You may have thought it was too expensive to go solar, but that's just not true anymore. Today, there are many different options for getting solar power that can match any budget.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on solar panels, either. You can actually make your own, even if you're on a limited budget. Most of the materials you need are available from your local hardware store. If building a panel from scratch isn't for you, you can also purchase relatively inexpensive solar panel kits.

All you have to do is follow the directions in the kit and assemble the materials to create your own, working solar panels. Then, you simply install them on your roof and reap the benefits of the sun. In most cases, there's no re-wiring of your house at all, and you can start using the solar power right away. It's even stored for you overnight and on cloudy days, since a day's worth of sun usually produces more energy than your home actually needs.

Solar power for home use is extremely popular in rural areas, where traditional electric service has always been spotty anyway. However, even urban dwellers can reap the benefits of solar power for themselves. Many apartment complexes will allow you to place a small solar panel on your roof. At the very least, you can ask your power company if they have any solar options, such as offering solar generated power for customers who want it. With this option, you'll still have a power bill (something you can often eliminate with your own solar panels), but you'll still be helping the environment by using a clean, renewable energy source.

What's more, unlike traditional power from fossil fuels that are quickly disappearing, solar energy is about as permanent as it gets. As long as we have a sun, we'll have solar energy. Plus, it doesn't create any pollution to produce electricity from the sun. If you're interested in solar energy for home use, there's no time like the present to make and install your own solar panels. Once you've used solar, you'll probably never go back to traditional electric service again. The benefits of solar power can be addicting, and you'll be glad you took the plunge!

Click Here if you want make your Own Solar Power for Home Electricity with low budget. Get this valuable guide now.

Pest Control Books

New President - New Energy - How Our New President Will Reshape Energy in Our Country

Alot of people are probably wondering what the biggest change will be when Presdient elect takes office in in January. Two words: New Energy. So what does the election of President Obama mean for the alternative energy sector? For starters, he is considering a stimulus package that will include a heavy dose of spending on environmentally friendly projects aimed at creating "green-collar jobs" and saving energy. This is key. Everyone talks about stimulating the blue collar jobs, but it's time that our nation wake up and form a new collar, a greener collar. If we are to rebuild the American economy, we must do it through clean energy. This new administration will aim to generate jobs in the alternative energy sector, while cutting down on pollution. President elect Obama will have to come up with a robust proposal in order for an effective new alternative energy economy. Senator Majority Leader Harry reid said that a green jobs componenet could be worth as much as $100 billion, call it a 'Green Path' Infracstructure. One of the first changes will more than likely be a requirement that all public buildings be environmentally friendly.

You better believe that any major infrastructure project is going to be done in the greenest way possible. So if this new energy economy is going to make all public buildings energy efficient, wouldn't it be a good idea to get ahead of the curve and make your home energy efficient? Even major corporations are supporting clean energy spending and green-collar jobs. Companies such as Google and even coal burning American Electric Power Co. are behind this 'green' movement. In fact, Google is lobbying for long-term tax rebates for renewable energy as well as federal investment in electrick "smart grid" technology.

In order to become a clean energy economy, we need not only build windmills all over the plains, but we need a solid infrastructure in place to support the power generated by clean energy mechanisms. Even the simplest ideas could save energy and create jobs, said Jason Saragian, a spokesman for Owens Corning Inc., a Toledo, Ohio-based maker of insulation as well as material used in wind turbine blades. The company is pushing for tax breaks to encourage retrofitting of older buildings. 'Huge Opportunity' "There are 80 million underinsulated homes in the United States," Saragian said. Buildings emit 42 percent of the nation's greenhouse gasses. Weatherization "is a huge opportunity" to cut energy use, Saragian said. "The challenge is to make a green stimulus actually green," said Dan Becker, a consultant with the Safe Climate Campaign, a Washington-based clean-air advocacy group. This 'green' movement is no fluke. Don't be left behind this new energy movement. Get started on do-it-yourself energy efficient home improvement projects now.

DIYHomepro

Do-It-Yourself-Projects.info

Home Building Books

Go Green - Save Energy When Heating Your Home

Your annual energy use is likely to be directed towards the water and space heating. If you are like most people today, your energy bills are higher than ever. You must practice efficient home heating in order to save your money, go green and reduce the carbon footprint. Apply the following tips in order to make your home greener, more energy saving, and even save some cash too.

Start by sealing leaks in windows or doors. Heat loss from such leaks is one of many reasons why you cannot enjoy a warm and comfortable home during wintertime. It is high time for you to seal such leaks in order to preserve the energy and protect your wallet. Good insulation is your main guarantee that your home will not be affected by the extreme weather conditions attributed to the climate change. You will need insulation strips or a tube of exterior silicone caulk in order to seal your windows and doors.

Find those leaks! In order to do this, you can use a candle on a very breezy day in order to determine their location. You will have to close all the doors and windows and start wandering around the rooms to search for the existing leaks that prevent you from having a warm, cozy, and insulated personal space.

Pay attention to the direction where the smoke drifts in order to detect your future target zones. As soon as you manage to detect those zones, use the silicone tube to seal them. Next, you should cover your window frames with clear plastic which will help prevent more draft and make the difference for your home heating. Storm windows can also be used in order to cut the current heat loss. They are designed to create dead-air and insulate the space inside your windows. You can purchase such storm windows at most local store. They are a wise investment because they are designed to increase the present temperature of your interior windows on a cold day. You will feel more comfortable, and so will your wallet.

Don't forget about ventilation. The better you insulate and draft-proof your home, the more you are likely to need good ventilation to provide yourself with optimized results. The pollutants coming from your heaters may accumulate over time. The excess condensation will cause mildew and mold to grow, which is the last thing anyone wants to happen. Therefore, open some windows for a couple of minutes a day in order to properly ventilate your home. Next, you will have to spread the home heat and use the right heaters that can be directed to heat you from your toes to your head. Such heaters are cost effective as well and your initial investment will be paid off in no time. You will have to heat your home wisely.

Forget about heating your home to tropical temperatures, this may be very uncomfortable. Utilizing your thermostat will not only keep your home at the right temperature, it will also save you money. For instance, try and reduce the temperature at night. Your programmable thermostat will soon become your best friend when it comes to heating your home in a green and money saving way.

Amelia Yap is a mother who is very conscious about global warming and the future or our environment. She has made it her mission to educate others to go green, reduce their carbon foot print, and help save our environment.

You can download her FREE report, "27 Ways to Go Green and See Green" to see how easy it is to go green and save money along the way.

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Stepping Off the "Go Green" Bandwagon - 10 Green Initiatives That Aren't Worth the Time Or Money

More and more people are becoming aware of the need to give something back to the environment and take positive steps now to avoid serious environmental problems later on. Unfortunately, there are some green initiatives that simply are not worth the time or the money because they do not provide enough of an impact or no impact at all.

1. Buying because you see green. Perhaps one of the worst initiatives at the current moment is simply giving in and buying something just because it is labeled green. While your heart is certainly in the right place, it just does not make sense to buy something just because it is labeled green and particularly when you do not really need it. Unfortunately the word green has become a marketing tool. The best way to make an impact is to actually use fewer items.

2. Buying a new car simply to get better gas mileage. While this may sound like a good idea in theory, the most environmentally friendly car you could possibly drive, if you are going to drive a car, is the one you already own. As long as your existing car is in good repair, keep in mind that it would take a long time to break even by buying a car simply for better gas mileage. In the meanwhile, you might actually be making matters worse by buying something new rather than sticking with a perfectly usable item you already own. Letting up on the accelerator petal is a simple way to make your existing car perform like a green car.

3. Buying 'green' cleaning products. In theory this one sounds like you would be doing something positive but in reality you can actually do much better by making your own cleaning products with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have at home. For example you can make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon water. This formula used in conjunction with micro-fiber cloths which lift off dirt and grease is an ideal green cleaning solution.

4. Buying from a Farmer's Market. In some cases, making the effort to purchase produce from a farmer's market may not be the best choice if you need to drive a long distance in order to do it. Always balance out the initiative with the amount of fuel you need to expend in order to accomplish it.

5. Buying a new Energy Star appliance. If there is nothing wrong with the appliance you already own, you might be helping the environment more by waiting until you actually need a new appliance to purchase one and then purchasing an energy efficient model. However, if your appliance is over 15 years old, it makes both eco and financial sense to replace it. For example, replacing a pre-1994 washer with an Energy Star model can save a family $110 a year on utility bills. Energy Star washers use 50 percent less energy than other standard models, and only 18 to 25 gallons of water for a full-sized load, compared to 40 gallons for standard full-size washers.

6. Going ga-ga for green gadgets. Green gadgets do not always work that well. A prime example is buying a low-flow toilet that takes multiple flushes to work correctly. In this case you really are not saving any water if you need to flush a low-flow toilet more often than a regular toilet in order for it to work right.

7. Window shopping. If you have single pane and not double-hung windows, sealing your old windows is a more cost efficient choice than purchasing new Energy Star windows. Replacing all the windows in a home rarely saves more than 10-15% of the home's heating bill. It usually takes 20 years or more to recover the cost of the new windows in energy savings. The Efficient Windows Collaborative has a helpful guide for calculating your savings.

8. Investing in solar panels for your home. While solar panels will probably make sense for most of us in the future, at the current time they are often cost-prohibitive despite the tax credits and in most instances will not save enough energy to offset the amount of energy that was needed to manufacture them for a single family home. Great strides are being made however, to generate power from solar sources on a much larger scale i.e, to power a whole city.

9. Buying organic clothing. Many designers are now marketing "eco-friendly" clothing made with organic cotton. This sounds environmentally friendly but just because the cotton may have been organic to start with doesn't mean that the tee shirt you are buying is not laden with processing chemicals and dyes. If you really want environmentally friendly clothing buy vintage clothes and wear the ones you've already got. You can always repurpose those old MC Hammer pants into pajamas or a yoga outfit.

10. Purchasing carbon offsets. Carbon offset programs have many proponents such as Al Gore. However, in reality, this is probably the least effective green step you can take. Critics often liken it to the old Catholic practice of buying indulgences for the forgiveness of sins. You can't undo something bad you have done for the environment by buying some green points. You are better off simply taking more steps to be environmentally friendly in the first place.

Are you overwhelmed by all of the "go green" messages that bombard you on a daily basis? Are you experiencing green fatigue? Djuna Woods writes the blog Simple Ways to Help at http://simplewaystohelp.com which bottom lines eco-friendly living. This blog is like the "Cliffs Notes" for green living.

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