As a financial planner and a new-ish home owner, I’m always on the look out for ways I can furnish our house without breaking our budget.  Home Depot and Lowe’s are both within a ten minute drive, and so the opportunity to spend big is never far from reach!

However, I’ve learned that, in addition to online stores, we have quite a number of under-the-radar home supply and decoration options here in Lancaster County.  I’d like to share some of the options that I’ve discovered, and encourage you to share other opportunities that you know are out there, as I’m sure there are more.

Craigslist, which can be Lancaster County-specific, is a good first option for finding things that you can go inspect in person and pick up.  You can search for just about anything, and if Lancaster doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Craigslist will suggest other local areas that may.  I purchased the pavers for our backyard patio on Craigslist – and received two year old, almost perfect condition 6”x9” trapezoid-shaped pavers for 40 cents each.  I found comparable, but not identical, pavers at Lowe’s that were listed at over 2 bucks a piece.

The Lancaster Restore, a division of Habitat for Humanity, is a great option.  My wife and I frequent here monthly.  When contractors are working on houses, often they’ll salvage building supplies and then re-sell them through the Restore.  You wouldn’t know it by driving by on Route 30, but the place has an enormous inventory.  Everything from light fixtures, to drawer knobs, to windows, to toilets.  We scored ten 1’ sheets of backsplash tile for our kitchen for $5 a piece.  Similar ones were selling at Home Depot for $10-15.  We also purchased toilet paper dispensers for $2 and a medicine cabinet for $15 – which after the rehab of a bottle of spray paint looked brand new.

And my personal favorite: Wolgemuth Auction.  This is a monthly auction held every second Thursday at a simply gigantic property in Leola.  Both new and used building supplies are sold here, as well as returns from Costco and other local big box stores.  With auctions, you have to carefully inspect what you’re buying – but there are some serious deals to be had.  So far, I’ve purchased a brand new solid wood interior door for $5, a brand new stainless steel sink for $17, a brand new bathroom vanity for $17, ten boxes of new bathroom tile for $30, and a “lot box” for $1 which ended up containing three brand new digital thermostats, six 5-gallon drywall buckets, miscellaneous electric wiring, plumbing tools, and three door knobs.  Wolgemuth has everything from power tools to hand tools, kitchen cabinets to wicker furniture, insulation to lumber, doors to windows, and just about everything in between.  But – it is auction, and at times things sell for more than what you can get them at retail price, so you need to be weary of what you’re buying.  What’s that saying in real estate, Jeff? … Buyer Beware.

There are tremendous opportunities and deals available right here in Lancaster PA that can allow you to furnish your home without breaking your budget.  The trade off is convenience, and requires a little patience.

There is no doubt that summer has been here with a vengeance for the past month. Many homeowners are frustrated at this time of year to see their beautiful lawn declining. Figuring out what to do to change that situation is a hard task. With so many issues on lawns in summer, where would you even start?

Hindsight is 20/20: If you are a lawn enthusiast like us, you got extremely spoiled in 2009. Last year, we saw lawns lose a little bit of color in the month of June, but the ample rainfall kept things lush and green all the way through the hottest time of year. This is definitely not the case in 2010. Our area has seen regular temperatures for the last month in the 90’s, which is more typical of August weather, than June and early July. This heat coupled with a lack of regular rainfall has stressed out grass plants, and let to even more problems.

The Miracle Serum: The most crucial element any plant needs to survive is water. Without the right amount of it, it will stress the plant out and kill it. Most lawns are able to survive periods of 4-7 weeks of drought conditions, by going into dormancy. The blades of the grass lose moisture, and turn a straw-brown color. Energy in the grass plants is diverted to keeping the roots and crowns of the grass plants alive, so they can regenerate new blades when the environment permits. When cooler temperatures arrive later in the year, and rainfall is more abundant, most lawn areas will green back up, if only under typical drought conditions.

There’s a Fungus Among Us: There are dozens of turf fungi that cause damage to lawns in a year. Some are less of a concern than others, and some can cause permanent damage in a short period of time. During the summer, there are several fungi that can damage your lawn extensively. Summer Patch, Brown Patch, Leaf Spot, and Pythium Blight are just a few of those we typically see on lawns. The common catalyst for this is the proper environmental conditions. Night-time temperatures above 68 degrees and high humidity or rainfall at night will be very conducive to helping these grow on grass plants. Fungicides can be applied to lawns to lessen the effects. These applications can be more expensive than typical treatments, and only last for approximately 30 days, but may be what your lawn needs to survive.

Critters with an Appetite: There are a few insects that can extensively cause irreversible damage to your lawn in the summer. Chinch Bugs, Billbugs, Sod Webworms, and Grubs are the main destroyers in our areas. Preventative applications can be made to lawns to keep these invaders from damaging your lawn.

Stay off My Lawn! One of the worst things you can do for a stressed lawn is to mow it too short, too often, or when it’s too hot. This can make the lawn look even worse! The best thing to do would be only mow the lawn when you can’t tolerate it anymore, and mow it on your mower’s highest height setting. Try to stay off the lawn completely. Parties, playing hard on the lawn, and heavy foot traffic can damage the crowns of the grass plants making it even harder for the lawn to regenerate when conditions improve.

So what should you do? If you believe you have any of these issues, let a trained lawn care professional check them out for you. The diagnosis of these problems is very difficult, especially for homeowners. Some issues are easily addressed, and some issues are also beyond control. Either way, it’s important to understand these lawn stresses, and know what options are available.

As we move into the sultry summer months, the temperatures will rise … and so will those energy bills! For those homeowners who may not have felt the sting of their electric bill over the winter months, they most likely will feel it this summer when their air conditioning is running 24/7 to keep their family comfortable.

Remember, with Federal tax credits still available through the end of 2010, I encourage anyone considering a home improvement project to heavily weigh the benefits of doing it NOW so you can take advantage of the tax credits – and energy savings. That’s what this month’s article is all about.

It’s nearly impossible these days to not see or hear about “green” ways. Everything is “Going Green” ― from vehicles to building materials. Not only are consumers much more conscientious about their carbon footprints, in today’s economy they are also getting savvy about saving money, too.

One of the biggest investments you will ever make is on your home, and for consumers who are looking to build a new home, building one that is certified “green” is certainly something I encourage you to look into. In fact, a recent survey revealed that homeowners of green homes said they were happier 85 percent of the time with their new green homes than with their previous, more traditionally built ones, due in part to the lower operating and maintenance costs that come with energy- and resource-efficient homes.

But for the 120 million existing homes in the United States, remodeling is the only way for homeowners to incorporate green. Here are some suggestions to homeowners who want to increase their home’s efficiency, decrease costs, and take advantage of the other benefits that green offers.

1. Install maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled.

Forty percent of the energy consumed in a typical house goes to heating and cooling. Adding insulation is an easy way to increase efficiency. It will also help save energy costs, increase comfort by better controlling temperature, and improve indoor air quality by eliminating many gaps through which dirt, dust, and other impurities can enter.

2. Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that “just meet” code.

Ordinary window glass transmits ultraviolet heat rays from the sun, which can increase your air conditioning bill dramatically. Energy-efficient windows can help control this effect. These windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the panes, improved framing materials, and microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on windows to reduce radiative heat flow.

3. Seal all exterior penetration points.

You can reduce energy loss by inspecting your home from the inside and outside, and plugging cracks or openings. Anywhere a home’s envelope has been punctured (windows, doors, electrical outlets, etc.) can be an energy loss point, especially over time when the original protective seal begins to deteriorate. Use caulk to seal all small cracks on non-moving surfaces, and install weather stripping on windows, doors and other movable parts of the home.

4. Purchase only ENERGY STAR-rated appliances.

ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, ranging from dishwashers and refrigerators to computers and televisions, meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. Qualified refrigerators, dishwashers and vent fans incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models, more than making up for the slightly higher initial costs of these products.

5. Install low-flow water plumbing fixtures.

In the average home, toilet flushing accounts for some 30 percent of water usage. By using low-flow plumbing fixtures such as toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads, you can save up to 25 percent of that water, compared to conventional fixtures, while providing the same utility.

6. Upgrade to a high-efficiency or tankless water heater.

Homeowners looking to conserve money can save big by replacing their traditional water heater with a high-efficiency or tankless one. Traditional water heaters use a lot of energy because they keep the water in the tank at a constant temperature ― whether the water is immediately needed or not. There are now many water heater options on the market that only heat the water, when needed.

Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it. Replacing an electric water heater with a solar model can reduce costs by up to 80 percent a year. Over its 20-year lifespan, a solar heater will prevent more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

And if nothing else, a low-cost alternative is to wrap insulation around your heater, which can reduce standby heat losses 25 to 45 percent.

7. Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford.

Over a ten-year period, the average homeowner spends more than $10,000 for heating and cooling. Installing high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment can reduce utility costs on average by 10 to 30 percent over minimum efficiency equipment. It also can improve your home’s overall comfort.(Source: NAHB)

If you are thinking about improving the energy efficiency of your home this summer, give Rick at Wheatland a call at (717) 560-3400 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. He’d be happy to discuss options that will work within your budget.

Short circuits happen when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire; the extra current flowing through the circuit causes the breaker to trip or the fuse to blow. Your home electrical circuits could have a number of problems:

• Faulty wiring within the house

• Too many lamps or appliances on one circuit

• Defective wall switches or receptacles

• Defective cords or plugs

• Defective circuits within appliances

Although it’s often easy to tell when you have a short or overloaded circuit – the lights go dead when you plug in the toaster over – it isn’t always as simple to tell where in the system this has occurred. Start by turning off all wall switches and unplugging all lights and appliances. Then reset the circuit breaker. Pull the lever to off and then to on again to reset a circuit breaker with a lever switch. If a fuse is blown, it must be replaced.

1. Unscrew the fuse to replace it with one exactly the same amperage rating (both circuit breakers and fuses should be sized according to the wire used in the circuit they protect).
2. If the breaker trips immediately, the problem may be a short circuit in a receptacle or switch.
3. If the breaker does not trip again, turn on each switch one at a time and check if and when the breaker trips again.
4. If turning on a switch causes the breaker to trip, there’s a short circuit in a fixture or receptacle controlled by the switch.
5. If turning on the switch makes no difference, the problem is in one of the appliances connected to the switch.
6. If the circuit went dead when you plugged in the appliance, the problem is probably in the cord or plug.
7. If the circuit went dead when you turned on the appliance, the appliance itself is defective.

As always, if you’re unsure or uncomfortable around electrical systems, stop and contact a professional for advice and an estimate to repair.

Planning on installing a new deck or sprucing-up an existing one this season?  If so, you’re not alone. Decks are still among the most popular home improvements in Lancaster County.  So, what’s hot in decks this summer?  Here are some of the top deck trends for summer 2010:

Railings – Once merely a functional safety element, railings are now doing double duty as design statements. Railings are often the first thing one notices about a deck, so manufacturers are offering more aesthetically pleasing, architecturally interesting options. Hot railing trends include decorative balusters of aluminum, iron or even cable, glass panels and railing systems that combine materials for durability, as well as visual effect.

Multiple Levels – Designers are using multiple levels to create virtual rooms for outdoor use. A main deck might function as living and dining space, while a smaller, lower level addition serves as a kitchen area, and another level might host a hot tub. Multi-level decks facilitate multiple uses and add visual interest to the overall deck structure.

Indoor Luxuries, Outdoors – Homeowners want to bring the same luxuries they enjoy indoors outside onto their decks. In response, builders are adding touches like built-in fire pits and fireplaces, full kitchens with professional grade gas grills, spas, built-in benches and cabinets, shade structures and lighting to deck designs.

New Shapes – Piano-shaped, arrowhead and even oval shapes are appearing in back yards across the country. Modern materials, improved building methods and the creativity of designers and homeowners have permanently changed the shape and size of the great American deck. For added pizzazz, you can incorporate a pattern, such as herringbone or checkerboard, into the deck surface.

Composite Materials – While some homeowners prefer wood, composite materials continue to gain popularity. Not only are they durable and often eco-friendly (as many of them are made from recycled materials), composites can now mimic the much-loved look of wood.

I know it sounds backwards and many people will say being able to submit a claim when something happens is why they have insurance in the first place! However, submitting a homeowner insurance can actually cost you more money in the long run and the claim remains on file for 5 years. That is why it is important to consider these 3 factors before making the final decision to submit a homeowner insurance claim.

Claims May Add Surcharges

Most insurance carriers surcharge an existing homeowner insurance policy once a customer submits 2 or more paid claims in a 5 year period. Even if a policy has 2 paid claims costing $500 or 2 paid claims costing $50,000 in a 5 year period, the homeowner insurance policy will still have the same surcharge. Thus, before submitting a claim it is important to consider the estimated cost of a claim and how much your insurance carrier may surcharge the policy.

A CLUE Records All Claims

In a our prior blog post “Get A C.L.U.E – A Carfax Report for Houses”, we talked about how a CLUE report shows homeowner insurance claims on a property for the past 5 years. However, did you know that all homeowner insurance claims submitted to the insurance carrier are documented on a CLUE report regardless if the claim is paid or not. Thus, it is always good to talk with your insurance agent to understand if your claim is covered or excluded before it goes on a CLUE report for the next 5 years.

Claims Information Can be Available to Buyers

Home buyers and real estate agents can now get a CLUE report by requesting the seller to purchase a CLUE Home Seller’s Disclosure Report from Choicepoint. This special CLUE report removes all the personal information about the property owner but it still has the 5 year claims history. Thus, it is important to remember that submitting a homeowner insurance claim could impact a future real estate transaction.

Overall, submitting a homeowner insurance claim can be a very smart decision but make sure to consider all the implications of a claim with your agent before submitting one. Being surprised when your next homeowner insurance bill comes in the mail or when you try to sell your home is never a fun experience.

Now, in the markets hardest hit around the country this incentive was no doubt a boon for everyone involved, and surely made a dent in some of the bad sales figures.  However, I’ve heard from real estate pros in other markets that weren’t experiencing a double-digit slump (of which Lancaster County is one) and the feedback has been generally “now what?”.  Every year the sales per month follows a predictable curve and the relative sales in a given month to prior years is a decent indicator of the strength of the current market.  Well, here is the last few year’s “pending homes” by month, which will give you an idea of how the tax credit has affected our Lancaster PA real estate market:

Well, it may not be a “massive sales crash” but I can’t help but wonder how many months it will take for new sales to catch up to the traditional cycle.  I heard of people who were planning to buy in August or later who instead moved up to April.  so who will be left for August?

Prediction: If it was a buyer’s market before, it will be even more a buyer’s market this late summer & fall.

BTW, if you haven’t heard, congress has extended the settlement date for those April tax credit sales to September 30th.

]]> http://www.lancasterparealestateblog.com/2010/06/18/what-hath-the-tax-credit-wrought-on-the-lancaster-real-estate-marketfor-2010-that-is/feed/ 1 http://www.lancasterparealestateblog.com/2010/06/14/photovoltaic-grid-tie-solar-systems-at-a-glance-lancaster-pa-solar-options/ http://www.lancasterparealestateblog.com/2010/06/14/photovoltaic-grid-tie-solar-systems-at-a-glance-lancaster-pa-solar-options/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:18:40 +0000 Jeff http://www.lancasterparealestateblog.com/?p=840 Ever wonder how those big solar panel arrays work up on people’s roof or in the yard?  Wonder no more – here’s a thumbnail of how most of these systems, known as Photovoltaic (or “PV” more commonly) Grid-Tie Systems, work.  We’re seeing more and more solar systems in Lancaster County, PA these days.

First off, these solar systems generate electricity – don’t confuse them with what’s called “Solar Thermal” systems (we’ll get to those in another article).   There are several main components of a solar grid-tie system:

1) The panels – known as an “array”.  These units are constructed from silicon resins and metal to collect the sun’s rays and cause the reaction within the panel that creates an electric current.  They are commonly called “collectors” for obvious reasons…  By the way, the current generated is Direct Current (DC).  Wires transmit the current from the collectors to the next component in the system, known as an Inverter.

2) The Inverter – usually wall-mounted in a protected location such as the basement, garage, etc.   This component converts the DC power from the solar panels into AC (Alternating Current) power, which your home uses.  The inverter matches the current to the current coming from the public utility and sends the current to the to the main circuit breaker.

3)Utility Meter – something you’re probably used to seeing, these record the electric use of the property for billing by the public utility.  The solar electric current feeds through the meter into the home.  If the home’s electric load is less than the output of the Inverter, the power is fed into the power grid instead!  That’s the best part…

In Pennsylvania, public utilities must offer “Net Metering” to residential customers that generate electricity with systems up to 50 kilowatts (50 kW) in capacity.  “Net Metering” simply describes the process of a homeowner feeding extra electricity into the power grid and that amount being refunded to the owner by the utility at prevailing wholesale electric rates.   So, if the homeowner uses more than the panels produce, they pay for the net usage at regular retail rates.

A well-sized photovoltaic solar system is a critical piece of a “net-zero” home (one that generate zero energy net costs over time).  They are generally the most expensive pieces to install, so check for tax incentives and pencil out the numbers to your satisfaction.

Post by Mike Blank, MBC Building & Remodeling

The EPA rule requires lead-safe work practices in pre-1978 homes, including posting warning signs; using disposable plastic drop cloths; cleaning the work area with HEPA vacuuming and wet washing; and individual certification through a training course. The full rule and brochures for consumers can be downloaded from the EPA’s Web site.

A 2006 NAHB study on lead-safe work practices showed that a home was better off after a remodel than before, as long as the work was performed by trained remodelers who clean the work area with HEPA-equipped vacuums, wet washing and use disposable drop cloths.

Summary of the Rule

1. Training and Certification

As of April 2010, remodeling firms working in pre-1978 homes need to be certified. In addition to firm certification, the company must employ a Certified Renovator. When hiring a remodeler, home owners should verify the firm is certified and employs a Certified Renovator to be sure the work is completed properly.

2. Work Practices

The Certified Renovator has a number of responsibilities. The remodeler must distribute the Renovate Right brochure to the homeowner and ask them to sign the pre-renovation form several days before work begins. They must also post warning signs outside the work area and supervise setting up containment to prevent spreading dust. The rule lists specific containment procedures for both interior and exterior projects. It forbids certain work practices including open flame or torch burning, use of a heat gun that exceeds 1100°F, and high-speed sanding and grinding unless the tool is equipped with a HEPA exhaust control. Once the work is completed, the regulation specifies cleaning and waste disposal procedures. Clean up procedures must be supervised by a Certified Renovator.

3. Verification and Record Keeping

After clean up is complete the Certified Renovator must verify by matching a cleaning cloth with an EPA verification card. If the cloth appears dirtier or darker than the card, the cleaning must be repeated.

A complete file of records on the project must be kept by the certified renovator for three years. These records include, but aren’t limited to: verification of owner/occupant receipt of the Renovate Right pamphlet or attempt to inform, documentation of work practices, Certified Renovator certification, and proof of worker training.

Starting in July 2010, remodeling firms are also required to share with home owners a copy of the records created under the rule within 30 days of completing the renovation.

4. Exemptions

It is important to note that these work practices may be waived under these conditions:

• The home or child occupied facility was built after 1978.
• The repairs are minor, with interior work disturbing less than six sq. ft. or exteriors disturbing less than 20 sq. ft.
• If the house or components test lead free by a Certified Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector, or Certified Renovator.
• The homeowner may also opt out by signing a waiver if there are no children under age six frequently visiting the property, no one in the home is pregnant, or the property is not a child-occupied facility. The EPA is revoking the opt-out waiver as of July 2010. This means all remodeling work conducted in pre-1978 housing must comply with the regulation after this date.

Learn more about EPA’s lead paint rule by visiting www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.

Mike Blank, CGR CAPS, President

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC

cell: (717) 371-5136

The home is 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths and 2,501 square feet (excluding the semi-attached garage and superior walls basement).  There are some beautiful design features such as the wraparound porch that connect to the garage, a large central staircase with sizable landing, and a second-floor laundry room that you can stretch out in.

What’s really cool, however,  are the myriad of green features that went into the homes construction:

There’s a LOT more that was done as well.  Visit the community website at www.ApprenticeGreenHomes.com to see details on the home (560 Old Market Street, Mount Joy PA 17552) or the details on the community, the LCCTC building program and more.  if you are interested in a green home or hope to buy a traditional home and upgrade it with green features, check out Jeff Geoghan’s “SmartGreen Homebuyer Program“.

Hope to see you out at the parade – be sure to say hi to Jeff!