Daniel Schuerman

(ARA) – DIY. So last year. Now it’s GIY. As in green-it-yourself. And just like DIY projects, there are plenty of easy GIY weekend home improvement projects that will save energy and money and add value to your home. Oh, and we should mention you can help protect the planet while you’re at it.

Being green is easy and important. And fall’s a great time to tackle home improvement projects that will have an impact on the environment. People everywhere are taking small steps that make a difference in the fight against global warming. From buying energy-efficient appliances, to reusing grocery bags, to properly inflating tires, millions of Americans are clamoring to do their part for the earth.

So what are some GIY projects you can tackle now that will help save energy, money and the planet?

1. Insulating -- One of the easiest GIY projects that delivers the biggest green payoff is upgrading your home’s insulation. By doing so, you can decreases your carbon footprint, increase your home’s energy efficiency and save up to 20 percent on your heating and cooling energy bills.1 Yet, nearly 80 million U.S. homes are estimated to be under insulated to the Department of Energy (DOE) standards.

The Department of Energy recommends attics -- where 30 to 40 percent of a home’s total energy loss occurs -- have up to an R-value of 60. To meet these standards, your attic should have at least 19 inches of fiberglass batt (roll) insulation or 22 inches of blown insulation. A good rule of thumb -- if you can see the wood beams (joists) in your attic, you definitely don’t have enough insulation. Even if you can’t see the joists, you still may not have enough and with nearly 80 million American homes under insulated it’s likely we or our neighbors could use more. Owens Corning, makers of recognizable PINK insulation, offers a step-by-step guide to adding insulation to your attic at www.InsulateAndSave.com.

2. Heating & Sealing -- Reap the most benefit from the insulation upgrade you just finished by ensuring that your furnace, ductwork and weather stripping around doors and windows are in good shape.

While it’s a good practice to have your furnace serviced by a professional each year before winter, you can improve your furnace’s operation and efficiency. Change the air filters throughout your house every 30 days and regularly vacuum dust from air return vents. Lubricate the blower motor following the instructions in the furnace’s owner’s guide.

Check weather stripping around doors and windows and repair or replace any cracked or faulty stripping. Don’t forget stripping around garage doors and the door from the garage into your house, as these areas can be major heat drains for your home.

3. Lighting – Once you’re done with the two projects above, replace those incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs -- like compact fluorescent light bulbs – to decrease the amount of electricity you use for lighting as much as 75 percent. It’s a simple task to go through your home and replace light bulbs.

Although energy efficient styles may cost more, they last longer than incandescent bulbs and conserve so much energy that they quickly pay for themselves. Each bulb will save you about $30 over its lifetime and produce 75 percent less heat than incandescent bulbs. If changing all bulbs at once seems daunting, ENERGY STAR recommends replacing the most-used bulbs in your home, such as overhead lights in the kitchen, table and floor lamps in the living or family room, and outdoor porch or post lamps.

For more energy-saving, GIY home improvement ideas, visit www.energystar.gov.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit SchuermanInspections.com for more home tips.

(ARA) - Over the past year, we've been inundated with daily headlines about the growing foreclosure crisis. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure, with speculation among housing industry experts that an additional 1 million may lose their homes within the coming year.

Herculean efforts are being made on the part of federal and state governments, mortgage lenders and nonprofit organizations to prevent foreclosures, culminating in the bailout package recently passed by Congress.

What exactly is a foreclosure? According to the legal experts at FindLaw.com, the Web’s most popular source for legal information, foreclosure is the legal process that a lender, often a bank or a mortgage company, uses to recover a piece of real estate property.

“When a homeowner receives a notice of foreclosure, it means the homeowner has failed to comply with the terms of the mortgage,” says Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney editor with FindLaw.com. “Essentially, the mortgage has gone into default, and the lender has decided to begin the legal process of repossessing the property.”

Even if a homeowner receives a notice of foreclosure, it’s not too late. Contrary to what many people may think, most mortgage companies would prefer that a homeowner continue to pay their mortgage, because that’s where lenders make their money -- on the interest and fees associated with the mortgage process.

Because of the large number of homeowners who are facing foreclosure, many mortgage companies are willing to work with a borrower to find a solution that will allow a homeowner to stay in his or her home. In fact, there are a number of alternatives to foreclosure. A homeowner may qualify for a special forbearance, in which the lender may be able to arrange a repayment plan based on a homeowner’s situation, or a lender may temporarily or permanently suspend or reduce the monthly payments (by reducing the interest rate on the home). Other foreclosure alternatives include mortgage modification and a “deed-in-lieu” of foreclosure.

Ignoring the problem will only make things worse. A foreclosure on a person’s credit history can have devastating effects -- dramatically reducing a person’s ability to obtain and use credit to purchase many items and services. Unfortunately, many homeowners facing foreclosure don’t believe their lender is willing to help. In a 2005 Freddie Mac/Roper study, one in five homeowners facing foreclosure didn’t contact their lender because they didn’t think their lender would help them. The Homeownership Preservation Foundation (www.995hope.org), says that the sooner a homeowner picks up the phone and calls their lender or a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified counseling agency for assistance, the more options they have to avoid foreclosure.

Here are some additional tips offered by the legal experts at FindLaw.com for homeowners who are behind in paying their mortgage and are worried about foreclosure.

* Pull out your mortgage documents. Find and read through your mortgage contract. It spells out the terms by which a homeowner (borrower) must repay their lender. Many homeowners, especially those with adjustable rate mortgages, are often surprised when their mortgage payment adjusts. The mortgage contract, which the homeowner signed to obtain the loan, spells out all of the terms in black and white.

* Don’t ignore letters from your lenders. Or phone calls or e-mails, either. If a homeowner is having problems making their payments, they should call or write to their lender’s loss mitigation department as soon as possible and explain their situation. The sooner a homeowner contacts their lender, the more options a lender has in working with the homeowner to avoid a foreclosure. Be prepared with financial information, such as your monthly income, monthly expenses and debt. For example, if your monthly income suddenly drops, due to a job loss or to illness, the lender may be able to make a temporary adjustment to your mortgage until your monthly income increases again.

* Get counseling. If you believe you may have trouble paying your mortgage, contact a HUD-certified mortgage counseling service, such as the Homeownership Preservation Foundation’s Homeowner’s HOPE hotline at (888) 995-HOPE, which offers free counseling 24 hours a day.

* Seek legal assistance. Mortgage contracts can be difficult to understand. It’s always wise to involve an attorney, even if you don’t need an attorney present when signing a mortgage in the state you live. Likewise, if you’re behind in your mortgage payments and believe foreclosure may be imminent, seek an attorney to help represent your interests in dealing with a mortgage company.

* Take advantage of escrowing for property taxes. Some homeowners choose not to escrow for property taxes and property insurance. In other words, they choose to pay these expenses separately instead of incorporating them into their monthly mortgage payment. What many homeowners don’t realize is that in many states, the city, county and state governments take priority over lenders in repossessing a property if the property taxes are not paid. In this case, a homeowner may be current on their mortgage payment but still be in danger of losing their home if the property taxes are not paid.

* Be prepared to move. When a homeowner receives a notice, it does not mean the homeowner needs to move out immediately from their home. But, it does put a homeowner on notice that the lender intends to repossess the property by a certain date. The foreclosure process varies from state to state. Some states allow a lender to begin the foreclosure process if a homeowner is only one month behind in their mortgage payments. If there is no way to avoid foreclosure, you will need to seek a new residence.

* Beware of scams. Because a foreclosure filing is a public record, anyone can review that public document, and that’s often when many homeowners are contacted by scam artists who offer the hope of taking away a homeowner’s problem. However, solutions that seem too good to be true often are. Never sign a document you don’t understand.

To learn more about your legal rights in the event of a foreclosure, or to explore other legal questions, visit the FindLaw Foreclosure section, realestate.findlaw.com/foreclosure.

Courtesy of ARAcontent.com

Visit SchuermanInspections.com for more home tips.

(ARA) - With the mercury already dropping and colder weather starting to settle in, the last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is a broken furnace or boiler. But when an old heating system fails in the middle of winter, homeowners will be faced with the tough and often expensive decision of whether to repair the existing system or purchase a new one.

Repairs on an existing furnace or boiler may be the least expensive immediate option, but could cost consumers more in the long run since older systems tend to break down over and over while consuming more energy, and drive up utility bills more than newer systems. However, there are times when simple repairs can prolong the life of an older furnace or boiler, making replacement a less immediate need.

According to Ken Ely, a home heating and energy efficiency expert with Lennox -- a leading provider of home comfort systems -- homeowners should ask the following four questions before making the decision whether to repair or replace:

1. Is the furnace or boiler on its last leg?
Excessive energy consumption and frequent repairs are the trademarks of a system at the end of its useful life. If the heating system is more than 15 years old, replacing the aging system with a new ENERGY STAR-qualified system can save time, money, and headaches -- and keep you warmer and more comfortable in the long run. If the system is less than 15 years old, routine maintenance may be the way to go. In fact, an annual check-up can significantly increase the heating system’s performance and extend the life of the unit.

2. Are your energy bills going up, up and up?
While the cost of home heating oil and natural gas is on the rise, an older, less efficient heating system may also be the culprit when it comes to high energy bills. By replacing an older furnace that is 60 percent efficient with one that is 95 percent efficient, homeowners can save approximately 57 percent on energy bills and up to $5,513 over a five-year period. Energy calculators, such as the one available at lennox.com, can help consumers compare the savings of different high-efficiency systems and determine whether to repair or replace an older unit.

3. Were you feeling left out in the cold even before the heating system stopped working?
Duct problems, insufficient sealing or inadequate insulation can create hot and cold spots in the house. When making the decision to repair or replace a heating system, talk with a reputable home heating and cooling contractor about your home comfort issues to determine if you need to replace the existing system or if the issues can be resolved with repairs or duct sealing.

4. Is the heating system still protected by a warranty?
If the existing system is still under warranty, it may make sense to have the furnace or boiler repaired depending on the type of coverage the product warranty provides. If there is no warranty left on the existing system, consumers may want to buy a new heating system that comes with an entirely new warranty for added peace of mind. For example, products like the Dave Lennox Signature Collection G71P gas furnace, come with a standard limited 10-year warranty for parts and a limited lifetime warranty for the heat exchanger.

For more tips and advice for improving your home comfort this winter, Ely recommends consumers check out online resources, such as Lennox.com and ItPaysToLiveSmart.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit SchuermanInspections.com for more home tips.

When do millions of families bring a prickly fire hazard into their homes and surround it with blinking orbs and open flames? The holidays are filled with traditional celebrations and decorations like Christmas trees and candles. Unfortunately QBE Regional companies General Casualty and Unigard often see an increase in fire claims during the holiday season. Property insurance experts Cindy Woodford and Jon Farris have several tips for homeowners that can help prevent a fire from ruining your festivities.

Trimming the tree

Last year more than 33 million American homes included a natural Christmas tree during the holidays and these same trees account for hundreds of fires annually, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. For example, one Unigard policyholder plugged five strings of lights into a single outlet; the resulting Christmas tree fire caused nearly $300,000 in damage.

Typically shorts in electric lights or open flames from candles or matches start the fires. Farris, homeowners assistant vice president for General Casualty, notes that if your tree is fresh and well watered and hasn’t dried out, the chances of a fire are much slimmer. A fire-resistant artificial tree is an even safer choice.

“It can be hard to tell just how old a pre-cut tree is. On a fresh tree, the needles should be hard to pull out or break, and they shouldn’t fall out when you shake it. The trunk butt should also be sticky from resin when you touch it,” says Farris.He also advises cutting about two inches off the bottom of the trunk to help it absorb water. Most importantly, water the tree daily to keep it green longer. Placing the tree at least three feet away from heat sources like a fireplace or heat register is also recommended.

Candles

Candle fires peak during the holiday season. Many fires start when a burning candle is left unattended or placed too close to combustible decorations, like greenery or wrapping paper.To help reduce the threat of a candle fire, Woodford, homeowners vice president for Unigard and QBE Regional insurance companies, advises keeping candles at least one foot away from other materials. Only place them in holders that are nonflammable and heat-resistant.

Also keep candles out of the bedroom. Forty percent of fires start in bedrooms, often when the flame ignites bedding or mattresses, says consumerreports.org. The chemicals used to produce candles and wicks can also affect your health. A small percentage of wicks in older candles may contain lead. These wicks emit lead into the air when burning, increasing the risk of lead poisoning. This threat is even greater in children, and even low levels of exposures can be dangerous over time. Other petroleum chemicals used in candle wax can also cause adverse health reactions.

If you have older holiday candles among your collection of holiday decor, check the wicks for lead. Inspect the wick for a metal-core in the center or contact the manufacturer. Don’t burn the candle if you suspect the wick is lead. Soy candles are another alternative to paraffin or petroleum-based candles and have fewer health effects and are better for the environment.

Lighting up the house

Whether they flash, blink, twinkle or just shine, holiday lights are another common cause of holiday fires. To reduce the chances of an electrical fire, only use lights that have been tested for safety and contain the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as the Underwriters Laboratories. Inspect old lights for cracks, broken sockets or exposed wires and either dispose of or repair them. Invest in light-emitting diode (LED) lights for your holiday decorating. LED lights are more energy efficient and safer because they aren’t combustible like ordinary lights. Don’t leave the lights on when you’re away from home or asleep. Never use lights on a metallic tree. Faulty lights can cause electrocution. Keep lights and wires away from children.

“The last thing anyone wants to experience during the holidays is a fire,” says Woodford. “Even though this time of year can be busy and stressful, take the time to decorate and celebrate safely.” Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit SchuermanInspections.com for more home tips.

Follow the attached links to view recent press releases from Schuerman Inspections and ASHI.

http://www.prlog.org/10136343-american-society-of-home-inspectors-introduces-client-bill-of-rights.html

http://www.prlog.org/10136340-local-inspector-protects-realtors-from-meth-labs.html