Tag Archives: homeownership

Air Conditioning, Home Maintenance, Homeownership

Think Your AC Won’t Make it Through the Summer? Here are Some Fixes

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AC won't make itBy: Douglas Trattner

Is your AC making ominous noises? Maybe it sounds fine but isn’t cooling. Here’s a list of common air conditioning warning signs and their likely causes and fixes.

“Let comfort be your guide,” says Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. Air conditioning is all about comfort, so the simplest way to evaluate your system is to ask: Am I comfortable?

Air conditioning and HVAC units don’t last forever — 12 years is an average lifespan — and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most.

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Credit, Home Buyers, Home Loans, Homeownership

6 Myths About Credit Scores

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6 Myths About Credit Scores

Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Homeowners, Homeownership

Should You Downsize Your Home?

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downsizingWith roughly 12.5% of the population over 65 years of age, it is understandable that some people are thinking of downsizing because they may not need the amount of space they did in the past. There is something to be said for the freedom acquired by divesting yourself of things that have been accumulated over the years but are no longer needed. Should you downsize your home? It does have its benefits.

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Home Maintenance, Homeownership

The Heat Is On

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the heat is on thermostatAs the weather gets cooler and you get ready to turn on the heat, it’s a good time to check your HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system to make sure it’s operating properly. While it’s wise to have your HVAC inspected by a heating professional every fall and spring, you can increase the efficiency of your system by following these simple maintenance tips from American Home Shield.

Now:

Use a high-efficiency pleated filter with an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles. Replace the filter every 90 days and check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, change it, and if you have pets, you may need to change it more often.

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Drought, Homeownership, Water

Severe Drought

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water dropAs the infographic below shows, we can lower our water use during this time of severe drought by installing low-flow toilets, shower heads and fixtures in our homes. This is something we will have to do by January 1, 2017 if our homes were built before 1994. These changes will help save water, but our landscaping accounts for over 50% of our homes’ total water usage.

For ways to cut back the water use in your home and landscape, take a look at the San Diego County Water Authority’s website. They have great tips, classes and even incentives to help lower your water usage. Here are some ideas for creating a beautiful yard and saving water with a little help from the San Diego County Water Authority.

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Home Maintenance, Homeowners, Homeownership

Home Maintenance

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Home MaintenanceA common expectation of homeowners is that the components and systems in their homes work when they need them. Periodic home maintenance is just as important in making this happen as is having a trusted service provider to make repairs when those systems fail.

Victims of Murphy’s Law can attest that their air conditioner goes out on the hottest day of the year or the water heater fails when they have out of town visitors.

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Homeownership, Housing Appreciation, Housing Market, Market Statistics

Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County July 2014

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HomeDex logo housing statisticsThe real estate market in San Diego County continues to move toward equilibrium. Appreciation is almost at a sustainable level with detached homes in North County showing a year-over appreciation of almost seven percent and those outside of North County almost eight percent. This isn’t the four to five percent appreciation that has historically been supported by income and inflation, but is getting close. It is certainly much more sustainable than the 22 percent price increase we experienced between July 2013 and July 2012.

July prices and sales in San Diego County were lower than they were in June, but our 3.5 month inventory is still tight and homes are selling quickly. Inventory is growing, but it hasn’t reached the five to six months worth of supply which usually indicates a balanced market.

To read the full housing statistics reports, click on the links below.

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Home Buyers, Home Improvement, Homeownership

Remodeling Projects Are on the Rise

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Remodeling projects are on the rise! Last year the home improvement market grew by over five percent and one in five new homeowners undertook a home improvement project. This year the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) expects home improvement spending to continue to increase by as much as 9.9 percent over last year. Metrostudy’s Residential Remodeling Index (RRI) also predicts growth in home improvement spending. This is good news for job seekers and the economy in general.

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Home Improvement, Homeowners, Homeownership, tax

Record Capital Improvements Now

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paper and pen to record capital improvementsThere is a significant difference in how the money you spend on your home is treated for income tax purposes.  Repairs to maintain your home’s condition are not deductible unlike those made by rental property owners that can be deducted as an operating expense.

On the other hand, capital improvements to a home will increase the basis and affect the gain when you sell which may save taxes.

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Homeownership, Housing Appreciation, Housing Market, Market Statistics

Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County June 2014

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HomeDex logo housing statisticsMay housing statistics seem to indicate we are continuing to move toward a more balanced market.

Even though we are seeing signs of stabilization with price increases slowing down, more homes coming on the market, and fewer homes selling compared to last year, we are also experiencing a market in which homes are selling very quickly. The active market time for listings in San Diego County is the shortest it has been in the last 10 years! The median number of days on market for single-family detached homes sold in North County decreased to 19 in May 2014. Homes are getting snatched up quickly.

To read the full housing statistics reports, please click on the links below.

FULL COUNTY REPORT     NORTH COUNTY REPORT

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