That Chirp You Hear Is NOT The Bluebird of Happiness!

A chirping smoke detector (or carbon mMonoxide detector for that matter) usually signals a low battery. Ignoring it can put you and your family in danger. 

Smoke detectors are designed to make a chirping noise once the battery needs changing. Newer smoke alarms retain some errors in a processor. The smoke alarm should clear errors after the battery is changed, but it may continue to chirp even after you change the batteries. This also occurs in smoke alarms powered by electricity with a battery backup. If this happens, the only way to stop the chirping noise is to manually clear the error from the processor by resetting the smoke alarm.

Here's how to do that:

ELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTORS WITH BATTERY BACKUP

1. Turn off the main breaker in your home’s breaker box to turn off the electrical current running to the smoke detector.
2. Take the smoke detector off its mounting bracket on the ceiling and disconnect the power cable connected to the smoke detector.
3. Remove its battery, then press the “Test” button and hold it down for 15 seconds. An alarm will sound briefly, then the alarm will silence.
4. Place the battery in the smoke detector, reconnect the power cable and put the smoke detector back on its mounting bracket. Turn the breaker on. The detector will chirp one time to indicate power was restored to the unit.

BATTERY-POWERED SMOKE DETECTORS

1. Take the battery out of the smoke detector.
2. Press the “Test” button and hold it down for 15 seconds. An alarm will sound briefly, then the alarm will silence.
3. Put the battery back in the smoke detector. The detector will chirp one time to indicate the battery is connected.

Leaky Toilets Cost You Money!

According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), toilets are responsible for approximately 27 percent of the water used in homes on a daily basis. The amount of water used by toilets is only increased when there is a leak. A leaking toilet tank can result in an incredible loss of water every minute it has not been stopped. 

It oftentimes goes undetected until a leak test has been conducted.

Toilet leaking results in a tremendous amount of water loss. Every day that a silent leak goes undetected can amount to as much as 300 gallons of water. That is three times the amount of water the average American uses in an entire day. When water is wasted, that easily translates to money spent on higher water bills. Depending on the size of the leak, it is possible to end up paying an extra $500.00 every year on water that was never used. Performing a leak test regularly allows you to take action before more water, and ultimately money, can be wasted.

Sometimes it is easy to tell that your toilet is leaking - you hear the sound of running water or a faint hissing or trickling. But many times, water flows through the tank silently, which is why these leaks are often overlooked.

How to check your toilet for Silent leaks

1. Remove the toilet tank lid.
2. Drop one dye tablet or 10 drops of food coloring into the tank. (Dye tablets are often available for free through local water providers).
3. Put the lid back on. Do not flush.
4. Wait at least 10-15 minutes, and then look in the bowl. If you see colored water, you have a leak. If not, you don't.

Here are some helpful videos that show you how to check for leaks and how to fix the problem if you do have a leaky toilet.

How Water Smart Are You?

Take a room-by-room tour of our water house and find a variety of indoor and outdoor water conservation tips that will help you save water, time and money.

Should You Hire an Interior Designer?

by Miranda Crace on May 16, 2016 - Home Decorating

So you bought a new house and you’re ready to make it your own. You could start by driving from one home décor store to the next and dog-earing pages in interior design magazines, or you could go another route. You could hire a professional to transform your house and turn it into a home.

There’s a common misconception that interior designers are only for the elite, but that’s not true. Designers come in many different styles and at price ranges for every budget.

Perks of Hiring an Interior Designer

Still not sure if an interior designer is right for you? If any of these things sound good to you, then it may be something to think about.

They Have a Trained Eye

A lot of people have an idea or style they really love, but just aren’t sure how to pull it off.

Sure, you like the minimal look, but when you try, it looks more cold and empty than modern and sophisticated. Or maybe you’re dreaming of the perfect shabby chic retreat but it ends up looking a little more like a mismatched antique shop.

With an interior designer, you can worry less about your design capabilities and leave it in their hands. They’ll use their experience and trained eye to bring your concept to life and give you a home style you’ll love for years to come.

They Save You Time

Even if you’re a home décor junkie, you have to admit, decorating a home takes time. And between work, tying up the loose ends from moving and getting to know your new neighborhood, time is a valuable commodity.

An interior designer will run around town to find the perfect couch and scour the home décor stores so that you don’t have to. They’ll save you time and take one more thing off of your plate.

They’re Cost Effective

Interior designers might add an extra cost to the home renovation budget, but they can also save you money.

Most designers have relationships with various vendors and can buy products at wholesale prices or discounts. You may be paying them more money upfront, but hiring a professional can save you money in the long run.

The Cost of an Interior Designer

Interior designers run the gamut when it comes to prices. You could have your home designed for anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. It’s important to find someone who’s the right style and price for your budget.

Designer usually charge on one of three payment models.

• Hourly: You pay them a fee (typically ranging anywhere between $50 and $500 an hour) per hour that they work.
• Flat rate: You pay an agreed-upon flat fee for the design job.
• Cost plus: The designer will buy materials at a discount, then charge you retail price and keep the leftover money as their fee.

Whichever payment model your designer uses, be sure to discuss the billing process. This way you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for and when.

Find the Right Interior Designer

Interior designers are much more accessible today then they were in the past.

Online platforms like Laurel and Wolfe let you define your style, describe your space and then various designers create a look for you. You then choose which design you like best and work one on one with that designer to make it exactly what you want. You can even buy the products you want right from the Laurel and Wolfe website.

There are other options like Room Design in a Box that will ship you a presentation board, layout, shopping list and two color schemes. All you have to do is send them measurements, a picture of your room and answer a style questionnaire so they know what you’re looking for.

When designers are so accessible and have so many price points, it’s hard not to jump on the interior design bandwagon.

Can Real Estate Agents Help Renters Find Rental Property?

By Investopedia 

While real estate agents often exclusively service those in the market to buy or sell a home, some can also be excellent resources for assisting renters in finding their dream apartments, condos or rental homes. In fact, having a real estate agent in a large, highly competitive market such as New York, Los Angeles or Chicago can give a renter a huge advantage in his or her search. In addition to listings that can easily be uncovered in simple Internet searches, these agents also have access to rental listings included in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database, as well as unlisted units coming on the market.

Beyond giving renters a leg up in their search, real estate agents can also be a powerful asset when negotiating terms with future landlords. Agents can work with you to ensure that you're getting the best price for your rental, as well as help you obtain better terms, including reduced security deposits or credits for work that may need to be completed prior to your move-in.

The easiest way to find a real estate agent who also services renters is to check local rental listings online or in your community newspaper. Keep an eye out for listings posted by real estate firms rather than property management companies or individual landlords. Once you find a real estate agent who has posted a listing that appeals to you, get in touch with him or her via phone or email, and ask about the listing that you've found, as well as comparable listings that they may also be aware of. From there you can have your agent set up showings for you just as you would for a sale property.

Home Buyers: Why Use a Real Estate Agent?

At first, you may be able to convince yourself that you don’t need a real estate agent to buy a home. When you find yourself sifting through papers you don’t understand, you may begin to reconsider. There are many reasons to hire a real estate agent when house hunting – here are a few provided by the experts at In-House Realty associated with Quicken Loans.

No Direct Cost to You! – One misconception in real estate is that a home buyer pays commission. Not so! The seller pays the commission, and if two agents are involved in the transaction, that same commission will be split between them. If it ever becomes an issue, keep in mind you have the upper hand in all negotiations in today’s buyer’s market.

Multiple Listing Service – The Multiple Listing Service (or MLS) is a database which allows real estate agents to share information about houses for sale. Your real estate agent, who is licensed with the state, will have access to these listings. After learning of your criteria for your new home, your real estate agent will get to work by whittling down the long list of potential homes. Without a real estate agent, you’ll be limited in your searches, which could make your home search difficult and tedious.

Negotiation – Your initial offer on any given property can significantly help or hurt your chances of acquiring that home. Rather than take on a new full-time job researching home values, an experienced real estate agent will have already done the work and will be able to negotiate the best possible purchase price for you. Real estate agents know when to stop and when to keep adjusting the purchase price in negotiations. The seller has a real estate agent representing them – you should too!

Legal Protection – When making an important financial transaction such as buying a home, it’s important to know that you are legally protected in case things don’t go as planned. When your real estate agent drafts a purchase agreement, they will include certain contingencies that protect you from issues, such as a loss of financing, failed inspection or unfulfilled promises. If the situation warrants, you may be able to recoup your earnest money deposit or void your offer completely.

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! – Scaling the mountains of paperwork associated with buying a home is your real estate agent’s job! A real estate agent can prevent you from losing and forgetting paperwork or from signing on the wrong line. Without their help, you could miss things that may delay the process and push back your closing date.

10 Best-Kept Secrets for Buying a Home

Get the most out of your money with these handy home-buying tips from HGTV

Buying Secret #10: Keep Your Money Where It Is
It’s not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around three to six months before buying a new home. You don’t want to take any big chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, amass too much debt or buy a lot of big-ticket items, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan.

Buying Secret #9: Get Pre-Approved for Your Home Loan
There’s a big difference between a buyer being pre-qualified and a buyer who has a pre-approved mortgage. Anybody can get pre-qualified for a loan. Getting pre-approved means a lender has looked at all of your financial information and they’ve let you know how much you can afford and how much they will lend you. Being pre-approved will save you a lot of time and energy so you are not running around looking at houses you can't afford. It also gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal and the best interest rates. Do your research: Learn about junk fees, processing fees or points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the loan.

Buying Secret #8: Avoid a Border Dispute
It’s absolutely essential to get a survey done on your property so you know exactly what you’re buying. Knowing precisely where your property lines are may save you from a potential dispute with your neighbors. Also, your property tax is likely based on how much property you have, so it is best to have an accurate map drawn up.

Buying Secret # 7: Don’t Try to Time the Market
Don’t obsess with trying to time the market and figure out when is the best time to buy. Trying to anticipate the housing market is impossible. The best time to buy is when you find your perfect house and you can afford it. Real estate is cyclical, it goes up and it goes down and it goes back up again. So, if you try to wait for the perfect time, you’re probably going to miss out.

Buying Secret # 6: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Everyone’s drawn to the biggest, most beautiful house on the block. But bigger is usually not better when it comes to houses. There’s an old adage in real estate that says don’t buy the biggest, best house on the block. The largest house only appeals to a very small audience and you never want to limit potential buyers when you go to re-sell. Your home is only going to go up in value as much as the other houses around you. If you pay $500,000 for a home and your neighbors pay $250,000 to $300,000, your appreciation is going to be limited. Sometimes it is best to is buy the worst house on the block, because the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.

Buying Secret #5: Avoid Sleeper Costs
The difference between renting and home ownership is the sleeper costs. Most people just focus on their mortgage payment, but they also need to be aware of the other expenses such as property taxes, utilities and homeowner-association dues. New homeowners also need to be prepared to pay for repairs, maintenance and potential property-tax increases. Make sure you budget for sleeper costs so you’ll be covered and won’t risk losing your house.

Buying Secret #4: You’re Buying a House – Not Dating It
Buying a house based on emotions is just going to break your heart. If you fall in love with something, you might end up making some pretty bad financial decisions. There’s a big difference between your emotions and your instincts. Going with your instincts means that you recognize that you’re getting a great house for a good value. Going with your emotions is being obsessed with the paint color or the backyard. It’s an investment, so stay calm and be wise.

Buying Secret #3: Give Your House a Physical
Would you buy a car without checking under the hood? Of course you wouldn’t. Hire a home inspector. It’ll cost about $200 but could end up saving you thousands. A home inspector’s sole responsibility is to provide you with information so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to buy. It’s really the only way to get an unbiased third-party opinion. If the inspector does find any issues with the home, you can use it as a bargaining tool for lowering the price of the home. It’s better to spend the money up front on an inspector than to find out later you have to spend a fortune.

Buying Secret #2: The Secret Science of Bidding
Your opening bid should be based on two things: what you can afford (because you don’t want to outbid yourself), and what you really believe the property is worth. Make your opening bid something that’s fair and reasonable and isn’t going to totally offend the seller. A lot of people think they should go lower the first time they make a bid. It all depends on what the market is doing at the time. You need to look at what other homes have gone for in that neighborhood and you want to get an average price per square foot. Sizing up a house on a price-per-square-foot basis is a great equalizer. Also, see if the neighbors have plans to put up a new addition or a basketball court or tennis court, something that might detract from the property’s value down the road.

Today, so many sellers are behind in their property taxes and if you have that valuable information it gives you a great card to negotiate a good deal. To find out, go to the county clerk’s office.

Sellers respect a bid that is an oddball number and are more likely to take it more seriously. A nice round number sounds like every other bid out there. When you get more specific the sellers will think you've given the offer careful thought.

Buying Secret #1: Stalk the Neighborhood
Before you buy, get the lay of the land – drop by morning noon and night. Many homebuyers have become completely distraught because they thought they found the perfect home, only to find out the neighborhood wasn’t for them. Drive by the house at all hours of the day to see what’s happening in the neighborhood. Do your regular commute from the house to make sure it is something you can deal with on a daily basis. Find out how far it is to the nearest grocery store and other services. Even if you don’t have kids, research the schools because it affects the value of your home in a very big way. If you buy a house in a good school district versus bad school district even in the same town, the value can be affected as much as 20 percent.

7 Tips to Avoid Overspending

Among the reasons why people run into debt problems, overspending is probably the most common. A 2012 survey showed that 52% of Americans are spending more than they earn, 21% of whom have recurring monthly expenses that exceed their income.

Now it might be easy to think that getting into debt because of overspending only applies to spending on big-ticket items, like expensive appliances and cars. But that is not the case. Many people go into debt because of small, unnecessary items that pile up and wound up on their credit card bills.

Here we give you 7 tips to avoid overspending the next time you shop.

Stick to a list

We never get tired of reiterating this in our posts. Having a list helps defend your budget from the voices in your head that are egging on you to “buy this, buy that“.  It keeps you focused on your goal: going to the shop and picking up what you intended to buy. Make sure, however, that what you are buying are more of needs than wants.

Separate wants from needs

Moderation is key to having a healthy financial life. While we recommend prioritizing needs, we don’t want you to deprive yourselves. Fulfilling our wants is also a source of joy, so we recommend separating wants from needs, and having a budget for each. Besides, when you feel deprived, you will only tend to compensate with a spending spree sooner or later.

Use cash instead of credit or debit card

Using cash makes it easy to see money leaving your wallet. That’s not the case when you use credit cards, debit cards, or some form of electronic cash. When using “intangible” cash, you do not readily feel your hard-earned money leave your bank account, so you tend to shop some more.

Beware of up-selling tactics

Salesmen are trained in up-selling tactics. Order a burger and you’ll be asked if you want to up-size your drinks. Buy a laptop and your salesman will ask if you want an extended warranty or a bigger memory instead. The key is to know what you need and stick to it come buying time.

Avoid emotional spending

Many people fall into the trap of emotional spending or “retail therapy“, i.e., spending to make themselves feel better especially when they’re unhappy. Spending when you’re unhappy may make you feel better for a moment but it doesn’t really solve the problem that’s causing you unhappiness. When the good feeling that came after retail therapy wears off, the feeling of unhappiness comes back. You haven’t solved the problem… and look you got a doodad to pay for in the next few months.

Budget (There’s an app for that!)

Bought a new high-end phone? Might as well use it to organize your finances. Nowadays, there are lots of free applications or “Apps” for budgeting. Ahorro, for example, is a beautiful, free iOS app that lets you enter your daily expenses, your budget, and your income. A summary report will let you see where you overspent, and whether you already exceeded on your allotted budget.

Got a raise? Don’t upgrade your lifestyle yet

More income means more expenses. A lot of people think that income equals wealth, so that when they get a salary raise, they feel richer than before and then upgrade their lifestyle to match their new income level. Get a 20% salary raise, then move to a bigger apartment that costs 20% more than before. That’s preposterous. Just because a roof over our head is a necessity doesn’t mean it’s okay to overspend on rent.

Aside from being a cause of bad debt, overspending can hamper your ability to save money, or set you back on your financial goals as you try to dip into your savings. When asked why you’re not getting wealthy, you should take an honest look at your spending habits, not just your income.

-- from http://financialrescuellc.com/

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