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Many Anchorage homeowners, like the rest of the nation, are trying to keep their energy costs down as much as possible. In the winter, we want to keep warmth in. In the summer, we want to keep the heat out. A drafty home is a huge waste of energy. Here is how you can get rid of drafts in your Anchorage home:
1. Identify the Problem Areas – Underneath exterior doors (including the door to the garage) and around windows are the biggest culprits of drafts. Make sure to check the seal around your attic entry as well, whether it’s a door or the pull-down type. One simple trick is to use a lit candle to identify any drafts around doors and windows.
2. Windows – The weather stripping and caulking around windows tends to dry and crack easily, allowing the wind to penetrate your Anchorage home. Replacing this is both easy and cheap. You can purchase caulking in tubes at the hardware store, apply it with a caulking gun and simply smooth into place with your finger. Weather stripping can be cut to fit and quickly applied by tacking it in place. You should also check newer windows to make sure the caulk hasn’t been pulled away from your home due to contracting and expanding during temperature fluctuations.
3. Doors – Installing a kick plate or a door sweep (a rubber extension piece) at the bottom of all exterior doors will help keep drafts to a minimum.
4. Electrical Outlets – Believe it or not, your electrical outlets and light switches can be a significant source of drafts in your home. Tighten any loose or ill-fitting plates so they sit securely against the wall. Replace any cracked or broken outlets. Ask your hardware store about draft blockers for them as well. These are easy to install and very cheap.
5. Vents - Your dryer vent, drainage pipes and other areas that open to the outside of your home are ways that drafts can make their way in. Caulk any gaps you find.
Identifying the problem areas will help you get rid of drafts in your home. When an Anchorage home is less drafty, it is much more energy-efficient in both the winter and summer, costing less to maintain. If you need help buying or selling an Anchorage property, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Appliance rebates are now available for disabled Alaskan residents looking to trade in their old energy-guzzling appliances for newer, more energy-efficient models. Under this new program, any Alaskan resident currently receiving some type of disability from either state or federal agencies are eligible to receive a state-issued voucher that will go towards the purchase of a new Energy Star® appliance. The appliances that qualify include: refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dishwashers. This program began on March 16, 2010 and is scheduled to run until September 2011 or until the $658,000 in funding runs out. All applicants are only eligible to receive vouchers for one type of each product.
Rebate Amounts for Energy Star® Appliances:
- Refrigerators and freezers: $300 for urban Alaskans with disabilities, $500 for rural Alaskans with disabilities (to help with shipping costs).
- Clothes washers and dishwashers: $150 for urban Alaskans with disabilities, $300 for rural Alaskans with disabilities (to help with shipping costs).
To see if you are eligible to participate in this program, please call the AK Rebate Center (877-257-3228) to get an application. Send the complete application with proof of disability to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and an appliance voucher will be mailed back to the applicant. Each voucher is good for up to 120 days. New Energy Star® appliances must be purchased with the participant’s money and then mail the proof of purchase (copy of receipt) and completed voucher to the AHFC offices. A rebate will be issued to the participant within 90 days. For more information and to view what constitutes a “proof of disability”, please visit the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s website.
This new AHFC program helps get appliance rebates for disabled Alaskan residents and helps replace the old, outdated, energy-guzzling appliances with more energy-efficient models. What a great way to help your pocketbook and Mother Earth!
The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit deadline is fast approaching. In order to take advantage of up to $8000 in tax credits, you must have an Anchorage home in a binding contract by the end of business on April 30, 2010. That’s just about a week and a half away. That doesn’t leave much time to find your Anchorage dream home and get it under contract. If you’re a current homeowner looking to buy a new Anchorage home, you only have a week and a half to take advantage of the $6500 tax credit available. A first time homebuyer is someone who has not owned a home in the last three years. If you owned one previous to that, you are still considered a first time homebuyer.
Who qualifies for the tax credits:
1. Married couples who file jointly and make no more than $225,000 or single/married filing head of household families who make no more than $125,000.
2. Homebuyers looking to purchase a home for their primary residence. This means no vacation homes, income property, vacant land or commercial buildings.
3. Homebuyers purchasing a home for no more than $800,000.
If you make more than $125,000 for single/married filing head of household or $225,000 for married couples, you may be eligible for part of the tax credit. Contact your Anchorage real estate professional to find out what this might be. As long as you live in your newly purchased Anchorage home for three years, you can keep the entire tax credit you receive. If you decide to sell the home purchased under these guidelines or stop using it as your primary residence within three years, you will have to pay back the tax credit.
Let me know if you’re a first time homebuyer looking to take advantage of the tax credit before the deadline comes. I’d love to assist you in finding your Anchorage home and help you get a little money back in the process. But hurry because time is running out quickly.
What is the secret to great Korean barbeque? It’s really not a secret at all. If you want to cook some fantastic, authentic Korean barbeque, you want to add an Asian pear. The Asian pear also goes by the name of Korean pear or, most commonly in the United States, the apple pear. Learn more about the Asian pear and how to make great Korean ribs in the video below:
Korean Ribs recipe ingredients:
3 lbs lean beef ribs with bone or 2 1/2 lbs boneless beef with excess fat trimmed.
1 Korean pear, peeled and grated
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup rice wine (soju or sake)
3 tbsp sugar (or equivalent of an alternative sweetener
2-3 green onions, finely chopped (or 2 tbsp drived chives)
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp sesame seed oil
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1 inch of freshly grated ginger (optional)
If you love Korean food and want to know what the secret to making great Korean barbeque is, Tamar1973 is a great teacher. I hope you enjoy!
New H1N1 clinic dates for January have been announced in Anchorage.
January 5: 5-9pm, Hanshew Middle School (10121 Lake Otis Pkwy, Anchorage, AK, 99507)
January 7: 1-7pm, ChangePoint Church (6689 ChangePoint Dr, Anchorage, AK, 99518)
January 12: 5-9pm, Mears Middle School (2700 W 100th Ave, Anchorage, AK, 99515)
January 19: 5-9pm, Central Middle School (1405 E St, Anchorage, AK, 99501)
January 26: 5-9pm, Begich Middle School (7440 Creekside Center Dr, Anchorage, AK, 99504)
The Municipality of Anchorage needs 25 community volunteers per date for each clinic to help. Medical volunteers that are trained to administer vaccines are the most sought after, of course. The United Way of Anchorage is helping Muni reach out for public volunteers for the clinics. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the United Way of Anchorage’s website to sign up.
Additionally, the H1N1 vaccine is available for free to the public through walk-ins as vaccine is available from 8-11 am and 1-4 pm Monday through Friday at the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (1217 E 10th Ave, Anchorage, AK). If you are unable to make it to the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, many local private healthcare providers as well as pharmacies provide the H1N1 vaccine as well. Simply contact your healthcare provider or pharmacy directly to make sure they are offering vaccinations at their businesses.
If you have any questions or have any information about other places that provide the H1N1 vaccine, please contact me. I will try to keep you up to date when new H1N1 clinic dates are announced in Anchorage. Thanks!
The H1N1 vaccine is now available for FREE to kids ages 2-18 in Anchorage. While the vaccine to help prevent the “Swine Flu” is limited to children in this age bracket for now, it is expected to be available for everyone over the age of 6 months as soon as more shipments arrive, which should be very soon. Right now, the Anchorage Department of Health wants to focus on the children that are at highest risk for hospitalization. The vaccine will be available at the Neighborhood Health Center every Monday through Friday from 8-11am and 1-4pm. The vaccine will be administered as long as it is available. Regular shipments are expected to continue over the next several weeks.
The Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services is planning to make the H1N1 vaccine available on a much larger public scale to Anchorage residents throughout November and December. And it will be absolutely FREE to the public. The Anchorage School District is expected to start offering FREE H1N1 vaccinations for all their students beginning in November as well. To find out who is offering the vaccine and where you can get it, please visit the Municipality of Anchorage’s website. Bookmark it and visit it often, as dates and times are updated daily.
In the past two weeks, interest rates began to inch up slightly. This week, RealtyTimes.com reports that today’s interest rate fell back. The current interest rate is 4.75% for a 30-year mortgage and 4.5% for a 15-year fixed rate. That report led to today’s blog. Depending on your current interest rate, it just may be time for you to consider a refinance. If your loan’s interest rate is around 6.5%, a refinance is definitely something you should check into.
* A reduction from a 6.5% to the current 4.75% interest rate would result in a savings of over $200 a month.
If that statement made you perk up your virtual ears, then I would like to remind you about the Making Home Affordable Refinance program sponsored as part of the recovery plan.
* You do not have to be in a distressed situation to take advantage of the program.
Anchorage is one of the places in the nation that the Making Home Affordable program can be of real benefit since our housing has not suffered the steep decline in values that other areas in the lower 48 have experienced. Both Making Home Affordable program and FHA will refinance the loan balance for homeowners who owe more than the property’s current value.
* The Making Home Affordable program will refinance your loan balance if it is no more than 105% of the value of the home.
* FHA will refinance your loan balance if the first mortgage is less than 97% of the homes current value.
If you have equity in your home and pay PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance – insurance lenders require if the home was financed with less than 20% down), the savings could be even greater.
* PMI may no longer be required.
Most homeowners can take advantage of the government refinance loan programs.
* Making Home Affordable Program applies to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.
* FHA also offers a refinance program.
If you have a first and second mortgage, a refinance could eliminate your second mortgage.
* Make only one mortgage payment and save thousands of dollars in interest.
Check out all your options on the type of refinance which will best meet your circumstances and goals before you make a decision.
* Making Home Affordable Program
* FHA Refinance (even if your current loan is financed through FHA)
* An FHA Streamline (current loan must be FHA loan)
* Conventional refinancing through a mortgage lender
Taking advantage of today’s refinancing opportunities may be a wise decision, but it does depend on your personal circumstance, finances and goals. I do think it is to the Anchorage homeowner’s advantage to check out the possibility of a refinance. When considering a refinance you need to look at your long time goals.
* A refinance is not free. There are fees and points to consider.
According to the various economists and mortgage lenders, interest rates are not expected to decline any lower than 4.5%. However, they are expected to increase as the housing market improves, loan applications increase and the economy recovers.
Spring brings thoughts of renewing our homes and gardens. Spring is also the time we celerate Earth Day. I was thinking of how Earth Day relates to Anchorage homeowners beyond recycling. I was also thinking about how green living is becoming increasingly important to the homeowners in terms of the resale value of their homes. These thoughts reminded me that the Federal government is offering to help homeowners go green while improving their homes with a tax credit. The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is providing a tax credit of 30% ($1500 cap) for energy efficient home improvements.
Home Improvement Tax Credit Guidelines:
* The home improvements must be in operating condition or in use starting January 1 of this year and no later than December 31, 2010.
* The tax credit applies to the homeowner’s prinicipal residence only.
* The tax credit applies to all qualifing improvements made, not to each improvement separately.
* A Manufacturer Certification Statement is required. You do not have to submit a copy. However, you must have a copy on file.
* A receipt for the qualifing home improvement must be kept as well.
* The tax credit will be applied to 2009 tax filings (Tax Form 5695).
Home Improvement Tax Credit Exceptions:
* Second homes and rental property are eligible for tax credits when geothermal heat pumps, small wind systems, solar water heaters or solar panels are installed.
* The Home improvement Tax Credit is available until 2016 for fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps, small wind systems, solar water heaters or solar panel systems.
Existing Home Qualifying Systems:
* Doors and Storm Doors – Not all ENERGY STAR doors will qualify.
* Windows, Storm Windows and/or Skylights – Not all ENERGY STAR labeled windows and skylights qualify for tax credit.
* Insulation
* Metal or Asphalt roofing
* Heating and Air systems – List of qualifying products: Consortium for Energy Efficiency product directory
* Energy efficient water heaters – ENERGY STAR criteria for water heaters. A ll gas tankless water heaters qualify.
* Bio-mass stoves for household heating or water heating
* Geothermal Heat Pumps
* Small Wind Systems
* Solar Systems (water heaters or panels)
* Fuel Cells
If you are planning to build your own home in the near future, there is a tax credit available to you as well.
* The tax credit is a no-cap 30% credit.
* The tax credit is available until 2016.
* The tax credit is limited to fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters and small wind systems only.
For further details on how the tax credit works and what systems qualify, be sure to visit the Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency website.
There are two benefits to the tax credit program. The first, of course, is the tax credit benefit you receive on your 2009 tax filing. The second is that your home improvement will stimulate our local Anchorage economy with the purchases you make. So, go ahead Anchorage…celebrate Earth Day this year with a tax credit!
Pauline Hofseth, Anchorage Real Estate
Anchorage has one of the best economies in the nation. The State of Alaska announced this week that the Alaskan job rate was up both in terms of new jobs and in the jobless rate. However, no matter how strong the economy may be in Anchorage, Alaska or the nation, if you find yourself on the downside of the economy, you need to take action.
Last week, the Obama administration unveiled the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. The plan is two fold, offering both refinance and loan modification options. The purpose of the plan is to help homeowners prevent foreclosure. You do not have to be behind in payments in order to qualify. HUD’s Hope For Homeowners program was also revised to give more options to homeowners.
If you see yourself on the downside of the economy, please contact your lender immediately. Here are links that may help you as an Anchorage homeowner:
Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan: FinancialStability.gov (http://financialstability.gov)
HUD Hope For Homeowners: Basic Consumer Facts (http://www.hud.gov/hopeforhomeowners/consumerfactsheet.cfm)
Related Article:
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The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has announced the recent launch of it’s new website, Prospector.com.
Businesses big and small, local and global are using the Internet to research business demographics, opportunities and potential locations. AEDC believes that Prospector.com will become one of the most powerful business recruitment tools ever developed in the State of Alaska.
AEDC has developed a website for businesses around the globe to access available commercial properties and specific business data for the Anchorage area. This comprehensive online tool allows the business community to access data regarding the dynamic business atmosphere in south-central Alaska.
Anchorage Prospector.com offers a “one-stop-shop” experience for businesses looking to move to or expand in the Anchorage area. The portal offers businesses information including business planning, economic data, infrastructure, demographics and geographic data.
Anchorage Prospector.com allows users to search for available commercial properties determined by their specified search criteria. The accompanying interactive maps not only displays the location of the property, but the streets and surrounding byways, beneficial transportation data (ie, railroad) as well as nearby educational facilities, parks and points of interest.
Prospector.com provides the user the opportunity to create reports based on their particular wants and needs. These analytic reports include information such as the area’s demographics, consumer expenditures, business and workforce data and employee wages. In addition, reports can be created that will analyze an area’s competition and/or business in the area which will compliment and support their business or product.
If you are a business owner or are considering opening a business in the Anchorage area, Anchorage Prospector.com is a business tool that will prove invaluable to you.
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