central ma: The Contractor Agreement: 7 Steps to an Iron-Clad Contract
- 03/21/11 10:56 PM
It's spring! Not only do we get outside to freshen up the gardens and lawns but we also take on larger home improvement projects. We can have the windows open, walls open and roofs re-done. Be careful! There are many "contractors" out there and some of them are not our friends. Follow these seven tips to make sure your contractor agreement works in your favor-not your builder's.
Step 1: Hire a lawyer
Contractors use their own forms, which are drafted for their benefit, not yours. You'll benefit from hiring an attorney to review your contractor agreement or draft one that's you-friendly. … (3 comments)
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central ma: Appliance Maintenance: Clothes Washer & Dryer
- 03/10/11 10:03 PM
This is a big one for me because I do a lot of laundry. Apparently I have an abnormally large wardrobe. I'm okay with that! Recently it was brought to my attention that I am creating a fire hazard with the dryer exhaust because it is too long and can trap lint. Keep your clothes washer and dryer running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine.
Here's a list of maintenance tips to keep your washer and dryer running smoothly and safely:
Replace vinyl dryer exhaust ducts with metal ductwork to reduce fire hazards. Before every dryer load, clean out … (4 comments)
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central ma: Appliance Maintenance: Refrigerators
- 03/08/11 11:45 PM
Maintaining your home is vital...but so is maintaining what is inside your home! Appliances can be very expensive depending on what you choose when you purchase them - make them last!
This week I am focused on keeping your appliances running smoothly. Your day-to-day life will be less stressful in the long run! Your refrigerator is an essential to your kitchen and life, keep it running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine.
Here's a list of maintenance tips to make sure your refrigerator stays cool and calm:
Every three months, vacuum the fan and condenser coils on the rear … (1 comments)
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central ma: Repair and Replace Kitchen Counters to Stay on Top of Scratches
- 02/18/11 10:24 PM
The spring market is upon us! It seems a tad early this year but with all the news articles about rising interest rates many buyers are making their choices now instead of waiting. As a seller or soon-to-be-seller, don't wait! Get your home ready and on the market now to take full advantage of this early market.
This is the first in a small series of articles to help you get your home "sale ready". The kitchen is often the first room that a buyer will go to during a viewing and is vitally important to the overall impression of your … (2 comments)
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central ma: Today! Open House at Adams Street SchoolHouse Lofts - 2pm to 4pm
- 02/13/11 03:43 AM
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central ma: 2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect
- 02/10/11 11:36 PM
2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect
Yes, taxes continued. I know, I know...how could we make Friday any more exciting?
The Energy Credit has been a great way to save net money on your home improvements. Looking ahead to this time next year, make sure you are choosing the right places to invest your green money. Washington is giving you less green for going green, as the feds reel back the 2011 energy tax credits from a lavish $1,500 to a paltry $500. Keep your receipts and be ready this time next year.
Other limits on … (2 comments)
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central ma: 10 Common Errors Home Owners Make When Filing Taxes
- 02/08/11 09:28 PM
As promised! More on taxes! I know, I know...it's crazy to talk about such exciting stuff without a party hat on but an IRS audit or missed refund money is no party either! Here are the ten most common errors that home owners make on their tax returns. Don't rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary-know the score on each home tax deduction and credit.
Sin #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes
You take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities … (2 comments)
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central ma: Schedule A Form: 6 Home Deduction Traps
- 02/07/11 10:39 PM
Yes it's that time of year again! The snowbanks are getting higher and taking on a "brownish" tint - the joy of winter has passed with the holiday season and we're all looking forward to spring - why not spend this time doing something fun! Like taxes! Woot! No really...it's a chore but it's necessary and as a taxpayer you are entitled to every deduction available to you. That's right, the IRS WANTS you to have an accurate number for your total tax liability.
This week I will have a series of articles on "Don't Miss Tax Breaks" for home owners. … (2 comments)
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central ma: Saving for the Super Bowl: How to Throw a FREE Game Day Fiesta (and win a $100 gift card)
- 02/01/11 09:13 PM
This is a great contest sponsored by HouseLogic. HouseLogic is a free site for homeowners (houselogic.com) that is full of how-to articles, Facebook links and home ownership information.
Get 6 smart tips to save big on your game-day party-and share some of your own tips for a chance to win a Super Bowl bash on us.
1. Cheer for charity
Have fun watching the game with friends and family while supporting a good cause-and take a tax deduction, too. Here's what to do:
Choose a charity or cause you love. Provide guests with suggested donations. For example, if you want to … (1 comments)
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central ma: 7 Tips for Staging Your Home
- 01/20/11 10:46 PM
It's been an exciting week! I listed two new houses this week and have been discussing this topic so much that I thought it was time to make a post. It's a fine line to walk when you are both living in your home and showing it to potential buyers. You don't want to feel like you are living in a hotel but at the same time would like to ensure a quick home sale. There are a few things you can do to help the process and still maintain your life style In general, make your home warm and inviting … (2 comments)
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central ma: New Listing! 4 bed, 2 bath in Shrewsbury - You have to see this house to appreciate it!
- 01/20/11 02:32 PM
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central ma: Bills target rules on Massachusetts foreclosures
- 01/19/11 12:35 AM
Bills target rules on Massachusetts foreclosures
Updated: Wednesday, 19 Jan 2011, 8:23 AM ESTPublished : Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 11:02 AM EST
BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Advocates on Beacon Hill are targeting predatory lenders with new bills, intended to save family homes from foreclosure.
If the legislation passes, it would affect many families in the Bay State, like the Muses, who live in Chelsea. They told our Frank Mallicoat yesterday that the proposed legislation is important because they can help hardworking families who are down on their luck.
The Muses have both lost their jobs and have three foster … (1 comments)
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central ma: Low-Cost Kitchen Storage: Cheap Stress Reduction
- 01/14/11 10:07 PM
Low-cost kitchen storage strategies bring calm to your kitchen, banishing stress-inducing clutter and leaving the space calm and orderly. Good news for budget-minded cleaning compulsive: Getting organized in the kitchen won't drain your piggy bank! Stash more cash and control the chaos with these low-cost kitchen storage solutions, all readily available at home centers, discount stores and online.
Rack attack: Store pots, everyday dishes, spices, and wine on racks that are freestanding, wall-hung, and ceiling-hung-and voila! Everything is in its own location, visible, and easily accessible!
Position the racks where they make sense: A pot rack above the cooktop; a dish … (5 comments)
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central ma: Preventing Ice Dams
- 01/10/11 10:24 PM
With the storm fast approaching, I thought this would be a good topic for the blog. My first winter storm in my house I was enjoying a cup of hot steamy beverage on my couch when I heard (and felt) a large BANG on the wall behind me. The addition to my house, that I had closed off to conserve heat because it was only being used as a work room, had developed a massive ice dam - which I was unaware of. The ice dam, with the inches of snow piling up on it, slide off the roof of the … (0 comments)
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central ma: Broker's Open - Thursday 4pm to 6pm - FOOD!
- 01/10/11 09:59 PM
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central ma: New Kitchen Cabinet Hardware—Low-Cost Ways to Jazz Up Your Style
- 01/07/11 10:20 PM
Replace old kitchen cabinet hardware and gain an instant style update that's simple to do and easy on the budget. It's a quick way to really make an impact on the room and express yourself. I am all about expressing my individual style and if you take a few moments in this aisle at your local Lowes, you will be amazed at all the choices you have.
Measuring for kitchen cabinet hardware
Replacing kitchen cabinet hardware is a job you can do yourself. But note there's a wide range of sizes when it comes to the spans between screws on kitchen … (1 comments)
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central ma: A Financial Plan for Your Home
- 01/06/11 10:17 PM
I am not big on New Year's Resolutions but I am big on having a plan. This is a good time of year to make a plan because the calendar is fresh and clean (and half priced if you still like to use wall calendars). Your home is probably your biggest investment. To manage it, create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes.
Use our home financial plan budget worksheet, and start by writing a list of expenses, such as:
Mortgage Taxes Home insurance, including liability Repairs and maintenance, such as new furnace, roof, painting … (1 comments)
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central ma: Making Home Affordable: The Modification Option
- 01/04/11 10:23 PM
The Making Home Affordable program offers at-risk homeowners a chance to modify mortgages to avoid foreclosure on their homes. This is just one of the possible solutions that are available to home owners who are in distress or are facing that possibility.
Qualifying for a loan modification
Making Home Affordable's modification option is known as the Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP. It's designed for homeowners who are likely to lose their homes because they can't keep up with mortgage payments. Even if you aren't behind on payments yet, you can qualify for help if you can demonstrate that you will … (3 comments)
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central ma: Tax Tips for Homeowners Looking Ahead to 2010 Returns
- 01/02/11 10:55 PM
In addition to the standard tax deductions for home owners, here are some additional ones that you might want to check your records to see if you qualify.
The tax areas that are most beneficial for home owners are; mortgage interest, points paid to refinance your mortgage, PMI, capital gains up to $250k for qualifying home owners, home improvements that have increased the value of your home at your future sale (and reduce the amount of capital gains), real estate and property taxes, home offices, *some* relocation moving expenses, home improvements for medical reasons and vacation homes.
Check out these additional … (4 comments)
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central ma: The Value of Home Maintenance
- 01/01/11 11:56 PM
Regular home maintenance is key to preserving the value of your house and property. Looking forward to the spring market in 2011 - this play an important role if you thinking about listing your home. In general, it's important to maintaining your investment and your quality of life.
"It's the little things that tend to trip up people," says Frank Lesh, former president of the American Society of Home Inspectors and owner of Home Sweet Home Inspection Co. in Chicago. "Some cracked caulk around the windows, or maybe a furnace filter that hasn't been changed in awhile. It may not seem … (3 comments)
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It's spring! Not only do we get outside to freshen up the gardens and lawns but we also take on larger home improvement projects. We can have the windows open, walls open and roofs re-done. Be careful! There are many "contractors" out there and some of them are not our friends. Follow these seven tips to make sure your contractor agreement works in your favor-not your builder's.
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