I just read this great article and wanted to share it because it contains valuable cost saving information on cutting your energy bills, something we would all like to do!

10 Ways to Cut Energy Bills This Fall                         

Staying warm doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are some ideas from the U.S. Department of Energy for conserving heat and saving money.

By Kelly Quigley | October 2008

When the leaves start falling, you know that the heating bills are about to start rising. But keeping your home warm and cozy on chilly autumn nights doesn't have to break the bank.

 The U.S. Department of Energy offers these simple tips and relatively inexpensive home improvements that will help ensure cold gusts stay out and your furnace doesn't have to work harder than it should.

 The goal: Conserve energy and keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket.

 Share these ideas with customers and use them for your own house. After all, who doesn't need to save a little money these days?

 1. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Save 10 percent ($190 per year) or more on energy bills. Focus on windows, doors, outlets or switch plates on exterior walls.

 2. Properly maintain the heating system. Heating accounts for half the average family's energy bill (approximately $950 per year). Make sure the furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance each year. The small cost (about $75-100 for most service calls) will pay back in better performance all year long.

 3. Install a programmable thermostat. Programming the thermostat from 72ºF to 65ºF for eight hours a day while no one is home, or everyone is tucked in bed, will cut the heating bill up to 10 percent ($90 per year), paying for a basic unit in less than a year.

 4. Seal and insulate heating ducts. A system can lose up to 60 percent of its warmed air before it reaches the register (wasting $570 in warmed air per year) if ducts are not properly insulated in unheated areas such as attics and crawlspaces.

 5. Insulate, insulate, insulate. Adequate insulation in the attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawlspaces can save up to 30 percent on home energy bills ($630 per year).  Focus on the attic. (Heat rises.) Most homes should have between R-30 and R-49 insulation in the attic. Learn more at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer.  

 6. Close fireplace dampers when not in use.  When in use, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window about an inch, close doors to the room, and lower thermostat setting to 50-55ºF.

 7. Let the sun shine in. Open curtains on south facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.

 8. Stay out of hot water. Water heating accounts for 15 percent of household energy use. Reduce water heating costs by lowering the water heater's thermostat setting. Each 10ºF reduction can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs. Also insulate the hot water heater and hot water pipes.

 9. Install storm windows over single-pane windows or replace them with Energy Star qualified windows. Storm windows reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 percent, and storm windows with low-e coating that reflect heat back into the room during the winter months save even more energy.  Look for the Energy Star label to maximize savings. Energy Star qualified windows reduce heating and cooling bills by an average of $345, but could be higher in cold and hot climates, compared with uncoated, single-pane windows. Can't afford new windows just now? Tape clear plastic sheeting to the inside of window frames if drafts, water condensation, or frost are present.

 10. Net big savings with a little label. When replacing appliances, light bulbs, electronics, or heating and cooling systems, cut energy bills by up to 30 percent ($600 per year) with Energy Star labeled products. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs. Find retailers at www.energystar.gov.

 These and other improvements that impact the energy efficiency of a home can save home owners money in the short term and serve as a selling point to potential buyers later. Be sure to save receipts, documentation, and manufacturer's information.

 Not sure where to begin? Try the Department of Energy's online energy audit tool at www.hes.lbl.gov. In the long run, a whole-house energy audit is a fool proof way to make a plan to address wasted energy and make a home operate efficiently for years to come. Visit www.natresnet.org to find a qualified auditor in your neck of the woods.

 
Kelly Quigley is online editor of REALTOR® magazine. She can be contacted at kquigley@realtors.org.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online October 2008 with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Below is the Real Estate market update for Society Hill Bernards I and II as of 9/28/08. 

If you would like more information please do not hesitate to call or email me!

Currently there are 10 properties for sale in Society Hill :

2 - 2 bedroom 2 bath condo - asking price $269,999 and $289,900

7 - 2 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - asking price ranging from $287,000-$379,000

1- 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - asking price $379,000

Currently there is 1 property under contract which has not yet closed so sale price is unavailable:

1 - 2 bedroom 2 bath condos - asking price $339,500

Currently 20 properties have sold since January 1, 2008:

10 - 2 bedroom 2 bath condos - selling price ranged from $235,000-$280,000

6 - 2 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - selling priced ranged from $275,000-$330,000

4 - 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - selling priced ranged from $337,500-$368,000

  For those of you who are interested in what is going on with the sale of property in Society Hill, I have provided below a market update as of today 7/23/08.  If you would like more information please do not hesitate to call or email me!

Currently there are 9 properties for sale in Society Hill :

1 - 2 bedroom 2 bath condo - asking price $274,500

6 - 2 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - asking price ranging from $297,000-$369,000

2 - 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - asking price $379,000 (both asking the same price)

5 properties under contract which are due to close (sale price not yet available):

2 - 2 bedroom 2 bath condos - asking price $245,000 and $289,000

2 - 2 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - asking price $288,000 and $305,000

1- 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhome - asking price $383,000

13 properties have sold since January 1, 2008:                     

7 - 2 bedroom 2 bath condos - selling price ranged from $250,000-$284,000

3 - 2 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - selling priced ranged from $297,500-$330,900

3 - 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath townhouses - selling priced ranged from $337,500-$365,000

Open House this Sunday!

I will be hosting an open house this Sunday, June 29^th, at 284 English Place in Society Hill.  This townhouse is the largest 2 bedroom 2 ½ baths model with the added sunroom.  It has been updated with hardwood floors, molding, stainless steel appliances, etc.  There is a lovely backyard area.  If you are interested or know of someone who is, please have them stop by the open house on Sunday or give me a call, my contact information is to the right.  Hope to see you there!

I met a very nice gentleman yesterday who works at the VA hospital and has a side business collecting scrap metal.  He told me that he will pick up FOR FREE any appliances that you have that you would like to get rid of such as an old refrigerator, washer/driver, oven etc.  I have replaced several appliances throughout the years in my condo and then townhouse and had to pay to have the old appliances removed since we don't have curb side pickup.  So I thought that the residents of Society Hill would really appreciate having this option for free pickup of old metal appliances.  His name is Carl Martin, his number is (973) 868-0074.  He said he was going to stop by the clubhouse and post his flyer, but I thought that I would give his name and number as well.

As a disclaimer - I have never used his services as of yet, but would not hesitate to call him if and when I need a pick-up of anything heavy and metal!  If you do call and use his services, please let me know how it went.

Just a reminder that this Saturday, May 17^th, 2008, is Charter Day which is celebrated in downtown Basking Ridge.  If you have never attending the Charter Day celebration, you should try to make it this year because it is always a lot of fun.  I will be tending the Weichert booth from 11-1 pm.  Please stop by and say hi.  Here is the link from the Bernards Township website for more information.  Hope to see you there!

BASKING RIDGE CHARTER DAY INFORMATION

Congratulations to the newly elected School Board Members:

Susan McGowan
John Ryan
Ken Wilke

Thank you to Monique Loh for her participation and running a great campaign.

Also the budget passed for the Bernards Township school district.

Last night I had the privilege of attending the William Annin Middle School production of "Beauty & the Beast."  I encourage everyone to attend if you want to witness some of the fabulous talent that is in the Basking Ridge middle school!  From the moment the show started, I knew that I was in for a fun evening.  The cast is extremely talented, and a pleasure to watch.  It was evident how much the cast was enjoying themselves.  There are many surprising special effects, a live orchestra, and the costumes looked like they came straight off the Broadway stage! 

There are still a few tickets available at the door, and people have been kind enough to turn in tickets if they can't use them. 

Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 pm, and Sunday matinee is 2 pm at the William Annin Middle School, 70 Quincy Rd.

The cast would love for you to BE THEIR GUEST, so check it out!

For those of you who are Basking Ridge residents, this is a reminder that the School Board Election will be  held on April 15^th, 2008. (also the IRS' favorite day!).  Those running in this election are as follows:

Monique Loh

Susan McGowan

John Ryan

Ken Wilke

There has been plenty written about all the candidates, particularly in the Benardsville News over the last few weeks.  Let's support the candidates!

Hope you will get out and vote!  Good schools are not only important for our children, but they attract people to want to live in the town which helps keep our property values strong.

Polls will be open from 2-9 pm.  Same polling places that you voted in the primary election.

A week ago yesterday, I lost my beloved cat of almost 16 years.  She was actually probably 18 years old, I got her as a rescued cat when she was about 2.  Even though she was old, she still had a lot of life and spunk in her which was why it was such a shock to find her early Saturday morning, almost already gone.  The vet said there was nothing we could do, it was time to say goodbye.

As my family sat in the vet's office in state of shock, completely devastated, we started reminiscing about her life.  One of those memories is why I am writing this blog today, because it is about having good neighbors.  The first property I owned in Society Hill was on Baldwin Court.  Like a lot of the condos, I did not have a storm door.  One day, my daughter ran outside to get something and accidentally left the door open.  When I found the door open, I immediately looked for our cat, and she was gone.  She was not an outdoor cat, so needless to say, we were frantic.  We searched everywhere for her....but couldn't find her.  So we posted flyers all around the neighborhood with her picture, description and phone numbers.  About 2 days later, after many tears, we got a phone call from a neighbor in the next building...."I think I just saw your cat, I think she just ran past my patio door."  So we ran out of our building and I saw her, hiding in a bush.  I knelt down and she ran to me, hungry, scared and tired.  I was so grateful to that neighbor who I thanked profusely.

We have another cat who also escaped from our home years later after we moved to a townhouse on Woodward (he jumped out of the second floor window through the screen after being spooked by something!)  Again, the flyers went up and after days of not finding him, I got a call at midnight from a neighbor.  "I think I hear your cat crying in your bushes."  Sure enough he had found his way home and a neighbor let us know he was back. 

There is definitely an advantage to living in a community like Society Hill.  People live close enough to each other, making it easy to have a quick chat or help each other in a time of need.  I am so grateful to my neighbor many years ago on Baldwin Court, for helping us to have many more precious years with my loyal and loving cat, Miss Ivy.

Please feel free to share a good neighbor story, I would love to read about it!