amy mullen: Small Business Sunday...JEP Contracting
- 09/25/11 02:08 PM
JEP Contracting won the spot for my first video blog of Small Business Sunday! I strongly believe that we need to invest in our local small and medium-sized businesses in order to have a health economy in our back yards. I met with the founder of JEP, Patrick Perkins, a few weeks ago and found that they do something I had never heard of – they offer a FIVE year customer service warranty on their work!
More recently – I saw Erica Gifford at the Millbury Block Party. Here she is talking about what JEP Contracting can do for YOU! Check … (1 comments)
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amy mullen: Ready…set…WINTERIZE! Conduct Your Own Energy Audit
- 09/20/11 11:50 PM
Today feels warm and balmy but you know this time of year – it can turn on you in an instant! A do-it-yourself energy audit can teach you how to be more energy efficient and make you a more-educated consumer should you decide to hire an expert.
What you’ll save on fixes By following up on problems, you can lower energy bills by 5% to 30% annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. With annual energy bills averaging $2,200, according to Energy Star, investing in fixes or energy-efficient replacement products could save you … (4 comments)
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amy mullen: Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials
- 09/09/11 11:24 PM
Salvaged building materials allow you to improve your home inexpensively—but might require an extra investment of time and energy.
If you’re looking to improve your home on the cheap, consider using salvaged building materials. Besides being less expensive than new materials, secondhand features can add character, quality, and value to your home. But note that the savings in dollars may require a greater investment in time and effort.
Remodeling with secondhand building materials has many fans. Some are owners of historic houses who improve their homes by adding period elements. Others follow green building practices and appreciate conserving resources … (5 comments)
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amy mullen: SOLD!
- 09/09/11 12:20 AM
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amy mullen: New lake front rental!
- 09/06/11 03:38 PM
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amy mullen: Acme Planimeter – measures map areas using Google maps
- 08/17/11 12:33 AM
Okay this is really neat! This website (http://acme.com/planimeter/) allows you to plot points on a map – using Google Maps – and it gives you area measurements back. You can use it in “map” view so you can follow the streets, “satellite” so you can see the house you are looking at or “hybrid” and combine both.
Plot your points and the measurements appear underneath the map as you move the points. Here is RE/MAX Professional Associates office in Spencer:
Share this: Email Digg Print Facebook Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Press This … (3 comments)
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amy mullen: WOW! Just got an update from my most trusted mortgage broker
- 08/10/11 05:33 AM
Yes it’s true…we have trusted partners in this industry that we can refer our clients to with confidence…one of them is Wes Oliver and his most recent status update is that due to some very recent changes he can do a 30 year fixed in the 3′s.
Interested? Let me know and I will get you in touch with him!
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amy mullen: New listing! Open Sunday 1pm to 3pm - NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOME!
- 08/09/11 02:05 AM
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amy mullen: New? Useful? How to spend your time on the web…
- 08/02/11 11:21 AM
I was just going through my notes from CDPE class and thought I would share this. The instructor was awesome and had a great trick for getting us all back into our seats on time – he offered up useful websites! So here they are – maybe some are useful – maybe not – but if you need some surfing content when you have a few minutes to spare (or are waiting for your oil change) check them out.
unhearit.com : site plays a song to get a song out of your head issue.com : publish your ezine for free online-convert.com … (5 comments)
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amy mullen: 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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amy mullen: Marlborough Twilight Open this Wednesday!
- 02/13/11 01:59 AM
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amy mullen: Millbury Broker's Open Thursday!
- 02/13/11 01:52 AM
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amy mullen: 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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amy mullen: Ack, I want help filling out Form 5695!
- 02/09/11 10:51 PM
What is a Form 5695?? Your energy tax credit! This is a great tax credit that encourages energy upgrades in our homes. Sidestep snares in the complex IRS Form 5695 to get all the 2010 energy tax credits you've got coming.
Fill out the right part of Form 5695
What type of system did you install? If it's one of the following, complete Part 1 for Nonbusiness Energy Tax Credits.
Biomass stoves Insulation HVAC systems Roofs Non-solar water heaters Windows, doors, skylights Storm windows and doors Max credit: 30% of the cost of the improvement, up to $1,500.
If you installed … (2 comments)
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amy mullen: 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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amy mullen: 12 Top Remodeling Trends for 2011
- 12/27/10 11:16 PM
New year, new list of remodeling projects to start around the house. At least that's what remodelers and contractors are hoping.
So, what remodeling projects are on top of everyone's list?
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) conducted an exclusive poll of their top builders and developers for us and found that while most people are not starting major renovation projects due to the economy, now is the time to take care of the smaller jobs around your home.
Call it the over-arching remodeling trend for 2011: Tackling small projects while you wait to do the really big remodeling … (5 comments)
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amy mullen: 4 secrets to homebuyer budgeting
- 12/17/10 11:01 PM
Renting and thinking about buying? Start with a solid budget plan that includes strong credit and savings.
Living from one paycheck to the next may be the norm for many people. But homebuyers need a better strategy.
"If buying a home is your goal, then it needs to be your priority," says Tim Kirchner, vice president of MetLife Bank in Irving, Texas. "Most people need to sacrifice a little and stick to a budget in order to save for a home."
A good budget plan begins one or two years before a buyer makes an offer. Here are four tips for … (2 comments)
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amy mullen: High Tech Gift Ideas – Programmable Showers are a Low-Cost Luxury
- 12/06/10 10:00 PM
Who doesn't like the perfect shower? Especially on a cold morning like this!
Programmable showers feature easy-to-use digital controls that let each member of the family pre-set their ideal water temperature, pressure, and even the type of spray-from a steady stream to pulsating jets. The waterproof control panel mounts right on the shower wall where you can alter any setting at the touch of a button.
Luxurious, programmable showers suit nearly every budget, too, ranging from about $290 for a basic unit to $3,500 and up for one with lots of features and special finishes. Installation costs for a programmable shower … (2 comments)
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amy mullen: New listing! Historic 5 bed, 2 bath home in Palmer
- 12/05/10 11:48 PM
Step back in time with this historic house in downtown Palmer. Former home of John Brown, Town Clerk, this 5 bed, 2 bath home is just waiting for you to come in and make it shine!
Bring your imagination as you stroll on the hardwood floors and imagine what it could be! Many updates done already but this home needs skilled labor of love to bring it back to it's original pride. Stained glass windows, intricate ceiling moldings, hardwood floors and a feel for yester-year will get your mind racing with possibilities. Wrap around Farmer's Porch adds to the charm of … (2 comments)
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amy mullen: Outdoor Lighting For Curb Appeal
- 11/30/10 03:23 AM
Outdoor Lighting for Curb Appeal and Safety Well-planned outdoor lighting improves curb appeal, safety, and security for your home. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
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JEP Contracting won the spot for my first video blog of Small Business Sunday! I strongly believe that we need to invest in our local small and medium-sized businesses in order to have a health economy in our back yards. I met with the founder of JEP, Patrick Perkins, a few weeks ago and found that they do something I had never heard of – they offer a FIVE year customer service warranty on their work!
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