On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As a result of this act, the federal government announced tax credits for consumers who purchase qualifying high-efficiency heating and cooling products for their homes.

For a limited time, anyone who purchases a qualifying ENERGY STAR®-compliant, high-efficiency HVAC product in 2009 or 2010 will receive a tax credit worth 30% of upgrade costs, up to a $1,500 credit.

It’s the perfect opportunity to upgrade your home with an energy-efficient heating and cooling system plus get a major tax break too!

This article from cnn is very helpful if your basement is wet:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/26/real_estate/flooded_basement.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2009022706 

While the real estate bust seems to have slowed the market down around here, home prices are expected to continue to climb in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.

Housepoint Inspections serves all three of these markets!

Article from cnn here:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0805/
gallery.resg_gainers.moneymag/2.html 

During the debate, it looked like the stimulus would include a $15,000 tax credit for anyone who moves this year. However, that was cut in the final version, which now offers an $8,000. incentive for first-time home-buyers only. (If the house is bought for less than $80,000., the credit is 10% of the value of the house.)

The credit is refundable, meaning you can get a check for what’s left after paying your taxes.

Cnn.com explains it well here:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/13/
real_estate/homebuyer_tax_credit_finalized/index.htm

This tool allows you to enter your workplace and other places you frequent to determine the best central location to buy a house.  Your budget may have a different idea, but its worth a try!

http://optimalhomelocation.com/RealEstateTool.html 

This article details that damage that was caused recently by an exploding hot water heater - it looks like it nearly destroyed a house.  Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but they could have been.
If water heaters are improperly set up, this can happen.  Every tank-based hot water heater should have an unobstructed temperature-pressure relief valve, with only an open tube on it diverting steam or water to within 4 inches of the floor.

Otherwise, pressure in the tank can build up so high that it eventually blows out the bottom of the tank and rockets upwards.  The explosion that happened in this story is not the first time this has happened.

Story here:
http://www.kpho.com/news/17189420/detail.html#-

The NY Times published this article about radon gas being emitted from granite countertops…

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html?ex=1374638400&en=60959de
77427e35c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink 

I’ve had a couple of calls lately from clients with questions about Aluminum wiring.  I thought I’d write a summary of the issue:

1)  Most houses have some aluminum wiring.  This can usually be found on your main service entry cable that comes into your panel box from the outside.  This cable is usually STRANDED ALUMINUM and is not a problem.

2)  Some houses have branch circuits (outlets and light switches) that are aluminum.  Aluminum branch wiring can be a problem.  Aluminum expands and contracts more that copper wiring, and this expansion and contraction can loosen up aluminum contacts with the outlets.  This has caused fire in the past.

The solution to this problem is to use custom outlets and switches made for aluminum so they will not become loose.  These outlets and switches should have a CO/ALR designation stamped on them.  So if you notice that you have aluminum branch wiring, make sure your outlets and switches are made for it.

Remember, the “big” stranded aluminum wires are not a problem.  This is likely because the space between the strands provides a space for the aluminum to expand and contract without damage.

Here is an article that features a space-saving idea - making a staircase double as a bookshelf.

http://gizmodo.com/358636/stairs-bookcase-actually-makes-me-want-to-move-to-london

During freeze and thaw cycles in the winter, ice dams and icicles form on most houses in upstate new york. They can cause damage to roofs and gutters, and have the potential for injuring people as they brake off.

Ice on a roof can be reduced by having proper ventilation in your attic space and proper insulation in your house.

Ideal roof ventilation allows air to flow in under the eaves and out near the ridge of the house. This flow of air helps to prevent temperature differentials on the roof that lead to ice formation.

And the insulation above your living space should be at least a foot deep. If yours is lower, consider rolling out some more or having some blown in. (Be sure that ventilation doesn’t get obstructed.)

Even the best insulated and ventilated roof will have ice problems when conditions are right. So a last line of defense is heating cables that melt off ice as it forms. They don’t always look great, but they look better than gutters hanging off or roof buckling up.