What does that mean? Strong demand has [...]]]> According to Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtor’s chief economist, the spring housing market is starting off strong. “If activity is sustained near present levels, existing-home sales will see their best performance in five years. The NAR expects sales to rise between 7% and 10% in 2012.

What does that mean? Strong demand has melted away inventory in some housing markets with investors and first-time buyers vying for bargains, homes are being snatched up as soon as they hit the market.

Prices may not be shooting up, but homes are once again selling at a rapid clip in many markets, draining the multiple-listing services and turning up the competitive pressure on buyers. Multiple offers and bidding wars are back.

Lately if a buyer is not there the first day a home comes on the market, it’s gone. When a quality property that is priced accurately comes on the market, it’s not going to sit around. In some areas the competitive environment has already begun to nudge prices up slightly.

Bargain prices and historically low interest rates are bringing buyers back. The belief among buyers is that the housing market has already turned the corner and that there won’t be a better time to land an affordable home.

National Association of Realtors President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc. in Miami, says market conditions are improving as supply and demand have become more balanced.

It costs next to nothing to compost, and if you’re a gardener or have any landscaping at all, your compost pile can save you money by reducing what you spend on fertilizer or [...]]]> Composting was once something those overzealous, health conscious, everything-natural freaks did. But now it’s something even mainstream America might be doing.

It costs next to nothing to compost, and if you’re a gardener or have any landscaping at all, your compost pile can save you money by reducing what you spend on fertilizer or yard waste removal. It will also greatly reduce what you throw in the garbage each week, so you might be able to save on municipal trash removal costs.

An ever-increasing number of local governments are banning the disposal of yard wastes-grass clipping and leaves-in landfills. Most localities have forbidden leaf burning for years. So where are the grass clippings and leaves to go? Into your compost heap, of course. Whether you begin composting out of necessity or a sincere desire to improve the environment, it is extremely easy to do and this guide from Ace Hardware will show you how:

YOUR BACKYARD COMPOST PILE

Composting is considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be a part of recycling. It reduces the amount of trash generated. It can be reused in your yard and it recycles nutrients back into the soil and plant life.

Composting experts will argue the merits of an open-air system versus a closed-air system, the merits of layering the compost material versus mixing it together, or even whether to turn the pile.

But if all you are interested in is getting rid of your yard waste, you can rest assured that there is very little that can go wrong with composting.

Whether you choose an open or closed system, carefully layer the materials or mix the ingredients. Let it sit or turn every few days and it will become compost within a certain period of time.

WHERE TO LOCATE?

The ideal location for your compost pile is under a tree. The partial shade will keep the pile from drying out too fast. However, it should not be a tree that is highly acidic such as pine, black walnut, juniper, eucalyptus or cypress.

A location near the kitchen is helpful, but more important is a location that has good drainage. It also is useful to have an area near the pile to store materials that will be added to the pile later.

TO CONTAIN OR NOT CONTAIN?

The simplest and least expensive way to begin composting is to start a compost heap. The pile should be at least 6′ x 6′ and about 5′ to 6′ high in the middle. Anything smaller will maintain low temperatures and will take longer to decompose. As the pile deteriorates, it will tend to sprawl and shrink. Compost heaps can be untidy and displeasing to look at, especially in urban areas. Compost heaps are what sometimes give composting its bad reputation.

Containers keep the compost materials neat and tidy. They can be inexpensively built from discarded shipping pallets, fencing or chicken wire or leftover treated lumber from another building project.

Four shipping pallets tied together with rope, wire or chain with an optional fifth pallet at the bottom for increased air circulation will make an adequate container for your composting materials.

A wire bin can be made by tying together 2″x4″x36″ wire fencing into a hoop shape.

An elaborate three-bin system can be built from purchased materials. With the three-bin system, each bin is approximately 36″ square and shares a common lid and internal sides. In a three-bin composting system, one bin is the active compost pile, one is left empty to make turning easier, and the third is used as a holding bin for materials to be composted.

Composting can also be done in a plastic trash can which has had the bottom cut off and 24 to 48 holes drilled into the sides to increase air flow.

Many different types of composting bins are also available for purchase. There are wooden open-air bins, plastic open-air bins, plastic closed-air bins and rotating drums. The rotating drums are the most expensive but are convenient because they make turning the compost easy.

OTHER TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Accessory tools for composting could include a long-handled pitch fork for easy turning, a special aerating tool to keep the pile aerated and a compost thermometer, which has a long probe to accurately determine the internal temperature of the pile.

THE COMPOST RECIPE

Like any good recipe, the compost recipe is subject to variation by the cook. The more greens/nitrogen (fresh grass clippings, food scraps) in the pile, the “hotter” the mixture and the faster it will decompose. The brown ingredients (dry leaves, dry grass, wood shavings) add carbon to the mixture and help keep the pile cool.

An ideal mixture would be 50% greens and 50% brown, but this can vary from one-quarter to one-half green and one-half tp three-quarters brown.

Other items that can be added to the pile to help the “brew” but are not necessary include:

-Garden soil (1/2 shovelful)
-Finished compost (1/2 shovelful)
-Bonemeal (1/2 shovelful)
-Bloodmeal (1/2 shovelful)
-Fireplace ashes (shovelfuls)
-Crushed fertilizer rock dust (shovelfuls)
-Compost starter (see manufacturer directions)

YOUR YARD WASTE

Just about any of the yard waste that you would bag up and set out on the curb for the trash haulers to carry away can be used in your compost heap. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Wet grass clipping should be mixed thoroughly to prevent odors.

Any woody material larger than 1/4″ in diameter should be cut and bruised to provide more surface area for it to break down.

Weeds must go into a “hot” pile (140 degrees to 150 degrees) to destroy the seeds.

To keep more consistent weeds, such as Bermuda grass, from coming back after the compost is harvested, place them in a black plastic bag in direct sunlight for several weeks, then chop them up and place them in the compost bin.

Plants infected with insect eggs should not be added because even a “hot” pile may not kill the eggs and the insects could re-infest your yard when the compost is harvested.

Highly acidic or poisonous plants should be added in very small quantities or nor at all.

Ivy and succulent plants should be chopped or shredded before adding to the compost pile because they may regrow when the compost is harvested or may even begin growing in the compost pile.

OTHER INGREDIANTS

Food wastes such as vegetable and fruit scraps, breads, pastas, coffee grounds, egg shells, and tea bags are all acceptable nitrogen sources for your compost bin.

Do not put meats or fats in your compost pile. These food wastes will attract animals and rodents to your bin.

Manures from cows, horses, chickens and any non-meat eating animals are excellent nitrogen sources for starting the decomposition process.

Paper towels, toilet paper tubes and other shredded paper products can also be added to your compost bin.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

Some people have concerns about compost heaps fearing they will attract insects, rodents and other pests as well as produce undesirable odors. Most of these worries are unfounded, especially with a properly maintained pile.

A good, healthy pile should present no problems. As a general rule of thumb, if it smells like soil, then everything is working like it should.

Odors in your compost bin are usually caused by too many greens or a proper amount of greens not adequately stirred into the mixture. If odor problems start, try mixing in more brown materials such as dried leaves, straw, compost or garden soil.
Flies should not be attracted to your compost pile if food scraps are buried 6″ to 12″ in the center of the pile. Just dumping food waste on the top of the pile is what causes flies to seek out your compost bin.
Rodents should not be attracted to your compost pile if you do not add meats or fatty foods. Should rodents become a problem, try turning the pile and purchasing rodent repellent at your hardware store or home center.
Moisture, too much or not enough, can also be a problem. If it is too wet, the pile will rot rather than decompose. If it is too dry, nothing will happen. A cover will help keep it from getting too wet during rainy seasons. A garden hose can be used to add any necessary moisture. The pile should have the wetness of a squeezed-out sponge.

Cold, winter weather will slow down the decomposition process. Make the pile larger and/or cover it, and it will maintain its heat and do a slow simmer during the colder months.

TOOL AND MATERIAL CHECKLIST
Long-handled pitch fork
Wire staples
Compost aerating tool Power stapler
Compost thermometer Nails
Compost starter Nuts and bolts
2″x4″x36″ wire fencing Hardware cloth
Trash can Zinc-plated hinges
Pre-made compost bin Corner and T-braces
Treated lumber Hand or circular saw
Rope or chain Drill and drill bits hammer
Bone meal Tin snips
Leaf blower/vac Tape measure
Chipper/shredder Safety glasses
Lawn cart

Are you gearing up to buy your first place? Shopping for a home is exciting, exhausting and a little scary, especially in this market. In the end, your aim is to end up with a home you love at a price you can afford. Sounds simple enough, right? Unfortunately, many people make mistakes [...]]]>

Are you gearing up to buy your first place? Shopping for a home is exciting, exhausting and a little scary, especially in this market. In the end, your aim is to end up with a home you love at a price you can afford. Sounds simple enough, right? Unfortunately, many people make mistakes that prevent them from achieving that simple dream. This article from Investopedia will help arm yourself with these tips to get the most out of your purchase and avoid making 10 of the most costly mistakes that could put a hold on that sold sign.

1. Not knowing what you can afford

As we learned from the subprime mortgage mess, what the bank says you can afford and what you know you can afford or are comfortable with paying are not necessarily the same. If you don’t already have a budget, make a list of all your monthly expenses (excluding rent), including vehicle costs, student loan payments, credit card payments, groceries, health insurance, retirement savings and so on. Don’t forget major expenses that occur only once a year, like any insurance premiums you pay annually or annual vacations. Subtract this total from your take-home pay and you’ll know how much you can spend on your new home each month.

If you end up looking at homes that are outside your price range, you’ll end up lusting after something you can’t afford, which can put you in the dangerous position of trying to stretch beyond your means financially or cause you to feel unsatisfied with what you actually can afford. You may even learn that you can’t afford the type or size of home that you desire and that you need to work on reducing your monthly expenses and/or increasing your income before you even start looking.

2. Skipping mortgage qualification

What you think you can afford and what the bank is willing to lend you may not match up, especially if you have poor credit or unstable income, so make sure to get preapproved for a loan before placing an offer on a home. You’ll be wasting the seller’s time, the seller’s agent’s time and your agent’s time if you sign a contract and discover later that the bank won’t lend you what you need or that it won’t give you a mortgage you find acceptable.

Be aware that even if you have been preapproved for a mortgage, your loan can fall through if you do something to alter your credit score, like finance a car purchase. If you cause the deal to fall through, you may have to forfeit the money that you put up when you went under contract.

3. Failing to consider additional expenses

Once you’re a homeowner, you’ll have additional expenses on top of your monthly payment. Unlike when you were a renter, you’ll be responsible for paying property taxes, insuring your home against disasters and making any repairs the house needs (which will occasionally include expensive items like replacing the roof or furnace).

If you purchase a condo, you’ll have to pay monthly maintenance costs regardless of whether anything needs fixing because you’ll be part of a homeowners association, which collects monthly fees from the owners of each unit in the form of condominium fees.

4. Being too picky

Go ahead and put everything you can think of on your wish list, but don’t be so inflexible that you end up continuing to rent for significantly longer than you really want to. First-time homebuyers often have to compromise on something because their funds are limited. You may have to live on a busy street, accept outdated decor, make some repairs to the home or forgo that extra bedroom. Of course, you can always choose to continue renting until you can afford everything on your list — you’ll just have to decide how important it is for you to become a homeowner now rather than in a couple of years

5. Lacking vision

Even if you can’t afford to replace the hideous wallpaper in the bathroom now, it might be worth it to live with the ugliness for a while in exchange for getting into a house you can afford. If the home meets your needs in terms of the big things that are difficult to change, such as location and size, don’t let physical imperfections turn you away. Besides, doing home upgrades yourself, even if you have to hire a contractor, is often cheaper than paying the increased home value to a seller who has already done the work for you

6. Being swept away

Minor upgrades and cosmetic fixes are inexpensive tricks that play on your emotions and elicit a much higher price. Sellers may pay $2,000 for minimal upgrades or staging that you’ll end up paying $40,000 for. If you’re on a budget, look for homes whose full potential has yet to be realized. Also, first-time homebuyers should always look for a house they can add value to; this ensures a bump in equity to help you up the property ladder.

7. Compromising on the important things

Don’t get a two-bedroom home when you know you’re planning to have kids and will want at least three bedrooms. By the same token, don’t buy a condo just because it’s cheaper when one of the main reasons you’re over apartment life is because you hate sharing walls with neighbors. It’s true that you’ll probably have to make some compromises to be able to afford your first home, but don’t make a compromise that will be a major strain.

8. Neglecting to inspect

It’s tempting to think that you’re a homeowner the moment you go into escrow, but before you close on the sale, you need to know what kind of shape the house is in. You don’t want to get stuck with a money pit or with the headache of performing a lot of unexpected repairs. Keeping your feelings in check until you have a full picture of the house’s physical condition and the soundness of your potential investment will help you avoid making a serious financial mistake.

9. Not hiring your own agent or using the seller’s agent

Once you’re seriously shopping for a home, don’t walk into an open house without having an agent (or at least being prepared to throw out a name of someone you’re supposedly working with). Agents are held to the ethical rule that they must act in the best interest of their clients, but if you’re a buyer, you’ll probably have a stronger advocate for your interests if you use your own agent and not the seller’s.

10. Not thinking about the future

It’s impossible to perfectly predict the future of your chosen neighborhood, but paying attention to the information that is available to you now can help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

Some questions you should ask about your prospective property include:

• What kind of development plans are in the works for your neighborhood?
• Is your street likely to become a major street or a popular rush-hour shortcut?
• Will a highway be built in your backyard in five years?
• What are the zoning laws in your area?
• If there is a lot of undeveloped land? What is likely to get built there?
• Have home values in the neighborhood been declining?

If you’re happy with the answers to these questions, your house’s location can keep its luster.

Buying a first home can seem stressful and overwhelming, and it isn’t without its share of potential pitfalls. If you’re aware of those issues ahead of time, though, you can protect yourself from costly mistakes and shop with confidence.

For many people, a home is the largest purchase they will ever make, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the most difficult.

Many buyers today think buying a foreclosure means big savings and this can be true but buyers also need to be aware of potential pitfalls. A foreclosure takes place when a homeowner or property owner cannot pay the mortgage fees on the property and is forced to give up the property to the bank.

Some people put off filing, some don’t file at all. [...]]]> Admit it. You’re afraid of your Form 1040 or any other tax forms. That’s OK. A lot of us are. And our tax fears, sometimes irrational, sometimes warranted, cause us to do a lot of dumb things when it comes to our annual returns.

Some people put off filing, some don’t file at all. Neither of those choices is a wise tax move.

But fear doesn’t have to paralyze you. Bankrate.com has outlined six common tax terrors. Some are real. Some aren’t nearly as terrifying as you might think.

Regardless, you’ll find out just how you can conquer your tax terrors, get your returns done in a timely manner and possibly save a few bucks once you’ve overcome your tax-filing fears.

This fear, unfortunately, is too often true, in large part because of the ever-expanding tax code. Tax law publisher CCH Inc. notes that in 1919, it took 400 pages in the company’s Standard Federal Tax Reporter to discuss the legislative, administrative and judicial aspects of the tax laws. The 2012 edition covers more than 73,000 pages.

With numbers like that, it’s no wonder the average taxpayer feels overwhelmed. Robert Simon, CPA and managing partner at EisnerLubin llp, an accounting, tax and consulting firm in New York, notes, “It is easy to understand why people can get confused when you consider the sheer number of code sections involved.”

The remedy: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most of us already do. The Internal Revenue Service says around 80 percent of us rely on tax software or tax professionals to get our tax job done.

You have lots of preparer options, from a personal accountant who can fill out your return and help you plan throughout the year to franchise operations that gear up between Jan. 1 and mid-April. If your tax situation is not overly complicated, computer software might be enough to help you file with a bit more confidence. Take a look at your tax needs, then find the tax assistance that best meets them.

Even folks who are brave enough to tackle their taxes on their own often face this fear. Again, it’s not an unreasonable one. And once again, those folks in Washington, D.C., feed this fear.

Take, for example, the various tax laws created in response to the recent economic crisis. The first-time homebuyer credit was changed three times in less than two years. Definitions, such as who qualifies as a first-time purchaser, would make Merriam-Webster editors scream. And there are all sorts of limits and demands for various homebuying situations.

The remedy: Accept that tax filing is going to take some homework. By staying on top of tax law changes and filing tips, you’ll know exactly where this year’s taxes might trip you up.

This is a close relative of fear No. 2. But here, the fear is not of omission, but commission.

This includes things as simple as filing the wrong tax form. In trying to get through filing as quickly as possible, some folks opt for the easy way out, in this case, the 1040 EZ, and end up cheating themselves. Or they choose the incorrect filing status, such as single when they’re eligible to file as the more tax-advantageous head of household. Those are just a couple of the many mistakes that tax filers make every year.

The remedy: slow down. You still have plenty of time to do it right. Read the instructions. If you’re using software, don’t skip steps just to finish. Answer all your tax pro’s questions. If he or she says to provide more information, then provide it. A little extra work and attention to detail could cut your tax bill or get you a bigger refund.

You know you need help, but you’re afraid that the person you turn to could be more of a hindrance. Unfortunately, sometimes this fear is well-founded. A few years ago, a Government Accountability Office look into commercial tax prep chains in major metropolitan areas produced the alarming finding that all returns completed in those offices were wrong to some degree.

The Department of Justice’s Tax Division regularly shuts down tax preparation offices across the United States when it finds the operators have allegedly filed bogus returns for clients. And yes, even big name, high-dollar help sometimes produces unexpected tax costs for clients.

The remedy: The IRS is hoping to reduce such mistakes with new regulations on paid preparers.

To make sure you don’t end up paying for your tax preparer’s mistakes, start with the hiring process. Investigate several potential preparers, and thoroughly check out each before you hand over your personal tax documents. Once you’re a client, don’t take every recommendation at face value. Ask questions, and make sure you understand the answers. Most of all, remember the adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Everyone dreads facing a tax examiner. But audit fears tend to be much greater than audit realities. The overall risk of audit remains small. In recent years, IRS data show that its audit rate hovers around 1 percent for individuals earning less than $100,000. The agency also has admitted that it is now going after wealthier taxpayers since any filing mistakes there tend to produce a larger return on the audit effort.

The remedy: Statistics don’t matter if you’re one of the relatively few audited. If that happens, make sure you can show an IRS examiner why you filed as you did. “If you’re really doing stupid things on your tax return, expect to get audited. Deservedly so,” says Eva Rosenberg, an enrolled agent based in Southern California and the Internet’s TaxMama. “But if you’re afraid to use a legitimate tax break because you’re afraid you’re going to be audited, stop it! Stand up for your rights. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

Keep good records. If you can prove the tax break was valid, you’ll be OK. People who work for themselves and file Schedule C do tend to get scrutinized a bit more, so your business record keeping needs to be precise.

The only thing scarier than filing taxes is what could happen if you don’t file. The IRS penalty for not filing is actually worse than if you file but don’t pay your tax bill in full. It’ll cost you 5 percent a month on any unpaid tax if you haven’t sent in a Form 1040. Send in the return but no money, and you’ll only be charged one-half of 1 percent of the tax owed for each month.

The remedy: File! And file on time. Then make arrangements to pay. That way you’ll avoid taking that hardest tax penalty hit, which could reach a cumulative 25 percent maximum penalty.

If you can’t afford to pay your full tax bill, send Uncle Sam at least a down payment. As for coming up with the rest of the tax bill, consider using a credit card; just use the card that has the lowest interest rate. The IRS also has payment plans. Though these add interest charges to your tax bill, rates right now are low and at least you can be assured that you’re meeting your filing and payment obligations.

This is [...]]]> Beautifully maintained Ranch, 7 rooms, 3 bedroom, 1 & 1/2 baths with family room in basement. Large deck off kitchen. New roof, newer heating, vinyl replacement windows and exterior shingles. Central air and a walk out basement to a spacious fenced in back yard. Conveniently located near Rte 3 and commuter rail.

This is a Ranch style home and features 7 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.36 Acres, and is currently available for $214,900.

For complete details click here.