Thursday, September 12, 2013
Hilton Head Island Real Estate: Lowcountry Inspired Kitchens ~ Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island Real Estate: Lowcountry Inspired Kitchens ~ Hilton Head Island: Thinking of a kitchen remodel and still want to keep that lowcountry feel? Houzz is a great site for ideas. You're sure to find the kit...
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
America
Battered and bruised, but still flying high and proud!
I saw this flag is flying and waving atop one of our local shrimp boats, docked on Hilton Head Island, SC.
America remembers 9/11. We shall never forget!
Find more articles on HiltonHeadHappenings.com/blog
Monday, September 2, 2013
Does a Pool Add Value to a Home?
Learn how a pool affects the value of your home, and get advice on construction and maintenance costs.
Does a pool add value to a home? No. And
yes.
In general, building a pool is not the best
way to add value to your home. You're better off making physical improvements
to your actual house instead of adding a pool to your yard.
However, a pool can add value to your home in some cases:
However, a pool can add value to your home in some cases:
•If you live in a higher-end
neighborhood and most of your neighbors have pools. In fact, not having a pool
might make your home harder to sell.
•If you live in a warm climate, such
as Florida or Hawaii.
•Your lot is big enough to accommodate
a pool and still have some yard left over for play or gardening.
Still, that's no guarantee you'll get a
return on your investment. At most, your home's value might increase 7% if all
circumstances are right when it comes time to sell. Those circumstances include
the points made above, plus:
•The style of the pool. Does it fit
the neighborhood?
•The condition of the pool. Is it
well-maintained?
•Age of the pool. If you put a pool in
today and sell in 20 years, you probably won't recoup your costs, especially if
the pool needs updating.
•You can attract the right buyer.
Couples with very young children may shy away from pools because of safety
issues, but an older childless couple may fall in love with it.
But only you, the homeowner, can determine
the true return on investment. A pool can add value to your quality of life and
enhance the enjoyment of your home. You can't put a price tag on that.
But we can put a price tag on how much a pool costs to build and maintain.
The Cost to Build a Pool
But we can put a price tag on how much a pool costs to build and maintain.
The Cost to Build a Pool
The average cost in the U.S. to install,
equip, and fill a 600-sq.-ft. concrete pool starts at $30,000.
Add in details like safety fences (most states require them), waterfalls, lighting, landscaping, and perhaps a spa (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/pools-spas/what_to_consider_before_building_spa/), and you're easily looking at totals approaching $100,000.
Costs also depend on the type of pool you choose.
Gunite is the most popular in-ground pool. Gunite is a mixture of cement and sand, which can be poured into almost any shape. It has replaced concrete pools as the sought-after standard.
Fiberglass shells and those with vinyl liners fall on the lower end of the budget scale, but the liners typically need replacing every 10 or so years. Changing the liner requires draining the pool and replacing the edging (called coping), so over time, costs add up. Most homebuyers will insist that you replace a vinyl liner, even if it's only a few years old.
Filtration and Heating
Add in details like safety fences (most states require them), waterfalls, lighting, landscaping, and perhaps a spa (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/pools-spas/what_to_consider_before_building_spa/), and you're easily looking at totals approaching $100,000.
Costs also depend on the type of pool you choose.
Gunite is the most popular in-ground pool. Gunite is a mixture of cement and sand, which can be poured into almost any shape. It has replaced concrete pools as the sought-after standard.
Fiberglass shells and those with vinyl liners fall on the lower end of the budget scale, but the liners typically need replacing every 10 or so years. Changing the liner requires draining the pool and replacing the edging (called coping), so over time, costs add up. Most homebuyers will insist that you replace a vinyl liner, even if it's only a few years old.
Filtration and Heating
The filtration pump is the biggest energy
hog in a pool system, so you want to get the most efficient pump possible. The
good news here is that new, variable-speed pumps use up to 80% less energy than
old single-speed pumps, cutting operating expenses dramatically. At about $500,
these cost more up front, but some local utilities offer rebates through
participating pool dealers. You can further cut energy costs by setting the
pump to run at non-peak times, when rates for electricity are lower.
If you're planning to heat your pool, gas heaters are the least expensive to purchase and install, but they typically have the highest operation and maintenance costs. Many pool owners opt instead for electric heat pumps, which extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water. Heat pumps take longer than gas to warm the pool, but they're more energy-efficient, costing $200 to $400 less to operate per swimming season. Regardless of heating system, covering the pool with a solar blanket to trap heat and reduce evaporation will further lower operating costs.
Maintenance Expenses
If you're planning to heat your pool, gas heaters are the least expensive to purchase and install, but they typically have the highest operation and maintenance costs. Many pool owners opt instead for electric heat pumps, which extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water. Heat pumps take longer than gas to warm the pool, but they're more energy-efficient, costing $200 to $400 less to operate per swimming season. Regardless of heating system, covering the pool with a solar blanket to trap heat and reduce evaporation will further lower operating costs.
Maintenance Expenses
All pools require that the water be balanced
for proper pH, alkalinity, and calcium levels. They also need sanitizing to
control bacteria and germs, which is where chlorine has traditionally entered
the picture.
These days you have a variety of options, including systems that use bromine, salt, ozone, ionizers, or other chemical compounds that can be less irritating to skin. Chlorine remains the most popular because the upfront costs are reasonable, and you don't have to be as rigid about checking the levels on a set schedule. But as far as your wallet is concerned, they all even out in the end.
In a seasonal swimming climate, budget about $600 annually for maintenance if you shoulder the chemical balancing and cleaning yourself; in a year-round climate, it's more like $15 to $25 per week.
To save yourself the task of once-a-week vacuuming, you can buy a robotic cleaning system for between $500 and $800 that will do the job for you. In locations where the pool must be opened and closed for the season, add another $500 each time for a pro to handle this task.
Insurance and Taxes
These days you have a variety of options, including systems that use bromine, salt, ozone, ionizers, or other chemical compounds that can be less irritating to skin. Chlorine remains the most popular because the upfront costs are reasonable, and you don't have to be as rigid about checking the levels on a set schedule. But as far as your wallet is concerned, they all even out in the end.
In a seasonal swimming climate, budget about $600 annually for maintenance if you shoulder the chemical balancing and cleaning yourself; in a year-round climate, it's more like $15 to $25 per week.
To save yourself the task of once-a-week vacuuming, you can buy a robotic cleaning system for between $500 and $800 that will do the job for you. In locations where the pool must be opened and closed for the season, add another $500 each time for a pro to handle this task.
Insurance and Taxes
A basic homeowners insurance policy
typically covers a pool structure without requiring a separate rider, but you
should increase your liability from the standard amount.
It costs about $30 a year to bump coverage from $100,000 to $500,000. Many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so children can't wander in unsupervised.
In some areas, adding a pool may increase your annual property taxes (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/property-taxes/property-tax-appeal/), but it won't necessarily add to your home's selling price. For that reason, try to keep your total building cost between 10% and 15% of what you paid for your house, lest you invest too much in an amenity that won't pay you back.
It costs about $30 a year to bump coverage from $100,000 to $500,000. Many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so children can't wander in unsupervised.
In some areas, adding a pool may increase your annual property taxes (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/property-taxes/property-tax-appeal/), but it won't necessarily add to your home's selling price. For that reason, try to keep your total building cost between 10% and 15% of what you paid for your house, lest you invest too much in an amenity that won't pay you back.
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Julie Sturgeon
Sunday, September 1, 2013
How to Use a Programmable Thermostat to See Real Savings
A programmable thermostat can help you rake in the energy savings, but there's a hitch: You've got to pick one you'll actually use.
It's official: The programmable thermostat
is the VCR of our day. Why? We think they're too complicated.
According to a study by the Lawrence
Berkeley National Lab, nearly 90% of Americans say they've rarely (or never)
programmed their thermostat because they're not sure how to do it.
But it's really not that hard, and it's definitely worth doing because it can save you up to 15% a year on energy costs.
The first step is to pick the thermostat that best suits your scheduling needs so you can "set it and forget it," an approach the U.S. Energy Department advocates to get the most savings.
Picking the Right Thermostat
There are four types of programmable thermostats, each with a distinctive scheduling style:
But it's really not that hard, and it's definitely worth doing because it can save you up to 15% a year on energy costs.
The first step is to pick the thermostat that best suits your scheduling needs so you can "set it and forget it," an approach the U.S. Energy Department advocates to get the most savings.
Picking the Right Thermostat
There are four types of programmable thermostats, each with a distinctive scheduling style:
•7-day programming. Best for individuals or families with erratic schedules, since
this is the most flexible option. It lets you program a different
heating/cooling schedule for each day of the week. Average price range: $55-$125.
•5-1-1 programming. One heating/cooling schedule for the week, plus you can schedule a
different heating/cooling plan for Saturday and Sunday. Average price range:
$35-$78.
•5-2 programming. Same as 5-1-1 programming, except Saturday and Sunday will have
the same heating/cooling plan. Average price range: $28-$30.
•1-week programming. You can only set one heating/cooling plan that will be repeated
daily for the entire week. Average price range: $20-$23.
You'll need a program for both the cooler
months and the warmer months.
TIP: Before buying
a programmable thermostat, identify the type of equipment used to heat and cool
your home so you can check for compatibility. For example, do you have central
heating and cooling, or just a furnace or baseboard heating? Otherwise, you may
not reap the rewards of energy savings and may risk harming your heating and
cooling
(http://www.houselogic.com/maintenance-repair/preventative-home-maintenance/heating-cooling/)
equipment.
Programming the Thermostat
Most programmable thermostats have a
pre-programmed setting that's supposed to be for the typical American family.
But what family is typical these days? You need to adjust the thermostat's
settings so it's in sync with the life you and your family lead instead of some
mythical family.
Programming options are based on:
Programming options are based on:
•Wake Time
•Sleep Time
•Leave Time
•Return Time
The U.S Department of Energy suggests the
following settings in order to shave up to 15% off your energy bill:
Winter months:
Winter months:
•For the hours you're home and awake,
program the temp to 68 deg F.
•Lower by 10 deg; to 15 deg;
for the hours you're asleep or out of the house.
Summer months:
•For the hours you're home, program
air conditioning to 78 deg F.
•For the days you don't need cooling,
manually shut off the AC. Keep in mind, it will kick back on if the house gets
too warm.
•Program the AC to shut off during the
hours you're out of the house.
Here are a few programming timing tips that
can help you create the best set-it-and-forget-it heating and cooling schedule
for your home:
•Shut down heat or air conditioning 20
to 30 minutes before you leave home each day.
•Turn on heat or air conditioning 20
to 30 minutes before you come home each day.
•Reduce the heating or cooling 60
minutes before you go to sleep each night.
•Increase heating or cooling about 30
minutes before you wake up each morning.
Spend time tweaking your program for a few
days to make sure it feels right.
TIP: With a
Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, you can control your home's temperature while on the
go. That way, you're not wasting energy if you're running late or forgot to
create a new program before going on vacation.
FYI: A
furnace does NOT have to work harder to warm a house after the temperature has
been set low during the day.
Thermostats That Make Programming Easier
Want something that's simpler? Newer more
high-tech models have simplified the process:
•The Nest Learning Thermostat: It creates a custom heating and cooling schedule for your home
based on motion detection technology. Plus since it is Wi-Fi, it can be
controlled remotely. Price: $250.
•Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: This device makes it easy to create a custom heating and cooling
plan. Unlike conventional programmable thermostats, it has a large color
interface that displays a simple menu that walks you through all the
programming steps. It also "learns" your home and will send you
personal notifications if the temperature is not right, or if there's a power
outage. Price: $199.
FYI:
Thermostats made prior to 2001 may contain mercury. To see if your programmable
thermostat contains mercury, check with the manufacturer. If you decide to
dispose of a thermostat that contains mercury, check out how to do so safely in
your area at Thermostat Recycling Corporation
(http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/). (Not sure why mercury is so bad? Here's
the skinny: It's toxic and it never breaks down. When it enters the waste
stream, it permanently damages the ecosystem.)
Have questions or need help programming
your thermostat? Below are tech support numbers for popular manufacturers:
•Honeywell: Wi-Fi Models:
1-855-733-5465
•Honeywell: All other thermostats:
1-800-468-1502
•Hunter: 1-888-830-1326
•White Rodgers: 1-800-284-2925
•Trane: 1-877-288-7707
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Deirdre Sullivan
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