If your kitchen has a garbage disposal, you know how easy it makes mealtime clean up. But what you may not realize is that your disposal comes with some pretty important rules. Here are some of the most vital:
Do:
- Insert food slowly. Stuffing it all into your disposal at once can cause clogs and shorten the life of your system.
- Grind hard materials. Many people think food like chicken bones or small fruit pits are a no-no, but they can actually help clean the walls of the disposal.
- Use cold water for at least 20 seconds. This will solidify grease so that it can be ground up. Also, make sure that all food particles are washed completely down the drain.
- Keep it clean. One good way to eliminate drain smells is by grinding citrus fruit peels. You can also add a few drops of dish soap and let the disposal run for a few minutes.
Don't:
- Use hot water. This will make grease liquefy and build up, which can clog the drain.
- Grind fibrous or expandable foods. The former, like celery stalks and onionskins, can tangle up the disposal. The latter, like pasta and rice, can clog it.
- Turn off the motor too quickly. You'll want to make sure all food particles are completely ground. Once done, continue to run the water for at least 15 seconds to flush out particles.
- Wash coffee grounds down the drain. While they won't harm the disposal itself, they can clog pipes and drains.
- Forget to use it. Lack of use can cause rusting and corrosion, which can lead to premature system replacement.
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Warren Buffett: I'd Buy Up 'A Couple Hundred Thousand' Single-Family Homes
Appearing live on CNBC's Squawk Box, Warren Buffett tells Becky Quick he'd buy up "a couple hundred thousand" single family homes if it were practical to do so. If held for a long period of time and purchased at low rates, Buffett says houses are even better than stocks. He advises homebuyers to take out a 30-year mortgage and refinance if rates go down.
-- “Warren Buffett on CNBC,” by Alex Crippin, CNBC, Feb. 27, 2012.
Warren Buffett is recognized as one of the most successful investors in the world. His recent comments on CNBC reflect how he feels about the opportunity available for all of us in the housing market.
This type of commentary is starting to show up in more and more places as people recognize the real value in today’s housing market. Buffett indicated that if you know where you want to live for the next five or ten years then there is no question you should buy and you should buy now.
One of the most important factors in buying a home is the mortgage. With interest rates at the lowest level in more than fifty years, mortgage payments are actually less in many cases than the rent you would pay for a comparable property. Investing in yourself instead of your landlord is another reason for getting into the game before these low rates are history.
A recent article on MSN Real Estate echoed Buffett’s comments. The article entitle “Should buyers take the plunge this spring?” by Melinda Fulmer cited increases in home sales, decline in inventory, home prices being 10% below rents and banks willingness to lend as reasons why it might be time to become a home owner.
Buffett hit the key in his interview saying that he would be a buyer because of the value that is available.
Maybe it’s time to take Warren’s advice.
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
-- “Warren Buffett on CNBC,” by Alex Crippin, CNBC, Feb. 27, 2012.
Warren Buffett is recognized as one of the most successful investors in the world. His recent comments on CNBC reflect how he feels about the opportunity available for all of us in the housing market.
This type of commentary is starting to show up in more and more places as people recognize the real value in today’s housing market. Buffett indicated that if you know where you want to live for the next five or ten years then there is no question you should buy and you should buy now.
One of the most important factors in buying a home is the mortgage. With interest rates at the lowest level in more than fifty years, mortgage payments are actually less in many cases than the rent you would pay for a comparable property. Investing in yourself instead of your landlord is another reason for getting into the game before these low rates are history.
A recent article on MSN Real Estate echoed Buffett’s comments. The article entitle “Should buyers take the plunge this spring?” by Melinda Fulmer cited increases in home sales, decline in inventory, home prices being 10% below rents and banks willingness to lend as reasons why it might be time to become a home owner.
Buffett hit the key in his interview saying that he would be a buyer because of the value that is available.
Maybe it’s time to take Warren’s advice.
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
Monday, March 12, 2012
10 Easy Upgrades to Add Style & Value to Your Home
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in the value and appeal of your home. Whether you’re trying to sell your home of just spruce up the place, here are 10 easy ways to get started.
- Update hardware on cabinets and drawers
- Replace towels and rugs in the bathroom(s)
- Add overhead lighting or wall sconces to brighten rooms
- Declutter small spaces and closets with DIY storage kits
- Wash or power wash the exterior of your home (especially windows)
- Add area rugs to throw in a hint of color
- Hang a mirror in small rooms to give the illusion of more space
- A fresh coat of paint on walls and trim brighten any room
- Try a fresh new color on your front door for character
- Mow and mulch your lawn even in the cooler months
Make a plan. Set a budget. Get started!
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
- Update hardware on cabinets and drawers
- Replace towels and rugs in the bathroom(s)
- Add overhead lighting or wall sconces to brighten rooms
- Declutter small spaces and closets with DIY storage kits
- Wash or power wash the exterior of your home (especially windows)
- Add area rugs to throw in a hint of color
- Hang a mirror in small rooms to give the illusion of more space
- A fresh coat of paint on walls and trim brighten any room
- Try a fresh new color on your front door for character
- Mow and mulch your lawn even in the cooler months
Make a plan. Set a budget. Get started!
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Pending home sales near a two-year high, boosting views on housing market
By Derek Kravitz
WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back.
The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its index of sales agreements rose 2 percent last month to a reading of 97. That's the highest reading since April 2010, the last month that buyers could qualify for a federal home-buying tax credit and the last time the reading was above 100.
A reading of 100 is considered healthy.
The Realtors' group also released revised data for 2011. That lowered November's initial 19-month high of 100.1 to 96.9. But contracts have been markedly up since the summer when some feared a second recession loomed.
Contract signings typically indicate where the housing market is headed. There's a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a completed deal.
A sale isn't final until a mortgage is closed. One-third of Realtors complain that they've had at least one contract scuttled in January, December, November and October, according to the Realtors' group. That's up from 18 percent of Realtors in September.
Nonetheless, the gain in signed contracts supports other evidence of improvement in the housing market.
Pierre Ellis, an economist at Decision Economics, said home sales and building is in the midst of "ongoing general, but gentle, progress."
Builders are growing more optimistic after seeing more people express interest in buying this year. Sales of previously occupied homes are at their highest level since May 2010. More first-time buyers are making purchases. And the supply of homes fell last month to its lowest point in nearly seven years, which could push home prices higher.
Homes are the most affordable they've been in decades. And mortgage rates have never been cheaper.
Much of the optimism has come because hiring has picked up. More jobs are critical to a housing rebound.
"Easier mortgage lending criteria, very low rates and the improving labor market are all contributing to the beginnings of a real upturn in home sales, if not yet prices," said Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.
Sales may also be rising because of an April deadline for higher mortgage application fees for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed home loans. The government-controlled mortgage buyers own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages and 90 percent of new loans, and have been telling customers to submit their applications now.
Analysts caution that the damage from the housing bust is deep and the industry is years away from fully recovering.
Potential buyers are holding off for a number of reasons. High unemployment and weak job growth have deterred many potential buyers. Loans are harder to come by. Lenders are requiring bigger down payments and strong credit scores to qualify.
Even those with good credit and stable finances are hesitant to buy out of concern home prices will keep falling.
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back.
The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its index of sales agreements rose 2 percent last month to a reading of 97. That's the highest reading since April 2010, the last month that buyers could qualify for a federal home-buying tax credit and the last time the reading was above 100.
A reading of 100 is considered healthy.
The Realtors' group also released revised data for 2011. That lowered November's initial 19-month high of 100.1 to 96.9. But contracts have been markedly up since the summer when some feared a second recession loomed.
Contract signings typically indicate where the housing market is headed. There's a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a completed deal.
A sale isn't final until a mortgage is closed. One-third of Realtors complain that they've had at least one contract scuttled in January, December, November and October, according to the Realtors' group. That's up from 18 percent of Realtors in September.
Nonetheless, the gain in signed contracts supports other evidence of improvement in the housing market.
Pierre Ellis, an economist at Decision Economics, said home sales and building is in the midst of "ongoing general, but gentle, progress."
Builders are growing more optimistic after seeing more people express interest in buying this year. Sales of previously occupied homes are at their highest level since May 2010. More first-time buyers are making purchases. And the supply of homes fell last month to its lowest point in nearly seven years, which could push home prices higher.
Homes are the most affordable they've been in decades. And mortgage rates have never been cheaper.
Much of the optimism has come because hiring has picked up. More jobs are critical to a housing rebound.
"Easier mortgage lending criteria, very low rates and the improving labor market are all contributing to the beginnings of a real upturn in home sales, if not yet prices," said Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.
Sales may also be rising because of an April deadline for higher mortgage application fees for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed home loans. The government-controlled mortgage buyers own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages and 90 percent of new loans, and have been telling customers to submit their applications now.
Analysts caution that the damage from the housing bust is deep and the industry is years away from fully recovering.
Potential buyers are holding off for a number of reasons. High unemployment and weak job growth have deterred many potential buyers. Loans are harder to come by. Lenders are requiring bigger down payments and strong credit scores to qualify.
Even those with good credit and stable finances are hesitant to buy out of concern home prices will keep falling.
For Buying or Selling, it helps to have a guide that gives you straight answers. For more information on buying, selling, or renting out an income property in San Diego, please call Frank Rashid's cell phone at (858) 676-5250 or email him at rashid@rashidrealty.com. More to follow within the next couple of weeks.
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