Source:  RIS Media & Lowe's

    Over the top. A refrigerator with a freezer on top uses 10 percent to 25 percent less energy than one with a side-by-side or bottom-mounted freezer.

    Power up. Plug appliances and electronics into a power strip rather than an outlet. Devices plugged directly into the wall leak up to 15 watts of electricity even if they’re shut off.

    Dish it out. Hand-washing dishes might seem better for Mother Earth than using the dishwasher, but it’s actually more wasteful You’ll use up to 35 percent less water by filling up the dishwasher with dishes that aren’t pre-rinsed instead of washing by hand. You can also conserve energy by skipping the dry cycle — just open the dishwasher’s door when the cycle is done to air dry.

    Don’t tank. Invest in a tankless water heater that will heat water instantly on an as-needed basis, instead of one that must constantly keep your water warm. They can be expensive—prices range from just under $200 to more than $1,000—but it will help reduce energy costs in the long run and reduce water loss. Don’t want to buy one? Be sure to insulate your pipes for a good reduction in heat loss.

By Stephanie Andre

Wow, it's hot outside! The summer's in full swing with no signs of cooling. And while you may be tempted to crank up the A/C, remember - you won't be nearly as excited to see that electric bill next month.

To save some money -- and, don't forget, energy! -- here are six tips that might just help.

1. Avoid heat build-up in your home – The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out. This can be done by closing the drapes on windows facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon). You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.

2. Use ventilation and circulation to cool your home – Instead of automatically turning on the air conditioner on hot days, try cooling your home with window and ceiling fans. Circulating air can make your home feel cool and comfortable in a much more efficient way than air conditioning. There is also the option of a whole house fan (a large ventilating fan installed in you attic that expels hot air out of your home) which can circulate air throughout your entire home.

3. Keep air conditioning efficient and to a minimum – When you do have to use air conditioning, there are ways to make it more efficient. First of all, turn up the temperature setting on your air conditioner by a couple of degrees. Most people keep the temperature setting lower than it needs to be, hence using more energy than is needed to keep your home cool. It is recommended that you keep the temperature at about 25° C (77° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner once your home has reached a comfortable temperature. By coupling minimum air conditioning with reducing the amount of heat entering your home, you can keep it cool without using excess energy. It isn’t recommended that you leave your air conditioner on when you leave your house, but if you’re going to do so, turn the temperature setting up a few more degrees while you’re gone to about 28° C (82° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner if you’re going to be away from your home for more than a day. It is also important to make sure your cooling vents aren’t blocked so that the energy being used is going towards actually cooling your home and not being wasted. Furthermore, keep rooms that don't need cooling, such as closets, closed off when you're air conditioning.

4. Make sure your home isn’t losing cool air – By weather-stripping and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets on outer walls, you can prevent losing cool air from your home and prevent hot air from getting in. Improve your home’s insulation on outer walls, again to keep cool air in, and hot air out. You should also consider installing storm doors for the same reasons if your home doesn’t already have them. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed. These provide an extra barrier against the escape of cool air. All of these options will make cooling your home more efficient and will save you money on your energy bill.

5. Select energy-efficient cooling systems – If you’re in the market for a new cooling system, there are many new technologies that are much more efficient than older versions. As with other appliances, you should look for the Energy Star logo and compare the amount of electricity each uses.

6. Use the coolest parts of your home – On hot days, parts of your house will naturally stay cooler than others. For example, if you have a basement it will remain cool even during the hottest part of the day (this is because the cool air in your home will sink down to your basement). One way you can reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home is to do more in cooler areas of your home. This way, you won't have to use energy to stay cool.

Source:  RISMEDIA & Lowe's

    About.com suggests finding a quiet corner to designate as your in-house oasis. Even if it’s not an entire room, be sure your in-house oasis has a different feel than the rest of the house. (If it’s just a section of a room, invest in a lightweight screen to separate it from the rest of the area.) Make sure it’s away from technology, including telephones, computers or the television. (And resist the urge to check work e-mail or bring your BlackBerry.)

    Add to the relaxing ambiance by painting the walls a soothing color.

    Experts recommend pale blues and greens or neutrals such as taupe, beige or brown. Avoid jarring, energetic shades such as bright yellows or reds. If you do add color, keep it monochromatic so vivid contrasts aren’t distracting.

    Next, get rid of clutter. Then set up a big, comfy armchair and a small table that’s just big enough for a steaming mug of tea, perhaps a plate of food and a lamp. Less is more when decorating for stress relief. Add serene family photos to the walls so you’ll be surrounded by the ones you love, and consider placing candles in the area.

    Choose scents such as lavender, sandalwood or sage, which can have a calming effect on the mind and body.

    Pets. Many condominiums restrict the permitted size and number of pets, if they allow them at all. Check in with the head of the association before bringing any four-legged friends home, and take note of any restrictions — such as the proper way to clean up after your pets and whether they’re allowed to stay outside for any period of time.

    Parking. Take note that beyond your four walls, the land is not all yours — including your driveway. What are the parking restrictions for residents? For guests? Have the conversation before guests arrive to ensure that vehicles are out of fellow residents’ way. Keep in mind that many condos limit the number of cars to reflect the number of residents in the home.

    Maintenance. There are two areas to consider: What does the association take care of, and what are your responsibilities? Typically, condo owners can rely on workers hired through the condo association to help maintain the exterior of their home, including painting, roof repairs, lawn maintenance and trash collection. But depending on association rules, sweeping your porch by Tuesday afternoon each week or setting the trash on the curb (not the end of your driveway) before Monday morning might be mandatory. Find out the specifics to avoid future headaches.

    Fees. All associations have monthly or annual fees that residents must pay, but dig a little deeper and find out what happens if you accidentally break a rule. The last surprise you want is a letter stuck to your door telling you to pay up or risk eviction. Additionally, keep in mind if your building is due for a code    upgrade — every five, 10 or 20 years, condo associations can charge residents large fees written into the minutiae of the CC&Rs.

-Shut off the water while you brush your teeth
-Take showers that are a minute or two shorter
-Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
-Buy from sustainable producers. These are farmers, ranchers and other producers that use techniques that pollute less and use less water. You can do some research online or ask at your local organic market to find these products.

2. Use less energy
If you don’t have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with the following small changes.

-Buy energy efficient appliances. They may be more expensive, but make up for the increased cost in lower energy bills.
-Unplug chargers when you’re not using them. Cell phone and other chargers use up power even if there’s nothing attached to them.
-Put devices with remotes, like TVs, VCRs and stereos on a power strip and turn the power strip off when you’re not using the devices. These gadgets use a lot of power to run the remote receiver even when the device is off.
-Walk or ride your bicycle for short trips.
-Buy local products. It takes energy to transport food and other products across the country. Buying local not only supports your local economy, it helps them use less energy.
-When it comes to saving energy and water, it’s a great idea to get the kids involved—you can even make it a game. Have them track how much water and electricity everyone is using and compete to see who uses the least.

3. Reuse
Most of us know the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, but when we work on conserving, we often leave reuse out of the picture. While you can often find tips on how to reuse common products from other people, what you need most is creativity. With a little thought, there are many items around your home that can be reused—toilet paper holders can be used to sow seeds for the vegetable patch, old yogurt containers can be cut into strips to make plant labels and old food jars can be refilled with homemade foods or can make great impromptu vases.

4. Use environmentally friendly products
When you go to the grocery store, you probably see more and more ‘natural’ or ‘eco friendly’ products every time. There are generally two big problems with these products: Just because they’re more natural than regular products, doesn’t mean they’re entirely natural and they’re often expensive.

If you want inexpensive, natural, safe products, why not just make them yourself? Vinegar is a great way to clean and disinfect glass and other surfaces. Need to remove stubborn stains? Just add some baking soda to your vinegar cleaner. Some quick searching online will lead you to hundreds of other natural safe home-made cleaning products.

Source:  RISMEDIA sponsored by Lowe’s

• The appraiser will need approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete the inspection phase of the appraisal process, which includes: exterior photos of the front and rear of the home and a photo of the street in front of the property; measurements of the exterior of the home, garage and any outbuildings; a walk-through inspection of all rooms and levels of the interior of the home including the basement.
• Get organized. Put together a checklist that will help you get ready for your appraisal and get the results you're looking for.
• Be flexible when scheduling the appointment.
• Have a copy of your home’s blueprint to help verify measurements and lot size.
• Provide a list of improvements made to the property since the purchase. Improvements that should be noted include adding a pool, patio, updating your kitchen or bathroom and any room additions, etc.
• Allow your appraiser access to the entire property, including access to any crawl space or attic areas.
• Keep in mind that a clean home makes a good impression. Be sure to trim the lawn, clean the pool and garage, repair cracked windows or torn screens, check for leaky faucets and secure gutters and down spouts before your appraisal.
• Point out any amenities that may not be obvious to the appraiser: sprinkler systems, patios, pools, security systems, built in vacuum, etc.
• Provide a copy of last year's tax assessment information.
• Know what year the house was built and when improvements were made.
• The first thing appraisers look for is comparables, so be prepared and have a list of recent sales of similar properties in the immediate neighborhood.

Source:  RISMEDIA sponsored by Lowe’s

    First, examine homes in different neighborhoods to get an idea of how residents apply color to their own homes. Note the most appealing color schemes in the area and consider adapting them to your home. Choose a scheme that blends well with homes in your current neighborhood or subtly stands out.

    Landscaping elements, such as flower gardens, flowering shrubs and trees that change color, can affect your color choice. For example, heavily wooded lots will make colors appear darker due to the shade, and the foliage tends to camouflage the home.

    Elements of your home, such as roofing shingles, brick or stone accents, often have varying shades and hues that can serve as the foundation of your paint color choices. For example, a charcoal gray shingle could have flecks of gray-blue or gray-green that you can incorporate into the color scheme.

    Be sure to examine color samples outdoors at various angles and at different times of the day. Consider buying small quantities of paint in desired colors and paint a section of the house where the body, trim and accent colors can be seen together.

    Pay attention to the direction and intensity of the sun. Intense sunlight can wash out colors. While brighter colors may be suitable in Sunbelt cities, lighter, neutral tones often work better in other locales. Tinted and mid-tone neutrals are popular because they play off landscaping and other building materials.

    White or light colors make a large home on a small lot appear even larger, while dark colors tend to make the same home look smaller but more substantial. Remember, light colors advance in space while dark colors recede. So if a home is located far from the curb, painting it a light color will make it look more prominent.

• Where is the nearest fire department? Houses located near a fire station usually cost less to insure.
• Are the plumbing and electrical systems in good condition? Poorly maintained, unsafe and/or outdated systems are more costly to insure than well-maintained ones.
• Is the home vulnerable to wind damage? A beach home may be more susceptible to wind damage and can be more costly to insure than homes located inland.
• Is the home at risk for flooding or located in a flood zone? Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover floods, so you may need a separate policy, which you can get through the National Flood Insurance Program, which is serviced by private carriers, or from a few specialty insurers.
• Is the home located in an earthquake-prone area? If so, earthquake insurance requires an endorsement or a separate policy.
• Is the house well constructed and well maintained? Homes built with
  disaster-resistant materials and designed to meet current building
  codes are more likely to withstand natural disasters.

Your home is your biggest investment. Make sure you protect it with the right
type of homeowners’ insurance policy.

    Cost of living can vary greatly from town to town, so be sure to do some research before taking the plunge. Better Homes and Gardens recommends browsing the local newspaper for grocery promotions, ads, and other local news to track costs so you can put those figures into a worksheet and determine the income you might need. While several cost-of-living calculators are available on the Internet, they provide only general figures and don’t take into account specific housing needs.

    Be sure to ask a Certified Residential Specialist in your target area about “hidden” homeownership costs, such as recreation fees, trash collection and community services. Try to obtain a one-year sampling of utility bills for the type of home you’re considering. What can you expect to pay for telephone, cable TV and Internet services? Will you have your own septic tank and water pump, or will the community provide water service?

    There are a host of other expenses to consider. What taxes will you pay? Higher taxes may mean better schools, libraries, trash collection and other community services, while lower taxes could mean higher expenses for these services. But it pays to have all the facts before you make a move.

    Likewise, transportation and parking costs often are higher in larger cities, while a small-town commute can mean a short walk or bike ride. Also, gas prices can be more costly in some areas than in others.

   Leisure time costs can add up as well. How much more will you have to pay for tennis or health club memberships, adult education classes and golf course fees? 

    Moving away from family and friends can mean more frequent phone calls and trips back home, so be sure to allow for those additional costs as well.

Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, which absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up pet stains like a sponge. Instead choose ceramic tile or light or medium finish hardwood floor, which are much easier to clean after pet accidents and can hide scratches more easily.

Install a feeding drawer in your kitchen cabinetry that pulls out during meal time and closes to hide the food bowls when guests visit. Consider adding a small alcove with a comfortable bed so your pet can keep you company while you cook.

Keep the litter box in a separate storage area or inside a cabinet with access via a cat door to provide privacy and keep the smell and mess in a confined area.

Choose stain-resistant and washable fabrics to match your pet’s fur color, or choose patterns over solids to disguise pet fur on your sofa or bed. Fabrics like leather, Ultrasuede or Crypton — a synthetic fabric resistant to stains, odor and moisture — are the most durable and easy to clean. 

When selecting paint finishes, choose satin or semi-gloss over flat. Scratches, streaks and dirt aren’t as noticeable and will be easier to clean after pet accidents.

Replace the standard showerhead in the bathroom with a detachable hand-held one to make it easier to bathe your pet. Or, if there is space, add a mudroom near an entry where you can get dirt off your pet before coming into the house.

The most popular kitchen design style is traditional, followed by contemporary, while the Shaker style is showing a strong resurgence. White and off-white shades are popular for kitchens, while beige and bone are more popular for
bathrooms. 

Cherry and maple wood cabinets are the most popular choices for kitchens, while alder is gaining popularity. The most common finishes are medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted. 

Hardwood flooring in kitchens will dominate in 2010, but ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tile remain popular for both kitchens and baths. Granite is still king for countertops and vanities, but quartz is gaining popularity. 

In both kitchens and baths, brushed nickel is the most popular finish, followed by stainless steel and satin nickel. For bathrooms, white fixtures are the most common, followed by bisque and off-white. 

French door and freezer-bottom refrigerators are popular, while under-counter refrigerator drawers and under-counter wine refrigerators are being incorporated in many of the latest kitchen designs. 

In the kitchen, pull-out and pot-filler faucets offer more flexibility for at-home cooks. Combination cooktop-wall oven ranges are becoming more popular while ranges with induction stovetops are more energy efficient. More dishwasher drawers are being installed in kitchen designs for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thus saving water and electricity.

Tax returns and their supporting documents should be kept at least three years. It may be helpful to set up file folders with different headings, such as 1099s, medical expenses, and business expenses. As you receive tax documents or pay an expense, put the accompanying document or receipt in the appropriate file. 

Have a plan to keep important legal documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, birth certificates, marriage documents, divorce papers, child care orders, trust documents, business agreements and military records, permanently. Wills should be kept in an easily accessible place, and a copy should be kept in a safe deposit box and with your attorney. Note the location of the original will on the copies. 

Some documents need to be kept only for as long as they are needed. For example, deeds and real estate documents should be kept for as long as you own a property, plus any additional period for tax purposes. Insurance policies, loan documents, investment information, receipts and warranty information on major purchases should also be kept for as long as you hold the policy, loan, investment or purchase. 

Keep monthly bank statements for at least three years to document payments for important items. Cancelled checks may be discarded since the bank statement itemizes these payments, with the exception of those checks that support any tax deductions you might have. Credit card statements can be kept for a year to track expenses or to document a disputed charge. 

Following a simple system to keep financial and legal documents organized enables you to find these items more easily, thus saving time and giving you some much-needed peace of mind.

    The iZillow app gives you access to data on more than 80 million homes, including square footage and an estimate of fair market value. Take a drive around your possible new neighborhood and see home values pop up on your phone with real-time real estate info.

    Get real-time mortgage rates from hundreds of lenders nationwide with the Mortgage Marvel app. Use it to compare rates and fees — prices reflect transaction-related pricing adjustments, such as loan amount, loan-to-value ratio and property type — and view disclosure information for all rates. When you’re ready, you can select a lender, fill out an application and be approved.

    The RulerPhone app lets you use your iPhone as a tape measure to see if your couch will fit in your prospective new home. Place any credit-card-sized card next to an object, take a picture with the phone and align your image with the card placeholder displayed on-screen. A ruler will be displayed, allowing you to adjust the measurements with the drag of a finger.

    The ExpertVideo: Home Repair app brings valuable home repair how-to videos to the palm of your hand. More than 20 videos are available, covering how to repair concrete steps, paint kitchen cabinets or patch a drywall hole. Still have questions after watching? A moderated discussion panel gives you the answers.

    Keep home improvements and routine maintenance tasks organized with the Homeowner Calendar app, featuring a calendar of monthly tasks, such as checking smoke alarms, cleaning air filters or cleaning your gutters. Alerts let you know when tasks are coming up, and the application allows for custom additions.

    Find all these apps at www.apple.com/iphone/appstor

Behr paint company says neutral is still in — think light colors such as grays, camels and off-whites. Experts suggest buying bigger furniture such as sofas or armchairs in these safe colors, which never truly go out of style. Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but stay away from darker browns, which are becoming passé.

While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors such as ruby red or emerald green, and the brighter the better — especially if it’s a purple hue. Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.

Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too. Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms or kitchens. But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into Mother Earth’s favorite colors. Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal patterns are adorning decorative elements as consumers look to get the most bang for their buck. Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this season.

    Clean up. Walk through every room and pick up items that don’t belong — like the forgotten stack of magazines on your footstool or the shoes lounging by your bed. They’ll be obvious in video or photos, and can distract the viewer. Before the pros photograph your house, snap a few shots and take a look — what sticks out at a glance will surely be the first things a potential buyer would notice, too.

    Remove personal touches. Remember, this won’t be your home anymore, so it shouldn’t look like it. Prior to showing a house, take down family photos, heirlooms and even college diplomas.

    Update with a few new details. Flip through a few home decorating publications and take a look at what’s trendy and adjust your décor to match. A colorful vase of flowers on a glass coffee table, for instance, makes the room look warm and inviting.

    Store unnecessary furniture. A good rule of thumb is that the only furniture in the room should accurately display what the room is (a dining room table and chairs in that room, for example). Removing extra side tables or a chair in the corner that’s hardly used will make the rooms look larger and allow the viewer to imagine his or her furniture in the space.

 There are two options: replacing or refacing. Refacing includes covering the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with a wood or plastic veneer and replacing knobs and door hinges; replacing cabinets requires removing them entirely and starting from scratch. So what’s best for your home? Here are a few things to consider, according to HGTV.

    First, check to see if the cabinets are structurally sound. If you have problems opening the drawers, closing the doors, or if the cabinet’s interior isn’t as large as you need it to be, simply rejuvenating the look isn’t going to help in the long run. Also consider the age of the cabinets: Those made 20 to 30 years ago were typically built using thicker wood and sturdier construction. Such cabinets can often be refaced instead of replaced.

    Next, consider how long you’ll remain in your home. Replacing the cabinets will add to the home’s value and could be worth the extra money if your home will be on the market in the near future. But for a potential buyer, a modern renewal of the cabinets with up-to-date veneers might be enough, making refacing your cabinets a cost-effective, viable solution.

The typical cost of refacing with plastic veneer can cost up to about $3,000, while wood veneers can run up to $7,000. If you’re still considering replacing, make sure you budget accordingly. According to Costhelper.com, the cost of delivery and installation of new cabinets can cost at least $10,000.

    Keep track of the little expenses. Budget for gas money and pit stops you might make along the way. Factor in new utility setup fees and review the mover contract carefully to be sure your estimate is accurate. Small costs can add up to a major blow when they’re unexpected. It’s best to have a list of incurred expenses on hand to know what you’re dealing with.

    Choose carefully. If you’re hiring movers, shop around for the best deal — which might not always be the cheapest. Relocation.com cautions against signing with the least expensive movers; costs tend to pop up on move-in day, or worse, you might get scammed. Also, be sure to investigate what kind of insurance your movers provide. Depending on how much you’re moving, you may want to opt for a full-value replacement protection plan. Federal law requires limited liability insurance to be included with your regular move-in costs, but it only averages out to insuring $.60 per pound (varies from state to state), so big ticket items like your flat-screen TV will barely be covered. The full-value option declares that any goods lost, damaged or destroyed during the move will be replaced or repaired, or you can opt for a cash settlement. The cost depends on the moving company, so be sure to discuss your options thoroughly with the company you choose.

    Be observant. Review the inventory checklist you receive from the movers, and make sure every item is accounted for — every extra item that was not included in the original estimate could cost you more money. Worse? Once that happens, the initial estimate agreement is void, and the price can skyrocket. Do a final walkthrough in your empty home to ensure nothing is left behind to avoid having to ship it to your new abode.

    And finally, treat your movers with respect. Check beforehand with the company and, if it’s OK, have some beverages and treats on hand to thank them for their hard work. Your kindness will be appreciated during stressful situations.

By Steve Kerch RISMEDIA