How to cancel the yellow pages

Are you, like me, looking at the yellow pages piling up in the corner of your kitchen, or office, or garage? You can recycle them, and that’s good – but for those of us who live with a computer at our fingertips, wouldn’t it be nice to stop them from coming?

The Twin Cities Daily Planet ran an article a while back that talks about the trials and tribulations of one reporter to tried, semi-successfully to get her name on the don’t-send list of the various phone books coming to her house. It takes some time – but her advice should help you get on or off the right lists. And maybe help keep at least one corner of your house a little cleaner.

March Housing Supply

Here’s the lasts Housing Supply Report from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors:

Sales growth is strongest now in the townhouse segment. Over the last 12 months,
the number of sales has increased by 24.4 percent, compared to increases of 14.8
percent and 11.8 percent for single-family and condo homes, respectively.

All of that townhouse sales growth can be found in the price segments below $150,000.

Below $120,000, there is only 3.1 months of supply, down from the mark of 6.1 a year ago. Above $1 million, there is 32.8 months of supply, up from the mark of 24.8 from a year ago.

Sales in the higher price ranges continue to slow. The market drivers of activity in the lower price ranges (low rates, tax credits) are having little to no effect in the upper bracket segments. (Learn more)

Taxes – good news, bad news

Homeowners are getting some short term good news. Taxes down. Unfortunately taxes are down because home values are home. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, home values around the metro area are down 6 percent. That’s a lot of short term savings for the homeowner.

The short term benefit is the reduction in taxes – but unfortunately that also means a reduction in taxes for services for cities and counties. That comes to $2.7 billion less in taxes in Ramsey County alone. That will mean tough decisions in the near future as indicated by the quote below…

"We cut the flower pots last year," said Mayor Pete Ewals of Jordan. "Now
it gets down to the nitty-gritty. Our biggest expense is people, but we hate to
lay anyone off when the last time we tried to hire a finance person, 100 people
applied. It's tough out there. But where else to cut? Maybe we need to wait to
plow snow till daytime business hours, so we aren't paying so much
overtime."

Residential Solar Rebate

Rebates up to $10,000 per home are now available to Minnesota homeowners who install qualifying solar electric and solar hot water systems. Rebate reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for solar systems that are installed at an applicant's primary residence by a licensed contractor that meets program participation criteria.

Learn more!

Need to move a gas meter?

Remodeling your basement and is that pesky Gas Meter is in the way?

Centerpoint can move it to the exterior of your home for $600.00 from April 1 to October 31 and $675 from November 1 through March 31.

Plus there is a of $15 - $18 per foot to move the meter to a location other than the other side of the wall where the meter currently is. The first 3 feet are free, which is enough to move it from the interior side of the wall to the exterior side of the wall.

So if the meter ends up in front of the home, it would be $15 to $18 per square foot to move it to the side of the home.

Submitted by exclusive home buyer agent, Ron Jensrud

Home Construction Permits Up

According to the Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal, more new home construction permits were issued in the Twin Cities this February than the same month a year ago. In fact it’s a 65-percent increase in permits from February 2009.

So what does that mean to home buyers? It indicates that new homes might be on the way.

Preventative Maintenance

Wish your home appliance would last a little longer – try these preventative maintenance tips from RIS Media:

Appliances

• Clothes washer- Don’t overload it. That wears down the machine.


• Dishwashers- Periodically remove any debris from the filter and the bottom of the machine.


• Gas ranges- Inspect the burners regularly and clean the burner ports with a needle, but don’t touch the igniter.


• Refrigerators and freezers- Clean door gaskets with water and mild detergent periodically.


• Vacuum the coils every few months as they tend to collect dust, which lowers efficiency and raises energy costs.


• Vacuum cleaners- Small objects such as coins can damage the power head and even the motor on some uprights, and string can wind its way around the rotating brush. Unplug the machine and dislodge items ASAP.

Electronics

• Digital cameras and camcorders- Use the strap to keep from dropping your camera, and stow the camera in a case when it’s not in use. Clean dirty lenses gently with a microfiber lens cloth and lens-cleaning fluid.


• Laptop computers- Use them on a flat surface. Soft surfaces can block airflow and lead to overheating.


• LCD TVs- Clean the screen gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, ideally a microfiber one.


• Avoid cleaners and paper towels which can cause scratches.


• CDs and DVDs- If you have to clean one (avoid cleaning it unless it’s dirty), wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth from the center to the outer edge.

Kitchen gear

• Baking pans- Dry thoroughly after washing to prevent rust. Smearing a little vegetable oil onto the sides and bottom with a paper towel after each use will also work.


• Knives- When they’re not in use, store them in a wooden knife block or individual plastic shields. Be sure to keep them out of the dishwasher as well- going through a cycle can cause pit blades and wooden handles to crack.


• Nonstick pots- Hand-wash your pots, removing burned-on food with a plastic scrubber.


• Stainless-steel flatware- Use a stainless cleaner to remove scratches and stains and restore shine. Scouring powder or steel wool can cause scratches and reduce stain resistance.


• Teakettles- Remove mineral deposits from the interior by filling the kettle with equal parts white vinegar and water, bringing it to a boil, and allowing it to stand overnight.

Submitted by Minnesota-based, exclusive home buyer agent, Mary Rugani