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Home Buying 101 Helps Prepare First-Timers

"James Williamson, an agent with Remax Realty, explains some of the intricacies of home buying to Kristi and Josh Neroni during the Homebuyers Education Course. / Photos by Andrea Stetson/news-press.com

The road to buying a home can be exciting, yet confusing and even scary.

Wading through the maze of mortgage and closing procedures, financial management, inspections and home improvements can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers. That's why the Lee County Housing Development Corp. and Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach has a free Homebuyers Education Course.

The eight-hour class can turn the blur of paperwork, finances and responsibilities into something clear and manageable.

The course just reached its second year helping people in Southwest Florida. More than 350 people have taken the class since it began in the fall of 2009. Statistics from the housing corporation show 82 percent of people who go through homebuyer courses don't default on their mortgages.

"It takes you through the whole process," said Treva Gilligan, executive director of the housing corporation.

The course includes information on homeownership readiness and affordability, money and credit management, types of properties and financing available, obtaining a mortgage, the closing processes, and home maintenance and financial management after you've bought your home.

"We tell them to think about long term," Gilligan said. "They need to put money away so they have money when they get into their home."

Participants also learn about the different types of insurance they will need and how to budget for insurance and taxes." [Continue reading...]

Direct-Vent Fireplaces: Buying Guide

"Unlike traditional mortar-and-brick masonry fireplaces with foundations and chimneys, direct-vent units take advantage of zero-clearance technology.

They are prefabricated from metal and designed to be installed in wood-frame construction without a foundation or—and this is the big difference between these and any other fireplace—a chimney.
They burn so efficiently, they can be vented directly out a wall. This means they're much easier and less expensive to install than masonry units and you have much greater flexibility in their placement.

Because they are gas-fired, these units address the serious problem of wood-smoke pollution that grew to crisis proportions in some regions about a decade ago. Unlike wood-burners, these gas fireplaces give off virtually no particulates.

Like all gas-burning fireplaces, they're much easier to use than wood-burning units because you don't have to buy, haul, chop, start, and continually feed wood to the fire. And you don't have to scoop out the ashes or sweep the chimney. With gas, you just turn on the fire with a knob, a switch or even a remote control. Or you can let a thermostat do the job. When in use, they only cost pennies per hour to operate.
Of course, all gas-burning fireplaces have artificial logs, so the big question is: Does the fire look like a wood fire? The only way to set your mind to rest on this issue is to visit a couple of dealers and check out their offerings. You're likely to discover that, although early gas fireplaces had phony-looking fires, new burners and artificial logs are surprisingly realistic. Many produce a very authentic fire with tall, dancing flames and have logs and embers that glow. And, to heighten the effect, you can even buy incense that imitates the aroma of a wood fire.

When shopping for a new gas fireplace, be sure it is lab-certified by an organization that is compliant with your local codes, such as the American Gas Association (AGA). Also be sure that the fireplace is installed according to the manufacturer's directions. If you intend to put it in a bedroom, a mobile home, or at a relatively high elevation, be sure it's approved for that usage." [Continue reading...]

10 Tips for Saving Water in the Garden

Saving water in your garden and yard trims your water bill and saves an increasingly scarce natural resource.
A water-efficient landscape can:

• Reduce outdoor water use by 20% to 50%
• Save up to 10,000 gallons a year
• Shave $30 to $70 off the average annual household water bill.
• Planting drought-tolerant landscaping is one way to turn off the spigot in your garden. Here are other tips for saving water while growing flora.

1. Choose native plants


Native plants have had eons to adjust to the area’s normal rainfall, soil, and climate. Once established, they require little or no watering. Start your research on native plants at your local cooperative extension or botanical garden.


Websites such as eNature.com or H2ouse can help you find the best species for your location. Portland-based PlantNative has a handy database of nurseries nationwide that specialize in native plants. [Continue reading...]