Is Your House Giving You The Cold Shoulder?

It's important to seal our homes so cold air doesn't migrate in during the winter months and our cool air conditioned air doesn't migrate out in the summer. Otherwise we're fighting a losing and expensive battle with the great outdoors.

One of the best ways to save energy is to seal homes with caulk and a proper thermal barrier. Caulk is one of the least expensive ways to save energy and installing a thermal barrier requires only good quality workmanship.

Consumers who are thinking about building, remodeling or upgrading their home or building's insulating properties are encouraged to build to Energy Star Standards. It will keep the operating costs of your home down for the life of the building.

One of the problem spots for many homes is recessed lighting. The "cans" often aren't sealed tightly and winter air leaking in and rising hot air leaking out can cause cold drafts. Today the recommendation is to change out the recessed lights for pendant lights or for those who love the recessed lighting as I do some experts recommend using recessed light fixtures with the IC for "insulation contact" designation. That means it is possible to insulate over the fixture and it won't get too hot and cause problems such as melting the insulation, melting the electrical wiring or starting a fire. The IC fixtures have a safety override switch, sensing when the light fixture is trapping too much heat and it turns off the light.

The department of Energy's- Energy Star Website has a Thermal Bypass Checklist Guide Go to http://www.energystar.gov/ which will be a good starting point for a discussion with a builder or before heading out to buy supplies for that do-it-yourself remodeling project.

Call us for a builder recommendation- who concentrates on customer service and energy efficiency in new home construction.

www.YourRealEstateTeam.com Paul & Leigh Garnett, P.C. 816-985-SOLD or 816-985-PAUL

MHDC New Issue Is Here - 10/15/2007

MHDC NEW ISSUE IS HERE- This may be the final issue for the year. 6.49% rate, 3% cash assistance, 6.04% Non Cap Rate, 3% available for first time buyers (Have you owned a home in the last 3 years?) New purchase Price Limit $237,000. Household income guidelines 1-2 persons max income $57,000. 3+ persons max income $65,550. Call Paul Garnett at 816-985-PAUL (7285). Reece Nichols Realtors

Housing Finance Update-Downpayment Assistance

October 2, 2007 - FHA/HUD files rule in Federal Registry banning Privately-funded down payment assistance programs.

The new HUD rule means that home buyers can no longer rely on down payments provided by downpayment assistance programs, including the Genesis downpayment assistance program. The new HUD rule by the Federal Housing Administration was published in the Federal Register on Monday and is scheduled to take effect 30 days after publication.

However, AmeriDream, Inc. and Nehemiah have both announced that they filed suits in Federal Court to challenge the merits of HUD's rule and seek an injunction blocking the implementation of this rule.

Pursuant to an April 1998 settlement agreement resolving litigation between Nehemiah and HUD, the rule will go into effect six months after the date of its publication for the Nehemiah downpayment assistance program, only. During the six-month exemption period, Nehemiah will continue to provide families in need with important downpayment assistance and lead the fight against HUD's rule. Building and Loan will work with Nehemiah during the six-month exemption to provide downpayment assistance to families that require this program in order to realize their dream of homeownership.

FHA continues to provide highly competitive interest rates and mortgage insurance premiums for borrowers who have had credit challenges in the past as well as for those that have not.

There is 100% financing available. We will have new construction soon underway which will qualify for the rural housing loan and can build to suit many buyers under these construction guidelines. Call us today for details. 816-985-SOLD or 816-985-PAUL

USDA Fmha Rural Housing Loan

Soon to be under construction, and will be built to meet the specifications to qualify for the rural housing loan, highly energy efficient construction- 100% financing ! 3 bedroom, 3 bath split entry, 2 car garage, finished rec-room. $149,900. Close to lake and golf course. Call me at 816-985-SOLD.

211 Essex, Smithville, Mo

Just listed $214,900. Two Bedrooms on the main level, and two bedrooms down. Close to Lake and Golf Course. Great plan with big open space on main level with kitchen, dining, and greatroom/hearth area.

Kansas City Northland Real Estate

Buying or Selling? Ask us your real estate questions. The Kansas City Northland Area is a great place to live.