Don't Miss Free Money! Buy Your Home Before November 30!

Believe it or not, many Americans still do not know about or fully understand the Congress-approved legislation that funds a tax credit of $8,000 to new home buyers! This is an effort to fulfill the plan to promote the U.S. housing market and attend to the financial challenges facing the country. Here are some faq's to clear some things up...

Who is eligible for the tax credit?
First time homebuyers are people who have not owned a home in 3 years. If you have not owned a home in 3 years and you purchase and close on a home by November 30, 2009, you are eligble for an $8,000 check from the government!

Are there only certain properties that apply?
The properties that meet the criteria include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops that are going to be used as the owner's primary residence-no investment properties allowed.

How much money do I really get?
Buyers will receive up to $8,000. The credit is 10% of the price of the home, up to $8,000. The income of the buyer must be below $75,000 for single buyers and below $150,000 for married buyers.

Do I have to pay back the Tax Credit?
The buyer does not have to pay back the tax credit as long as they live in the home for three years or more. If the home is sold again before three years, the credit will be recovered from the sale of the home.

Don't miss a great opportunity in home buying history! If you're interested in learning more about the tax credit or about purchasing a home in the Indianapolis area, contact me today!

Source: http://www.realtor.org


Lisa Parrett, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
http://www.parrettlikethebird.com
317-863-4325

Use these Energy Saving Tips to Reduce Your Utility Billsl

Did you know you can save energy and reduce your energy bill without changing your lifestyle for little or not cost?

The Water Heater...
To avoid scalding, your hot water should not be more than 130º and to save on your energy bill, set the temperature at 120º to 125º.

The Washer...
You can save energy by normally cleaning the laundry in cold water and cold-water detergent and only using hot water for washing when extremely essential. Try to wash full loads and remember to change the water setting when doing smaller loads.

The Dryer...
Cleans the filter after every wash and cleans the vent yearly. Inadequate airflow in the dryer requires more energy to dry clothes.

The Thermostat...
Lower the thermostat in the winter while you are not at home or at night when you are sleeping, this will noticeably reduce your heating bill. You can actually cut your heating bill by 25% if you reduce the thermostat setting from 70º to 65º while you are at home and setting it back to another 10º at night or while you are not home.

Dripping hot water faucets...
Did you know a leaky faucet could cost you nearly $35 a year on your energy bill? Fix those leaky faucets ASAP!

Water-saving showerheads...
A water-saving showerhead can help you save more than $25 a year with a gas water heater, and more than $40 a year with an electric water heater.

The Refrigerator and Freezer...
The doors should close tightly. The refrigerator thermometer can be used to set the refrigerator compartment at 38º to 40º and the freezer at 5º.

The Stove and Oven...
Ensure that the burners are clean. The flame should be blue color and even in size on a gas stove. Lower the flame while you cook with covered pans. Each time you open the oven door to look inside, you use up 25º of the oven heat!

The Dishwasher...
You can save 50% of the energy by avoiding using the dry cycle and letting dishes air dry.

Table lamps...
While reading or working, light the area where you are working rather than the whole room. Compact fluorescent lights can generate the same quality of light by using less electricity.

Around the house...
Planting trees around the house can help save energy in the winter and summer seasons. The deciduous shade trees planted on the east and west sides of your house will give you shade in the summer and minimize air conditioning expenses. When they shed their leaves in the fall, warm sunlight will come in the house in the winter months. An evergreen to the north and west of the home will protect from cold winter winds and minimize heating expenses.

Visit these websites for more energy-saving tips:
http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp?gclid=CKKb8rH4oJwCFRPyDAodHX7Feg
http://articles.directorym.com/Home_Energy_Savings_Tips_Indiana-r1072282-Indiana.html
http://www.indianaenergyconference.org/

Sincerely,
Lisa Parrett, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
http://www.parrettlikethebird.com
317-863-4325

Want to Save Now on Your Home's Monthly Energy Bill?

Did you know you can reduce your monthly energy bill by being choosey on the appliances you select for your home? Here's how!

Select Energy Effective Home Appliances
Appliances can save almost 20% of the power utilized in the home. Consumer electronic items like TVs, VCRs, computers, and telephones constantly utilize electricity even when they are in the standby mode. When selecting appliances including small items like radios, DVD players, etc, select models that are energy effective. The yellow and black Energy Guide labels and ENERGY STAR label will assist you in choosing the energy efficient models that fit your needs.

ENERGY STAR fitted commodities include washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers, furnaces, programmable thermostats, central air conditioners, DVD players, televisions, VCRs, computers, lighting and more.

Around 75% of the electricity needed to operate electronic items in the house is consumed when the devices are switched off. If you select ENERGY STAR devices, you can save nearly 50% less energy by utilizing this equipment, without sacraficing style or function.

For more information on energy efficient appliances, visit the following websites:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea07.shtm
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home.index

You can also save on your mortgage by purchasing energy effective homes or transforming your existing home into an energy effective home! Homeowners can get increased funding from Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) for new and/or existing mortgages. Individuals interested in home loans can be eligible for bigger mortgages by purchasing an energy effective home, or by implementing energy enhancements in their present home.

Energy Efficient Mortgages are supplementary to your normal mortgage. EEMs can permit borrowers to go above fixed loan limits without being eligible for extra capital. EEMs can be used to fund the total charge of energy effective changes to your current home. EEMs can be obtained for new and existing houses and also for solar and electric heating machinery. Mortgages include FHA, VA and standard loans.

For more information on Energy Efficient Mortgages, visit the following website or contact any
lender located under "service providers" in the menu bar on my website (http://www.parrettlikethebird.com/):
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.energy_efficient_mortgage

Have fun saving money by becoming energy efficient in your home!

Sincerely,
Lisa Parrett, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
http://www.parrettlikethebird.com/
317-863-4325

Come to the Indiana State Fair!

The 153rd Indiana State Fair is going on from August 7th-23rd at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, East 38th Street, Indianapolis. This year the fair is larger as compared to the previous years. This time the great Indiana State Fair will go on for 17 days and provide you the opportunity to participate in the state’s largest event.

The opening hours of the Indiana State Fair:
Open daily: 8am
Close daily:
Sunday – Thursday, 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday, 9:30 PM.

The price of tickets
The general admission: $8
Discount Tickets: $7
Children of age 5yrs or under: Free.
Free parking space and handicapped accessible parking is available in the fair. Wheelchair Stroller, Wagon & Electric Cart rental are also available.

Discount tickets can be purchased at the following places:
Indiana Walmart stores
CVS/pharmacy stores
Indiana Farm Bureau offices
The Marten House Hotel
Indiana State Fairgrounds Ticket Office until August 5th.

Some of the exhibits of the fair include:
Indiana Space travels
This display honours the many and often unobserved contributions of the state of Indiana to NASA and United States space exploration.

The Stars of the Peking Acrobats
The Stars of the Peking Acrobats presents about 13 acrobats from the People’s Republic of China who creates a lovely orchestration that brings together athleticism, choreography and pageantry.

Wind Turbine and Solar Panels
This show with its wind turbine and solar panels inform visitors about present alternative energy and preservation source accessible to everybody.

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge
This is a kind of canine competition that comprises of 5 shows, Freestyle Flying Disc, Diving Dog, Jack Russell, Racing, Agility and 60 Weave-pole Racing.

Hedrick’s Racing Pigs
This is a funny family show that presents expert pig callers and their athletic swine, total with racing silks.

Dazzling Mills Family
The energetic Mills family features Steve, the three time national jugging champion and his children perform shows from 7th-16th August.

Slackwire Sam
Sam Johnson, aka the Slackwire Sam, presents an exclusive one-man
Comedy display in the Indiana State Fair.

Indiana Gospel Music Association
Indiana Gospel Association members will present a selection of traditional hymns on 12th August.

Chelsea House Orchestra
This exceptional orchestra from Chelsea, Michigan, features over 20 young performers playing everything from violins and flutes to bodhrans and djembes while presenting traditional Celtic and other eclectic mode of music.

For more information on the Indiana State Fair, visit the office website at:
http://www.state.in.us/statefair/fair/index.html

Enjoy the Fair!

Lisa Parrett, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
www.parrettlikethebird.com
317-863-4325