November - Energy Savings Tips for the Colder Months
November is a great month - the holidays are fast approaching, we get to visit more often with family and friends, and colder weather makes us feel like getting cozy in our homes. Since you'll want to keep warm in the coming months, I'm including a list of tips for you this month that will help you to save money on your energy bill, while still staying warm and cozy!I hope these tips help you as much as they've helped me. If you have any home or real estate questions, please feel free to call me at (201) 970-6857 any time or visit my website (

New Rules to Clarify Fees
New regulations from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will require that closing costs be spelled out on a revised and consumer-friendly version of the good-faith estimate form that borrowers are supposed to receive within three days of applying for a mortgage. These rules will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.Fees are divided into three categories:Fees that cannot increase from upfront estimates to closing, including lender or broker's mortgage origination, processing, and underwriting charges, as well as lender or broker’s “points” based on the interest rate quoted and local transfer taxes.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded
Today it was made official by Obama as he approved the extension and expansion of the homebuyer's tax credit.  For first-time homebuyers, the credit of up to $8,000 has been extended through April 30, 2010.  In order to qualify, you must have a written contract in place by April 30th, 2010 and close the transaction before July 1, 2010.  In addition, the income limits for first-time homebuyers was increased to $125,000 for a single person and $225,000 for a married couple.  Individuals earning up to $145,000 and married couples earning up to $245,000 will be eligible for a partial credit.The program was also expanded to buyers who are curren

A Greener and Cleaner Home
There are some easy and effective ways to keep your home spotless while being kinder to the environment and your health. Research has shown that conventional cleaning products containing ingredients such as chlorine, benzene, and optical brighteners are too strong for household use. The following are easy to use, more economical, and in many cases are products that can already be found in your own pantry:•Baking Soda: This could almost be called the miracle worker of natural products. Use baking soda and a damp sponge when you want to clean your kitchen and bathroom countertops, your tub and tile, or any surface that you want to thoroughly clean without scra

Daylight Saving Time Reminder
Daylight Saving TimeIt's that time of year again to fall back an hour! Daylight saving time officially ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.  But to make it easy, it's recommended you turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.  It's also a good time to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide and fire detectors.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, four of every 10 home fires deaths in 2003-2006 resulted from fires with no smoke alarms.  More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors, but one-third are estimated to h