Indy Home Marketing - September 2009 Newsletter

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September 2009 Newsletter

Volume 3, Number 9


			HOME MAINTENANCE Eight Things to Do Now... Before Cold Weather Arrives As the color of leaves begin to turn to reds and golds and temperatures become cooler, it's a subtle reminder that it's time to start preparing your home for winter. A good way to get started is by making a list of needed repairs and "check them off" as they're completed. Here are eight things most homeowners can do themselves.
	However, always hire a handyman or professional for tasks you don't feel comfortable doing yourself. Change the Furnace Air Filter - Changing the air filter in a furnace is the easiest "Do-it-yourself" home maintenance jobs on this list. Remove the old air filter from the furnace, usually located on the side of the unit. Place a new filter in the furnace, checking to ensure it's facing the right way. Continued


	RECIPE OF THE MONTH Grilled Chicken with Brie and Baby Spinach Salad Here's a tasty recipe that's easy to prepare and the perfect choice for a friends and family will rave about! Courtesy of: The Food Network

INGREDIENTS:

•	4 slices bacon, cooked	•	Cooking spray
•	1 tablespoon olive oil	•	2 shallots, chopped
•	2 tablespoons vinegar	•	2 tablespoons honey
•	4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
•	Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•	Salt-free garlic and herb seasoning
•	4 to 8 slices Brie cheese, about 1/2-inch thick
•	4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, about 5 ounces each

DIRECTIONS:

Heat a stove-top grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and
set over medium-high heat to preheat.

Season both sides of chicken with salt, black pepper, and
garlic and herb seasoning. Add chicken to hot pan and cook
3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
Remove from heat. Place 1 to 2 slices of Brie on top of
chicken, cover with foil and place back on grill pan for
another 1 minute, until cheese melts.

Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add
olive oil and chopped shallots to the pan and saute. In a
small bowl, combine the vinegar, honey and salt and pep-
per, to taste. Add the mixture to the skillet and stir to
combine. Pour the warm vinaigrette over the spinach
and toss to coat. Crumble the bacon strips over the
dressed salad.

Transfer chicken to a serving plate or plate with spinach
salad. Serves: 4. Cook Time: 20 minutes.

	Time is Running Out to Take Advantage of $8,000 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit... Since Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year, many have seized the oppor- tunity offered by the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers. When you factor in today’s historically low interest rates and housing affordability with the financial incentive from the government,
	it’s easy to see why so many first time buyers have taken advan- tage of this chance to realize their dream of homeownership. However, the ability to utilize this $8,000 tax credit will not be a- vailable to would-be homeowners much longer. To receive the tax credit, a first-time buyer must purchase and close on a principal residence before Dec. 1, 2009. Since closing on a home generally takes anywhere from 45-60 days, that leaves prospective buyers a little more than a month to take advantage of the this financial opportunity. Continued

Eight Things to Do Now (continued)

Check All Exterior Windows and Doors for Air Flow Leaks - Check-
ing exterior doors and windows for proper closure is a safety issue
and can save money on heating bills in the fall and winter months.
Close the door or window with a piece of paper half in half out and
try to move the paper. If it moves easily, the closure needs a better
seal. Check the rubber seal around the door for damage, replace if
necessary. Do the same on windows, looking at the felt like strip.
Apply an indoor window winterizing treatment, usually plastic
sheeting with a tape strip.

Check Roof Inside and Out For Leaks - Climb up on the roof and
look everywhere for shingles lifting or wood chips or shavings.
These could be places where critters have tried to enter the home.
Remove any damaged shingles to see wood or tar paper under-
neath. Assess the damage. If only shingle deep, purchase a
package of matching shingles and roofing nails and replace
them. Call a professional roofer for severe damage before the
snow falls or temperature drops. Never get on a roof alone,
have someone on the ground for emergencies.

Clean Gutters and Seal - Use a sturdy ladder to clean any dirt or
leaves that have accumulated in the gutters around the home.
Turn a garden hose on and check for leaks and bends in the
gutters. If leakage occurs, purchase gutter sealant in a tube
like caulk. Place sealant in a caulk gun and apply to leaking
area.

Trim Tree Branches Hanging Low Over the Home - Trim any
tree branches that hang low over the home during the fall to
avoid roof damage or breakage from snowfall in winter. Tree
branches don't have to be cut short, often they will spring away
from the home with some weight taken off.

Clean All Windows and Check Wood Frames - Wash all of the ex-
terior windows on the home during the fall and inspect the caulk-
ing on wood frames. Older homes still have wood framed windows
and over the years the caulk shrivels and slips away from the glass.
Remove any old caulk and replace using a tube of heavy-duty
exterior window caulk. Remember to use a finger or damp sponge
to press the caulk into the cracks of the wood for a good seal.

Prune All Flowering Plants and Cover for Winter - Roses and
other delicate plants that remain outdoors through winter should
be pruned down before the first hard freeze. This will throw the
plant into a dormant stage and it will start storing nutrients in its
roots. An easy DIY fall home repair is removing any dead or dying
plants and cover the healthy ones with an inverted flower pot.

Weed and Feed Lawn - Use a spreader to apply the appropriate
fall weed and feed for a lawn. Applying the fertilizer in the fall
will give the lawn a kick start in spring. Use fertilizers in low
wind conditions and always read the directions for proper
spreader setup.

Most of these home repairs can be Do-It-Yourself projects or
easily hired out to neighborhood kids for a few dollars.

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Time is Running Out... (continued)

It’s hard to imagine a better time than right now to be a first-time
buyer. Mortgage rates and home prices are all favorable, recent
economic news is encouraging and the government is providing a
large financial incentive. If I was a first-time buyer.

In addition to taking advantage of the tax credit, another reason
for first-time buyers to consider making a purchase now are the
recent signs of a stabilizing real estate market. Last week, the
National Association of Realtors announced that home sales in-
creased in 39 states in the second quarter of the year compared
to the first. Last month, the S&P/Case-Shiller index showed an
increase in the monthly value of homes for the first time in
nearly three years.

Buying a home now might not only be the opportunistic thing to
do but also the more practical decision. In many instances, rent-
ing can actually be more expensive than buying. By choosing a
fixed-rate mortgage, individuals can lock in to a lower payment
that will stay the same unlike rent which can increase yearly.

First-time buyers, as well those who haven’t owned a home in
more than three years, who purchase a home by Dec. 1, may
be eligible to claim all or part of the tax credit based on their
income level. Congress will even allow individuals to still claim
the credit as part of their 2008 tax return if they file an amend-
ed tax return. Individuals can also elect to receive the credit
on their 2009 tax return. As with any tax law, individuals should
check with a tax advisor to discuss any specifics regarding
the use of this provision.

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