9-step Guide to Finding a Dream Rental - Ocean City MD & Coastal DE beach properties

9-Step Guide to Finding a Dream Rental

Know What You Can Afford
Whether you’re a first-time renter or an experienced renter, you must know what fits your budget. Learn how you can maximize your money to ensure you don’t over extend yourself. Read more »

  

Identify Your Rental Personality
Before you even fill out an application, know what kind of rental might suit you. We have some ideas to help you narrow your criteria. Read more »

  

Make Your Rental Search Mobile
So you’re ready to hit the road and look for a place. Before you do, make sure todownload the realtor.com® Rental App. After you’ve installed it, we have tips and tricks to make your mobile search a breeze. Read more »

  

Know What to Ask a Potential Landlord
Find something you like? Before you walk in the door, ensure you make a great first impression with a landlord. Here are some surprising facts landlords wish you knew.Read more »

  

Scope Out the ‘Hood 
Make sure your rental is in a good area. Read up on red flags to be aware of when looking at a place in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Read more »

   

Make Your Application Shine
Don’t get shut out from a place you love. Once you’ve identified a dream rental, know how to make a good impression and avoid getting rejected by a landlord. Read more »

  

Read Your Rental Agreement Carefully
Before you sign on the dotted line, know what’s in your rental agreement. Here are a few handy tips on what to ask your landlord prior to sealing the deal. Read more »

  

Decide Whether You Need Renter’s Insurance
So you’re all moved in. But what about all your precious possessions? Without a homeowner’s policy, should you be concerned? Learn all about renter’s insurance.Read more »

  

Know Your Rights as a Renter
If trouble arises with your landlord, how should you handle it? Learn what to do if you run into landlord problems. Read more »

Clear the Clutter - 7 Ways to Get Creative with Kitchen Storage

Living Smart: 7 Ways to Get Creative with Kitchen Storage

By Oseye Boyd

RISMEDIA, Monday, February 16, 2015— (TNS)--No matter the size of your kitchen, it always seems like there’s never enough space. Maybe at one time you thought it was the perfect size, but after years of purchasing kitchen gadgets and new dishes, along with having a growing family, the thrill is gone. However, there’s no need to fret. We’ve got you covered with seven space-saving, creative storage solutions to make your kitchen feel brand new, and hopefully you’ll fall in love with it all over again. 1. Go high. Step back and look at your kitchen as a whole. Notice anything? You may see there’s prime real estate up high, such as on top of the refrigerator and above cabinets and doors. Take advantage of these spaces to store cookbooks, canisters or even wine bottles. 2. Get low. Make existing features in your kitchen functional with toe-kick drawers. Most cabinets sit off the floor with toe kicks, and now there are kits available to create drawers that open with a tap of your toes. A toe-kick drawer is a great place to house pet feeding dishes. 3. Hangin’ on. Sure, you can hang pots and pans from the ceiling or add a rack to a wall, but you might try hanging baskets to store dish cloths and towels. Use hooks to hang pot holders or utensils. Peg boards aren’t just for tools in the garage. Use them to create a cool place to hang pots and pans, mugs or utensils. 4. Slide and glide. Install sliding drawers on the side of your range to add functionality. The drawers don’t take up much room but are deep enough to provide plenty of storage. A sliding storage tower (on wheels!) is another option to make use of narrow spaces, such as between your oven and fridge. 5. Rack it up. Door racks on the inside of cabinet or pantry doors provide instant space-saving storage. While you’re in the mood, add racks to the wall near the stove to store spices, olive oil or other often-used items for easy accessibility, or create a wine rack with everything you need — bottles, glasses and a corkscrew. 6. Island living. The options for using your island are endless. Add cabinets underneath for additional storage, shelves on one side to store kitchen gadgets, or install a built-in trash can to preserve floor space. 7. Cubby it up. Take it back to elementary school by creating cubby holes for cookie sheets, cake pans or other bakeware. Think high again, and build cubbies in the space between the cabinet and ceiling to store wine bottles. ©2015 Angie's List Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Frozen Water Pipes? Expert Advice on What To Do.

Ask the Expert: What Can a Homeowner Do about a Frozen Water Pipe? How to Fix Freezing Water Pipes - HouseLogic www.houselogic.com/home-advice/plumbing/freezing-water-pipes/ Use a space heater, heat lamp, or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe. Wrapping freezing pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape (from $50 to $200, depending on length) is also an effective way to quickly thaw a trouble spot. Don't thawpipes using a propane torch, which presents a fire risk. How Fix a Frozen Pipe Yourself

RISMEDIA, Tuesday, February 17, 2015— Today's “Ask the Expert” column features Charles Furlough, vice president of Field Operations with Pillar To Post Home Inspectors. Q: What can a homeowner do about a frozen water pipe? A: Water expands when it freezes, causing pipes that freeze to split. Even if a pipe doesn’t split, the ice will block the flow of water, a hallmark of a frozen pipe. Generally, a pipe will freeze only in a small area. If no damage occurs, you can thaw it out without consequence. To thaw a frozen pipe, heed the following imperatives of pipe thawing: 1. First, Do No Harm. If the pipe has split and you thaw it out, you may suddenly have a whole lot of water spraying out. The ice plug may be doing you a favor. If you know where the pipe is frozen, inspect it carefully for splits before you thaw. If it’s split, call a plumber and shut the water to the house off. 2. Have a Backup Plan. Check your main water shut-off valve. Make sure you’ll be able to shut the water off quickly if necessary. Operate the valve to make sure it’s not stuck or damaged. 3. Patience Is a Virtue. The only good way to thaw a pipe is to do it slowly. Never apply a blowtorch, as you could create trapped steam that’ll burst or cause damage by melting a solder joint or plastic valve fitting. Gentle heat, such as a space heater or hairdryer, is a better approach. If the frozen pipe is under a sink, opening cabinet doors may let in enough heat to thaw the pipes. 4. If in Doubt, Call a Plumber. While calling a plumber about frozen pipes is never the wrong thing to do, the following situations definitely require a plumber: You can’t find where the pipe is frozen. You suspect that your water main is frozen. The frozen pipe has a split and will require repair. Your main shut-off valve is corroded and stuck. Now that your pipes are thawed, how are you going to keep them from freezing again? Here are a few solutions: Add Some Heat - Often, the most effective short-term solution is to add a heat source to get you through the winter. Adding a space heater in a crawlspace near problem pipes, or hiring a plumber to apply heat tape or pipe wrapping are effective options. Seal Air Leaks - A common cause of pipe freeze is air leakage—cold air streaming in through gaps around windows or hatches. This is easy to fix with weather strip and caulking. Insulate - While insulating is more complicated, improper installation could make the problem worse. Stuffing blankets around the pipes may block household heat from getting to the pipes. An insulation contractor can recommend a customized solution. If there’s space, add insulation and the appropriate air barrier and vapor retarder. Sometimes, the existing insulation will have to be removed and replaced with more effective insulation (higher R value insulation). For more information, visit www.pillartopost.com.

Energy - It's Costing You With This COLD Weather. Ways to Save and What to Upgrade.

Every unit of energy you save is one less you pay for. One change, one choice is all it takes. Learn more about our Energy Saving Tools and Rebates. You can also check out our tips below for saving energy in your home. Take the next step and demonstrate the Power of One®.

1. Learn more about how you use energy in your home. You can complete a FREE Your Home Energy Report and find out if a home energy analysis is right for you. Take the next step and develop a customized action plan for achieving your energy-saving goals.
2. Replace furnace filters monthly. This will improve the efficiency of your furnace, extend its life, and reduce dust in your home. Take the next step and replace your old, ineffective furnace fan motor.
3. Clean refrigerator and freezer coils. For refrigerators, on a bi-annual basis and more often if you have animals. For freezers, more often if stored in dusty areas. You can also clean the coils on your window air conditioner and dehumidifier. Take the next step and replace your old freezer or refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR® qualified model.
4. Turn down the temperature in the winter and turn it up in the summer. As a rule of thumb, for each one degree reduction in temperature in the winter you can save 2% or more on your heating and for each degree you raise the temperature in the summer, you can save 3% or more on cooling. You may consider installing a programmable thermostat. Take the next step and improve the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
5. Wash your clothes in cold water as much as possible—and only full loads. About 90% of the energy used is spent heating the water. Take the next step and install an ENERGY STAR® qualified clothes washer.
6. Install energy- and water-saving showerheads and aerators. Take the next step tosaving water and energy in your home.
7. Plug air leaks in your home. Inexpensive foam strips and caulking can cut your heating and cooling loss by 10–25%. Take the next step to air sealing  your home.
8. Turn off lights when not needed and take the next step by installing energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® qualified light bulbs and fixtures. Lighting represents up to 10% of a typical home's energy usage.
9. When not in use, turn it off—or better yet, unplug it. Televisions, chargers, computers, and other plugged-in devices that are simply turned off can still use as much as half the energy they do when they’re turned on. Take the next step to reducing energy in plugged-in devices.
10. Have your furnace tuned up annually. Take the next step by installing a new high efficiency furnace with ECM fan motor or simply replace your existing furnace to save energy and increase comfort.
11. Get rid of that second refrigerator or freezer. The second refrigerator or freezer in your garage or basement can cost you several hundred dollars over its life. Take the next step andrecycle that old refrigerator or freezer (and recycle your old window air conditioner at the same time).

The Best Energy Upgrades To Tackle First

Sometimes the toughest part of making your home more energy efficient is figuring out where to start. Click Full Article below to see the Pyramid of Energy Efficiency. It sorts home energy efficiency projects from easiest and lowest cost to most complex and highest cost. Use it to develop your own green home action plan.

http://www.mnpower.com/EnergyConservation/ForYourHome

Are You Renovating? Latest Updates in Home Design Trends

Home Builders Pick Top New Home Design Trends

The National Association of Home Builders recently passed out its Best in American Living Awards. The winning projects were recognized for innovative design, so they tend to highlight design trends you’ll see in new homes in coming years.

BALA Chairman Stephen C. Moore, senior partner – marketing with BSB Design Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa saw an overall simplification in the designs with cleaner lines, more natural elements and an emphasis on relaxation.

Here are some of the top trends from the winning projects:

White, White, White Kitchens

Many of the winning kitchens had white cabinets, white counter tops, white back splashes and were finished with, you guessed it, white trim. Industrial textures are being introduced, but they are muted or white.

You can incorporate this look into your kitchen without committing to a full remodel by painting your cabinets and retiling the backsplash.

Doubled Island Kitchens

Back-to-back islands and side-by-side islands are showing up in all styles of homes—one island for cooking and preparing food, and the other for serving food and dining. Sometimes the second island takes the place of a more formal dining room table.

Not ready to get rid of your dining room table? You could enlarge kitchen countertops where you already have seating.

Centered Bathtubs

Bathrooms are continuing to becoming more spa-like. As a result, large, well-designed tubs are becoming the center of attention. They are being pulled away from the wall and treated like sculptures.

If you’ve got the bathroom floor space, this would be a fun update. Be sure to add radiant heat if you replace the floor tile.

Indoor-Outdoor Living

Where weather permits, indoor-outdoor transitional spaces are showing up by utilizing removable walls, screens and foldable walls.

In urban homes, using extra space on the roof can give you a great view.

Outdoor kitchens are particularly in demand in luxury neighborhoods. Let me know if you need help finding a hardscaping specialist who can transform your yard into a relaxing entertainment space.

Natural Elements Mixed With Contemporary Materials

A softer side of modern design is evolving as contemporary and industrial materials are beginning to mix with natural materials.

Wood, steel and glass are a popular combination, allowing the best from both worlds. Modern textures are being combined with old-world or classical elements.

If you’d like this look but don’t have the know-how to pull it off, contact me. I can refer you to a professional designer who can help.

Increased Quality Of Details

Across the board, the details, such as how a hand rail meets a stair, are getting better.
Light, classic details that are clean and well thought-out are amplified when pulling together major pieces of a simple, clean-lined space.

When you remodel, pay attention to decorative elements.

Get Away Rooms

Whether it is a room with a view or a game room, creating spaces that allow you to get away from everyday life are becoming popular. These spaces are designed to encourage relaxation, family-time or allow one to practice their hobbies.

When adding new rooms, or repurposing rooms as kids leave the nest, consider what you like to spend time doing. You’ll get lots of use from the space by setting it up as a place where you can enjoy a hobby or pastime.

Wine Rooms And Bars

Wine is finding its home everywhere and anywhere. Wine displays under the stairs are beautifully filling spaces that could otherwise go to waste.

Full rooms dedicated to wine or liquors are no longer just for the avid collector. Wet-bar nooks are adding to the overall encouragement of relaxing and enjoying time at home.

You’d be amazed at the wonderful ways today’s wine-room designers can make use of existing space. Adding a dining table near a wine cellar or wine closet creates an instant wine room.

Image source: Jauregui Architecture Interiors Construction

Ti[s to Protect Your Family and Your Home

Tips to Protect Your Home and Family When it comes to home maintenance, everyone thinks of weatherproofing, but does anyone think of thief proofing? Last year, there were 8,632,512 property crimes, costing an estimated $16.6 billion, which includes burglary. Here are a few home security basics to help you protect your home. Check Locks and Latches - Add checking locks and latches on windows and doors to your regular maintenance routine. All it takes for a thief to gain entry is a single broken latch. Cut Back Trees and Hedges - Maintain sight lines to the street by removing trees and hedges that obscure key entry points into the house. The lack of a suitable place to hide is sometimes enough to deter would-be criminals. Alarm System - Consider an adding alarm system. Modern systems offer features like remote access, security cameras and 24-hour monitoring. Here's what you need to know before buying an alarm system. Security Lights - Install security lights anywhere a potential thief might look to gain entry to your home, including back doors, attached or detached garages, covered porches and any other outbuildings. Beware of Bragging - Avoid broadcasting big-ticket purchases via social media - this could be an invitation for trouble. It's also a good idea to shred any receipts or credit card statements that may alert thieves to your recent purchase (this also helps prevent identity theft). Keep Control of Keys - Get in the habit of gathering keys from contractors or household helpers after they are done. Be careful about using a smart key system that allows you to rekey locks yourself - some are easily picked.

8 Home Renovations that will Pay You Back

8 Home Renovations That Will Pay You Back

By Barbara Pronin

RISMEDIA, Saturday, February 07, 2015— When you own a home, it seems like there is almost always something you would like to do to make it more comfortable, attractive, or eco-friendly. But, home remodeling experts tell us, if you plan to sell your home at some point, put your time and effort into one of more of these renovations proven to pay you back because they increase the value of the property: New garage doors – Nothing says curb appeal like attractive garage doors – and you can’t beat the bang for the buck. A mid-range replacement will likely return more than 80 percent on your investment. A wood deck – Here’s a renovation you are likely to enjoy – and a $10,000 investment will also return about 80 percent of what you spent. Exterior siding – New siding will not only give your home a major facelift. It will return a strong 87 percent on project costs of about $14,000. Attic conversions – Adding another bedroom or playroom upstairs give a home more usable living space without increasing its footprint. The remodel investment will likely return 84 percent of a $50,000 project cost. Kitchen updates – No need to overhaul the entire kitchen, experts say. Upgrading the counters, and replacing cabinets and appliances will likely cost about $18,000 – and will return some 97 percent of cost. Oddly, a big-ticket total kitchen remodel costing over $100,000 may only return 63 percent of the investment. New windows – New, energy–efficient windows throughout your home will save you money on heating and cooling bills – and you will probably get a return of 79 percent on a $10,000 investment. Basement remodel – Another great way to add living space to a home is with a basement remodel. Adding insulation and flooring, and upgrading the walls and ceiling may cost as much as $60,000. But return on investment is estimated at 77 percent. Back-up power generator – The unpredictable weather of the past few years has led to a surge in the popularity of this relatively inexpensive home addition. An average cost of $11,000 could net you a 67 percent return on your investment. View this original post on RISMedia's blog, Housecall.

Ever Had Your HVAC Conk Out on You During A Winter Freeze? Furnace Maintenance Tips...

Your Home: Furnace Maintenance Tips

By David Glenn

RISMEDIA, Tuesday, February 03, 2015— Furnaces are often uncomplicated and relatively easy to keep up. The purpose of systematic maintenance is effective operation. Whatever kind of furnace is heating the house, there are several steps to take to preserve its prime operating condition. Three Components of Heating System When a heating system does not work correctly, one of the three workings, the source of heat, the circulation system or the thermostat, may be the cause of the problem. If the furnace will not run, the issue is most likely at the heat source. Possible causes could include loss of power, fuel not reaching the unit or failure of the oil or gas to ignite. If the furnace does turn on, but the warmed air does not spread to the rooms, the difficulty could be in the blower. A defective thermostat will stop the heating system from turning on or could make the furnace turn on and off. Initial Steps to Furnace Maintenance There are initial steps to take to work on a furnace. Be certain that the heating unit is receiving power by checking for fuses that are blown or circuit breakers that are tripped at the main panel. Check the reset button which is close to the motor housing. If the motor has been running, wait 30 minutes for the motor to cool down and then press the button one time. If the unit doesn’t start this time, wait another 30 minutes and press the reset button again. Try one more time if necessary. If the furnace has a different power switch, turn the switch on. Set the thermostat at the proper temperature. If the furnace is powered by gas, inspect the gas source to be certain it is turned on and the pilot light is burning. Double check for a sufficient supply of oil. Safety Features When Working on Heating System Several safety factors should be considered before working on the furnace. Turn off all power to the heating unit before working on it. At the main electrical panel, remove the fuse that regulates the furnace or trip the circuit breaker. Another alternative is to take out the main fuse or trip the circuit breaker for the power for the entire house. If the circuit trips or the fuse blows continuously when the furnace is turned on, then the problem exists in the house’s electrical system. This issue should be repaired by a professional electrician. Maintaining a Clean Furnace If the furnace is dirty, the heating system will run less efficiently and waste fuel. Dirt can reduce the efficiency of all three workings of the system, so cleaning is a significant part of system maintenance. Belt adjustment and lubrication are important steps. Precautions with a Gas Furnace If the furnace has a gas power source, and gas can be smelled in the home, the homeowner should not turn off the gas and should not use any lights. The first step is to call the gas company and leave the doors open. Annual Professional Furnace Check To maintain the heating system in top condition, the furnace should be serviced by a professional once a year. The end of the heating season is the best time to get the furnace maintained. This is the least-busy season for service professionals, so it is possible for the homeowner to get a discount. Service is more likely to be completed more rapidly. Warranty for Heating System Another step to take is to purchase an extended home warranty when purchasing the furnace or when arranging to have the furnace serviced. The furnace will be serviced on a regular basis with parts being guaranteed. No matter what kind of heating system a house has, the homeowner must not wait until the furnace stops working before calling for maintenance. If a heating system is kept up, the homeowner will save cost on fuel and lengthen the life of the furnace. Routine maintenance is inexpensive compared to the cost of installing a new furnace. View this original post on RISMedia's blog, Housecall.

Ready to Make A Move? 5 Telltale Signs You Might Be Ready.

Moving on the Mind? 5 Telltale Signs That You're Ready Visit:  http://www.susanantigone.com/   to see available homes in Ocean City MD

By Paige Tepping

RISMEDIA, Tuesday, February 03, 2015— When it comes time to list your home on the market, the decision to sell shouldn’t be taken lightly. Rather than asking your Magic 8 Ball whether now’s the time to pack up your belongings and move into a new space, you’ll want to focus on a variety of factors to be sure your decision makes the most sense for you and your family. Here are five telltale signs that will offer the best indication that you’re ready to get off the sidelines and make a move. 1. You’re financially ready. Purchasing a home is an expensive proposition, which means buyers need to have their finances in order before they even begin looking at houses. “Many people take the plunge when interest rates are low and their credit score is in good standing,” says James Roche, CEO of Houseplans.com, who notes that understanding the costs associated with purchasing a home is another important factor that needs to be taken into consideration. 2. You have a game plan. According to Roche, having a game plan in place is one of the best ways to motivate yourself when it comes to actually going through with listing your home. Your game plan should cover the basics—where you want to live, what type of home you want to purchase, when you want to move—in addition to how much you can afford. “Having a general vision of what your next home will look like hinges on having an estimated listing price of how much you can actually afford,” says Roche. 3. Your family situation is changing. Whether your family is growing or you’ve recently become an empty nester, shifting family dynamics can play a large part in your current home not meeting your everyday needs anymore. Take stock of the space you have—and whether it’s being put to good use—and decide what makes the most sense for your current situation. 4. You’re ready for self-expression. “It may be time to hang that For Sale sign if you find that special house or rare parcel of land that you’ve always wanted,” says Roche. 5. You actually want to sell. When it comes to selling your home, no one can make the decision for you. “The best time for you to sell is when you feel that it’s absolutely right.” View this original post on RISMedia's blog, Housecall.

Do you know how to reduce your taxes? Tax Deductions for Homeowners

Tax Deductions For Homeowners

By Jeff Baxter Mortgage Team

January 30, 2015

You have heard it before. Owning a home is a great tax deduction. It is one thing to make a general statement. It is another to understand the specifics of howowning a home may lower your tax liability. Below is a list of important points that every homeowner should know. Note that this is not a complete list of allowable deductions.

Itemizing deductions. In order todeduct your mortgage payment, you must itemize deductions rather than take the standard deduction. As a general example, if your allowable standard deduction is $5,000 and you only have $3,000 in itemized deductions, you will be better off taking the standard deduction.  However, if the home gives you an “extra” $10,000 in itemized deductions, you are better off itemizing. Note that the “excess” $2,000 ($5,000 minus $3,000) will not garner any benefit because you are now itemizing.

The housing payment. The housing payment is generally comprised of four segments: Principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI).  Generally, you can deduct two of these—mortgage interest and taxes. The good news is in most cases these two items comprise the greatestmajority of the total payment. For example here are some fictitious numbers given to illustrate this point:

100 Principal
1,000 Interest
400 Taxes
50 Insurance
$1,550 Total Payment (PITI)

Of this example, $1,400 out of $1,550 is deductible, or approximately 90% of the payment.

Again, using fictitious numbers, if the above homeowner was in a 25% tax bracket, the home payment would actually be reduced by approximately $350 per month after taxes.  There are a few exceptions or requirements with regard to this rule—

• The deduction is only allowable for principal residences and second homes.  Homes which are rented out (investor properties) have additional tax benefits.
• You cannot deduct interest on any loan amount above $1 million.
• You can only deduct interest on a mortgage which is taken out to purchase, build or improve a property. You may be able to deduct amortgage insurance payment under certain conditions depending upon the year that you paid them.

Points. A point is a cost charged by a mortgage company for originating a mortgage and/or buying the rate down on that mortgage. Generally points are deductable in the year that they are paid when they are used to purchase a primary residence. If the purpose of the mortgage loan is to refinance an existing loan, then the points may still be deductable, but must be spread out over the life of the loan, unless the refinance was to improve the present home. There are additional restrictions regarding the deducting of points which are not delineated herein.

Investor properties. Those who own properties for the purpose ofgenerating income can deduct the cost of expenses of carrying the property against the income of that property. Allowable expenses would include interest, insurance, taxes,maintenance, depreciation and more.  Again using a fictitious example…

$1,000 Rental Income (monthly)
-800 Interest, taxes and insurance
-50 Maintenance
-100 Depreciation
$50 monthly “net” income or $600 for the year.

Sale of the home. Another major tax benefit is achieved when someone sells their home. The profits of the sale of a principal residence are excluded from income up to a maximum of $500,000 for joint filers, including married couples, and $250,000 for individuals. You must have owned the home at least two years and used it as your primary residence at least two out of the past five years.

The tax benefits of owning a home are “great” as advertised. You are advised to get with your tax advisor for greater clarification with regard to these general rules.