Don't get scammed: Experts offers tips for preparing your furnace for winter

The season for furnace scams is heating up as temperatures drop.

State regulators and consumer advocates are reminding home owners to do their research before forking over money for furnace cleaning, repairs and replacements.

“We get an increase in complaints this time of year about heating contractors that offer everything from duct cleaning to furnaces inspections,” said Phil Catlett, president of the Better Business Bureau serving West Michigan. “Most are reputable and competent, there are those out there that aren’t and they may try to frighten consumers into unnecessary

purchases or repairs.”

Many home owners don’t understand what heating work involves, and expenses can run from less than $100 to several thousand dollars, so it’s easy for contractors to take advantage of some people, said Steven Hilfinger, director of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Mechanical contractors must be licensed with the state. Consumers can verify whether a business has the proper licensing by checking online or calling the Bureau of Construction Codes Mechanical Division at (517) 241-9325.

Customers also should ensure that a company is insured for liability and property damage.

Typically, if there have been problems with a company not following through on promises or duping customers, it will show up on the Better Business Bureau website. The BBB can perform an investigation if someone requests one.

Company longevity is another thing to consider, said Gary Schultz, who started Aspen One Hour Heating & Cooling in Jackson in 1981.

“If you’re going to make a large purchase, look at their website, look at who they are,” he said.

Schultz recommends getting a furnace safety check every year. His company is offering the service for $79.

There are varying opinions on the need for such services.

“Think of it a bit like your car. Both of them are potentially dangerous if they’re not running well, so by having an annual checkup you reduce the likelihood that there might be some dangerous issue,” said the BBB’s Catlett. “On the other hand, if money is tight, I don’t think there is any absolute that you need to have somebody come and inspect your furnace every year.”

Catlett recommends getting at least two or three estimates before having your furnace serviced or replaced.

If it’s urgent and there’s no time for three estimates, then ask for references from friends and family or check with the BBB, he said.

Home owners should consider replacing their furnace if it is more than 15 years old, according to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

A new furnace can cost up to several thousand dollars, but replacing old heating and cooling equipment with more energy efficient equipment can save some home owners nearly $200 on their annual energy bills, according to Energy Star.

Here are some more tips, courtesy of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs:

• Clean your furnace’s air returns with a household vacuum cleaner. Check the filter once a month and replace it if necessary to maintain efficiency and prolong the life of the furnace.

• Get your furnace thoroughly cleaned by a reputable, licensed mechanical contractor at least every two years. Beware of duct cleaning scams, where companies use cheap, low-quality vacuums.

• Check the warranty to see whether it covers any repairs or replacements. Many systems come with long-term warranties.

• Seek a contractor that offers warranties covering equipment, materials and labor, and offers maintenance and service after installation and after warranties have expired.

• Don’t do business with door-to-door salespeople and don’t fall for telephone solicitations that offer “low-cost” or “free” furnace cleaning. Once inside, the worker may tell the home owner their heating system has serious problems that require immediate attention. Get a written description of the suggested work and seek additional opinions.

• Be aware of scare tactics leading you to believe your existing furnace is dangerous. Don’t sign a contract just because the worker says you’re at risk of possible illness or death if the furnace isn’t replaced immediately. Ask for a written copy of the technician’s test results and call your local utility company to come and inspect your system.

Existing-Home Sales Ascend in October

The housing market hasn’t shown much growth in 2017 as recurring inventory issues continue to plague the industry. But the latest existing-home sales report from the National Association of Realtors offers a bit of encouragement for agents and consumers.

Total existing-home sales increased by 2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.48 million during the month of October, the NAR reports. It’s the second consecutive month of market improvement after existing-home sales increased by 0.7% in September after three straight months of regression.

NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun believes employment growth has supplied buyers with plenty of confidence that now is the right time to purchase a home.

“Job growth in most of the country continues to carry on at a robust level and is starting to slowly push up wages, which is in turn giving households added assurance that now is a good time to buy a home,” Yun said.

“While the housing market gained a little more momentum last month, sales are still below year ago levels because low inventory is limiting choices for prospective buyers and keeping price growth elevated.”

The progress is exciting as 2017 concludes and the NAR reports sales are at their strongest pace since June. However, transactions are still are 0.9% below the pace set in 2016.

Low inventory has once again played a role in the market’s behavior. Total housing inventory dropped by 3.2% to 1.8 million existing-homes for sale by the end of October, according to the NAR. The inventory level is currently 10.4% lower than it was a year ago.

Scarcity continues to play a role in the price of homes that were actually sold. The median existing-home price for all housing types was $247,000, which is 5.5% higher than the median sales price last October. That marks the 68th consecutive month of year-over-year gains in median home prices.

The sales pace remained unchanged from September to October. Homes remained on the market for an average of 34 days last month, per the NAR. The average home stayed on the market for 41 days in October 2016.

The housing climate is advantageous for sellers and might be a bit more arduous for buyers trying to find the right home for the ideal price. Inventory is low to begin with and the houses that go to market aren’t available for long and aren’t going for cheap.

What Will It Cost To Add A Garage To Your Home?

When it comes to building a garage, like any large-scale building project, a lot of factors affect the scope and total price. While garage construction costs vary greatly depending on the structure's style, size, materials, and features, most homeowners spend about $25,652 to build an average sized two-car garage. You will most likely spend in the range of $16,799 and $37,091, but that will depend on many factors.


Attached vs. Detached

Putting on an attached garage is more common and tends to be more affordable. Attached garages are building off of an existing structure, and can utilize that as a wall, which cuts down on the average cost to build. It is also less expensive if the driveway is already in place. For a detached garage, the construction costs go up because it's building from scratch. However, these tend to offer more options, like a bigger work space. Here are some other factors to consider when choosing an attached or detached garage.



Attached

Attached garages are considered the less expensive option of the two. It’s easier to build three walls rather than whole new structure. You can have either an open plan (no walls, just a roof), or you can enclose the whole space with walls. They can also be a good place to store fridges, freezers and other secondary supplies. The best benefit of this garage is keeping out of inclement weather. By having an entryway from your home to the garage, you avoid snow, rain or other bad weather as you get into your car.



For a single car attached garage, you’ll pay between $7,500 and $10,000. Two car styles will be between $20,000 and $27,000, depending on materials. You’ll also have to pay electricians, painters and carpenters depending on how complex your structure is. The cost of materials could range anywhere around $40 per square foot or $5,000 to $7,000. This does not include the cost of hiring a contractor or paying for building permits. You will need to consult with several professionals and your local municipality for the best cost.



Detached

Detached garages are more expensive than attached, but they can be beneficial for the cost. If you don’t have room next to an entryway, you can build a detached garage behind the house or in a space that can fit one. These are also safer because you won’t get any carbon monoxide coming in to your house. You can also make the detached garage a secondary living space, if you add a loft space above it. While it costs more to start from scratch, you can see a lot of long-term benefits and ROI.

Costs & Considerations

The cost of a detached garage is between $9,000 and $12,000, since you have to start from the ground up. If you add electrical, plumbing or HVAC capabilities, the price will jump to around $14,000. It will be even more expensive if you add a living space above, potentially $18,000 to $20,000. The DIY cost of building a simple detached garage will be around $4,000 in materials, though you would still pay extra for electrical or plumbing. Factor in about $100 for a permit and then check with electricians & plumbers for their average prices.

How to remove oil stains from your driveway

If your car leaks fluids or you spill some while filling up your vehicle, lawn mower or snow blower, your driveway might end up with a stain or two. Fluids such as oil, transmission fluid and gasoline can leave a stain on paved driveways and garage floors. Because these liquids are all different, cleaning techniques vary slightly from fluid to fluid and surface to surface.

Whether the stain is new or old, there are some basic steps to help remove marks left by leaked fluids from a paved driveway or an uncoated concrete garage floor.

Oil

 Oil can leave a dark stain on your pavement. To remove oil from your driveway, first determine whether the fluid is wet or dry, says Good Housekeeping. If the spill is new, start by covering the stain with cat litter, cornstarch, baking soda or cornmeal, which will help absorb the extra moisture. Once the pavement is dry, or if the stain was already dry, says Good Housekeeping, wet the stain with water and scrub with a stiff brush and a paste made from baking soda and water. Finally, rinse the pavement with a hose and let it air dry.
To remove dried oil from concrete, douse the stain with spray lubricant and then rinse with water, says Reader’s Digest.

Another method, according to the Los Angeles Times, is to put engine degreaser on the stain and scrub it with a wire brush.
Transmission Fluid A bright red stain on light-colored concrete usually indicates a transmission fluid spill or leak, says Popular Mechanics magazine. Oven cleaner can help clean up this type of liquid, according to Reader’s Digest. Simply spray the stains with the cleaner and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, use a stiff brush to scrub the spot and rinse it with your hose at its highest pressure. If the stain is still there, Reader’s Digest suggests repeating the process.

If the (oil) spill is new, start by covering the stain with cat litter, cornstarch, baking soda or cornmeal, which will help absorb the extra moisture.

Gasoline

Spilled gasoline not only leaves stains on your paved driveway; the marks are likely accompanied by an odor you’ll want to neutralize. Much like with oil spills, Good Housekeeping recommends first soaking fresh gas spill with cat litter, baking soda or commercial absorbents and sweeping away excess fluid. Next, scrub the stain with a mixture of dishwasher detergent and water and let it soak in for a few minutes before rinsing with a hose. If that doesn’t take care of the problem, Good Housekeeping suggests buying trisodium phosphate from a hardware store, mixing it with warm water and scrubbing the spill with the solution until the stain lightens.

Those spilled fluids may be unsightly, but they may not be permanent. If the cleaning tips outlined above don’t fully remove the stain, the Los Angeles Times suggests hiring a professional cleaner to do the job.

There’s also a way you may be able to prevent future stains on your clean concrete. Sealing your garage floor with a paint or sealant made for concrete can help prevent fluid from soaking into the floor, says Mother Earth News. With a coating in place, you should be able to simply wipe up spills without any hassle, the publication says.

A 136 Year Old Home Is To Be Demolished In Detroit By Olympia Entertainment

A 136-year-old house in the vicinity of Little Caesars Arena is scheduled to be demolished.

A document filed with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality this week says demolition of the house at 2720 Cass Ave. south of Temple St. was expected to begin Wednesday. As of Thursday afternoon, no visible demolition work had taken place.

 The document, called a "notification of intent to renovate/demolish," says demolition is expected to be complete by Monday. The owner of the property is listed as Olympia Development of Michigan. 

The contractor listed is Detroit-based Farrow Group Inc.

 It's not known what the plan is for the site once it's cleared.

Mortgage Rates Drop! If Your Thinking Of Selling The Market Is Hot

By Ronald Dwyer Realtor

It is a seller's market in most areas and the market is hot.  Currently we have more buyers than sellers on the market.   
Many sellers have been on the fence as they haven't been sure if this is the right time to sell.  Now maybe the moment you have been waiting for.

The market just got hotter with mortgage rates dropping. 

Mortgage rates decreased this week. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 7 basis points to 4.15 percent with some banks going as low as 3.875 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 9 basis points to 3.35 percent with some banks going as low as 3.062 percent.

The typical 30-year jumbo mortgage fell 8 basis points at 4.08 percent. The average 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell 6 basis points to 3.42 percent.

A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percent.

For the purposes of this survey, a jumbo mortgage is a loan that is at least $650,000.

With a 5/1 ARM, the rate is fixed for five years and adjusted annually thereafter.

Bottom line, if you were on the fence of buying or selling, now is the time to jump in and lock the low rates before they go back up again according to financial experts.