HomeSpot HQ

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weekly links

Window to Web: 2012 Home Tax Breaks and Energy Efficiency

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2012 Home Tax Breaks and Energy Efficiency

Here are are some of our picks from across the web:

New Energy Efficiency Rating – Congress has passed a bill to put in place a new energy efficiency rating for water heaters to help consumers better compare different models.

Tax Breaks – The end of the year is quickly approaching and tax season will soon be upon us. Get ahead of the game by getting the tax breaks from your home. This article lists 6 items to consider:

  • Mortgage interest deduction
  • Mortgage insurance premium
  • Energy Star rated items
  • Points paid on a mortgage
  • Property taxes
  • Construction loan interest

12 Days of Savings – Get ready for the holiday season with these 12 days of energy savings.

Recent HomeSpot Blog Posts:

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist – Stay ahead of common house problems by completing this monthly maintenance checklist:

Dishwasher Maintenance – Food and buildup clog up the filter and spray arm. Keep the dishwasher is tip top shape by cleaning the filter and spray arm and inspecting the tines and heating element.

Energy Efficiency Tips when leaving on Vacation – There’s no reason to have your house consume as much energy when you are on vacation. Learn where you can reduce power use and how to keep your home safe while you are away.

Refinance an Underwater Mortgage and Restoration Projects

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Check out articles from this week that we found we found insightful.

Refinance an Underwater Mortgage – A common problem after the housing bubble burst is homes values dropping below the mortgage total. With interest rates at historic lows, it is a good time to refinance these mortgages, but it isn’t easy when the loan is underwater. Check out this article for some tips how to refinance in this situation. (Read more)

Dresser Restoration – Old furniture that are made from solid wood can be great for a restoration project. They are easy to sand down and repaint. The following example is one of the best examples I have ever seen. Paint was used for the side and stain for the flower on the top. Undoubtedly, this takes some artistic talent.

dresser revamped

Source: younghouselove.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

HomeSpot HQ Posts from this Week

Sink and Faucet Cleaning – Sinks are very robust and require little upkeep aside from routine cleaning. However, it is a good idea to do a very thorough cleaning job as a part of sink maintenance at least every couple months. This involves cleaning the faucet aerator and clearing the draining of buildup that may lead to a clog.

Who Invented the Toilet? – Any guesses as to who invented the porcelain flushing device found in every home today?

Water Heater Maintenance Checklist – An often overlooked task is water heater maintenance. At least a couple times a year it is good to drain the sediment, clean the heating element, and do an inspection.

HomeSpot HQ Acquired Home Maintenance Tracker – HomeSpot HQ is always looking for ways to improve the experience for its users. This week it was able to bring in additional resources by acquiring Home Maintenance Tracker, a similar online service.

Monthly Roundup: Winter is Upon Us

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Top Posts from October

Here are the top viewed HomeSpot blog posts from October:

Energy Efficiency Tips

HomeSpot Blog Posts from this Week

Toilet Maintenance and Inspection – Do you have problems with a toilet bowl that seems to be constantly getting dirty despite cleanings? It may be dirty siphon jets that are causing problems. Learn how to clean the siphon jets and how to do a toilet inspection.

Taxes and Home Improvement – A common questions is whether or not property taxes are affected by remodeling and which projects are taxable. We’ve done the work for you so you will know how a home improvement project will affect your taxes.

Hard Water vs Soft Water – Learn a easy trick to test for hard water and where to get a free kit for a more accurate test. Also, learn how hard water can cause problems and what are the best solutions.

DIY Kitchen Renovations – Want to give your kitchen a quick face lift? Here are some small DIY projects for budget conscious homeowners.

Window the Web: Halloween Decoration Ideas

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Need some Halloween decoration ideas? Check out these articles we found from across the web that might help for Halloween.

Flamingo Skeletons – Making your own decorations can be fun and open up the possibilities. My favorite part of this article is taking the stereotypical pink flamingo lawn decoration and turning it into a skeleton bird. (Read more)

Source: ext.homedepot.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

Painted Pumpkins – Carving up pumpkins is a must for every Halloween. I love the creativity and the added bonus of being to make pumpkin pie from the “guts” of the melon. If you want to take it different direction this year, try painting your pumpkin. Even if you paint it orange, it will have a much more vibrant color. (Read more)

Source: houzz.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

40 Best Pumpkin Carvings – Find ideas on how people are getting creative with pumpkin carving this year. This article features 40 of the best pumpkins for this year. (Read more)

Source: thisoldhouse.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

Home Maintenance Posts this Week

In case you missed any, here are the posts from this week:

Reverse Osmosis System – Install a reverse osmosis system underneath your sink to bring clean drinking water to your kitchen.

5 Energy Efficiency Tips – Utilize these 5 simple tips for lowering your energy consumption this winter.

Concrete Spalling and Repair – Unfamiliar with concrete spalling? It is those spots on a driveway or sidewalk where the top layer has eroded away.

Home History Report – Use this HomeSpot tool to create a home history report for your archives or for showing prospective buyers.

Window to the Web: Halloween Decorations, Hiding Nails, Funny Fail and Smart Energy

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Halloween Decorations – Get your home into full swing for the Halloween season. Find plenty of clever and funny decorations at Houzz.(Read more)

Source: houzz.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

Hiding Nails in Wood – A nice clean surface wood always looks good around the house. This trick uses a drill to create a pilot hole and counter bore so a screw can be hidden in the wood and create a more professional look.(Read more)

Source: thisoldhouse.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

Funny Fail: Power Strip – Everyone can appreciate a little humor around the house and we’ve all made our fair share of mistakes. But it is funnier when it’s not you making the mistake! (Read more)

Source: houselogic.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

Smart Power – Whole house smart meters can be expensive and difficult to install. This system, developed by Intel in Austin, uses only two outlet plugins to create an energy profile for your home. (Read more)

Source: greentechmedia.com via HomeSpot HQ on Pinterest

Home Maintenance Posts this Week

In case you missed any, here are the posts from this week:

Mental Wellness in your own Home – Find peace of mind in your own home by following these five tips.

Pest Control and Prevention – Ants and other critters are relentless about invading yards. Use these simple tips to keep pests out of your home.

Milestone: HomeSpot HQ Hits 10,000 Users – There are now over 10,000 users registered and busy maintaining their homes with the help of HomeSpot HQ. I hope HomeSpot HQ has helped you, too. Feel free to send us feedback or suggestions.

Yard and Garden Preparation for Winter – Prepare your yard and garden for the coming cold of winter so everything turns up rosy in the spring.