Outcome of ‘Green Home Conversion & Rebates’ Workshop

 

A week ago today, Sunday, July 25, 2010, the Wood Streets Green Team organized a workshop entitled “Green Home Conversions with Riverside Public Utilities Rebates“.  About 40 people (mostly Wood Streets residents) attended the workshop and heard Ryan Bullard from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) explain the new Whole House Rebate Program, a tiered rebate that gets bigger the more environmentally friendly projects you perform.  Click here to learn more about the ever-important RPU rebate program!

Concerned residents who were able to attend the workshop were provided with an opening speech by Justin Scott-Coe, creator of the Wood Streets Green Team, who then introduced Ryan Bullard from RPU and Steven Rawls from REEIS (Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Specialists).  Those who attended were offered a free home diagnosis inspection from REEIS, and a free “Go Green” reusable shopping bag from RPU.  Tara and I love these bags — we’re even looking into having some reusable shopping bags made for our business so we can give them away and encourage our neighbors and clients to help the environment by shopping responsibly.

Tara and I are proud to live in the Wood Streets neighborhood of Riverside, and are proud to be members of the Wood Streets Green Team!  You don’t necessarily have to live in the Wood Streets to be a member of the Wood Streets Green Team.  This site is a resource where all Riverside residents can share insights, ask questions, and request information about living more sustainably.  Go Green, Go!

Green Home Conversions & Rebates

Want to save $$$ on energy costs?  Tired of that hot/stuffy room?  Are you afraid to run your air conditioner?  Confused by all the advertisements?  Don’t know where to begin?  The “Wood Streets Green Team” can help!

The Wood Streets Green Team’s mission is to provide resources to assist Wood Streets residents in increasing the sustainability of their lifestyle.  Their website is a resource where all Riverside residents can share insights, ask questions, and request information about living more sustainably. 

Join us on Sunday July 25, 2010 for a workshop entitled ”Green Home Conversions with Riverside Public Utilities Rebates” from 3 pm to 5 pm at RCC‘s Hall of Fame in the Student Union Center (click here for campus map). 

This workshop will feature Ryan Bullard from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) who will explain the new Whole House Rebate Program, a tiered rebate that gets bigger the more environmentally friendly projects you perform.  Steven Rawls from REEIS (Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Specialists) will teach you how to determine the most important and cost effective improvements for your home.

The green shape under the words “Wood Streets Green Team” is the map outline of the Wood Streets neighborhood here in wonderful and historical Riverside, California!

This workshop will provide valuable information for everyone concerned about the environment, their community, and their future.  

Though the Team is geographically located in the Wood Streets neighborhood, all Riverside residents are invited to join the Team and attend the workshops!  We look forward to seeing you there.

The Incredible Bulk Event

SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010 — If you are a City of Riverside resident, you may “drop off for FREE” from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.! 

Bring your load of furniture (sofas, chairs, etc.), large household items (mattresses), appliances (stoves, refrigerators, a/c units, etc.), electronic waste (computers, televisions, etc.), yard waste, and tires (no rims).  Sorry, but NO hazardous waste will be accepted.  Proof of residency is required: bring your City of Riverside utility bill with you.

Take your load to one of the six drop-off sites:

1.  Bordwell Park, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.
2.  Bryant Park, 7950 Philbin Ave.
3.  Collett Avenue (between Golden Ave. and Stonewall Dr.)
4.  Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd.
5.  Krameria Ave. (at Cole Ave.)
6.  Riverside Airport, 6951 Flight Road

Please remember to cover your load per California Vehicle Code.

Brought to you by Riverside Public Works Department.  For information, call 951-826-5311.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended!!!

On November 6, 2009, President Obama signed a bill to extend the tax credit for first-time homebuyers through June 30, 2010 at a maximum purchase price of $800,000!  The bill also opens up opportunities for others who are not buying a home for the first time.

WHO GETS WHAT?

First-time Homebuyers (FTBHs):  First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit.  The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000.00.

Current Homeowners:  The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home.  This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.

THE NEW DEADLINE

 In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and  close no later than June 30, 2010. 

TAX CREDIT VS. TAX DEDUCTION

It’s important to remember that the tax credit is just that… a tax credit.  Tax credit is a direct reduction in tax liability, owed by an individual to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The benefit of a tax credit is that it’s a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done.  So, if a first-time homebuyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.

Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability.  For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

WHAT ARE THE INCOME CAPS?

 The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased. 

Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount.  Those who earn more than this cap receive a partial credit.  However, filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible.

Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount.  Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit.  However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

HOW MUCH ARE FTHBs ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE?

An eligible homebuyer may request from the IRS a tax credit of up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price for a home.  If the amount of the home purchased is $75,000, the maximum amount the credit can be is $7,500.  If the amount of the home purchased is $100,000, the amount of the credit may not exceed $8,000.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FTHB TAX CREDIT?

Anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the previous 36 months, prior to closing and the transfer of title, is eligible.

This applies both to single taxpayers and married couples.  In the case where there is a married couple, if either spouse has owned a primary residence in the last 36 months, neither would qualify.  In the case where an individual has owned property that has not been a primary residence, such as a second home or investment property, that individual would be eligible.

 

IF A PARENT (WHO WILL NOT LIVE ON THE PROPERTY) CO-SIGNS FOR A MORTGAGE, WILL THEIR CHILD STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CREDIT?

Yes, provided that the child meets the other requirements for the tax credit.

ARE THERE OTHER RESTRICTIONS TO TAKING THE FTHB CREDIT?

Yes.  According to the IRS, if any of the following describe a homebuyer’s situation, a credit would not be due:

• They buy the home from a close relative.  This includes a spouse, parent, grandparent, child or grandchild. 
• They do not use the home as their principal residence.
• They sell their home before the end of the year.
• They are a nonresident alien.
• They are, or were, eligible to claim the District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit for any taxable year. (This does not apply for a home purchased in 2009.)
• Their home financing comes from tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds.  (This does not apply for a home purchased in 2009.)

As always, if you have any questions about your specific situation or would like to discuss how you may benefit from this program, please call or email us. We will be happy to sit down with you.     –Tara and April

How To Help Your Kids Get Less Colds

Teach kids to wash their hands frequently. Using warm water and soap, washing for 15 seconds can really help prevent the passing of germs. Having them wash after recess and just before lunch can really help. Warm water and soap is actually better than antibacterial creams.

Instead of sending your kids to school with a breakfast of sugary cereal which can lower their immune system, have them eat a healthier cereal with berries on top. Berries like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are full of antioxidants and can help enhance their immune system.

Interior Decorating with Pets in Mind

Pets have become more than just guard dogs or mouse-chasers to most of society; they have become friends and companions. It’s no wonder that you can find more and more ways to accommodate, accessorize, and modify your home to be pet-friendly.

Here are a few basic rules if you want the essentials for interior decorating:

1. Nothing touching the floor should be white; even white leather can become stained or scratched.
2. Use black sparingly. Getting light colored fur off of black furnishings and pillows is never fun.
3. Bold or bright colors will show more hair than softer neutrals.
4. Absolutely no velvet anywhere! If your animal sheds, this might as well be a hair magnet.

As for tables, try to find some that are sturdy or weighted, you never know when something may get bumped or run into. Put any accessories up where they are safe (mantles or high shelves will work).

For flooring, it’s preferable to use a hard surface like sealed stone (no slate!), hard wood, or engineered flooring. If you must have carpet, be sure to purchase cut pile, not loop pile. If loop pile gets snagged, the carpet will unravel, and this will surely entertain your cat or dog for hours and cost you hundreds to replace.

In a space not often seen, remove the doors to a larger cabinet and put your animal’s cage in it to free up valuable floor space (something many of us “Wood Street” homeowners are familiar with). This is a great idea for utility rooms that double as pet care centers. For a nicer look, you can have someone build the cage into the cabinet, but this could be a bit pricey. If you are re-doing cabinets, consider a multi-drawer cabinet in which the bottom drawer pulls out and houses the food and water bowls. If company comes over, simply slide the drawer into the cabinet and hide the mess. Think also of food storage, and get one cabinet with a built-in trash can or two, and store pet food in the cabinet next to the bowls.

You can modify your house plans to accommodate one of your pet’s most basic needs — needing to be let outside or into a room where they have food or a litter box. Usually there’s a trusty doggy door (which is also used for cats), but what was once a standard model with a soft plastic flap has now become more advanced with transmitters and automation. A transmitter can be applied to the pet’s collar which opens when the pet nears the door.  There are pros and cons to the transmitter: pro is that only your pet will gain access, thereby leaving those pesky raccoons outside; con is that some transmitters are too large for smaller pets and if the transmitter fails, your pet may be barricaded on one side or the other of the pet door.

So if you’re renovating or building a home from scratch, consult a design professional for some ideas on how to make your home really pet accessible and get the most out of your budget. Good luck!

5 Quick Fixes for Everyday Disasters

Somtimes just a little tip can save you time and money, so here are five to help you out.

If you have some great tips please comment below and share with the rest of us.

1.) With summer here, ants can start to march on your home and drive you crazy. Take some peppermit oil and mix it 50/50 with water in a spray bottle. Then spray ants whenever you see them.

2.) Your dryer does not seem to be doing a very good job of drying and is running for a very long time. Pull the dryer out, disconnct the vent hose and vacuum out the hose, the vent, and the end where the dryer connects. Could save you a $75 service call.

3.) It seems like everyone has one of those doors that drifts shut and you end up putting a potted plant in front of it to keep open. Instead of the potted plant, take out one of the hinge pins and lay it over a hard surface and strike it lightly with a hammer. Once you get a slight bend, put the pin back in the hinge. This bend will cause friction and keep the door open.

4.) The kitchen disposal has stopped working or has frozen. Lots of folks do not realize that garbage disposals have a reset button. Reach under the bottom and reset it.

5.) You have been doing some painting with a roller and you plan to paint tomorrow but you do not want to clean the roller. Put the roller in a ziplock bag or wrap it with clear wrap and stick it in the freezer. After it’s thawed you’ll be ready to go again.