Every Northwest ENERGY STAR certified home is built to meet energy efficient guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.

From energy efficient windows to advanced heating and cooling systems, ENERGY STAR homes guarantee greater savings, comfort and peace-of-mind.

Simply stated, ENERGY STAR homes are built better for you and the environment.

Better For Your Pocketbook

ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15 percent more efficient than code-built new homes, making them some of the most energy efficient homes on the market today. By using less energy, ENERGY STAR homes cost less to operate, which means more money in your wallet month after month. Combined with potential higher resale values, ENERGY STAR homes represent a smart investment.

Better Heating And Cooling

Enjoy a home with even temperatures throughout the year. Tightly-sealed ductwork, high-performance windows and properly installed insulation make your home more comfortable.

Better For The Environment

The energy used by American homes accounts for 20 percent of total U.S. carbon dioxide CO₂emissions. ENERGY STAR certified homes perform better than standard code-built homes and require less energy for heating, cooling and hot water. This amounts to reduced air pollution and a healthier environment for everyone.

Better For You

ENERGY STAR Homes have healthier indoor air, as performance-tested ductwork keeps the air inside your home clean by reducing the possibility of drawing unwanted air from your home’s attic, basement, crawl spaces and garage.

Peace Of Mind

Relax knowing your ENERGY STAR qualified home was tested and certified by an independent third-party to meet ENERGY STAR standards. The ENERGY STAR label is your assurance you have purchased an energy efficient home.

Your builder is building for you if they are building ENERGY STAR Certified Homes.

Click here to view Idaho Power’s list of ENERGY STAR Homebuilders.

Many companies that process foreclosures failed to verify documents. Some employees signed papers they hadn’t read. Or they used fake signatures to speed foreclosures — a step called “robo-signing.” As a result, some homes were seized improperly.

“The settlement holds the participating banks accountable for their unacceptable mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices and provides relief to homeowners,” Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “Backed by a federal court order, the settlement will aid homeowners with enforceable changes to how their loans are serviced.”

Here are questions and answers:

Q. What is this settlement?

A: It’s the result of an 18-month multistate law enforcement investigation of the participating banks’ servicing practices. The investigation began in response to allegations that the banks were filing fraudulent documents with the courts in judicial foreclosure cases. A judicial foreclosure is one that is conducted under the supervision of a court. While Idaho allows for judicial foreclosures, it is not widely used here. In Idaho, foreclosure is most often done by “advertisement and sale.” In such foreclosures, the lender does not file documents in court. Instead, the lender or servicer notifies the borrower of the default and the lender’s decision to sell the property at a trustee’s sale.

Idaho’s $114 million is part of a $25 billion state-federal settlement that resolves state and federal claims relating to mortgage origination, servicing, and foreclosure practices of Bank of America, Citi, J.P. Morgan Chase, Ally, and Wells Fargo. Together, these companies service about half of the U.S. mortgage loan market.

Q: Who stands to benefit?

A: Most of the money would go to some homeowners who are underwater. Many are struggling to make their payments and are at risk of foreclosure. Yet because they have no home equity, they’ve been unable to refinance into a lower-rate loan. For about 1 million underwater homeowners, their loan principal will be reduced by an average of $20,000. But more than 90 percent of underwater homeowners won’t be helped. Some, however, might be eligible to refinance at a rate of 5.25 percent.

In Idaho, about $75 million is being set aside to help them with loan modifications and other direct relief. Another $15 million will help underwater homeowners refinance their loans. And $10 million will go to cash payments averaging $1,500 to $2,000 each for about 5,000 Idaho borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure from 2008 through 2011 because of substandard loan-servicing practices. A spokesman for Wasden said it isn’t known how many Idahoans will get help with loan modifications and refinancings.

Q: Could I be eligible for relief?

A: You may, if your loans are owned or guaranteed by private lenders. Roughly half the mortgages in the United States — about 30 million loans — are owned by private lenders. The other half are owned by government-controlled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Homeowners with these mortgages aren’t eligible.

Q: How might the settlement help people avoid foreclosures?

A: It requires that banks make foreclosure a last resort. And it bars lenders from foreclosing on a homeowner who is being considered for a loan modification. If this worked effectively, “it would help borrowers, lenders, the entire country,” said Ray Brescia, a visiting law professor at Yale University who has tracked the housing crisis. But he cautioned that it would help only if diligently enforced.

Q: Will homeowners still be able to take action against lenders on their own?

A: Homeowners who get checks will not lose their rights to sue lenders in court. And states will still be able to criminally charge lenders and servicers who engaged in deceptive or illegal foreclosure practices. Missouri, for example, charged a Georgia-based mortgage servicer and its founder last week on charges of falsifying 68 notarized deeds on behalf of mortgage lenders.

Q: Will I be told if I’m eligible for help?

A: Because of the complexity of the mortgage market and this agreement, which will span a three-year period, in some cases participating mortgage servicers will contact borrowers directly regarding loan modification options. However, Idahoans with loans serviced by the five participating banks should contact their banks directly to obtain more information about specific loan modification programs and requirements, Wasden said. The national settlement administrator may also contact borrowers regarding certain aspects of the settlement.

Q: How can I find out more?

A: Information about this settlement and other mortgage-related subjects will be available on the attorney general’s website at www.ag.idaho.gov. In addition, a website dedicated to this settlement has been created at www.NationalForeclosureSettlement.com.

The Idaho Department of Finance said homeowners with loans serviced by one of the five settling mortgage servicers may contact the servicer directly: Ally/GMAC (800-766-4622), Bank of America (877-488-7814), Citi (866-272-4749), JPMorgan Chase (866-372-6901) and Wells Fargo (800-288-3212).

Q: Could the settlement help repair the troubled housing market?

A: Possibly, but only in the long run. U.S. banks will likely process foreclosures faster now that a deal has been finalized. Foreclosure filings have slowed because of backlogged courts, judges skeptical of foreclosure documents and lenders awaiting a final government-backed deal. “If it helps 1 million homeowners over the next few years, it should help housing prices stabilize and start rising again,” said Mark Zandi, economist at Moody’s Analytics. “And this should unclog the foreclosure process.”

Income limits apply since it’s through IHFA.

Fixed 30 year loan program – NO balloon payment, ARM, rate adjustment, etc.

Borrowers must contribute $500 towards the transaction of their own funds (can be gift funds from a family member)

Borrowers can’t have more than 3 month payments in liquid assets at the time of closing as this loan is based on need.

Borrower must take IHA’s First Time homebuyer class (this can be done online for $50 per person).

If you are interested in this type of loan and want to be prequalified, please let me know. I will be happy to refer you to a qualified and reputable lender that can help.

Lots starting at $69,900.

Location: ¼ mile east of the intersection of South Powerline Rd. and Lewis Ln. on the north side of  Lewis Lane

Schools:

Elementary – Sunnyridge Elementary

Middle – South Middle

High – Skyview

Click on image to view full size.

Location: South on Maple Grove, West on Lake Hazel, North on Snowdrift Ave into community

School District Boise School District #1

Grade School Lake Hazel Elementary

Jr High School Lake Hazel Middle School

Sr High School Mountain View High School

Cedar Edge CC&R

Amenities:

• Lot sizes from 6,000 to 14,000+ sq. ft.
• Daylight Basement Lots & Basement Lots
• Beautiful View Lots and Waterfall Entry
• 2+ Acre Park w/gazebo, playground & more
• Three Phases – 150+ Total Lots – 47 Lots in Phase 1
• Subdivision models will be open 7 days a week.

Vista Ridge CC&R

Located in Nampa, Idaho off of 12th Avenue near D & B Supply.

A frozen pipe is always an inconvenience, but it can actually result in a much more serious situation than just a temporary loss of water. By taking the proper preventive steps, you may never need to worry about thawing frozen pipes, or worse, repairing a pipe that bursts when the water in it freezes solid.

Here’s what to do if you wake up some frigid winter morning to find a water pipe frozen solid:

Step 1: Open faucet so steam produced by your thawing activities will be able to escape.

Step 2: Start thawing pipe (see pipe-thawing options below) at faucet, and work back toward other end of frozen section. As you melt ice, water and steam will come out open faucet. If you started in the middle, steam produced by melting ice could get trapped and build up enough pressure to burst the pipe.

Pipe-thawing options: There are several things you can do to thaw your home’s pipes. Here’s a list:

• Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water. Wrap and secure heavy towel or burlap bag around pipe to concentrate and hold heat against it. Place bucket under pipe to catch runoff water, then pour hot or boiling water over towel.
• A less messy but far more dangerous heat source for thawing frozen pipes is a propane torch equipped with a flame-spreader nozzle. With this heat source, you must be extremely careful to prevent torch flame from damaging or igniting wall behind pipe. A scrap of fireproof material between pipe and wall is a good precautionary measure, but the way you use the torch is the main element in safe pipe thawing. Keep flame moving back and forth. Never leave it in one spot very long. Be especially careful if you’re near any soldered pipe joints. Pass over them very quickly or else they may melt and cause leaks, and you’ll find that you have a much more serious plumbing problem on your hands than a frozen pipe. Caution: Never use torch or other direct high heat on plastic pipe.
• If you want to avoid the messiness of thawing with hot water and the danger of melting soldered joints with propane torch, try heat lamp or hair dryer as heat source. These work less quickly but are much safer.

To thaw a frozen drainpipe, remove trap, and insert length of garden hose into pipe. When you can’t push hose any farther, it has probably reached the ice. Raise your end of the hose and feed hot water in through a funnel. This way, the hot water is sure to get to the problem area. You must be careful when using this technique.

Until the ice melts and drains down the pipe, the hot water you pour in will back up toward you. Have a bucket ready to catch the overflow, and be careful not to scald yourself.

Article from howstuffworks.com, see the original article by clicking here.

• Groundwater and rain seeping into your home.

• Leaky pipes inside the walls.

• Pipes bursting from freezing and thawing.

Take a tour
After a winter storm, get outside as soon as you can. Walk around the house, checking for damage from wind and broken tree limbs. User binoculars if you can’t see your entire roof. Scan for loose or missing shingles.

Give special attention to vulnerable pipes — indoors and out — that are exposed to the cold, including hose bibs, pipes in outside walls, garden sprinkler lines, swimming pool pipes and pipes in unheated attics, basements and garages. A frozen pipe needs only a one-eighth-inch crack to leak as much as 250 gallons a day, according to this State Farm Insurance video, which demonstrates how to shut off your water and insulate pipes.

Take these steps to safeguard against damage from frozen and bursting pipes:

• If practical, insulate any pipes exposed to the cold. Ask hardware-store personnel for the best materials for the job.
• Seal any leaks that are letting cold air in, especially around dryer vents and pipes and where electrical wiring enters the house.
• Search for un-insulated water supply lines in the attic, garage, basement and crawl spaces and in bathroom and kitchen cabinets adjacent to outside walls. During a cold spell, open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathroom so the home’s heat can reach them. (Reminder: Put harmful household cleaners out of the reach of children.) Keep doors shut tight in the garage and outside closets and cupboards during freezing weather.
• When temperatures drop below zero, open both hot and cold faucets a trickle to relieve pressure in the pipes.
• Locate your home’s water shut-off valve; learn how to turn off the water quickly in case a pipe bursts.
• If you’ll be gone in freezing weather, even overnight, ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house for broken or leaking pipes. Show him or her how to shut off the water.
• Keep temperatures inside the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above, night and day, even when you’re gone.
• Promise yourself that when the weather improves you will add to the installation in the basement or crawl space and attic.

Leak prevention

Install small, battery-powered individual leak alarms, also called flood alarms, under the refrigerator, kitchen and bathroom drain pipes, dishwasher and laundry appliances and behind toilets. Cost: around $10-$15 each.

Check to make sure your sump pump is operating properly. If it has a battery backup, unplug the pump from the wall and test it.

Look for pests seeking shelter
Cold weather drives mice and insects into the walls of your home. Even unheated parts of the house invite these pests. Insects need only a crack to enter, and mice can get in through a dime-sized hole. Houseflies, particularly, pose a health risk because they can transmit disease.

• Seal any cracks where pests enter.
• Empty compost and garbage frequently.
• Keep food covered and put away; keep counters clean.
• Fix leaky pipes quickly.
• Pour boiling water down bathroom and kitchen drains monthly, preventing the buildup of bacteria-laden sludge; scrub removable drain covers weekly.
• Check basement, attic, crawl spaces and the back of cupboards and cabinets for mice droppings or holes. If you find evidence, install traps immediately or call a pest-control service.
• Pick up and dispose of outdoor pet waste promptly; turn compost piles frequently.

Make an inventory
While you are putting away holiday gifts, seize the opportunity to make a quick home inventory.  An inventory is a record of your home’s features, conditions, furnishings and valuable possessions. If your home is damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, mudslide or other disaster, you can use the inventory to substantiate your insurance claim to get the maximum replacement value for what was lost.

Your inventory doesn’t have to be fancy. You can get started and add to it later. Supplement your record with photos or video. The Insurance Information Institute has free software for making a room-by-room home inventory. Download it here and watch an instructional video here.

Tips:

Save receipts for valuable home purchases and for work you have done to upgrade the interior or exterior of your home.

Keep a copy of your inventory in a bank safe-deposit box or on a hosted server online, so you can get it even if your computer is destroyed.

Also …
Here are a few more winter tasks:

• Check the labels on the switches in your electrical circuit-breaker panel and make new labels if necessary.
• Check your furnace filter monthly in the winter to see if it needs replacing.
• Use a vacuum-cleaner tool or a long-handled brush to clean under and behind the refrigerator, including the coils.
• Clean lint from under laundry appliances, especially the dryer, carefully work the cleaning tool down into the lint filter; outdoors, clean the dryer vent outlet, reaching as far as possible into the pipe.
• Gather product documents and warranties into a folder. Go through the contents and discard outdated materials.
• Walk around inside the house with a screwdriver, pencil and paper. Tighten any loose knobs and attachments and list repairs to tackle later.
• Examine the ducts of your forced-air furnace and seal any leaks with duct tape.

Article from realestate.msn.com, view original article here.