Category: Homeowner

Prices on almost everything consumers use are inflating, without a corresponding increase in wages. This makes for tight budgets for many Americans right now. Looking for creative ways to save on our biggest outlays every month has become almost a hobby.

Many of the folks we speak with claim that because their mortgage payment takes the biggest bite out of their budget, they’re seeking ways to pay less for the home every month.

Sounds like a big “ask,” but there actually are ways to lower that payment. Now these won’t work for everyone, but they’re worth learning about.

Your monthly mortgage payment in a nutshell

That check  you write each month to keep a roof over your head pays for the following:

• The loan’s principal
• Interest
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• HOA fees (for some borrowers)

The principal you have no control over. The rest of the items on this, however, should be researched fully to see if you can bring down those costs.

Dump the high interest rate

Although mortgage interest rates have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride lately, they will even out (hopefully sooner than later). When they do, be ready to jump into the refinance market to snatch up a lower interest rate than you are now paying.

How much lower should you be looking for?

“Historically, the rule of thumb is that refinancing is a good idea if you can reduce your interest rate by at least 2%,” according to the Investopedia Team. “However, many lenders say 1% savings is enough of an incentive to refinance,” they add.

If you aren’t familiar with the various aspects of refinancing your mortgage, run the idea by your accountant or financial planner for warnings and tips.

Cut your tax bill

“The average American household spends $2,690 on property taxes for their homes each year,” according to John S. Kiernan, citing figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents $214.17 added to your mortgage payment each month.

“There is some good news for homeowners, however” suggests Aimee Picchi at CBSNews.com.

“You can appeal your property assessment, and success means your tax bill could be lowered by hundreds to thousands of dollars,” she concludes.

Check the assessor’s bill for accuracy in the basic data regarding the home:

• Age of the home
• Square footage
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

“An error in one of these fundamental property characteristics can significantly increase a property’s overall assessment, suggests property tax attorney Gilbert D. Davila at Property-Tax.com.

Then, check how much the assessor claims your home is worth. It should be comparable to how much you would realize if you sold your home on the open market. To find out this figure, check the sales prices of comparable homes in your area over the past six months.

We are happy to offer you a no-cost, no-obligation of your home’s current market value. Feel free to reach out to us.

For additional information on how to appeal your property tax bill, visit CBS.com and your county assessor’s website.

Are you paying too much for homeowners insurance?

The average American homeowner pays about $1,512 each year (a bit less than $126 per month) for homeowners insurance, according to ValuePenguin.com.

And, many may be paying too much, according to a Consumer Reports study. Among respondents to the survey, “About 9 percent switched insurers in the previous three years, and more than half reported finding a better price,” according to Jeff Blyskal at consumerreports.org.

He goes on to claim that homeowners “can save hundreds to more than $1,000 per year in premiums by shopping around.”

Many insurance companies use your credit score when determining your premium, so work on raising your score to get better rates.

Blyskal explains that “an insurance premium for a 45-year-old homeowner with a fair credit score would be 36 percent higher than if she had an excellent score, on average nationally. If the homeowner had a poor score instead of an excellent one, her premium would be 114 percent higher.”

Get rid of PMI

Private mortgage insurance (PMI), or Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) if you have an FHA loan, are both a blessing and a curse. They’re a blessing because they help Americans who might not otherwise be given a mortgage to finally become homeowners.

The flipside, however, is that the premiums are tacked onto the house payment every month. With a conventional loan, PMI is removed when the homeowner obtains 20 percent equity in the home.

FHA’s MIP, however, remains for the life of the loan. But, if you’ve hit that magical 20 percent equity mark (and 80 percent loan-to-value), refinance into a conventional mortgage and you’ll do away with the MIP payment every month.

Many homeowners think that they’re stuck with the same house payment for the length of the loan. But not you; you now know about ways to lower that payment. You’re welcome!

From $150 to $600. That’s the going rate for electricians “… for most small to medium electrical tasks,” according to the editors at ThisOldHouse.com.

They go on to suggest that the total amount of your bill will depend on three things:

• The size of the home
• The complexity of the project
• The type of license the electrician holds

The latter breaks down into apprentice electrician, journeyman electrician and master electrician. Expect to pay up to $60 an hour for the apprentice, up to $90 an hour for a journeyman and up to $120 an hour for the master electrician.

Like most tradespeople, electricians aren’t all alike. Today we’ll take a look at ways to choose the right one for your job by unpacking common mistakes homeowners make when hiring an electrician.

1. Choosing the electrician that offers the lowest bid

According to Kristen Dalli at ConsumerAffairs.com, “… despite record-high prices in nearly every category, a new survey conducted by Slickdeals showed that the majority of Americans prefer quality over a bargain.” There’s hope for us yet, right?

There are still those, however, who will always go with the lowest-priced bid. Sadly, “… buying the cheaper option over a higher quality item backfired for more than 60% of the survey participants,” cautions Dalli.

Apparently, more often, we truly do get what we pay for.

Hire a professional. Why take chances with something as dangerous and critical as your home’s electrical system and its components?

2. Not ensuring the electrician is licensed and bonded

If you belong to your neighborhood group on NextDoor.com or Facebook.com, you no doubt know how many people ask for referrals to tradespeople.

Invariably, tradespeople show up in the thread offering their services. Very rarely does anyone ask if he or she is licensed, let alone bonded.

Earlier, we outlined the three types of licenses for electricians. “To become licensed, electricians must first apprentice with a qualified master electrician for at least two, but usually four years,” according to the pros at Asbury Electric in Gloucester, VA.

The licensing exam is rigorous.

What about bonding? “While insurance offers protection for the company, bonding offers protection to a business’s customer,” explains Alyssa Gregory at TheBalance.com. Both are important for the consumer.

Ask the electricians that you choose to interview for your project if they are both licensed and bonded.

3. Not requesting and contacting references

The best way to find an electrician is through referrals from friends and family. Gather up a couple of names and, during the interviews, ask them for the contact information for their last couple of customers.

Then, call these people. Ask them about the quality of the work, the electrician’s punctuality, and anything else you need to know.

You might also want to check any reviews (if any) on the Better Business Bureau’s website.

4. Not setting out the agreement in writing

If the electrician doesn’t offer a contract, ask that at least he or she put the details (scope of work, fees, project timeline, etc.) in writing and that both of you sign it.

Money is tight for so many right now that it’s important to ensure you are getting quality work for the money you’re spending.

Green thumb. Most plant enthusiasts and gardeners are aware of the term and either self-identify as one who either has a green thumb or lacks one.

In other words, you are either good with plants, or not-so-good. If you feel you’re the latter, have faith. There are many houseplants that are both lovely and almost impossible to kill.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum clevelandii)

Not only is the peace lily hard to kill, it doesn’t demand the perfect spot with the perfect amount of sunlight. In fact, it is well-known to bloom even in relatively dark corners of a room.

What we like best about the plant, though, is that if you forget to water it, it will let you know by drooping. Give it a drink and it’ll perk right up again.

When you’re conscientious about watering, give it a huge amount of water – flood it – and then let the soil dry out. Other than that, and a dose of fertilizer once a year, the plant requires little care to thrive.

The one drawback to the plant, however, is that it’s toxic to pets, according to the ASPCA,  so if you have a cat or dog that loves to munch on greenery, either keep the peace lily out of its reach or choose another plant.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

If you need something to fill a hanging planter, do consider pothos, a gorgeous and hardy vine. A fast grower, it will send out long runners that you can cut, stick in a glass of water, and root new plants.

Pothos tolerates low light (even artificial light) and dry soil (as long as it’s not dry for weeks). Ideally, you’ll water when the soil is dry to within an inch of the surface and cut back on the frequency when the plant isn’t actively growing (such as in winter).

A basic houseplant fertilizer, or a 20-20-20 fertilizer applied once a month during the growing season will have it performing at its best but it won’t die if you don’t fertilize it. It just won’t grow as well.

Pothos is toxic to dogs and cats, causing “Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing,” according to the ASPCA.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)

Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant (Sansevieria spp.) tolerates both shady and bright environments, and requires very little water.

In fact, the best way to kill the snake plant is by overwatering it. Eventually (if happy) it can reach to 4 feet in height.

Pot up your snake plant in a loose, well-draining mix or even a cactus mix combined with potting mix. For extra oxygen at the plant’s roots, which are prone to rotting if kept too moist, use a terra cotta planter. Remember to drain water in the saucer beneath the pot after watering.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

If you’re seeking a “set-it-and-forget-it” plant, the ZZ plant can’t be beat. It will thrive in low-light and dry soil conditions.

To help it retain moisture, the plant grows from rhizomes (which many mistake for bulbs) which not only store water but allow the grower to easily propagate the plant.

Keep in mind that all parts of the ZZ plant are toxic. “ If chewed or swallowed symptoms can cause immediate pain or a burning sensation and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat. Contact dermatitis may also occur in sensitive individuals,” according to the experts at Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service in Queensland, Australia.

Remember when you bought that house and all the “stuff” that comes along with owning it? I promised to be with you every step of the way, both before and after the sale, and here I am, nagging you to keep up your investment. You’ll thank me later.

Believe it or not, someday you will sell this home and my hope for you is that it’s in pristine condition so you get top dollar for it.

To that aim, take a look at some of these easy spring home maintenance chores that will help you keep your home in peak condition. Chip away at them over the course of the season and I promise, you’ll be glad you did.

Is it hot in here?

It will be soon, so change the filter in the HVAC system before firing up the air conditioner for the season. In fact, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors recommends that you have the system inspected once a year.

If you smoke, have pets or if you suffer from allergies, plan on changing the HVAC filters monthly.

If it slides, lubricate it

Windows, sliding glass doors and anything on hinges can use a squirt of lubricant at least once a year. Get out the WD-40 or whatever else you have on hand and get going.

Be sure to clean the tracks and window frames before applying the lubricant. Wipe them down with a cloth to remove the loose gunk and then use the vacuum to get the rest.

A solution of vinegar and water (hot water is best) is good to clean up mildew or heavy grime buildup. Use a clean damp cloth to rinse of the solution and then a towel to dry everything.

Now you can spray the lubricant. If you have vinyl windows, be careful. Avoid getting the lubricant directly on the window because it may leave a mark.

You can not only get the interior of the house squeak-free and moving without struggle, but probably the shed and garage as well, in less than 20 minutes.

Gutters get really gross over the winter

Caked on gunk in the gutters can be hard to remove so water it down and use a trowel to scoop it out. Then, use the hose to run water through the gutters to ensure there aren’t any leaks and that the downspouts aren’t clogged.

If you have a tree that loves to drop the leaves into the gutter every fall, consider covering said gutters with wire mesh. It just might save you from having to do the cleaning routine again next spring.

How’s the deck looking?

If you spend a lot of time on the deck during summer, don’t neglect this tip. Take a minute or two to inspect the boards and if any are cracked or curling remove them and replace with new ones.

Then, go underneath the deck to check that the supports are in good shape and there aren’t any missing nails or screws. If you see signs of pest damage you’ll need to call a pest control professional to ensure the deck is still sound.

When was the last time you

Drained your water heater? I know, it’s a tedious and thankless job. But if you’ve ever had a water heater fail and leak all over the garage you’ll understand that these beasts need maintenance as well.

Sediment settles in the bottom of the tank. While one- or two-years’ worth may not be an issue, if you let it go for too long it will build up and can result in a loss of heat to the water and maybe even clog the drain line (therein lies the real danger).

You’ll find a handy video walk-through for the process online at Today’s Homeowner.

Whether you have seeds starting indoors or you plan on buying starts from the nursery, your flowerbed awaits – so let’s get those plants into the ground.

Choose the right spot for the right plants

 

Beginner gardeners typically make the mistake of not scoping out the perfect spot in the yard in which to plant a flower garden. The “perfect” spot is the one that gets the amount of sunlight that your plants will require.

Keep notes of the location of the sun as it moves across the yard. Then, choose a spot where your flowers will get the entire amount required for their growth. You can learn about plant requirements on gardening websites online.

Then, make a list of those that you want to grow.

Next, do some research about each plant as to its eventual size (height and width) and take note of this information. You will need it to determine how far about to plant each plant.

Prepare the soil

Give those young, tender plants all the help you can to get them off to a healthy start. Begin by removing any debris that winter swept into the planting area.

• Next, pull weeds and dispose of them. Yes, you can also compost them. Follow the instructions you’ll find online at EpicGardening.com.
• Sift through the top few inches of soil and remove any rocks or other items that you find.
• Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Use about 2 inches and mix it into the top 6 inches of the soil.
• Finally, water the soil slowly and deeply.

Harden off your plants

Another beginning gardener mistake is not allowing your new plants to acclimate to their new environment.

This process is known as “hardening off.” Begin the process two weeks before you want to plant them into the flower bed.

Find a shady spot outdoors, that’s protected from the wind. Leave the plants outdoors in the chosen spot for an hour on the first day. Gradually increase the length of time they spend outdoors over the next week to two weeks.

During this period, if temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, bring the plants indoors.

You’ll also want to cut back on watering, but don’t allow the soil to completely dry. If you notice any wilting, water immediately.

Visit almanac.com for a video walk-through of the hardening-off process.

Let’s get planting

Dig the planting holes to the same depth as the pot in which the plants are growing, but two times the width.

It’s important not to damage the main stem when you remove the plant from its pot. Place your hand under the foliage, but over the top of the pot, and then turn the pot over. The plant should slide right out but if it doesn’t, press gently around the sides of the pot and then tap on the bottom.

Place the roots of the plant into the hole and backfill it with the soil you removed when digging. Finally, water slowly. This helps remove air pockets in the soil and settle it.

Don’t forget the mulch

Mulch is the workhorse of every garden. It helps regulate the soil’s temperature, helps the soil retain water, and discourages weed growth.

Organic mulches, such as shredded leaves, grass clippings, shredded bark, or wood chips are ideal. These materials break down over time, adding nutrients to the soil.

Whichever type of mulch you decide to use, you’ll need at least a 2-inch layer (more is better), spread around each plant. Avoid rot by ensuring that the mulch is at least 6 inches from the base of each plant, spread to the dripline

There you go – your new spring flower bed. As long as you keep an eye on the moisture in the soil (don’t under or over-water), you’ll have a blanket of color to last all season long.

 

Rolling blackouts, cars hitting transformers, hurricanes; there are numerous causes for power outages. What they have in common is that you’ll have company in your misery because, aside from the non-payment of the power bill, they typically don’t affect just one home.

How long you’ll be without power depends on the original problem, where you live, and a few other factors. When you’ve been without power for an hour or more, the answer to the “how long?” question may seem like an eternity.

A power outage, if it lasts long enough, can impact you in several ways, including finances and safety.

 

A power outage can hit you in the bank account

The financial impact of a medium-to-long-term power outage shouldn’t be underestimated and should be planned for. What will you do if you’re facing:

• The lack of air-conditioning, heat, safe running water, and a working toilet?
• An inoperable refrigerator/freezer full of perishable food?
• An inoperable home security system?
• Transportation and shelter expenses if you need to leave your home?

Power outages can be quite dangerous

When indoor temperatures drop during a winter power outage, they typically do so rapidly. “This can increase the risk of freezing pipes which can cause them to crack and burst,” cautions Ben Suiskind, CEO of All Dry USA.

Outages can also cause food to spoil and water contamination.

Finally, a power outage can be catastrophic to those who are dependent on medical equipment that runs on electricity.

Some thoughts about planning

Having a plan in place can help ease the danger and discomfort of a power outage. An emergency savings account will help with any related financial expenses. Disaster preparedness experts offer up a number of tips, depending on how long the disaster is expected to last.

For instance, “The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed,” according to the pros at FDA.gov.

Additional preparations for a short-term loss of power might include:

• Purchase a home generator.
• Freeze large plastic bottles of water and keep them in the freezer to help keep the temperature down when the power goes out.
• Compile an emergency kit that includes flashlights or LED lights, batteries, a first-aid kit, water and non-perishable food, and a battery or crank-powered radio. Don’t forget pet items. Experts recommend that you keep these items in backpacks in case you need to ‘bug out.’
• Make a family/friends emergency plan that details where you will all meet up during an emergency and each person’s contact information. Designate a person and a backup person who is charged with picking up young children from school.

Be safe

• Don’t use a gas stove, oven, camping stove, charcoal grill or anything similar to heat your home. These items, used indoors, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Generators are handy, but use them outdoors and keep them away from the home’s windows.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics (computers, TVs, etc.) to avoid damage from electrical surges. When the power returns, plug these items back in, one at a time.
• When the power returns, “Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture,” caution the experts at Ready.gov.

Find more tips and ideas online at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.

Home loan modifications are perhaps one of the most controversial topics of the last couple of years. It’s become more of a hot topic since the pandemic and, now, the economic downturn. Folks are having a hard time merely paying their bills and often, that money comes from their mortgage payments.

So, could a home loan modification be just what you need to save your home and help you to sleep at night – or is there any real upside at all?

Although they can be a boon to many homeowners, home loan modifications do have disadvantages, so let’s take a look at some of those.

Time is not on your side

One of the biggest frustrations borrowers have faced when it comes to home loan modifications is the endless delays and months that it can take to get any solid answers from their mortgage lenders and servicers.

Banks and lenders have often notoriously taken months on end to process loan modification applications, leaving homeowners in limbo, continuing to suffer sleepless nights.

As reported in the Palm Beach Post, laws were changed a few years back to force lenders to respond to homeowners within 10 days of a modification request and to deliver an answer within 30 days.

The loophole that remains, however, is that instead of approving or denying your request, they can rule your application incomplete, enabling them to stretch out the process just as long as before.

Will applying for a home loan modification stop foreclosure?

“Yes, but you must submit your application to the lender at least 45 days before the scheduled foreclosure sale of your home,” according to the attorneys with Amourgis & Associates.

Unfortunately, this time limit isn’t common knowledge among consumers, so many have found themselves being evicted while still waiting for their lenders to deliver a decision.

Note that for you to be able to explore your other options of filing for bankruptcy or selling as a short sale, you will still need to apply for a home loan modification, even if you don’t want one. Just don’t stop pursuing these other options in the hope of getting a modification before you get kicked out.

Loan modifications don’t always offer better terms

The government wants you to only deal directly with your lender or one of their preferred counselors for your home loan modification. However, loan modification companies will tell you that they are inundated with calls from borrowers who are being offered inferior modifications, which actually put them in a worse position.

While modifications are designed to lower a homeowner’s payments, what many don’t realize is that, depending on the type of loan product you chose, all of those months of back interest can be added back onto the loan.

Plus, those who have enjoyed lower monthly payments because they have been paying their taxes and insurance separately may end up with a higher payment than they expect when they are required to be paid monthly to their lenders.

These items may be balanced out by lenders extending loans for up to 40 years, which can feel great now but can mean paying thousands of dollars more over the life of the loan.

Mortgage loan modification is a one-shot deal

You only have one shot at applying for a home loan modification. Get it wrong and you may not like the choices left on the table. Get one approval that isn’t exactly what you hoped for, and you could be stuck with a worse deal in a home, still owing more on it than it is worth, for another five to 10 years.

This is why it is crucial to seek expert help and to educate yourself about the process as much as possible before applying.

The home loan modification process may not be all smooth sailing, but they are well worth pursuing. If you can dramatically lower your interest rate, stay in your dream home, and perhaps most importantly, continue to provide stability and peace of mind for your family, that is truly priceless.

For more information on mortgage loan modifications, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.

We aren’t mortgage professionals and urge you to work with your accountant or other financial professionals when considering modifying your mortgage.

“The U.S. has sustained 341 weather and climate disasters since 1980,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This averages to 7.9 weather and climate disasters per year.

Then there are the wildfires we experienced, all 66,255 of them.

Are you ready for the next natural disaster?

Disaster preparedness can save your home, your life, and even thousands of dollars on homeowners insurance.

Is a disaster headed your way?

Florida and Louisiana may be the most common victims of the Atlantic hurricane season, but as we have seen in the last few years, everyone from Texas to the Jersey shore needs to be prepared.

Anyone who has been through a hurricane or other natural disaster will tell you that waiting to prepare when a disaster is on the horizon isn’t wise.

Get supplies now and make plans for what you’ll do when the next disaster hits.

Evacuate or hunker down?

If an evacuation order is mandated, then you should absolutely pack up and go. In fact, even if there is a chance a hurricane will hit your area, you ought to get out of town early if you can.

Otherwise, you face becoming trapped and vulnerable in the ensuing traffic jams. Plus, as we have seen during the worst weather disasters of the last decade, it isn’t always the wind and rain that is the worst threat to your safety – often it is the mayhem that follows. Whether you are staying or going, you need to have your emergency kit ready and be well-stocked on essentials.

What you need if you decide to hunker down:

• Plenty of water (at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day)
• First aid kits
• Medications
• Flashlights
• Radio
• Batteries
• Copies of important documents including ID and your homeowner insurance policy
• Weather-appropriate clothing, such as heavy jackets, boots and rain gear.
• Food for three to seven days (don’t forget pet, baby food and infant formula)

Evacuating? Before heading out, do the following:

• Turn off all pilot lights and shut off the gas line into the home.
• Turn off the water supply and the master electrical breaker.
• Secure anything outdoors that might fly away
• Board up the windows or close hurricane shutters.
• Use sandbags where necessary

Get approaching hurricane, tornado, or other storm alerts and forecasts by visiting the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center online at nhc.noaa.gov. For wildfire preparedness, visit nfpa.gov, the National Fire Protection Association’s website.

Thinking of upgrading the kitchen countertops in your home? While granite is still quite popular, several other surfaces are gaining on it.

If you’re tired of the ubiquitous granite countertop, read on to learn about some stunning alternatives.

Quartz

The most popular countertop material going into 2023 is quartz. Not only is it in-demand, but it also performs the best, according to tests performed by Consumer Reports.

Many designers have been hailing quartz as the new granite for countertops. It’s attractive, durable and easy to maintain. No sealing is required and it comes in a variety of colors. And, it provides a glossy finish, which many homeowners find attractive.

Because these countertops aren’t made of natural stone, they don’t have the porosity of natural stone counters, lending them an antimicrobial feature. The downside to quartz countertops is that they are sensitive to heat.

The cost? “$50 to $200 per square foot to install and about $125 per square foot on average,” according to the experts at AlphaStoneUSA.com.

Quartzite

Prefer natural stone? Consider quartzite, which is all natural. It does, however, have its drawbacks:

• You will need to seal it annually.
• It cannot be customized, “. . . which limits design and color options,” advises the pros at Alpha Stone.
• It costs more to install.
• Scratches easily

The advantages of quartzite countertops include:

• They are environmentally friendly
• UV resistant
• Heat resistant

Caesarstone

While Caesarstone has been around for some time, it’s experiencing a bit of a surge in popularity. A manufactured countertop, Caesarstone typically contains around 90 to 94 percent quartz and the rest is polymer resins and other additives for color.

Again, because it’s not a natural stone countertop, it doesn’t require sealing and maintaining it is easier than maintaining a natural stone countertop.

Finally, you’ll find Caesarstone in a variety of designs, many mimicking other surfaces, such as marble.

Concrete

No, concrete countertops don’t look like the stuff you walk on outdoors. In fact, manufacturing is so versatile that you’ll find designs to fit kitchens from rustic to modern.

And, no, they aren’t a green alternative. Creating concrete countertops is energy intensive, but that hasn’t seemed to cause a reduction in the material’s popularity.

Disadvantages of concrete countertops include:

• They are quite costly.
• Concrete countertops need to be sealed once a year and waxed twice a year to keep up their durability.
• These countertops are prone to staining and chipping.

Learn more about concrete countertops online at the Concrete Countertop Institute’s website.

Bamboo

Bamboo countertops are ideal for those seeking a “green” alternative to manufactured countertops. Bamboo is not only a renewable resource, but it is completely formaldehyde-free. Best of all, bamboo is tough – stronger than steel, as a matter of fact.

Here are some additional reasons to consider bamboo countertops:

• They are mold and mildew resistant.
• Bamboo contains anti-bacterial properties
• Bamboo countertops are durable.

Yes, there are some drawbacks to bamboo countertops:

• Bamboo countertops are not heat, stain and moisture resistant.
• You’ll need maintain the sealant.
• Bamboo is not scratch or chip resistant.

You’ll need to reapply the mineral oil or beeswax finish more frequently than you would reseal other countertops, however. Learn more about bamboo countertops online, here.

Soapstone

If your aim is for a low-maintenance-yet-attractive countertop consider soapstone. A natural stone material, it is non-porous and heat-resistant, according to Janet Hall at remodelista.com.

Soapstone is less brittle than granite, “… so it won’t crack unexpectedly from stress or weight,” according to the editors at CountertopGuides.com. Other advantages of soapstone countertops include:

• No sealing required.
• Less likely to absorb materials that stain slate, granite and sandstone.
• Naturally resists bacteria.

Learn more about soapstone countertops online at Forbes.com.

When a homeowner needs a new range (or stove, whichever you choose to call it), he or she typically buys a replacement that fits the fuel source of the old appliance. In other words, they’ll replace a gas stove with another gas stove or an electric one with an electric stove.

It’s easier and less expensive this way, right?

If you’ll be starting a kitchen from scratch or if you don’t mind the expense of swapping out gas for electric (or vice versa), you’ll need to make a decision.

As usual, we’re here to help.

Here’s what you need to know about gas ranges

Currently, 35% of Americans cook with gas in their homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A February 2022 Morning Consult survey asked respondents what type of range they would purchase, if they needed one, in the next decade. While half the respondents stated they would choose a gas stove, slightly more than 60% chose electric.

Professional chefs prefer gas ranges both at work and at home. “Flames are at the heart of what makes cooking visceral and fun,” chef Andrea Reusing told Tom Philpott at MotherJones.com.

Even the everyday cooking enthusiast with a gourmet kitchen at home would balk at giving up the gas stove.

Why?

• They heat up immediately
• Cooks have more control over a flame than an electric coil
• Gas stoves are typically easier to clean
• “Gas stoves are easier to maintain and troubleshoot,” according to Sarah Kellner at TheDailyMeal.com
• Gas is typically less expensive to use than electric

The disadvantages to using a gas range

Gas stoves create nitrogen dioxide which has been linked with childhood asthma, according to Wynne Armand, MD at the Harvard Health Publishing website.

He goes on to admit, however, that “While observational studies can’t prove that cooking with gas is the direct cause of asthma, data also show that the higher the nitrogen dioxide level, the more severe the asthma symptoms in children and adults.” Additional ventilation in the home can prevent these elevated levels.

Let’s compare the gas stove to the electric stove

Currently, Americans prefer electric stoves. And here’s why:

• Electric stoves cost less than comparable gas stoves.
• Installing an electric stove is typically easier and cheaper than installing a gas stove.
• Electric ranges don’t heat up the kitchen as much as gas ranges.

The disadvantages of electric ranges

Here are some of the potential and most commonly noted downsides to cooking with electric stoves.

• Food cooks slower than it does over a gas flame.
• The burners remain hot for a longer period of time than those of gas ranges.
• Electric stoves won’t function during a power outage.
• Electric ranges use more energy.

The best time of year to buy a new range

“The best time to buy appliances is when new models roll out: washers, dryers, and dishwashers in September and October, refrigerators in May, and ranges/ovens in January,” according to Manasa Reddigari at BobVila.com.

That means that the best time to get that new gas or electric range at a decent price is right now.

Happy shopping!