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Improving Your Home - Still A Wise Investment

For most people, their home is their most prized "physical" possession and probably their greatest asset. And, improving and maintaining this asset is a multi-billion dollar industry. Just think about all of the magazines we have, the popularity of home makeover television shows, and the whole do-it-yourselfer movement. Reports tell us that we Americans spent over $230 billion dollars on home improvement and renovation in 2007. That's not chump change!

Certainly the housing market is taking a "hit" economically, but improving your home is STILL a good investment. Whether you're thinking of selling now, in the future, or just focused on keeping your home up-to-date, do your research on the return of the investment you are considering. A great tool is an industry publication called "Cost vs. Value," published by Remodeling Magazine/Remodeling Online. It will provide home improvement projects, by region and nationally, and give you a projected return on your investment/recouping your costs. It will also give you an idea of the average costs of the improvement. A great tool - check it out!

Celebrating Earth Week - Green, Green, Green!

"Green" is a very common term these days. So, what does it mean? Simply put, it means we want to focus on products that are environmentally friendly. Our environment is important! So, building and designing a home or even renovating with products that help sustain a home while being resource efficient (saving energy, trees, water, etc.) is what "green" is all about.

Let me share some examples: if your windows are old, outdated, and not performing, there are replacement windows that are triple-pane and made of products like fiberglass and vinyl saving up to 40% on energy. Water? Had to buy a new toilet lately? Lower capacity bowls save water! How about landscaping? Landscaping can be designed to recycle water for use in watering your lawn and flowers. Interesting, isn't it?

It does NOT mean having to go out and spend thousands of dollars. Start small and it can become a real passion. Wood floors are very trendy. Don't kill a tree, just buy salvage wood floors and have those redone and reconditioned. They are beautiful. And don't forget about energy-efficient appliances. Just look for the Energy Star rating and you're going in the right direction.

I briefly mentioned solar in my blog last week - this is, in my opinion, a big trend for future homes. Remember, in the long term, going "green" can save you a lot of money AND save our planet!

Praying Passenger

I'm compelled to share my thoughts on the removal of the praying passenger. An Orthodox Jewish man, wearing a long black coat, was removed by security at JFK Airport in NY last week. In his hand was his religious book and when the flight attendants asked him to return to his seat for take-off, he ignored them. He continued to pray for about two minutes. His friends, as I understand, tried to explain that once you start praying you cannot stop. After his removal, he was allowed to fly to his destination the following day.

Now, I am all for religious freedom and freedom of expression, BUT, in this day of terrorism and threats from radicals and jihadists, I must agree with the airlines. Had I been a passenger on that airline, I admit, I would have been extremely nervous. After 9/11, our nation changed. While this man took a different approach to his praying, I can tell you I suspect there are MANY of us praying when traveling on airliners. We just don't take the approach this man did.

Pope's Visit

So Pope Benedict XVI arrived yesterday to cheering crowds at Andrews Air Force Base. While it's great to see him visit our nation, personally I wonder about the timing. Certainly his apology and admittance of "shame" about the various sex scandals involving Catholic clergy was well received. As this is his first visit as Pope to the United States, I wonder if there is any political agenda to be addressed- considering we're right in the middle of a significant presidential campaign. Something interesting to think about. There will be millions this weekend making a pilgramage to New York to see Pope Benedict hold Mass at Yankee Stadium. Among with U.S. citizens, there are likely to be many illegal immigrants; I wonder if immigration, a big politcal issue, will be address at all. As I understand it, some immigrants who are facing deportation requested that the Pope speak for them. It should be very interesting indeed.

What's Going on with the Airlines?

I want to weigh in on something that's been really bugging me for a few weeks. Recently, all of this "grounding" of various airlines for shoddy maintenance pratices is making me think. I'll tell you, for me- safety is a big issue. If I get on one of those big birds, I want to feel good about it. I'm sure you do too! Are they cutting corners because fuel costs so much? Are they just getting caught? Why all of this sudden scrutiny? The FFA just ordered an audit of the maintenance records. I find it very interesting. It's been Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and others. Add to it that some airlines are in big trouble like Champion and problems at Hawaiian Airlines. Fuel prices have certainly soared impacting revenues, but I think this is going to have to have a big impact on summer vacation travel, business travel, and the whole industry is in big trouble.

Costs Just Keep Going Up and Up?

Fuel prices are through the roof! It wouldn't suprise me one bit to see prices hit over $4.00 per gallon this summer. This is hurting so many families. Now the costs are being compounded because our food costs are going up. It's not a pretty picture at all. It's rolling down hill and our pocketbooks are being hit very hard. We all need to focus on those things that can save us money. It's a good time to be cautious about spending, but there are some things that are wise. Good investments are replacement windows or insulated siding because in the long-term, these will help SAVE you money on energy bills. If you need more space in your home, think of those improvements like basement refinishing. You already have existing walls, and a basement refinishing system is more cost effective than drywall and tear-out renovation. It's definitely a time to focus on things to save money!

Political Doom and Gloom
You know folks, my family and friends wouldn't describe me as a political junkie. But I do have a great interest in our country, our leaders and our freedoms. We all should! However, I don't know about you, but all of this "political" in fighting is getting a little out of hand. This nation's political process is one of the great things about our country. But honestly...what happened to the days when we saw a few good months of political campaigning? That surely was the "good old days." By the time we get around to November, it will have been more than an entire year of this political wrangling, cheap shots, and everyone trying to find "dirt" on the other one. For me, enough is enough! I say we get back to one thing- THE ISSUES! Let's stop all the fighting.
When I get in after a long day at work, it would be really terrific to sit back, relax and turn on the television, or pick up the newpaper and listen to or read about American heroes, great things going on around me and not just doom and gloom.

Solar Energy-Are We Ready For It?
JA Cover

The other day I sat reading one of our monthly industry publications. Everyone knows that with the sub prime mortgage woes and general economic concerns, many of us are very nervous. If I get slapped in the face with one more "doom and gloom" newscast or article, I don't know what I'll do. (But that's another day's blog.) This article stated that, right now, the number one improvement is replacement windows. Why? Because we all want to save money! We don't want precious energy savings going out the window. Technology has changed and there are some terrific replacement windows out there- Infinity by Marvin is a great product as are some maintenance-free vinyl products. But, my thoughts go to Solar. I didn't realize until just recently, but the SAI (Solar America Initiative) advances technologies with the primary objective of making solar energy costs more competitive with conventional electricity sources by the year 2015. Our nation's Department of Energy is working with federal and non-federal entities toward this goal. And, just a few weeks ago, the Department of Energy selected twelve U.S. cities to receive significant funds to help with the integration of solar technologies. They are: Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Rosa , Denver, Orlando, Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota; Philadelphia, Knoxville, Houston, San Antonio,Seattle, Washington; and Milwaukee, They can get up to $2.4 million per city. I think this is a terrifc initiative- new sources of energy are the way of the future.

My recent visit to Austin, Texas

The weekend of March 15th, I was down in Austin, Texas for a family wedding. (Yes, I do have some extended family down in the Lone Star State.) Wow, what a lively town! I could feel energy and excitement everywhere I went. The South by Southwest Music Festival was rocking the rafters in town and everybody was having a great time. What a treat to have a little time to stop by and visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. It really brought back some nostalgic times and memories. A visit I truly enjoyed. And what's Austin, Texas without seeing their State Capitol. The Renaissance Revival architecture is beautiful and makes it a very impressive landmark for the state. I had no idea that it is the largest of all State Capitol buildings and is 2nd only to our country's National Captiol in Washington, D.C. I didn't get a chance to visit the University of Texas, but it's located there as well. There was one thing that I can truly say was "unbelievable." Under the Congress Avenue Bridge live Mexican Bats. At dusk, these bats, thousands upon thousands of them, fly out in search of their dinner-insects by the thousands of pounds. Believe it or not! We were totally mesmerized by the sight of this gigantic black cloud-almost looks like smoke-pouring from under the bridge. It's actually the world's largest urban bat colony and it's a sight to behold. I must say that Austin, Texas really is a very impressive city and one that I suspect many do not realize offers a very unique cultural experience. And I might add that it's a scenic drive with all of the native Texas wildflowers just starting to bloom. A great city and well worth the visit!