Match the pan size to the size of the element on your electric cook-top. Make sure the pan covers the burner without going more than an inch beyond it. If you use a burner that is larger than the pan, you are paying to heat not just the pan but the air over the uncovered part of the burner.
Clean those metal burner pans under the burners so they are bright and shiny. They’ll reflect the heat better back up to the pan. Cover your pots when you can. The water will boil faster. That’s physics.
Use the least amount of water you can get away with. It will take less time and energy to bring it to a boil. Use the lowest possible heat setting to keep the water boiling, steaming, simmering, or whatever your recipe calls for.
If you have an electric cook-top in your Virginia Beach home, turn the burner off right before you finish cooking. Make use of the heat the burner continues to give off as it cools down.
The kitchen in your Virginia Beach home offers multiple ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce utility bills. Although seemingly small steps, the tips offered below are generally free or inexpensive and yet will result in creating a more energy-efficient environment in your home–and on the planet.
APPLIANCES are, of course, the most familiar to us when we consider energy output. True, they are not free or inexpensive, but they can be a real drain on your money if they do not function efficiently. Those that have earned the Energy Star have met the EPA standards for energy-efficiency and are recommended.
Refrigerators account for about 15% of your total electricity bill, but newer models use far less than those manufactured years ago. Consider the size you need when purchasing a new to avoid wasting energy cooling nothing.
Dishwashers offer opportunities to save, too. Run them only when they are full and scrap the dishes prior to washing so that you can use the light or normal wash cycle. Also, set the drying cycle to air dry to say energy.
Microwaves and toaster ovens are good alternatives to the use of a large oven in your Virginia Beach home, especially for smaller meals. You might also look into the use of light ovens (similar to a microwave but browns and roasts like a regular oven), induction cooking (extremely efficient because all the het goes into the food), and solar cookers (free and clean energy for slow cooking).
COOKWARE: Selecting the correct size, shape, and type can also prevent energy waste.
Every few years home buyers’ demand change. The 2010 design trends reflect thecurrent move toward family togetherness, casual living, and energy efficiency. Potential purchasers of Virginia Beach real estate are looking for smaller, cost-effective homes which provide both functional and flexible spaces to match their current lifestyle. First-time buyers cannot afford McMansions, empty nesters are looking to downsize, and families are into low maintenance, energy savings, and open spaces,
The age of formality and overindulgent features has gone by. Buyers of Virginia Beach real estate are giving up formal dining and living rooms and passing on libraries, parlors, and studies, opting instead for casual great rooms in which to entertain and enjoy family togetherness. Features currently in demand include the following:
STORAGE SPACE: A double car garage is a must since most homeowners use half of it for storage. Ditto for walk-in closets, a basement or attic, storage space under stairs, and pantries.
ROOMS: The kitchen (with an island), family room, and master bedroom remain the three most important rooms, and they will most likely increase in size. Living and dining rooms, however, will tend to disappear. Another growing trend is a first floor master bedroom suite, a feature especially desired by seniors.
Given the state of the economy and our ever-increasing fascination with nature and fresh air, more and more Virginia Beach home owners are discovering the advantages of transforming their backyards or patios into outdoor living spaces. Entertaining at home is much less expensive and more relaxing than going out, and outside “rooms” increase useable living space, provide sensory stimulation, provide stress-free enjoyment, and serve as a multifunctional oasis for family and friends.
Before undertaking such a project, you should first decide on a location and then make a master plan, one that can be implemented in steps. Select a space that can be easily viewed from your home’s interior so that it will feel like an extension of your house. Easy access to the space from the house is also preferable.
The size and scope of an outdoor living space can vary greatly, ranging from a screened in porch to a large area featuring a spa or pool. Whatever the size, however, you will want to consider function, features, furniture, and flora.
FUNCTION: Most outdoor rooms begin as an extension of your kitchen and include some type of grill, space for food preparation, and often a small refrigerator or modular cabinetry. Other defined areas may include a conversational grouping, a quiet secluded spot for reading or resting, or an area set aside for family activities such as badminton, croquet, or playing in the sandbox or on children’s equipment. Spas and pools generally define their own space.
Whether your desire for a new look inside your Virginia Beach home is because of the arrival of summer or because you hope to hasten the sale of your house, you may be considering repainting in the near future.
Purchase all necessary supplies in advance. Include paint, brushes, rollers, and drop cloths on your list. Most pros advise using a canvas drop cloth because it absorbs drips and spills better than plastic, can be more easily contoured around corners, will lie flatter, and can be reused often. Consider buying a canvas runner (4’x15’) which can be more easily moved.
Set up a work station in the middle of the room. This is the place to keep your paint, brushes and rollers, spackle, hammers and screwdrivers, cleaning rags, plastic sheets and bags, painter’s tape, paint can opener, etc.Think of everything you might possibly need while painting and gather them together in this one place.
Take everything down from your walls. Remove furniture completely or, if that’s not possible, move it all to the center of the room and cover with a cloth.
Remove all hardware from the surfaces to be painted in your Virginia Beach home. This includes switch plates, outlet covers, doorknobs, and light fixtures. Place the pieces from each one in a separate small plastic bag and label each one
Every few years home buyers’ demand change. The 2010 design trends reflect thecurrent move toward family togetherness, casual living, and energy efficiency. Potential purchasers of Virginia Beach real estate are looking for smaller, cost-effective homes which provide both functional and flexible spaces to match their current lifestyle. First-time buyers cannot afford McMansions, empty nesters are looking to downsize, and families are into low maintenance, energy savings, and open spaces,
The age of formality and overindulgent features has gone by. Buyers of Virginia Beach real estate are giving up formal dining and living rooms and passing on libraries, parlors, and studies, opting instead for casual great rooms in which to entertain and enjoy family togetherness. Features currently in demand include the following:
STORAGE SPACE: A double car garage is a must since most homeowners use half of it for storage. Ditto for walk-in closets, a basement or attic, storage space under stairs, and pantries.
ROOMS: The kitchen (with an island), family room, and master bedroom remain the three most important rooms, and they will most likely increase in size. Living and dining rooms, however, will tend to disappear. Another growing trend is a first floor master bedroom suite, a feature especially desired by seniors.
Given the current high demand for rental residences and the poor return on stock investments, it is no wonder that so many homeowners are considering buying Virginia Beach real estate as a rental investment. While potentially a lucrative move, being a landlord is an active job, albeit a part-time one, and you, as a would-be investor, need to be aware of the responsibilities of such.
In essence, by becoming a landlord you are operating a business, making major decisions which can affect your family, setting and adhering to a budget, and spending time overseeing and maintaining the property. For a period of years, at least two and more likely five, you will be employed as your own property manager. You must then find a steady flow of good tenants, draw up leases, collect rents, make repairs, keep accurate records re: income and expenses, file taxes, obtain permits, find suitable insurance, and establish a workable relationship with your tenants.
You must also know–and follow–federal, state, and municipal health and safety codes and landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. Simply put, your responsibilitiesas a landlord include the following:
Make and keep property habitable
Make and pay for repairs arising from ordinary wear-and-tear.
Refrain from turning off utilities
Provide written notice in the case of transfer of ownership
Comply with statutes involving discrimination
Basic tips for becoming a successful landlord include:
The coming of spring often brings about a need to refresh, renew, and clean out unwanted items from your Virginia Beach real estate. During the winter months you have most likely accumulated a wealth of merchandise that no longer fits your decorating taste or your digital needs—-or your body, for that matter. While the temptation to simply toss these products into the trash may be a strong one, do take a few minutes to consider both the hazards of doing so and the rewards of recycling instead.
As you are purging your home, you will most likely also be giving it a thorough, old-fashioned cleaning, and that’s good–except for the “old-fashioned” part. Because of the recent emphasis on greening the planet, eco-friendly cleaning products are now widely available and should be used whenever possible. How do you know if a product is environmentally safe? Read on…
Read labels: The fewer the chemicals listed in the ingredients, the better.
Look for the DfE logo: Products bearing this seal have been deemed safe by the EPA.
Seventh Generation products: Haven’t sought the DfE seal, but products are eco-friendly. In addition, the company is pushing Congress for tougher regulations on toxic chemicals.
Use common household cleaners: These are effective cleansers–and much less expensive, too. Baking soda, lemon juice, and white vinegar are generally good all-purpose cleaners. Note: vinegar should NOT be used on marble!
Another aspect of the spring clean-up is the identifying and clearing out of unwanted items and disposing of them in a “green” way.
Why would you refinance your Virginia Beach home mortgage at this time? For many reasons. Refinancing now can allow you to:
1. Lock in a lower interest rate
2. Reduce your monthly mortgage payment
3. Extend (or reduce) your repayment time
4. Help you pay off high interest debts
5. Free up money for investments, home repairs, or making your home more energy efficient
Since interest rates hover around all-time lows, anyone carrying a higher rate interest loan or an ARM will benefit from refinancing; just a .5 or 1 point drop in rate constitutes worthwhile savings. Even if the ARM on your Virginia Beach home is lower than the current rate, when rates rise again, your costs will certainly go up, perhaps dramatically. Refinancing to a fixed-rate mortgage now allows you to lock in a low rate for the duration of your loan. Do be aware, though, that lenders generally charge a risk premium for fixed mortgages.
If you, as a Virginia Beach home owner, want to shorten the length of time required to pay off your loan, you may want to consider refinancing to a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage with even lower interest rates. This move will increase your monthly payment, but you may save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run.
At a time when house foreclosures are on the rise, beleaguered and vulnerable property owners who are at risk of losing their Virginia Beach homes are increasingly the targets of unscrupulous con-artists offering fast and false solutions.
These individuals/companies contact their unsuspecting prey in person or by mail, phone, or email. They advertise their services in all forms of media and far too often appear legitimate. They promise foreclosure prevention/rescue programs and sometimes seem to have government connections. At-risk owners of a Virginia Beach home must beware of the following scams as set forth by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency:
Foreclosure “rescue” and refinance fraud. The scam artist offers to act as an intermediary between you and your lender to negotiate a repayment plan or loan modification and may even “guarantee” to save your home from foreclosure. You may be told to make mortgage payments to the scammer directly — along with significant, up-front fees — and be told that the scammer will forward the payments to your lender. In reality, the scammer may pocket your money and leave you in worse shape on your loan. The scam artist also may tell you to stop making payments or stop communicating with your lender. Don’t follow that advice.
Bankruptcy scams. You may have heard that filing bankruptcy will stop a foreclosure. This is true — but only temporarily. Filing bankruptcy brings an “automatic stay” into effect that stops any collection and foreclosure while the bankruptcy court administers the case. Eventually, you must start paying your mortgage lender, or the lender will be able to foreclose. Bankruptcy is rarely, if ever, a permanent solution to prevent foreclosure. In addition, bankruptcy will negatively impact your credit score and will remain on your credit report for 10 years. Read the rest of this entry »
The Butler Team
RE/MAX Allegiance
505 S. Independence Blvd. #111
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
PH: 1-757-490-7300 ext 550
TOLL FREE: 1-866-222-0158 ext 550
Email: info@butlerteamhomes.com
uncovered part of the burner.
Refrigerators account for about 15% of your total electricity bill, but newer models use far less than those manufactured years ago. Consider the size you need when purchasing a new to avoid wasting energy cooling nothing.
The age of formality and overindulgent features has gone by. 
space, provide sensory stimulation, provide stress-free enjoyment, and serve as a multifunctional oasis for family and friends.
The age of formality and overindulgent features has gone by. Buyers of 
In essence, by 
needs—-or your body, for that matter. While the temptation to simply toss these products into the trash may be a strong one, do take a few minutes to consider both the hazards of doing so and the rewards of recycling instead.
2. Reduce your monthly mortgage payment
be told to make mortgage payments to the scammer directly — along with significant, up-front fees — and be told that the scammer will forward the payments to your lender. In reality, the scammer may pocket your money and leave you in worse shape on your loan. The scam artist also may tell you to stop making payments or stop communicating with your lender. Don’t follow that advice.
This site is proudly sponsored by