Fall/winter and holiday lighting energy efficiency tips

Reliant Energy sent us these fall/winter and holiday lighting energy efficiency tips.

(1) Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Indoor lighting often is used more in the winter than in summer because of the shorter days when it’s cold outside. Reliant recommends that consumers replace incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). CFLs save about $30 over the life of the bulb and use about 75 percent less energy to burn.

(2) Close the fireplace damper when not in use. The same way smoke escapes through the chimney, warm air will escape if the fireplace damper is open.

(3) Ensure proper home insulation. Check your attic insulation and seal air leaks around the home. Consumers can install weather-stripping around doors and windows to prevent heat from streaming out. Attics should have about 12 to 16 inches of attic insulation and flat attics should have at least R-38 insulation. Up to 40 percent of heating and cooling dollars can be lost if a home is not properly insulated.

(4) Install a programmable thermostat. For every degree above 70, consumers may increase their heating cost by 3 to 5 percent. A programmable thermostat can be set so that the temperature will automatically decrease during the day and increase in the evening when the home is more likely to be occupied. A programmable thermostat can be purchased at nearly any home improvement store.

(5) Ensure proper ceiling fan rotation. Air should flow down in the summer and up in the winter. Therefore, your ceiling fans should rotate clockwise (to the right) during winter and counter-clockwise during the summer. If the fan is set for summertime rotation, the breeze you feel will be noticeably stronger when standing directly under the fan. Turn off ceiling fans in unoccupied rooms, as fans are designed to increase the comfort of those in the room.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY HOLIDAY LIGHTING TIPS

(1) Consider using LED (light-emitting diode) lights. They require about one-tenth the energy of a comparable incandescent bulb, are much more durable, last much longer and produce almost no heat. They cost more up front, but should pay for themselves in a season or two.

(2) Newer lights are typically more energy efficient. Standard mini-bulbs use about 25 watts per 50-bulb strand, while older lights can use as much as 250 watts per 50-bulb strand.

(3) Use a timer and set it appropriately to reduce the chance of inadvertently leaving holiday lights on 24/7. Unplug lights when sleeping, when leaving the house or when the lights will be left unattended.

(4) Do not overload electric sockets/extension cords, and thoroughly inspect light strands and discard damaged cords.

(5) Make sure light strands used outside are rated for outdoor use and follow manufacturer’s recommendations when connecting multiple strands.

For more information about ways to save on your electric bill, visit Reliant’s Energy Savings Center at http://www.reliant.com. You also can e-mail Reliant’s energy experts at energyexperts@reliant.com.

Texas AG takes legal action against Houston foreclosure rescue firm

by Jeff Ehling

The Texas Attorney General's Office says it is cracking down on companies that offer foreclosure help but do little actual work.

   Today the AG office issued a restraining order against a Houston based mortgage rescue company.

   The AG says Southern Residential, LLC fraudulently advertised the company could save homeowners from imminent foreclosure.  Under the temporary restraining order, the defendants must stop falsely soliciting distressed homeowners immediately.

   Employees we spoke with denied the allegations included in the AG's report.

    Homeowners who believe they have been harmed by this or similar fraudulent businesses may call the Office of the Texas Attorney General's Office toll-free complaint line at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Foreclosure help for Houston and beyond

   Homeowners who may be about to lose their homes have a new place to turn for assistance.    One of the nation's largest home lenders is offering the helping hand.  Countrywide Mortgage is offering help to 82,000 borrowers in an effort to keep those homeowners from foreclosure.   The company says $16 billion in loans will be rewritten before the mortgage payments increase.

   Here's how the assistance breaks down:

- 52,000 homeowners who have a strong payment history will be contacted by Countrywide and offered refinancing.
- 20,000 homeowners who are not eligible to refinance will be contacted by Countrywide and offered a modification of their loan.
- 10,000 homeowners currently delinquent on their loans could be eligible for simplified loan modifications.

   Countrywide will contact borrowers three months before their adjustable rate mortgages go up.  Without assistance, loan payments of $1,000 dollars can easily double in some cases.    

   Paul Furrh with Lone Star Legal Aid says plenty of people will need help.

   "It's good news, it's a start, hopefully of a trend, that some other major mortgage companies will follow suit" said Furrh.

   Mortgage brokers say in fact that trend has already started.

   "Mortgage companies and lenders do not make money foreclosing on houses and they do not want your house"  says Cathy Baker with Baker Mortgage.

    Baker says anyone with an adjustable rate mortgage and a good payment history should act right now, before there is a problem.  

    The first step, pick up the phone.

   Baker says, "the best thing to do right now is call the lender and find out what they are offering on a refinance basis."

   If you do qualify for refinancing, don't just take the first offer, mortgage experts say it's a good idea to shop around.

   "The truth of the matter is that these people can probably get refinanced anywhere and what I hope they do is take a look at the terms and this sort of thing before they go for getting refinanced with Countrywide or any other deal that's with the current lender," said Baker.

   Some advice for those seeking loan modifications, make sure the people who you are making mortgage payments to actually own your loan.   That may sound odd, but in some cases the person collecting the money has sold the loan to someone else and the loan holder may not be willing to change the terms, forcing you to refinance with someone else

   Not everyone will qualify for refinancing.  In some cases you'll need to come up with a few thousand dollars to refinance and many home owners simply can not come up with the costs, but its worth calling your lender before you get in trouble.

RELATED
- Foreclosure help from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Fighting foreclosure with the Fairway Mortgage Advisory Council
- Fighting foreclosure with Lone Star Legal Aid

Houston home sales show big declines

The Houston Business Journal is reporting that the Houston area real estate market is seeing its biggest decline in home sales in more than a decade:

The number of single-family homes sold in Houston in September was 5,061, 15.1 percent lower than in September 2006 and the largest year-over-year decline since April 1995, according to statistics from the Houston Association of Realtors.

There were 5,984 total property sales during the month, a 16.7 percent decrease compared with September 2006.

Properties sold during the month fetched a total of more than $1.2 billion, an 11.9 percent decrease compared to last year's nearly $1.4 billion in September sales.

READ THE REST

Critters who are uninvited house guests

Watch our newscast every week and you will probably see at least one story about an animal taking refuge in someone's house.  Usually bats drop in for an extended stay or bees add a new wing in the form of a hive. 

Of course we recently had a tragic story where a teenager was bitten by a bat in his room while he was asleep, didn't know it and latter passed away from rabies.  This points out just how serious we should take this.

Angie Hicks of Angie's List sent us some tips on how to detect if you have an unwanted animal inside your walls:

- Attic: Check the attic floor and insulation for animal feces. Look for any outside light leaking in, which will indicate holes. You can test if a hole is being used by an animal placing flour in front of any holes and checking for footprints or stuff the hole loosely with a paper towel. If it gets pushed in or out, assume an animal is present. Even if the paper stays in place or you have no flour footprints - close the hole up.
- Roof & siding: Look for loose vent screens, warped siding or holes. Make repairs once you have checked the attic and cleared out any critters.
- Chimney: Check the chimney from the roof to see if any animals are inside. An easy way to keep animals out is to install a chimney cap. Keep your flue closed when not in use.
- Pipes: Look inside your home behind appliances and anywhere else pipes enter. These are common entry points for mice.
- Pet doors: While these can be a great convenience for you and your pet; they can also be an entryway for unwanted wildlife. Consider electronic pet doors instead of the traditional flaps.
- Trash: Just like people, animals are drawn to the smell of food. Always secure trash containers. Put out trash the morning of collection instead of the night before.
- Trees & landscape: Keep trim limbs trimmed and away from your house. Accessible branches give animals a gateway to your roof. Cover and secure compost piles.
- Take a walk: Mice can get through a crack as small as a quarter of an inch big. Check the perimeter outside your home for holes, gaps and deteriorated weather stripping.

How to cut your heating bill

If you have not heard, it is estimated you could be paying more to heat your home this winter. 

Experts say the weather will be colder and natural gas will cost more and that could mean a 10 % increase in your bill.  But you can work to cut the costs. 

-Have your heating system checked now, an efficiently running heating system will save you money. 

-Also, change the air filter regularly, some suggest every month. 

-Get balanced billing, it can help eliminate winter bill spikes and turn down both the heat and the hot water heater.  A system inspection can cost $75, but Centerpoint has a $15 coupon attached to your gas bill. 

Click here to find the contractors accepting the coupon

Get rid of your junk mail!

By Nydia Han

October 8, 2007 - Cut down on the number of catalogs and coupons you receive, plus we show you how to grab the best deals on credit cards.

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 36,000 consumers about their credit cards and found the best ones had median interest rates between 9 and 11-percent. Consumers also rated their card companies on billing issues and the ability to solve problems.

The card issuers that scored exceptionally well were USAA Federal Savings, the Navy Credit Union and a group of other credit unions. Nordstrom, American Express and Discover also ranked high on the list.

Direct mail solicitations and advertisements make up roughly half of all mail sent to consumers and while many people enjoy getting brochures and other offers by mail, some folks hate it.

You can opt out of pre-screened credit offers by taking advantage of a free service offered by the major credit bureaus. All you have to do is call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT. But you will be asked to provide your social security number so your request can be matched with the credit bureau's records.

Here is a site to help out.

Opt Out Prescreen

One more tip, don't enter contests, sweepstakes or sign up for free or trial offers. The information you provide will most likely be sold to marketers.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc.  All Rights Reserved.)

TXU unit agrees to give $72 million in customer credits

An arm of TXU Corp. said Friday it has agreed to give $72 million in credits to electricity customers to settle issues in a regulatory review of the $32 billion sale of TXU.

The deal also would dismiss a pending rate case involving Oncor Electric Delivery, TXU's distribution arm. 

   TXU, the largest power generator in Texas, said the agreement would be filed Friday with the Public Utility Commission.

   The AARP consumer group opposed the settlement. AARP said the private investors buying TXU were paying rebates estimated at $15 per household in exchange for dumping $24.5 billion in new debt on the company.

   AARP said the debt load would lead to higher rates. The group said that if the entire debt is repaid through higher rates, it could boost customers' bills $26 per month for 10 years.

   "Every level of government has failed to represent the public's best interests here," said Bob Jackson, AARP's state director. "This settlement is more about getting along and cutting a deal than about standing up for residential ratepayers."

   Several groups filed to intervene in the PUC's review of the sale of Oncor to private investors led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and TPG Capital, formerly known as Texas Pacific Group. Oncor is the only part of TXU subject to PUC regulation.

   The TXU buyers negotiated all week with the outside groups to settle their complaints and complete the PUC review of the sale.

   Members of the PUC are scheduled to begin a hearing on the TXU sale Monday. They cannot block the sale of the Dallas-based company, but they have the power to approve Friday's settlement or make changes to it.

   Oncor said it expected the rebates to go directly to customers and not to electric retailers, such as TXU Energy, Reliant and Green Mountain. The retailers can pass the rebate to customers or keep it.

   Oncor also said it would incur a $35 million write-off this year or next to its storm reserve, and a $21 million write-off this year or next for previous restructuring expenses.

   The company has agreed to spend at least $3.6 billion on capital improvements through 2012.

   Oncor operates more than 115,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines that connect about 3 million homes and businesses to the power grid.

   The sale of TXU has been approved by federal regulators and TXU shareholders. It is expected to close in the next several weeks.

  (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

New Site Lets You Dish About Your Neighbors

   

Some Think It Goes Too Far

By Debora Villalon

Mill Valley, Calif. Sep. 27, 2007 (KGO) - Have a neighbor who drives you nuts? Well now you have a place to vent your complaints in a web site that's attracted a quarter million visitors in its two months of existence, all by word-of-mouth.

Behind these grocery carts, lies a rotten neighbor, at least according to a new web site where people vent about what's bugging them next door.

The site www.rottenneighbor.com collects complaints about neighbors -- messy, noisy, inconsiderate neighbors- and plots their location on Google maps to warn others to avoid moving in near them.

"I had a rotten neighbor of my own," said Web Site designer Brant Walker.

A San Diego web designer launched the site -- now nationwide with thousands of postings.

"Some real estate agents don't want it, they don't like it, think it will hurt their business. People looking to buy homes love it. Some people looking to sell homes think it will bring their values down. Just a huge variety of people," said Walker.

People can praise "good" neighbors too, but complaints outnumber compliments 100 to one. Most common: loud music, neglected yards and suspicions of drug activity.

"It's a very judgemental site," said Nancy Kenyon from the Fair Housing Alliance of Marin.

The site's a bit troubling for fair housing advocates, who say neighbors should communicate, not slam each other anonymously. Plus they worry about discrimination; for example families with children tend to be noisier.

"If someone were to say there are too many people living in this house, well that could easily apply to nationalities that have larger families," said Kenyon.

And the comments, sometimes amusing can also be mean. The person mad about these abandoned shopping carts calls his neighbors "trashy low class bums".

A Mill Valley neighborhood is criticized for having too many barking dogs. "Ridiculous," one comment said, don't move here if you want peace and quiet.

But some residents don't think squealing on the web is the way to go.

"Then they should approach the neighbor, rather than do the 'end around' going on the Iinternet. Communication is a way to solve the problem," said one Mill Valley resident.

The site will soon add photos and video, and comment capability. Apparently rotten neighbors are a growth industry.

Copyright 2007, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.

Can't buy that puppy on the side of the road

If you have ever bought a puppy on the side of the road, you won't be able to do that anymore:

The unlicensed sale of animals on public property was voted down Tuesday by the Harris County Commissioners Court.

The court said the ruling is to discourage irresponsible pet breeding and deter the overpopulation of animals.

Outlawed is the sale any type of animal on public property or public rights-of-way in unincorporated Harris County, including shopping center parking lots.

READ THE REST

If caught selling, you could be punished with a fine.

Lead paint warning in Houston houses

We have a lot of houses in the Houston area that possibly have lead paint in them and that is not a good thing.  Angie Hicks of Angie's List talked to the Consumer Blog about the dangers of lead paint in our area:

Mike McGuff:  What are the dangers associated with lead paint?
Angie Hicks:  Lead-based paint becomes dangerous when it's chipping or disturbed.  Children under 7 are at greatest risk for lead-based paint poisoning and the only way to determine if they've been affected is through a blood test.  Because their bodies are so small, lead poisoning can have a severe effect on them, including irreversible brain damage. 

Mike McGuff:  Are there a lot of homes out there with this problem?
Angie Hicks:  Any home built before 1978, the year the U.S. banned residential use of lead-based paint, could have lead-based paint in it. If your home was built before 1960, it almost certainly does have lead-based paint.  In Houston, 67 percent of homes were built before 1980 and 24 percent of those are pre-1960 homes, making lead-based paint a real danger for Houston homeowners.

Mike McGuff:  Do you find that homeowners aren't aware of the danger?
Angie Hicks:  The recent toy recalls have brought the dangers of lead-based paint to the front of parents' minds.  However, most people don't realize that the greatest danger from lead-based paint is in the home.  Forty percent of Angie's List poll respondents who live in a home built before 1978 are uncertain whether their home contains lead-based paint.

Tell me about the tour Angie's List is taking concerning the lead paint   warning.
Angie Hicks:  This summer, Angie's List staff randomly contacted 175 professionals who deal with lead-based paint, both contractors and hardware store owners, to ask about how to properly renovate a baby's room in a 1920's home.  More than a third of them gave dangerous advice on how to remove lead-based paint.  This prompted Angie's List to launch a nationwide Lead Safety Tour.  We are partnering with local health departments and other organizations to provide blood lead level testing for children, education for homeowners, and training for contractors who commonly deal with lead-based paint.  We don't currently have a date set for Houston, but you can log on to http://leadsafety.angieslist.com for more information.

Mike McGuff:  Anything else you want to add?
Angie Hicks:  When you hire a contractor to deal with lead-based paint, that professional is required to give you an EPA pamphlet titled "Protect your Family from Lead in your Home."  Eighty-Five percent of Angie's List poll respondents say their contractor never offered them the pamphlet. Finally, if your contractor tells you lead-based paint isn't a problem, find a new contractor.

Houston home builders consumer satisfaction study by JD Powers

We bring this to you every year, so here are the rankings for the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study.

As it has in the past few years, Pulte Homes came out on top in consumer satisfaction.

SEE THE HOUSTON HOME CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RANKINGS FOR 2007

Non-profit helps consumers with foreclosures in Houston

By Jeff Ehling

(9/17/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - If you're facing foreclosure, you need help! But often people in that situation do not know where to turn to get it. Foreclosures are on the rise in Harris County and in places around the country. Many of those losing their homes are among the poorest in the community, but there is a place some can turn for help.

Anitra Johnson is down to her last option in her fight to save her home from foreclosure.

"I'm here to try to maintain my property and to not become evicted out of my home," Johnson told us.

A few years ago Johnson took out a home equity loan to cover growing medical expenses. The loan had an adjustable rate and now the payments are more than Johnson can handle. Johnson believes an eviction notice is right around the corner and that's why she's in the offices of Lone Star Legal Aid.

"If I only had known that this service was available, I would have charged right over here in no time," she said.

Lone Star Legal Aid is a non-profit agency that provides all kinds of legal assistance to the needy. Lately the attorneys here are seeing people caught in foreclosures.

Rosyln Jackson is an attorney in the housing consumer unit. She says there are things that can be done to delay and even stop the foreclosure process. The first step is reviewing loan documents.

"Whether or not the individual may have qualified for the loan, if they were not employed, how were they able to get the loan," asked Jackson. "[Next we look] at predatory lending issues that may have come up with that."

The aid is available only to those who qualify and qualifications are based on income.

"If you are eligible for any federal benefits, you are probably eligible for us," said Paul Furrh with Lone Star Legal Aid.

Even those who do not qualify for aid can benefit from one piece of advice when they start having problems making mortgage payments.

"Many times a person, simply by getting on the phone, can get pretty decent relief for a situation just by explaining their situation," Furrh said.

Most people facing foreclosure do not seek the help of an attorney. After all, if they can't pay the mortgage they can't pay a lawyer, but Lone Star Legal Aid is a free service. Again it's based on financial qualifications but the bottom line is help is out there.

Here in Houston you can call the office at 713-652-0077. We also have a link on The Consumer Blog for contact information. (Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Fighting Foreclosures

Today Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling introduced us to Lone Star Legal Aid.  The non-profit agency helps low income residents fight to keep their homes. (READ FULL STORY)

Attorneys say many times home owners can keep their houses, if they know how to fight a foreclosure.  The first step is an open line of communication with your lender.  If you know you will have trouble paying the mortgage, call your lending institution.  Often they can provide a solution. 

If that does not work, an attorney may be the answer. 

Lone Star Legal Aid is funded with State and Federal money.   If you need assistance, contact the agency at the following link: http://lonestarlegal.org/branchoffices/houston.html

Saving the world, one floor at a time

Today Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling took a closer look at the floor and found a way to save the planet.  What he found was a Houston company that rips up hardwood floors from homes that are being torn down.  The flooring is then cleaned up and put into new homes or in houses being upgraded. 

Here's a link the company reclaiming hardwoods, www.klassichardwoodfloors.com.  And here's a link to the Greater Houston Builders Association www.ghba.org, where you can find more about "Green" building.

Mortgage crisis: What should you do?

By Nydia Han

August 29, 2007 - The mortgage meltdown has left many people with nowhere to turn. What does it really mean for consumers?

Colleen Gallagher is optimistic she believes her house in Narberth, Montgomery County will fly off the market.

"I' d say in the next two weeks it'll be sold once people get back from vacation. It'll be sold."

But the mortgage crisis is affecting the vast majority of sellers and buyers in all economic brackets across the country.

"For consumers it means you're going to have a much harder time qualifying for a loan at a good rate," said Professor Georgette Phillips of The Wharton School.

Most sub-prime lenders have shut their doors or closed that part of their business.

"Unless your credit can meet very, very strict lending criteria you're just going to be out in the cold."

Professor Phillips said if you can qualify for a loan today go for it it's a buyer's market.

"I think this is a great time because now there are so many sellers who are just needing to move."

But if you're buying in hopes of flipping the property quickly you need to beware, you may have a hard time selling and making a profit.

"I think that's very fair to say because home prices aren't rising at the same level they were rising before."

Most importantly Phillips said regardless of when or what you plan to buy don't forget the lesson learned from this latest crisis.

"Where people could get into trouble was betting on the fact that their home values would continue to rise to offset their interest-only teaser rate loans."

So make sure you understand what's expected on your loan, not just today and tomorrow but also a year later and beyond.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

Can these sites estimate your home's value?

Today Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling looked at home value web sites. There are several out there that claim to be able to estimate your house value, we wanted to know how well they worked. We also looked at zillow.com and saw some fantastic information and even updated pictures of homes. Take a look at the sites for yourself.

http://www.eppraisal.com/
http://www.realestateabc.com/
http://www.homegain.com/
http://www.zillow.com/
http://www.cyberhomes.com/
http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/

Robotic vacuum gets a redesign

(8/23/07 - NEW YORK) - Nearly five years after rolling onto the market, the Roomba vacuum cleaner has undergone a ground-up redesign that has endowed the otherwise-brainy robot with the smarts to overcome rug tassels and electrical cords.

The fifth generation of the Roomba also has sturdier moving parts and improved durability that iRobot Corp. hopes will entice cleanliness fanatics who want their floors cleaned daily.

The Burlington, Mass.-based company said Wednesday its Roomba 500 series is designed to scoot around for an hour a day for three to five years. The more fragile early models sometimes met with failed motors or bad bearings after 150 hours of cleaning.

"If you really bought into the idea that this thing is here to clean every day, people ended up killing their robots," said Colin Angle, iRobot's chief executive and a company co-founder.

Despite the dinner plate-sized Roomba's ability to transition smoothly from hard floors or low carpet to rugs, the cleaning brushes on earlier models can get stuck on tassels and cords. That means finding the wayward gadget, untangling its brushes and restarting it.

The new models have more sophisticated robot brains that instruct the brushes to briefly spin in reverse and spit out the cord or tassel. When the tangle has been averted, the brushes resume spinning forward and the cleaner continues on its way.

The Roomba now sports a more sophisticated room-navigation system to slow its approach toward obstacles for a gentler and quieter impact. And new, programmable "Virtual Wall Lighthouses" that come with the top-of-the line 560 model employ radio communications to tell the robot which interior spaces to clean and which to avoid.

The three 500 series models cost from $250 to $399 -- in line with the Roombas' existing high-end versions but above prices for basic models costing as little as $120.

The Roomba is the top-selling robotic vacuum with nearly 2 million sold.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Insurance commissioner blocks Allstate's home insurance rate hike

(8/22/07 - AUSTIN, TX) - The Texas Department of Insurance has blocked Allstate's plan to raise homeowner insurance rates by 5.9 percent, faulting the proposal as unreasonable and excessive.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin's Tuesday order came one day after Allstate Insurance announced the rate hikes would take effect immediately for policy renewals.

   "The company filed the rate increase on the same day it took effect, so the response had to be swift," Geeslin said.

   The commissioner also said that Allstate is now restricted from raising rates without supervision from state regulators. The company has "repeatedly" tried to impose excessive rates on its customers over the last three years, he said.

   "The (Allstate) filings, separately and in combination, contain rates that are excessive, inadequate, unreasonable and unfairly discriminatory for the risks to which they apply," Geeslin's order said.

   Allstate, the state's second-largest home insurer, said the rate increase is necessary considering the risks associated with doing business in Texas.

   "We strongly believe that this was actuarially justified and it's competitive," company spokesman Bill Mellander said.

   Allstate officials said they are considering their response options, including filing a court challenge.

   Geeslin's order bars Allstate from the state's "file and use" program. The program allows insurers to enact rate increases without the department's prior approval, while giving regulators the authority to reject rates after they've been implemented and order refunds.

   On Monday, Allstate also had imposed an additional 2 percent rate increase on Texas policyholders not in coastal counties but still in areas affected by storms that hit the coast. The company said the charge would cover its reinsurance costs, or insurance the company buys for itself to help cover claims in the event of a catastrophe.

   Geeslin rejected that rate increase, ruling it was excessive because it was based on costs the company had not actually incurred.

   Allstate withdrew a proposed 6.9 percent rate hike last month when state regulators signaled they wouldn't approve the increase.    Mellander said Allstate will keep working with the state.

   "This is part of an ongoing dialogue with TDI," he said. "We are looking at the commissioner's order to determine what we need to do next. We are going to do what is right for the consumer."

   But Alex Winslow, of the consumer group Texas Watch, said the commissioner should force Allstate to reduce its rates.

   "Rejecting this latest rate hike doesn't guarantee that Allstate's policyholders are no longer being overcharged. It simply means they won't be overcharged 5.9 percent more than they already are," Winslow said.

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Make house cleaning a cinch

Today at 5pm, Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling showed us some products that can take the work out of house work.

To get rid of disposal odor, try Disposer Care.  It's $3.00 a box and can be found at most home improvement stores.

Make scuff marks vanish in a flash by using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, it costs $2.49 and can be found in grocery stores.

Shiny floors can be a breeze when you use a $20.00 Swiffer Wet Jet to clean the floor then apply Quick Shine with a Dry Swiffer Pad. Quick Shine costs $6.00 a bottle and can be found in the cleaning section of most stores.

Carpet stains will be a thing of the past with LA's Totally Awesome Cleaner. It costs 99 cents and can be found at many dollars stores. (SEE MORE)

Make dusting a breeze by using a $3.00 Swiffer Duster, you can find it in most stores. Another dusting tip: Use furniture polish only occasionally, frequent use causes build up.

To clean tables and door handles, try Mr Clean's Multi Surface Wipes. They cost $3.00, are more durable than most disposable wipes and can be found in the cleaning aisle of most stores.

SEE THE FULL STORY

Some Harris County homeowners may now need flood insurance

By Jeff Ehling

(8/20/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Some of you may be getting an unwelcome surprise from your mortgage company. Hundreds of home owners are being told they must now have flood insurance. That's because new maps put homes in flood plains they've never been in before. Now mortgage companies are sending out notices telling home owners they are now required to buy flood insurance.

"I got a letter from my mortgage company saying my house is now sitting in a 100 year flood plain and that we need flood insurance," said homeowner Jose Rodriguez.

Jose Rodriguez's Maple Cross home did not get closer to the flood plain, instead the flood plains were expanded. Now that his house is in a flood plain, Rodriguez's mortgage company requires him to carry flood insurance.

Like everyone else in his situation, if Rodriguez does not get coverage on his own, his mortgage company will get it for him. But you do not need to wait for your mortgage company to act, in fact you may find a better rate if you shop around.

"The best thing you can do as a consumer is to contact your insurance agent who is providing the rest of your insurance and have him try to provide the insurance for you for flood coverage," said insurance agent Tony May.

Before you get insurance you'll need an elevation certificate. Surveyors with DaRam Engineering are doing just that for hundreds of Harris county homeowners. Having an elevation certificate could save you money.

"They do rate the policy on the height of the building, so the higher you are the lower the premium is," said Barry Adkins with DaRam Engineering.

An elevation certificate costs around $300, but if surveyors find your home is even slightly higher than the maps indicate, you'll spend less on flood insurance. And remember, when you get flood insurance, make sure it covers more than just your home. A policy should also cover your belongings.

"That way it protects all of your possessions, not just the structure which is what your mortgage company is interested in, but also all the things within your home," May said.

Homeowners can't say they weren't warned. This was in the works ever since Tropical Storm Allison. If you had gotten the insurance before the maps changed, you could have gotten the insurance for less, now you'll have to shop around.

As for how much a policy will cost if you are in the new flood plain? It depends on how much your home costs and how much coverage you are getting for the interior. There really is no "one size fits all" plan.

(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Harris County forced to pull property sales info

The Houstonist reports that you won't have as much help next year when you protest your property taxes:

Did you protest the taxes on your home this past year? If so, we hope you did your research on your neighbors’ appraisals already. If you didn’t, you’re out of luck. Thanks to a new law passed by the state, the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) was forced to pull their property appraisal database from their website this week. Don't get out your walking shoes yet – the information can't be obtained from the county offices, either.

READ MORE

Saving money on pet supplies

You don't have to tell me how much pet supplies are.  I have three cats, trust me I know.  The funny thing is, all three adore my wife and would do anything for her, but I am the one that goes and buys the food and hauls it back.  Go figure.

Enough about me, about.com is here to help us all.  They put out a great resource on saving money on pet supplies.  It has tips and a list of web sites to hit for some good deals. 

Go take a look for yourself

Houston mortgage company lays off workers

(8/07/07 - HOUSTON) - A Houston-based mortgage company that stopped taking new applications and said it could not meet its current obligations laid off a "substantial" number of its 1,300 workers on Tuesday. Aegis Mortgage Corp., whose owners include private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, said Monday that despite the business slowdown that its branches were open and its workers were on the job.

The layoffs, the company said Tuesday, came as a result of the problems in the secondary mortgage market.

"We believe that making these changes in our business operations and the resulting staff reductions are necessary to address our financial challenges. We sincerely regret the impact that this necessary decision will have on our employees," CEO Dan Gilbert said in a statement.

On Monday, Aegis Mortgage had announced that besides no longer being able to accept any more loan applications, it also could not fund loans currently in the pipeline.

Aegis Mortgage has 1,300 workers nationwide in about 30 U.S. branches.

Company spokeswoman Pat Wente said she could not comment on how many workers lost their jobs Tuesday, but that number could be around 1,000.

The company said it is maintaining its servicing businesses.

The layoffs by Aegis come as the nation's 10th largest mortgage lender, American Home Mortgage Investment Corp., filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday.

Falling home prices and a spike in payment defaults have created turmoil in the mortgage industry. Across the country, lenders are closing their doors, and also failing to meet commitments they already made to fund loans.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Pros & Cons of Reverse Mortgages

   

By Nydia Han

July 25, 2007 - A relatively new type of mortgage can help some consumers keep their homes out of foreclosure and even pay them a monthly stipend, but there are a few downsides.

Reverse mortgages are the perfect solution for some families but not for those hoping to pass their home or its value on to their children.

"I needed help because I didn't have anyone else."

Action News introduced you to North Philadelphia homeowner Jennie Haliburton back in April. She refinanced her mortgage so she could consolidate her bills but ended up with a predatory loan she could not afford and was at risk of losing her house.

"I have stress every day, my doctor can tell you that," Jennie said. "I think about where I can go, who can I go to, who can I stay with."

Lending experts said what Jennie should have taken out is a reverse mortgage.

"There are no monthly payments, you're accessing monthly income and it's tax-free," said Rose Stancato of the Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers.

reverse mortgage is available to people 62 years or older, there are no credit checks or income verifications required.

"The borrower retains ownership of their home while receiving monthly income from the home which is tax free because they're just accessing their own equity."

A reverse mortgage is an adjustable rate loan against your house and ends up costing more than a traditional loan. However, the loan doesn't become due until the borrower moves or dies.

"Once you pass away the other family members either have to come up with the money on that mortgage or sell the house. So if they're not in a financial position to take out their own mortgage to satisfy the reverse mortgage they're going to be in a situation where the home will not be available for them to live in anymore," said Jennifer Schultz of Community Legal Services.

Schultz said while reverse mortgages can be a great option for some people they should be entered into with a lot of thought.

"You don't want to do it too quickly because it's a one-time deal. Once you take a reverse mortgage you can't take another one."

So the best advice is wait until you absolutely need the money.

Also a reverse mortgage has to be the first mortgage on your home so any prior mortgages have to be paid off before you can take one out. And before you sign anything go over the paperwork with an independent advisor or counselor.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc.  All Rights Reserved.)

Do it yourself projects

Computers, cameras, laundry machines…when they go wrong it can cost a bundle to have them fixed.  But, you don’t need to break the bank anymore.   Now you might be able to do it yourself, thanks to a slew of online fix it sites.   There’s help for just about anything and everything from electrical wiring, to printer problems to gardening DOs and DONTs.  These sites can guide you through how to fix your problem or point you in the right direction as to where to look. 

Here are some we found:

- about.com
- DIY
- DIYNetwork
- Appliance411
- Better Homes and Garden

Houston area neighborhood makes national foreclosure list

Looks like a neighborhood in Katy has a dubious distinction:

Realty-Trac came up with the list, rating the top 500 zip codes in the country for foreclosures and the 77449 zip code, which is in Katy, is in the top 300.

READ THE REST

Time is running out for lower insurance rates in redrawn flood areas

   

(6/14/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Anyone living in a floodplain designated by recently redrawn flood maps has just one day left to buy flood insurance at lower rates.

On Monday the Federal Emergency Management Agency will officially adopt the new flood maps for Harris County. Homeowners now in a flood plain can buy insurance at a lower rate if they do it before the maps go into effect. Twenty-five percent of Harris County homeowners live in areas prone to flooding.

To find out if your home is in a flood plain see the new Harris County flood maps.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

You are paying for flood insurance, even if you don't have it

You're paying for it, even if you don't have it

By Ted Oberg

(6/05/07 - HOUSTON) - With hurricane season five days old and rain continuing to threaten floods in parts of our area, it makes sense to check your flood insurance.

Even with new maps and new rates, it's still a great deal, but that good deal could cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

Kitty Smith has a great spot for a burger on Surfside Beach, but just a block off the Gulf, there's also been a lot of water through Kitty's Purple Cow restaurant.

"We got flooded in Faye and Francis and Claudette," she said.

Back then and every time the water comes in this first floor restaurant, a flood insurance check comes soon after.

She is surprised they keep coming back each year.

Robin Bennett is another frequent flood insurance customer. Since 1999, she's had 13 claims and counting.

So far she's received $100,992. Her house is only appraised for $129,000.

She doesn't think it makes good business sense to keep paying.

"Why don't you just buy me out," she asked.

In Houston, there are more than 6,000 repeat flood losers who cost the feds $609 million since 1978. When it gets bad enough, FEMA and local governments will buy the house and tear it down, but Robin's $100,000 loss apparently isn't bad enough.

"It doesn't matter how often you flood, you can still have flood insurance," said Heather Saucier of Harris County Flood Control.

And since flood insurance is a federal program, when it runs out of money, it just borrows more of yours. Today the National Flood Insurance Program owes US taxpayers $20 billion.

"I don't know if the NFIP will ever be able to repay, but the program continues to offer protection," said FEMA spokesperson David Passey.

We don't bring it up to pick on Kitty Smith or Robin Bennett or anyone else smart enough to take advantage of the good deal on flood insurance, but that good deal could cost you the taxpayer. Flood insurance is bankrupt.

A federal report earlier this year told Congress, "It is highly unlikely that the National Flood Insurance Program could generate (money) to repay treasury." Other critics say premiums are kept artificially low and efforts to cap repeat losses have failed in Congress. That's not necessarily good news for taxpayers footing the bill.

"Why do you keep paying me to fix the same things," asked Bennett.

But it's great news for people like Kitty Smith.

"If they discontinued flood insurance, I would be afraid to stay here," admitted Smith.

The bulk of the $20 billion debt came from Katrina and Rita related loss. Just the interest alone on that loan costs $800 million a year. There is no move to forgive the loan or change the program.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Mysteries of mattress shopping

Today at 4:55, Jeff Ehling gave us a little insight into the mysteries of mattress shopping - oh my back hurts just thinking about ti:

Consumer Reports has learned manufacturers generally slice the mattress market into four price categories. Promotional mattresses sell for $500 or less, Premium between $500-$1,000, Luxury at $1,000-$2,000 and Ultraluxury mattresses sell for $2,000 or more.

READ THE REST

Protest property taxes

Today Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling had advice for recent home buyers who want to protest their property taxes.  The advice actually works for anyone. (READ FULL STORY)

Jeff sends us these links to help you file and win your property tax protest.  He even wrote a Property Tax Protest haiku! Add yours to the comment section.  Remember 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables, have fun!

Protest. That's your right.
Follow the links to your fight.
Save without the fright.

How to file for a property tax protest on line
http://www.hcad.org/cgi-bin/News/DisplayNewsRelease.asp?news_id=66

How to protest your property taxes
http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/propertytax/protest.asp

http://www.poconnor.com/texas_property_tax_appeals_steps.asp

Jeff says you can protest in any county.

Jeff on the Job 4 links

You saw Jeff on the Job Sunday night, now here are the links to the stories!

Cut your beauty costs in half
If you think you can't look great on a budget, think again.  The Houston-area is full of places you can get haircuts, facials, even massages for a fraction of what you'd expect.

How to cut the costs of medical care
You don't need us to tell you how expensive it is to go to the doctor, but we've learned there are ways around high medical bills.

Auctioning your home may be an option if you're facing foreclosure
There isn't a lot of good involved in a foreclosure, but there may be a way to get out from under a home about to be taken by the bank. Selling the house at auction just might be the way to avoid the financial ruin associated with a foreclosure.

What plants to buy this season
If you have the overwhelming urge to plant something, you're not alone. Right now it seems everything is in bloom.

How to work from home
If you have a job you hate or dream of working for yourself, we've got a few leads for you.

Links:
- Recycling Home Builder
- Celebrity Calculator
1. Movie Stars
2. Athletes

RELATED:
- Jeff on the Job 3 links
- Jeff on the Job 2 links

Email us a news tip

 

How to look up a homebuilder or contractor

Here is an area where consumers can taken...when choosing a homebuilder or contractor/re-modeler type. 

There is a way to do a little investigation in these situations.  As we talked about earlier in the week the state can help, but the info provided could be a little better.

Case in point, the Texas Residential Construction Commission. You can look up homebuilder and contractor records with its site.

CLICK HERE TO LOOK UP SOMEONE

Basically the site will tell you if the person is registered with the state, their office address and possibly some home addresses they have worked on. 

It's better than nothing, but this commission has been criticized many times for having no teeth.  It's a sad fact that Texas has been referred to as the wild, wild west when it comes to homebuilders and contractors. 

That's why you have us to help you if you get into trouble. 

Tips on buying a foreclosed house

When the wife and I decided to look for a house, lots of people told us to look at foreclosed homes for a good deal.  Sounds promising, but from what I understand it isn't as easy at it may seem.

We've heard foreclosed homes can be in really bad condition.  But you never know, maybe you will find a gem.

Good Morning America's Mellody Hobson gives us some details on the process for buyers. Here are some terms you will want to know:

Pre-foreclosure sale: That's where you buy a home from the owner before the owner is foreclosed upon. Hobson said she liked this type of sale because the buyer and the seller were motivated. The seller, of course, wants to dodge the bullet of foreclosure. But the buyer gets the discount, which is typically in the neighborhood of 10 percent to 20 percent. The buyer also gets the opportunity to inspect the property.

Auction:  An auction comes with lots of risks. You're buying the property, as is. That means you can't go in and inspect it, and generally people who have fallen behind on a mortgage haven't made a lot of home improvements or been able to maintain the home.You just don't know what you're getting.

There are also people who bid on homes at auction for a living, so you might be bidding against someone who's very savvy.

Generally, a home that's bought at auction sells for about 40 percent below market value, so you get an incredible deal here. But another downside is that you must pay cash for it. You cannot get a mortgage, because a mortgage company must be able to go in and appraise or inspect the property, which it can't do in this situation.

Real estate-owned: That's where the lender or the bank has the title, and it owns it. Typically you find that the property doesn't sell at as big a discount as a pre-foreclosure sale or an auction. There's much less risk there. You can get a mortgage, and you can inspect it. So it's really like buying a property from a regular person. It's just owned by a bank.

READ THE REST

Choosing a home builder in Houston

Pick a direction and you will probably find new homes being built in the Houston area.  Seems like we don't follow the national downward trends when it comes to houses, we make our own trends.  That kind of sounds like a cool Texas slogan!

Back to homebuilders.  There are so many areas, neighborhoods and builders to choose from. 

Thank goodness we have JD Powers and Associates to give us some help.

This service takes customer surveys and ranks Houston area homebuilders in different categories.  Pretty cool huh?

Click here to see the last rating for 2006.

Assistance for buying a house in Houston, Harris County and surrounding areas

If you'd like to buy a home but can't come up with the down payment, there may be help for you. A federal program that offers up to $10,000 dollars for down payments is available.  Up to $10,000 per family is available for people in the city of Houston, in Harris County and surrounding counties. Some of it is based on income and the money is from a federal housing program. (FULL STORY)

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/home/addi/

http://www.houstontx.gov/housing/americandream.html

http://housingprograms.org/default.asp

www.houstontx.gov/housing/singlefamily.html

Looking up your Realtor or home inspector

Here come the big decisions.  How do you know you have a reputable Realtor or home inspector?  Tough question.

There is a way to find out a little more about both.  Enter the state and the Texas Real Estate Commission.  The commission's site lets us look up Texas Realtors and home inspectors. 

Click here to do it

While you will not get a lot of info, you will at least see if they are licensed and in the Realtor's case, what courses they have taken. 

If you are unhappy with the job they do for you, there is a complaint process on the site too.

The site also has a consumer section for more information.

Gas grill comparisons

Today at 4, Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling turned up the heat on gas grills to see which features will give your backyard cook-off the coveted five star rating.

Take a look at these links to see grills from the hundreds to the thousands.

http://bbq.about.com/cs/grills/bb/aabyb042503.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/cooking-cleaning/grills/grills_sub/how-to-choose/index.htm

Attention homeowners and shoppers

Let's take a page out of my personal life and look at house shopping and ownership.  I just became a homeowner and I want to spread some of my knowledge for what it's worth.

Today we're going to look at shopping for a home. 

The first place you want to look at is har.com by the Houston Association of Realtors.

I know you're saying, "Come on Mike, isn't that a little obvious?"  Maybe, but it is a great starting resource for shopping around and finding what's available, prices, open houses...etc.

Then there are the appraisal districts.  They will tell you how much a house was appraised for and other little juicy details:

- Harris County Appraisal District
- Montgomery Central Appraisal District
- Brazoria County Appraisal District 

Sorry Fort Bend, I couldn't get your district to work at this time.

Then there is zillow.com.  Some might find this site controversial, others not so much.  Zillow claims to know how much a house could sell for (good for buyers to know) over just the appraised price. We've done stories in the past where Realtors don't buy everything the site claims. Others have too. Try it yourself.

Please feel free to comment about a site you like.

New Houston and Harris County flood plain maps

Jeff Ehling has a warning. The flood plain is expanding on June 18th for the Houston area (Harris County only).  If you are in the new flood plain, you may be required to buy flood insurance, but getting it now before the changes happen will save you hundreds of dollars.

To see if your home is going to be in the new flood plain, click on the below link: http://maps.tsarp.org/viewer.htm

Homeowners could get some help when it concerns homebuilders

Texas homeowners could get more help with builder problems

By Jeff Ehling

(2/24/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - New homebuyers may be getting more protection from the state legislature.

Lawmakers are proposing changes to the agency that oversees home builders in Texas. In the past, the Texas Residential Construction Commission has been criticized for siding with builders and not helping home buyers - but that may change. Mary Cohn says her family spent $700,000 on their new Bellaire home and then they needed another $500,000 to fix it. "There was water inside the walls and I could not figure out what was going on," said Cohn. Cohn says an inspector discovered serious problems with the homes roof and the leaking water started rotting the walls behind her homes stucco facade. "All the water was coming in and going into the walls," she said. When Cohn learned about the problems she says she called her builder, but the builder would not fix the house. Cohn then learned she could take her case before the Texas Residential Construction Commission, but discovered the TRCC had little power to force the builder to make repairs. "TRCC from what I experienced and have heard so far is their hands are really tied," Cohn lamented. But that may change soon. The state legislature is considering several bills that would strengthen the TRCC. One bill would remove binding arbitration clauses from new home contracts and create a fund to pay homeowners for claims when builders can't. The TRCC would recoup the money from a builder's insurer. A different bill would not go quite as far, but would give the TRCC power to take action against builders who have TRCC code violations. Builders are closely watching the proposed laws and fully expect the TRCC to have expanded powers soon. "We do expect there to be changes this year, the agency has been in place since 2003 and it has had time to work out it's kinks," said Adam Aschmann of the Greater Houston Builders Association. Aschmann says builder groups oppose laws that would eliminate mandatory arbitration in contracts but recognizes the TRCC will likely be more consumer friendly after this legislative session. "We do expect some consumer protections to be put in place and the agency to have more teeth," he said. It's too early to tell which proposals will become law but homebuyers and home builders are waiting to see just how far the legislature is willing to go to strengthen the TRCC and both groups are lobbying for their own causes. So if you are thinking about building a new home, should you wait to see what happens with the legislature? It depends on how soon the home is being built. Remember it could be several months before any of this becomes law, if ever. But if you are building a home a year from now, keep a close eye on the legislation it could have a big impact on your rights.

>>Click here to send Jeff a consumer news tip
>>Read Jeff's Consumer Blog
>>Talk on the Consumer Message Board
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

How good are Zillow's estimates?

The Wall Street Journal poses an interesting question:  How good are Zillow.com's estimates?  That's the site that shows you a house's worth based on several comparative factors:

The Journal looked at transaction prices recorded for 1,000 recent home sales in seven states, using data from First American Real Estate Solutions, a data provider in Santa Ana, Calif., and compared those prices with Zillow estimates, which didn't yet reflect the sales. The median difference between the Zillow estimate and the actual price was 7.8%. (That was close to the 7.2% median "margin of error" reported by Zillow itself on all transactions involving homes whose value it has estimated.)

READ THE ARTICLE

Power bill changes coming January 1st for some

Today at 4:55 pm, Jeff Ehling showed us how some Reliant Energy customers are getting a change in their bill:

Starting January 1, the rate plan thousands of people currently have will go away and they will be automatically switched to a different plan. It’s because of deregulation. We've been telling you about choosing your power providers for about two years.  If you have not done it, a choice is being made for you and it will affect thousands of Reliant Energy customers.

-SEE THE FULL STORY
-Find a new provider at powertochoose.org.

Fight foreclosure

Today at 4:55pm, Jeff Ehling told us about a Houstonian who can help you fight a home foreclosure. (READ FULL STORY)

Joyce Cauthen of Fairway Mortgage Advisory Council wants to help you. (click to see her web site)

  Fairway Mortgage Advisory Council
  2500 Wilcrest, Suite 300
  Houston, Texas 77042
  281-531-0886 or 281-596-0384

Who is really busy on Thanksgiving

Usually when a company emails a press release I don't post it here, but Service Magic (who we've already done a story on) sent us one that I thought deserved attention.

It's kind of wacky.

The site claims that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days for plumbers - and they can respond with high holiday rates.  Here are some tips to avoid from having to call one out:

· Make sure that everyone helping in the kitchen knows what can go into the disposal and what should not.  Corn husks, grease, bones, potato skins, egg shells and lettuce are all common Thanksgiving Dinner byproducts that may lead to problems.

 · Don’t put too much down the disposal at once.  Run your disposal several times to clear out smaller amounts of waste instead of trying to clear everything at once.

 · Since a typical household of four people can swell to more than 20, make sure all the visiting children know what shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet.  With that many people making trips to the bathroom, your plumbing may be distressed in general.

 

 

Best Vacuums for Picking Up Pet Hair

If you have cats or dogs, then you most likely have pet hair all over the floor.  That is unless you have one of those freakish hairless cats...no offense.

In case it's more work to clean your floor than mow your lawn, Consumer Reports tested the best vacuums for the job:

In the end, 'Consumer Reports' did find a top pick for pet owners. It's the Kenmore Progressive model 35922, for $300. It rated excellent for both pet hair and overall cleaning.

Another option, the Eureka Boss Smart Vac Ultra model 4870 performed nearly as well for half the price, $150. Either one will pick up after your furry friend.

See which vacuums Consumer Reports believes did not make the cut or the suck in this case.

Fall/Winter energy recommendations

Reliant Energy sent out these energy tips for the fall and winter.  Try to stay warm, oh wait...it's Houston...that shouldn't be much of a problem:

(1) Close the fireplace damper when not in use. The same way smoke escapes through the chimney, warm air will escape if the fireplace damper is open.

(2) Install a programmable thermostat. For every degree above 70, consumers may increase their heating cost by 3 to 5 percent. A programmable thermostat can be set so that the temperature will automatically decrease during the day and increase in the evening when the home is more likely to be occupied. A programmable thermostat can be purchased at nearly any home improvement store. Also, consumers might want to consider contacting a professional to perform preventative maintenance on their heating system annually.

(3) Ensure proper ceiling fan rotation. Air should flow down in the summer and up in the winter. Therefore, your ceiling fans should rotate clockwise (to the right during winter) and counter-clockwise during the summer. If the fan is set for summertime rotation, the breeze you feel will be noticeably stronger when standing directly under the fan. Also, be sure to turn off ceiling fans in unoccupied rooms, both in the summer and the winter. Fans are designed to increase the comfort of those in the room.

(4) Replace incandescent light bulbs. Because of shorter days during the winter months, more indoor lighting often is used in the winter than in the summer. Reliant recommends consumers replace incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent.  Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about one-fourth to one-third as much electricity as incandescent lights and last much longer.

(5) Ensure proper home insulation. Check your attic insulation and seal any air leaks around the house. Consumers can put weather-stripping around doors and windows to stop heat from streaming out. Also, all attic areas should have about 12 to 16 inches of attic insulation and flat attics should have at least R-30 insulation. Up to 40 percent of heating and cooling dollars can be lost if a home is not properly insulated.

From the hotel to your home

Today at 4:55 pm, Jeff Ehling showed us a Houston store that sells used luxury hotel furniture at prices near a steal.  Sure, it's used hotel furniture, but we saw it up close and it looked like it was in good shape.

Expect to find mirrors, television sets, desk chairs, couches and even art work.

Here is the info:
Southwest Surplus
7700 North Freeway
713.741.3650
www.swsurplus.com

The exploding real estate industry

The Lost Remote blog has some details on a couple of real estate sites that are trying to change the home buying rules.  We've covered the first one, Zillow, in the past.  The other is Redfin.

Hiring a contractor

What is one of the top complaints we get here at the KTRK consumer office?  Contractors.  Same for Elisabeth Leamy of ABC News:

Crooked contractors are one of the leading causes of consumer complaints nationwide. Unlicensed contractors are the worst, but even licensed contractors can cause headaches and heartache. I've seen contractors build sinks so close to showers that there's not enough room to bend over and wash your face. I've heard about a carpenter who dropped a toolbox on his own foot and then sued the homeowner for medical expenses. And I've gotten call after call about contractors who take big bucks up front then never return to do the work.

Click here to see the steps you should take before hiring a contractor.

Here is a story we recently did on how to select a contractor.

Your tax bill is coming and it might be a nasty surprise

Your tax bill is coming and it might be a nasty surprise

Your property tax bill might be more than you think

By Jeff Ehling

(10/27/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Property tax bills will be in the mail in the next few weeks and you probably won't like what's inside. After all the talk of property tax relief, some of you are going to find a nasty surprise.

The Texas legislature passed a property tax relief bill this year, but that hasn't prevented property tax bills from going up instead of down.

If you live in a red area of this map of Harris County, the appraised value of your home is up more than 10 percent.

If you live in certain parts of Harris County, the appraised value of your home is up more than 10 percent. The increase in values in the red areas on the map to the left are enough to wipe out the tax cut passed by the Texas legislature this year.

"What the legislature did was buy down the rate," said Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector Paul Bettencourt. "But, of course, no one buys down the appraised value and that's what is still taking off like a rocket ship."

Bettnecourt says the average home inside the boundaries of the Houston Independent School District will see an increase of $137 when tax bills are mailed out next month.

"It's kind of hard out here for a working man," said homeowner Larry Duckworth.

So how can a tax cut turn into higher taxes? The tax cut affected school taxes. The tax rate inside HISD boundaries last year was 1.62. This year, it's down to 1.475. But the cut is wiped away because of higher appraised values.

Last year the average Houston home carried a taxable value of $101,453 and paid a tax bill of $3,326. This year, the taxable value on the average Houston home is $108,909. That makes the tax $3,463 -- an increase of $137.

If the legislature did nothing, taxes would have been even higher.

"What it means is that you are paying less than what you could have," said Bettencourt. "It means your bill will still go up. It just will not go up as fast."

The increase in appraised value is the biggest reason to protest your appraisal. More than 200,000 protests were filed. On average, those who filed a protest saw a seven percent reduction in value. If you protested and got an average reduction, your bill is about $240 lower than those who did not protest.

These figures apply to homes inside the boundaries of HISD. If you live in other areas, your tax bill may not increase as much or even remain the same as last year. In some cases, there are reductions. The tax bills go out next month. To see how much your house is affected, check my consumer blog.

>>Click here to send Jeff a consumer news tip
>>Read Jeff's Consumer Blog
>>Talk on the Consumer Message Board
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Would you do this to your house?

It seems like everything is EXTREME these days.  It's always loud and in your face, from TV shows to even something mild like deodorant.  But this link from Boing Boing really is pretty extreme:

This Old House has a couple of photo galleries of slipshod and foolish home improvement projects.

Would you do this to your house?

A taxing dilemma

Good news, you're getting a tax cut.  The bad news, your house's appraised value has probably gone up so you might not see the relief you first thought you would.

Read full story.

Here is a way to view your 2005 tax statement.

See the appraisal map

A new way to hire a contractor

Today at 4:55 pm, Jeff Ehling told us about an Internet service called Service Magic. 

Forget scanning through the phone book, this site allows you to post a project (plumbing problem, room renovation..etc) and let the contractors bid on it.  That allows you to choose the person with the best price or qualifications. 

Selecting a realtor

The Federal Trade Commission has put out some guidelines on selecting a realtor:

In coordination with the FTC’s recent real estate competition law enforcement sweep, the Commission has issued a new Facts for Consumers publication entitled “Selling Your Home? Tips for Selecting a Real Estate Professional.” The publication, which can be found on the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bc/realestate/pubs/zrea01.pdf, is designed to help anyone who is thinking of selling their home using the services of a real estate broker or agent. It describes the differences between types of brokers and agents, including the differences between traditional, full-service real estate brokers and non-traditional brokers that may offer many of the same services, but on an a la carte basis, and provides tips and questions to ask when hiring a real estate broker. The publication discusses different types of written real estate contracts, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of selling a home without a broker (for sale by owner), and identifies sources were consumers can get more information about mortgages and the home-sales process.

Winterize your yard

Today at 4:55 pm, Jeff Ehling headed out to Houston yards with the Garden Line's Randy Lemmon and told us how to winterize your lawns.

Watch the story here

Here are some extra links to check out:
- Early To Bed, Early To Rise… Work Like Heck and Winterize
-