After our once-in-a-lifetime hail catastrophe this May 2010, roofers are swamped! Out-of-town roofer companies are combing out the neighborhoods to get business. Homeowners should BEWARE and make sure your roofer has insurance. Also, I have heard that in many areas (Village, Nichols Hills, Piedmont, and more) that roofers are being shut down in the middle of jobs if they don’t have a permit, and can resume when obtained.
Several roofers I know who have never had to have permits before in the Village or Piedmont are now having to obtain them. I am sure these requirements will help protect the homeowner in the long run; however, it is also going to add a pretty penny the city’s revenue. The Village alone has 4,000 to 4,500 damaged roofs… times approximately $115 a permit.
The best advice I can give is to use a roofer that someone you know has used and has been happy with. I have a roofer that I have used and recommended for over 15 years.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Appliance Rebate Program (Details)
I saw this article on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website and thought I'd share! It sounds pretty cool!
The Oklahoma Appliance Rebate Program for Consumers officially begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8. That's the time and day Consumers may start making purchases that are eligible for a rebate. But it's a good idea to shop early and know what you want.
Are you eligible to buy? You must have a current Oklahoma address and own your appliances. Landlords may NOT purchase appliances for a rental property and receive a rebate. However, if you live in a rented home but own your appliances, you may participate in the program.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
1. Beginning May 8th, an Consumer can walk into a Registered Oklahoma Retailer to make an appliance purchase.
2. The Consumer will inform the sales person of the specific appliance or appliances they wish to purchase.
3. The Retailer will access an online web page to check to see if funds are available.
4. If funds are available, the Retailer will continue the web process and enter in consumer information and the specific appliance information.
5. Once the information is entered in online, the Retailer will hit "submit" and the rebate funds will be reserved for the customer. The Retailer will then print the rebate form and hand it to the Consumer.
6. The Consumer will then complete the purchase of the appliance at the store’s cash register.
7. The Consumer will have their new appliance installed or delivered and have the old appliance removed from the home. (See FAQ below concerning proof of removal.)
8. The Consumer will then mail in the rebate form provided by the Retailer, along with the original sales receipt, to the rebate fulfillment company. The address will be provided on the rebate form.
9. The Consumer will have a unique rebate ID number and will be able to check the status of their rebate via an online system anytime.
10. Rebate forms must be postmarked by June 30th to submit for rebate fulfillment.
11. The rebate check will be mailed to the Consumer within 4-6 weeks of rebate submission. The Consumer will provide the mailing information at the time of purchase.
12. If the Consumer loses the rebate form, if the consumer knows the rebate confirmation number, the retailer where the consumer purchased the appliance can re-print the rebate form.
To be added to the Commerce mailing list to receive email updates about the program, please send name and email address to appliancerebate@okcommerce.gov.
CONSUMER-SPECIFIC FAQs
Q - How do I know who is a participating retailer?
A - Go to okappliancerebate.com. The Retailer or Installation Contractor Search on the Where to Purchase tab allows you to search for a vendor by name or based on the type of appliance sold. A distance search option let’s you determine how near or far you’re willing to go to find a vendor.
Q - What appliances will qualify for rebates?
A - The state estimates approximately 23,000 rebates for ENERGY STAR appliances will be awarded through this plan. The appliances and rebate levels are below. For a detailed list of ENERGY STAR models visit http://www.energystar.gov.
•Clothes Washers $200
•Refrigerators (Minimum 14 Cubic Ft.) $200
•Room Air Conditioners $50
•Water Heaters $100
•Central Air Conditioners $100
•Gas Furnaces $100
•Ground Source Heat Pumps $250
•Air Source Heat Pumps $250
Q - If I buy one of the approved appliances as an addition to what I already own, will it qualify?
A - No. This is an appliance replacement program, designed to take inefficient appliances out of service and replace them with high-efficiency models. Old appliances must be removed from the property in order to qualify. First-time buyers of these appliances also are ineligible. The new appliance must replace an old appliance.
Q – Can I buy an appliance over the internet (online) as long as it meets the requirements?
A – No. Online purchases are not qualified purchases.
Q - Will the old appliances be recycled?
A - Recycling is encouraged, yet not required; however, old appliances must be hauled away, either by the retailer or through some other method that you determine. The rebate application you mail in will have a place where a retailer, recycling center or disposal site representative can sign or stamp, or you can self-certify, acknowledging you will properly dispose of the old equipment.
Go to a list of Oklahoma Appliance Recyclers
Go to Today's Topic: Appliance Disposal
Q - Can I keep, sell or gift the old appliance to someone else?
A - No. You must dispose of the old appliance.
Q - The nearest retailer to me is actually in a neighboring state. If I purchase there, can I still get an Oklahoma rebate?
A - No. You must purchase from a registered , Oklahoma retailer.
Q - How many rebates can I get?
A - Oklahoma residential consumers will be eligible for rebates in Oklahoma, and there is a maximum of one rebate per appliance category and two rebates per household.
Q – Are there other rebates available?
A – Yes. Many Oklahoma utilities and electric coops offer rebates on energy efficient appliances and the federal government offers tax credits on a wide variety of efficiency systems and products. Some utilities also are offering loan programs for heat pumps. See Today’s Topic: More Rebates, Tax Credits Available for Energy Efficient Appliances
Q – My retailer says I can buy today and come back on Saturday to get the rebate reservation form. Is that okay?
A – No. The sales transaction must take place at roughly the same time the rebate reservation is reserved. Receipts that have a time stamp before 9 a.m., Saturday, May 8 will be rejected.
Q – What else could cause my rebate to be rejected?
A - If a retailer is going to dispose of the old appliance, the retailer must sign the rebate reservation form. If the consumer is going to dispose of the appliance, he/she must sign the form and check the box stating you are "self-certifying" to dispose of it properly. Your rebate form and receipt must be mailed and postmarked by 5 p.m., June 30.
The Oklahoma Appliance Rebate Program for Consumers officially begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8. That's the time and day Consumers may start making purchases that are eligible for a rebate. But it's a good idea to shop early and know what you want.
Are you eligible to buy? You must have a current Oklahoma address and own your appliances. Landlords may NOT purchase appliances for a rental property and receive a rebate. However, if you live in a rented home but own your appliances, you may participate in the program.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
1. Beginning May 8th, an Consumer can walk into a Registered Oklahoma Retailer to make an appliance purchase.
2. The Consumer will inform the sales person of the specific appliance or appliances they wish to purchase.
3. The Retailer will access an online web page to check to see if funds are available.
4. If funds are available, the Retailer will continue the web process and enter in consumer information and the specific appliance information.
5. Once the information is entered in online, the Retailer will hit "submit" and the rebate funds will be reserved for the customer. The Retailer will then print the rebate form and hand it to the Consumer.
6. The Consumer will then complete the purchase of the appliance at the store’s cash register.
7. The Consumer will have their new appliance installed or delivered and have the old appliance removed from the home. (See FAQ below concerning proof of removal.)
8. The Consumer will then mail in the rebate form provided by the Retailer, along with the original sales receipt, to the rebate fulfillment company. The address will be provided on the rebate form.
9. The Consumer will have a unique rebate ID number and will be able to check the status of their rebate via an online system anytime.
10. Rebate forms must be postmarked by June 30th to submit for rebate fulfillment.
11. The rebate check will be mailed to the Consumer within 4-6 weeks of rebate submission. The Consumer will provide the mailing information at the time of purchase.
12. If the Consumer loses the rebate form, if the consumer knows the rebate confirmation number, the retailer where the consumer purchased the appliance can re-print the rebate form.
To be added to the Commerce mailing list to receive email updates about the program, please send name and email address to appliancerebate@okcommerce.gov.
CONSUMER-SPECIFIC FAQs
Q - How do I know who is a participating retailer?
A - Go to okappliancerebate.com. The Retailer or Installation Contractor Search on the Where to Purchase tab allows you to search for a vendor by name or based on the type of appliance sold. A distance search option let’s you determine how near or far you’re willing to go to find a vendor.
Q - What appliances will qualify for rebates?
A - The state estimates approximately 23,000 rebates for ENERGY STAR appliances will be awarded through this plan. The appliances and rebate levels are below. For a detailed list of ENERGY STAR models visit http://www.energystar.gov.
•Clothes Washers $200
•Refrigerators (Minimum 14 Cubic Ft.) $200
•Room Air Conditioners $50
•Water Heaters $100
•Central Air Conditioners $100
•Gas Furnaces $100
•Ground Source Heat Pumps $250
•Air Source Heat Pumps $250
Q - If I buy one of the approved appliances as an addition to what I already own, will it qualify?
A - No. This is an appliance replacement program, designed to take inefficient appliances out of service and replace them with high-efficiency models. Old appliances must be removed from the property in order to qualify. First-time buyers of these appliances also are ineligible. The new appliance must replace an old appliance.
Q – Can I buy an appliance over the internet (online) as long as it meets the requirements?
A – No. Online purchases are not qualified purchases.
Q - Will the old appliances be recycled?
A - Recycling is encouraged, yet not required; however, old appliances must be hauled away, either by the retailer or through some other method that you determine. The rebate application you mail in will have a place where a retailer, recycling center or disposal site representative can sign or stamp, or you can self-certify, acknowledging you will properly dispose of the old equipment.
Go to a list of Oklahoma Appliance Recyclers
Go to Today's Topic: Appliance Disposal
Q - Can I keep, sell or gift the old appliance to someone else?
A - No. You must dispose of the old appliance.
Q - The nearest retailer to me is actually in a neighboring state. If I purchase there, can I still get an Oklahoma rebate?
A - No. You must purchase from a registered , Oklahoma retailer.
Q - How many rebates can I get?
A - Oklahoma residential consumers will be eligible for rebates in Oklahoma, and there is a maximum of one rebate per appliance category and two rebates per household.
Q – Are there other rebates available?
A – Yes. Many Oklahoma utilities and electric coops offer rebates on energy efficient appliances and the federal government offers tax credits on a wide variety of efficiency systems and products. Some utilities also are offering loan programs for heat pumps. See Today’s Topic: More Rebates, Tax Credits Available for Energy Efficient Appliances
Q – My retailer says I can buy today and come back on Saturday to get the rebate reservation form. Is that okay?
A – No. The sales transaction must take place at roughly the same time the rebate reservation is reserved. Receipts that have a time stamp before 9 a.m., Saturday, May 8 will be rejected.
Q – What else could cause my rebate to be rejected?
A - If a retailer is going to dispose of the old appliance, the retailer must sign the rebate reservation form. If the consumer is going to dispose of the appliance, he/she must sign the form and check the box stating you are "self-certifying" to dispose of it properly. Your rebate form and receipt must be mailed and postmarked by 5 p.m., June 30.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mamma said "Mind Your Manners!"
Happy Mother’s Day to all! Celebrating our mothers today reminds me of one of the most repeated expressions that we all heard growing up… and that is to “Mind your manners!” Too often, I find myself irritated with the lack of courtesy among fellow realtors when it comes to showing property. I know as Realtors we are busy, but it’s not hard (nor time consuming) to practice professional habits such as turning lights off, locking doors, courtesy calls, and feedback.
I have recently stopped by a pretty high-dollar listing I have, only to find the back door unlocked about four times now! It is a vacant home, but should that matter? Most of the time the alarm has not been re-set, as requested, and lights are left on. Not very green… or considerate to a homeowner paying utility bills on two properties!
My other pet peeve is when I have an occupied property and a realtor makes an appointment to show, and then no-call-no-shows. We have all had buyers who change their mind at the last minute for whatever reason, but it just takes a minute to pull over and call to cancel… even if it’s past the time you are supposed to be there! Many times the seller is driving around with kids and pets in the car waiting to go home.
FEEDBACK!! It is just as tedious to ask for feedback as it is to give it, and I’d be shocked to hear that a Realtor has NEVER had a homeowner who asks for feedback after every showing. It is important for Realtors to listen to their buyer’s likes and dislikes when viewing a home.. so it shouldn’t be that hard to translate that into some constructive feedback! It’s a little frustrating when I DO get feedback that has generic comments such as “Didn’t work for them”, “bought another one”, etc. Specific comments about paint colors, dated anything, smells, or price are the kind of remarks that can go a long way in helping Listing Realtors and Sellers when trying to sell quickly!
It’s a win-win situation when homes sell quickly. Let’s all practice the “Golden Rule” and make our Mom’s proud!
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