One of the many challenges that Realtors are facing in this poor Toledo market of high foreclosures sales is our buying clients receiving bills for water and sewer charges incurred by previous owners.  Agents have the utility department send us a faxed confirmation that no charges are outstanding for closing and then months afterward the buyer receives a bill for delinquent charges that they are liable for according to the water/sewer bills run with the property not the owner that is part of the Toledo Municipal Code. 

 But, our Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez is putting a stop to that by not processing these liens until the system gets fixed.

 Two problems have contributed to this issue.  The country instituted a new computer system that has taken forever to get information/usage bills transferred from the old to the new system.  And, bills for vacant properties may not getting posted for months because often the meter reader must get into the house for a reading and that may not happen until the new owner asks for the service to be turned on.  The prior owner may not have ever had the service turned off.

Regular not foreclosure sales generally don't have this problem because the purchase contract requires the seller be responsible for utility bills due at closing and in the future.  But, the bank owned/foreclosed homes often require contracts superseding this responsibly.

We'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

 

 

Solar, Geothermal and other Renewable Heating Systems Qualify for Federal Tax Credits

 

Qualifying technologies include:

Solar home and water heating.

Solar electric systems.

Geothermal heat pumps.

Residential fuel cell systems.

Small wind systems.

Micro-turbine systems.

Systems must be placed in service prior to December 31, 2016.

Before proceeding homeowners should verify with their contractor or supplier that a system qualifies and that they will be able to supply the documentation required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Consulting with a tax professional is also advisable before buying or signing a contract.

For more:

www.energy.gov

www.IRS.gov

Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 homeowners installing home heating and water heating systems utilizing renewable energy technology may qualify for a generous 30% federal tax credit. There is no cap on the amount of the available credit.

 

 

 

Consider Lead Risk Hazard When Undertaking Repairs and Renovations in Older Homes

 

Live in a home that was built in the Toledo area before 1978?  You must be very careful in the process that you use to repaint to prevent household contamination that could be harmful to children and adults alike.

 

Two thirds of all homes built before 1940 contain lead paint. Half of the residences built between 1940 and 1960 contain lead paint. Lead based paint was not banned until 1978 and some houses and apartments built in the 1960s and 1970s may have lead based paint.

 

Unfortunately renovation and repair projects can disturb old lead paint creating dust and lead particles that can become air borne and pose a critical health hazard when children are exposed to and breathe or ingest the dust. Sanding, scraping or sawing can create dust containing lead and precautions should be consider when considering any do yourself repair or renovation project in an apartment, house or dwelling built before 1978.

 

Old lead paint that is properly sealed and undisturbed does not pose a hazard.

 

For more information see:

 

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5055.html

 

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf

 

http://www.paint.org/pubs/dontspreadlead_english.pdf

 

 

 

Sellers Required to Disclose Know Lead Hazards To Buyers in Pre 1978 Homes

Lead poisoning continues to pose a significant but preventable health and developmental risk for young children residing in homes built prior to 1978 when the sale of paints containing lead was banned. Prior to that time lead was a common ingredient in interior and exterior paints.

 

While many older homes may contain lead based paint, proper maintenance and simple precautions can eliminate the risk and adequately protect children. For information on the steps that home owners and tenants can take to prevent lead poisoning see:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm

 

Homebuyers and renters are protected by HUD disclosure requirements and sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards to home buyers and renters built before 1978. For more information:

 

 http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/enforcement/disclosure.cfm

 

Lead hazards are also an issue that should be addressed in inspections of homes constructed before 1978.

 

For local information on Toledo area lead poisoning prevention programs, efforts and tips see:

 

http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?NID=1347

 

 

Check out my new listing of a very special home at 5314 Eagle Ridge Lane in The Meadows in Sylvania Township, Ohio.  This handsome 3644 square foot 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home was built by Saba in 1994 on one of the largest lots in The Meadows.  This home has everything someone would want...an open floor plan; separate living and family rooms; a den; a cooks' kitchen with an L-shaped granite island, Jenn Air Gas Grill and cooktop, glass cabinets and a kitchen sink that looks out over a private wooded backyard; 1st floor laundry; a master bath with separate tub and shower; a 2 room master closet with one room very usable for an exercise area; a finished basement Rec room with built-in cabinets; and a huge redwood deck off the breakfast area.

The Meadows is an established neighborhood very close to downtown Sylvania, shopping and entertainment and the expressway.

This home is offered at $349,900. 

Removal of Chinese Drywall Urged By Government

 

Chinese Drywall Big Problem for Some Homeowners 

 

Dry wall imported from China is emerging as a significant problem for many homeowners. While most drywall used in American homes has been produced in the United States, a shortage began to develop in the middle of the last decade as the result of the housing boom and the efforts to rebuild after the 2006 hurricanes.

 

Last week the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommended that homes tainted with Chinese drywall be gutted. This week a Federal judge ordered that seven Virginia families be awarded $2.6 million in damages in one of several Chinese drywall lawsuits pending in the courts.

 

Chinese drywall is thought to emit sulfur compound gases. These gases produce a rotten egg smell and may be associated with respiratory and other health problems. Sulfur gases are also corrosive and there are reports of damage to household appliances, wiring, plumbing and mechanical systems including air conditioners and furnaces. Some affected homes are uninhabitable and owners have been forced to move out.

 

The magnitude of the Chinese drywall problem is unclear. Thus far there have few reports of problems associated with Chinese dry wall in northwest Ohio and the Toledo area.

 

While complaints have been reported in 41 states, the problem is most widespread in the south and in the states of Florida, Louisiana and Florida. This is where the use of Chinese drywall was concentrated. Hot humid conditions may also contribute to the problem.

 

Unfortunately the drywall is difficult to identify. Most of the Chinese dry wall was imported between 2004 and 2007 although there have been complaints involving drywall installed as early as 2001.

 

The problems associated with Chinese drywall are currently the subject of investigations by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Congress and a number of states.

 

Schools Always Important To Home Buying and Resale

 

Watching an old episode of Friday Nights reminds us of the central role that schools play in a community.

 

The public schools are important to home buying and location decisions whether the house hunter has children or not. It is also something that should be considered by purchasers intending to use parochial or private schools.

 

For families with kids who will be attending public schools, quality is always a critical consideration. For others it is important to remember that schools are important to the quality of a community and directly contribute to or detract from property values.

 

Schools also affect property, and in some places, income taxes. This can be important to location decisions for older adults on fixed incomes or for buyer with modest incomes and no children.

 

Apart from educating kids schools often provide important amenities available to those of all ages including recreational and entertainment opportunities.

 

There is now a wealth of statistical information available on schools. A good starting point are the annual  school district ‘Report Cards’ issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

 

Toledo school districts have graded as follows:

 

Excellent With Distinction

• Sylvania
• Ottawa Hills
• Anthony Wayne Perrysburg

Excellent

• Springfield Local School District
• Washington Local School District
• Rossford

Effective

• Maumee
• Oregon

Continuous Improvement

• Toledo

 

For more detailed grade by grade information and other school systems go to http://ilrc.ode.state.oh.us or www.lucas.k12.oh.us.

Collective Purchasing Power in Sylvania Subdivision

 We often associate home owner associations (HOAs) with annual fees. Typically they enforce deed restrictions and rules regarding the appearance of yards and homes and houses in a community. They may also maintain common areas subdivision property. Sometimes associations sponsor block parties social events or organize block parties. On occasion an HOA is a long forgotten relic of the time when neighborhood was young and recently built.

 Active associations can have other very important benefits for members including securing services and discounts for members. In the Sylvania Township, for example, the Cobblestone Home Owner Association recently arranged a group discount with a waste disposal company. In addition to saving participants money discount for homeowners, the arrangement is expected reduce garbage truck traffic and noise in the Cobblestones subdivision.

 Neighborhood associations can also play an important in addressing community problems. In the Toledo area HOAs are often seen working to address traffic, safety, school, local environmental and other issues that harm home values and the quality of community life.