Real Estate Guide September 2010

2 - Roanoke-Chowan Real Estate Guide

Roanoke-Chowan Real Estate Guide - 3




(MS) -- Procrastinators, beware.

The federal energy tax credit that

allows homeowners to qualify for

up to $1,500 in tax credit savings

when replacing old windows

expires on December 31, 2010.

However, the day-to-day savings

you get from replacing older win-

dows will last for years to come.

"Adding energy-efficient

replacement windows to a home

immediately helps lower everyday

energy bills and increases a home's

long-term value and comfort," says

Tom Kraeutler, host of the national

home improvement radio show,

The Money Pit. "There simply is no

better time to take advantage of the

government's incentives to replace

your worn-out windows."

Kraeutler notes that fast-acting

homeowners can also receive up to

$150 toward preparation of their

2010 personal income tax return

with H&R Block(R) when they

purchase 12 or more qualifying

energy-efficient Simonton win-

dows before the end of 2010.

"Homeowners can reduce their

energy bills, qualify for up to

$1,500 in federal energy tax credit

with the company's Energy Tax

Credit (ETC) glass packages and

get up to $150 toward tax prepara-

tion fees when making the decision

to invest now in qualifying replace-

ment windows," says Kraeutler.

"Those are three really good rea-

sons to get this project done now."

When to Replace Windows

A former professional contractor,

Kraeutler offers weekly advice to

homeowners nationwide on home

improvement projects. Deciding

when to replace windows is a key

topic covered on his show.

"Products in the home have a dis-

tinct lifespan," says Kraeutler.

"After 10 years, windows should be

monitored yearly to ensure their

performance is holding up.

"When a window stops operating

correctly, then it's time to invest in

new windows. Vinyl windows and

doors specified with a LoE glass

package are a viable 'green' option

offering several distinct advantages.

They include exceptional thermal

performance, durable recyclable

vinyl, low maintenance, and aes-

thetic appeal -- all adding comfort,

beauty and energy efficiency to a

home."

For a free replacement window

guidebook from The Money Pit,

download http://www.myhome-

mymoneypit.com/your-guide-to-

replacing-the-windows-in-your-

house.php. FH109854

Energy Savings That Won't Expire

The homeowners of this energy-

efficient bay window gained a tax

credit from the federal government,

financial assistance with preparing

their taxes and lower energy bills.


















(MS) -- If your asphalt shin-

gles are curling or your wooden

cedar shake shingles have rot-

ted out, it's time to look for a

new roof. This major home

improvement investment

requires research and an under-

standing of roofing material

options to make the best selec-

tion for your home.

"There's only one type of

roof I know of that is backed by

a 50-year warranty and helps

you save on homeowner's

insurance, and that's synthetic

slate and shake roofing tiles,"

says Mark Clement, host of

MyFixItUpLife.com radio

show and website. "My own

home is 100+ years old, so

when it was time to replace our

shingles, I researched every

option available.

"The DaVinci slate roofing

tiles I installed look better than

natural slate tiles. The look is

so realistic that people pass by

and can't tell the difference

between them and real slate.

They always bet me that these

are real slate shingles. I come

up a winner every time with

these eco-friendly roofing

tiles."

As Clement discovered, syn-

thetic roofing tiles have many

advantages over asphalt shin-

gles, cement tiles and even real

slate. "I appreciate the thick-

ness and realistic look of the

synthetic classic slate for our

home's style, but I could just

have easily chosen the

Bellaforte snap-fit synthetic

slate," says Clement. "Both are

made from 100 percent pure

resins and have colors and pig-

ments infused throughout each

tile. The idea that I could get a

custom color to match my exte-

rior really got my attention."

While the professional con-

tractor chose to install synthet-

ic slate tiles, the cedar shake

style also caught his attention.

"Testing shows that DaVinci

shake roofing tiles last two to

four times longer than real

cedar shakes," says Clement.

"They offer superior impact

performance and maintain fire

resistance over the entire prod-

uct life cycle as opposed to

their wood counterparts. Given

that type of protection for the

home, I can't see why anyone

would select a real wood prod-

uct that is subject to damaging

weather conditions, insects and

rot."

The recyclable synthetic

roofing tiles are environmental-

ly-friendly and can be request-

ed in EcoBlend colors that

actually help make the home

more energy efficient. The

award-winning EcoBlend prod-

ucts have been rated by the

Cool Roof Rating Council

(CRRC) to reflect sunlight and

heat away from the home.

For more information, visit

www.davinciroofscapes.com or

w w w. m y f i x i t u p l i f e . c o m .

FH109856

Invest in Your Roof

Contractor Mark Clement

installs synthetic slate roofing

on his 100+ year old home.


Documents

Real Estate Guide September 2010