Guidelines are set to be issued from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how homeowners with Chinese drywall may access federal dollars to remedy their predicament. This information is courtesy of a letter received by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

While in Florida, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan suggested federal funding could be offered to homeowners through the Community Development Block Grant program. This program was created to assist low-income households or communities affected by natural disasters.

Homeowners stung by the defective drywall fiasco who have tried applying for these grants have been less than successful. Often applicants’ homes don’t meet the criteria of low-income housing and the acrid drywall doesn’t fit neatly into the “natural disaster” category. Secretary Donovan feels there’s a way to remedy the impasse.

In his letter to Sen. Nelson, Donovan wrote, “The guidance will provide details about the eligible activities relating to drywall remediation, and the ways in which (block grant) funds can be used to benefit families with various income levels. It is my expectation that this guidance will be valuable in helping affected communities and homeowners determine how best to respond to this set of issues.”

Perhaps this is the beginning of the long awaited help needed by homeowners held hostage by Chinese drywall.

Posted by Sharon Walker

The city of Greenville - located in Pitt County, North Carolina - is home to First Presbyterian Church. Shepherded by Pastor Bill Neely, the congregation is making Christmas a little brighter for the Habitat for Humanity homeowners in the county.

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Last week Lowe’s, the nationwide home improvement company, announced that it is now stocking and selling home solar panels in 21 of its California stores. Lowe’s plans to make the panels available across the country starting next year.

Akeena Solar, Inc. is the manufacturer of the panels. Their system was designed with the do-it-yourselfer in mind. CEO Barry Cinnamon said, “It’s really not a big deal. The most dangerous thing is learning about ladder safety.”  

Producing AC power, panels plug directly into a home’s circuit breaker. In daylight hours they perform like a large battery, distributing energy through the breaker to the home’s appliances. At night or on overcast days, homeowners would need to draw electrical energy from the grid.

Approval of installation is necessary from your municipal utility company. Each Lowe’s store provides an information station to assist homeowners with questions concerning their energy needs and about Akeena’s products.

The panels are priced at $893 each. Weighing in at 40 pounds per panel, the system is set up for installation of one panel at a time. Additional panels can be snapped on to the first, “kind of like Legos.”

To learn more about Akeena residential solar panels, visit their web site.

TALK BACK: Would you consider installing DYI solar panels on your home? Why or why not? Post your comments below.

Posted by Sharon Walker

It’s the time of year when people open their hearts and wallets to help others. Unfortunately, it’s also the time when burglars “help themselves” to other people’s possessions.

You’ve spent time choosing just the right gift for each person on your list. There may be fewer gifts under your tree due to budget constraints, but you’ve worked hard to earn the money to purchase presents for those you hold dear.

Here are a few suggestions for protecting your purchases and property:

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The average family spends $2,200 per year in electric bills and the average home is responsible for twice the amount of greenhouse gases than the average automobile.

Whether you want to save money or save the environment, this 5-minute piece from the NBC Today Show shows you that just by being aware of your energy consumption, you can reduce it by up to 15 percent.

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The saying goes, “Home is where the heart is.” If that’s true, then size doesn’t really matter when it comes to living quarters. That is indeed the case for Zaarath and Christopher Prokop. They live in the smallest apartment in NYC, a mere 175 square feet, along with their 2 cats.

Labeled a “microstudio,” the couple purchased their apartment for $150,000 just 3 months ago. It measures not quite 15 feet in length and 10 feet wide. It houses a tiny kitchen with a mini fridge and a hotplate. The bathroom with a shower, sink and a toilet is about 3 by 9 feet. Basically a two-room flat, the Prokop’s queen-sized bed occupies about a third of their entire living space.

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It’s already hit the Plains with a vengeance, and those of us living in the Midwest are bracing ourselves for its arrival. I’m talking about the first snowstorm of the season, and this one is a doozy. We know one is coming every year and yet it seems so many of us are surprised or caught unaware. Perhaps because we had such a mild November this year, we were hoping Mother Nature would forget all about ushering in winter.

Alas, she’s got a mind like a steel trap.

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Last June I wrote about a Vietnam veteran living in Texas who was having difficulty with his Homeowners Association (HOA) due to the military decals he had on his vehicle. The decals were considered “advertisement,” which are prohibited by the HOA’s rules. Mr. Larison commented on our blog that the whole issue was so disturbing that it was affecting his health.

Fast forward to the present. Another veteran faces a battle with his HOA - over a flag pole.

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Those of us living north of the Mason-Dixon Line have wrapped up the outdoor care of our lawns and gardens. The last of the fall leaves have been raked, rose bushes have been covered and both the lawn mower and garden hose have been drained. We’ve battened-down-the-hatches, ready to experience winter’s sweet repose until the sign of the first crocus.

However, if you are trying to sell your home during this festive time of year, bear in mind you will need to continue to focus on its outward appearance.

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This time of year, people are more likely to open their hearts and wallets to help others in dire straits. High unemployment rates and homeowners struggling to avoid foreclosure have beefed up the number of folks reaching out for some type of assistance.

Sometimes that help comes from unexpected places.

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