Gene Mundt - Let's Talk Mortgages & Real Estate!

 

    My wife's entire family is plagued by allergies and asthma issues ... so the title of this post by Inspector David Snell, "Do You Know the Difference Between Allergies and Mold Symptoms?" .. really caught my attention.

    I've seen the misery people suffering from these issues can have ... regardless of the cause.  But what if the symptoms are directly linked to Mold within your home?  What if the symptoms show-up suddenly or are re-occuring? 

    Having the information contained within Inspector David Snell's AR post could save your health and lead to addressing the issues found within your home, as well.

    Should you, or someone within your home, be experiencing any of the symptoms found here ... it's definitely worth investigating the possibility of mold growth somewhere within your home.  If in David Snell's service area (Charlotte, NC), give him a call to have a mold inspection conducted.  If elsewhere in the US, there are many fine inspectors to be found here on ActiveRain ... or locally.

 

Gene

 

 

 

• To replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb, look for a bulb that gives you about 1600 lumens. If you want something dimmer, go for less lumens; if you prefer brighter light, look for more lumens.
• Replace a 75W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 1100 lumens
• Replace a 60W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 800 lumens
• Replace a 40W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 450 lumens.
  

• Energy Saving Incandescents — about 25% energy savings
• CFLs — about 75% energy savings
• LEDs — about 75% – 80% energy savings
  

• Waste collection agencies  (Check locally)
• Local retailers  (Many of your nationwide retailers/hardware stores have recycling programs)
• Mail-back services (Kits can be purchased in a variety of ways)

                  Click here: 4 a NO Cost NO Obligation Mortgage Consultation

     With a name like  Mundt,  you gotta guess that I'm going to like a good German beer once in awhile.  Well, okay ... any good beer once in awhile ...

    

     A short while back, Maureen Bray, from Room Solutions Home Staging, Portland, OR, was kind enough to share  a blog of hers with my readers regarding inexpensive suggestions for updating and remodeling the kitchen within your home.  Maureen's helpful blog still receives many viewers each and every day on my website. 

 

I thought this information from  Michelle Gibson, Hansen Real Estate Group, South Wellington, Florida ... regarding Target's recycling efforts (and opportunity for savings) so worthy of note and re-blogging.

Who of us doesn't have a zillion of those darn pesky plastic bags collecting around our house?  Now we have another handy and convenient drop-off for them, instead of the landfill.

Great News!  Thanks Michelle!

Gene

      My wife has a friend, that as of these last few weeks ... you'd better not be found standing still around her.  If dormant even for a second, she'll clean and polish you, store you, or throw you out.         

    Every conversation Marilyn has with Lisa is peppered with the relatings of Lisa's lastest cleaning and purging adventures.  I guess that explains why the topic of storage and storage techniques was on my wife's mind when she discovered the handy-dandy website offered below.       

     While visiting one of her favorite websites, (Better Homes and Gardens - bhg.com),  Marilyn found the following  "personality quiz".        

     Being somewhat of a lover of these things anyhow, this  BHGStorage Personality Quiz  really caught her eye.  This quiz combines the topic of psychology with the art of de-cluttering.  Seems there are differing personalities regarding someone's zeal and tastes for storage and the art of de-cluttering.        

     So this got me thinking ...          

    

     If as someone hoping to sell your home, you take this test ... find out your "storage personality", and implement the information you tap ... can you make the storage, organization, and de-cluttering of your home:  

• Easier to accomplish?
• The task and outcome more psychologically appealing?
• Increase the likelihood of the sale of your home?

      Hmmmm ...  For those presently in the process of selling their homes and those considering it in the near future, there may be something of real substance to consider here!  (Stagers!  Weigh in!)  And, it might not a bad idea to consider for those of us just wanting to spruce up the homestead or make our lives more efficient either.         

      So, go to:  Better Homes and Gardens ... Storage Personality Quiz . Take the test to find out what storage techniques and solutions work best for YOU.  The  Better Homes and Gardens  site offers tips, photos, and videos that will help you accomplish your storage and de-cluttering tasks and goals ... all in a style that pleases your eye and fits your unique personality.          

      Enjoy!                         

 

      *  Just as there are many storage personalities and styles to be found, there are many mortgage programs available for consideration when buying or refinancing a home.  To find out what mortgage program suits YOU and your personal finances best, contact me at: http://www.genemundt.com/Contact-Me.html.    Together we will analyze, then work towards finding the  perfect mortgage for you.  

Gene Mundt, Professional Mortgage Banker NMLS  #216987 Chicago Bancorp -  NMLS #63483 

 

     In my previous post,  Ooooooo Baby .. It's Cold Outside.  Warm-Up by Planning Some Gardening,Part 1,  I mentioned and listed some great gardening topics and ideas to curl up with during these cold winter days in the hopes of transporting you to a much warmer frame of mind.       

     In Part 2, I continue within the same vein offering inspiration through these additional suggestions and websites so you'll flex your gardening muscles, physically and mentally.   Maybe this post will move warm weather and Spring a bit closer too, if only in your mind ...             

    

     Look no further than this site for helpful Midwest gardening "how-to's", tips, advice, photos, and more.  This handy website  covers almost any gardening topic, plant, chore, problem that you can think of or run across. Have a concern about your garden or lawn?   Definitely check this site out: http://midwestgardentips.com/sitemap.html.                   

    

     Live in a condo, townhome, rental, or just need to keep your gardening to a limited space?  Think container gardening. This site will provide instructions and tips on how to get started ... what containers to use for best results ... what plants or flowers will thrive in containers ... and how to care for them.  The site is blooming with ideas ... http://www.gardenguides.com/685-guide-container-gardening.html.       

     This website is a little gem I found.  I was looking for a site that addressed those gardeners wishing to plant more "natural" or native Midwest plants and flowers.  This is definitely it!  It's a great site chock full of Midwest information to check out for many reasons ... for those beyond gardening too.  http://naturalmidwestgarden.com.       

     Have most of your florals, trees, and plants in place already?  Looking for ideas to lift your garden to that next level? Want to give your lawn and garden more "pizzazz"?  Click on this link and find out what garden décor  will "reflect your style and personality".  Then have some fun finding those perfect items for your personal garden ...  http://www.homeworkshop.com/2010/09/07/garden-decorating-to-reflect-your-style-personality.       

     And if after all that reading and planning, you need to get out of the house, move around, and SEE the latest flowers and actual garden designs ... what better place than a Garden Show?  Here's some shows/gardens to consider visiting in the Chicagoland/Midwest area:       

     Billed as the largest event of it's type in the area, the 2011 Midwestern Herb and Garden Show, held this year on February  11, 12, and 13, at Time Square Mall in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, promises to be spectacular ... and provides you that opportunity to get out of the house and get moving and planning!             

    

     Exhibitors will be showcasing all sorts of plants, herbs, flowers, shrubs, seeds, cookbooks, birds, and gardening ideas.  Perhaps the greatest benefit of attending is the sheer beauty of knowing Spring is just around the corner.        

     Another great benefit is that exhibitors and experts are available for seminars and to answer all your gardening questions!   And oh ... it's FREE to attend the show!  Get out of town ... and enjoy. http://www.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com.             

     Another great option is the Chicago Flower and Garden Show being held at Navy Pier, March 5 - 13.  Check the link out below for further details about this amazing show and another great opportunity to see first-hand all the plans and innovative gardening ideas that are new for the upcoming gardening season.  http://www.chicagoflower.com.        

     Like scenic drives?  Consider taking a drive along the Mississippi to historic  Galena, Illinois  to attend one of the garden shows held at  Murphy's GardensGreenhouse and Garden Center located just outside of town. Free gardening classes are also available many Saturdays at this family-run nursery.   Located in therolling foothills of the Galena region,  there is a host of other activities and sights to visit while in the Galena area.  Check Murphy's out:  http://www.murphysgardens.com/murphysgardensclassesandeventschedule.html.       

     These are just a few of the many options and opportunities you have at your disposal to learn and then plan with for the upcoming spring planting season.  Hopefully this information, the sites offered, and shows mentioned (and others you may find) will assist and motivate you with your own personal plans for beautifying your property.  Please share what you find and post pics of your successes here on the "Rain" ...         

     Enjoy!      

 

*  If you'd like to PLAN and DESIGN the perfect mortgage program and credit for yourself or your client, please contact me at Chicago Bancorp,  http://www.genemundt.com/Contact-Me.html ... Cell/Text:  708.921.6331, or Email at:  gene@chicagobancorp.com.   I'll be happy to hear from you and we'll get to work landscaping your brighter financial future right away!

 

     It's the dead of winter and we're now past the excitement of the holidays.  Here in the Chicagoland area and more northern climates, we're settling into the months of more severe cold.  These cold days and nights bring blistery winds and temperatures that make us shiver ... and finds us dreaming of the warmer spring weather ahead.       

     About this point in the winter, many of us begin to check our mail and search the internet for new gardening magazines and websites showcasing inspirational gardening ideas.           

     We then hunker-down on the couch flipping through the catalogs and magazines we've received.  Computer on our lap.  Pen and paper in hand, so we can make notes off the internet regarding the latest variety of flowers and new landscaping ideas that will brighten-up our property.          

        

     Especially now with the challenging economy, many of us are searching for ways that we can:  

• (A) Save Money while landscaping and gardening  
• (B)  Improve the overall appearance of our home. 
• (C) Increase the value of our home.  

     Elevating your home's  "curb appeal"  will definitely help accomplish that.  But with money tight, professional landscaping sometimes just isn't in the cards.  With some research and knowledge, the right tools, smart plant purchases (or sharing), and hard work ... you can save yourself some money by performing landscaping upgrades and improvements on your own.        

    

     So what I've done, is a little research on my own.  It will help you get a jump on Spring.  The information and sites I offer will provide you some good reading, lots of great web surfing, and lots of gardening inspiration.  And oh yes, perhaps while you're sitting in front of your fireplace or enjoying a few warm blankets ... a few thoughts of beautifully warm weather ...          

     The following website offers some suggestions and tips as to what you can begin planning and doing right now ... so you're ready to rock come warmer weather.  Ask any true gardener, half the fun of gardening is in the planning. 

    

       Knock yourself out folks viewing and considering options within this site: It's custom-made for garden dreaming.  http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/midwest/march-tips-the-midwest/.       

       If you live in the Chicagoland area ... you may find that the soil surrounding your new home has a pretty heavy concentration of clay.  Most gardening experts will advise you to prepare and improve your soil to make it better for the flowers you wish to plant/transplant.  But that obviously can raise the cost of beautifying your property.         

     There are those flowers that will grow well even in clay soil.  Consider these 25 hearty plants in some of the areas you're hoping to spruce up and cut down on the costs of black dirt and soil preparation.  http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/best-plants-to-grow-in-clay/        

     Here's a website that will provide some inspiration and motivation.  It will help to change dreams into concrete ideas you can work with.  The information contained within this site addresses all aspects of landscaping and has loads of great pictures and garden layouts provided too.s http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/gardendecor/       

     For my fellow Illini, our very own University of Illinois' extension services are far-reaching.  The University sponsors workshops of all kinds in many locations throughout the State.        

     If adding a fresh vegetable garden to your home is in your plans for this spring, here's a University of Illinois link you'll want to check out. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/directory.cfm.   And ... if you're looking for a natural and inexpensive way to fertilize your garden soil ... think manure.  That's right!  Manure!  The U of I extension service can help you with that too!  Check this page out:  http://web.extension.illinois.edu/manurecentral.  They've got the topic covered ...       

     In Part 2 of this post ... I'll offer some more great websites, ideas, and information for you that dream of green thumbs.        

     Make sure you check it out!        

     The City of Naperville, Illinois is helping is residents to go "green" and save money through its recently enacted Home Energy Savings Program.

     Now open to all ages of Naperville homeowners (once only to 55+ residents), this new program was made available to the municipality through a Department of Energy grant in the amount of $700,000.  This grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The grant was received at a cost of zero dollars to the City.  It is one of two "green" programs offered within Naperville currently.  The other is the "Greener Business Program", available to Naperville businesses also wishing to save energy dollars.

     City inspectors perform the FREE testing within Naperville residents homes. 

     Inspectors look for utilities that may need updating or those presently running inefficiently.  Air leaks, poor insultation, and more are also discovered and identified.  It takes certified inspectors approximately 1 1/2 hours to do a whole house check.  Infrared cameras used during the inspections show homeowners exactly where their homes are leaking air and driving their energy costs up. 

     Residents receive a full report from the City of Naperville identifying what was discovered within their home during the audit in approximately two weeks time.  This report offers suggestions that will help the residents improve their home's "green" quotient.  The report also includes a analysis of savings expected if homeowners follow the suggestions for improvements and upgrades within their home.

    

     Homeowners receiving this audit can receive reimbursement for the costs of the improvements they  make, up to 50% ... with a maximum $1500 limit.  "Green" improvements can include major items such as new heating, A/C, insulation, and windows down to small improvements such as incandescent light bulbs.

    

     Presently the city's inspection teams are booked solid until June.  The City of Naperville has decided to continue to give out audits until the entire funding from this program is depleted even though the original maximum of 350 slots/requests have been filled.  A waiting-list has been enacted for those residents wishing to still take part in this program.  

    Be aware that the $1500 reimbursement benefit is not in effect on any audits performed after the 350 original slots.  The city is strongly recommending that its residents still have an inspection done though.  They believe the energy audit and the resulting energy savings reaped with improvements made within their homes will prove beneficial to all taking part.

    To meet the necessary requirements for this free energy audit, the residential property must lie within the City of Naperville limits and been built before the year of 1980.  

     For further information regarding this beneficial "green" offer and possible monetary reimbursements for energy improvements, contact the City of Naperville by calling (630) 420-6077 and refer to the Home Energy Savings Program.  The City can also be reached through their website at:  www.naperville.il.us/hesp.aspx.