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Why It’s So Important to Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Air filters are a central, but often under-appreciated part of a central HVAC system. They don’t just filter out bits of pollen and dust that would otherwise circulate through the home and lower indoor air quality. They also provide a first line of defense against larger objects such as bits of loose insulation being pulled into the system where they could cause damage or present a fire risk. But if you don’t change your air filter regularly, it can turn against you. Clogged air filters are the number one cause of HVAC system failure.

All the air handled by the HVAC system passes through the air filter at one point or another. As the filter catches more and more of the natural particulate pollution of your home – dust, mold and fungal spores, pet dander, fabric fibers, etc. – the fine mesh through which air passes becomes denser. This means that if you don’t change your air filter regularly, air can’t pass through as readily.

Effects of a Dirty Air Filter

  • The blower fan in the HVAC system has to work harder to push air. When it’s working harder, it’s drawing more energy, leading to higher bills. It’s also more likely to wear out from the strain.
  • The difficulty in moving air means that your living areas may not get all the air they need. This means poor home comfort for you, and the temperature sensors which regulate when the HVAC system turns on and off might not ever register the temperature needed to signal the system to power down. That’s another source of expense, which puts more strain on the fan motor.
  • Because the heated or cooled air can’t travel out of the furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner as easily, the system runs the risk of overheating or freezing up. You’ll be paying the same amount of energy or using the same amount of gas or oil, but there will be no commensurate change in indoor temperature.
  • The additional material on the air filter itself can provide a space for moisture to gather, encouraging the growth of mold or bacteria colonies. Not only do these form an even stronger barrier to circulating air, but if they colonize the wrong side of the filter, they can begin to introduce more pollutants and allergens into the indoor air. And if they get into the HVAC system and form colonies there, it could spell a lot of trouble for the entire system.
  • Because air doesn’t circulate as quickly, particulates can settle in ducts and on household surfaces when they’d usually be carried into the system and filtered. It’s a lot simpler to change your air filter than it is to schedule a duct cleaning, but dirty ducts can result in an ongoing drain to your system efficiency and a long-term source of pollutants in your air supply.

When to Change Your Air Filter

It’s best to change your air filter every month, especially if you have pets or live in a high-pollen area. Air filters are generally inexpensive, and changing your air filter is a simple task that doesn’t require a professional hand. In most cases, you should simply be able to slide the old filter out and slide a new one in.

What’s That Smell?

The Renter’s Guide to a Clean Garbage Disposal

Keeping your garbage disposal clean

Never underestimate the handiness of a garbage disposal. If you’re lucky enough to have one in your rental home then you know how convenient it is to wash away small food particles into the sink knowing that they will be obliterated by the garbage disposal rather than end up clogging the home’s pipes.

As a renter you shouldn’t take your garbage disposal for granted. Your appliance needs care to continue working as intended. Trust me –a simple machine clean here and there is far better than the alternative: a garbage disposal obstructed by a greasy ball of food remnants, stinky water sitting in your sink, an appointment with the plumber to remedy the issue, and a potential charge to you, the renter, should the plumber find that the garbage disposal blockage was caused by a large piece of raw chicken breast.

Don’t laugh. That imagery was drawn from a real life example.

Avoid those hassles by following a few simple steps to keep your garbage disposal clean and in good working order. Here are the top four tips from the experts in the Provident Partners Maintenance Department:

1. DO NOT put large pieces of food down the garbage disposal. Many people (read: my mom) will suggest that you cut up a lemon and grind a piece in the garbage disposal to fill your kitchen with the scent of fresh citrus. I do NOT recommend this practice. The garbage disposal is intended to pulverize left behind food scraps. Rinsing out your cereal bowl? Have a few wayward chopped onions on your plate that fell off your Chicago dog? Your garbage disposal is equipped to handle these types of food waste. It is not for actual hunks of food –citrus included. If you are chasing that fresh lemony scent I’d suggest throwing a few small pieces of lemon peel down the drain with the garbage disposal running.

2. DO NOT put grease down the garbage disposal. Of course there will be times that you need to wash a greasy dish or pan. I am by no means advocating that you cut bacon out of your diet. But once you’ve fried up your breakfast you should not dispose of the grease by pouring it down the kitchen sink drain. Grease will accumulate and impede the garbage disposal’s grinding ability. Instead, pour your grease into a closed container (old coffee cans are great for this), wrap that up tightly in a plastic grocery bag, and toss it in the trash.

3. DO give the garbage disposal a quick cleanse each day after you finish cleaning the dishes. Throw a good amount of ice down the drain, turn on the cold water tap and run the garbage disposal for at least 30 full seconds. For extra grease-fighting power put some rock salt on top of the ice.

4. DO give the garbage disposal a deep-cleaning at least once a month. I do NOT recommend Draino to clean the garbage disposal and kitchen pipes. The abrasive chemicals in this product can cause burns if it touches your skin and explosions if it reacts with other substances that may be in your pipes. A baking soda and vinegar rinse is safer, more natural, and more cost effective. Sprinkle a half cup of baking soda down the disposal, then add one cup of white vinegar. Quickly cover the drain with the black rubber sink stopper. The fizzy mixture will help to clean the disposal and push grime down the pipes. Let the baking soda mixture sit for a few minutes and then turn the hot water tap on for a few minutes.

If you keep up on these four steps your garbage disposal will remain clean and useful! If you’re a Provident Partners tenant with a clogged disposal please reach out to your Maintenance Coordinator at (480) 314-1414.

How Will Tax Reform Impact the Real Estate Industry?

A post from our Loan Officer, Dorothy Chiappe, who has over 30 years experience in the industry. 

Friends and Clients —

Have you heard the news? The new administration is looking to revamp the tax code — in a way that affects the long-standing mortgage interest deduction (MID).

Some people have concerns that this might negatively impact home sales and drive down home values. I believe these updates to the new tax code will do just the opposite.

Allow me to give you a bit of background. Under the current system, you have the option to include the interest you pay on your mortgage in your itemized tax deductions. Should the itemized tax deductions turn out to be greater than your standard deduction, you will save more on your taxes.

Currently about 20% of homeowners who have a mortgage take advantage of the MID which leads to an average savings of $2,000 in taxes. Under the proposed new tax plan, the standard tax deduction would almost double. For example, the standard deduction for a married couple would go from $12,600 to $24,000. If this happens, an estimated 84% of people who are currently opting to itemize taxes would simply go for the standard deduction. This is the part that has some people worried. After all, if people don’t take advantage of the MID, won’t this decrease the value of owning a home?

Here are two reasons why that won’t happen:

First, most people do NOT buy a home in order to save on taxes. The National Housing Survey confirms this fact. The top reasons why people buy a home include wanting to find a good place to raise children, owning a physical structure where you and your family feel safe, allowing for more space for your family, and gaining the right to make renovations to your living space…

…but there’s no mention of saving on taxes. The seasoned Realtors at Provident Partners agree. Clients aren’t buying homes for a tax break.

Second, overall taxes will actually be lower under the proposed new plan. Traditional estimates of the impact of the MID assume other taxes would stay the same. If this is the case, and the deduction goes away, home prices could indeed suffer to an extent. However, under the proposed new plan, the tax burden will be lessened in total.

Instead of losing money due to not claiming the MID, people will be gaining money by having to pay less in taxes altogether. With more disposable income, people will have an expanded budget and will likely spend more on a home. This will drive up sales as well as prices.

The fact is, current home prices around Phoenix keep increasing — not because of tax breaks, but because of tight supply.

The market is getting stronger and the best time to buy is NOW. Give me a call at (480) 314-1414 if you are ready to make your move.

Your Arizona Licensed Loan Officer,

Dorothy Chiappe

We’re Not (Credit) Worthy!

4 Things Future Homebuyers Need to Know About Raising Their Credit

new-were-not-(credit)-worthyAre you considering purchasing a home in the near future? Then now is the time to beef up that credit score! Your credit score plays a crucial role in getting a home loan. All lenders have specific rules governing who gets a loan and what their interest rates will be – and they all place a strong emphasis on your credit score. Here are some tips to make improvements:

1. Pay all your bills on time, every time. Delinquent payments can have a negative impact on your scores even if they’re only a few days late. You can pay off the collection fees but they will remain on your financial record for seven years!

2. Keep your credit card balances low. High outstanding debt hurts your credit score. You should use no more than 30% of your credit limit on each card at any given time, but for best results try to aim even lower.

3. Don’t open new accounts unless absolutely necessary. If a higher credit score is what you seek it is far more effective to pay off your debts than to open a new account and transfer the debt. Don’t let the promise of a new card with no transfer fees fool you! Opening a new account will negatively impact your credit score in the short term.

4. Make a payment plan to stay on schedule for regular payments. Ultimately, you want to cut down costs. Repairing your credit in the long term requires learning how to manage credit responsibly over time.

Improving your credit score is more about repairing past mistakes and learning how to maintain good, consistent credit. Follow these tips with patience and discipline and you WILL see an improvement.

 

For any questions on your credit score, applying for a loan, or the finer points of the mortgage process, please reach out to our talented Loan Officers at (480) 314-1414.

7 Reasons to Buy Instead of Rent

7 Reasons to Buy Instead of Rent

own-rent“Buy a home! Buy a home!” Like most first-time home buyers you’ve heard this advice more than once, from friends, family members, and even coworkers. You may be wondering…Is buying a home the right decision for you? It’s okay to have your doubts, so take a deep breath and relax. The more you know about the benefits of purchasing your own home the less scary the decision will seem. Here are 7 important reasons why you should take the leap and buy a home.

  1. Tax breaks for homeowners – U.S. Tax Code allows homeowners to deduct the following: interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and several closings costs involved in buying a home.
  1. Appreciation – Over the long term most home values will see a rise values. The appreciation of a home will increase depending on several factors. Location is important for access to services like schools, businesses, hospitals, etc. Other economic factors, such as the overall growth of your city, contribute as well. When your home increases in value it means a bigger investment return when you are ready to sell.
  1. Equity – Paying rent means giving money to your landlord for the privilege of staying in their home. You won’t see that cash again. When you pay your mortgage you’re investing money into your future by building equity. You can borrow against this equity for a variety of reasons including home improvements, paying for school for your kids, medical reasons, or starting your own business.
  1. Savings – Building equity is akin to putting money into a savings plan. When you sell your home you can take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
  1. Predictability – Rent rates have been rising steadily for the past few years. Fixed mortgage payments stay the same. In the long-term your mortgage payment may end up being far less than a rent payment would be for the same property.
  1. Freedom – You own the home and can do as you please! You have unlimited options when it comes to landscaping, home decorating, and more. Plus, any money you spend on your home adds value to your investment.
  1. Low Interest Rates – Interest rates are at a historic low. If you buy soon you could get a loan with a great interest rate, which means a more affordable monthly house payment. Now is a great time to get your foot on the first rung of the home ownership ladder.

If you have any questions or would like to go into further details about the process of purchasing a home, Provident Partners is your one-stop shop. Give us a call at 480.314.1414 and speak to one of our real estate agents or mortgage specialists today!