How to clean your gas fireplace glass doors

Unfortunately, it is that time of year again here in Minnesota when we have to start getting ready for the cold weather – if we haven’t already. With that being said, many of us have fireplaces that we haven’t used for 6 – 8 months, so here are some steps to bring back the sparkling appearance of your fireplace. Plus cleaning your fireplace glass periodically will help prevent the deposits from building up to the point of more costly repairs.

The process to clean gas fireplace glass is not the same as for cleaning the glass of a wood-burning fireplace so be sure to check your warranty, and do not use any product which would void the warranty. Cleaning a fireplace glass door is not a difficult task but if done incorrectly can ruin your enclosure.

Here are some simple steps to clean gas fireplace glass:

1. Shut off the gas to your fireplace. This will keep you safe, as you clean your fireplace.
2. Prepare a place to clean the fireplace glass that is large enough for the entire glass panel to lie flat, while using several towels for the glass panel to be set on.
3. Remove the fireplace glass, following the instructions of the fireplace manual. (Don’t attempt to remove the fireplace glass when it is hot or warm).
4. Clean your glass fireplace glass using non-ammonia, non-abrasive glass cleaner. Spray the glass cleaner onto the fireplace glass and wipe with a paper towel or soft cloth. (Be sure to read your manual, to see any specific instructions on how to clean your fireplace).
5. With the fireplace glass panel removed, take the opportunity to clean the inside of the fireplace if needed.
6. Now that you have cleaned your fireplace glass, align the glass panel with the correct side facing in and reinstall your glass assembly. After the glass panel is attached, this is an opportunity to clean the outside of the fireplace glass.
7. Make sure you remember to turn the gas back on.

Make sure that you follow the instructions in the fireplace manual and take your time through this process. Cracked, chipped, or broken glass will need to be replaced, and this would certainly cost more than being cautious while cleaning the glass.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

Obama Signs Extended Tax Credit into Law

Expected to contribute approximately $22 billion to the economy, Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan measure this week extending the $8,000 home buyer tax credit to April 30, 2010.

The legislation, which is part of a larger bill that also extends unemployment benefits, was signed into law by President Obama today.

More people are now eligible to take advantage of the law, which includes a $6,500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years.

Income limits for eligible home buyers were also expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples. Qualifying home prices are capped at $800,000.

NAR's Government Affairs Division has compiled facts on the changes made to the current tax credit. NAR members sent more than 500,000 letters to leaders in Congress and made nearly 13,000 telephone calls to Senate offices last weekend to encourage support. So far this year, REALTORS® have spent nearly $14 million lobbying Congress, according to federal campaign finance records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican and a former member of NAR, was key in extending the credit, as well as pushing it through initially. Other prominent boosters include the National Association of Homebuilders and the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Listen to NAR President Charles McMillan's podcast announcement.

NAR economists estimate that approximately 2 million people will take advantage of the tax credit this year.

Sources: NAR and The Associated Press, Julie Hirschfeld Davis (11/06/2009)

Settlers Glen Townhomes

Settlers Glen Townhomes for sale now in Stillwater, MN offer a wide variety of options for first time home buyers and move down buyers. For instance, the current inventory in Settlers Glen include:

• Two bedrooms from the mid 120s to the high 150s
• Three bedrooms from the low 120s to high 150s.

One of the best parts about Settlers Glen is the fact it is located in the quaint river town of Stillwater, Minnesota. The neighborhood is one of Orrin Thompson's premier neighborhoods built on Stillwater's history with the homes and townhomes designed to compliment the city's architecture and enhancing the owners' lifestyle. The result is an exciting combination of old and new, which is an attractive choice in the historic atmosphere of Stillwater. The neighborhood is conveniently located just a few minutes from the historic downtown district, Settlers Glen offers the very best in small town living. Close by you will find every modern convenience and recreational opportunity including schools, shopping, dining, golfing, and boating to name just a few.

While there are single family houses in Settlers Glen, most find that a townhome will suit their needs quite nicely and that it's actually more affordable than you would think. With the first time home buyer's tax credit and FHA financing, it may now be more affordable to buy your own townhome than renting in Settlers Glen.

Take some time to think about it...

Would you rather be paying $1,250.00 a month to rent a two bedroom townhome in Settlers Glen where you're basically throwing money away every month?

Or

Would you rather be paying $1,100.00 a month for your OWN two bedroom townhome in SETTLERS GLEN? (Based on 149,900 list price, 3.5% down, and 5.5% APR, including property taxes and association dues)

I know, it may seem like I'm just trying to get a phone call with these prices, but take a look for yourself and see what townhomes are available in Settlers Glen by searching my website at: www.SettlersGlenLodges.com

If you have any questions and would like to speak with a Realtor that not only lives in the area, but also specializes in the area. Then please free to contact me anytime.

Have a great one and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Real Estate Market in Review - November 3, 2009

Did you get all your screams out over the Halloween weekend? Well here's a scary thought to keep you in the Halloween spirit: we're running out of homes to sell in the lower price ranges!

For the week ending October 24, there were 926 signed purchase agreements, up a monstrous 53.8 percent from a year ago. Over the last three months, sales of homes under $250,000 are up 40.0 percent from the same period during 2008, while sales above that watermark have dipped by 0.3 percent. As a result, compared to a year ago the inventory of available homes below $250,000 has dropped by over 5,300 units.

With the possibility of the federal tax credit for first-time buyers being extended and expanded, there may be significant shortages of inventory for buyers looking in those price ranges as 2010 begins.

Active Listings
Inventory as of: 11/2/2009

• Current Inventory: 23,060
• One Year Ago: 29,490
• One Year Change: -21.8%

New Listings
For the Week Ending: 10/24/2009

• Current Activity: 1,430
• One Year Ago: 1,558
• One Year Change: -8.2%

Pending Sales
For the Week Ending: 10/24/2009

• Current Activity: 926
• One Year Ago: 602
• One Year Change: +53.8%

Month Supply of Inventory

• October 2009: 6.6 Months
• October 2008: 9.5 Months
• Percent Change: -30.5%

Supply-Demand Ratio: November 2009 - 7.69 houses for sale per buyer

*Data collected from the Regional Multiple Listings Service, for residential properties in the 13 county region exclusively.

Nine Banks Fail in One Day

On Friday October 30, 2009 there were nine banks that failed, making it the largest number of bank failures in one day in US history.

Here is the the list of banks that failed:

• North Houston Bank; Houston, TX
• Madisonville State Bank; Madisonville, TX
• Citizens National Bank; Teague, TX
• Park National Bank; Chicago, IL
• Pacific National Bank; San Francisco, CA
• California National Bank; Los Angeles, CA
• San Diego National Bank; San Diego, CA
• Community Bank of Lemont; Lemont, IL
• Bank USA, N.A.; Phoenix, AZ

That brings the total of bank failures for 2009 to an incredible 115. Compared to previous years: In 2008 there were 26, in 2007 there were 3, and in 2006 and 2005 there were none.

Stats from: http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html