4 Easy Ways to Save Energy This Summer

Fast Ways to Stop Energy Drains This Summer

Just because the temperatures are soaring doesn't mean your energy bills should. Here are some handy tips on how to curb your energy use.

Install a ceiling fan. Yes, it's old school, but a well-placed ceiling fan creates a "wind-chill effect" that lets you raise the thermostat four degrees without a drop in your comfort level. Find out where to install your fan and how big you need to go to make a difference here.

Change your air filter. A dirty filter makes your air conditioner work harder. And the simple act of replacing it can lower your system's energy consumption by up to 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Change the filter at least every three months, but check it monthly. If it looks dirty, swap it out.

Switch out your bulbs. Those pear-shaped bulbs are costing you money. But replacing the five most-used incandescents in your house can save you $75 a year if you pick Energy Star-rated alternatives. Here's a guide to your choices.

Stop energy drains. Your house is full of electronics that still consume energy even when they're not in use. How to curb these "energy vampires"? Unplug phone chargers when they're not in use. Set computers to sleep mode. Plug in groups of electronics (like your TV, game console and cable box) into a power strip that you can turn off, or go with a smart power strip that monitors use and does the job for you.

These are all relatively simple measures that can pay you back with cool savings during hot summer days.

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Problem viewing email? View online version. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe from our list. Brett Mills World Famous Mortgage Broker NMLS #120484 BrettMills@CFSonline.biz Phone: (619) 644-8344 Mobile: (619) 504-7108 Look me up on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! I look forward to connecting with you through social media! Brett Mills Fast Ways to Stop Energy Drains This Summer Just because the temperatures are soaring doesn't mean your energy bills should. Here are some handy tips on how to curb your energy use. Install a ceiling fan. Yes, it's old school, but a well-placed ceiling fan creates a "wind-chill effect" that lets you raise the thermostat four degrees without a drop in your comfort level. Find out where to install your fan and how big you need to go to make a difference here. Change your air filter. A dirty filter makes your air conditioner work harder. And the simple act of replacing it can lower your system's energy consumption by up to 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Change the filter at least every three months, but check it monthly. If it looks dirty, swap it out. Switch out your bulbs. Those pear-shaped bulbs are costing you money. But replacing the five most-used incandescents in your house can save you $75 a year if you pick Energy Star-rated alternatives. Here's a guide to your choices. Stop energy drains. Your house is full of electronics that still consume energy even when they're not in use. How to curb these "energy vampires"? Unplug phone chargers when they're not in use. Set computers to sleep mode. Plug in groups of electronics (like your TV, game console and cable box) into a power strip that you can turn off, or go with a smart power strip that monitors use and does the job for you. These are all relatively simple measures that can pay you back with cool savings during hot summer days. Casa Financial Services, Inc NMLS #120281 9560 Cuyamaca Street #101 Santee, CA 92071 Designed and Delivered by OutboundEngine, Inc

4 Tips for Buying an Investment Property

Tips for Finding the Right Rental Property

If you like the idea of investing in something you can touch and feel, buying a rental property can be an attractive option. The key, experts say, is purchasing the right place up front. Here are some tips on locating a good rental and sizing it up.

Buy in a desirable location. Good schools, low crime rates and nearby amenities like parks and shopping all matter in a real estate search. Some experts suggest limiting your search to properties near your home (say, a 20-minute drive) so you can keep ties with tenants and respond quickly in case of emergencies. Wherever you search, look into local vacancy rates and rental prices for comparable properties, and ask whether any new apartment buildings are in the works.

Consider landlord laws. Being a landlord means being up to speed on all applicable laws, from federal fair housing laws to local ordinances that may dictate regulations like minimum square footage or ceiling height for bedrooms. If you're buying into an association, consider those rules as well. Many condos, for instance, cap the number of units that can be rented at any given time.

Total your expenses. Think beyond the mortgage. Tally up real estate taxes, association fees, the cost of finding tenants, and your insurance and maintenance outlays. Save about one to three percent of the value of your rental property for upkeep each year. The goal, of course, is finding a property where the rent exceeds your costs, but you'll still need a plan for carrying the expenses yourself in the event of a vacancy.

Inspect the property. If you're the DIY type, then by all means, consider a fixer-upper. Otherwise, look for a newer or recently renovated property that won't take too much effort to maintain. A home inspector can help identify structural or safety issues and may help you assess the condition of related factors too -- for instance, when the condo unit is in great shape, but the building roof needs repair. A detailed inspection can save you an extra outlay of cash down the road.

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Problem viewing email? View online version. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe from our list. Brett Mills World Famous Mortgage Broker NMLS #120484 BrettMills@CFSonline.biz Phone: (619) 644-8344 Mobile: (619) 504-7108 Look me up on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! I look forward to connecting with you through social media! Brett Mills Tips for Finding the Right Rental Property If you like the idea of investing in something you can touch and feel, buying a rental property can be an attractive option. The key, experts say, is purchasing the right place up front. Here are some tips on locating a good rental and sizing it up. Buy in a desirable location. Good schools, low crime rates and nearby amenities like parks and shopping all matter in a real estate search. Some experts suggest limiting your search to properties near your home (say, a 20-minute drive) so you can keep ties with tenants and respond quickly in case of emergencies. Wherever you search, look into local vacancy rates and rental prices for comparable properties, and ask whether any new apartment buildings are in the works. Consider landlord laws. Being a landlord means being up to speed on all applicable laws, from federal fair housing laws to local ordinances that may dictate regulations like minimum square footage or ceiling height for bedrooms. If you're buying into an association, consider those rules as well. Many condos, for instance, cap the number of units that can be rented at any given time. Total your expenses. Think beyond the mortgage. Tally up real estate taxes, association fees, the cost of finding tenants, and your insurance and maintenance outlays. Save about one to three percent of the value of your rental property for upkeep each year. The goal, of course, is finding a property where the rent exceeds your costs, but you'll still need a plan for carrying the expenses yourself in the event of a vacancy. Inspect the property. If you're the DIY type, then by all means, consider a fixer-upper. Otherwise, look for a newer or recently renovated property that won't take too much effort to maintain. A home inspector can help identify structural or safety issues and may help you assess the condition of related factors too -- for instance, when the condo unit is in great shape, but the building roof needs repair. A detailed inspection can save you an extra outlay of cash down the road. Casa Financial Services, Inc NMLS #120281 9560 Cuyamaca Street #101 Santee, CA 92071 Designed and Delivered by OutboundEngine, Inc