Tim Houk

CHECKLIST FOR
MAINTAINING YOUR HOME

MONTHLY
Implement a regular inspection program of home
maintenance to help prevent major repairs and to
protect your home’s value. Remember to disconnect
the power source of any electrical or gas
system before inspecting, cleaning, or repairing
it.
Use the following checklist to help you during an
inspection.

Drain 2 gallons of water from water heater to
remove sediment from the bottom of tank.

Replace carbon cartridge of water filter
(point-of-service, activated carbon unit).

Test smoke alarms with a smoke source
(lit cigarette or cotton cord) held 3 inches
from unit. To reduce alarm time during test,
blow into the unit to clear the smoke.

Inspect fire extinguisher:

• Check indicator on pressure gauge to

make certain extinguisher is charged.

• Be sure lock pin is intact and firmly in

place.

• Check discharge nozzle to be sure it is

not clogged.

• Clean extinguisher and check for

dents, scratches, and corrosion.

During heating season, inspect the chimney
for creosote buildup. Clean with chimney
brushes or scrapers to remove the creosote.

Clean stovepipe between the stove and
the chimney. Check stovepipe for corrosion and
holes, and replace if necessary.

Vacuum electric elements on baseboards.

Inspect plates or pads in humidifier, and clean
with a strong laundry detergent.
Rinse, then scrape mineral deposits with a wire
brush or steel wool.

Clean forced hot-air heating and/or cooling
system’s air filter to prevent airborne dirt from
circulating throughout house. (If metal, remove
and wash. If disposable, vacuum once, then
replace.)

During summer use, clean room air-conditioner
filters:

• Wash in mild detergent and water,

rinse, and dry thoroughly (if permanent).

• Replace the filter if it is disposable.

Check the circuit breakers and fuses. Call an
electrician if fuses blow or circuit breakers trip
frequently.
SPRING

If you have an attic fan:

• Remove leaves and clean debris from louvers

and louver pivots.

• Clean fan blades.

• Lubricate motor and pulley bearings with a

drop of oil on each pivot and oil port.

• Check drive belt and replace if sides are glazed

smooth and slippery.

• Check belt tension (should deflect 1/2 of an inch

when pressed in middle). Replace belt if
necessary.

Gas Heater-Shut off, then check exhaust vent
and air-shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean
the burner of lint and dirt and vacuum air passages
to burner.

Inspect the heating system’s fan belt for frayed or
worn spots, and check tension (should give about
3/4 of an inch). Keep a spare belt on hand.

Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.
(Use wire snake for elbows.)

Check gutter and downspout alignment to be
sure rainwater is collected properly and drains
away from house. Be sure mountings are secure.

Spot paint worn areas on gutters and downspouts.
Repair or caulk holes. Replace any sections that
have holes or excessive rust.

Check latches and pivots on storm windows for
loose connections or signs of wear. Replace
loose or worn parts.

Make sure “weep hole” at bottom of metal
windows is clear.

Refill water softener (ionization type) with salts
(available from dealer).

Manually open safety valve (temperaturepressure-
relief valve) at top of hot water tank to
test operation; wear gloves, and use a bucket to
catchwater as it comes out. Be sure the valve
returns to its original position.

Inspect grading around house to be sure water
drains away from the house on all sides.

Check inside and outside foundation walls and
piers for termite tubes and damaged wood.

Examine inside of foundation walls for dampness
or water stain, which indicates seepage or a leak.

Check bricks or blocks for cracked mortar or
loose joints.

Clean out any debris or leaves that have filled or
blocked doorways, window wells, and storm
drains.

Check painted surfaces for paint failure, water
damage, or mildew.

Examine all trim for tightness of fit, damage, and
decay.

Inspect condition of caulking where two different
materials meet, where wood siding joins the
foundation’s wall, at inside corners, and where
window trim and door trim join the siding.

Check for broken or cracked glass and damaged
screens or storm windows.

Examine all hardware on windows and doors.
Lubricate moving parts.

Check weather stripping on windows and doors
for damage and tightness of fit.

Inspect roof for damaged or loose shingles or
blisters.

Examine flashing around chimneys, vent stalks,
and roof edges.

Check vents and louvers for free air movement.
Clean screen.

Check antenna guy wires and support straps.
Look for cracks where ceilings and walls join.

Inspect the condition of wiring in exposed areas
such as the attic.

Check faucets, hoses, bibs, commodes, and
shutoff valves for leaks.
FALL

Cover room air-conditioning unit with insulated
dust- and moisture-proofed cover, inside and out,
or remove unit from wall and seal opening.

Seal the attic fan opening with an airtight cover,
and insulate.

If you have a humidifier connected to your
heating system:

• Drain and clean water pan.

• Work float arm back and forth to dislodge

obstructions.

• Ream with a piece of wire or bent clothes

hanger to clean water inlet of mineral buildup.

• Lubricate motor with a drop or two of 20-weight

oil.

• Be sure there is water in the reserve tank.

Check flame color on gas furnace (should be blue
with little or no yellow).

Remove cover on thermostat, and dust components
carefully with a soft brush. To clean oil film
from metal contacts, slide a piece of white paper
several times between two closed switch contacts.

Check fireplace damper to be sure it operates
properly. Clean iron grates.

To clean a wood-burning heater:

• Scrape interior (especially nooks and crannies)

with wire brush.

• Check for cracks, and repair with stove cement

if necessary.

• Clean exterior completely.

• If heater has a blower, vacuum the blower or

replace any filters, and oil the motor.

Inspect the outside of chimney for loose bricks or
stones and deteriorating joints. Repair if necessary.

Check chimney for worn flue liner or joints and for
birds’ nests or other obstructions.

Close shutoff valves to outside faucets and
waterlines; drain.

Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.

Check gutter and downspout alignment to be
sure rainwater collects properly and drains away
from the house.

Refill water softener (ionization type) with salts.

Manually open safety valve at top of hot water
tank to test operation; wear gloves and use a
bucket to catch water as it comes out. Be sure
the valve returns to its original position.

Make sure waterlines and hose bibs are
protected from freezing.

Clean leaves and debris from around the outside
condenser on heating and cooling systems.

Check weather stripping on windows and doors
for damage and tightness of fit.

Check vents and louvers for free air movement.
Clean screens.

Inspect faucets, hose bibs, commodes, and
shutoff valves for leaks.
YEARLY

Clean smoke alarms by pulling cover steadily
downward. Remove the power cell. Vacuum any
accumulated dust from the sensing-chamber
openings. Wash cover with soap and water, dry,
and replace. Press test switch.

Electric water heater: Drain tank completely to
flush out scale, rust, and sediment. (Attach
garden hose from open drain cock to yard or
open drain.) Remove heating elements. Soak
them in vinegar solution (1 cup vinegar to each
gallon of water) and scrape off mineral deposits.
Be sure to cut off power to the heater at the
fuse box or circuit breaker before you begin.

Check sludge level in septic tank. When sludge
reaches 1/3 of the tank’s depth, have a professional
pump out the tank to clean it. (Frequency
of service depends on the size of the tank and
household use. Tanks for houses in which there is
a garbage disposal need more frequent service.)

Lubricate heater blower motor and fan with one
or two drops of 20-weight oil. (Do not use too
much oil.)

Clean gas space heaters. Be sure lines are clear.

Clean electric space heater. Be sure dust and dirt
are not on heating coils.

Clean entire unit of room air conditioner:

• Vacuum dust and lint from condenser and

evaporator.

• Use soap and water to wipe dirt and grime from

compressor, tubing, motor, and blade.

• Clean leaves and debris from outside.

• Straighten any bent metal fins.

• Scrape off any rust, then reprime and paint.

Check driveways and walks for cracks, breaks,
or erosion that may cause damage.

Check fences, gates, and retaining walls for
condition of structure and material.

Inspect flashing around chimneys, vent stalks,
and roof edges.

Check all joints, ceramic tiles, and laminated
plastics.

Check caulking around sinks, bathtubs, and
showers.
EVERY THREE YEARS

Inspect floors for wear and damage. Check
particularly where one type of flooring material
meets another, such as carpet joining wood or
tile.

Gas Furnace:

• Call for professional service.

• Check burners and heat-exchange areas for

soot, debris, and corrosion. Clean where
needed.

• Check air intakes to be sure they are

unobstructed.

sold residential properties over the last quarter.

Residential sales over the past quarter

TIMOTHY HOUK OFFICE 225.768.1800 CELL 225.301.7467 EMAIL TIM@TIMHOUK.COM

RESIDENTIAL - DSF-				Click photo to enlarge or view multi-photos.
MLS#:	B0916771md H	ListPrice:	$135,000
Status:	ACTIVE	LivingSF:	1,362/X
Address:	10635 BLACK OAK DR	List$/Sqft:	$99.12
	BATON ROUGE, LA	Bedrooms:	3
Zip:	70815	BthFull/Pt:	2/
Parish:	EAST BATON ROUGE	Stories:	1
Area:	(41) EBR MLS AREA 41	YrBlt/Age:	/21-30Yrs
MapPage:	603 Key:E	OccStat:	VACANT
Subdiv:	RED OAKS	Zoning
ParcelID:		Style:	Cottage
ElemSch: CALLSCHLBRD Middle: CALLSCHLBRD High: CALLSCHLBRD
Dir:	From Florida Blvd head North on Sharp. Take a right on Red Oak, left on Gum, then right on Black Oak. Home will be ahead on the left.
Lot:	94
Legal:
Builder:		Model Name:

From the Baton Rouge Business Report:
Second-consecutive month sales topped 2008: Home sales in metro Baton Rouge were up 4.3% in October compared with the year before. There were 555 houses sold in the area, according to figures obtained today from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. That compares with 532 sales in October 2008. The average sale price was down slightly, from $196,542 in October 2008 to $187,185 last month, showing the continued popularity of the starter-home market. Livingston Parish saw the biggest jump, with the number of houses sold going up 21%, from 85 in October 2008 to 103 last month.

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who
meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.
Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a
new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and
am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If
President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for
the new $6500 tax credit?
Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment
(when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The
provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.
Question: I am a firsttime
homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I
entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered,
however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the
time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?
Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill.
The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase,
which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement,
you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you’re within the phaseout
range).
Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I
have found a home with a nonnegotiable
price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any
of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount
above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an
absolute ceiling.
Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting
since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the
other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you
will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000
and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in
the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and
occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The
keyword here is “consecutive.” As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he
did since 3 years doesn’t impact eligibility.
Question: I am an eligible firsttime
homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on
November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the
extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as
if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30
(or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit

From yahoo

“WASHINGTON - Buying a home is about to get cheaper for a whole new crop of homebuyers - $6,500 cheaper.

First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year. But with the program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the Senate voted Wednesday to extend and expand the tax credit to include many buyers who already own homes. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday.

Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers - or anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years - would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.

“This is probably the last extension,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., a former real estate executive who championed the credits.

The homebuyers tax credit is one of two tax breaks totaling more than $21 billion that the Senate included in a bill extending unemployment benefits for those without a job for more than a year. The other would let companies now losing money recoup taxes they paid on profits earned in the previous five years.

“We are still in a world of economic hurt, and Congress must continue to act boldly and creatively,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “With the right mix of tax breaks and investments we will get through this recession and get folks working again.”

The real estate industry has been pushing to extend and expand the housing tax credit. About 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit.

Extending and expanding the tax credit for homebuyers is projected to cost the government about $10.8 billion in lost taxes. While the measure passed the Senate by a 98-0 vote, Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., questioned its efficiency in stimulating home sales.

“For the vast majority of cases, the homebuyer tax credit amounted to a free gift since it did not affect their decision to purchase a home,” Bond said. “And for the small minority of buyers whose decision was directly caused by the credit, this raises the question of whether we are subsidizing buyers who may not have been able to afford buying a home in the first place.”

The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.

The credit would be extended an additional year, until June 30, 2011, for members of the military serving outside the United States for at least 90 days.

Expanding the tax credit for money-losing companies is projected to cost $10.4 billion.

The business tax break would allow money-losing companies to use current losses to offset taxable profits earned in the previous five years, giving them refunds of taxes paid in those years. Under current law, businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $15 million can claim losses back only two years.

The tax break would help industries suffering losses in 2008 or 2009, including retailers, homebuilders and newspapers. Congress included a scaled-back version of the tax break - for companies with revenues of $15 million or less - in the economic recovery package enacted in February. The new tax break would be available to companies of any size, providing a quick source of cash.

The U.S Chamber of Commerce has been a big backer of the tax break for money-losing companies.

“It frees up capital that they can use to maintain jobs and potentially even hire new people as the economy returns,” said Caroline Harris, senior tax counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The tax breaks would be paid for largely by delaying a tax break for multinational companies that pay foreign taxes. It was passed in 2004 and originally was to have taken effect this year, but would now be delayed until 2018.”

From the Baton Rouge Business Report:

”

From Yahoo:

”

America’s strongest economies have one thing in common — home prices that never got too hot or too cold.

Home prices in metros such as San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Little Rock, Ark., and Baton Rouge, La., remained steady through boom and bust. Although no metropolitan area entirely avoided the economic downturn, the most resilient metros were protected by a potent mix of recession-resistant jobs.

The upstate New York areas of Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, and Buffalo suffered from declining jobs in manufacturing, but got significant boosts from sizable health-care, education, and government sectors. Construction is booming in Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, as firms take advantage of financing for post-Katrina hurricane recovery work and service-related companies expand to meet the needs of a growing population. Omaha and the state of Iowa have relatively strong insurance sectors.

Texas, the last state to enter recession, has been bolstered by its oil and gas industries — which have also helped Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Louisiana. Texas also has many other things going for it, including affordable home prices and relatively low wages, which attract corporations.

BusinessWeek.com used data and analysis from the Brookings Institution’s new MetroMonitor to come up with the nation’s 40 strongest economies. The MetroMonitor, which measures the nation’s health on a quarterly basis, ranks the top 100 metros based on job growth, unemployment, gross metropolitan product, and home prices.

A relative boom in Baton Rouge

“No place has been untouched by this recession. This is a change from previous recessions,” said Alan Berube, a senior fellow and research director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. “But there’s a big difference in losing one-tenth of a percentage and losing 15% of jobs.”

Baton Rouge, which was ranked No. 6, “grew jobs every month until August 2009 and in August it only lost nine-tenths of a percent, compared to 5.1% nationally,” said Lauren C. Scott, professor emeritus of economics at Louisiana State University.

Scott said $5.1 billion of construction projects have been announced or are under construction in the Baton Rouge metro, including a new plant for French chemical company SNF and the expansion of an ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM - News) chemical plant.

“One nice thing after another thing happened that has countered what’s happening in the rest of the country,” Scott said.

Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University in Omaha, who studies much of the nation’s energy and farm belts, said the strong dollar early this year hurt farm exports. “But the dollar has now weakened significantly and that will be good for the farm sector and energy commodities,” Goss said. “I think 2010 is going to be much better than 2009. But we are still not going to have a lot of job gains.

A 22-year unemployment high in Texas

Although the metros in the ranking are strong by relative standards, their unemployment rates in many cases are now peaking because they entered the recession late. Texas, which had 5 metros in our top 10, including No. 1 San Antonio, is a good example.

The unemployment rate in Texas hit 8.2% in September, rising above 8% for the first time in 22 years. But that’s a very low unemployment rate, compared to the national rate of 9.8% or to Nevada’s 13.3% rate.

Texas is unlikely to face a prolonged downturn, said Terry Clower, an economist at the University of North Texas. The state’s affordable cost of living make it attractive to new residents and corporations, the largest of which tend to be based near Houston and Dallas.

“It’s perceived as a low-cost place to do business,” Clower said. “Because housing is affordable, the wage rates reflect that.”

Marisa Di Natale, a director at Moody’s Economy.com, said late arrivals to the recession will generally face mild downturns.

These metros “haven’t had a big erosion in housing wealth, which has kept consumer spending stronger than it would otherwise be,” Di Natale said.”

Custom Custom!* Almost too many amenities to list! This gorgeous 4 bedroom home sits on over a 3/4 acre lot. 2 bedrooms upstairs, 2 bedrooms downstairs. 10 foot ceilings on the lower level, 9 foot on the upper level. Spacious kithcen with honed slab granite counters, custom glazed cabinets, and room to work like a true chef. Master bathroom has a 6 ft jacuzzi tub, custom dual vanities, walk in closets, wall mounted flat screen tv. Large laundry room downstairs has pedestals for front loaders. Home is wired with surround sound throughout. Unique custom crown molding, 8 ft custom wood doors, and trim that is reminiscent of the gorgeous old homes of past. One of a kind Tiger wood floors in the den and master bedroom. Exterior is brick and hardie plank and the roof is nail free insulated metal roof. Home has very low utilities. A large bonus home theater room that is wired for entertainmen and an extra playroom or office also upstairs.

Dont miss this opportunity on a truly custom built home!

Tim Houk

From the Baton Rouge Business Report:

“The number of local homeowners who are late on mortgage payments or face foreclosure continues to increase in Baton Rouge, but at a slower rate then the rest of the state or the nation. The percentage of homeowners who were 90 days or more late was 4.83% in August, according to figures from First American CoreLogic. That’s up from 3.25% in August 2008. The percentage of delinquent homeowners in Louisiana is 5.47%, up from 3.66% in August 2008. Nationally, the number of late payments was up by nearly three percentage points in the past year, from 4.18% in August 2008, to 7.1%. The foreclosure rate in Baton Rouge grew half as much as the state average, going from 1.26% in August 2008, to 1.52%. Statewide, 1.79% of homes faced foreclosure in August, compared with 1.24% in August 2008.”

If you want to search for Baton Rouge foreclosures use my site to find a deal TODAY!