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A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE FROM FIRST AMERICAN A Home Warranty Servi News on the House August, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter www.firstam.com/warranty Phone Orders: 800-444-9030 Green ways to make summer sun work for you When summer sun has you slathering on sunscreen and retreating indoors to air- conditioned rooms, it’s easy to forget the winter doldrums that made you eagerly anticipate sunshine and warm temperatures. Winter snow and dreary days seem far away, and you find yourself craving a respite from too much sun. But all that summer sun can work in your favor. From powering your hot water heater or fresh air skylight to saving money by running your clothes dryer less, here are a few ways you can put the sun to work for you this summer. Solar water heating Replacing an old water heater proactively is a good idea for a number of reasons. First, if it’s older, it’s probably not as energy efficient as newer models. And, when hot water heaters die, they can do so spectacularly, flooding the room where they’re housed Service, value, integrity, and a little peace of mind. A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE from First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation A Home Warranty Servi and leaving your family without the water they need to shower off summer sweat and keep clothes and dishes clean. Consider replacing your current water heater with a solar water heating system. While such systems may cost more to purchase and install than a conventional one, various federal and state tax credits and other green product incentives mitigate those costs. Plus, solar hot water systems reduce energy costs in the long run. “The cost of a solar water heating system will vary depending on the size of the home and the volume of water you need to heat,” says Ross Vandermark of Velux America, marketers of solar- powered fresh air skylights and solar water heating systems. “On average, however, they can cut your water heating bills by 50 to 80 percent, which is pretty impressive when you consider that the U.S. Department of Energy says water heating can account for up to 25 percent of a home’s energy consumption.” Solar-powered fresh air skylight You can also save money and improve your indoor air quality by
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Page 1: News on the House€¦ · solar powered skylights and accessories like solar powered skylight blinds, which can increase energy efficiency by another 45 percent, are eligible for

A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE FROM FIRST AMERICAN

A Home Warranty ServiceFrom First American®

News on the HouseAugust, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

www.firstam.com/warranty PhoneOrders:800-444-9030

Green ways to make summer sun work for you

When summer sun has you slathering on sunscreen and retreating indoors to air- conditioned rooms, it’s easy to forget the winter doldrums that made you eagerly anticipate sunshine and warm temperatures. Winter snow and dreary days seem far away, and you find yourself craving a respite from too much sun.

But all that summer sun can work in your favor. From powering your hot water heater or fresh air skylight to saving money by running your clothes dryer less, here are a few ways you can put the sun to work for you this summer.

Solar water heatingReplacing an old water heater proactively is a good idea for a number of reasons. First, if it’s older, it’s probably not as energy efficient as newer models. And, when hot water heaters die, they can do so spectacularly, flooding the room where they’re housed

Service, value, integrity, and a little peace of mind.

A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE from First American Home Buyers

Protection Corporation

A Home Warranty Service

From First American®

and leaving your family without the water they need to shower off summer sweat and keep clothes and dishes clean.

Consider replacing your current water heater with a solar water heating system. While such systems may cost more to purchase and install than a conventional one, various federal and state tax credits and other green product incentives mitigate those costs. Plus, solar hot water systems reduce energy costs in the long run.

“The cost of a solar water heating system will vary depending on the size of the home and the volume of water you need to heat,” says Ross Vandermark of Velux America, marketers of solar-powered fresh air skylights and solar water heating systems. “On average, however, they can cut your water heating bills by 50 to 80 percent, which is pretty impressive when you consider that the U.S. Department of Energy says water heating can account for up to 25 percent of a home’s energy consumption.”

Solar-powered fresh air skylightYou can also save money and improve your indoor air quality by

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www.firstam.com/warranty page2

News on the HouseAugust, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

opting for a solar- powered fresh air skylight. Energy efficient solar powered skylights and accessories like solar powered skylight blinds, which can increase energy efficiency by another 45 percent, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit, as is the installation cost. Velux offers a tax calculator on its website to help you estimate your savings with the tax credit.

Energy Star-qualified, no leak solar-powered fresh-air skylights, like those made by Velux America, improve indoor air quality by allowing excess moisture and unhealthy air to escape your home. They also passively vent hot air that rises to your ceiling in summer, reducing the load on your mechanical cooling systems while reducing your power bill. In rooms where a fresh air skylight isn’t an option, tubular skylights like Sun Tunnel products allow light inside, reducing the need for artificial light and brightening areas like hallways, closets, and other interior spaces both large and small.

Clothes dryingHumans have been using solar power to dry clothes for about as long as we’ve been wearing fabric. Hanging clothes to dry in the sun allows you to trim your electric or gas use (depending on how you power your clothes dryer) as much as $85 a year, plus it reduces the wear clothes experience tumbling in a dryer, the website The Daily Green points out.

The California Energy Commission says on average, it costs 30 to 40 cents per load to dry clothes in an electric machine, and 15 to 20 cents if your dryer runs on gas. By comparison, line drying requires an initial outlay to cover the cost of the line device, and then the sunshine and fresh air are free.

CookingSure you love cooking outdoors, but when summer really heats up no one wants to slave over a hot grill. Why not use the sun’s power to cook food without the need to hover over and watch it? Solar cookers are the answer.

One popular type, box cookers can accommodate multiple dishes at once and are used in countries around the world where the sun is the most reliable source of energy. They cook at moderate to high temperatures and require less supervision than your gas grill. You can buy one online or build your own - a great family project that can help teach kids about solar power and greener living.

Finally, if you’re not ready to learn a whole new way of cooking, why not simply borrow a page from great-grandma’s recipe book and use sunlight to brew tea? Just place a few bags of your favorite tea in a glass jar with water (make sure to keep the tags and strings hanging over the rim of the jar), cap the jar and place it in the sun until the tea steeps to your desire flavor level.

Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent. Reprinted with permission.

Surprise: New garage door tops list of high-impact, affordable home improvements

You’ve finally scraped together some money to improve the looks of your house.

Problem: Every project costs too much or produces a minor improvement.

Solution: A stunning new garage door. A front-facing garage door packs a big punch and dramatically improves the curb appeal of the entire home.

That’s one of the big revelations from the 2012-2013 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine. In the report, a garage door replacement again ranked in the top three in “cost recouped” on a list of 35 common home remodeling projects.

Siding replacement and a deck addition also ranked at the top, but they can cost $10,000 to $15,000. An upscale garage door often costs less than $3,000.

The project that pays for itself“No other exterior home project transforms such a large space at such minimal cost and time,” says Tom Wadsworth, long-time editor of a garage door trade magazine. Since a home’s garage doors can take up more than a third of the front elevation of the home, a new garage door can make a big difference.

And a stylish new garage door can actually pay for itself, according to a Stratamark Research survey. When nationwide real estate agents were shown before and after photos of houses with

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News on the HouseAugust, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

new upscale garage doors, they increased the list price of the home anywhere from 1 to 4 percent. That means a $2,000 garage door investment could increase the sale value of your home by as much as $8,000 if you’re selling a $200,000 home.

Making a differenceBrad and Jenny Considine recently moved from the Midwest to a nice home outside Baltimore. They had a budget for making improvements, but they had a tough time prioritizing which job should come first. They were glad they chose the garage doors because “the change was dramatic,” says Brad.

After his new wood carriage-style garage doors were installed earlier this year replacing two standard-issue builder-grade garage doors, he was ecstatic. “The doors went from being an embarrassing part of the home to having neighbors coming over and asking me about them. I was amazed at how much they improved the entire house.”

Maximizing designThe Considines’ new carriage-style doors had windows that matched the style of windows on the house. That’s a key design tip when buying a new garage door.

“The most stunning doors integrate with the design of the home,” says Wadsworth. “Look for colors, lines and shapes that match other exterior components.”

The styles of today’s garage doors have advanced far beyond the all-too-common rows of rectangles. New doors also feature appealing designs, striking colors, rich finishes and decorative window options that can flatter any home.

To get a taste of the latest innovations, Wadsworth urges homeowners to go to GarageWowNow.com , a non-commercial website developed by the garage door industry. The site includes before and after photos and displays many styles introduced in recent years.

Not a DIY projectOne word of caution. Don’t try to install a garage door yourself. “Your garage door system is under high tension that can cause severe injury or even death if improperly installed,” says Wadsworth. Plus, an experienced installer knows how to install the door for correct balance, maximum energy efficiency, smooth operation, low noise and longest life.

GarageWowNow.com’s ZIP code search function can also point you to qualified professionals in your area.

Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent. Reprinted with permission.

Effortless entertaining: Tips for hosting the perfect al fresco dinner party

Whether it’s in the backyard or on a rooftop, summer is an ideal time to entertain outdoors. The long days and warm nights create the perfect backdrop for a relaxing get- together with family and friends.

While most love the idea of entertaining, 62 percent wish they did so more often, according to a national survey conducted by Survey.com on behalf of Ecco Domani Wines of Italy. If you’re one of those who wish they entertained more, but find the idea overwhelming, below are simple things you can do as host or hostess that will make all the difference in the world.

* When entertaining, greet your guests with a glass of wine upon arrival - more than half of hosts do, according to the survey. The bright fruit flavors and fresh, approachable style of Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio is an effortless complement to any outdoor party. Its light citrus and delicate floral aromas also make it the perfect partner to a wide range of foods.

* Cheese and crackers are a go-to for any savvy host. Add fresh fruit like apple slices and grapes and you have easy options for your guests to munch on while they mix and mingle.- If you have more than one type of cheese, try labeling them in a unique way. Attach a name tag to a toothpick and stick it into an extra apple or into the cheese directly. Your guests will appreciate the extra touch!

Call 1-888-547-5448 todayand protect your home!

First American Home Buyers Protection has home warranty plans for buyers,

sellers and current homeowners!

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www.firstam.com/warranty page4

News on the HouseAugust, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation makes no express or implied warranty respecting the information presented and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. First American, the eagle logo, firstam.com, and First American Home Buyers Protection are registered trademarks or trademarks of First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates.

©2013 First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation. All rights reserved. FA_SONEWS_8_13

Phone Orders: 800.444.9030www.firstamrealestate.com

Service: 800.992.3400

* Your table settings don’t need to be fussy. Keep it trouble-free by using things your already have in your home, but make it fun by mixing and matching your plates. The eclectic assortment will add color and pizzazz to your table. Top off the arrangement by using cloth napkins for a simple, but elegant, touch of style.

* Serving great wine and food will make an impression on your guests. In fact, three in four people think it’s the wine and food selection that elevates an occasion from ordinary to extraordinary, according to the Ecco Domani survey. Since the grill is a summer staple, choose a refreshing wine that complements grilled meats. For instance, Ecco Domani Moscato will not only pair well with the spicy barbecue, but its light, approachable taste will appeal to all of your friends. For an effortless pairing, try it with Spicy Grilled Chicken Skewers.

Spicy Grilled Chicken Skewers Ingredients:

8 bamboo skewers

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon Sriracha chili sauce

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch strips

Vegetable oil for brushing

Directions:

Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 20 minutes. Combine the sugar, soy sauce, cider vinegar, water, ginger, chili sauce and garlic. Thread the chicken strips onto the bamboo skewers. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the chicken skewers with the oil and place on the grill. Brush a few times with the marinade. Turn after 4 minutes. Brush with the remaining marinade, and grill until just cooked through, about 8 minutes.

* End your dinner on a high note by offering your guests something simple and sweet for dessert. For an easy way to make the dish unique, consider serving dessert in glasses you already have around your home, such as martini or wine glasses. You can build layers of fruit and ice cream within the glass to create a treat for the eye, as well as the lips.

* When dining outdoors, the taste of food and drink is enhanced by scents in the air. Placing aromatic plants such as basil, rosemary, and lavender around the patio will help bring the scents of summer to your table. For an added touch of freshness, you can use the same herbs as ingredients in your food.

No matter what time of year, good food, good drinks and good company are entertaining essentials. Invite family and friends over to enjoy the warm weather this summer, and these easy entertaining upgrades will encourage them to stay well after the stars come out.

(Italian Table Wine (C) 2013 Ecco Domani(R) USA, Hayward, CA., All rights reserved.)

Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent. Reprinted with permission.

FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY PLANS AVAILABLE FOR:

» Current Homeowners » Buyers and Sellers» Portfolio Managers

TYPE OF HOME WARRANTY PLANS:» Basic Plan » Premier Plan » Additional Options

For more information call 800.444.9030 today!


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