Blogs
Posted Wed, 07/21/2010 - 09:06 by dfrankl
The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 - commonly known as "Cash for Caulkers" - is nearly here. The bill has been passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate has introduced an updated version of the bill. As we wait for final approval, homeowners and contractors need to do their homework. There are 13 types of retrofits eligible for funding and each has unique requirements.
Posted Wed, 07/14/2010 - 08:14 by cthomas
From CNNMoney.com:
Where homes are affordable
Des Moines is listed at #10. Cedar Rapids comes in at #11. Despite all the bad news lately, this hopefully insulates us a little bit from the depressed housing market.
Posted Wed, 07/14/2010 - 08:02 by cthomas
Posted Tue, 07/06/2010 - 11:40 by dfrankl
I recently attended a workshop at Iowa State University focused on recycling asphalt shingles. The workshop focused on the logistics of diverting old asphalt shingles from landfills so that they can eventually become a key ingredient in our roadways. I found this to be exciting news as asphalt shingles are landfilled each year at a rate of more than 10 million tons.
Posted Tue, 06/22/2010 - 11:21 by DOexmann
by Barry Ritholtz....The Big Picture
We see more evidence that next leg down in Housing has begun, as sales of existing houses fell 2.2% to an annual run rate of 5.66 million sales. These transactions include tax subsidized contracts signed by April 30 and closing by May 31st. Hallucinogenic economists had actually forecast a rise to a 6.12 million rate, according to a Bloomberg survey of 74 stoners.
Posted Mon, 06/21/2010 - 15:20 by dfrankl
In an effort to further stimulate the economy and reduce our carbon footprint, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Home Star bill, affectionately known as "Cash for Caulkers". The bill will now be sent to the Senate for passage, and if successful, to Obama for an almost certain signiature. For more information, go to:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/06/politics/main6467175.shtml
Posted Wed, 05/26/2010 - 10:26 by DOexmann
NewChannel 4 KFOR out of Oklahoma City reports how an Eco Star installation successfully endured the punishment of the 5-16-2010 hail storm that produced baseball sized hail-4.25". One correction...Eco Star has no re-cycled tire rubber in its' blend....they used re-cycle commercial roofing rubber, EPDM, in their products.
Posted Wed, 05/26/2010 - 09:03 by DOexmann
If low price is all people are REALLY concerned with.....why don't we auction off our medical needs?? The care is always the same RIGHT???. Doctors are doctors, they all have to be educated, licensed and certified. Whether they received their degree's from the University of Grenada....remember Grenada...or Harvard Med...what's the difference?? They're all doctors...RIGHT?? A heart transplant will be identical no matter who performs the surger
Posted Fri, 05/21/2010 - 14:38 by cthomas
Posted Fri, 05/21/2010 - 11:42 by cthomas
Posted Wed, 05/12/2010 - 11:48 by cthomas
From CNNMoney.com, 5 things to know about getting audited:
Those selected [for an audit] tend to be self-employed or have unusually large write-offs...
Well, since that describes approximately 99% of local contractors, a little preparation wouldn't hurt. CNN's tips:
Posted Mon, 05/10/2010 - 11:33 by dfrankl
I just read an interesting article about Obama's intended Supreme Court Justice nominee (you can read it too at http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=1007054). It appears his nominee, Elena Kagan, has never spent time being a judge. One would think that this would be a requirement for such an important position.
Posted Wed, 05/05/2010 - 09:52 by cthomas
Posted Tue, 05/04/2010 - 15:31 by cthomas
Posted Thu, 04/15/2010 - 10:49 by DOexmann
Do you know the difference between quoting and selling?? We all quote every day.
Posted Thu, 04/15/2010 - 08:49 by dfrankl
Every year mother nature throws us a few curve balls, and once in a while they are frozen solid. This year is starting off early with reports of hail statewide. If you are reading this, chances are there is a reason, and that reason is because you have been impacted in some way. Typically, property owners should not get concerned about damage if the hail stones are less than 2" in diameter. But if the wind is a whistling, and the stones are frozen hard, 1-1/2" hail stones can wreak havoc on your property's exterior and may warrant closer inspection.
