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6 Steps for Your Energy Audit in Mount Kisco NY | Mt Kisco NY Real Estate

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Is your home squandering precious energy? Here’s how you can search out areas of energy waste that may be costing you money. By following up on problems, you can lower energy bills by 5% to 30% annually. With annual energy bills averaging $2,200, investing in fixes or energy-efficient replacement products could save you up to $660 within a year.

Leave the deerstalker hat and magnifying glass behind. All you’ll need for energy sleuthing is a flashlight, screwdriver, paint stirrer, tape measure, and—not just for serenity’s sake—a stick of incense.

1. Hunt down drafts. Hold a lit stick of incense near windows, doors, electrical outlets, range hoods, plumbing and ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and ceiling fans in bathrooms—anywhere drafts might sneak in. Watch for smoke movement. Note what sources need caulk, sealant, weather-stripping, or insulation.

2. Check attic insulation. Winter or summer, insulation does the most good when it’s overhead, so start with the attic. First, do you have insulation? If the insulation you see covers the tops of the joists by several inches, you probably have enough. If the insulation is only even with the tops of the joists, you probably need to add insulation.

3. Check wall insulation. Remove electrical outlet covers to see if your wall contains insulation. Installing spray foam insulation is easy to do and can dramatically improve a building or home’s energy efficiency and thermal resistance. Shut off power to the receptacle before probing beside the electrical box with a wooden paint stirrer. Check some switch boxes as well. Their higher wall location lets you see if blown-in insulation has settled.

4. Look for stains on insulation. These often indicate air leaks from a hole behind the insulation, such as a duct hole or crack in an exterior wall. Seal gaps with caulk or spray foam insulation brooklyn. Radon is widely known in the home improvement industry. It’s kind of one of those things that no one likes to discuss, because the danger is so surreal. You’ve probably heard of toxins being referred to as silent killers, and when it comes to radon; that’s no understatement. Maybe you haven’t heard that much about radon or what you have heard has not been too convincing. Does radon seem to be some “new” thing that is going to cause cancer and end the world? Everything seems to cause cancer, but the trick is in knowing how to prevent cancer, before it begins. Not everything causes cancer. That way of thinking is just some comedian’s way to laugh-off the seriousness of so many people contracting this fatal disease. But, it’s real. Radon is a proven carcinogen, and experts know more about radon than other carcinogens. So, if you were told to avoid a proven carcinogen, you know that you would. Please, this is important. Radon doesn’t smell, it doesn’t have a taste, and you can’t see it; there aren’t even any immediate symptoms. Radon has the ability to kill you without even giving you a chance to defend yourself, without even knowing, not even a rash! Radon is not only found in the air, but also in water, so be sure to have your well water tested for radon. Although radon does not give you much of a chance to defend yourself or trace whether you have been exposed, radon testing and mitigation systems have been developed in order to measure the radon count in your home, school, or workplace. There are even ways to make these places almost 100 percent radon-free. Not only do you want the places where you spend the most time to have a low radon count, but you want it gone. Did you know that most people, who have cancer from radon exposure, did not get it because they were saturated in it; but because of a low radon concentration? Don’t let radon fool you into thinking you won’t get sick, or that you and your loved ones have no way to protect yourselves. There are experts who know how to regulate radon levels, and provide you with the protection that you need. You can also visit https://www.ph-el.dk/radonsikring for more information.

5. Inspect exposed ducts. Look for obvious holes and whether joints are sealed. Heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) ducts are made of thin metal and easily conduct heat. Consider insulating them. Uninsulated or poorly insulated ducts in unconditioned spaces can lose 10% to 30% of the energy used to heat and cool your home.

6. Check anything that goes through an exterior wall. Examine dryer ducts, plumbing lines under sinks and vanities, anything that pierces a wall. Any gaps around it should be sealed with spray foam insulation or caulk.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/diy-home-energy-audit-6-easy-steps/#ixzz17NxAangl

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Mortgage Defaults in Mount Kisco NY | Mount Kisco Real Estate

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SOME affluent homeowners have been walking away from a second home or investment property that is worth less than what is owed on the mortgage, even though they can still afford to make the payments.

But dumping that beach condo or country cottage, or even a home bought for an adult child — a practice known in the industry as a “strategic default” — is not the same as discarding a poorly performing stock or bond. Among the lingering effects is wrecked credit that can prevent the homeowner from getting another loan of any kind for 7 to 10 years.

In July, a study by researchers from the European University Institute, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago concluded that the strategic default trend was “large and rising” among homeowners with an equity shortfall of $100,000. As of last March, it said, strategic defaults accounted for 35.6 percent of all foreclosures, compared with 23.6 percent a year earlier.

“I’m increasingly seeing people who are middle class or higher on the pay scale coming to the conclusion that ‘I may be able to carry it, but should I?,’ ” said David Shaev, a bankruptcy lawyer in New York who assists homeowners in distress.

“But the question is, can the bank come after you, and if so, what is your position? What is your liability?”

The answer depends largely on where the property is.

In “recourse” states, a lender can come after you, and usually other assets like a primary residence, for the full mortgage amount. In “nonrecourse” states, a lender agrees to accept whatever the property fetches at a short sale, foreclosure sale, or a deed-in-lieu, in which the property is taken back but not formally foreclosed on, and generally can’t sue for the full loan amount. Florida, Connecticut and Arizona are among the nonrecourse states, while Colorado, Maine, New Jersey and Hawaii are recourse states.

There is a third category of state, called “single-action” or “one-action,” which allows the lender either to foreclose on the owner or file a civil lawsuit for the full loan amount. New York, California and Idaho are in that category.

Even in a nonrecourse state, however, those homeowners who opt for a strategic default on a previously refinanced property may not be protected from lenders, because the mortgage in such a case was not accorded for a first purchase, said Philip Faranda, a mortgage broker for J. Philip Real Estate, in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

New York Times Article

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Amanda’s Law in Mount Kisco NY | Carbon Monoxide Detectors | Mount Kisco Real Estate

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Carbon Monoxide Alarms

This rule has been adopted as an emergency rule, effective as of October 25, 2010 – the text is below.  The following link provides background on the legislation, Amanda’s Law: Available here.

 

TEXT

Subdivision (d) of section 1220.1 in Part 1220 of Title 19 NYCRR is amended by adding a new paragraph (13) to read as follows:
           

(13) 2007 RCNYS section RR313.4. For the purposes of applying the 2007 RCNYS in this State, the text of section RR313.4 in chapter R3 of the 2007 RCNYS shall be deemed to be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: 

“RR313.4 Carbon monoxide alarms. This section covers the installation, performance and maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms and their components in new and existing buildings. The requirements of this section shall apply to all new and all existing buildings, without regard to the date of construction of the building and without regard to whether such building shall or shall not have been offered for sale.

“Exception: Compliance with this section is not required where no carbon monoxide source is located within or attached to the structure. However, compliance with this section is required if any carbon monoxide source is subsequently located within or attached to the structure.

“For the purposes of this section RR313.4, the following terms will have the following meanings:

“The term ‘carbon monoxide source’ includes fuel fired appliances, equipment, devices and systems; solid fuel burning appliances, equipment, devices and systems; all other appliances, equipment, devices and systems that may emit carbon monoxide; fireplaces; garages; and all other motor vehicle-related occupancies.

“The term ‘dwelling unit’ means a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

“The term ‘sleeping area’ means a room or space in which people sleep.

“The term ‘sleeping unit’ means a room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.

“In the case of a building constructed on or after January 1, 2008, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:

“1. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story having a sleeping area.

“2. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story where a carbon monoxide source is located.

“One carbon monoxide alarm installed on a story of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit having both a sleeping area and a carbon monoxide source shall suffice for that story within that dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

“In the case of a building constructed before January 1, 2008, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:

“1. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

“When more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit, the alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all sleeping areas over background noise levels with all intervening doors close.

“Exception: Interconnection is not required where carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be battery operated in accordance with section RR313.4.2.

“All carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed and labeled as complying with UL 2034 or CAN/CSA 6.19, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and this code.

“RR313.4.1 Prohibited locations. Carbon monoxide alarms shall not be located within or near the openings to garages, bathrooms or furnace rooms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall also not be located in or near locations specified as ‘prohibited,’ ‘not recommended’ or the like in the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

“RR313.4.2 Power source. The required carbon monoxide alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source or an on-site electrical power system, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection.

“Exception. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated when installed in buildings without commercial power or an on-site electrical power system or in buildings constructed before January 1, 2008.

“RR313.4.3 Maintenance. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times, shall be replaced or repaired where defective, and shall be replaced when they cease to operate as intended.

“RR313.4.4 Disabling of alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall not be removed or disabled, except for service or repair purposes.

“RR313.4.5 One-family dwellings converted to bed and breakfast dwellings. One-family dwellings converted to bed and breakfast dwellings shall have carbon monoxide alarms installed in accordance with the requirements of section F611 of the Fire Code of New York State.

“RR313.4.6 Buildings under custody, licensure, supervision or jurisdiction of a department or agency of the State of New York.  A building which is under the custody, licensure, supervision or jurisdiction of a department or agency of the State of New York and which is regulated as a one-or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwelling (townhouse), in accordance with established laws or regulations of such department or agency, shall have carbon monoxide alarms installed in accordance with the stricter of the requirements of this section or the requirements of section F611 of the Fire Code of New York State.”

Subdivision (d) of section 1225.1 in Part 1225 of Title 19 NYCRR is amended by adding a new paragraph (3) to read as follows: 

(3) 2007 FCNYS section F611. For the purposes of applying the 2007 FCNYS in this State, the text of section F611 in chapter F6 of the 2007 FCNYS shall be deemed to be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:  

“F611 CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS 

“F611.1 General. This section covers the application, installation, performance and maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms and their components in new and existing buildings and structures. The requirements of this section shall apply to all new buildings and structures and to all existing buildings and structures, without regard to the date of construction of the building or structure and without regard to whether such building or structure shall or shall not have been offered for sale. 

“F611.1.1 Definitions. For the purposes of this §F611, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Carbon monoxide source. The term ‘carbon monoxide source’ includes fuel fired appliances, equipment, devices and systems; solid fuel burning appliances, equipment, devices and systems; all other appliances, equipment, devices and systems that may emit carbon monoxide; fireplaces; garages; and all other motor vehicle-related occupancies. 

“Dwelling unit. The term ‘dwelling unit’ means a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. 

“Existing buildings and structures. The term ‘existing buildings and structures’ means buildings and structures constructed before January 1, 2008. 

“Multiple dwelling. The term ‘multiple dwelling’ means a dwelling which is either rented, leased, let or hired out, to be occupied, or is occupied as the temporary or permanent residence or home of three or more families living independently of each other, including but not limited to the following: a tenement, flat house, maisonette apartment, apartment house, apartment hotel, tourist house, bachelor apartment, studio apartment, duplex apartment, kitchenette apartment, hotel, lodging house, rooming house, boarding house, boarding and nursery school, furnished room house, club, sorority house, fraternity house, college and school dormitory, convalescent, old age or nursing homes or residences, and a dwelling, two or more stories in height, and with five or more boarders, roomers or lodgers residing with any one family. 

“New buildings and structures. The term ‘new buildings and structures’ means buildings and structures constructed after December 31, 2007. 

“The term ‘sleeping area’ means a room or space in which people sleep. 

“The term ‘sleeping unit’ means a room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.

“F611.2 Equipment. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed and labeled as complying with UL 2034 or CAN/CSA 6.19, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and this section.

“F611.2.1 Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are permitted, provided the alarm is listed for such use. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms shall have distinctly different alarm signals for smoke or carbon monoxide alarm activation. 

“F611.3 Where required. Single and multiple station carbon monoxide alarms shall be provided in the locations described in this section.
            “Exception: Compliance with this section is not required where no carbon monoxide source is located within or attached to the structure. However, compliance with this section is required if any carbon monoxide source is subsequently located within or attached to the structure.

“F611.3.1 New buildings and structures: one-and two-family dwellings, multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses), and buildings owned as a condominium or cooperative and containing dwelling accommodations.  A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:
            “1. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story having a sleeping area.
            “2. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story where a carbon monoxide source is located.
            “One carbon monoxide alarm installed on a story of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit having both a sleeping area and a carbon monoxide source shall suffice for that story within that dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

“F611.3.2 New buildings and structures: Group I-1 occupancies. A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in the each of following locations:
            “1. On each story having a sleeping area.
            “2. On each story where a carbon monoxide source is located.
            “One carbon monoxide alarm installed on a story having both a sleeping area and a carbon monoxide source shall suffice for that story.

“F611.3.3 New buildings and structures: Group R occupancies not covered by section F611.3.1 or section F611.3.2, nursery schools (with sleeping units) not covered by section F611.3.1 or §F611.3.2, bed and breakfast uses not covered by section F611.3.1 or section F611.3.2, and multiple dwellings not covered by section F611.3.1 or section F611.3.2.  A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:

“1. In each dwelling unit or sleeping unit where a carbon monoxide source is located. In a multiple-story dwelling unit or sleeping unit, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed on each story having a sleeping area and on each story where a carbon monoxide source is located. One carbon monoxide alarm installed on a story having both a sleeping area and a carbon monoxide source shall suffice for that story.

“2. In each dwelling unit or sleeping unit that is on the same story as a carbon monoxide source.

“F611.3.4 Existing buildings and structures: one-and two-family dwellings, multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses), and buildings owned as a condominium or cooperative and containing dwelling accommodations.  A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

“F611.3.5 Existing buildings and structures: Group I-1 occupancies. A carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed on each story having a sleeping area.

“F611.3.6 Existing buildings and structures: Group R occupancies not covered by section F611.3.4 or section F611.3.5, nursery schools (with sleeping units) not covered by section F611.3.4 or section F611.3.5, bed and breakfast uses not covered by section F611.3.4 or section F611.3.5, and multiple dwellings not covered by section F611.3.4 or section F611.3.5.  A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:

“1. In each dwelling unit or sleeping unit where a carbon monoxide source is located. In a multiple-story dwelling unit or sleeping unit, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

“2. In each dwelling unit or sleeping unit that is on the same story as a carbon monoxide source.

“F611.3.7 Work completed within one-and two-family dwellings, multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses), buildings owned as a condominium or cooperative and containing dwelling accommodations, Group R occupancies, bed and breakfast uses not covered by section F611.3.8, and multiple dwellings not covered by section F611.3.8.  Where work includes the addition or installation of a carbon monoxide source, the construction of a chimney, or the connection of the building to a garage or to any other motor vehicle-related occupancy, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

“F611.3.8 Work completed within Group I-1 occupancy. Where work includes the addition or installation of a carbon monoxide source, the construction of a chimney, or the connection of the building to a garage or to any other motor vehicle-related occupancy, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed on each story having a sleeping area.

“F611.4 Prohibited locations. Carbon monoxide alarms shall not be located within or near the openings to garages, bathrooms, or furnace rooms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall also not be located in or near locations specified as ‘prohibited,’ ‘not recommended’ or the like in the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

“F611.5 Power source. When the building wiring is served from a commercial or on-site power source, carbon monoxide alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring and, when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection.

“Exceptions:

“1. Carbon monoxide alarms installed in buildings without a commercial or on-site power source shall be permitted to be battery operated.

“2. In existing buildings and structures, cord-type, direct plug, or battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms shall be permitted.

“F611.6 Interconnection. When more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit, the alarms shall be interconnected.

“Exception: Interconnection is not required where cord-type, direct plug, or battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms are permitted.

“F611.7 Maintenance. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times, shall be replaced or repaired where defective, and shall be replaced when they cease to operate as intended.

“F611.8 Disabling of alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall not be removed or disabled, except for service or repair purposes.”

 

Amanda’s Law   

CHAPTER TEXT:

LAWS OF NEW YORK, 2009

CHAPTER 367

   AN  ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing Amanda’s law requiring certain residences to have installed an operable  carbon monoxide detector

       Became a law August 26, 2009, with the approval of the Governor.
       Passed by a majority vote, three-fifths being present.

The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as “Amanda’s law”.

§  2.  Subdivision 5-a of section 378 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 202 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:

5-a. Standards for installation of carbon monoxide detectors requiring that every one or two-family dwelling [constructed or offered  for  sale after  July  thirtieth, two thousand two], or any dwelling accommodation located in a building owned as a condominium or cooperative in the state [constructed or offered for sale  after  July  thirtieth,  two  thousand two,]  or  any multiple dwellings [constructed or offered for sale after August ninth, two thousand five] shall have installed an operable carbon monoxide detector of such manufacture, design and installation standards as are established by the council. Carbon monoxide detectors required by this section are required only where the dwelling unit  has  appliances, devices  or  systems  that  may  emit carbon monoxide or has an attached garage. For purposes of this  subdivision,  multiple  dwelling  means  a dwelling  which  is either rented, leased, let or hired out, to be occupied, or is occupied as the temporary or permanent residence or home  of three or more families living independently of each other, including but not  limited to the following: a tenement, flat house, maisonette apartment, apartment house, apartment hotel, tourist house,  bachelor  apartment,  studio apartment, duplex apartment, kitchenette apartment, hotel, lodging house, rooming  house,  boarding  house,  boarding  and  nursery school,  furnished  room  house, club, sorority house, fraternity house, college and school dormitory, convalescent, old age or nursing homes  or residences.  It  shall  also  include a dwelling, two or more stories in height, and with five or more boarders, roomers or lodgers residing with any one family. [For the purposes of this section, sale shall  mean  the transfer  of  ownership  of  a  business  or property, provided however, transfer of franchises shall not be deemed  a  sale.]  New  construction shall  mean  a  new facility or a separate building added to an existing facility.
     § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.

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Homeownership Rate at Lowest Level in a Decade | Mount Kisco Real Estate

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The nation’s homeownership rate remained at its lowest in more than a decade, the AP’s Alan Zibel reports, hampered by a rise in foreclosures and weak demand for housing.

The percentage of households that owned their homes was unchanged at 66.9% in the July-September quarter, the Census Bureau said Tuesday. That’s the same as the April-June quarter. The last time the rate was lower was in 1999, when the rate was 66.7%. The  homeownership rate was around 64% from 1985 through 1995. It then rose dramatically during the Clinton and Bush administrations, hitting a peak of more than 69% in 2004 at the height of the housing boom.

After the housing bubble burst, the rate has been declining gradually. About 18.8 million homes, or 14.4 percent of all houses and apartments, were vacant, according to the government survey.

Without vacation homes, that rate would be 11%. The number of vacant homes has soared over the past four years from about 16 million at the start of 2006. It has been hovering around 19 million since the end of 2008. There are around 131 million housing units nationwide, according to the Census Bureau.

WSJ Article

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