Homeowner News

The Heat Is On – What To Expect From Your Central Air Conditioning System

July 19, 2019 by admin

As the weekend approaches with the possibility of the thermometer reaching 100 degrees for the first time since 2012 a home with air conditioning is a necessity not a luxury. But do you know how your central air conditioning system can be expected to perform?

Generally speaking an air conditioning system is designed to keep your home’s indoor temperature about 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature while maintaining a comfortable 55% humidity level. So if the outdoor temperature is 80 degrees your air conditioning can reach 70 degrees, since that is only a 10 degree temperature differential. Even if it reaches 90 degrees outside your air conditioner should still reach the 70 degree mark. However, as the temperature nears 100 degrees outside, it will be nearly impossible to reach 70 degrees inside without the air conditioner working overtime and causing problems such as excess humidity and wasting energy.

If you have your air conditioner set to a temperature that makes that temperature differential more than 20 degrees your system will likely run all day long and still not quite reach the desired temperature. This becomes a waste of money on your end by overusing a system that was not designed to maintain such a temperature.

A good rule of thumb is during the hottest days when the dial reaches 100 degrees it is best to set your AC to somewhere between 75 and 80 degrees. You can also supplement that slight temperature difference with closed curtains on sunny side of the building, running ceiling fans and keeping the air flow moving by using portable fans.

Also make certain that you perform the most basic air conditioning system maintenance – checking your air filter. It should be replaced every 90 days in order to keep you system running at peak efficiency.

Wallingford Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

No Tax Increase Sought For 2019 Delaware County Budget

November 9, 2018 by admin

The County Council announced earlier this month that Delaware County homeowners will see no increase in their county tax bills in 2019. The proposed budget if adopted by County Council would mark the the fifth year in a row with no tax increase.

The total proposed General Fund expenditures are $354.8 million for 2019, a decrease in spending of $2.2 million from 2018 expenditures of about $357 million. Pass-through federal and state grants, mostly to human services programs, total an additional $307.86 million.

The proposed 2019 budget is available for public inspection at the Office of the County Clerk, located on the 2nd floor of the Government Center, and can be viewed online. A budget hearing will be conducted on Wednesday, December 5, at 6 PM in the County Council Meeting Room (201 W. Front St., Media), and County Council will consider the 2019 budget ordinance at two of its regular meetings on Wednesday December 5 and December 12.

The county millage rate will remain at 5.604 mills.

In practical terms this means that the County tax will be $5.604 for every $1,000 of assessed value. For example the County tax bill for a home assessed at $100,000 would be $560.40.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Delaware County Announces Four Informational Meetings Regarding Property Tax Reassessment

March 2, 2018 by admin

Delaware County will hold 4 public informational meetings in March at different sites throughout the county to educate residents about the upcoming Delaware County Tax Reassessment Project.

The county was ordered in March 2017 by the county Common Pleas Court to conduct a countywide property tax reassessment, effective for the 2021 tax year. Reassessment began in December and is expected to conclude in 2020. Street-level photography of properties is ongoing, and pictometry, or image collection from the air, will begin in the spring. The 4 public meetings to provide more information about the process will be held:

Tuesday, March 13, 2 to 3 p.m., Penn State Brandywine, Tomezsko Classroom Building – 25 Yearsley Mill Road, Media
Thursday, March 15, 7 to 8 p.m., The Creekside Center – 794 Milmont Avenue, Swarthmore
Monday, March 19, 7 to 8 p.m., Neumann University/The Schmidt Room – 1 Neumann Drive, Aston
Wednesday, March 21, 1 to 2 p.m., Haverford Recreation Center/EverGreen Room – 9000 Parkview Drive, Haverford

Registration is not required and residents can attend any meeting. A Reassessment Hotline has also been set up at 610-891-5695 for residents to call with any questions or concerns.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

The Most Popular Kitchen Finishes Among Homeowners Who Renovate

February 16, 2018 by admin

White Cabinets Remain at the Top of Kitchen Wish Lists

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

New Tax Law Restricts Interest Deduction On Home Equity Loans

January 5, 2018 by admin

For the millions of Americans who use their homes as a personal bank in the form of home equity loans – also know as a HELOC (Home Equity Line Of Credit) – the new tax legislation signed into law last month has an unwelcome surprise.

Under the new law the interest paid on home equity loans will no longer be tax-deductible. However interest on a HELOC loan that is obtained to acquire, build or substantially improve the residence will remain deductible.

Historically, borrowers could deduct home equity interest on loans up to $100,000 ($50,000 for married people filing separately). And unlike the deduction for interest on primary mortgages, home equity deductions are disappearing for both new and existing borrowers. No loans will be grandfathered.

In the past, homeowners have used their home equity to get low, tax-deductible interest rates for a myriad of reasons such as a large purchase, debt consolidation, or financing a college education. Because HELOC loans are secured by real estate, rates on these loans are considerably lower than rates for an unsecured loan. A homeowner scores a lower interest rate and was able to to deduct the interest from their taxes. The new law closes this “loophole” for using home equity as a cheap source of consumer financing.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

S. Clark Kendus