Neighborhood Link Resource Guide

Homeowner Resources

• AFTER A DISASTER: CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR Tips for choosing a contractor when your home is damaged in a disaster
• ASBESTOS An information guide on asbestos and asbestos abatement. Also discusses vermiculite and how it relates to asbestos.
• ASK BEFORE YOU ALTER Information for homeowners altering their property within deed restriction guidelines; sample forms available
• AVOID SCAMS! A pre-purchase checklist to avoid problems and make safe purchases
• CAR ADS: READING BETWEEN THE LINES Ads may help you shop, but finding the best deal requires careful comparisons.
• CHOOSING UTILITY PROVIDERS How to choose an electric, natural gas, or water provider-you may have a choice.
• CLOTHES WASHERS How to save energy using clothes washers and dryers
• COMPREHENSIVE CONSUMER AGENCY LISTING GUIDE Comprehensive consumer agency listings with descriptions and links.
• COMPUTER IDENTITY THEFT How to protect against computer identity theft.
• COMPUTER SAFETY IN THE MODERN AGE How to keep your computer safe from viruses, spyware, and email hoaxes.
• CONDOMINIUM INSURANCE: ARE YOU INSURED ADEQUATELY? Insurance for condos is different from homeowners insurance for a single family home, and usually requires more coverage
• CONVENTIONAL STORAGE WATER HEATERS How storage water heaters work; what criteria to use when selecting the right model; and some installation, maintenance, and safety tips.
• CORRECTING FRAUDULENT INFORMATION IN CREDIT REPORTS Using the Fair Credit Reporting Act to correct fraudulent entries on your credit reports.
• CREATING A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT How to prepare a disaster supply kit for your home, office, and car.
• DRAFTY ROOMS Places where drafts occur and ways to fix them
• DRIVE GREEN - BUY AN EFFICIENT VEHICLE The difference between a car that gets 20 MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $1,020 per year
• DRIVE GREEN - DRIVING MORE EFFICIENTLY Learn great tips on driving more efficiently and improving gas mileage
• DRIVE GREEN - KEEPING YOUR CAR IN SHAPE Learn great tips on keeping your car in shape and improving gas mileage
• DRIVE GREEN - PLANNING AND COMBINING TRIPS Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance
• DRY AIR How to keep the air in your home from being dry.
• DUST Sources of dust in your house, and how to reduce dust.
• EPA ASBESTOS GUIDE Comprehensive EPA guide to asbestos
• ENERGY SAVING DISHWASHERS How to lower the energy use of a diswasher.
• ENERGY SAVING LIGHT FIXTURES Saving energy by using the correct light fixtures in your home.
• ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN LANDSCAPING What we do in our yards often affects our neighbors and the environment.
• ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING How to go about implementing environmentally-friendly landscaping around your home.
• FAQS ABOUT BUYING HUD HOMES Answers to common questions about buying HUD homes
• FIVE GREAT WAYS TO ADVERTISE YOUR RENTAL HOME How to get the word out about your rental property
• FIXING HIGH ENERGY BILLS Tips for lowering the amount of energy your home uses.
• FIXING HOT OR COLD ROOMS Tips on fixing rooms that are too hot or too cold.
• FIXING MOISTURE ON WINDOWS How to solve the problem of moisture and condensation on windows
• FUNDS FOR HANDYMAN-SPECIALS AND FIXER-UPPERS How to get funds for handyman-specials and fixer-uppers through HUD's 203(k) program.
• GUIDE TO CLEANING UP HEATING OIL DISCHARGES How to clean up a heating oil discharge in your home.
• HUD MANUFACTURED HOME FACT SHEET Manufactured Homes Owner Information from HUD
• HIDDEN HOME HEALTH HAZARDS How to test for radon and mold, and what to do if they're in your home
• HOLIDAY DECORATING SAFETY TIPS Safety tips for all types of holiday decorations: trees, indoor and outdoor lights, candles, and fireplaces
• HOME SWEET HOME IMPROVEMENT Ways to safely choose a qualified home improvement pro to help with your project
• HOMEOWNER'S GLOSSARY OF BUILDING TERMS A nice reference for homeowners who are unfamiliar with building terminology.
• HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE Tips on how to shop for homeowners insurance and save money-also avice on flood insurance
• HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE: TWELVE WAYS TO SAVE Twelve ways to save on homeowners insurance.
• HOW CAN I AFFORD A FIXER-UPPER? Using a HUD 203 (k) loan to purchase a house needing repairs.
• HOW IDENTITY THEFT OCCURS Ways thieves can steal your identity and what to do if it happens.
• HOW LANDLORDS CAN USE CREDIT SCORING TO MAKE RENTAL DECISIONS Ways in which FICO credit scores can help landlords choose renters.
• HOW TO AVOID FORECLOSURE HUD Guide on how to avoid foreclosure.
• HOW TO CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR Tips on choosing a contractor and things to watch out for.
• HOW TO STOP DEBT COLLECTOR CONTACTS Info from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act on how to stop debt collectors from contacting you.
• ICE DAMMING LEAKS: WHAT HAPPENED? How to prevent ice damming leaks on roofs.
• ICE DAMS Causes and fixes for icicles and ice dams on the roof.
• IDENTITY THEFT! AVOID IT! U.S. Governmenet guide to ID theft prevention
• INGESTED MAGNETS - SERIOUS INTESTINAL INJURIES Small magnets can kill children if two or more are swallowed.
• INSPECTING FOR POSSIBLE HOME EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS Tips on making your home earthquake safe.
• LANDSCAPE SHADING Proper landscape shading strategies can help save energy costs and keep you cool in the summer.
• LANDSCAPE WINDBREAKS Strategies, methods, and value of landscape windbreaks around your home-save money and energy.
• LANDSCAPING FOR WATER CONSERVATION Various methods for landscaping while considering water conservation-Planning watering, and xeriscaping are discussed.
• MAKING YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT! How to do a home energy audit and make your home more energy efficient.
• MUTUAL SELF-HELP HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM (SECTION 502) Self-help loan program to help low-income people afford and build a home.
• OUT! OUT! DARN SPOT! How to remove oil spots from concrete driveways.
• PEELING PAINT Causes and cures for peeling paint
• PET OWNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibility aspects of pet ownership in an hoa or neighborhood association-methods and ordinances.
• PREVENTING IDENTITY THEFT Detailed discussion of how it can happen to you and what to do if it does-many useful links as well.
• PROTECTING YOUR HOME Best methods of protecting your home from burglars in various situations and scenarios.
• REMOVING MOLD, MILDEW OR MUSTY ODORS FROM YOUR HOME How to remove mold, mildew, and musty odors from your home.
• RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN A COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION The various right and responsibilites that go along with belonging to a community associaton.
• RURAL SINGLE FAMILY HOME LOANS Section 502 loans can help low-income families purchase homes in rural areas.
• SAFETY RECALLS When buying a used vehicle or other second-hand product check to make sure it hasn't been the subject of a product recall-two links to gov't websites.
• SAFETY AT HOME Great safety tips for home-how to prevent poisonings, falls, fires, suffocation and other mishaps including keeping your home safe from intruders.
• SAVING ENERGY USE BY REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS Information and tips on saving energy use of refrigerators and freezers
• SAVING WATER CAN SAVE YOU MONEY Excellent tips and planning guide for saving money by saving water in your garden and landscaping.
• SECURITY BASICS AT HOME Basics of Homeowner Security and Safety.
• SELECTING A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR How to choose and deal with a contractor when doing home improvements-how to avoid fraud.
• SELECTING THE RIGHT PAINTS How to select the right paint for your home or building-a consumer's guide.
• SERVICE CONTRACTS: SHOULD YOU BUY ONE? Service contracts and extended warranties: Should you buy them?
• SHOPPING FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES AND HOME ELECTRONICS Guidlines and Info on Buying Energy Efficient Appliances and Home Electronics.
• SOFT BEDDING MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO BABIES Great recommendations on safe bedding practices when putting infants down to sleep.
• SPACE HEATING AND COOLING: SAVING ENERGY AND MONEY Saving money and energy with heating and cooling-links to energy calculators and more.
• STRINGS, CORDS, ETC. CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO INFANTS Never tie pacifiers, necklaces, toys, or other items around a child's neck.
• TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY CONSCIOUS PURCHASES New tax laws will allow tax credits for energy-conscious purchases.
• THREE WAYS TENANT SCREENING IMPROVES YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Improving your neighborhood by screening renters
• TIPS ON BUYING A HOME Helpful tips and links on buying a home.
• TOP FIVE WATER-SAVING TECHNIQUES It's not just the dry western areas of the country which need to be concerned with water efficiency.
• TOP TEN CONDO DEFECTS Arm yourself with the Top Ten Condo Defects before you go shopping for your new home.
• TOP TEN HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR SENIORS Placing non-skid strips in bathtubs or safety bars in showers and handrails on both side of the stairwells.
• TOXIC MOLD ENVIRONMENTS: MOISTURE AND MY HOME Toxic Mold:Health Risks, Detection, Prevention, and Remediation
• USDA RURAL HOUSING REPAIR AND REHAB LOANS Loans and grants available for low income families to repair or rehabilitate their homes.
• WATER CONSERVATION TIPS AROUND THE HOME Conserving water around your home:Indoors and Outdoors-Very Useful Tips that will save you water and money
• WATER EFFICIENCY MEASURES FOR LANDSCAPING Best practices for water efficiency measures in regards to landscaping
• WEARING A HELMET CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE! Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a serious head injury and even save your life.
• WHAT ARE BIOFUELS? Description of the different types of biofuels.
• WHAT IS ETHANOL? Overview of Ethanol-How it is made and How it is used
• WHY ARE MY FLOORS COLD? Tips for figuring out why floors are cold
• WHY IS MY BASEMENT DAMP? Causes and solutions for damp basements
• WINTER READINESS Homeowner Tips for preparing for Winter.