2008     In this Issue:   Why NOW May Be The Best Time to Buy a Home 7 Tips for a Greener Home Home Maintenance for May      Why NOW May Be The Best Time to Buy a Home   How many times have we heard that line since the downward spiral in the real estate market began?  Now may be REALLY the best time to buy, and here are three prime reasons you need to pay attention to.     As we reported in last month's issue:  Price is one of the most important considerations in a real estate transaction. But at the same time home buyers too frequently treat interest rates as a secondary concern.  Well, the number 1 reason why now may be the best time to buy is: MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES are on the rise again.     For the first time in over 6 weeks, mortgage rates have begun rising across the board as lower home prices and mortgage rates contributed to a more affordable market for homebuyers.     The number 2 reason why now may be the best time to buy is: The National Association of Realtors reported that January's Pending Home Sales Index held unchanged from December, contrary to the consensus expectation of a 1% slide, signaling that existing home sales in February could hold steady from January's level.  Pay close attention to this reason, and maybe it should have been the number one reason.  After many consecutive months where this statistic was DOWN each month from the previous month, the slide has come to a halt.  In some markets, the slide has not only stopped, but sales have increased.     If you were trying to "time the market" and wait for the "bottom"... you may already be too late.  By the time statistics from the NAR and the National Homebuilder's Association catch up to tell us all that sales have begun to increase, you're already past that bottom.     The number 3 reason why now may be the best time to buy is: The backlash against the government-funded bailout for troubled mortgage borrowers is growing.  Many Americans are upset over their tax dollars being used to keep people in homes they never should have purchased in the first place, especially those now facing the Alternative Minimum Tax, and this growing sentiment is beginning to be heard in Washington.     So what does number 3 have to do with making now a good time to buy?  It's simple.  The more the government gets involved (if they indeed do) in things, typically it muddies things up even more, and could create repercussions in the mortgage sector that could make things even tighter down the road than they are now when it comes to loan qualifications.       7 Tips for a Greener Home   It seems like "going green" is one of the trendiest things to do! Being environmentally friendly is one of the best things you can do for your wallet, your home, your health and the world.     We've put together 7 of the easiest, most cost-effective tips to get you on your way to savings and doing your part:     1 - Use things only when you absolutely need to - seems like common sense, but many people will do a load of laundry for a single pair of jeans! Also, keep in mind, the biggest energy vampires (things that are just always on and suck up useless energy) are computers and digital televisions. If it's not in use, pull the plug!     2 - Give your dryer a break! If you're not in a hurry, hang up your clothes to air dry. Dryers are one of the most guilty energy hogs.     3 - Buy energy-efficient appliances - if you're still working with primitive appliances, consider replacing them with Energy Star appliances. You can get a break on your taxes and will also start to see a difference in your energy bills.     4 - Wrap your water heater! If your water heater is still in good shape, there is a chance you can help it run more efficiently. Wrapping it in insulation will help keep it in peak condition. If you need a new water heater, consider a tankless model which saves space and money.     5 - Compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs - they may be more expensive to purchase initially, but between the energy bill savings and much longer lifespan, they will pay for themselves long before they ever quit on you. They're available for almost all fixtures, in many different sizes - even for your large outdoor floodlights.     6 - Save some water in the bathroom - high-efficiency showerheads are inexpensive and easy to find. If you need some new porcelain, check out a low-flow toilet. The average low-flush toilet uses 2 gallons less than a normal toilet.     7 -  Consider buying alternative energy - contact your area's energy company to find out about the greener alternative energy sources available to you.     This is just a beginning. There are many, many ways to reduce your footprint on the earth. Forget being trendy - make "being green" a priority and soon it will be an old habit you won't even have to think about!     Home Maintenance for May   We continue our monthly update from The Weather Channel's home improvement expert Danny Lipford, that not only reminds you of what needs to be done and when, but also shows you ways to save money.        May   Make sure the dehumidifier is working properly if you live where it's humid and your entire home isn't air-conditioned.   Vacuum window air conditioners, then make sure there is no air leakage around them (use removable rope caulk if necessary) and they are operating properly.   Examine your deck for signs of deterioration. Tighten screws and railing bolts, and hammer down any exposed nails. Clean and reseal wood surfaces. Also check patio furniture for rust. Scrub rusted areas with a wire brush, then prime and paint.   Check and repair weather stripping and caulking. Gaps around your doors and windows inflate energy bills.   Check back next month for your Maintenance Tip for June.     DISCLAIMER We believe the information contained in this newsletter to be accurate.  It is presented with the understanding that we are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice.  If tax or other professional assistance is required, utilize the services of a CPA, attorney, accountant, or other consultant as may be required.