The New World of Light
If you've been shopping for a light bulb lately, you've probably seen the new packaging and labeling required by the federal government beginning this year. And, you've probably been confused or unable to find the exact bulb you're replacing.
 Here's why: in 2007, Congress passed a law that created new standards for light bulbs based on the amount of light produced for energy consumed - standards which traditional incandescent bulbs are unable to meet. The law requires all light bulbs to use 30 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The phase-out started with 100-watt bulbs beginning in January 2012 and will end with 40-watt bulbs sold starting in January 2014. In short, the light bulbs you've been buying for decades will no longer be manufactured or sold.
There are many types of incandescent bulbs that are exempt from this law, such as specialty bulbs for appliances, candelabras, globes and 3-way bulbs. Those will still be available as traditional incandescents.
Reading the New Labels
The first thing you may notice when shopping for bulbs is that the terms "watts" is gone. In its place, we are shopping based on "lumens." Lumens measure how much light the bulb produces, how bright it is. More lumens means it's a brighter light; fewer lumens means it's a dimmer light. What you will not see is any kind of conversion from traditional incandescent watts to lumens, so here is a reference guide to convert what you're replacing to the new lingo:
100W incandescent bulb = about 1600 lumens
75Wincandescent bulb = about 1100 lumens
60W incandescent bulb = about 800 lumens
40W incandescent bulb = about 450 lumens
The label on the front of the package emphasizes the bulb's brightness as measured in lumens, rather than a measurement of watts. The new front-of-package labels also will include the estimated yearly energy cost for the particular type of bulb.
 The back of each package of light bulbs now have a "Lighting Facts" label modeled after the "Nutrition Facts" label that is currently on food packages. The Lighting Facts label provides information about:
- . brightness;
- . energy cost;
- . the bulb's life expectancy;
- . light appearance (for example, if the bulb provides "warm" or "cool" light);
- . wattage (the amount of energy the bulb uses); and
- whether the bulb contains mercury.
One of the biggest complaints about CFL bulbs has been the color or quality of the light. If you were used to buying "soft white" incandescent bulbs, for example, you will no longer find that term on the new packaging. In its place is an indication of the temperature of the light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). While most energy efficient bulbs come in "warm" colors to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, you can also choose "cooler" colors with whiter and bluish hues for reading and task lighting.
For warmer color (formerly soft white) look for 2700–3000K, 3500–4100K gives a bright white light and 5000–6500K is bluer and most like daylight.
For more information, go to www.energysavers.gov/lighting. The site includes Frequently Asked Questions addressing topics such as lighting choices, the new law standards, lumens and mercury.
10 things to know about mortgage debt forgiveness
By Stephen Fishman
Inman News®
Over the past several years, millions of homeowners have had billions of dollars in mortgage debt forgiven, either through foreclosure, refinancing or short sales. It's important for real estate professionals and homeowners to understand that mortgage debt forgiveness has significant tax consequences.
Here are 10 things the Internal Revenue Service says you should know about mortgage debt forgiveness:
1. Normally, when a lender forgives a debt -- that is, relieves the borrower from having to pay it back -- the amount of the debt is taxable income to the borrower. Thus, a homeowner who had $100,000 in mortgage debt forgiven through a short sale would have to pay income tax on that $100,000, as an example.
Fortunately, under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, you may be able to exclude from your taxable income up to $2 million of debt forgiven on your principal residence from 2007 through 2012. This means you don't have to pay income tax on the forgiven debt.
2. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return.
3. You may exclude from your taxable income debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in a foreclosure.
4. To qualify, the debt must have been used to buy, build or substantially improve your principal residence and be secured by that residence.
5. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act applies to home improvement mortgages you take out to substantially improve your principal residence -- that is, they also qualify for the exclusion.
6. Second or third mortgages you used for purposes other than home improvement -- for example, to pay off credit card debt -- do not qualify for the exclusion.
7. If you qualify, claim the special exclusion by filling out Form 982: Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness , and attach it to your federal income tax return for the tax year in which the debt was forgiven.
8. Debt forgiven on second homes, rental property, business property, credit cards or car loans does not qualify for the tax-relief provision. In some cases, however, other tax-relief provisions -- such as bankruptcy -- may be applicable. IRS Form 982 provides more details about these provisions.
9. If your debt is reduced or eliminated, you normally will receive a year-end statement, Form 1099-C: Cancellation of Debt, from your lender. By law, this form must show the amount of debt forgiven and the fair market value of any property foreclosed.
10. Examine the Form 1099-C carefully. Notify the lender immediately if any of the information shown is incorrect. You should pay particular attention to the amount of debt forgiven in Box 2 as well as the value listed for your home in Box 7.
The IRS has created a highly useful Interactive Tax Assistant on its website that you can use to determine if your canceled debt is taxable. The tax assistant tool takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses to tax law questions.
For more information about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, see IRS Publication 4681: Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Abandonments. You can get it from the IRS website at irs.gov.
Stalking
 Unfortunately,crimes take place. Stalking is the number one crime against women. In order to combat this growing problem we have put together some tips to help decrease your chances of becoming a victim.
- Stay alert to your surroundings. Remember to use Andrew's Five Second Rule (see below)
- Change your daily patterns. Don't leave for work or come home from work at the same time everyday. Drive to and from work in different routes. Be unpredictable.
- Be careful how you use social media. Do not post where you are and where you are going. This information makes it easy for a stalking to locate you.
- Shop only during daylight hours and try not to shop alone.
- Avoid overloading yourself with packages and stuff. It's important to have a clear sightline.
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason.
- Park in a well-lit space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and take the keys with your when you leave. Do not park next to vehicles you cannot see inside of. Do not
park next to walls or bushes where someone can hide.
- Keep your car doors locked at all times.
- At home, never open the door for someone you don't know.
- Keep your garage door locked along with all dead bolts on your doors.
- Have adequate motion detection lighting around the outside of your home.
- When you leave your home, keep lights and a radio or TV on.
- Always have your cell phone on you and charged.
- Contact local Victim Services through your local Attorney General's office
If you find yourself a victim of stalking…
- Let your friends and family know what's going on.
- Get a private post office box.
- File a change-of-address card with the postal service.
- Obtain an unpublished and unlisted phone number.
- If your state has Caller ID, order Complete Blocking.
- Change your email address
- Keep a log of all incidents.
- Consider getting professional counseling.
- Make a police report. Consider getting a restraining order.
Above all, trust your instincts!
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Why Use a REALTOR®?
The REALTOR® mark shows that your real estate agent is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and adheres to a strict Code of Ethics. There are many reasons to use a REALTOR® to help you buy or sell a home. Here's one:
A REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening your local marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties.
For information on choosing and using a REALTOR®, click here.
The New World of Light
The new, more efficient light bulbs available today generally fall into three categories:
Energy Saving Incandescents - about 25% energy savings
Energy-saving, or halogen, incandescents have a capsule inside that holds gas around a filament to increase bulb efficiency. This type of incandescent bulb is about 25 precent more efficient and can last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They are available in a wide range of shapes and colors, and can be used with dimmers.
CFLs - about 75% energy savings
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are simply curly versions of the long tube fluorescent lights you may already have in a kitchen or garage. New CFL bulbs are available in a range of light colors, including warm (white to yellow) tones that were not as available when first introduced. Some are encased in a cover to further diffuse the light and provide a similar shape to the bulbs you are replacing. If you are looking for a dimmable bulb, check the package to make sure you purchase a CFL with that feature. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, and they should always be recycled at the end of their lifespan. Many retailers recycle CFLs for free. See www.epa.gov/cfl for more information.
LEDs - about 75% – 80% energy savings
The light emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly developing technologies. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only 20% – 25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace. LED bulbs are currently available in many products such as replacements for 40W, 60W, and 75W traditional incandescents, reflector bulbs often used in recessed fixtures, and small track lights. While LEDs are more expensive at this early stage, they still save money because they last a long time and have very low energy use.
GREEN Tip
Did you know that 75% of your garbage should be eligible for recycling?
The city of Henderson now has recycling pickup once per week, (Single Stream) instead of bi-weekly.
The garbage pickup is now once per week, with the change to Single Stream service. The Greater Las Vegas Valley is the last area in the nation to begin changing over to Single Stream schedule instead of twice weekly pickup. All recycling materials will be comingled into one recycling container.
With recycling pickups once per week, residents are encouraged to be mindful of recycling 75% of their garbage!
The Three L's for Home Safety: Locks, Lighting and Landscape
Locks
Be sure you have proper locks on all your doors and windows. And keep them locked! Use anti-bumping deadbolt locks on all your doors. Keep the door between your house and the garage locked and lock your garage door at night. Don't forget to check all your locks before you go to bed each night.
Lighting
Criminals love landscape lighting and dusk-to-dawn lighting. We recommend you install motion detector lighting on all your outside lights. This includes on all four sides of your home. Also
install timers for the interior lights of your house. This makes your home look occupied even when you are not there.
Landscaping
In addition to keeping your lawn cut and clear of clutter, remember the 3 Foot/10 Foot Rule. All of your bushes should be cut down to no higher than three feet and thinned out. This prevents criminals from hiding behind yourbushes to surprise you. All your trees should be cut to hang no lower than ten feet from the ground.
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