The amount of money that is being made available right now to home improvement-minded homeowners is just crazy. I sometimes wonder, however, are we doing a good enough job of informing you folks of the available opportunities?  I have my doubts.  Let me take a quick minute to outline the possibilities for our region:

Missouri Scenario #1 $4,200 Free Tax Credit Money:

• You live in MO and you qualify for a KCP&L tax credit – $600
• You are also a MO Gas Energy customer – $600
• You purchase new energy efficient Windows – $1,500
• You purchase your EE Windows through Total Home of KS (Coupon #CHA-CHING) – $1,500

Kansas Scenario #2  $3,000 Free Tax Credit Money:

• You purchase new energy efficient Windows – $1,500
• You purchase your EE Windows through Total Home of KS (Coupon #CHA-CHING) – $1,500

As you can see, these available funds add up very nicely – whether you live in KS or MO.

Here are the additional resources you will need in order to cash in on your available monies:

MO Gas & Energy and KCP&L Rebate Info

Total Home of KS Rebate Match

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Your first home is likely to be one of the most erratic learning experiences of your life.  You will probably learn about things that you previously had no interest in learning whatsoever, and you will spend far more money than you ever intended to spend from the get-go.  But the flip-side of this is that you will feel an immense sense of pride for every task that you complete, every wall that you paint, every toilet that you un-clog, and every mortgage payment that you make (well, that last one doesn’t always induce pride so much as stress, fear and panic – but you get the point).

Let me list a few tips for the Homeowner Newbie.  I know you’ve got a lot to take in, but take a glance:

1. Wires: Before you go fiddling around with anything electric, check-in with a qualified electrician (not just your buddy, Hank, who happens to be an expert at hooking up stereo systems).  Have them make certain that you have enough wattage to complete your project and that your wiring is up to building code standards.
2. Appliances: Don’t make the same mistake I made in my first home. Plan your new appliances and high voltage outlets accordingly.  Do not purchase a refrigerator that is too big for the far- end of the room, but is only capable of plugging into that far-end of the room.  And if you do decide to do that, be prepared to hire that electrician guy again for yet another job.
3. Home Safety: Make a checklist of all home safety devices, and assure that your home is up to par on all of them.  You should already know these things, but I will remind you, nonetheless.  You need smoke alarms (with batteries), carbon monoxide detectors, burglary alarms and/or a large/scary animal.
4. Windows: Check the caulk job on your windows.  Proper caulking around your windows will help to prevent water damage.  This will also help to keep unnecessary energy from exiting the home.
5. Fireplace: Older homes have nice, old fireplaces. Nice, old fireplaces have a tendency to be extremely non-energy efficient.  Consider upgrading its efficiency by installing an air circulation device or a pellet stove.  You might even consider getting a stone for your fireplace that will radiate heat, making it more efficient.

Name that movie:

Tom Hanks is first-time home buyer in 1986 ____________.

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