Cash for Caulking This is a rather new item that few people have heard about. We thought it interesting and felt it was something you should know about. President Obama has proposed a program that would reimburse homeowners for installing energy-efficient appliances, windows, and insulation.
Under what has been dubbed "Cash for Caulking," homeowners would get a 50 percent rebate on items like energy-efficient air conditioners, heating systems, washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, replacement windows, and insulation up to $12,000, meaning a household could spend $24,000 and get $12,000 back. There will likely be no income restrictions.
There has been speculation about how this program would pay the rebate - some have suggested that when you purchase an item covered under this program, that you'd only have to lay out 50% the amount of the cost and the retailer would get the other 50% from the government.
Cash for caulking could be a winner - lets hope it becomes more than a proposal!
Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818
Let's hope not.
Is this different from the current energy credit being offered?
I have reservations about rewarding homeowners for maintaining their homes properly.
Bernadine: This is proposed legislation by the President, so it is not the same as the current energy credit being offered.
Lenn & Cheryl: Thanks for posting. Your opinions are both appreciated.
Hi Bob & Richelle,
Hmmm...I wonder what happens if it's an RE investor doing a rehab? Do they get 50% off on all that stuff too? Thanks for sharing.
I would rather see a tax break for buying or updating. Enough with the tax credits. I wonder if this is part of the secretive meetings that took place last night?
Bob & Richelle,
Sorry going to have to respectfully disagree with you on this one - I say the government is already too deep in my life - I certainly don't need their incentives to take care of my biggest investment...owenership is motivation enough.
Merry Christmas,
John
It is not shocking any more. And heck with the President, he has an agenda of destroying American way of life.
I can't believe that agents are OK with just another government ripoff.
How can we not see it? Keeping the eyes wide shut?
Shame on us.
It will simply cost us all more.
A dilemma is: do we need to tell our investors and buyers to look into this opportunity to get a higher resale value with the taxpayer's money?
Isn't it that you spend more on your home, you get more on the resale. Even if this resale is not a flip, when the poerty is sold the Seller will potentially make extra $12K.
I'm afraid I do not view this proposal as a winner and I certainly hope it gets stopped in its tracks! If we purchase a home part of being a homeowner is taking responsibility for the care and maintenace. I don't expect the government to be paying for my home repairs, thank you.
Richelle ~ Lot's of different reviews. It's a great informative blog but I don't think that the Gov should pay us back for maintaining our own home.
Bob and Richelle, it seems like you started a big fight with this one. It kept going with over a hundred comments in a featured blog with yours as subset. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
With your permission, I think I will reblog this to get feedback from my clients and friends on their thoughts on this new proposed program.
THis is something everyone could do if they weren't so lazy. I love how far the government will go to control people.
Laxson Associates: Feel free to re-blog. A few other people have re-blogged this post.