I found this table in a mailout from Lake Region Coop. Good info when planning on installing heat sources.
Source: Efficency Annual Costs
Geothermal on Dual-Fuel rate 350% $545
with LP gas back-up 90%

Geothermal on General Service rate 350% $829

Air Source Heat Pump electric plenum
Dua-Fuel 100% – 240% $1,117
with LP gas back-up 90%

Electric Thermal Storage on ETS rate 100% $1,225

Air Source Heat Pump rate 240% $1,525
with LP gas back-up 90%

Electric plenum on Dual-fuel rate 100% $1,545
with LP gas back-up 90%

LP gas furnace 90% $2,308

Fuel Oil furnace 85% $3,812

Replacing or upgrading the many components in our home is a costly enterprise and one recurring question is always, “How long before I have to do this again?”
Frankly, the answer will always be a little fuzzy, since it is an average of those that fail right out of the box and those that appear to cling to life far beyond our most outlandish expectations. It also does not take into account the fact that older, simpler machines may be expected to survive longer than newer, more complex units do and that weather and usage may influence individual results.
This table should help in planning efforts.
Component Useful Life

Incandescent light bulb 1000 hours
Compact-Florescent light bulb 8000 hours
Furnace filter, disposable 1 to 3 months
Furnace filter, washable 2 to 3 years
Trash compactor 6 years
Smoke detector 5 to 7 years
Carbon Monoxide detector 5 to 7 years
Deck sealer 1 to 3 years
Dehumidifier 8 years
Humidifier 8 years
Exterior paint 6 to 10 years
Microwaves 8 to 9 years
Refrigerators 9 years
Air conditioner (room) 10 years
Air conditioner (central) 15 years
Water heater (gas) 10 years
Water heater (electric) 11 years
Water heater (tank less) 20 years
Freezer 11 years
Garbage disposal 12 years
Washing machine 12 years
Dryer 13 years
Dish washer 13 years
Kitchen range (electric) 13 years
Asphalt drive 15 years
Kitchen range (gas) 15 years
Furnace (electric or gas) 15 to 18 years
Furnace (oil) 20 years
Hydronic boiler (electric) 13 years
Hydronic boiler (gas) 20 years
Thermostat (analog) 35 years
Thermostat (electronic) 5 to 10 years

Broker Summary of MLS thru September 2011
Date of Summary: January 1, 2011 thru September 30, 2011

Closed MLS volume thru September 30, 2011 $315,359,823
Closed MLS volume thru September 30, 2010 $359,214,931

Our closed volume thru September 30, 2011 has decreased 12.2% compared to the same period of 2010. The number of closed units is down a little more than 13%.

When we analyze our Multiple Listing statistics, we always separate existing residential sales from new construction sales in order to give the truest picture possible. In keeping with that analysis:

New Construction closed volume thru September 30, 2011 $51,705,545
New Construction closed volume thru September 30, 2010 $62,621,415

This shows a decrease of over l7% from the same period a year ago. I always like to mention that not all new construction in the metropolitan area closes thru our Multiple Listing Service, but these are the only statistics available to us.

Existing residential closed volume thru September 30, 2011 $250,028,473
Existing residential closed volume thru September 30, 2010 $282,562,225

We see 2011 is down 11.5% from last year at this time. It will be interesting to see how the 4th quarter plays out the year.

*Note the closed for new and existing do not meet the total closed for MLS as we have a
Category called “other” which includes lots, land, lake property, mobile homes, etc. that thru the third quarter of 2011 accounted for about 4.3% of our MLS closed business.

Our average sales price (of existing homes) at the end of the September is at $157,404.
.
Thru September of this year there have been 4,332 new listings taken, compared to 4,718 during the same period last year.

Average days on market for our entire MLS thru September 2010 was 85 days. Our days on market in the last 12 month period has risen to 114 days. As I always like to point out, this gage is so varied from north Fargo to south Fargo to West Fargo to Moorhead, that lumping it together in one category is not a true market picture; for that we need to localize the days on market to area.

In Conclusion: The 2011 real estate market started slow, has been stable thru the second and third quarters, and it appears to want to end strong. Our interest rates continue to be historically low, our economy is strong, and the people of North Dakota appear to understand that our market is unique; look to your local market is the message.

Prepared by Barbara A. Grande, Broker, Coldwell Banker First Realty 10/24/2011

The national average mortgage rate charged for purchasing previously owned homes dropped 12 basis points to 4.62% in June, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

June marks the third-straight month of declines. The average rate, according to the index history, hasn’t reached above 5% since April 2010, when the homebuyer tax credit was still available. The FHFA averages rates based on a small monthly survey of lenders originating government-insured or guaranteed mortgages, refinances and balloon loans.

For June, the FHFA measured more than 6,000 loans from 31 lenders.

The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage slid 13 bps to 4.79% in June.

The initial fees and charges averaged 0.94% of the loan balance in June, up 9 bps from the month before. Of all the loans studied in June, 28% were “no-point” mortgages. The average loan period inched closer to 30 years, and the average loan-to-value ratio in June was 76.3%.

The average loan amount was for $219,000, down nearly $4,000 from the month before.

By Jon Prior

Date of Summary:   January 1, 2011 thru June 30, 2011      Closed MLS volume thru June 30, 2011                                                                    $175,368,753Closed MLS volume thru June 2010                                                                                   $250,518,239Closed MLS volume thru June 2009                                                                                  $166,035,815  2010 was up almost 44% in comparison to closed volume for the first six months of 2009. 2011, thru June, is down 30% from 2010, but up 5 ½% from 2009, which reflects a truer picture of our market.    When we analyze our Multiple Listing statistics, we always separate existing residential sales from new construction sales in order to give the truest picture possible.   In keeping with that analysis:  New Construction closed volume thru June 30, 2011      $29,457,619New Construction closed volume thru June 30, 2010       $46,296,056 New Construction closed volume thru June 30, 2009       $28,557,793 As you can see, again, the first half of 2010 shows a substantial increase, but looking at 2009 and 2011, an increase is shown of 3%, typical of our market. We must always mention that not all new construction in the metropolitan area closes thru our Multiple Listing Service, but these are the only statistics available to us.  Existing residential closed volume thru June 30, 2011                                   $138,765,879Existing residential closed volume thru June 30, 2010                                $197,267,893Existing residential closed volume thru June 30, 2009                                  $130,696,888  We see 2010 is ahead of 2009 by 45%. But, comparing 2011 to 2009, we have an increase of 6%, which is a stable increase.    *Note the closed for new and existing do not meet the total closed for MLS as we have aCategory called œother which includes lots, land, lake property, mobile homes, etc. that thru the first half of 2011 accounted for 4% of our MLS closed business.  Our average sales price (of existing homes) at the end of the June 2011 is $154,629, down just 1.1% from the first half of 2010, which was a record first half. Demand drove the increase last year.  The first half of 2011 there were 2,948 new listings taken; first half of 2010, 3,208 new listings. First half of 2009, 3,l53 new listings.    Average days on market for our entire MLS for thru June 2011 was 122. 2010 was 74, compared to 83 days on market in June 2009. This gauge is varied from north Fargo to south Fargo to West Fargo to Moorhead. Make sure you focus on your neighborhood when trying to calculate average days on market. Days on market will vary from 70 to 130 days depending on location. Just a note of caution.    In Conclusion:   We knew the first half of 2010 when be significantly stronger than 2011.   If you remember, the Federal Tax Credit ended on June 30, 2010.   Watch for an evening out of the market in the next two quarters of the year, and I will continue to compare 2009 as well as 2010. I think it paints a more realistic picture.      Prepared by Barbara A. Grande, Broker, Coldwell Banker First Realty                               07/18/2011  

HUD AND NEIGHBORWORKS ® AMERICA ANNOUNCE
EMERGENCY HOMEOWNERS™ LOAN PROGRAM
Program is Designed to Help Homeowners at Risk of Foreclosure

WASHINGTON “ The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with NeighborWorks ® America announced the launch of the Emergency Homeowners™ Loan Program (EHLP) today, to help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure in 27 states across the country and Puerto Rico.

Congress provided $1 billion dollars to HUD, as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to implement EHLP. The program will assist homeowners who have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical condition.

Under EHLP program guidelines eligible homeowners can qualify for an interest free loan which pays a portion of their monthly mortgage for up to two years, or up to $50,000, whichever comes first.

“Through the Emergency Homeowners™ Loan Program the Obama Administration is continung our strong commitment to help keep families in their homes during tough economic times,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Working with our community partners across the nation through NeighborWorks ® America, we are pleased to launch this program today in 27 states and Puerto Rico to help families keep their homes while looking for work or recovering from illness.”  

The EHLP program will pay a portion of an approved applicant™s monthly mortgage including missed mortgage payments or past due charges including principal, interest, taxes, insurances, and attorney fees. EHLP is expected to aid up to 30,000 distressed borrowers, with an average loan of approximately $35,000.

“Through our work around the country, NeighborWorks ® America knows all too well that in these tough economic times, homeowners facing foreclosure are seeking help wherever they can find it. The deadline is July 22, 2011, so we encourage homeowners to apply now in order to find out if they qualify for this new mortgage assistance program and learn more about the many options available to assist those with housing needs,” stated Eileen M. Fitzgerald, CEO of NeighborWorks ® America.

The EHLP program is a complement to the Hardest Hit Fund which makes available $7.6 billion to 18 states and the District of Columbia that were hardest hit by the housing crisis. The EHLP program will be offered in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming and Puerto Rico. Five states operating substantially similar programs are administering EHLP directly: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. With today™s launch, mortgage assistance is now available for unemployed and underemployed homeowners in every state.

Contact information for participating agencies, the Pre-Applicant Screening Worksheet and more information on the EHLP program and its eligibility requirements can be found a twww.FindEHLP.org  or by calling toll free at 855-FIND-EHLP (346-3345).

June 7, 2011 – Despite the ups and downs of the housing market, home owners and non-owners alike consider owning a home essential to the American Dream.

That’s the key finding of a recent survey of people likely to vote in 2012 that was conducted on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) by Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, Va., and Lake Research Partners of Washington, D.C.

“The survey results show that Americans see beyond the immediate housing market to the enduring value of homeownership,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. “An overwhelming 75 percent of the people who were polled said that owning a home is worth the risk of the fluctuations in the market, and 95 percent of the home owners said they are happy with their decision to own a home,” Nielsen said.

“Homeownership is worth the risk, pure and simple,” said Neil Newhouse, a partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies. “Even though the market is weak, people who don’t own say they want to buy a house. Almost three-quarters of those who do not currently own a home, 73 percent, said owning a home is one of their goals. And among younger voters who are most likely to be in the market for a home in the next few years, the percentages are even higher,” Newhouse said.

One of the more striking aspects of the survey results is the intensity of sentiment among potential voters, according to Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners. “People believe overwhelmingly that owning a home is an anchor to the American Dream,” she said. “It’s an anchor to your retirement, and it’s an anchor to your personal economic well-being.”

Among the other survey results:

• Homeownership and a retirement savings program are considered by voters to be their best investments.
• 80% of home owners would advise a close friend or family member just starting out to buy a home.
• Saving for a downpayment and closing costs is the biggest barrier to homeownership.
• Americans believe that owning their own home is as important as being successful at their job or being able to pay for a family member’s education.

“Owning a home isn’t just a policy to people,” said Lake. “It isn’t just a commodity to people. It is a core value.”

We are proud to be Americans and thank God for the freedom and the Land that we love!   We honor every man and woman who has served our Nation throughout  our great history.   We also honor the families left waiting for the soldiers and keeping the home fires burning.   We humbly bow in service to you!

Read our article in the book “Finding the Uncommon Deal”   Click on the link below.

http://findingtheuncommondeal.com/?p=2777

What great rates!   Let’s get moving Buyers and Sellers, great home inventory in Fargo-Moorhead metro area  and always welcome more!