Home by Kate Noet

Northfield Chamber of Commerce

Spring Business

home, garden

EXPO

SPRING

Sat. April 11, 2015 see page 7 for details

&car care NorthfieldNews.com NorthfieldNews.com

5 1 & 0 R 2 O C R E O D F E S Northfield News M D O N H E NorthfieldNews.com

TOPENING TR D R A G

Northfield News Nort NorthfieldNews.com

Spring Home & Garden 2015

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Planning to Build? Save money with the one-time close on construction-permanent financing at CRB!

Construction Phase

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SPRING

home, garden

G a

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A special project of the Northﬁeld News, 115 West Fifth Street Northﬁeld, MN 55057 507-645-5615

Spring Home & Garden, April 2015 is distributed to subscribers and readers of Northfield News at no additional charge. All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertisers. All rights reserved. ©2015.

Interest Rate

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Call Peggy Hoffman at 507-645-3111 for details on our construction loan special that can save you money on a construction-permanent loan. Call today to take advantage of this great deal! *Annual percentage rate (APR) of 3.85% is a combined APR for construction and permanent financing. Effective as of 3-5-15 and subject to daily changes in FHLMC market pricing. Based on principal loan of $300,000 with initial advance of $150,000; 80% loan-to-value and an interest rate of 2.95% for 9 months and 3.75% fixed rate for 30 years with a minimum payment of interest only monthly during construction followed by a principal and interest payment of $1,389.35 for 360 months. Payment does not include taxes and insurance premiums actual payment obligation may be greater. Estimated closing costs of $6,476. Offer based on credit approval. Additional terms and rates are available. Property insurance required. Consult a tax advisor regarding interest deductibility.

1601 Hwy. West, Northfield (507) 645-5015 · www.knechts.com

• Landscape Design and Installation • 1000 Varieties of Trees, Shrubs & Perennials • Annual Flowers, Vegetables, and Hanging Baskets • Mulches & Premium Soil Mix • Open 7 days a week Early April - November 15th

VISIT OUR BOOTH FOR A COUPON & DRAWING Retail Garden Center • Hours: M-F 8-6; SAT 8-5, SUN 10-4

Spring Into Volunteering! Nothing brightens our campus like springtime in bloom. Thanks to our residents, staff and a host of volunteers from throughout the community, our beautiful grounds lift our spirits and make us proud. With new features planned for Pathways of Faith Park, we’ll be busier than ever keeping our 30-acre campus looking sharp. Ready to help? Contact us today to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Northfield Main Office 1605 Heritage Dr. Northfield Downtown 618 Division Street S.

Call 507-664-3472 or email Milosha Malecha at mmalecha@ northfieldretirement.org for more information. Hooray for spring!

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Spring Home & Garden 2015

REPAIR YOUR LAWN (METRO) Damage to a lawn may be indicative of various problems. Everything from insects to rodents to the family pet may be responsible for causing burnt patches, holes and other eyesores. Getting to the bottom of the problem is the first step in remediation. Burning and discoloration of the lawn is often a result of high concentrations of dog urine pooling in one area. Diluting the urine by hosing down areas of the lawn can clear up many problems. Birds, raccoons, skunks, moles, and other rodents may feed on

grubs that reside just under the thatch of the lawn, and animals may tear up lawns in search of this delicacy. Treating the grub problem usually alleviates damage caused by animals. Mole crickets are another common lawn destroyer. These insects resemble crickets, but they burrow beneath the turf to feed on plant roots. The mole crickets can push up channels of turf as they burrow, exposing roots to the elements and causing the grass to die. Getting rid of the insects can revitalize the lawn. 

Cottage Gardens

By Tresa Erickson The best gardens are designed around some basic principles. There must be composition and harmony. There must be balance, proportion, texture and rhythm. There must be a focal point, and, of course, there must be color. The best gardens feature all of these principles in one way or another, including cottage gardens. Cottage gardens are small gardens surrounding, you guessed it, a cottage or a small structure of some sort. Many are fenced and feature arbors, arches

or trellises. Most have walkways that wind their way through the garden and lead visitors to and fro. Cottage gardens tend to be rather small and have several deep beds overflowing with plants of all scales. Plant types vary from flowers to grasses to trees and everything in-between. Almost anything goes, but some of the most common choices for cottage gardens include: · Asters · Bee Balm · Bleeding Heart · Catmint · Coneflowers

· Coral Bells · Cornflowers · Daisies · Delphiniums · Foxglove · Garden Phlox · Geraniums · Goatsbeard · Hollyhocks · Hydrangeas · Irises · Lady’s Mantle · Lavender · Lilacs · Mock Orange · Peonies · Rosemary · Roses

· Sage · Snapdragons · Sundrops · Sweet Pepperbush · Tickseed

These are some of the plants experts recommend for cottage gardens. There are many others. As noted earlier, almost anything goes in a cottage garden. Just keep in mind the conditions where you intend to plant and choose accordingly. The right choices will set the stage for a garden that flourishes. 

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Spring Home & Garden 2015

Reasons

By JACI SMITH jsmith@faribault.com

to go

STAINLESS STEEL

Sponsored by Quality Appliance 1180 Hwy. 3 South Northﬁeld 507-645-4711

ou might have seen the video, and like most people, been a little skeptical about the true ability of stainless steel -- even treated stainless steel -- to resist the smudge. In it, people standing side by side destroy the doors of two different stainless steel refrigerators with ketchup and mustard. Predictably, the stains wipe off of one with just water and a towel. The other, no matter how much elbow grease is employed, still shows some smudging. Though nothing is absolutely smudgeproof to a child on a mission, there’s truth in that advertising. There have been advances to stainless steel appliances that make them a much better option, even if you have kids, than just a few years ago.

Page 5

Here are ﬁve reasons to go stainless steel, and sleep easy knowing you don’t have to stand guard over your appliances with cleaner and towel.

EASY TO CLEAN. SURPRISE! As a metal, stainless steel is as good as its name. it doesn’t absorb dirt, won’t scuff and remains shiny for years. They work well in high humidity because they don’t rust easily. And most stainless appliances came with a special coating so that their smooth surfaces needs only a damp towel to clean them.

HEALTHIER. How can an appliance be healthier? Because it resists bacteria better than wood or plastic. This isn’t news to commercial kitchen owners; that’s why you ﬁnd almost exclusively stainless steel appliances in your local restaurants.

LAST LONGER. According to Home & Garden TV, stainless steel appliances range from 8- to 30-gauge steel. The higher the gauge, the more durable longer-lasting,

because the higher grade has a greater ratio of nickel to chromium, and is more durable.

DOESN’T AFFECT THE FLAVOR OF FOOD. Because it is nonporous, that garlic that you’re skinning and chopping up won’t linger on stainless steel. The metal won’t react negatively with foods being prepared on it, either.

IT’S THE NEW NEUTRAL. Stainless steel goes with just about any color scheme or design, and there’s a certain cache to it. Northﬁeld Coldwell Banker Realtor Ed Kuhlman said stainless steel seems to give the impression of quality to a potential homebuyer walking through a home. “I think they respond to stainless steel,” Kuhlman said. “It says they’re in a certain kind of house.”

Reach Managing Editor Jaci Smith at 333-3134, or follow her at Twitter.com @FDNJaciSmith

Spring Home & Garden 2015

Page 6

SOUNDPROOF Gardens For The THAT MAN MIND, BODY CAVE By Tresa Erickson

(METRO) Enjoy a jam session or watch an intense sports game with the boys without disturbing the rest of your house. Soundproofing your man cave will ensure that the noise of male bonding, deep voices, loud music and cheering doesn’t disturb the entire household. A simple solution to controlling noise is acoustic insulation. A mineral wool product, such as ROXUL Safe ‘n’ Sound,

offers sound absorbing qualities that will let you crank up your subwoofer and cheer and jump around when your favorite team scores. Installing mineral wool insulation on the interior walls of your man cave or media room will control sound, delivering a place you can call your own sanctuary to hang out with the boys. 

Have you ever been to a nursing home and seen residents working in a garden? Chances are the residents were working in a therapeutic garden. Evidence suggests that gardening eases stress and provides numerous other health benefits, making it ideal for patients of all types. Therapeutic gardens can be found in a number of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted living residences, retirement communities, hospice centers and religious communities. Some gardens are geared toward a specific condition, like Alzheimer’s disease or cancer. Others are geared toward a specific group, like seniors or veterans. Almost all therapeutic gardens are designed to meet the needs

of patients as well as their family, friends and caregivers. The plants in therapeutic gardens are usually non-toxic and easy to grow. Species that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and any other of Mother Nature’s glories are ideal. Who wouldn’t enjoy sitting in a garden and watching butterflies and hummingbirds flit about. Therapeutic gardens offer many health benefits. Patients who have spent time in one have reported feeling better about themselves and life in general. Gardening improves mood, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, increases the absorption of vitamin D and keeps disease at bay. It also burns calories, encourages healthier eating habits and improves fitness levels. It may even increase pain tolerance for those suffering from chronic

5 01 ear 2 ’s he Y d l fie of t h t s r No ines s Bu

AND SOUL

pain. aging their patients to take up The benefits of therapeutic gardening, whether at home or gardening are too great to ig- in a therapeutic garden setting

nore. Therapeutic gardens have sprung up all over the world for people of all ages suffering everything from amputation to autism. Many health care providers have taken note and are encour-

somewhere. Almost anyone can benefit from gardening, whatever the state of their health. 

use this version for any

and it’s everywhere at the

usage over an inch

Spring

Spring Business Expo

April 11

sponsored by Professional Pride Realty The Northfield Arena • Doors open at 9am.

is in the air...

spring has in store for your home. use this version for any

Come and see what

usage under an inch

® Proud to be your Realtor

Office (507) 663-1100 www.ProfessionalPrideRealty.com 203 3rd Street West Northfield, MN 55057 Becca Brinkman – 507-222-9400 Bob Cross – 507-321-1060

Ruthie Gilbertson – 612-987-5980 Pat Johnson – 507-271-1656

Make sure to stop at our booth and vote in our Heroes of Education contest – it could mean $500 for your child’s classroom!

Tina Lemke – 612-227-8845 Pete Mergens – 612-741-4257

Mary Jo Winter – 612-701-2079 Sandy Deutsch, Office Manager – 507-663-1100

Spring Home & Garden 2015

Page 7

Spring Business Expo Spring 15 r 20 Yea s ’ e ld fie of th h t s r No ines s Bu

April 11th, 2015 | 9am-3pm

OVER 35 EXHIBITORS!

Northﬁeld Arena, 1280 Bollenbacher Dr. ( Hwy. 3 So.)

is in the air...

Contact the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce for more information: 507.645.5604 jane@northfieldchamber.com www.northfi eldchamber.com Come |and see what

spring ha

EVENT SPONSOR

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

® Proud to be your Realtor

Office (507) 663-1100 www.ProfessionalPrideR 203 3rd Street West Northfield, MN 55057

FREE ADMISSION! FREE COFFEE! ENTER DRAWING FOR DOOR PRIZES! Becca Brinkman – 507-222-9400 Bob Cross – 507-321-1060

WEST WING Apple Chev Buick of Northfield

Ruthie Gilbertson – 612-987-5980 Pat Johnson – 507-271-1656

Tin Pete

EXHIBITORS All Energy Solar - 30

Knechts Nurseries & Landscaping - 1

All Sons Exteriors - 27

KYMN Radio - Entrance

American Family Insurance - 20

Lampert Lumber - 9

American Waterworks - 34

Landmark Homes Co LLC - 23

Ameriprise Financial - 2

Minnesota Rebath - 35 & 28

Apple Chev Buick of Northfield - West Wing

Mr. JST Technology Consulting - 25

Atlas Remodelers - 42

Northfield Garden Club - 13

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing - 8

By All Means - 17

Northfield Hospital and Clinics EMS Heart Save Project - 21 & 14

Central Valley Cooperative - 26

Northfield Rent’n Save - 41

Cannon River Watershed Partnership/ Rice County Soil Conservation - 10

Peters’ Patio & Landscape Inc - 39 Professional Pride Realty - 29 & 22

City of Northfield: Public Works, Police, Permitting - 3 & 4

Reynolds Asphalt Maintenance- 7

Coldwell Banker South Metro - 32

Schmidt Homes Remodeling - 19

36 Entrance

KYMN

Cannon River Tree Care LLC - 18

Culligan of Northfield - 11

Enhancing Wellness with Essential Oils - 5

Chamber

Edina Realty - 12

Northfield News - 40

Servicemaster by Ayotte - 15 & 16 Streitz Heating & Cooling - 39 Three Links - 6

Integrity House Services LLC - 31

Voight Home Improvement/ Landscaping - 36 & 37

Johnson Reiland Builders & Remodelers - 33

Wireless World - 24

Spring Home & Garden 2015

Page 8

Traditional and non-traditional ‘Expo’ exhibitors offer something for everyone By KEVIN KREIN kkrein@northfieldnews.com Having worked in the Northfield area for almost 20 years, and having recently launched the landscaping divi-

sion of Voight Home Improvements, Inc., Amy Voight said that she knew she’d need some help with promotion, as well as networking opportunities with other businesses that could help both her, and her business, grow.

Voight said that the Northfield Chamber of Commerce was the logical place to go because of the networking and marketing opportunities they provide; and also because of the spring Business Expo it organizes.

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“The Chamber is there to encourage and help with whatever your business needs are,” Voight said. “The Expo is a great event that allows businesses to connect with the public through an informative way in a community atmosphere that encourages networking and connection, as well as awareness of what services and products are available right here in our community.” Voight’s Landscape Division is the Expo’s “Home Sponsor,” and from her booth at the event, she’ll be providing demonstrations, as well as chatting with attendees on her passion for creating landscapes that “give back,” and what that means for both commercial and residential spaces. The Northfield Spring Business Expo is entering its fifth consecutive year, and it’s an event that offers something for

Home renovation is just one of many services being pitched during the 2015 Northfield Spring Business Expo, being held April 11 at the Northfield Ice Arena. (News file photo) everyone: landscaping information, home renovation — both inside and out, public safety, senior care, investment information, technology trends and energy efficiency are just some of the areas covered by the exhibitors this year. Ryan Buege with All Energy

Solar said that their focus at the Expo is to let attendees know about the wealth of solar energy incentives available to Minnesotans: including net metering, tax credits and rebates, and new financing options. “We make sure that people understand what’s available

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Spring Home & Garden 2015

and how they can participate,” Buege said. Sponsoring the event for the second year is Professional Pride Realty — recently named the “Business of the Year” by the Northfield Chamber. Professional Pride founder Pete Mergens said that in sponsoring the event last year, it was a chance for him to continue making his business an important part of the Northfield community. Mergens and Professional

Pride are also organizing their second year honoring the hero teachers in classrooms across Northfield. “I truly believe in my heart that teachers have a difficult job,” Mergens said, which is why last year, he offered area K-5 students the chance to draw their teacher in a classroom setting. Of the 20 entries he received, he said over 220 people voted for which one they thought was the best during last year’s expo. The winning re-

cipient received a $500 donation from Professional Pride to be used in that student’s classroom. His hope in doing it again this year is to get more students to participate, and then therefore, get more people to attend the Expo to vote for a winning drawing. Mergens joked that people who walked by the Professional Pride booth last year were hesitant at first to fill out anything. “It was fun once people re-

on a fully charged electric batalized that they were tery, prior to a gas engine taking only voting for this over. contest,” Mergens rePausch also noted that this year called. “This is a feelthere was an emphasis on opengood opportunity. ing the show up to new exhibiThere’s nothing else tors that may have not thought behind it.” about participating in the past Missing from due to the “home improvethis year’s Expo is the ment” stigma of the event. usually scheduled “You could say our focus is speakers presenting on encouraging Northfielders in the west end of the to not only let us help them imNorthfield Ice Arena. prove their properties but also Jane Pausch their personal health,” Pausch with the Northfield said. “We encourage attendees Chamber said that in to re-focus and re-energize their the past, they haven’t participation in the community had the turnout that they live in by getting to know they’ve wanted for some of the non-traditional exthe presentations and hibitors at the show.” thought that offering She cited the Northfield a business showcase Police Department, Northfield opportunity would be a better opportu- Each year at the Northfield Spring Business Hospital and the city’s Public nity. Apple Chevrolet Expo, the home and garden businesses are well Works department as examples. Buick of Northfield is represented. (News file photo) Kevin Krein is a general assignthis year’s showcase sports car enthusiast, as well as ment reporter for the Northfield sponsor, and will be bringing variety of vehicles for a Volt, which Apple Chevrolet News. You can reach him at 507people to look at — cars, trucks, general manager Justin Olson 645-1106. SUVS, a 2015 Stingray for the said runs for around 50 miles 

Spring D IR ECTO RY TREE SERVICES

Strese’s Tree Service Inc. specializing in the sales & transplanting of larger trees since 1996

612-282-3526 12312 110th St. E., Dennison

streses.com mike@streses.com or colleen@streses.com

Landscape Design, Consultation, Construction, and Maintenance.

AMY AND NATHAN VOIGHT

507-581-6886

www.VHI-INC.com

Voight Home

Improvements Inc.

Creating Landscapes That Give Back!

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The Northfield Ice Arena has been the home of the Northfield Spring Business Expo for five years now. (News file photo)

Page 9

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Spring Home & Garden 2015

EXPERTS:

Fed will raise interest rates in June, better get your home loan now By JACI SMITH jsmith@faribault.com

Sponsored by C om m unity R esource B ank , Joy and Al Malecha owned highest level since June 2013 1 0 Her t e r e Northﬁeld 507. 645. 4441 a beautiful home in Northfield when 30-year fixed mortgage they built with Steve Schmidt Construction, plus a thriving business -- AM Concrete -- located in Dundas. That setup worked well for a while, but over time, it became apparent that the more cost-effective move would be to have home and office in one place. So, the Malechas sold their home a few years ago. “It was our long-term goal to do this,” Malecha said. “We rented for a while, and while we were renting, we were looking.” The right moment came in the form of property northeast of Northfield and home construction and mortgage loan rates are approaching the lowest point they’ve been in years. The couple have been in their new home for nearly a year. FRED, or Federal Reserve Economic Research, reported on April 2 that the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is at 3.7 percent. Rates have been on a downward trend since January 2014, and haven’t dropped below 3.7 percent since May 2013. Len Kiefer, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac says that at the same time, pending home sales are on the rise. “The National Association of Realtors reported that pending home sales rose 3.1 percent in February, beating expectations,” Kiefer wrote in a press release on April 2. “The pending home sales index was at the

rates averaged 4.07 percent, w w w . com m unity-resourcebank 0.37 percentage points higher than this week’s survey.” Closer to home, the Minnesota Association of Realtors reports in its February 2015 home sales survey that new listings are up 19 percent over this so many federal requirements time last year in southeastern on them now that it’s so much Minnesota, which includes Rice harder than it used to be.” In late March, Federal County. Closed sales also increased, 6 percent, over Febru- Reserve Chair Janet Yellen announced the ary 2014. Fed would not But findincrease interest ing a loan rates, but there for new conCommunity Resource has been much struction, a Bank offers fixed rate speculation that move to a conventional, USDA that will change bigger home Rural Development, FHA when the Fedor even a reReserve finance or and construction loans. eral Terms can range from Board meets home equity 10 to 30 years. again in June. line of credit If that comes, can be a slog t h r o u g h Interest rates vary based expect to see mounds of on purpose and product. home loan interest rates rise, red tape. and expect to Malecha said Contact a real estate see deals on he went to loan specialist or visit loans that are several dif- Community Resource ferent banks Bank’s website for more out there now disappear. and com- information about their Check out pared pack- products, a calculator to the graphic on ages before help you with financing settling on lo- online and a way to apply the next page cal Commu- online when you’re ready. for important information to nity Resource consider before Bank. You can also call them applying for a “I’m self- at 507.645.4441. home-related employed loan. and it’s hard for self-employed people to get loans,” he said. “Banks have

. com

Al Malecha and his son, Ryan, and the family dog hang out in front of the Malechas’ new home, northeast of Northfield. The right property and low rates prompted Malecha to sell his home and build new. (photo by Jerry Smith)

(Photo by Jerry Smith)

Home & Garden 2015

MN Hardwood Floor Renewal

Home Economics

Last minute graduation preparation?

We are in and out in ONE DAY!

You thought you’d left the homework behind when you graduated. But when you’re searching for a home, making sure you find the right mortgage for you is just as important as finding the right home. Here is some information to get you started on your research, but don’t forget: Nothing beats heading into your locally owned and operated bank to talk with a mortgagebanker. They will know your financial situation better than anyone.

FACTS TO REMEMBER

CREDIT REPORT

u Check your credit report for accuracy before you start shopping. A higher credit rating will mean a lower interest rate on your loan. You can check your credit report here: http://www. annualcreditreport.com.

u Currently, there are no federal or state laws requiring a mortgage lender to give you the best rate available. These days, many lenders offer a variety of mortgage products, some carrying higher interest rates than others.gov/pubs/ mortgage/worksheet.pdf).

u You may not want to go with the first lender you visit. Interest rates and fees will vary widely between lendors, so do some comparison shopping. u Offers from lenders have time limits known as the “lock period.” The rate you were quote is only guaranteed during the lock period. To keep that rate

you have to close on the purchase of the home during that timeframe. u When considering an adjustable rate mortgage, ask yourself: If the rate increases, can I still afford the higher payment? Do I plan to live in my home for less than 5 to 7 years? (If so, this

may be the right type of loan for you.) u Use a mortgage shopping worksheet as you shop. It will help you identify the different features of different loans. Find one here (http://www. federalreserve.gov/pubs/ mortgage/worksheet.pdf).

TYPES OF MORTGAGES Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): The interest rates charged

on these mortgages are tied to an interest-rate index. If the interest rate index rises, the mortgage interest rate and the monthly payment go up.

Fixed rate Mortgage: Also called a conventional mortgage or a traditional mortgage, the interest rate remains the same for the life of the loan. The loan term is typically 15 or 30 years and is not usually backed by the federal government. FHA Mortgage: A Federal Housing

Authority (FHA) insured loan allows you to buy a home with a down payment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price. This may provide you with more buying power.

VA Mortgage: If you are currently in

the United States military, or if you have

Page 11

ever served in U.S. armed forces, you may be eligible to get a loan guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (VA).

Interest-Only Mortgage: The borrower is required only to make interest payments for a specified number of years. When this initial period expires, the loan changes so the monthly payment includes principal and interest. At this point, the mortgage begins to fully amortize and monthly payments could increase significantly. Option-ARM: This product typically

offers the borrower three different monthly payment options: 1) payments of principal and interest, 2) interest-only payments, or 3) minimum monthly payments (“teaser” payment options that are less than interestonly payments). Choosing minimum monthly payments (MMPs) means the unpaid interest is added to your principal

loan amount. To ensure that the loan is repaid within the agreed-upon time, these loans “recast” after a set number of years (usually three or five) or when negative amortization drives the loan amount to a certain level above the original loan amount. Monthly payments increase so that the loan fully amortizes.

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called a piggyback loan or soft second, provides an alternative to paying private mortgage insurance. (Lenders typically require PMI if your down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price.) The loan is originated simultaneously with the first-lien mortgage. There are many government programs offering these products to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Be sure to compare the cost of this second mortgage with the cost of purchasing PMI. If you take a simultaneous second-lien loan in place of making a down payment, you reduce the equity you have in your home. Also, if your secondlien loan is a home equity line of credit (HELOC), you may be exposed to increasing interest rates and higher monthly payments. Minimum Monthly Payment (MMP): This required payment typically covers only a portion of the interest and none of the principal. Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The APR calculates the annual cost of the loan, taking into consideration points (loan origination fees), the interest rate, and other costs associated with getting the loan, including appraisal and credit report fees. Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): This ratio represents your monthly fixed expenses divided by your gross monthly income (income before taxes and deductions). If the percentage is greater than 36, the ratio could negatively impact your credit score because the lender considers you to have too much debt.

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referred to as alternative or exotic, these products take many different forms. They include interest-only mortgages, paymentoption ARMS, low-doc. and no-doc. loans, piggybacks (simultaneous second lien loans – loans that cover the down payment) and 40- or 50-year mortgages. Although these products may provide flexibility for some, for others they may simply lead to increased future payment obligations and possibly financial disaster.

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Nontraditional Mortgages: Typically

Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV): The ratio compares the value of the loan with the fair market value of the home. The lender uses it to determine if its potential losses (in the event that you do not pay) may be recouped by selling the house. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): This insurance protects the lender from default losses in the event a loan becomes delinquent. If you are approved for a mortgage that requires PMI, you still have to apply for PMI and you may not qualify. Jumbo loan: Exceeds the conforming loan limits established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This type of mortgage represents a higher risk for the lender, mainly due to its size. As a result, jumbo borrowers typically must have excellent credit and larger down payments, when compared to conforming loans. Interest rates are generally higher with the jumbo products, as well. Conforming loan: One that meets the underwriting guidelines of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, particularly where size is concerned. Fannie and Freddie are the two governmentcontrolled corporations that purchase and sell mortgage-backed securities. Points: Fees paid to the lender for the loan. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Points are usually paid in cash at closing. Loan origination fees: Fees charged by the lender for processing the loan and are often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount.

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Spring Car Care 2015

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Ready for a ROAD TRIP?

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e’re heading into summer road trip season. Before you hit that sweet highway, make sure your car is as ready for a trip as you are.

Check your automatic transmission fluid. Consult your owner’s manual for the how to on this one, but if the fluid is red or pinkish, you’re good to go. The more brown it is, the more likely it needs a change, especially if you’re going to tow something.

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Got your owner’s manual? You don’t know what you don’t know until you find out you don’t know it. Say, for example, whether your SUV can pull that rental camper-trailer or not.

Here are some tips from the experts on what to check before to pack the car.

Check your engine coolant. Just check out the tank under the hood to see if the fluid inside is between the “low” and “full” marks.

Keep Cool

Look It Up

Windshield wipers Check to make sure the washer jets are spraying and the wipers are cleaning it off. Replace and/or refill as needed.

Wipe On, Wipe Off

Is your drive belt worn looking, cracked or glazed? Time to replace it.

Tires - Pressure makes all the difference here. Check inside your glove box or the inside of the driver’s side door for your car’s tire pressure requirements, and check your tire every time you fill the gas tank. Also, check the tread on the tires themselves.

Miles To Go

Belt It Out

Charged Up How’s your battery look? Are the posts clean? Check to make sure the acid isn’t leaking or that the casing isn’t cracked. You can’t tell if your battery is close to dying, so if you’re headed out on a long trip and your battery’s 4-5 years old, it’s better to replace it and be safe rather than stuck in a parking lot somewhere with a dead car and sorry.

So Fresh & So Clean Air filter - Just like with your vacuum cleaner, the dirtier the filter the less effective the engine. If your filter is black or gray-ish in color, take it in to get replaced.

Ready For Summer Brake Top It Off Check the oil. Warm up the engine, turn it off. Then pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it off and check it again. If it’s not at “Full,” you need oil. If the oil is black, get it changed.

Bright Lights, Big City Lights - Do a perimeter check to make sure other drivers will know when you’re braking, turning or coming upon them in the dark. This is especially important if you’re towing something. Check those lights, too.

Brakes, steering, suspension and drive train. Worn CV joints, warped rotors, loose suspension, worn or leaking struts … Lots can go wrong with these parts of your car. Be safe and take your car to a local mechanic for a quick look-see to make sure your car is road-ready.

Source: AAA, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, DMV.org

Spring Care Care 2015

GREAT APPS DRIVERS CAN USE

What to look for in a teen’s first car (METRO) Many parents contribute money toward the purchase of their teenagers’ first car. But even those who don’t help kids finance the purchase of their first vehicle may still want to offer some advice as their teens start to look for the car they will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives. Different drivers need different things out of their vehicles, so a car that might be perfect for adults will not necessarily be the best fit for teen drivers without much experience traversing the nation’s roadways. The following are a few factors to consider when helping teens find their first car. Size

Teenagers have little to no experience behind the wheel, so it’s best that they not drive cars that are especially small or large right away. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 are significantly overrepresented in fatal crashes. The NHTSA suggests such drivers’ immaturity and inexperience plays a significant role in that overrepresentation. So parents likely do not want their children in the smallest car possible, as such vehicles may

Page 13

not protect teens as adequately as slightly larger vehicles in the case of an accident. In addition, very large cars, such as pickup trucks or SUVs, can be difficult to control and are best suited to older drivers who already have years of driving experience under their belts. A mid-size sedan is big enough to protect teens and their passengers in the case of an accident, and such vehicles are small enough to handle easily.

Passenger capacity Another factor to consider when shopping for cars for teenagers is passenger capacity. The more seats there are in a car, the more friends teens can pack into their vehicles. Numerous teenagers in a car at once can prove distracting to the driver, and that distraction can pave the way for an auto accident. Steer clear of minivans, SUVs or other vehicles that feature a third row of seats, as teens may be unable to stay focused on the road with so many passengers in tow. Under the hood Few teens would not light up at the sight of a muscle car awaiting them in the driveway. But cars that accelerate quickly and those with substantial horsepower and high-performance

engines may tempt teens to speed or spark the development of poor driving habits. Look for a vehicle with modest acceleration instead of an imported sports car that teens may be too immature and inexperienced to handle. Wear and tear Teens’ first cars are often preowned vehicles, and such cars may have significant wear and tear on some important safety features. Wear and tear may not be a reason to avoid purchasing a preowned vehicle, but parents may want to replace the brake pads and tires on recently purchased preowned vehicles. Brake pads in strong condition may prove the difference between avoiding an accident or getting into one. In addition, poorly inflated or worn down tires pose a safety risk to teens and their passengers. If such features seem to be worn down, replace them before letting teens hit the open road on their own. Teens will remember their first cars for the rest of their lives. Parents can ensure those memories are positive by finding a car that teens can handle comfortably and operate safely. 

(METRO) Smartphones are a convenient tool that few people can now imagine living without. Smartphone-toting moms and dads know they always have a camera on hand to take quick snaps of their youngsters, while foodies rely on their smartphones to find nearby restaurants or read reviews of eateries while out on the town. But drivers also can benefit from smartphones thanks to the following apps. · Waze: Commuters who download Waze to their smartphones may wonder how they ever navigated their daily treks to the office without this useful app, which allows drivers to share real-time traffic and road information with their fellow motorists. Drivers can use Waze to save time and gas money and make their commutes less

stressful. Drivers who use Waze can actively report accidents and find the least expensive gas prices posted by fellow drivers in their community. · GasBuddy: While fuel prices dipped in late 2014 and stayed low into 2015, today’s drivers are still conditioned to find the most affordable gas prices around. The GasBuddy app makes it easy to do just that, as users can share gas prices in their community, which fellow drivers can then peruse to find the most affordable filling stations along their driving routes. Drivers can even enter their city, ZIP code or postal code to find the cheapest gas in their vicinity. · AAA Mobile: AAA members can use the AAA Mobile app to access AAA services on their smartphones. Such services include trip planning,

member discounts and roadside assistance. The app also includes a mobile version of the motor club’s popular TripTik¨ Travel Planner, which makes it easy for smartphone users to find clubapproved hotels, restaurants and attractions. Drivers can even create and share trip itineraries between their desktop and mobile devices. · Insurance: Nearly every auto insurance provider now offers its own mobile app to policy holders. Such apps may allow drivers to pay their bills, view their insurance identification cards, peruse their policies, arrange for roadside assistance and report claims among other things. These apps put your auto insurance provider at your fingertips and can make it much easier to manage your policy. 

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Spring Car Care 2015

HOW TO SAFELY NAVIGATE WET ROADWAYS (METRO) Spring showers certainly may bring flower laters on, but they also contribute to challenging driving conditions. Early spring weather can be fickle, vacillating between dry, wet and even icy conditions. Drivers need to remain on their toes to safely traverse roadways near and far. Wet roadways and poor driving conditions contribute to thousands of road accidents each and every year. As roads get wet, oil and other substances rise to the surface of the pavement, which can quickly become slippery and compromise the traction offered by tires. According to the United States Department of Transportation, there are around 707,000 automobile crashes each year due to rain. Heavy rains also may lead to puddles, which can obscure hazards on the roadway. Cars may stall out in puddles or hydroplane, which occurs when cars coast along the surface of the water. Puddles also can be splashed by oncoming cars, leading to visibility issues. It is in every driver’s best interest to use caution when driving on wet roads. The following tips can help prevent accidents, injuries and even fatalities during the rainy season. • should drive slower when roads are wet and when rain compromises visibility. It can take up to three times longer to stop on a wet road than a dry one. By slow-

ing down you will be able to stop or veer out of the way of danger. • ing on wet roads, leave more room between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Again, this plays into stopping distance. Tailgating increases your risk of rear-ending a vehicle if you cannot stop in time on a wet roadway. • be lulled into complacency while driving. But staying alert and conscious of every detail going on around you can reduce your risk of accident when driving in less than ideal conditions. • a driver, you want to remain in control of acceleration and speed, rather than leaving it up to the cruise control system. If you begin to hydroplane on cruise control, the car may actually speed up. •

Headlights can light up the road in front of you, helping illumion a car also make your vehicle more visible to others on the road. Always turn on the headlights in inclement weather. • Keep a steady pace and the vehicle in control. Jerking the wheel or accelerating and braking in a erratic fashion can cause the vehicle to spin out or skid on wet roads. • your tires for tread wear and air pressure. Tires should be rotated as part of routine maintenance. Poorly performing tires are a significant safety risk. If you live in an area known for a lot of rain, invest in tires designed for wet road conditions. Don’t let wet weather get the best of you. Slow down, stay visible and be on the alert. 

Simple ways to save at the pump (METRO) The cost of fuel dipped in 2014, but drivers are still looking for ways to spend less at the pump. For many drivers, that means driving less. Driving less will save money, and doing so also reduces fuel consumption and contributes to fewer emissions entering the air, both of which can benefit the environment. But many drivers are unable to drive less, as commitments to work and family require them to get behind the wheel more often than they might prefer. Such drivers may be looking for ways to reduce their fuel costs, and fortunately there are several ways to do just that. • fuel. Many of today’s auto manufacturers now design their vehicles so they can run smoothly on regular unleaded gas, which is typically listed as ‘87 octane’ at filling stations. That’s important to know, as regular gas is often considerably less expensive than alternatives that are higher octanes. Many drivers may even choose regular unleaded, but opt for premium gas every third or fourth trip, feeling that the higher octane fuel every so often will increase performance of older engines. But many engines are designed to run smoothly and efficient on low-octane fuel, meaning it’s unnecessary to choose premium gas, even if you

only do so once in a blue moon. Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the best fuel for your car. • Prices at filling stations fluctuate on a daily basis, so unless your car is running on empty, avoid filling up when the prices seem especially high. Some patience may pay off with several dollars in savings, and those savings can add up to a significant amount of money over time. • sive driver. Drivers with hectic schedules tend to be more aggressive when behind the wheel. But driving aggressively is unsafe and potentially costly. When driven at speeds that exceed 55 miles per hour, vehicles lose fuel economy. According to the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center, driving 55 miles per hour instead of 75 miles per hour can reduce fuel costs by as much as 75 percent. • unnecessary weight. A car trunk might seem like a great place to keep your golf clubs, and it may be tempting to leave that roof rack on top of

your car after a recent camping trip, but such unnecessary cargo in or on your car makes it harder for the car to get from point A to point B. That forces the car to consume more fuel. Unless your immediate plans include hitting the links or hunkering down at a nearby campsite, remove unnecessary weight from the car so your next trip to the gas station is less expensive. The cost of fuel can make trips to the filling station into costly excursions. But drivers willing to reconsider conventional wisdom and change their driving habits can save substantial amounts of money over time. 

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Spring Care Care 2015

Page 15

Why a clean air filter is important in your vehicle (METRO) Motorists routinely check their tires for proper inflation, top off engine fluid levels and maintain oil change schedules. But some drivers do not understand the importance of keeping engine air filters clean. Engine air filters are a relatively inexpensive vehicle part, but they perform a very important job. For every gallon of gas

a car burns, it uses the equivalent of 12,000 gallons of air, and that air must be filtered to help keep an engine clean. Air filters catch all of the dust, grime, insects, sap, leaves, and any other debris that may get sucked up past the air intake of the vehicle’s grill and into the

(METRO) Few drivers will be fortunate enough to go their entire driving lives without encountering at least one flat tire. Flat tires range from the inconvenient flats, which may interrupt a road trip or make drivers late for work or an appointment, to more dangerous blowouts, which can compromise the safety of drivers, their passengers and anyone else on the road when the tire gives out. But as inconvenient or dangerous as flats or blowouts can be, they also can be prevented more often than not. Tires often produce warning signs that a flat or blowout is about to emerge, so drivers who want to avoid such unfortunate developments can inspect their tires for the follow-

ing signs. • exhibit the same type of wear. The wear on front tires and back tires may differ, but one front tire should have the same amount of wear as the other and the same goes for the back tires. Uneven tread on tires indicates that the tire with more wear could be about to go out. • ers who know little about cars can typically recognize when tire tread has worn down to the point where the tire is a safety risk. But drivers who are unsure can employ the quarter test. Insert a quarter into the tread of

filter, those contaminants may

compromise the engine, causing corrosion and abrasion. If the air filter in the engine becomes too dirty and is not changed regularly, the engine is starved of air. Clean air filters allow just the right ratio of air to fuel to enable the engine to function properly. Engines need adequate air for the combustion process to

combustion levels, vehicles cannot perform properly or efficiently and the engine may burn more gas or get fewer miles to the gallon. A dirty filter also can rob notice sluggish acceleration. Air filters also can get so dirty that the engine stalls completely. But such a problem only develops after considerable ne-

glect. Air filters may not need to be replaced at each and every oil change service call. Many technicians advise replacing the filter every 8,000 miles. However, drivers who live in particularly dry and dusty regions may need to replace filters more frequently. Mechanics can often detect when an air filter needs to be re-

placed. If he or she notices the air filter is particularly dirty, then it’s probably time to replace it. Replacing the filter is a relatively inexpensive repair for the amount of performance and peace of mind a new filter provides. 

WARNING SIGNS A TIRE IS ABOUT TO GO FLAT first president, then you need to replace the tire. Perform this test on each of your vehicle’s four tires. • do not routinely check their tire pressure are more likely to endure a flat or blowout than those w h o reg-

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calling the tire manufacturer or visiting their website. An underinflated tire is under stress that can cause the tire to blowout. In addition, poorly inflated tires force engines to work harder, which negatively affects a car’s fuel efficiency. • A car that vibrates excessively may do so because tires are damaged. P o o r suspens i o n is another cause of ex-

behind a car that is vibrating, drivers should immediately take the car to their mechanic for an inspection. •

physical damage like bulges or cuts, and such signs could mean a flat tire or blowout is just around the corner. Tires that exhibit such physical damage need to be replaced immediately.

Flat tires and blowouts can prove both scary and inconve-

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Spring Car Care 2015

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