6 Tax Free Weekend Buys for the Home

From the Home Inspector Perspective

The unbearable heat wave of July is over. This morning was actually cool, crisp, and refreshing. All I could think about was fall, the kids going to school, and of course TAX FREE WEEKEND. In Virginia, tax free weekend 2017 starts the first Friday in August at 12:01 am and ends the following Sunday at 11:59 pm. Most of us know about the clothes, and school supplies that are tax free. With three kids, two of which will be in school this fall, we will definitely be taking advantage of that. But what things can you buy for your home on tax free weekend.

  1. CHAIN SAWS.  If tax free chain saws don’t excite you, stop reading this article. It doesn’t get much better than this. No homeowners arsenal is complete without a chain saw…or two.  Gas powered chain saws under $350 will be tax free. I have a chain saw, and it works fine, but you can never have enough chain saws. It seems loosely tied to hurricane preparation, but I’ll take it! richmond home inspector
  2. Tax free weekend is also about hurricane preparation. If you don’t already own a generator, or if you’re like me, and you just like new toys, then it’s time to get one-TAX FREE. Portable generators are great for running your fridge, and a few small circuits when the power goes out. Portable generators under $1000 will be tax free. tax free weekend VA
  3. Batteries. Did I mention that I have three kids? That’s like a hurricane everyday. I’m pretty sure they eat batteries, because we go through so many. We will definitely be stocking up on batteries. On that note, duct tape is tax free as well, and maybe we’ll stock up on that to keep the kids still…
  4. This one is serious. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors will be tax free. Our house was built in 2006 and we haven’t replaced the detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors older than 10 years should be replaced. Our kids are the most important treasures we have, and I want to do everything possible to keep them safe.
  5. Energy star light bulbs. Energy star, air conditioners, dishwashers, ceiling fans, light bulb, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, washing machines, clothes washers will all be tax free. If you need any of these items anyway, this weekend is the time to get them. We’re pretty good on the big appliances, but I like to stock up on light bulbs.
  6. Dual flush toilets. Sometimes during my inspections, I get a little house envy. It’s becoming more common to see these in the homes we inspect, and I want one. They have two flush options. One is for liquid only, and the other is for your heavier flushing needs. The idea is to save on water. Aside from my kids drinking the toilet water, 5 people send a lot of water down the toilet and hopefully this will cut down on the bill. If you’re not interested in new toilets, all water sense qualified products such as bathroom sink faucets, toilets, faucet accessories,urinals, shower heads, and landscape irrigation controllers will be tax free. tax free weekend Va