| Brian Walker @ 2008-08-28 23:34 (Home and Family) Real estate roperty, like any other good for sale, comes in all conditions. But the average home or real property costs 8-10 times or more the amount of other high ticket items. That's what makes it an investment rather than merely a purchase. Essential to ensuring it's a sound one is getting a thorough inspection. Write right into the deal that any offer is contingent on a satisfactory inspection. And what constitutes 'satisfactory'...?
Assuming the property contains wood, first and foremost is a separate termite and pest inspection. Most 'home inspectors' don't check for this, concentrating instead on mechanical and others aspects. Termites, carpenter ants, even mice can weaken walls and floors, chew through wiring, and ruin attics and shelving.
Professional inspectors check every aspect of a property and structure.
Starting with the foundation, they look for large cracks (almost all have minor ones), check for level ground, and influx of water. Evidence can show up as efflorescence ?a white powdery material which indicates penetration points, mold or mildew (black stained areas). Some will use lasers to check level and cracking and some even use meters to check for radon gas concentrations.
Houses sit on top of foundations and that flooring has to be inspected for proper joints, angles, and materials used. From those floors rise walls which are similarly subject to incorrect framing and potential water damage. Inside the walls, plumbing and electrical systems are inspected for damage, non-code compliant construction, or simple age or wear. Any leaks are noted and pipes inspected for rust, lead, or other chemical concerns. Flow rate and pressure are sometimes measured.
Electrical systems get a thorough review, checking for faulty wiring, uncovered switches or receptacles, incorrect grounding, inadequate circuit breakers, or bad GFCI trips. The latter are those little red buttons often seen in the middle of outlets. They are somewhat like miniature circuit breakers built into the receptacle itself.
Working up to the attic, framing is checked for angles and strength and the area checked for air or water leaks or damage. The underneath of the roof is examined for tears or holes in papering and proper seal where vent pipes protrude outside.
Up on the roof the inspector will check for holes, loose tile, bad flashing or any other weakness that leads to lack of protection against the elements.
Around the house outside all faucets are tested for leaks and proper flow, inside all heating and air conditioning systems will be checked for duct leaks, filter condition, and adequate capacity and flow. Thermostats get a thorough going over.
Any inbuilt appliances, such as stove and water heater are checked for compliance with standards. Installed propane or wood stoves and piping are checked for physical integrity and proper function.
Carpets are checked for inappropriate levels of wear or damage and tested for mold or water damage. Any paint damage, particularly due to water infiltration, get noted.
All these items, and many more, are noted on a report available to whomever ordered and paid for the inspection. To the potential buyer, defective items can be used as bargaining chips when negotiating price and other terms of sale. But the inspection can also benefit the seller by allowing for the opportunity to repair or improve items before putting the property on the market.
To either party, an inspection for a few hundred dollars can save thousands during the process. Information isn't just power, it's money, too.
Brian Walker is a freelance Internet writer. You can find more real estate investing resources online on http://www.erealestatepro.com.
Category: Home and Family
eGuidePro @ 2008-04-23 17:41 (Home and Family) Interested in decorating your bedroom? Good! There are more options today for furniture, bedding, organizers and accents than even a billionaire could install in one lifetime. Oh, happy day!
Bedroom furniture sets can readily be found in American Colonial, Swedish Modern, High Tech, Romantic and a hundred other styles. Four posters are ever popular. Canopies are coming back. Brass headboards are all the rage. Any style imaginable is just a few clicks away.
Oak is still popular, of course. But Cherry, Teak and a half-dozen other woods are hanging right in there. Precision manufactured or hand made, finished or unfinished, they're all just perfect for someone. Fittings and frames are more secure than ever. Gone are the days of split, pressboard bed frame parts.
Bedding has gone to an even wider selection.
Bedspreads and comforters are now available in as many colors as your computer screen can display. Vivid scarlet or subtle sea green are two low key choices. Dazzling arrays of geometrical designs are another option. A soothing forest scene for you or a Biff! Bam! Pow! comic book set for the kids are only two of the hundreds of possibilities.
An equally impressive variety of materials can be easily found today, as well. Egyptian cotton is a long-standing favorite. But modern synthetics are outstanding, too. Dacron or polyester was once the low-cost choice, coming in limited styles. Today, even the finest bedding sets may be made of a blend of synthetic fibers.
Sheets and bedspreads are not only more stylish and comfortable, they're safer. Coated with compounds to keep them allergen-free, they offer a better night's sleep for the millions who are sensitive. They last longer while remaining ultra comfortable, thanks to contemporary chemistry. Fire-resistance has gone to the ultimate lengths.
Bio-resistant, wear-protectant and almost completely fire safe... What more could you ask to add safety to a practical, stylish choice?
Those same features are found in mattresses today, as well. Inner coil mattresses are still the most popular option. But memory foam provides an excellent alternative. Whichever you prefer, you'll find a range of prices, sizes and comfort levels to suit any space and taste. With only a little research, you'll easily find a comfortable, long-lasting mattress to accommodate the most demanding needs.
Don't forget about those bedroom accents, either. Rugs in every conceivable style are just a few clicks away. Shelves, wall hangings, lighting fixtures and more provide even the most crazed shopper with a lifetime of choices. Even fireplaces in the bedroom are available in a range of sizes. What's old is new again.
Closet organizers are a near-must these days. With more shoes, suits, shirts and more an organizer helps you keep it all, well, organized. Wire shelf dividers, shoe organizers, tie and belt racks, garment bags and a whole lot more are modular, stylish and come in dozens of designs.
It's a clich?to point out that we spend a third of our lives in the bedroom. Add reading, lounging and other activities to the list, and the number is actually often much higher. Make that special room of the house a place of style and comfort.
Now if you could only add hours to the day to look through all the choices!
To find more tips on living in an apartment, please visit http://www.101apartmentforrent.com.
Category: Home and Family
John Lee @ 2008-01-02 11:50 (Home and Family) For events that we want to mark with something special, A gift basket could be the perfect gift to highlight such a joyful occasion.
Weddings are a good example. Few events in life are as filled with hope and promise as a wedding. But few call for such an extensive array of gift giving ideas. A wedding gift basket can embrace a wide variety of heart warming or entertaining options.
Wine is a popular choice. Both bridesmaids and grooms appreciate the thoughtful basket full of delicious vineyard selections. But anyone else involved in planning or carrying out the wedding can equally enjoy a fine vintage. For those with the desire and the budget, especially when the guest list is small, a gift basket for everyone who attends can be the perfect 'Thank You' gesture for those who share the day's joy.
Flowers, chocolates and small items of jewelry are some more highly popular choices. Be sure to select something that will last from the time the gift basket is purchased to the day it's given. Flowers can be preserved, chocolates will last a year if stored right. Jewelry is the gift of a lifetime.
Anniversaries are a great time to accomplish multiple purposes with a gift basket. They can serve as a reminder of that joyous wedding and can mark the occasion with a fresh gift. And, they have another advantage. Since tradition specifies the type of anniversary by year - paper, silver, and so forth - you can tailor a gift basket to match the year.
Paper as a gift may sound mundane to some ears. But think of the possibilities. Miniature scrolls may have a poem marking the day with inspiring words. Origami can be shaped to remind a couple of that unforgettable honeymoon. A decorative design can turn a small piece of wrapping paper into a work of art.
A gift basket designed for a golden wedding anniversary can be the highlight of the celebration. Gifts range from an outstanding pin to a lovely pair of earrings to an "I'd do it all over again" wedding band. The jewelry can be surrounded with items that emphasize the theme. Small photos of memorable events can be packed in with crushed flowers from that 25th anniversary dance. Soapstone boxes can be inscribed with a special quote that is meaningful to the married couple.
Birthdays, promotions, even a new home purchase for a young couple starting out can be the occasion for a gift basket. People are endlessly creative at devising a reason to celebrate a special day. A gift basket is the perfect partner for those events. They help bring those tender memories to the forefront. They serve as a symbol and reminder of good times.
Please visit Florist4us.com for resources, articles and tips on flowers and florists.
Category: Home and Family
Brian Walker @ 2007-09-20 13:24 (Home and Family) Crime rates vary, but in many large cities they've actually gone down over the past few decades. Still, the population has grown and the need for security is still very much with us.
Home security systems used to be largely reserved for the well-to-do. This made sense when the systems were very expensive and they were installed to protect even more expensive possessions. Fortunately, things have changed. Now, even very modest homes can afford some level of home security, especially since many components of a total design require nothing but a little common sense.
The first step is to consider how a thief might view your home, and how they might access it and get away with your possessions or harm your family. Shoring up weak parts and adopting better habits is often as much a matter of being more aware as it is spending money.
When it comes time to invest in home security the range of options is enormous, luckily. Inexpensive window locks, low-cost double-key door lock/deadbolt systems and other such items are within reach of just about anyone. Even video surveillance systems, once the exclusive preserve of the wealthy that most of us saw only in TV shows and films, are now affordable by the majority of homeowners.
Safes, too, used to be largely for the rich. Today, prices range from $50 or less for a simple wall safe that will hold jewelry or a laptop to a few hundred dollars for a gun safe or floor model. Safe rooms, or panic rooms as they're popularly known, can turn an entire room into a safe that is both fire protective and impenetrable. Costs are higher than a free-standing safe, but often little more than an ordinary room addition or remodeling job.
Lighting systems, both inside the home and outside, have evolved over the years as costs have come down. In days past a simple on-off timer inside and outdoor floodlights were about the only choices. Today, even very modest expenditures can net you a system that can be connected to your PC, increasing their usefulness.
Personal security options have grown. Tasers, chemical sprays and other devices are often carried by individuals in large cities. Concealed firearms are still controversial and sometimes illegal.
Still, many of the old-fashioned methods continue to be effective. Guard dogs, behavioral changes and having your neighbors look out for you are still effective security tools.
People are beginning to reverse the decades-long slide that kept neighbors a stranger, increasing their vulnerability. Now it's widely recognized that an active neighborhood watch program increases security substantially at almost no cost, and not just in dollars but in time as well.
Investigate your home and personal security options and you'll discover there's much you can do to enhance the safety of your possessions and your loved ones. And, you don't have to have (or spend) a fortune to do it.
To find more tips on home security, please visit http://www.101homesecurity.com/.
Category: Home and Family
Brian Walker @ 2007-07-12 10:30 (Home and Family) Living in an apartment or condo can be convenient, but you should never forget about security. Having a security guard at the entrance does not guarantee security. Below are some tips that might help you to improve your apartment security.
When you look for an apartment or condo for rent, always ask yourself: Is this a safe area? Is this apartment complex safe? If you have doubts, talk to the owner to see if he/she can get things fixed such as improving the lighting and repairing gate locks. Don't rent an apartment or condo if you think security is an issue there.
When you live in an apartment or condo, don't forget to keep your doors and windows locked when you are not at home. When you move in an apartment or condo, it will be good idea to have the original locks changed because some unknown people might have the key to the original lock. If allowed, you might also want to have a deadbolt lock to ensure higher level of security.
Don't leave the door unlocked even if you are at home. Don't open your door for strangers, even if they mention the name of your neighbors. Use the peephole to have a good look at the visitor before you open the door and require identification. Don't admit strangers through the gate as a favor. Also, get to know your neighbors and watch for suspicious people.
If possible, you might want to install additional security system such as home security alarms. If you do not plan to live in that apartment or condo for a long time, you can consider portable door or window alarms or a wireless home security system, so that they can come with you when you move. Also, getting renter's insurance can be an additional means to protect your assets.
To find more tips on apartment rental and apartment living, please visit http://www.101apartmentforrent.com.
Category: Home and Family
John Lee @ 2007-01-26 11:14 (Home and Family) Plants are just as popular as furniture when one is deciding on furniture and soft furnishings.
Aside from the aesthetic value plants provide your home with, there are also health benefits - grade school science class tells us that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen. Here is some important information on how to care for your indoor plants to gain the optimum health and aesthetic benefits.
Lighting
Most indoor plants need good lighting. You can provide this through natural lighting in the room of your choice or there must be electric lighting. Darker leaved plants usually don't need as much light as others.
Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:
a. Philodendrons
b. Boston ferns
c. African violets
d. Cyclamens
e. Creeping Fig
Watering
A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to rotting roots. Make sure to research the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.
Potting
Choose good quality and attractive container for your indoor plants. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and to encourage healthy growth.
Humidity
In indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue. The amount of moisture in the air has effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much-needed moisture. Make sure the leaves don't get covered in dust.
Fertilization
Just like watering, fertilizing depends on the type of plant. If you have managed to supply your indoor garden with the right amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention. A good indoor fertilizer can be bought from most home depot or hardware stores. Orchids need the special fertilizer available.
John Lee has written many articles for websites such as Online Florist Guide ( http://www.florist4us.com ), Online Travel Guide ( http://www.happytravelers.org ), etc.
Category: Home and Family
Brian Walker @ 2006-08-17 16:49 (Home and Family) So you are looking for an apartment to rent or a house to purchase. One of the most important steps is researching the neighborhood to decide if you really like to live in that area. The best way to do this is driving around that area to see if you really like that neighborhood. You should pay attention to traffic, available stores, available transportation, noise level etc. Also, you should try visiting the neighborhood during different times of the day.
Do you know you can get help from the Internet for your apartment or house hunting?
You can view interactive maps on the Internet. The best tools I've seen so far are Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) and MSN Virtual Earth (http://virtualearth.msn.com). With these online tools, you type in the address of the place you are interested in and a map centered at that address will show up. You can zoom in, zoom out and drag around the map to see what other streets are close and how close this place is to the highway, etc.
You can view satellite images on the Internet. This new service is available at Google Maps and MSN Virtual Earth. After you type in an address, you can choose to view a satellite image of that place. Just like maps, you can zoom to different levels and move around using your mouse. This might give you a more direct feeling on what this neighborhood look like than looking at the map alone.
You can find out what business/services are available around a place on the Internet. With Google Maps, MSN Virtual Earth and Yahoo! Maps (http://maps.yahoo.com), after you get a map or satellite image of an address, you can do a local search in that neighborhood. For example, you can search for "Pizza" and all nearby pizza restaurants will show up on the map. This way you can get a feeling if it'd be convenient for dining, shopping or entertainment in that area.
You can get driving directions on the Internet. Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps and other online map sites provide driving direction services. You type in the starting and destination addresses and they will show you a detailed driving direction with map, total mileage and estimated driving time. This way you can estimate how easy would be for you to drive to other places (such as to work or school) from that neighborhood.
Although this Internet tools are pretty cool, it's still important to go check out the neighborhood in person by yourself. Happy hunting!
Brian Walker is a freelance writer who has written many self-help articles. Check out more apartment living guide at 101ApartmentForRent.com (http://www.101apartmentforrent.com) and mortgage guide at Mortgage4House.com (http://www.mortgage4house.com)
Category: Home and Family
Brian Walker @ 2006-06-24 16:33 (Home and Family) You have found an apartment you like and you are eager to move in this lovely place. Hold on! Before you sign the lease with the landlord, some inspection is necessary and it might save you a lot of trouble. If you have already signed the lease, it will still be helpful to carefully inspect the apartment if you haven't done it yet. In case you find any problem, you should let the landlord know and get the problems fixed.
Below is a checklist for apartment inspection.
1. Check the entrance: Does the door seal properly? Does the lock work?
2. Check the floors: Any stain or stuff on hardwood floor? Are the carpets clean?
3. Check the ceilings and walls: Any dents, cracks or holes? Is the wallpaper in good condition? Paint on the wall in good shape?
4. Check electricity and lights: All lights working? Electrical outlets functioning? Air conditioner working well? Ceiling fan working well? Phone jack in each room? Is there a cable TV connection?
5. Check the kitchen: faucets leaking? Water pressure good? All appliances working and clean? Refrigerator looking good and not making too much noise? Dishwasher working fine? Gas/electric stove working fine? Microwave functioning?
6. Check the bathroom: Faucets leaking? Hot water from the shower? Toilet working fine? Water pressure good?
7. Check safety: Windows in good condition and safe? Intercom working? Locks on all doors working? Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors functioning? Lead hazards?
If you have found problems with the apartment, write them down and show it to the landlord (keep a copy for yourself). Make sure the problems get fixed before you move in.
Brian Walker is a freelance writer who has written many self-help articles. Check out more apartment living guide at Apartment Rental Guide ( http://www.apartment-rental-guide.com ) and 101ApartmentForRent.com ( http://www.101apartmentforrent.com ).
Category: Home and Family
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