Faucets

2005-11-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

Headline news of Canada News Wire, December 17, 2003: Home is the source of half of infectious intestinal illnesses, study shows. "The home is the source of about half of all intestinal illnesses in Ontario, according to a study published in the International Journal of Food Protection. The study, co-authored by Professor Marilyn Lee of Ryerson University and published in the June issue of the Journal, looked at more than 44,000 reported cases of intestinal illness in Ontario between 1997 and 2001 and found that half had their origin in the home."

Which room in your home would you believe to be the most prone to disease causing bacteria? It is not the bathroom as many would suspect but rather it is your kitchen which is a hot spot for microbes. Your common household disinfectant has been found to be effective against bacteria that cause food borne illnesses, and research has been proven that with regular use the incidence of food borne illnesses declines greatly. Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and his colleagues conducted a study by sampling sites within 15 different homes. They found the highest levels of contamination to be in areas that remain damp, such as kitchen sponges and rags, kitchen sinks and the kitchen faucet handle. Kitchen counters, cutting boards and refrigerator handles should also be disinfected regularly. They found that regular cleaning had little effect on the bacteria but by regularly using disinfectants the bacteria level was reduced by 95%. They found the main cause of disease causing bacteria in the kitchen to be raw meat.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN KEEPING A HEALTHY AND BACTERIA FREE KITCHEN

Replace kitchen sponges and rags often, at least once a week. Sponges can be disinfected by putting them in the dishwasher. Wash dish rags in the washing machine then dry on high heat.

- Cutting boards are breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash with regular dish detergent then sanitize with a disinfectant. Keep two cutting boards, one for meat and one for fruits and vegetables. You may also put your cutting board in the dishwasher for sanitizing purposes.

- Kitchen counter tops should be disinfected regularly.

- Disinfect refrigerator handles, sinks and drains and sink faucets regularly.

PROPER HANDLING AND PREPARATION OF FOOD

The improper handling and preparing of food is also a major cause of food borne illnesses in the home. A very simple but often overlooked basic exercise in food safety is the thorough washing of hands before handling food. This will greatly reduce the risk of food contamination. When washing your hands, make sure to use a rubbing motion for 20 seconds because this rubbing does make a difference in removing pathogens.

HELPFUL AND HEALTHY TIPS TO AVOID FOOD CONTAMINATION:

- When grocery shopping, purchase your frozen and refrigerated items last and put them into the refrigerator or freezer promptly.

- Use different dishes for raw and cooked food.

- Defrost food in the refrigerator or microwave, not on the counter.

- Cook foods thoroughly and do not eat raw or partially cooked eggs.

- Cool and promptly store leftovers by either putting in refrigerator or freezer. Remember bacteria grow at room temperature.

- Don't leave perishable foods out more than two hours.

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2005-11-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Solving problems while maximizing values

This story has a few good lessons and observations that no doubt can be used by you to take advantage of hidden opportunities that often lie in plain view for all to see, however, most people have not been trained or instructed on how to recognize or find them.

The following true story begins with a classic log home package, engineered, manufactured, approved and delivered for use in Alaska. A friend of mine, in 1996, built the home, and I helped him pour the foundation. This leads to our first observation in analyzing this deal: If you know the full history of a property, your confidence and position on the deal can be enhanced.

You can begin to research history and succession of ownership through county records, tax rolls and by contacting previous owners as far back as you possibly can. Optimally you want to end your search by getting to the original owner and builder of the property.

Now, back to our story. My friend had built this house himself and I knew for a fact that he is an intelligent perfectionist. This gave me the confidence of knowing that this owner-built home was a solid structure through and through, not to mention that when the energy rating, otherwise known as a ?blow test,? was conducted the house was so tight (no air leaks) that he had to artificially ventilate it.

At this point, I had the following information: I know who built it, the quality of construction, it?s energy rating and it?s value based on what my friend had sold it for to the new owners. This brings us to our next phase of the investigation, the current owners. Now we turn our attention to the current owners who are selling and the history behind them. Originally they paid $159,000, which by some strange coincidence was the asking price. I?m sure if the asking price was $160,000, it would have appraised for that but my friend made it appear cheaper by keeping below the higher $160,000 bracket. This is known as a pricing strategy.

Our research on the new owners revealed that they had been relocated from New Jersey and they had one child. The neighbor, who is a home inspector and general contractor, tells me a few more details about the family, their habits and the upgrades, and improvements and modifications that have been made to the home. Once again I?m getting good signals that the home is a good one but the owners are a little squirrelly as to their habits and design choices.

Here is where opportunity starts knocking, folks. When you have people who do things that are out of the mainstream of what most people do, you will notice that when it comes time to sell, many buyers are turned off by the non-conformity of the home?s general appearance. Let me explain.

These people did the following things: first, they installed a spiral staircase and painted it a fuschia purplish-pink. Yuk! This alone was said to have turned off more than one potential buyer. Also, the original paint had pencil and marker lines scribbled here and there, the faucets and caulking needed some repair, the glass in one of the kitchen cabinets was missing, the walls needed new paint and the yard was overgrown. Along with a few other small details, this was all cosmetic but people couldn?t look past it.

Let?s get to the real ?nails in this coffin? of lost resale value. The following information deals with choosing a good real estate agent who will properly handle your affairs, if in fact you cannot do them yourself, although you should actively participate. Here is where this agent?s ineptitude will seal these relocated owners? fate. Let?s set the stage: We are now at 2003; our sellers are being transferred and are moving after five years. This is right in keeping with the national average that says that people tend to move every five years. So in conjunction with the move, a relocation company becomes involved. Here comes the red tape!

Our sellers chose a local real estate agent who works half days and delivers newspapers the other half (not too professional). So this agent signs our owners up and proceeds to boggle most everything from the day our sellers are transferred out. The agent does nothing to prepare the home to show well and the topper on this one was the agent had left an inflatable monstrosity of what used to be a swimming pool/fun center half-deflated with stagnant water, breeding mosquitoes at the base of the entryway stairs. What a first impression and such an easy fix!

That?s just the beginning because now our agent by some stroke of luck has found someone willing to pay $156,000 for this eyesore, but the agent doesn?t research anything and can?t come up with the proper documentation for the original well and septic approval. Therefore, the relocation company sends out its own engineer to backtrack and he blows the deal clear out of the water because he doesn?t know local protocol and has no original paperwork either. As a result the potential buyers back out and the house sits empty for another six months. Meanwhile, our poor relocated owners back in New Jersey are still paying a mortgage on this while facing percolation tests for a special $10,000 septic tank that isn?t needed.

What we have now is a classic stigmatized home and its value is plummeting, the costs are rising and the agent is plumb worn out with phone calls, septic tank manufacturers, engineers, state regulators, cancelled contracts and the sellers groaning constantly. You name it - this thing is looking pretty bleak.

Enter the white knight, i.e., the educated investor. What a relief - someone who knows what to do! Upon watching this carnival of events unfold for a while, I decided to step in. What finally drove me to act was a call to my office that presented an end game. What I mean by this is a military officer called to ask if I had a place that he could rent for two years. At that moment, I told him that I might and that I would get back to him.

As our friend Paul Harvey says, here is ?the rest of the story!? The first thing to do was to inspect the property; repairs were mostly cosmetic. Next, I went and drilled the agent for information and at this point, the agent was giving me every scrap of insider information that could legally be disclosed. I now knew that this property could be had for $137,000. Additionally, I would get a 3.5% commission and the seller would pay the closing costs! I had a solid two-year tenant lined up and willing to pay $1,350.00 a month and he would pay his own utilities. An appraisal had been done six months earlier on the deal that had fallen through and it pegged the value at $160,000.00.

The only thing left to do was to get the original documentation from the owner- builder that would resolve the septic issue. I called him up (as he lived less than a mile from his old log home) and he said, ?Sure Dan, I have all the paperwork right here?the current agent never asked me for it!? I looked it over and here is what he had: the original design and construction survey, the engineer?s original approval of well and septic, the building department?s approval and the department of environmental conservation?s waiver granting permission to install according to the plans. This completely removed all obstacles to financing and the appraiser agreed. Problem solved in less than two hours!

Now the green light was flashing, so I had the lieutenant sign a two-year lease, give me a check for one and a half month?s rent upfront plus last month and a half month as a security deposit for a total of $4,050.00. I then bought the house! I painted, cleaned, trimmed and tweaked the house in 8 days it is now a beautiful showplace on 1.77 acres worth $27,000 more than I paid for it in less than one month. In addition, there is a positive cash flow of over $300.00 a month above my mortgage and escrow payment obligation.

I would also like to add that the spiral staircase is now painted white and it stands as the most beautiful centerpiece to a home as anyone could ask for! All it needed was a vision, some labor and paint.

Let?s hit the highpoints and drive home some of the lessons from this series of events.

1. Research and obtain as much history on the property as you can.

2. Pay attention to the quality of construction and types of materials used.

3. Use comparable sales, costs of construction, recent sales prices, assessments, existing appraisals and take into account the cost to cure existing defects to begin to determine a reasonable value.

4. Look for easily correctable problems that turn other people off and correct them.

5. Pay attention to landscaping and the ability to improve upon its appearance.

6. Analyze the series of events that led up to the sale and the seller?s current position.

7. Have a plan or end game in mind for using the property once you acquire it.

8. Always try to ask less than full asking price and be prepared to walk away if you don?t get the price and terms that you feel justify the purchase.

9. Stay abreast of market conditions and events and be patient; these deals will come your way when you are prepared to see them.

Dan Auito is a dual-licensed real estate agent and appraisal assistant. In addition to being a 20-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Dan has also founded a non-profit drug prevention corporation, a real estate consulting group and is the author of ?Magic Bullets in Real Estate.? This 300-page power-packed book comes with a website that further supports its readers. Please visit with the family at http://www.magicbullets.com we look forward to seeing you!

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2005-11-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

The world is too much with us; late and soon Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers?Wordsworth

It started with my need for a new mixer. OK. Well, maybe not exactly. It probably really started when we bought our home in Connecticut around two years ago. The kitchen needed a make-over. Not a complete renovation-?as some do-?but a make-over, to be sure. Its footprint was fine, as was its size. Windows and doors were good, too. But it was dreary. Dark, drab and dreary.

But a re-do-?no matter the scope-?was out of our reach at move-in, just as it is now. So I?ve tried to not think about it too much.

That?s tougher than it sounds. What with me being a ?visual person?-?energized by color and proportion and pattern?-and kitchen tours taking up space on every New England town?s calendar within the next few weeks, it?s almost impossible to not notice renovated kitchens. Nor to salivate over their inevitable appeal.

Such was the case this past Friday when a friend and I tromped through six fabulous kitchens throughout Ridgefield. An annual little ritual, it?s practically inescapable. Carefully calibrated to Mother?s Day?-not to mention the bursting of daffodils, the budding of most trees, and the flowering of rhododendron-?it coincided perfectly with spring fever.

And so it was that my friend, Nancy, and I enjoyed most of the afternoon together...roaming around gorgeous homes, indulging in wonderful treats catered by local restaurateurs, and commenting on what both appealed?-and what didn?t-?to our strong aesthetic sensibilities. Nancy is an artist, too. And she just finished her own dream kitchen a few months ago. So she has not only a good grasp of the whole kitchen re-do thing; she has a similar eye to mine and is highly motivated by strong visuals.

Interestingly, we were both struck by exactly the same things. An enormous, albeit completely-perfect home, didn?t do it for either one of us as it did for a friend whom I bumped into while there. ?Isn?t this absolutely incredible?? my friend exclaimed.

Nancy and I looked at each other.

?It?s perfect,? I dead-panned.

Too perfect. Perfectly painted, perfectly appointed, perfectly accessorized, perfectly clean. Was it possible real people really lived there? Could anyone have ever actually saut? onions and garlic at its immaculate stainless-steel Viking range?

As we walked to the car, Nancy and I reflected on what truly makes a home, anyway. And where does one stop? In this real estate frenzy of the new millennium, where success is measured by capital gains, square footage and location-location-location; how much is enough, after all? Do we really need commercial-grade stainless steel Wolf ranges and double Sub-Zero?s? Granite countertops and farmhouse sinks with copper faucets? Islands with pull-outs?

Seems like we do. A Harvard University study found that Americans spent $233 billion on remodeling and repair projects in 2003, with kitchen re-do?s topping the list. A stunning 4 million Americans will do a kitchen remodeling project of some type in this year alone!

Staggering in scope, it is easily understandable. We have everyone from Home Depot to Pottery Barn to Williams-Sonoma to Target to HGTV to thank. Oh, sure. You might not need a kitchen transformation. But seriously, do you have enough fortitude to walk out of Williams-Sonoma fiscally unscathed? And have you seen the summer plastic ware at Target? As if I needed another lime green line item in my home...it was pure will-power that prevented me from grabbing a dozen of the cutest soda-fountain-style tumblers in my favorite color on my weekend outing there.

I read recently that most people do a major kitchen remodel for one simple reason: their friend did it. Oh great. My husband will never buy that. A brilliant tax break? We get that. Increasing the value of your real estate. Get that, too. But peer pressure?

It?s easy to see why. I mean, a wonderful kitchen is a lovely thing to behold. I totally get it. Want it. But can?t yet have it.

So in case you?re in the same state (and I have to suppose that many of you are, given the success rate of these kitchen tours) here are ?5 Strategies for Infusing-Your-Kitchen-With-Beauty-If-You-Don?t-Have-The-Designer-Kitchen-You?d-Really-Like-To-Have-But-For-Whatever-Reason-Don?t:

1)Inject bold bursts of color. Be it via woven placemats at the breakfast table, colorful pottery on your countertops, or brightly-painted kitchen towels hanging from your oven bar: use generous strokes of color to put your brain on a heightened state of alert. Your cabinets might be dreadfully tired (as our mine) and your outdated appliances might leave you feeling totally uninspired. But take heart: a few brilliantly colored decorative objects can provide just the punch your sleepy kitchen needs.

2)Treat yourself to one new kitchen accoutrement. Seen Le Creuset?s latest red Dutch ovens? Or Kitchen Aid?s new apple green mixer? How about a shiny chrome coffee grinder? If a total kitchen overhaul is out of your reach, perhaps one modest indulgence will give your room that little kick-in-the-pants that it needs.

3)Change the lighting. My Country French rooster chandelier ala my latest birthday, elevates my eyes upwards...out of the direction of my drive-me-crazy-cabinets and onto something much more beautiful and intriguing. Considering its relatively minor expense, it proved a clever way of adding serious visual interest to a space which otherwise drags me down visually. Shop around. While not as cheap as a new box of candles, a new lighting fixture is often a great way to go.

4)Change things in stages. Perhaps by giving your cabinets a new paint job, you can change the look of the whole room. My girlfriend contracted with a house painter as well as with a decorative painter to dramatically lift her entire kitchen into a veritable work of art. The decorative painter glazed and then hand-painted different floral designs on each cabinet panel, elevating the room into one of lightness and

5.Enjoy your collections. Not only did my recent trip to Paris cement my affection for le coq; it heightened my awareness of any and all fabulous renditions seen since my return. I can hardly pass by a rooster without checking its craftsmanship, size and price tag. Infuse your environment with the things that you love. Be they pictures of friends and family magnetized to your fridge?or cows or pigs or roosters (we really are a silly bunch, aren?t we?) don?t be afraid to show off your collections to their fullest. When your day is looking particularly gloomy or your hormones are raging; the little things that bring you joy will help to blow both those black clouds away from your precious little head as well as more evenly distribute those swirling shivers of estrogen.

Finally, reflect on the relativity of materialism. Nancy and I-?walking back from ?house perfect? on the kitchen tour-- talked about how it?s all relative anyway. For what seems like extravagant indulgence (or a vulgar display of wealth, depending on your perspective) is just that: it?s a perspective. It?s all relative. What seems ridiculously unnecessary to me might seem perfectly legitimate to you. And remember that most of what we possess is viewed by some 90% of the world as pure luxury. Keep perspective. If your kitchen drives you nuts, try to maintain some level of thanksgiving for what you do have, rather than some level of misery for what you don?t.

The kitchen isn?t called the heart of the home for nothing. It?s where we put love into what we put into our body. Where we infuse our food with energy. Where we sift and dice and shake and bake. Where we laugh and learn and read and relax. Do your part to make it the heart of your home...whether you like the way it looks or not.

Keywords: kitchen renovation, kitchen remodeling, appliances, kitchen tours

About the Author
Carolina Fernandez, Ridgefield
emomrx@yahoo.com
http://rocketmom.com
Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; homeschooling for ten years provided fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is available on Amazon.com, in bookstores everywhere, or by calling 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via parenting classes and radio and TV interviews. Please visit www.rocketmom.com to subscribe to her free ezine and get a weekly shot of inspiration.

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2005-11-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Repairing a rental home (or your own home) use to require running down to the local hardware store or to the nearby building supply house. After several stops around town, you found everything you needed to solve your maintenance problem.

If you are a fixer upper or tenant landlord today, you now have the marvel of Home Depot and Lowe's!

Now we have one-stop shopping for virtually everything needed at one of these two stores.

But more than that efficient feature for saving time (and often cost), you can get instruction for repairs from either experienced employees and/or special classes of instruction. If you don't know how to perform the job, you will often find it easier than you imagined. I had never laid any tile, until I discovered that an experienced tile-layer-turned-Home Depot-employee showed me how easy it is. And I found I could get my tile cut free at the store to fit those difficult spots around the tub faucets.

And add to these attractive store features the ease of acquiring commercial and consumer credit, often with promotions of $299 or more purchases at 0% interest for 6 months or more.

I was in Phoenix many years ago when I visited my first Home Depot. It was love at first sight. I had always wanted good quality tools fit for the job at hand at discount prices, and what I saw was a dream come true. I walked that store in amazement as I saw row after row of ceiling-high supplies of every sort of tool and construction material imaginable. It was an awesome experience, and I have never lost that euphoria in walking into a Home Depot or Lowe's. I have become increasingly appreciative over the years at this luxury of shopping at these two stores. Shopping is time-saving, and I leave it to Home Depot and Lowe's to do the research on discovering which suppliers manufacture the best tools, equipment and supplies for the job at hand.

Even if you are a real estate investor who does NONE of your own labor, these stores are a great place to learn how a job should be done right.

But if you perform the repair work on your own properties, you can find the materials and instruction at Home Depot and Lowe's.

It seems Home Depot and Lowe's are gonna slug it out for the predominant position in the marketplace. In some areas, when one new store is opened, the other store buys the lot next door for its own new location. America loves these two competitive stores. Some individual stores do a million dollars of business a week. I find both stores are excellent sources for the best tools and materials I've ever found. And it's hard to beat their prices.

Home Depot and Lowe's fill a void for real estate investors with convenience, pricing, instruction and availability.

Phil Speer, Ph.D., started his real estate investing career 25 years ago. Without the availability of credit and using only a $10 bill, he purchased $1 million in properties in his first year, and had accumulated $10 million in properties by his fourth year. http://www.CashinHouses.com/ He was featured in a Wall St.Journal editorial as most successful investor in the Nothing Down Real Estate Movement, and was honored with a Caribbean cruise as top investor of the year. In his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, he has been a businessman and Human Resources Consultant for 30 years. He is an author, speaker and seminar director.

To learn how to profit in real estate investing, even without cash or credit, read his report at http://www.General-RealEstate.com/business/flipping.html/ Subscription is free to his Fix-up Ezine. He and other contributing authors provide free articles and resources on real estate investing at his online "Academy of Advanced Real Estate Investing Techniques" at http://www.AAREIT.com/

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2005-10-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

The good news is that the danger of getting stuck with a lemon of a house is one of the most easily avoided dangers in the whole universe of personal finance. Prospective homebuyers are protected in many ways, and they can further strengthen their defenses by taking a few simple, commonsensical precautionary steps.

The first of your protections is the fact that in many places sellers are required by law to make problems known to potential buyers � and are liable under the law if they fail to make adequate disclosure.

For obvious reasons, however, most of us prefer to steer clear of legal entanglements even when the law is on our side. In the housing market we do this by identifying problems before closing the deal. And identifying problems isn�t necessarily all that difficult. Even a person who�s not an electrician or plumber or construction expert often can identify areas of potential concern simply by being alert when visiting a house that�s on the market.

It�s a simple matter, for example, to turn on faucets and showers to test water pressure. In a bathroom it�s a simple matter to turn on the hot water both at the sink and in the shower at the same time and then flush the toilet and watch for drastic drops in pressure or temperature. This is highly likely to produce evidence of whatever problems are lurking in the plumbing system.

Most homes should provides at least 200 amps of electrical power, and it�s usually possible to confirm this simply by checking the numbers on the circuit-breaker panel. Check, too, for extra-heavy 220 �volt outlets where they�re needed for a washer, dryer and other heavy appliances � and for the grounded three-prong outlets needed for computers and power tools.

A house that�s been standing for years but still has straight walls and ceilings and remains free of cracks and the stains that indicate leaks is likely to be structurally sound.

Are the basement walls damp � or even wet? Have termites left their calling cards � tubes or tunnels where the walls touch the ground, or wood debris around baseboards?

Wherever you see such things, things that you wonder about because you don�t understand them or wouldn�t expect to find them in a completely sound structure, you can be confident that it�s time for further examination. Keep an open mind about what that further examination might lead to, however. Things that can look like big trouble to the amateur eye sometimes turn out to be quite trivial when an expert checks them out.

The word �expert� is a crucially important one to remember. Ultimately, before closing on the house of your choice, you should have it inspected by a professional � one who has solid credentials and a solid reputation and whose work is guaranteed. Your purchase should be contingent on the results of the inspection. Your realtor can help you make all this happen, thereby reducing your risk to the vanishing point.

About The Author

W. Troy Swezey is the author of �AVOIDING A BAD INVESTMENT IS EASIER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK." As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, �REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED.� http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net

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2005-10-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

Looking to do some remodeling in your kitchen sink area or maybe the whole kitchen? There are many options out there for any idea you may have. Kitchen appliances on down to kitchen tables, and kitchen sinks are available at your finger tips online. So, whether you are repairing or remodeling, take a minute to notice all of your options.

Kitchen sinks and kitchen faucets are among the many things you can find online. Sinks ranging from stainless steal to tiled in every size and shape can be found. Faucets with many features like spraying hoses and tilting heads are available. Check out the designs and shapes! Another item every kitchen needs are Kitchen Exhaust Hoods. These, sucking up steam as well as smoke from cooking can help to prevent a fire. If your kitchen stove is small or oddly shaped, you may have a rough time finding the right size or style hood if you look in retail stores. But, online your options are numerous.

For larger items like Kitchen appliances and kitchen tables, the shipping charges of a product online to your home may not be worth it. But, browsing online at the many different online retailers and taking your time to choose what you like, will tell you where to go once you able to. For instance, if I am looking to replace my Kitchen Island, I can take my time, in my pajamas if I choose, and browse the dealers online until I find one or even a few that I like. Then, having this in mind, I can go to my local store and know what I am looking for. Or, perhaps, with something like kitchen islands, I will need to order it and have it delivered due to specific size requirements. Having an understanding of what I need and want, I can do this easier.

So, even our kitchen needs can be satisfied by searching online. You will benefit by taking the time to do the research or even, just browsing until you know what you want. Let's face it, the average salesmen isn't concerned about our needs, but making the sale. So, he may rush or push us along without us even realizing we have other options. Knowing the approximate cost of items will also help with these salesmen. Whatever the kitchen item is, even the kitchen sink, information is available to you online to help. A simple search can save you time and energy and even money.

About The Author

Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.a1-kitchen-cabinets-4u.com/
mjy610@hotmail.com

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2005-10-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

There are many home improvement projects that you can carry out to make your home a more comfortable space and to add to its value as property. These home improvement projects include remodeling the basement, kitchen, and bathrooms, and painting both the exteriors and interiors regularly.

Whenever most people think of home improvement projects, they think in terms of doing up the living areas, such as the bedrooms, drawing room, and dining room. However, there is just so much that you can do in a bedroom�maybe add a comfortable bed, a reading lamp, a table or ceiling fan, a bookshelf, and a study table. Most people seldom entertain formally, so areas such as the drawing room and dining room seldom get used. You can, however, put in some comfortable sofas, chairs, end tables, and coffee tables, and put in an expandable dining table, chairs, and breakfront in the dining room. You are most likely to use your kitchen as an area to not only prepare and cook food, and wash utensils and laundry, but also to serve family meals and entertain informally.

You can add electric floor warming systems for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements to make these areas of your home more comfortable. If you waterproof and ventilate your basement and use glass blocks to let in natural light, you can use it as a gym, study, home office, or home entertainment room. You will need to put in an intercom system so that you can not only make and receive calls in the basement, but also keep in touch with other family members.

To make your kitchen a visually appealing space, you can add countertops that complement or match the cabinetry, floor, or walls. Your countertops could be of granite, marble, wood, or stainless steel. To bring in more light into the kitchen, you can place a large ceiling fixture in the center of the kitchen, with track lights near the sink, range, and countertops. You can also use warm colors for the kitchen walls and floor, add recessed lights and dimmers, and highlight your cabinets. You can use tiles, laminates, and hardwoods as flooring. Your cabinets can complement or match the colors used in the walls and flooring. You can even use stained glass panels for kitchen cabinets.

To make your bathroom a truly relaxing space, you can always add a steam shower, a body spa, or a comfortable bathtub where you can soak for hours and allow the tensions of the day to flow away from you. See that your bathroom is well-lit. If you are interested in chromatherapy, you will find several products, such as bathtubs, shower systems, and sinks, which feature chromatherapy options. You can also install multiple showerheads and a waterfall in the bathroom to get a spa-like experience. You can also include a large bathtub, fog-free mirrors, and a towel warmer for more comfort. The tiles and walls in your bathroom should be in warm colors. You can also put plants and pictures in the bathroom to give a lived-in feel, and replace the sink sunk in a counter top with a pedestal sink. Nowadays, sinks come in a variety of materials, such as glass, stainless steel, stone, and copper�you can select a material that suits you. Your vanity cabinet could be of stone, wood, or glass. You can select from a wide variety of faucets, including single-hole and single-lever, widespread, centerset, and wall-mounted faucets.

At Total Remodeling ( http://www.totalremodeling.com ), we can help you with home improvement ideas and projects. We can improve your home in line with modern trends, thus adding to its comfort and value.

About The Author

Dan Noyes
http://www.totalremodeling.com
skathuria@mosaic-service.com

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2005-10-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Some of our bills can be eliminated as being �extras�, but utilities is just not one of these. If you are noticing an increase in your utility bills it is time to review what you may/may not be doing to cause this increase. Here are some helpful tips for ways to decrease your utility bills.

Water

Check to make sure none of the faucets in your household are leaking/dripping. A slow dripping faucet can accumulate over two gallons per hour.
When watering the garden, set a schedule and try to water in the early morning hours to help minimize evaporation (between 6am-8am)
Take shorter showers. Did you know that a shower uses approximately 6-10 gallons of water per minute? Think of how much money you could save if you shaved a few minutes off of your shower.
Use your dishwasher and washer only when you have full loads.
Contact your utility company to see if they offer reduced rates at certain times of the day and either timer-delay your washer/dishwasher or wait until that time to do your loads.
Recycle your water from fish tanks and use it to water your plants. Fish emulsion is a good and inexpensive fertilizer. It is high in nitrogen and phosphorous- just think that you will save on fertilizer AND water.

Gas

During the winter use your fireplace- this will heat up the room at a much lower cost.
Lower the temperature on your gas water heater. It is not necessary to have your water heated up to 180 degrees. You will find that by lowering it that you will in turn lower your bills.
Invest in a water heater timer if you have an electric water heater. By turning the heat off during the time it is not in use you will save money on your bill without even making a sacrifice.
Turn your thermostat down just three degrees. By doing so you will save approximately three percent on your heating bills.
Weather-strip your doors and windows along with insulating your attic. This will conserve the heat in your home a lot more.
Close off the rooms that aren�t in use in your home. This will help keep the rooms you do use warmer.
Close vents in the rooms that have one or more in them. If one room is always warmer you can close the vent to force air into the rooms that are cooler

Electricity

When purchasing new appliances always try to get the ones that are energy efficient. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by spending the extra money to get the energy efficient models.
Get in the habit of turning off ALL lights and appliances that are not being used. You'll be surprised at how quickly the energy savings will add up.
When not watching television make sure that you keep it off. This is the number one electricity waster in the world.
The dryer will use less energy if you dry loads of clothing one after another because the dryer will already be hot. What an easy way to save money and get your laundry done more quickly.
Use low-wattage light bulbs or energy efficient fluorescent lighting. Compact fluorescents typically last ten times longer and they use 75% less electricity.
Call your utility company to find out if they have off-peak hours and when they are. Many companies charge less for your electricity at night and more during the day. By doing your laundry and dishes during off-peak hours you could easily save money off of your utility bill.

Phone

Compare the prices of various long distance providers. A great place to look up information on lowering your long distance bill is www.lowermybills.com. On this web site you can compare long-distance companies in your area and also see any hidden fees they might have. I am currently with Opex Communications (offered in our area) and they charge 3.9 cents a minute with only a $2.95 monthly charge if I do less than $20 in long-distance calls. I found out about this company through Lower My Bills and when the larger companies call to offer me long-distance and I share my rate with them they always tell me I am getting a better deal then they can offer me. This is when you know you are a smart consumer!
If you have a cellular phone that offers state-to-state long-distance, use this instead of calling. Always make sure that you can call nationwide, the minutes you have available to you each month, and what hours are free (evenings, weekends) before making calls. I have made this mistake before and it was a costly one when I discovered I had no long-distance. Always be clear about the terms of your plan.
Take advantage of the internet and email instead of calling your friends and family. You can also use great instant messaging programs and still feel like you are having a telephone conversation without the high bill.

About The Author

Amy Allen Clark is a stay-at-home mother of a two year old son. She is founder and creator of http://www.momadvice.com. Her web site is geared towards mothers who are seeking advice on staying organized, living on a budget, and for those seeking work-at-home employment. Please visit her site to sign up for her free monthly newsletter filled with more great tips to help simplify your life.

amy@momadvice.com

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2005-10-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person can be exposed to in his lifetime. Besides damage from radioactive or nuclear chemicals, significant exposure to lead can cause some of the most severe and even fatal health effects possible.

It seems to be fairly common knowledge that lead is dangerous and that one should avoid exposure to lead whenever possible. Fewer and fewer paints are lead-based and leaded gasoline has been almost entirely phased out. People all over the world are now making concerted efforts to protect themselves from this dangerous metal.

Without doubt, most, if not all, parents would agree that they would like to protect their children from the damaging effects of lead exposure and ingestion. Most parents would also agree that they are doing an adequate job of protecting their children from lead exposure. Still, these same parents (unknowingly) may be exposing and even encouraging their children to take lead into their bodies each and every day.

So, where does this lead come from and why does nobody seem to know about it? The answer to these questions lies in the water we take into our bodies each day. The seemingly safe tap water of most homes in the United States contains lead. When we drink this water untreated, we are consistently allowing lead to poison the inner workings of our bodies.

In most homes built before 1978, lead from lead-soldered pipes in the plumbing system corrodes into drinking water as that water passes through pipes on its way to faucets. From the pipes to the faucet, lead infiltrates our drinking water and makes its way into our bodies and our children?s bodies. Municipal water treatment plants cannot control for this contaminant in water; therefore, lead continues to make its way into our water, with little or no regulation. In order to remove this dangerous contaminant from drinking water, it is absolutely vital to employ a point- of-use water filter.

Clearly, we all know that lead is dangerous and that we should make efforts to avoid it, but what exactly is so very dangerous about lead? It is only a naturally occurring metal, after all, and iron--another naturally occurring metal--is supposed to be good for the body. Lead, however, while dangerous for all people, leads to particularly damaging health and mental problems in babies and young children. Let?s first examine the general damaging health effects of lead ingestion and then focus specifically on the results of lead poisoning for babies and small children.

General Health Effects of Lead
Short-term exposure to large amounts of lead has been known to cause severe vomiting, cramping, convulsions, coma, and even death. While such exposure is increasingly unlikely in today?s world, even relatively low-level exposure to lead can cause some significant health problems. Lead is a leading cause of anemia, a syndrome that affects more than 3.5 million people in the United States. Continued exposure to lead can also affect nervous system functioning, resulting in impairment of mental functioning, difficulty in memory and concentration, and inability to sleep. A lifetime of exposure to lead can adversely affect kidney functioning. Lead poisoning is also a leading cause of high blood pressure, one of the current deadliest conditions for individuals in the United States. Consistently rising numbers of high blood pressure and anemia cases--syndromes that have not traditionally been connected to lead poisoning--should certainly be considered when discussing the role of lead ingestion on the body.

Effects of Lead Poisoning on Babies and Young Children
Lead is especially damaging to babies and small children, due to the relative ease at which their bodies absorb the contaminant and the sensitive nature of their developing brains. Concerning the impact of lead poisoning on children, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recently stated, ?Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the U.S..? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one out of every 22 children has high levels of lead in his blood.

Lead poisoning gives rise to several damaging health conditions in young children?s developing bodies. The younger the child is, the more damaging lead poisoning can be. The long-term effects of exposure to lead for young children include learning disabilities, hyperactivity, depressed growth, hearing impairments, and even brain damage.

For pregnant women, ingestion of lead can result in a host of birth defects and developmental problems for their growing babies. Ingestion of lead is particularly harmful to babies during the critical third trimester of pregnancy. Lead can pass into a baby?s body through breast-feeding, as well.

Diagnoses of hyperactivity and learning disabilities are growing by leaps and bounds in public schools, perhaps because of so much unknowing exposure to lead and increasing cases of lead poisoning.

What You Can Do
Knowing what we do about lead and its effects on our children and ourselves, what can we do to prevent exposure to this dangerous metal? There are several approaches--all of them important--that you can take now to protect yourself and your family. Firstly, it is important to keep your home clean and dust-free because much of your child?s exposure to lead comes from dirt and dust on the floor. It is also incredibly important to have your child tested for lead poisoning if you suspect or notice any of the symptoms. With early treatment, many of these problems can be quickly alleviated.

It is also absolutely vital to begin, or continue using, a home water filtration system. Untreated tap water is likely the culprit of the majority of you and your child?s exposure to lead. A simple home water filter can remove lead quickly and easily to ensure that you and your family are protected from the volatile, dangerous nature of this metal.

Every parent wants to give her children every opportunity possible to succeed; taking a few minutes to provide clean, healthy water to drink is one of the best and easiest ways to accomplish this goal.

Vanessa Lausch is a writer for http://www.historyofwaterfilters.com/ - online source for water information.

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2005-10-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

Your Shower Door Can Have a Huge Impact on Your Bathroom

These days shower doors come in a wide variety of styles and designs. It?s worth putting some thought into finding one that both suits your needs and looks great. Installing a shower stall enclosure can bring your bathroom bang up to date in terms of style and functionality. But careful consideration is important when choosing which type of shower door would work best in your particular bathroom. As well as choosing a door that looks sleek and modern, the size and layout of your bathroom must be taken into account.

Sliding shower doors are the most common type. They take up the least amount of room, and can be fitted above a bathtub where space is at a premium. Because they glide open and shut, bypass sliding doors need tracks to operate. One downside of this design is that dirt and oil can accumulate in the tracks, which can be difficult to keep clean. Another disadvantage is that because of the nature of their design, sliding doors overlap, again causing potential cleaning issues.

Another sort is folding shower doors, which swing open on hinges. Folding doors are excellent for creating an elegant look and feel, but they do require enough space to be able to open outward. They can swing both ways, or just in one direction. A single action door must open outwards into the bathroom to prevent the user becoming stuck inside the shower enclosure. For this reason you will need to pay attention to the positioning of your bathroom fixtures to make sure the door doesn?t hit your sink, for example.

Bi fold or trackless shower doors are a combination of the above designs. They work in an accordion style, with folding sections. There are several benefits of this type of door. They use a minimum amount of space to operate, and they have no tracks to keep clean. They also offer barrier free access, so can be suitable for handicap shower stalls.

Frameless shower doors made from all glass are a popular style these days, they help create a more open and lighter feeling, suggesting an illusion of space. They are also easier to keep clean than traditional framed models. Shower door hardware comes in a choice of finishes, including chrome and brass, so you can match it to your faucets and bathroom cabinet handles. Glass shower doors come in a variety of patterns, from clear to etched to molded. Glass can be kept free of mold by simply using a squeegee to wipe away water drops.

When choosing a shower door, think about what design would look the best, and which style would work well in the space available. With a bit of planning your shower door can be the icing on the cake in your bathroom?s makeover!

Simon Phillips is a successful freelance writer and regular contributor to http://www.showers-bathrooms.com, your one stop source for finding the best deals on shower doors, shower stalls, bathroom vanities and more!

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2005-10-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Bathroom remodeling is often a popular home improvement project for both new and old homeowners. This may include painting, using new countertops, vanities, windows, retiling, floors, appliances, vents or better lighting. Before embarking on a project of remodeling your bathroom, provided below are a few tips and ideas to make the experience even more fruitful.

Planning

Good planning goes a long way in helping achieve the design of your dreams. First decide whether you want to take up the project yourself or bring in the assistance of an interior designer, bathroom remodeling contractor or a home improvement expert. Consider your budget at this stage and also prioritize the aspects you want to remodel. Do you just want to make just a few changes with minor repairs or give your bathroom a whole new look.

The design

Next measure the bathroom for dimensions and to get an idea of how you can make the best use of the space available. Now consider a good design that gives a feeling of class and space to the room. Also remember not to use creativity at the cost of functionality of the bathroom.

Walls and floors

You can consider painting your walls or using ceramic or granite tiles to suit the concept of the bathroom. Popular flooring options include ceramic tiles, linoleum and baseboards.

The appliances

Consider the appliances that need remodeling with respect to the design of the room. You may want to change the lighting, bathtubs, sinks, showers, faucets and toilets with respect to the concept of the entire room. Use appropriate colors and materials.

Other aspects

Finally you may want to consider using some space for storage where you can stack things that you do not want to be visible outside. Use cabinets made of appropriate materials like wood, laminate or metal to suit the design of your bathroom. Besides storage, consider ergonomics and keep modern usage trends in mind for a creative and functional bathroom.

While bathroom remodeling can be an exciting project it can also seem daunting because of the various aspects that need to be considered for the look and design you require. We at totalremodeling.com have a range of choices, designs, colors and textures to help you through the process. Our panel of experts is also here just to help you remodel your bathroom for the design of your dreams.

Dan Noyes

Home Remodeling Ideas

Read More ON Home Remodeling Information

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2005-10-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Bathrooms aren't just about the basics but are about the bathroom accessories! Bathrooms have become places to relax and unwind. They are not just for doing your business and leaving. People have spent time in designing a place to find peace and quiet! And the bathroom accessories that you have in there will help accomplish this!

Yes, bathrooms have toilets and bathroom sinks. Yes, there are reasons that we need these spaces in our homes beyond for the point of relaxing, but these rooms can be stylish and elegant or fun and relaxing just the same. Some might think, a toilet is a toilet. Go into any home improvement store and find the aisle of toilets. Yes, there are many to choose from. Its not just about which works the best. No, its about how the look and feel. There are lots of different options even for toilets!

Now consider the other bathroom accessories that you can customize to your liking to create the bathroom of your dreams. For instance, bathroom lighting fixtures. Bathroom light fixtures come in many options. Some may be bright and seem simple while others may be funky and fun. In different colors, shapes, styles these can add an added touch of sophistication or style. Or, maybe adding lighting that is dim and smooth as opposed to bright. This can create a great atmosphere for relaxing.

Other bathroom fixtures to think about are bathroom faucets and bathroom sinks to think about as well. In every aspect of the bathroom, you will find different styles, shapes, and colors all to help make the bathroom of your dreams. Many options can be put together to show an overall style of the bathroom. Many can carry the same theme throughout the bathroom as well. So, there are many things you can do to create a great bathroom.

Adding bathroom accessories will help you create the bathroom of your dreams. A place to come home to, to relax and find peace and quiet.

About The Author

Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.a1-bathroom-4u.com/
mjy610@hotmail.com

2005-10-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves. Could I do it? Where do I begin? What home improvement projects will generate the biggest increase in the value of my home?

What Do You Want and What Can You Afford?

There are several good reasons for wanting to redecorate or remodel your home. If your residence no longer reflects your changing tastes and lifestyle but you don?t want to leave a desirable neighborhood, maybe all you need to do is make one or two basic changes. Altering a color scheme, converting a bedroom into a home office, or upgrading the kitchen and bathroom are practical improvements that add esthetic appeal and financial value. If a move is in the future, you want home improvement projects that will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it?s time to sell.

Whatever your motives for improving your home, make a wish list with three categories:

* Must have

* Would like to have

* Dreams can come true

When your list is complete, consider the amount of money you have available or are prepared to borrow. Unless you have unlimited funds, make a realistic estimate of what you can afford. Are you planning major renovations that will require the services of an architect or a contractor? Will you need an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a painter, or all four? How much work can you do yourself? All these factors must be taken into account as you pare down your list into affordable home improvement projects.

How Do You Begin?

Every project starts with a plan. Itemize everything you want and think you can afford, and include a design of rooms to be remodeled. If you are going to require professional help, now is the time to talk to contractors, plumbers, and other tradesmen, and to ask for estimates. Comparison-shopping is a must. If you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, price materials and tools needed. If you can?t afford to do everything on your list, reassess your prime needs and make a new plan.

What Projects Are Key?

The best projects for improving the value of your home are, happily, the most affordable and the easiest to do yourself, even if you are a super klutz. Ask any real estate agent for tips on how to prepare a home for resale and you will be told that the house and yard should be cleaned and all clutter removed. Creating suitable home storage facilities and cleaning and painting the interior and exterior of your house, therefore, are the jobs that top the list of desirable improvements. The premium projects that usually require professional help are kitchen remodeling first and bathroom remodeling second. These particular upgrades will provide the best return for your money, and the real estate industry has statistics to prove it.

Clean Everything in Sight

Cleaning your home and yard is a great improvement project, and if you are remodeling, it will be the final step after the dust has settled. You will need something heavy-duty like tri-sodium phosphate or its equivalent to wash most surfaces inside and outside the house. There are also special cleaners for glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, and for getting rid of unpleasant molds and mildew. Visit your friendly hardware store and read labels. There are cleaners for almost every material and for solving almost every cleaning problem. Make sure rooms are well ventilated whenever you are cleaning, carefully follow directions, and wear gloves and a mask.

Removing clutter is another worthwhile project and requires adequate home storage with a combination of cabinets, shelves and bins, and sufficient strength of mind to discard all junk, no matter how much you love it. You can buy easy-to-assemble shelving and cabinets in a great variety of sizes and materials at affordable prices. Small, decorative containers can be used to organize and conceal the ongoing accumulations of such items as incoming mail. In the yard, removing clutter means getting rid of dead trees, dead branches, broken slabs and stones in patios and walkways, and tidying up the garden and lawn. When faced with clutter, ruthlessly throw it out, recycle it, hold a garage sale, donate it to the charity of your choice ? get rid of it.

Interior painting and exterior painting should be next on your list of preferred home improvement projects. Fresh paint helps make your home look clean, bright, and spacious. When selecting colors for the exterior, don?t forget to do something about that bland front door. Have fun! Fresh, harmonious colors add beauty and personality to your home both inside and out.

Put Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling High on the List

Although remodeling a kitchen seems like a daunting task, a complete overhaul pays great dividends if and when you sell your home. Purchasing new cabinets and appliances are worthy goals, but you can also make minor changes that will create impact. If you can?t replace the kitchen cabinets, replace the cabinet doors at least. If that is also beyond your means, add molding to the cabinet doors, paint them, and replace the hardware. It?s not that difficult or expensive to replace an outdated sink, and if you can?t afford a new stove, fridge and dishwasher, don?t hang on to those gold or avocado monstrosities ? buy attractive reconditioned replacements.

Bathroom remodeling is the next most important improvement and the biggest dividends come from installing a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower stall, as well as attractive tiles and custom cabinets. Again, if you can?t manage a complete makeover, replace the tired old taps, faucets and showerhead; add shelves; and paint and redecorate the cabinets.

Other Projects to Consider

After you have decided on and planned for the most important home improvement projects, new window covering and upgraded flooring should receive your attention. You can choose from a large array of window dressings and styles, or simply buy fabric, turn hems with iron-on tape, and dramatically drape the material over attractive curtain rods. Shutters are another possibility and lend themselves to many different decorating styles.

Your choice of flooring is limited only by your taste and budget. Rip up the old carpet and replace it with contemporary hardwood flooring or laminate flooring. If you already have hardwood, simply sanding and re-staining it or giving it a clear finish may give your rooms the lift they need. Other flooring replacements that can transform a room include tile, vinyl, linoleum, or textured rubber.

Finally, save a little energy and money to improve the appearance of your yard. Maybe all you have to do to improve the garden is trim, mow, weed, and then plant a few flowers. Adding or upgrading an existing patio, deck, or walkway can also be very worthwhile.

Choosing the best modeling and redecorating projects will not only increase the long-term value of your home, they will also provide satisfaction and pleasure for you, the smart homeowner.

Scott Gray is a successful freelance writer who has written many articles for http://www.all-about-home-improvement.com your one stop source for finding the best deals on the internet for home improvement projects , home products, garden supplies, bathroom accessories and more!

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2005-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

This report is written for those people who may want to improve or update their own home so along those lines, I would like to give you an overview of the factors that may lead you in creating a more effective and successful home improvement project or plan of your own.

Let me begin by saying what a home improvement plan will not do! I have seen this happen more than once, so I will say this now. A home improvement project, addition, upgrade, remodel, or makeover will not make up for a troubled marriage. So for those that think home improvement may save a marriage, I�m telling you now that it will add more stress and it is a poor substitute for proper counseling.

With that said, when you see a home being sold due to a divorce, take a good look at the house because you may see evidence of a great remodel job. However, the marriage still failed. The scenario above leads into other areas of home remodel, acquisition and selling points. Gentlemen, pay attention here! It is generally recognized that women are responsible for 80% of all decisions on whether or not to purchase a particular home.

So what influences the ladies in their decisions concerning home purchases and remodeling? By far the two biggest items are the kitchen and the bath. If I had to choose one or the other, I believe I would look at which area was in need of the remodel more, while at the same time looking at the costs of both options.

As for the men, what do they want? They would be happy with a large garage/workshop plus a secluded den or office to carry on with business or to retreat to the solitude of a �cave.� Men, as we can see, really don�t spend as much time feathering the nest so as a result we see that contrary to popular belief, men really tend to follow the female�s lead.

Generally speaking, you�ll find that men don�t pay much attention to draperies, window treatments, flower boxes, state of the art appliances, Jacuzzi tubs, well-lit bathrooms, large closets or floral patterns of any kind. They often prefer brown and gray everything, with a big garage, a shed, a sprinkler system and a privacy fenced back yard for barbeques and lounging in private. Men also like low maintenance houses so they aren�t constantly being asked to fix or repair things. If left up to the men to decide, you would find that faucets, toilets, sinks, baths, floors, mirrors, cabinetry, appliances and furnishings would tend to be favored by their industrial strength qualities as opposed to beauty.

Those are general observations and many times they will not apply. However, by keeping them in mind and using the 80/20 rule, they may help in the decision making process. So now using what we know, it would be wise to slant your remodel towards the light and bright feminine side of life. It seems to make sense that if the women are the decision makers then we should let them decide on what really needs attention first!

Let�s look at the kitchen first. Can you paint or refinish the cabinetry and change the knobs and handles to get the new look? Would new Formica laminate over the old counter tops with a matching backsplash do the trick? Maybe a white ceramic sink with a new faucet will achieve the desired effect. Quite possibly you may decide to rip it all out. If that is the case, then paint the walls and consider tiling the floor also. Often times, adding some minor electrical and lighting upgrades will help transform and modernize the entire effort. Don�t forget the new built in dishwasher and plumbing as well.

Custom cabinets, if designed, built and installed by a local reputable cabinetmaker with references and a picture book of previous work done, are often very attractive in price and quality. I use craftsmen with low overhead who work on one job at a time. Often I will ask them to make, in addition to the kitchen, a base cabinet for the bathroom to match, all for one low price. When working with kitchens I always look to see if a wall can be opened up to create a pass through or bar stool counter top. This lets in more light and allows the person in the kitchen to talk with and see the people in the adjoining room. It also creates the effect of a more spacious kitchen.

The bottom line is that a well-lit, light, bright and spacious kitchen, well equipped with modern appliances, plenty of storage space and decorative tiles, paint and window treatments, will add value and appeal to any home�s remodel plan.

Next, lets look at remodeling the bathroom. Here again, we look to the feminine side as the women seem to spend more time here then the men. So with the ladies in mind concerning the upgrade, I will often bite the bullet and rip it all out, the tub being the only exception! If I can leave the tub in, the job is easier, faster and cheaper. However, if I am looking at an olive green or yellowed chipped up and rusting ceramic eyesore, than a new fiberglass insert with a sliding glass door is going on my list of items to buy at the local Home Depot.

Jet tubs are the in thing, so I won�t rule them out as a possible upgrade. This decision again is based on the female as most men don�t take candlelit bubble baths or require a pulsating massage. Walls are painted with Sherwin Williams semi-gloss paint which creates an excellent moisture barrier to the walls. With regard to walls, by adding tile or laminate half-wall wainscoting to the lower three to four feet of the wall, you�ll add a nice touch. Since you have torn out the old toilet and base cabinet, now is also the perfect time to rip up the old vinyl and put down ceramic floor tile before the new fixtures are installed.

New lighting, mirrored vanity cabinets, G.F.I. electrical outlets, wallpaper borders, towel rings and bars are usually the finishing touch. Even a man can appreciate coming home to a spacious, clean, modern, functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen and bath. One final note here: Be sure to caulk everything when you�re through. You�ll want to protect your new investment from rotting, from the inside out. Dampness and wood eating insects are your homes worst enemies.

Now with the kitchen and bath out of the way, what do you feel is next? I myself spend on average about seven hours a day in the bedroom, so I tend to go there next. Once again, the closet is of importance to the ladies so I will look to paint that bright white, upgrade the lighting and install a closet organizing system to maximize the space that is available. A tip for the guys! Put in a shoe rack for the ladies, as most of you wouldn�t even think about that little upgrade.

Once the closet is done, I�m back patching and painting the rest of the room. Another smart thing you can do is to let the female decide on what color of Sherwin Williams brand satin super paint they would like to have applied. I always make sure I get enough paint to do the ceiling as well because when you�re on your back, you will be looking at it. Once the walls and ceiling are done, the ceiling fan with light kit and dimmer switch go in. Then the baseboards are prepared for installation before the carpet goes down. Usually I paint them a shade darker than the walls and tack them to the wall about one-half inch above the floor.

Now that the paint is put away, it�s time to install the plush carpet and a dense quality pad beneath it. In order to really bring the room together you will need to take a paint swatch or chip to the carpet dealer to choose the carpet color that really sets off the walls and base board trim. As for final touches, those include mini blinds, a curtain, and decorative switch plates and receptacle covers. A solid core door represents today�s modern standards with a keyed lock set for security, so I will add that factor in too. Just add candles and you�re done!

As for the rest of the house, I will choose one-color paint and use it throughout all the remaining areas that are to be lightened and brightened. Earth tone, eggshell or tan sand colors are a neutral favorite of many, so unless you have a floor that is going to clash with it, earth tones are a safe bet. Speaking of floors, I will follow appraisal rules that tell me wood is better than carpet, except in bedrooms. And tile is better than vinyl. With that in mind, I will use tile and Pergo flooring everywhere else. Once the tile and wood are installed, I never have to replace it and maintenance is a breeze. The appraiser also looks upon wood and tile as an upgrade, so at the earliest opportunity, they are getting incorporated in my plans.

There you have it! A general Joe homeowner remodel job, but what about the infamous addition? With this consideration, you�ll have many more options to weigh, so lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of adding square footage.

When does it make sense to add square footage?

#1. Is it physically possible, legally permissible, financially feasible? Will the new addition serve your intended purpose to the maximum extent?

#2. Does the current floor plan, layout or design of your home allow for a smooth flowing traffic pattern in, out and through the proposed addition?

#3. Will your lot size accommodate a larger dwelling and will the neighborhood surrounding your home support the higher value that you expend?

#4. How long do you intend to stay in the house that this upgrade is planned for? Five years from now, will the addition return, dollar for dollar, the money you have spent to the sales price of the home if you sold it?

#5. Are you prepared to deal with draftsmen and plans development, contractors, building officials and permits? Will you mind living on a construction site for about 6 months? Are your finances in place with an additional 10% set aside for cost overruns? Has everyone agreed upon what this addition should look like and the purpose it will serve?

Let us say you have considered the above and would like to continue towards the improvement. From here, we should consider the economic principle of what is called progression. Example: You have a 2-bedroom, 1-bath home, located in a neighborhood of more expensive 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes. In this case you could, with more certainty, add another bedroom and bath and expect to be able to realize or achieve the value from the addition�s expense as the more expensive homes around you will tend to pull the value of your home up along with theirs.

Now the reverse is also true, so you must consider the opposite case that is called the principle of regression. That says that if you over-improve beyond the value of the homes that are surrounding you, then those lower value homes will tend to keep the value of your home in the lower price ranges. So putting it another way, try not to pass the point of diminishing returns. In essence, saying that you can only improve so much before you reach a point where, for every dollar you spend, you will receive less of that same dollar back when you sell.

A good rule of thumb to use is to try to get at least two dollars of increased value for every dollar you spend. Once you begin to approach �break-even,� then you should consider maintaining what you have as opposed to adding to it. A simple way to say it: Don�t over-improve!

Another watchword to know is super-adequacy. That would be like putting gold faucets in a mobile home. It�s overkill and too high-end for the properties overall value, so the final decision on remodeling and additions comes down to balance and a happy medium being reached. Also, take into consideration the cost, aggravation, the net gain, the need for improvement, the improved quality of life, the suitability to all occupants taste, needs and desires and in the end the ability to receive a higher sales price.

I choose to remodel more often than add-on because it goes much faster and the profits role in quicker too. If I need more space to live in, I simply remodel the house I�m in and rent it out for top dollar, and then get an equity line to buy a bigger house! When remodeling my own home I will attempt to do everything myself, aside from building cabinets or rewiring electrical circuits. As with everything else, if I get in over my head, I will concede defeat and call in an expert to finish what I started while I learn where I went wrong by watching them finish it up.

Here are a few parting shots that you may or may not know:

Painting everything inside and out is the greatest value producing improvement that you can make on a dollar for dollar return basis. When painting, ensure you buy the absolute best paint available, as it is true that the expense of painting lies in the application of the paint not the paint itself. So if you have to apply two coats because of an inferior watered down paint then the cost just doubled in time and the added paint needed to get the job done.

This next tip alone will save you the cost of this entire book and here it is. Without naming any names, whether it be the manufacturer or the distributor of the product, there is a problem out there with what used to be considered top brand, quality paints. It has been said that some manufacturers have thinned out their paint and left their good name on, all in the name of allowing certain retailers the ability to sell hundreds of thousands of gallons a month at what appears to be a bargain price. Unfortunately, the consumer is fooled by the name and ends up coming back for more paint when they find that it takes more of the thinned out product to get complete coverage.

I, for one, as you can well see by now, am a real fan of Sherwin Williams brand, super paint. This blend is so superior in my mind to any other paint available to the little guy, that I refuse to use anything else. I have applied it to exterior walls located in the worst conditions and climates and ten years later its still as good as the day I put it on. The elasticity, color and protection are still in place with absolutely no chalking, cracking or deterioration of any kind, The same goes for interior paint as well. The coverage and wash ability are unmatched!

I also would like to say Sherwin Williams has not paid me to say one word of this. It is for your sole benefit that I harp on it to the degree that I do, as it burns me to no end to see trusting people get ripped off and not even know it!

But wait! It gets even worse. As if to add insult to injury, the retailers don�t really even shoot for the highest profit margin on the paint. They make their profit when you start buying all the tape, rollers, trays, brushes, handles, scrapers, sand paper, buckets, screens and new fangled gadgetry along with a host of other products that may be required to finish all phases of the job at hand.

Has anyone ever told you that? If you doubt it, take a viscosity cup and run the super paint through it and then do the same with the other paint. After this test, you will need no further proof of

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2005-10-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

When we decide to remodel often we have tastes that outway our budgets. We have a vision of just what we want, then we get the bids from the contractors, they are far beyond what we can afford. So we suddenly see ourselves as do it yourself contractors. We can save the labor costs and do it ourselves we think.

But should you do the work yourself? Well we have to look at a number of things. Do you have the skills or can you aquire the skills, do you have the tools and safety gear? Can you rent the tools and safety gear and still save money? What about your time can you take the time it is going to take to complete the job? What is your time worth in dollars and cents? Do you really want to do the labor? We have to look at these questions and decide an honest answer to each one before taking on the tasks at hand.

Unless you are a highly skilled do-it-yourselfer, avoid taking on jobs that may be dangerous, particularly difficult, or where a mistake can be quite costly. Some jobs simply are not worth the risk. For example, think twice before doing:

Unless you are a highly skilled do it yourselfer then you should avoid jobs that could be dangerous or that take a lot of skills because mistakes can be more costly than hiring someone else to do the job righ in the first place.

I recently did part of the work in remodeling my bathroom myself. Then hired a contractor to finish it. I tore out a wall. Then removed the old bathtub. I tore up the old flooring and tile. I hired a plumber who
installed the new tub, toliet, and sink and the green board around the tub, plus the tub surround and faucets. I hired a handy person to put down the subflooring. Then I hired a professional installer to install the tile. I preped all the walls and put on two coats of undercoat on the walls. Then hired a painter to finish the job. The original bid I got for all the work with materials was over $5000. by buying all the materials myself and doing part of the work I did the whole job for about $1,500 dollars. That figure included permits. That was a big savings and by the time I figured out what my time was worth I saved even more. I also ended up with a very professional job.

About the Author

About the author: Judi Singleton is the publisher of Jassmine's JOurnal, nine lists only one ezine. Target your advertising. You can subscribe to Jassmine's Journal for only $60. a year. Subscribe now
http://www.motherearthpublishing.com

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2005-10-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

About the Author

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2005-10-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking of selling your home, there are a number of things you can do to improve the ?showability? of your home. But first, let?s look at your home through the eyes of the buyer.

Inside:

1) Open the window coverings and let the sun shine in. Window coverings should be cleaned so that they are not dusty. Have your windows professionally cleaned ? you won?t believe the difference!

2) Turn on all lights - day or night. Clean all light bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers. Wherever practical, install higher wattage light bulbs to further brighten your home.

3) Create the illusion of spaciousness, remove all clutter from each room to visually enlarge them (imagine a builder?s model home). Improve traffic flow and create a feeling of spaciousness by removing unnecessary furniture, knick-knacks, hobby items, children's items, etc. Organize your closets and cabinets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage. Rent a storage area if needed, or pack it in the garage. You're going to move anyway -- start now!

4) Light your fireplace during the winter.

5) Keep your home dusted and vacuumed.

6) Have a family "game plan" to get the home in show condition quickly ? everyone should have an assigned task.

7) Remove all smoke odors, pet odors, and odors resulting from hobbies. When possible, air out your home before the showing. Lightly spray room freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.

8) Make sure that beds are made.

9) Bathrooms should be kept clean, toilet lids down, no hair in the sink. Do not leave dirty towels out; wipe down the shower areas after each use. Repair or replace broken tiles on walls, floors or in showers/tubs. Recaulk if the caulking is chipped and/or stained. Put out fresh towels and decorative soap for showings.

10) Fix dripping faucets, remove rust stains from basins.

11) The kitchen should be kept clean. Remove all grease from range hoods, ovens, stovetops, walls, etc. Expand your counter space by removing small appliances ? everything except those items used on a daily basis ? remember: picture a builder?s model home.

12) Shampoo all carpets and vacuum as necessary. If the carpet does not clean up well, ask your agent if you should replace it.

13) First impressions: Does the doorbell work? Invest in a new doormat. Make sure the front door, screen door, etc. open easily and are visually appealing. If necessary, paint all entrance doors.

14) Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorating accents, mirrors, rugs, etc. and by removing all unnecessary clutter.

15) Remove any excess extension cords and exposed wires.

16) Clean and shine all accessories (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail boxes, address numbers, etc.)

17) Paint inside walls with a neutral colored paint. Usually, all walls should be painted, not just washed. This will brighten the home and make it look bigger and cleaner. Depersonalize teenager's rooms and decorate in a more neutral manner. Remove posters and adhesive from walls and doors and putty any holes resulting from nails or other mishaps. An investment in painting your home can make a big difference. Where necessary, repair or replace doors, closet doors, and/or windows and screens so that they open with ease.

Outside:

Remove dying plants or keep them out of sight. Keep the yard mowed, raked, weeded, fertilized and watered. Trees and shrubs should be pruned and trimmed. Use plants and flowers on porches and front walk way ? create curb appeal! Hoses and garden equipment should be kept neatly out of sight. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unattractive patio furniture, trash, etc., from the yard. Outdoor furniture should be kept clean.

Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept and in good condition. Keep trashcans deodorized, covered and out of sight. Highlight your pool area, water garden, etc. with lighting, benches, planters, flowering plants, etc. Create an outside living/dining area with furniture and plants.

Don?ts:

Don?t volunteer information
Don?t answer nosey questions
Don?t let strangers in ?off the street?

Do:

Enlist the service of a professional Realtor to market your home in trade magazines, newspapers, call capture 24 hour hotline, Internet sites, Virtual Tour, etc. Make your home look like a model even if isn?t - contact a Realtor that provides complimentary home staging as part of their bundle of services.

Phyllis Harb, a California native is a Realtor/Marketing Specialist at RE/Max Tri City in La Canada, California. RE/MAX Tri-City offers additionally offices in Glendale, La Crescenta, Los Feliz and Pasadena. Harb has been assisting local home sellers and buyers since 1989 and offers over 10 years experience in real estate lending. Phyllis may be contacted at 818 790-7325.

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2005-10-13T07:30:00.001-07:00

Although architectural details, wall and floor coverings, modern conveniences and many other factors are important in the buying decision, the focus of this inspection is on the structural/mechanical/electrical condition of the property.

The inspection is designed to give the real estate agent or prospective purchaser a system to detect some of the readily accessible major flaws or deficiencies in the significant components and systems of a home. It is not designed to, nor does it profess to facilitate detection of all flaws, problems or occurrences that might exist in any given home.

To maximize time efficiency and to ensure all of the major sections of the home are take into consideration, we have developed a systematized approach to the inspection. This is a simplified overview of systems that professional home inspectors use when they are inspecting a home.

To assist you in following the system, we have provided a checklist that will guide you through your own inspection.

THE INSPECTION SYSTEM

THE BIG PICTURE

The first step in inspecting a home is to examine the big picture for the home. Notice the area the home is located in. Are there other homes of similar age and construction details relative to the home you are inspecting? A comparison will give you a general idea of the upkeep of the home. Have there been significant modifications to the exterior of the building and if so, how is the workmanship?

EXTERIOR

Start at the exterior front of the house and work your way around the house (clockwise or counter-clockwise) at a distance which allows you to view a complete face comfortably. On each face (front, sides, rear) start your visual inspection at the top of the structure and work your way down to the ground and lot area. As an example, you would start at the front and note the roof and chimneys, the gutters, fascia and soffits. Then, moving down the exterior wall coverings (brick, wood, aluminum), noting windows, doors, etc. Examine any porches or decks down to the foundation, then the grade or slope of the lot area, followed by any coverings, such as flower beds, walkways, interlocking brick, driveways, etc. Move closer to the house, to examine more closely any details which may have attracted your attention, without skipping any items. Having completed the front, move to the side of the house and start the same procedure (roof to ground).

INTERIOR

On the interior, begin your inspection in the basement and then follow the system throughout each floor in the house. The system for inspecting the interior is to begin with the floor, go to the walls and then the ceiling, and then consider any appliances or other items in the room. Move from room to room, always in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) so as to not miss any areas. If you see a door, open it!

In the utility room in the basement, first notice the floor, the walls (possibly the foundation walls are visible here), then the ceiling (floor joists may be visible), then go to the furnace, hot water heater, electrical panel, plumbing system, etc. When inspecting the floors, walls and ceilings, scan the entire area that is visible, not just one section.

In a finished room you would notice the floors, walls (including windows) and ceiling. Next look for the heat sources, electrical outlets and switches, fireplaces, closets etc. In bathroom or kitchen, notice the floor, walls and ceiling, then the plumbing fixtures.

CONDITION

While performing the inspection, whether at the exterior, the interior or one of the mechanical systems, note the system first, then its relative condition. For example, if you were inspecting a wall on the interior of the home you would first note that the wall is plaster, and then examine the wall for cracks and irregularities.

PROBLEMS

The following are some typical problems or occurrences to look for in the major components and systems of the home.

ROOF

Is the ridge (peak) showing a sag, or is it straight and level?

Is the roof sagging between the rafters or trusses?

Are there any signs of deterioration of asphalt shingles, such as curling, wasping, broken edges, rounded corners or key holes (slits) becoming wider that normal?

Any loose flashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wall connection or elsewhere? Does the wooden roof deck appear rotten or delaminated under the last row of shingles?

Are there any roof vents visible?

CHIMNEYS

Is the masonry cap cracked or broken? Are any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar missing? Is the chimney leaning?

SOFFITS AND FASCIA

Note whether the soffit and fascia are wood, aluminum or plastic Any loose or missing sections?

If wood, are there any paint problems? Any visible rot?

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

Ensure gutters slope down toward downspouts Any rust or peeling paint?

Apparent leaks or loose/sagging sections?

Are the downspouts extended away from the foundations?

WALL COVERINGS

Look for missing mortar

Are the bricks flaking or cracking?

Look for loose, missing or rotten siding, deteriorated paint.

Does the siding appear new? Does it hide the foundation wall?

Exterior walls bowed, bulged or leaning?

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Look for problems with paint or caulking, and rotted wood components. Are the windows new or older? Are they the original windows?

How old are they?

PORCHES AND DECKS

Cracking or flaking masonry?

Check for paint problems, rotted wood, and wood-earth contact.

Note any settlement or separation from the house.

Inspect the underside, if accessible.

FOUNDATIONS

Check for cracks, flaking or damaged masonry.

Note any water markings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky substance) Any bowing, buldging or other irregularities?

Soft mortar?

LOT AREA

Does the grade slope away from the house?

Any settled/low areas next to the foundation, or cracked walks/driveway? Is the property lower than the street or neighboring properties?

BASEMENT

Note any evidence of water penetration (stains, mildew/odors, effluorescence, loose tiles etc.)

FLOORS

Check for deteriorated coverings or cracked ceramics. Any water staining or other damage? Sloping or sagging?

WALLS

Randomly sample to check that the windows and doors work. Are the walls straight vertically and horizontally? Look for cracked or loose plaster. Look for stains, physical damage or previous repair evidence. Any drywall seams or nails showing?

CEILINGS

Check for cracks in the plaster or loose, sagging plaster. Look for stains, mechanical damage or evidence of previous repair. Seams or nails showing?

BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS

Check that all fixtures are secure. Are there any cracks in the fixtures? Note the conditon of the tiles and caulking in the tub/shower area. Are the faucets working? Do they leak? Sufficient water pressure? Look for staining and rot under the counter-tops Randomly sample the operation of the cabinet doors and drawers.

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Type, style and age of heating & cooling systems. When were they last inspected or serviced? Type of water supply piping and drains - any visible rust and corrosion? Size and age of electical service - are the outlets grounded? Visible wiring in good condtion? Have there been any upgrades?

Vist our website for a printable Pre-Inspection Checklist

Article submitted by the American Home Inspector Directory

American Home Inspector Directory - Home Inspectors Nationwide
National Directory of Home Inspectors. Search our database of Home Inspectors Free - Information on Home Inspections, Home Loans and Home Inspection Organizations.
http://www.americanhomeinspectordirectory.com

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2005-10-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

To assist you in following the system, we have provided a checklist that will guide you through your own inspection.

THE INSPECTION SYSTEM

THE BIG PICTURE

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

CONDITION

PROBLEMS

The following are some typical problems or occurrences to look for in the major components and systems of the home.

ROOF

Is the ridge (peak) showing a sag, or is it straight and level?

Is the roof sagging between the rafters or trusses?

Are there any signs of deterioration of asphalt shingles, such as curling, wasping, broken edges, rounded corners or key holes (slits) becoming wider that normal?

Any loose flashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wall connection or elsewhere? Does the wooden roof deck appear rotten or delaminated under the last row of shingles?

Are there any roof vents visible?

CHIMNEYS

Is the masonry cap cracked or broken? Are any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar missing? Is the chimney leaning?

SOFFITS AND FASCIA

Note whether the soffit and fascia are wood, aluminum or plastic Any loose or missing sections?

If wood, are there any paint problems? Any visible rot?

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

Ensure gutters slope down toward downspouts Any rust or peeling paint?

Apparent leaks or loose/sagging sections?

Are the downspouts extended away from the foundations?

WALL COVERINGS

Look for missing mortar

Are the bricks flaking or cracking?

Look for loose, missing or rotten siding, deteriorated paint.

Does the siding appear new? Does it hide the foundation wall?

Exterior walls bowed, bulged or leaning?

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Look for problems with paint or caulking, and rotted wood components. Are the windows new or older? Are they the original windows?

How old are they?

PORCHES AND DECKS

Cracking or flaking masonry?

Check for paint problems, rotted wood, and wood-earth contact.

Note any settlement or separation from the house.

Inspect the underside, if accessible.

FOUNDATIONS

Check for cracks, flaking or damaged masonry.

Note any water markings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky substance) Any bowing, buldging or other irregularities?

Soft mortar?

LOT AREA

Does the grade slope away from the house?

Any settled/low areas next to the foundation, or cracked walks/driveway? Is the property lower than the street or neighboring properties?

BASEMENT

Note any evidence of water penetration (stains, mildew/odors, effluorescence, loose tiles etc.)

FLOORS

Check for deteriorated coverings or cracked ceramics. Any water staining or other damage? Sloping or sagging?

WALLS

CEILINGS

Check for cracks in the plaster or loose, sagging plaster. Look for stains, mechanical damage or evidence of previous repair. Seams or nails showing?

BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Vist our website for a printable Pre-Inspection Checklist

Article submitted by the American Home Inspector Directory

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2005-10-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

A secured home loan differs from an unsecured loan in that
the secured loan borrows against one's home as collateral,
thereby reducing the risk to the lender.

As such, secured home loans often offer better interest
rates than unsecured loans, but offer higher risk to the
borrower, as defaulting on these loans can have greater
consequences, such as fines, or even possible repossession
of the home originally put up as the secured collateral
(subject to the amount of the loan, of course).

As the interest rates for secured home loans are usually
significantly lower than unsecured loans, more of the
monthly payment goes towards paying off the capital, rather
than paying the accrued interest.

The monthly payments are often more flexible in secured
loans, affording the borrower more leeway in working out a
payment plan that fits his or her needs. However, care
must be taken not to use this as justification for taking
out such a loan, as it is a financial contract between
lender and borrower.

There can be a number of reasons for taking out a secured
loan, such as debt consolidation of high-interest loans,
financing for remodeling, or repayment of college or car
loans. Most lenders offering these types of loans
recommend loan repayment insurance, to guard against an
inability to pay on the loan for a time due to factors such
as illness, losing a job or other unexpected occurrences.

Before taking on a substantial loan such as a secured home
loan, a careful analysis of personal finances is in order.
Having a friend or an accountant or finance officer assist
in this process can save trouble and headaches later, as
they may bring up issues and/or expenditures unthought-of,
issues such as examining how much is spent on morning
mochas at a favorite coffee shop? An outside perspective
can often help clarify these matters so a better-informed
decision can be made.

If proper planning and care is taken, a secured home loan
can be a valuable tool for managing personal debt. Talking
to a loan officer or financial advisor at a major lending
institution can help make these possibilities a reality,
and can be a step towards the realization of financial
freedom.
===========================================================
Discover useful advice and information about home equity
loans. Website contains articles and advice about home
equity loans.
Click ==> http://www.homeequityloans-cheap.com/

About the Author

Frank Kelly is a freelance writer. Years ago he was an
employee who regularly used payday loans to get thro the
month. Then he disocvered the better alternative of a home
equity loan.

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2005-10-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Once a month there's an electric bill coming in the mail with your name on it. For the next week, it's telling the kids to shut the lights off when you're done, And most of the time, you turn them off yourself. Right? Meanwhile downstairs there's the TV, stereo, lights, computer, and a play station going. You have to give them credit for their talent to do all this at one time. We are all guilty of it. There's no need to change your methods or lifestyle. You can live like you normally do without changing anything. No need to change to smaller watt light bulbs, or change the thermostat to reduce the furnace setting till you freeze.

I'm sure you have all heard, or have known someone with unexplained health problems. We are not here to scare you, but rather let you be aware and more knowledgeable about the environmental surroundings we are exposed to daily. It Concerns the Electromagnetic Fields, Electrical Leakage, and even Electro Radiations of daily living. From Computers, copiers, TV's, radio, cell phones, microwaves, appliances, equipment, tools, etc. Known health problems from Cancer, leukemia, headaches, tumors, cataracts, stress, nerve disorders, memory loss, weight loss, along with sleeping disorders, miscarriages, birth defects, breast cancer, and more. Our Electrical System can also reduce the electromagnetic currents, electrical leakage, in which assures you a safer living or working environment. (Be sure to review our site for more information.)

The Cutt-A-Watt Electrical Saving System Saves you up to 40% on your electric bills every month. To include important health risk you may be exposed to on a daily basis. A Lifetime of Savings and Health for your Home, Office, Apartment, Farm, Shop, Small Business, and much more ... However it doesn't stop there. Be sure to take a look at all the other excellent features and benefits.

Features / Benefits

Save up to 40% on your Electric Bills every Month
Increase Property Value
Certificate of Installment
Prolong the Life of Appliances, Fixtures, Tools, Equipment....much more
Upgrades & Insures Safety of your existing Electrical Power System
Reduces Power Surges
Works 24hrs. a day (for a lifetime)
Reduces Risk of Electrical Shock
No Maintenance Required
No Remodeling or Destruction of your Home
Meets National Electric Codes/Requirements
100% Guaranteed
UL Listed components
Company Installation available upon request

Reduce risk and health hazards associated with Electromagnetic Fields and safety with-in your Home, Office, Shop, Business.... etc.

Lifetime of Savings

For such a small investment

We offer to you a No Risk, No Hassle Guarantee. Simply use our system for one year, If it don't save you money, or doesn't do what we say it does. Then just simply request 100% of your money back. We stand behind our product, and our customers.

It's that easy, because we know what it can do for you.

We do retain rights of proof if requested by Cutt-A-Watt

About The Author

John Long

Cutt-A-Watt started out approximately 15 years ago building onto a single wide mobile home. More than double the size and made it look like a new modular home. Of course, with all the additional space, it required more electrical wiring to be installed to accommodate the extra appliances and fixtures we had planned on. After the project was done I got a little curious about a few changes in the electrical system, I went from an Avg. $80 bill to a $50.00 bill per month (low back then). It remained for 4-5 months. That's when I started more testing and research to keep the savings we were getting.

cawenterprises.com

admin@cawenterprises.com

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2005-10-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

Features / Benefits

Save up to 40% on your Electric Bills every Month
Increase Property Value
Certificate of Installment
Prolong the Life of Appliances, Fixtures, Tools, Equipment....much more
Upgrades & Insures Safety of your existing Electrical Power System
Reduces Power Surges
Works 24hrs. a day (for a lifetime)
Reduces Risk of Electrical Shock
No Maintenance Required
No Remodeling or Destruction of your Home
Meets National Electric Codes/Requirements
100% Guaranteed
UL Listed components
Company Installation available upon request

Reduce risk and health hazards associated with Electromagnetic Fields and safety with-in your Home, Office, Shop, Business.... etc.

Lifetime of Savings

For such a small investment

It's that easy, because we know what it can do for you.

We do retain rights of proof if requested by Cutt-A-Watt

About The Author

John Long

cawenterprises.com

admin@cawenterprises.com

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2005-10-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Please consider this article for your ezine or
website. Permission to reprint if byline stays
intact. Courtesy copy required.

TITLE: Color, Rollers and a Little Bit of Spackling! Ready to Paint Those Kitchen Cabinets?
AUTHOR: Pamela Cole Harris
WORD COUNT: 400
URL:http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com
MAILTO:pacole3@homeandgardenmakeover.com

Color, Rollers and a Little Bit of Spackling! Ready to Paint Those Kitchen Cabinets?

So you have decided to do it! Turn those dull and lifeless kitchen cabinets into a splash of bright color! Yellow! Red! Purple (What are you thinking)! You can make the job an easy one (well, at least not a grueling one!) by following these step:

1.Remove all the hardware from the doors and drawers (yep, ALL the handles, pulls and hinges).
2.If the drawer fronts can be removed, do so. Pull out the drawers and set aside.
3.Clean all surfaces with a mixture of water and TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) and a sponge or an abrasive pad. (Pssst�don�t worry. Everyone�s kitchen doors get that dirty!)
4.Wipe all the surfaces dry.
5.Look for dents or scratches. Repair them with spackling compound applied with a putty knife.
6.Let the spackling dry thoroughly.
7.Check any new hardware to see if they fit the existing holes. If not, fill in the old holes with spackling compound. (or return the new hardware to the store and get some that will fit!)
8.Sand the surfaces to be painted will coarse sandpaper so the paint will adhere more completely. Wrap the paper around a sanding block for ease of use.
9.Make certain you sand all the nooks and crannies and rounded edges. (Yes, all of them!)
10.Paint the backs of the doors and drawer fronts first. Let dry and then paint the front faces. You can paint the doors with a standard-sized paint roller. Paint the edges with a brush.
11.Use one of those little paint rollers to paint the face frames.
12.Let everything dry completely before you begin to reassemble.
13.Screw the hinges to the doors and then back to the face frames.
14.Reattach all the handles and the pulls or add the new ones (don�t give up � you are on the home stretch!)
15.Apply rubber or felt bumpers on the backs of the doors to prevent the paint from sticking.

Hurrah! A new kitchen � fresh and clean! Now what do you think we can do in that upstairs bath?

__________________

Pamela Cole Harris is an editor and writer with 35 years experience. Visit her website,
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com, for a free newsletter
with remodeling, home improvement and decorating ideas for the
financially challenged, creatively deficient and technologically illiterate. . Or for unique content for your website, written especially for your keywords and audience, visit http://www.pamelacoleharris.com.

About the Author

Pamela Cole Harris is an editor and writer with 35 years experience. Visit her website,
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com, for a free newsletter
with remodeling, home improvement and decorating ideas for the
financially challenged, creatively deficient and technologically illiterate. . Or for unique content for your website, written especially for your keywords and audience, visit http://www.pamelacoleharris.com.

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2005-10-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right Contractor is the most important aspect of any home construction project. You must take your time and do your research to find a good qualified contractor if you want excellent quality at a fair price. When we built our new home we spent many hours finding the best contractors for each aspect of building our new home. We developed a method that served us well and it is as follows:

Determine exactly what you want done and write it down. This may sound a little basic at first blush, but it is so important. Remember what is not well defined is easily manipulated. If it is not in writing, it can be disputed. You do two things when you define your project in detail, and in writing. You find any missing aspects that you may have overlooked and you have good definition and expectations for your contractor.

Get three (3) bids for each trade that you will hire. Never rely on one bid, and always meet the contractor face to face at the site where the work is to be done. If you are uncomfortable with the contractor when they are bidding the job how is it going to be when the two of you have to work out the details of your project. Remember cheaper is not always better!

Ask each contractor for references and make sure they are bonded and insured. Check their references and call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in your area to see if they have any outstanding complaints.

Make sure they don�t sub the work out to a contractor that is not insured or bonded. It is very common for a contract company to sub out work to contractors that are not insured and bonded. Another danger of the contractor subbing work out is if they don�t pay their sub, the sub can put a mechanics lien on your house and you will have to pay even if you have already paid the contractor.

Set a definite timeframe for the work to begin and for completion and get it in writing. Nothing is worse than to have a project drag on not knowing when they are going to show up and finish.

Never, ever pay for the entire project in advance. If you do the contractor has no incentive to finish or even start. When you no longer have the money you are no longer in control! It is customary with most contractors that you pay a portion up front. On a large project hold back as much money as you can until the end. The incentive to finish must be motivated by the cash at the end of the project.

For more information on finding and qualifying contractors visit www.Build-YourOwn-Home.com

George Stevens is the popular author of the Website http://www.Build-YourOwn-Home.com teaching you how to build your own home.

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2005-10-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

Planning a bathroom remodel? Each home project of this nature can be broken down into 5 distinct steps. Following through each step will help this often confusing process make more sense and produce a better outcome.

Bathroom Design

Ask yourself the question - "What will I have when I'm finished". Similar to planning a road-trip, a successful build project begins with an effective vision of what you want. This step is vital even if you intend to hire a professional to complete the job.

Choosing hardware and materials

Every bathroom remodel varies in the level of work and expense involved. To save a bit of cash you may want to consider refinishing a tub instead of replacing it. Often times a refinishing a bathroom tub will cost less than half price of replacing it. Old bathroom vanities and sinks are often the spark that ignites the bathroom remodeling process to begin with. Spend time at the hardware store to get some quick ideas on vanities, tubs and showers.

When choosing a vanity, consider:

Storage area - is the vanity designed in such a way that you'll be using all the space available
Drawer space vs. cabinet space - take a look at your current "inventory" of stuff - do you need more or less drawers for convenient storage
Integrated sink - a vanity with an integrated sink will make quick clean up a snap.

Project Budget

Regardless of whether you are financing your bathroom remodel or paying cash setting a firm and realistic budget will help you make other decisions. Using a professional will provide the best result for the money you spend. You may consider doing demolition and preparation work yourself to save a bit of money.

Divide and conquer - (Delegate the work)

Prior to starting your project make as complete a list as possible regarding the tasks involved. If you are using a contractor, you may want to discuss with them how you can effectively be involved to help reduce expenses without "getting in the way" of a good job.

Start!

Although planning is an essential beginning to any successful project, nothing will change until you START the process. So get started already!

About The Author

Contractors-Search.com provides articles and information on home improvement. Click here for more details http://www.contractors-search.com/a/publish/index.shtml

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2005-10-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

Headline news of Canada News Wire, December 17, 2003: Home is the source of half of infectious intestinal illnesses, study shows. "The home is the source of about half of all intestinal illnesses in Ontario, according to a study published in the International Journal of Food Protection. The study, co-authored by Professor Marilyn Lee of Ryerson University and published in the June issue of the Journal, looked at more than 44,000 reported cases of intestinal illness in Ontario between 1997 and 2001 and found that half had their origin in the home."

Which room in your home would you believe to be the most prone to disease causing bacteria? It is not the bathroom as many would suspect but rather it is your kitchen which is a hot spot for microbes. Your common household disinfectant has been found to be effective against bacteria that cause food borne illnesses, and research has been proven that with regular use the incidence of food borne illnesses declines greatly. Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and his colleagues conducted a study by sampling sites within 15 different homes. They found the highest levels of contamination to be in areas that remain damp, such as kitchen sponges and rags, kitchen sinks and the kitchen faucet handle. Kitchen counters, cutting boards and refrigerator handles should also be disinfected regularly. They found that regular cleaning had little effect on the bacteria but by regularly using disinfectants the bacteria level was reduced by 95%. They found the main cause of disease causing bacteria in the kitchen to be raw meat.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN KEEPING A HEALTHY AND BACTERIA FREE KITCHEN

Replace kitchen sponges and rags often, at least once a week. Sponges can be disinfected by putting them in the dishwasher. Wash dish rags in the washing machine then dry on high heat.

- Cutting boards are breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash with regular dish detergent then sanitize with a disinfectant. Keep two cutting boards, one for meat and one for fruits and vegetables. You may also put your cutting board in the dishwasher for sanitizing purposes.

- Kitchen counter tops should be disinfected regularly.

- Disinfect refrigerator handles, sinks and drains and sink faucets regularly.

PROPER HANDLING AND PREPARATION OF FOOD

The improper handling and preparing of food is also a major cause of food borne illnesses in the home. A very simple but often overlooked basic exercise in food safety is the thorough washing of hands before handling food. This will greatly reduce the risk of food contamination. When washing your hands, make sure to use a rubbing motion for 20 seconds because this rubbing does make a difference in removing pathogens.

HELPFUL AND HEALTHY TIPS TO AVOID FOOD CONTAMINATION:

- When grocery shopping, purchase your frozen and refrigerated items last and put them into the refrigerator or freezer promptly.

- Use different dishes for raw and cooked food.

- Defrost food in the refrigerator or microwave, not on the counter.

- Cook foods thoroughly and do not eat raw or partially cooked eggs.

- Cool and promptly store leftovers by either putting in refrigerator or freezer. Remember bacteria grow at room temperature.

- Don't leave perishable foods out more than two hours.

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2005-10-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

It happens without warning. One day you notice your home has turned into a collage of papers, junk, and stuff ? everywhere. You?re not alone. Today more than ever it seems that the flotsam and jetsam of living, like the waves of an ocean, continually beat at our doors, flooding our houses with all manner of stuff until our homes are bulging at the seams. A typical home is now cluttered and dirty to the point of exhaustion -- yours.

All this accumulation also makes going home, or being at home, fill us with a sense of dread because we?re overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things surrounding us. Once islands in the stream, many homes are often now just as jumbled, crowded, dirty, and chaotic as the public places we try to escape from. Housekeeping and cleaning house is not the greatest of fun, but it is vital to our well-being.

Recently a study by the UCLA Center for Everyday Lives of Families found that families are overscheduled, child-dominated, and cluttered. The study touched on something that?s become a common problem in most households today: too much stuff. And all that stuff, makes us feel out of control.

Could your home be out of control?
If you have a perfectly ordered home or just don?t care about the state of your surroundings, then having an out of control home isn?t a problem. But, if the thought of your home raises your blood pressure to an unhealthy level or spending time there would make you rather have your teeth drilled, then you do have a problem ? and you may have a home that?s out of control.

An out of control home is a source of frustration, embarrassment, and tension. So where do you start if this describes your home? The first step in learning how to cope with an out of control home is to recognize the signs. Only then can you address the problem.

The 8 Signs You Have an Out of Control Home (OOCH)

1. It?s messy.
Anything that can be straightened up in five minutes or less does not qualify as messy. A truly messy house has been hit by more than its fair share of bombs: toy bombs, clothes bombs, paper bombs (magazines, mail, and other piles of paper), dirt bombs (general dirt and debris), pet bombs (hair, smell, food), collectible or hobby bombs, etc. And, the mess is everywhere: the kitchen, the bathroom, the living room, the bedroom.

2. It?s disorganized.
No one can find anything, from the car keys to last year?s tax returns. A disorganized home is one where too much time is spent looking for things, and where you have doubles or triples of everything because when you couldn?t find what you were looking for, you went out and bought another to replace the one you couldn?t find.

3. It stinks.
The smell can come from the puppy training on the new carpet, the moldy smell from the roof leak, the cat box that?s never changed, or the trash that everyone forgets to take out.

4. It?s dirty.
This is that garden-variety filth that makes you hope no one will ever come to visit. It?s the ring in the toilet, the dust bunnies the size of Dallas, and the cobwebs hanging from the ceiling that wave gently in the breeze. The dirt is pervasive and ground in.

5. It doesn?t work.
This is a home where the furniture is broken, the bed sags in the middle, things don?t work like they should, and repairs that need to be made drag on for months or years. It?s not truly functional and lots of things have ?work-arounds,? such as pliers to turn on the washing machine because the knob fell off.

6. It?s anxiety-producing.
Does the thought of going home make you feel anxious? If you?re happier at work or in places other than home, then chances are it?s because your home is out of control. It makes you uptight because it?s dirty, disorganized, or messy ? or all three. And, when you?re there, you can?t relax and you often find excuses to go somewhere else to unwind, such as at the movies or driving in the country.

7. You avoid having visitors.
If you feel panicked when the doorbell rings then you?re living in an out of control home. Guests should be a welcome sight in the house and you should feel confident enough to invite visitors in.

8. It?s cluttered.
If every square inch of your home is covered with something, then you?ve got too much stuff. There?s got to be some open space somewhere in your home because open space give us a ?visual rest.? Look at interior design magazines and you?ll notice the homes pictured in them because there isn?t stuff everywhere to distract you.

Most houses have out of control areas
Of course not all homes are out of control, but many homes suffer from one or more Out-Of-Control-Home (OOCH) symptoms, or they have an Out of Control Area (OOCA). These are areas such as the laundry room or garage that tends to get out of control, and most every home has one. But, regardless of whether your home is truly OOCH or OOCA, it doesn?t have to stay that way. You can take steps to bring your house back to order and get it under control.

The 8 Steps to Get Your Home Back in Control

1. Declutter and straighten first.
Take a trash bag with you to each room, throwing away anything you no longer want or that doesn?t work. Take another box with you from room to room for items you want to donate.

If you have paper bombs, clothes bombs, and toy bombs that have gone off in your house, get these under control. Handle the paper by throwing it away, recycling it, or filing it. Get the clothes picked up and put in the wash, folded or hung up. Next, corral the toys, throwing away what?s broken. And practice saying ?When in doubt, throw it out.?

Next, don?t forget to contain yourself. It?s easy to work in the living room, pick a toy for your child and wander into that room and then start working there. This is important: Stay focused on the task and the room at hand or you won?t get anything done.

2. Clean second.
Now that the mess is handled and everything is picked up, it?s time to get down to serious cleaning. Thoroughly clean each room, including the kitchen and laundry room, and don?t forget to sweep porches and walkways outside. Get kids to clean the baseboards, windowsills, and clear the cobwebs from the corners of ceilings. Go from one room to the next and don?t leave until each room is completely cleaned.

Lastly, schedule some hired help and have your carpets and upholstery steam cleaned. Steam cleaning does not use soap, which can make carpets get dirtier faster and actually attract more dirt. This will also make your home smell better, too. Schedule this at least once every year. If your house still smells musty, air it out or consider having your heating and air conditioning vents cleaned.

3. Repair what?s broken.
The house is decluttered, clean, and now it needs to work. Fix broken panes of glass, leaking faucets, or repaint water stains on the ceiling. Put your husband on the job while you?re cleaning or decluttering.

4. Edit your stuff.
Collections and knick knacks everywhere is what?s classified as clutter. Clutter is a problem because of the emotions associated with it. For instance, many people feel guilty about getting rid of things because certain items were gifts or were inherited.

But the first rule of clutter-busting is that you have to absolutely drop-dead love something in order to keep it. If you just can?t part with something, then don?t. Put all the items you can in a box and then put it into storage. Then once you?ve forgotten about all those guilty feelings, you can put the items in a garage sale, donate them, or just throw them away.

In short, if your house is overrun with family pictures on every inch of wall space, an explosion of sports memorabilia, or a porcelain pig collection that won?t end, for example, pare them down and then find one central spot to display these items rather than spreading them all over the house where they can make you feel overrun.

5. Create visual space.
Clear as many items as possible off the floor, off the tops of dressers, countertops and nightstands so your home will have plenty of clear space. You know how a hotel room makes you immediately want to go flop on the bed? That?s because it?s clean and clear. Clearing away excess stuff will give your eyes -- and your mind -- a rest.

6. Get pets under control.
If possible, evaluate your pet?s impact on your home. Do what you can to create a living situation where both you and your pets are happy, but not where one of you is at the expense of the other. Many homes are controlled by pets to the point that woodwork is scratched, the home is damaged, every surface is covered with hair, and there is an unpleasant odor in the home.

7. Organize your home.
Create areas for coming and going where keys, backpacks, purses, wallets, mail, and other needed items can be placed. This area should have a trashcan where you can sort mail, and a small hanging basket where bills that need immediate attention can be placed.

Then, work on organizing bill-paying, files, warranty booklets, and all the little areas of your home that get cluttered, such as medicine cabinets, home offices, desk areas, pantries, laundry rooms, garages, spice cabinets, and so on.

8. Keep at it and involve everyone.
This is probably the most important step for getting ? and keeping ? a home under control. A home that?s under control is not something that happens once and then it?s done, like taxes. Keeping your home in order is more like exercise or taking vitamins. You have to keep at it. Keeping a home in control is a process, not an event. I have to tell myself all the time don?t put it down, put it away.

It also takes commitment on everyone?s part. My pantry is an OOCA in my home mostly because an orderly pantry is important only to me. But, a family meeting was called so that everyone does their part at keeping the pantry orderly. It will also keep us from having five boxes of raisin bran or three bags of marshmallows.

Bringing your home into control is a wonderful way of bringing a sense of accomplishment and order back into your life. It will also save you money because you won?t purchase multiple items because you can find what you?re looking for. It will also help you create a home that is your refuge and where you enjoy spending your time. Lastly, it will make you proud to live there and have guests over. Now, let?s get to work!

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine and is the cleaning editor at Bellaonline.com. Both sites focus on how to improve your life by improving your surroundings. Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free report, 16 Feng Shui Secrets for More Prosperity. Log on at http://www.redlotusletter.com

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2005-10-01T01:57:00.000-07:00