Are Replacement Bulbs For Exit Signs a Thing of the Past

If you jump into the 21st century and utilize a truly remarkable line of sustainable products known as photoluminescents, then you will never use or replace another light bulb in any your emergency exit signs ever again. The reason why? There will no longer be light bulbs involved. As a matter of fact, you will no longer need electricity to power these signs either.

Photoluminescent technology has been around for over 50 years, but it has not been an acceptable option for approved egress signs until now. You see, photoluminescent products contain plastic coatings that are infused with pigments that glow in the dark. Now glow in the dark items have been around for decades, but because of today's high-tech research and development, the materials have been greatly enhanced. Today these photoluminescent materials can glow brighter and hold a charge for much longer periods of time, and because of this fact photoluminescent exit signs and emergency signs are now recommended by federal agencies, osha and other governing bodies. So now I am sure you can see that the light bulb illuminated signs are in danger of extinction.

Unless you are crazy...light bulbs ARE a thing of the past, for exit signs anyway. This is why... Photoluminescent exit signs are less expensive than the old fashioned signs. They do not use light bulbs, which are also expensive and need to be replaced continually throughout the sign's use. They do NOT require electricity to power them, which is also expensive. They cost hardly anything to install, whereas the old electric powered signs require you to hire an electrician to install. Do you see the pattern here? So why would anyone in their right mind want to use the old fashioned emergency exit signs that require electricity or batters and light bulbs?

So there you have it, I predict that changing light bulbs in emergency exit signs IS a thing of the past... or soon to be.

I wrote this article because of my experience with these signs. I recently rehabbed an old office building and decided to go with the latest technology for my emergency exit routes, and I found this to be a no-brainer, and I just wanted to share!

I found all this info at GloBrite Systems. They were very helpful with making sure I had the right signs to comply with the fire codes in my building. They really know there stuff! Check them out at http://www.globritesystem.com

Non-electric and easy to install, the GloBrite Eco Exit PM 100 is the only non-radioactive, zero energy and zero maintenance photoluminescent exit sign on the market that is visible at 100 feet.

For more information on how these signs can reduce costs and help the environment, head to http://www.globritesystem.com

Cut Electrical Wire

Planning For Motorized Shades

This article is part of a series which intends to offer a complete answer to the question "What is the difference between Somfy and Lutron in Motorized Shades?"

Today's sophisticated home automation systems are designed and incorporated into architectural plans at the very early stages of a project. Lutron, through its vast network of dealers, has always been involved at this stage planning the wiring for its lighting and lighting control products. In this way, Lutron's dealers are uniquely positioned to initiate the window shade discussion at the outset. This has played a significant role in growing the overall market for motorized shades and has moved the decision point for which shade system is used much earlier on in the construction sequence.

This new reality is due to the fact that while Somfy (and all other shade motor manufacturers) use an open wiring architecture - Lutron's is closed. How a house is wired for shades largely dictates which shades will be used. Lutron shades and controls use a specific wire. Why? Lutron's engineers designed their shade solution to take full advantage of the fact that Lutron's dealers are involved in wiring homes at the very early stages. Very clever! Using a proprietary specialized 7-conductor shading wire, Lutron and its lighting dealers are effectively able to 'lock out' non Lutron solutions at the time of pre-wire.

Somfy has launched a "Somfy Expert Program" - which is a wide scale effort to educate window treatment dealers and most importantly, integrators on how its motorized shade technologies fit into overall smart home systems. Besides facilitating relationships between Somfy's window treatment dealers and home automation companies, this affords Somfy an opportunity to be presented at the pre-wire and early planning stages of these projects. By facilitating partnerships and educating the players involved in pre-wire, Somfy's solution is no longer boxed out of these critical early planning stages.

It is important to understand that not all homes have dedicated lighting control and home automation systems. For now, these systems are found only at the very high end of the market. Motorized shade systems are sold and wired in homes without sophisticated automation and lighting control systems and in these cases, Lutron has no entrenched wiring advantage since its dealers are not involved in these projects. But that is cold comfort to companies like Somfy, who found themselves boxed out of some preeminent projects by din of the wire chosen and now behind drywall. In a reactive measure, a couple years ago, Somfy even introduced a motor and adapter that can plug into Lutron's special wire in an attempt to loosen Lutron's hold on this niche market. Somfy's recent efforts at educating the market are more enduring and comprehensive.

One must applaud Lutron for using technology to leverage its dealer's position in the project planning phases and begin the discussion of motorized shades early, on its terms. For its part Somfy has also used technology as an advantage to exploit certain weaknesses in the Lutron strategy. The next article in this series will explain how Somfy's introduction of radio frequency (RF) motor control changed the game for motorization of window shades.

The author, Gavin Sword, is an owner of Automated Shading - New York Motorized Shades The company offers Motorized Shades in New York, Florida, (Miami, Naples, Tampa, Orlando), New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Subfloor Joist Reinforcing

Building Green With Steel

Over the years many developers, builders and architects have put their focus on creating environmentally responsible or sustainable buildings. Steel buildings fit these requirements beautifully! Using a steel building for your next building is an environmentally sound choice as well as a safe one, as steel can be recycled and then remanufactured into new pieces that retain their structural integrity. Steel offers many advantages over wood-frame construction over and above their environmental benefits.

In the past steel was primarily used for railroads and automobiles, today though it is quickly becoming the choice material for new buildings. Due to steel's resistance to both fire and earthquake it is a favorite building material for areas where these risks are predominant, such as California and Hawaii.

Steel is lightweight, making it easier to work with and cheaper to ship and store than lumber. Steel buildings are also easier to carry and move around a jobsite, so there is less strain put on construction workers who are putting together steel buildings. Steel buildings are manufactured to strict standards to ensure quality, and they do not contain twists or knots like traditional building materials, nor will they ever get them so you're building with straight parts when you build a steel building which of course, saves in labor and frustration.

Construction-grade steel already uses approximately 70% recycled content and generates very little waste during production. In fact, Absolute Steel buildings are certified to be 67% recycled materials. It is noncombustible and also resists insect infestation. When the steel is no longer needed (such as when a building is demolished) it can be fully recycled into new steel products.

Steel buildings are non-toxic and don't off-gas, keeping the indoor air free of contaminants. It had a rigid composition that makes it the perfect choice for building in a high-wind area. Steel buildings do not absorb water or dry out so one never has to worry about cracking or rotting during the lifetime of the building.

Did you know steel is the most recycled material in the whole world, since any type of steel can be recycled endless times to make new steel products? It takes 75% less energy to produce recycled steel than new steel. In fact, for every ton of recycled steel produced, 2500lbs of iron ore is saved as well as 1000lbs of coal and 40lbs of limestone.

Steel is certainly the product that should be used to build a strong building, as it will not warp, split or rot, will not grow mold and is extremely resistant to wind, fire and insects. Steel also has about a 200 year lifespan, giving steel buildings more longevity than their lumber-built counterparts.

Although on the surface it would appear that steel framing is more expensive than wood, building with steel offers many advantages that certainly offset the cost. Steel allows for different, more complex designs and hold up better in extreme climates, which in turn leads to lower insurance premiums.

In closing, steel buildings are more energy efficient, have minimal maintenance, and are certainly more environmentally friendly than their wood counterparts. Old steel buildings that are no long maintainable can be 100% recycled into new building materials with a minimum of effect on the environment. If you are considering a switch to a building material that helps the environment while providing a safe and secure place for your business or family then a steel building should be at the top of your list.

For more information on steel buildings, visit AbsoluteRV.com

What Type of Safes Are Available Without Getting a Really Big One?

Often when I think of a safe, I think of a large, rectangular, reinforced metal "box" for placing valuable or firearms. Though these large types of safes are available, and there is a very good reason to have one, they are not the only options out there for protecting your valuables. We do not have any firearms in our house, so we do not need large. But we do have some valuables and important documents that we would like to keep safe, especially in case of a fire. After doing a bit of research, I decided that I really like Sentry safes, so I took a look to see what they offered, and was impressed with the large range of different types of Sentry safes.

One nifty type of safe is the in-floor safe. It is a cylinder tube that is about 15" high that is installed in the floor of your house. With the top flush with the floor, the safe is easily concealed under a rug. It comes with a combination lock and contoured handle. It says that it is easy to install in wood or concrete floors, and can be used in new or existing homes. It is not very big, but if you do not have a lot of items to protect, and have a desire to keep it hidden, an in-floor safe is a good option.

For a small family or single person, a great option from Sentry safes is a security chest or box. They are not very big, but are perfect for protecting basic documents such as birth certificates, wills, insurance papers, passports etc. Small external hard drives or thumb drives also easily fit, though you would want to make sure that the chest is classified to protect such data since electronic media is damaged at a lower temperature than paper. They are very compact and versatile and easy to grab and take with you in an emergency. Chests are also available with waterproof seals. I found out that these are some of the most popular Sentry safes in the world!

Most everybody has certain files that must be protected, and even all the documents that we have are sometimes nice just to keep better organized in a file type system. For those of you are are super organized, a security file may be for you! More than a file cabinet, it is an actual secure file box, with the same fire and security protection of any of the full sized Sentry safes. Also available with a waterproof seal.

If you have a business with a lot of keys for different buildings or vehicles, then Sentry safes offers keyboxes. It allows you to keep all of your keys organized and color coded, as well as secure from theft in one nice, safe location. Also great for small businesses which has to move cash around are Sentry's safeboxes. They come with removable cash trays. Both of these types of Sentry safes are key locked.

A nifty little safe that I had not seen before are Sentry safes for autos. It seems that more and more people have valuable in their cars, especially with all of the electronic gadgets available today. The auto safe is compact and fits easily underneath a seat so it is out of sight from quick hit thieves. It has a key lock and a steel cable that allows you to anchor the safe to a seat or in the trunk, so the thief cannot just grab the safe to quietly break into somewhere else.

Last but not least, and one of the coolest and innovative things to hit the market, is the fireproof and waterproof external hard drives by Sentry safes. They have direct USB connectivity to your computer so that you can keep all of your files safely backed-up. The concept of keeping your files backed-up is not new, but the extra peace of mind to know that your external hard drive is also safe from fire and water damage as well as dust and dirt is truly peace of mind that cannot be found in a regular thumb drive or hard drive. You can also just keep it on your desk, and do not have to remember to back up your files and then put your hard drive back into a regular safe, so very convenient! Developed with Maxtor, this is probably just the first of this type of product to hit the market.

After doing this research, I think that I need more than one type of safe! I like the chest safe for basic documents, the fireproof hard drive for all of our electronic media (especially since we have so many digital family photos that I would hate to lose), and an auto safe for the valuable items we seem to often have with us in the car. So, of all the Sentry safes, which ones are best for you?

MJ writes for ClickShops Inc, which offers a great selection of Sentry safes at http://www.gunsafes.com

Types of Building Foundations - Fallbrook Home Construction

When deciding on which type of foundation (basement, crawl space, or a slab) for your new home, there are many different factors to consider. In some parts of the country full basements will be the norm (most common in the north), while others will have slab foundations (most common in the south) and still others will have crawl spaces (most common in the central regions). Many people, because of local soil and groundwater conditions, often have only one or two options when it comes to house foundations. In certain places, constructing a full basement means blasting through solid rock. In other places, the ground water table may be lurking just a few feet below the surface limiting these folks to a simple slab on grade.

Keep in mind, that if you are planning a crawl space, and all of your neighbors have basements, your house may be more difficult to sell unless you are prepared to lower the price. This is simply a value/price perception issue since many people feel that having a full basement gives them more room even if it is used only for storage purposes. And of course, the potential is always there for someone to finish the basement and add extra living space at some time in the future.

The concrete slab choice is attractive to builders because of its relatively low cost. Excavation is kept to a minimum and the construction schedule can often be accelerated. The day after the slab is poured, wall framing can often begin. But slabs come with some negatives. Typically, plumbing drainage and water supply lines are buried beneath the slab. If something goes wrong or a leak develops, repairs can be costly. Heating or cooling ductwork buried underneath the slab (not recommended) can sometimes fill with water during wet seasons. Should this happen, fungus can form and spores might be blasted into the home each time the HVAC starts up. Thermal conduction issues are always present. Slabs poured in colder climates can conduct cold back into the house unless special precautions are taken when built. Homes built on slabs often offer little protection during tornadoes or hurricanes, unless a special masonry or concrete safe room is built within the house. These safe rooms can be designed as a large walk-in closet.

A crawl space foundation is a step or two above a slab foundation. Generally speaking, a footing needs to be poured and short foundation walls are built to support the home. Crawl space foundations allow you to install plumbing and HVAC systems so that they are accessible. The floor system over and the foundation walls inside of the crawl space almost always need to be insulated. A vapor barrier must be placed over the soil in the crawl space to control moisture, preferably one that is sealed at its seams & to the foundation walls. If this vapor barrier is missing, water vapor will readily travel up into the wood floor system and then into the house. This water vapor can cause severe mold problems. Homes built over crawl spaces offer minimal protection in severe weather unless you can install a floor access door in a closet that allows quick entry into the crawl space, assuming there is sufficient clearance.

As for basements, ask any homeowner who has a dry full height foundation and they will often tell you they would never be without one. The cost per square foot for this bonus space is often a fraction of what you pay for the living space stacked above it. If you do an actual cost analysis of a full height foundation versus a crawl space, you will find it costs very little to upgrade to the full foundation. Typically, full basements make a house more attractive to potential buyers.

A full foundation offers superb protection in the event of severe weather. It is not difficult to keep basements dry, even in extreme wet weather. The builder simply needs to install a proper drainage system around the perimeter and to apply a real waterproofing material such as synthetic rubber or liquid asphalt that has rubber additives. These materials can bridge small hairline cracks that might otherwise leak water. If you intend to finish off the basement space at a later date, be sure to install a true waterproofing material not the traditional hot asphalt damp-proofing spray.

If you can afford the extra cost, ask your builder to consider extra height foundation walls that allow you to have a clear ceiling height of eight feet or more beneath any and all beams that support floor joists, so that finishing the space at a later time will be easier and provide proper ceiling height.

Mac has remodeled many old homes, been employed in several different construction trades & is a major do-it-yourselfer. He currently owns a home inspection company and has been inspecting homes for many years which is where my experience is most relevant to the proper way to build a home. To learn more about building your dream home, visit my website, http://www.house-building-tips.net

House Extension Tips - Remodeling

Adding an extra kids' play room to your house? Or are you planning a study for yourself? Such home extensions can require a lot of planning and research. Paying heed to the legal side of the matter is also important to save you from fines and penalties. Here are some instructions to help you with your venture.

Permits And Regulations
Home extensions generally need you to obtain a permit before you can go forward with the job. Especially, for a new extension to the old plan of your house, it is mandatory to seek a permit from the local authority. Standards set out in the 'Building Regulations' need to be followed and met. This is precisely what is checked by the authority when you present them your new home extensions plan. They inspect the plan and confirm it meets the building regulation standards. Upon the receipt of the planning permission you will then need to apply for the Building Regulations. It is necessary to obtain the planning permission before proceeding with the further actions.

Consider Your Neighbours
When planning house extensions, make sure it does not cause trouble for your neighbours. Do not construct any structure that may have adverse effects on their lives, like block their driveway or sunlight. The best practice is to consult your neighbours before going for any house extensions. This will prevent any problems arising later on and also maintain a healthy relationship between your family and your neighborhood.

It may reduce your expenses in case the neighbour is looking to do something similar, e.g. building a wall around the property. Such a consultation with your neighbours can sometimes prove beneficial to you. Special permits and agreements are required for building walls and constructions for semi detached or terraced houses or flats.

Contracting The Trades
Different tradesmen are required for your home extensions. You may have to employ an electrician, a plumber, a gas fitter, to name a few. How do you find them? Some people believe the best way to look for a tradesman is to ask friends and family for proper recommendations. These generally prove to be the safest avenues to get hold of a good choice. However it is recommended to only go for a licensed builders company. This ensures the trade is qualified to the required standards to do the job. However it is recommended to employ one company only to undertake the whole project. This would help to take the stress off you organising different trades.

You should also prepare a legal contract between you and the people on the job. This is to prevent any unpleasant situation that may arise just in case there is any disagreement or problem later on.

Some More Planning
Some more planning before you finally start your home extensions project are as follows. You need to understand if you are looking at an extension or a major conversion and plan accordingly. This will save you a lot of space and money. E.g., instead of building a new room, try and convert the garage you never use. The other thing to consider is the time frame within which you want to complete the project. And obviously, budget is a very important factor. So, for the best results, plan your home extensions carefully considering all that has been discussed above.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of London house extension - web site offering all aspects of builders services. Visit our site for more helpful information about London house extensions and other similar topics.

Custom House Plans - Finding a Good Designer

The field of drawing custom house plans is a crowded and competitive one. There are many architectural and design firms out there vying for a "piece of the pie." However, if you look closely at examples of their finished product, you will find huge differences among them. The better ones offer quality designs and highly detailed plans.

Drawing a good set of custom home plans involves integrating many different concepts and ideas into a solid and usable working plan. Many designers are able to come up with a unique or interesting preliminary design, but fail to deliver when its time to detail the house structure. They draw a pretty picture but have little or no understanding of how to translate that nice design into a working plan which the builder can understand.

Having been in the business for more than 30 years, we have seen a large number of house plans which looked good at first glance. However, upon closer examination, many of these plans were found to be lacking large amounts of needed information. If a house plan is not easy to navigate or is not thoroughly detailed, then the builder is left to guess at the designer's intentions. This often means that he will "pad" his bid to make sure that he covers any unknown construction costs that may arise.

One item to look for when evaluating a house plans' quality level is the number of structural sections which are shown on the plan. Highly detailed sets of plans will always cut lots of sectional views through the house to show every different roof framing situation. This might mean that 10 or 12 (or even more) sections need to be drawn for a large house plan. And even a small house plan should include 3 or 4 sections minimum. However, many home plans available today (especially plans purchased through inexpensive plan directories) cut corners in this department and only show one or two house section views. This means that the builder will have to guess at the rest of the house framing.

Another item which is often missing or lacking in a set of house plans is comprehensive and accurate dimensions. We have always strived to provide more than the minimum amount of house dimensions so that it is easy for the owner and builder to layout a home on its building site. We will even calculate point to point dimensions (using trigonometry) for homes which have lots of odd angles to them (as opposed to a simple rectangle layout). Not all architects or designers will go this "extra mile," so it pays to check these things out beforehand.

Every set of custom house plans includes several items which need to be blown up and detailed for further clarification. If a set of plans does not provide additional close-up drawings (for things such as beam connections, deck railings, stairway construction, etc.), then it is not a complete set. It is very easy to cut corners during the planning process. But the end result will be higher costs for the home owner - and lots of frustration for the building contractor.

There are some architects and designers who seem to think that its the responsibility of the building department to check and catch any omissions. But the best of the breed takes it as a matter of pride to produce the very best plan and design they can. It is the only way to build up a loyal clientele and to get referrals for future work. And that vote of confidence from former clients makes all the difference in the world.

Steve Minkler
http://Minkler-House-Plans.com

Roofing Options Continued

We previously explored roofing options such as asphalt shingle and ceramic tile, weighing the pros and cons of each. Considering the importance of a well-functioning roof, we will continue the discussion of roofing options here.

Wood shingle is a relatively inexpensive option for roofing. First it might be helpful to distinguish the difference between shakes and shingles.

A shingle is cut with a saw, and has a smoother finish than a shake. Shakes are split, and the wood is more rippled. The rippling in shakes actually encourages water to run down them quickly.

Most often, cedar is the wood of choice for shakes or shingles. This is due to a naturally occurring oil in the wood that discourages rot and bugs, making it far longer lasting than other woods. Shingles and shakes can both be applied over old asphalt or cedar shingles. Shakes require an open sheathing underneath them, so that air can flow and dry any dampness in the shakes themselves. Because of their irregular surface, it is recommended that shakes be layered with a course of felt material, and on solid sheathing, which will fill in any gaps and completely weather-proof.

The only major con to shakes or shingles is that they are not fire-proof. Also, the water collected off them is undrinkable for up to 6 years because of the same volatile oil that deters bugs and rot. After six years, however, it is usable water. Cedar shakes or shingles can last up to 25 years.

Slate is another interesting, and very attractive, option for roofing. Slate's biggest downfall is its high expense. However it is extremely long lasting-a 100 year old slate roof is not uncommon. It is also fire-proof, rot-proof, and a very low maintenance roofing material in general, resistant to acid rain and fading. Also, because it is also all natural, collecting water from your slate roof is very viable.

Metal roofing is probably the most light-weight roofing option. The cost of metal roofing is moderate, about mid-range compared to the other options discussed. It can easily be installed on top of older roofing, and is known for being very low maintenance. Modern metal roofing is usually made of aluminum or a steel alloy. It is then coated with a rust-resistant coating, available in a variety of nice colors. The biggest caution is that this coating is not scraped off during the installation of your metal roof.

Written on behalf of the Orlando real estate team at OrlandoMLS.com. Visit them if you are looking for an Orlando Realtor, or want to search the Orlando MLS listings.

HVAC Home Improvement Tax Credits

HVAC home improvement tax credits are back by popular demand, or should I say, unpopular demand.In 2005, the Bush administration implemented the federal tax credit for energy efficiency.This tax credit covers a broad spectrum of home improvements, but for the sake of this writing,we are concentrating on the HVAC, home improvement tax credits that allow homeowners to take advantage of direct tax credits for replacing older inefficient heating and air conditioning systems with higher efficiency, Energy Star rated appliances.

The original 2005 program ran through and expired at the end of December, 2007.Home improvements made during 2008 were not eligible for this program, but, in light of the ever increasing economic downturn nearing the close of last year, on October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008."This bill extended tax credits for energy efficient Home Heating & Cooling System improvements. Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will again be available for improvements made during 2009.

The following Tax Credits available for these HVAC improvements include:

$300- Split System Air Conditioning- 15 SEER Minimum
$300- Air Source Heat Pumps- 9HSPF or 15 SEER Minimum
$150-Gas, Oil, Propane Furnace or Hot Water Boiler- 95% AFUE Minimum
$50- Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan- < 2% furnace total energy use

What this means to you the taxpayer, by purchasing.For example, a qualifying air conditioning unit, along with a qualifying gas furnace, where the additional advanced Main Air circulating fan, which in layman's terms "variable speed drive", you would qualify for up to a $500 tax credit that you can apply to your 2009 federal income tax filing.

If you're considering upgrading you're heating and air-conditioning system, 2009 will be a great year for that, and these additional tax credits will allow you to upgrade your homes energy efficiency.It is important to note, that not all ENERGY STAR qualified homes and products qualify for a tax credit. Tax credits are available for a number of products at the highest efficiency levels, which can cost more than standard products.ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, even without a tax credit.

These tax credits are not automatic.You must submit a form that authenticates your specific qualifying brand and model numbers.Your HVAC contractor or supplier should furnish these documents.Qualifying brands and models can be found at the U.S. Government Energy Star Website.

Jay Boyd owns his own heating and air conditioning store Home Air Direct where he helps the do-it-yourselfer save money. His blog site Ask Boyd contains numerous tips and stories involving the HVAC industry.

Minimum Access In Crawlspace

Five Things Every Home Should Have

When it comes to a house, there are things that are essential. Sure a floor, a ceiling, and walls all fall into this category, a house cant exist without them. But, once the basics are in place, a house needs certain things to make it a home. The following five things help it do just that.

A playground: If you dont have kids, you can probably do without putting a playground in your backyard. But, if the pitter-patter of little feet is a common sound in your house, a playground is a must have. Whether its something as simple as a swing set or a jungle gym complete with a bouncy bridge and monkey bars, a playground is essential to keeping your kids happy...and you sane.

Locks on Doors: This day and age, a house is not safe without locks - and deadbolts - on all entry doors. But, a home also needs locks on bedroom and bathroom doors. Without locks, people feel robbed of a sense of privacy: parents might feel insecure about being intimate, kids might feel as if they arent ever trusted, and a husband may worry that someone will come busting through the bathroom door, spotting him reading a Sweet Valley High book as he sits on the toilet. Locks on doors allow people to have time alone. Plus, locks can always be removed...say when your kids become teenagers.

A Peephole on the front door: Whenever there is a knock on the front door, its good to know whos standing on the other side before you open it: a peephole is like the caller ID for the door world. Unlike peeking out a window, an act that can cause the person at the door to see you, a peephole allows you to be subtle: you can act like youre not home whenever solicitors, nosy neighbors, or people to whom you owe money come aknockin. A peephole also gives your children the best chance at making sure they dont open the door to a stranger.

A Front or Back Porch: When it comes to spring and summer, few things are better than sitting on the porch and enjoying the nice weather. But, a porch isnt just a place for relaxation: a back porch is great for barbequing and hosting summer dinner parties, while a front porch is a great place to sit and watch your kids play, and a great place to decorate with flowers and plants. Sitting out on your front porch and speaking to people who walk by is also a great way to meet and get to know your neighbors.

A Dining Room without a TV: Sitting down and having a family meal together may seem like a lost art, but thats only true for those unwillingly to try to find it. When it comes to a quality family dinner, the television is the nemesis. Thus, the TV has got to go. This doesnt mean you need to smash your plasma in a fit of rage or treat your Sony like it betrayed the mob by throwing it overboard into a desolate lake, just make sure your TV cant be seen from your dining room. Once that happens, your family will be forced to talk to each other.

Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor for http://www.etodoors.com. Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

Does Your Thermostat Read Temperature Properly - Homeowner Tips

Through out my career as an air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technician, I have seen thousands of jobs with the same problems over and over and over. I have seen just about every mistake you can imagine. I've been in the field going on 23 years now.

I came across one job a few years ago where the contractor (so called professional) installed a replacement digital thermostat in the same spot where the old unit was located. In between two door jams in a hall way. This guy used the old wires that were attached to the old thermostat, which is not a problem in it self, but the location of the wires is where he ran into trouble. The problem here was the person who installed this thermostat, installed it sideways because it was too long for this location. Instead of telling the customer he needed to go get a thermostat that fit the application or moving the wires to accommodate the thermostat he had on his truck, he installed what he had with him at the time and he told the customer "that was how these new digital thermostats needed to be installed" so they could operate properly. Of course the customer was a senior citizen in her late 80's and he had no morals or values. The funny thing is that this digital thermostat would have actually worked properly installed this way, because the sensor was a solid state device on a circuit board. Except for reading what the display said and reading what the buttons said, this thermostat actually operated correctly. You should have seen the way he installed the duct work but that is another story.

The reason the lady called was because it seemed to her that the furnace would always shut down too early or it would sometimes run for a long period of time making the room warmer than she wanted. I had to laugh when I arrived on the job and saw what this guy had done. The biggest issue mechanically with this thermostat was not the way it was mounted, but that it was mounted and covering a very large hole, where the thermostat wires came though the wall. The sensor was very near the hole on the wall and it was reading the cold inside wall cavity temperature. I removed the thermostat and installed a new one for her, free of charge and then filled the hole with sheetrock mud to stop the stat from reading the wall cavity temperature.

The customer wanted to pay me for my trouble and my materials but I told her that the next time she came across someone that needs a new furnace or air conditioner that could could simply give my name and phone number out and that would be enough. She agreed and thanked me for my trouble.

I still get referrals from her today. It has always bugged me to see someone take advantage of elderly people, especially when they have no business doing the work in the first place.

The digital thermostats today can do a lot and they are generally pretty reliable, most of the time its either that its installed wrong or programmed wrong, wired wrong or there are not enough wires to it. Maybe the thermostat needs the common wire from the thermostat hooked up to operate properly. The majority of these problems are the result of poor technical knowledge on behalf of the installer, or perhaps they simply don't care enough to read the installation instructions. Sometimes people get into the trade and learn how to install duct work and put sheet metal screws in with a drill gun and bam they think they have enough experience to go out and become a contractor.

Unfortunately home owners have no way of knowing whether or not the service company they chose has enough experience or knowledge to do the job right. The NATE Rating is about as close as you can come to being sure you hire the right people. However" I was trained a long time ago in a technical school that focused on the theory and operating principals of electrical, refrigeration, air conditioning and heating. Long before the NATE Training certificate came about. My schooling was 990hrs and the course took place over 9 months. I don't have the NATE certificate badge myself. I guess I should go get it to look more legitimate and I probably will get it as that seems to be the standard today. I have not looked into the certificate yet but eventually will.

You can contact me by email located within my site or you can post questions in our forum and I will respond fairly quickly. Maybe you had a new system installed and are having problems that the installer can't seem to fix. I would be glad to give it a shot. I specialize in residential gas/propane forced air heating systems, heat pumps, air conditioning and zoning.

John Grisler
Specialist in Environmentally Friendly High Efficiency Residential Air Conditioning and Heating Systems
Graduate Universal Technical Institute February 1986
23 Years Experience Residential/ Light Commercial Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
US Patent 7234318 Multiple Stage, Single Pass Refrigeration System. June 2006
Designer of the Self Contained Air Conditioned Chair -see grizzco@feeservers.com

my web site is http://greenfeetco2.com/

Broken Electrical Outlet Cover

Cost Effective Stair Building

What is the most cost effective way of building stairs? Why do the tract homes use on site methods of construction? When you think of a factory assembling a product on a assembly line you think why not a home. Why do they still build homes on lots or residential home sites?

If homes could be built in a factory cheaper than on site that is exactly what every home builder would be doing. They just haven't quite figured it out yet. When dealing with the large amounts of materials required to build a house and of course the expense of shipping. It is not cost effective to build a conventional home in a factory and ship it over long distances.

This is the biggest problem with cost effective stair construction. Most prefabricated stairs you will notice are spiral stairs. These stairs are smaller than most stairs that are used for multi level construction.

Spiral stairs are hard for your average carpenter to build. These stairs can be purchased from a factory easily and quite inexpensive.

The stairs in your average two story house are going to weigh about 3 times the amount of a spiral set of stairs that could be shipped in a cost effective way. Spiral stairs are not going to be the main stairway in a home and normally go up to a loft or an attic. Most spiral stairs don't meet the minimum building requirements for the main stairway in your home.

When building tract homes the lumber is shipped in bulk directly to the house site where it will be assembled. The lumber and other building materials will be shipped once. If it went to a factory and then assembled it would also have to be sent to the site on which the house was to be built. This added expense in shipping the materials twice is the problem for such a large and heavy item such as a set of stairs.

There are other prefabricated types of stairs that are built locally and the shipping usually is not a major expense. If you are building a stairway that is not to difficult to build for the average carpenter it will normally be cost effective to build the stairs on site. This would require having the carpenter build the stairs as part of the rough framing and then after drywall have the finish carpenter build the stair handrail system.

Visit us now for easy Home Constuction Help

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

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What's In A Name? The Word REALTOR And You

On July 17, 1947, The National Association of Real Estate Boards applied to the United States Patent Office to register REALTOR as a trademark. The date claimed for first usage was March 31, 1916. It first came into common parlance with an utterance by a witness at a subcommittee hearing in 1919. Three years later, Sinclair Lewis used it in his novel, "Babbitt". The word appeared in dictionaries in 1917.

Today, most dictionaries define the word as having to do with the National Association of REALTORS. However, this doesn't stop language from flowing around the boundaries of law. Many people use the word "realtor" interchangeably with "real estate agent". In speech, it may be overlooked, but since the NAR does not want the people who are not authorized by the Board to be mixed up with their own members, they are less forgiving of the improper usage of "realtor" in print, even by REALTORS themselves.

First of all, if you're not a REALTOR and you pass yourself off as one, with the usage of REALTOR or REALTORS in your site or your advertising, NAR is gonna get medieval on yo' assets. It usually starts with a cease-and-desist letter, but gets worse from there. They aren't out to get you; they view you as a possible future REALTOR! However, they do have the power, as the holders of the trademark, to successfully initiate legal action against those who use the word outside of their rules, even as a domain name. So, play nice.

Domain names are tricky, even for a REALTOR in good standing. For instance, you are perfectly free to register HepzibahSnigglesworthRealtor.com, if Hepzibah Snigglesworth is really your name, but don't waste your money on ImaRealtorwhocanmakeallyourdreamscometrue.com. Likewise, if you try to register CrappoRealtor.com and you are not a resident of Crappo, MD, the NAR will not look upon you with a friendly eye. If you are a resident of Fairdealing, MO, though, you may be able to snag FairDealingRealtor.com. You may register TheBestEverRealtor.com if The Best Ever is the name of your company.

Using variations on REALTOR is also frowned upon. Creative misspellings, terms that indicate that you are anything but a REALTOR, even reproduction for novelty items like T-shirts can constitute infringement. You will have problems if you want to title your Great American Realtor Novel, "Realtors of Crappo". It's always best to contact the NAR when in doubt and get their advice.

One place where you might see some variations on NAR's protection of its trademarks is the news. Since journalists have their own standards to adhere to, it's possible that REALTOR will be used without the identifying trademark symbol. Newspapers do this because trademarks break up the flow of articles and make them hard to read. However, NAR is on the lookout for articles that use realtor interchangeably with "real estate agent" or as a label for anything other than what NAR has designated it for.

When in doubt, use a synonym, euphemism, simile, metaphor or contact the NAR. The NAR isn't out to get you, but it will defend its right to set standards for its trademarks. The misuse of term REALTOR is something that the NAR takes seriously, but with a little research, it's easy to find out what is acceptable use.

Leave no stone unturned in your dream Emerald Coast home search at Edkirkland.com. Here you can search the latest Destin MLS listings for free, or browse property anywhere in the Emerald Coast. We also offer buyer and seller tips and extensive local information to put you in touch with the best of the Destin real estate area.

Real Estate Market Absorption Rates - A Great Way to Determine the Strength of Real Estate Markets

Precisely how does a buyer or seller know when a real estate market most favors buyers or sellers? No buyer wants to pay too much and no seller wants to leave money on the table by pricing too low. The answer is in knowing the market absorption rates.

Property absorption rates in any local real estate market are usually considered the best indicators of whether that market is a sellers market, a buyers market, or a neutral market. The market is the market and favors no one. But knowing the current real estate market cycle is essential for success as either a buyer or seller.

Sellers Market Absorption Rates 1-4;

Neutral Market Absorption Rates 5-6;

Buyers Market Absorption Rates greater than 7

The easy-to-understand process of calculating absorption rates for local markets will be helpful to anyone trying to figure out the current real estate cycle and how to formulate a winning buying or selling strategy.

For instance, assume there are currently 100 Single Family Home Lots for sale in a large, single family home community. Of these, 70 are priced at, or below, $45,000. Last month, assume that 5 lots sold for $45,000 or less. The absorption rate would then be 70 divided by 5 , or 14.0. An absorption rate of 14.0 indicates a strong buyer's market and, that in an unchanged market, it will take 14 months to sell all the hypothetical 70 existing lots listed at or below $45,000.

This basic analysis can be used with most of property types including building lots, homes, condominiums, or even commercial properties. There must, however, be a high enough number of actual transactions to permit statistical analysis. The fewer the actual number of transactions the less statistically significant will be the results. Also, remember that within very broad but weak markets, narrow market segments may be showing non-typical strength.

Market absorption is a very useful tool for anyone trying to best determine how to price their property and what the current market says is a reasonable time period for a sale to be concluded. The absorption rate analysis also helps buyers in that in a buyer's market a low purchase offer is often a winning strategy.

E. Lee Reid is a real estate, construction, hospitality, and travel and leisure expert. He and his companies have successfully built and/or managed thousands of vacation resort condos and homes at multiple resorts in North Carolina and Florida. In recent years he converted several hotels to condo hotels in the Disney World area of Central Florida. He is a widely quoted author and speaker. Reid holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis and is completing in late 2007 a Master in Hospitality Management program through Cornell University. Reid is a real estate developer, certified General Contractor, Realtor, and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) candidate. His book, "Marketing Made Easy!" was published by the National Association of Home Builders. Visit with Lee at http://www.eleereid.com

Wood Deck Repair Ideas

Do you have any ideas for building or repairing wood decks . We would love to hear from you in the comment area.

Upside Down Room Vent

Career Change Skills - Three Great Ways to Do a Personal Skills Audit Before Changing Careers

So you are thinking of changing careers? You have read the books and articles on career change and they all suggest that you start with a personal skills audit.

That's a great idea. Of course you need to know what abilities and skills you have before you can work out what other jobs might suit you and certainly before you start applying for any.

Yes, but how do you actually do a personal skills audit? That is the bit of advice that is so often left out. So you sit down with a sheet of paper in front of you and start to make a list....

Fifteen minutes later, you have maybe got five skills down and you are already beginning to feel defeated. Is this really all you have to offer? Maybe its time you took the dog for a walk or read the paper or you might just be in time to catch the latest episode of your favourite soap on TV.

Does that sound familiar? If so, read on to find out some great tips to help you really get to grips with producing a list of your personal skills.

There are three simple approaches - Assess, Ask and Observe

Assess
This means taking stock of the activities have been involved in at work (past and present), at home and in your leisure time. Rather than just trying to list the skills you have developed, start by listing what you actually do in these three areas of your life. Make it as long and detailed a list as you can. Write down what you do and what you have done. Start with the big tasks - arranging meetings, organising holidays or producing a newsletter for your social club and then go right down to making coffee, collecting your kids from school and talking to your friends about the latest film you have seen. You will come up with a very long list, I promise you!

Then your task is to assess what skills you had to use in each of these activities. This is a lot easier now you have activities to review. Say you produced a newsletter, at work or for your social club. This probably involves time management, writing and editing, negotiating, meeting deadlines, persuading, attention to detail and much more.

If you do this assessment with all your activities, you will have a very long list of transferable skills.

Ask
This is so obvious that it is amazing that people don't do it. Just ask other people what they think your skills are! Start with people at work, including your boss and your colleagues. Simply say 'If you had to list my top 5 skills, what would they be?' You will be amazed at the affirmation of your abilities and skills that comes from this simple question.

Do the same thing with friends and family. This might feel safer, so ask this group first, if you prefer. You might like to return the compliment too. Let your friends know hat you really value and appreciate in them.

It is such a shame that we so rarely give each other this kind of positive feedback. While it is really helpful when you are thinking about your transferable skills for career change, why not just do it anyway from time to time? You get to feel good about yourself and help make others feel good too!

Observe
The third method of assessing your abilities and skills is to get into the habit of observing yourself as you go about your day to day activities. Again, it is important that you watch yourself at home and at leisure as well as at work.

So when you come out of a meeting, hand in a project report or finish serving a customer, just stop and take note of how you used particular skills to make that happen. You can jot these down right away, or maybe you could get into the habit of spending a few minutes before you go home just making a note of what skills you have put into practice today. This can be a great way of building up evidence for the skills you have developed which will be useful when you get to the interview stage for your new career.

So there you have it. Three ways to get you past the skills block that so many career changers struggle with. Once you have tried these three approaches, you will feel a lot more confident about the wide range of skills that you have to offer future employers.

And if you are still feeling at a loss for skills ideas, then I invite you to take a look at the list of personal skills on the How To Change Careers website. You can also download my free ebook, 11 Ways To Kick Start Your Career Change which will give you more ideas and encouragement to help you get your career change on the move.

From Cherry Douglas - Your Career Change Guide

Square Footage Matters When Selling Your Property

When you sell your home, commercial, or rental property don't let your realtor misrepresent the size of your property.In today's market many people don't need much excuse and will look for a reason to sue. There are some severe legal liability issues for you and the realtor to consider if the buyer can prove misrepresentation.Recently there have been court rulings against Realtors and Home Sellers for doing just that.

It's easy to make a mistake, so list the source of any information you provide.Some people use an old appraisal, some use the tax records, some use information that was passed along by the previous seller or realtor.Some sellers have just taken the word of a neighbor or have included roof overhang, not just interior space.It's not always easy to arrive at the correct number.Most appraisers measure the building's exterior walls and use math formulas to calculate the interior square footage.The tax records often show footage taken from the original builder's plans when he applied for the permit to build the structure.Many home owners have a copy of the advertising floor plan that they got from the builder's showroom when they bought the home.

So, as you can see, there are a lot of ways to look at it. There are all kind of variables. It's most common and accepted to just count the area of the home, office or commercial building or rental's living or occupy-able space.

The key to staying out of trouble is the waythe square footage isreferred to when you try to sell it, in advertising such as on the MLS (Realtor Multi Listing Service), Newspapers, Flyers and Signs.If you refer to the square footage in any advertising at all, you need to list the source of that information. In most cases it's the tax records, a set of architectural plans, or a certified appraisal.If you refer to one of those sources you should be okay, even if it's wrong and you don't know it. Some appraisers, architects and builders have been known to make mistakes themselves.Many times there may have been additions where no building permit was obtained, so the addition is not shown on the tax records.If that's the caseyou may be the source and you will need to maintain a file containing plans and specs that will prove the additional footage and back up any information you've provided.

If you and your realtor have made your best effort to pass along the information you have and believe to be correct and make no attempt to inflate or misrepresent the numbers, you should be on solid grounds.I am not a lawyer and am not attempting to give legal advice.If you are in doubt always seek the advice of an attorney for legal issues.

W. K. Winn is a Licensed Real Estate Broker with many years experience selling, buying, marketing and developing real estate properties. Need more tips on buying, selling or investing in real estate? Go to http://www.myrealestatetips.com

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How Powerful Are Limiting Beliefs?

Ever heard the story of the four-minute mile?

For years athletes believed that to run a mile in under 4 minutes was absolutely impossible.They believed that nobody could do it because it hadn't been done. It was so widely believed to be impossible that when Roger Banister announced that he couldrun a mile in under four minutes, the sport and medical society had thought he had gone barking mad.

Roger Banisterthen ran a mile in under 4 minutes and smashedeveryone's beliefs.In that astonishing moment he made everyone believe thata four minute mile was possible.

Withintwo years after doing the 'impossible', over 300 runners did the same thing and rana 4 minute mile. So what happened to these athletes? Did they suddenly get new strength and speed? Not likely. All that really happened is that their limiting beliefs were smashed to bits and were replaced with a new smashing belief in their own athletic abilities.

What do you think you could accomplish if you removed even just one of your limiting beliefs?
Is itpossible that you could have a belief that is holding you back from having the relationship or health or wealth that you want?

What 'impossible' beliefs do you have that can be smashed?
What has to be done for you to finally realize your own strength and ability in your self to make your life what you want it to be?
It all comes down to the power of beliefs. If your beliefs are limiting you, you've got to smash them and replace them with empowering beliefs to get the life you really want.

Devin Scannura is committed to helping others create their ideal lives by matching their new inner beliefs with their dream life and then applying the law of attraction. Get a free copy of his ebook by clicking here => http://www.smashingbeliefs.com

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Surviving As A Contractor In California

So you want to make big money making a living as a contractor in the state of California. Well now I bet you have seen contractors on TV or maybe you know someone who is a contractor. You see these men and women playing the part as Mr. or Mrs. Money bags. If you have the slightest thought that becoming a contractor will provide you with a life of riches think again.

Most contractors that I know and have worked with over the years don't think of there jobs as easy. They have to work everyday and a lot into the night doing estimates or meeting with potential clients because they are to busy during the day. The life of most contractors in the beginning will be difficult to say the least. But if successful you will make a great living for yourself and your family.

Now that we got the false illusion of the contractor answering his cell phone all day at some nice golf course having lunch talking about the money that he just made selling his oil stocks. We can start on reality. If being a contractor was that easy everyone would be a contractor. Right..... Well maybe not everyone.

I have been a contractor for over 22 years and in construction for 30 year. I have seen a lot of changes over the years. I remember when a few contractors that I worked for made a lot of money during the late 1970's. These guys had Ferraris and money to burn with one exception they had no idea how to save any of it. These guys went on vacations and bought extravagant toys for them selves. Out of most of the big framing contractors I worked for about 10 percent are still in business or actually saved their money during the good times so that they could make it through the bad times.

These contractors never thought it was going to end. Life on easy street that is. But it did and most went by the way side. I guess that is the nature of business. Especially the current economic business cycles that we seem to go through over the years. If you don't have the money to advertise or carry a payroll. Your business is going to suffer during the bad times. Sure there is credit and bank loans but you still have to pay that money back. IF you can't save your money stash some away for advertising.

Some of the best advice I can give a contractor anywhere especially in the state of California is " Don't Think The Great Times Of Easy Money Will Last Forever". Save some of the money you make just in case you need to get through the bad times. You will thank me for this latter, Some time down the road. Take this advice and put it into action starting right now.

Greg Vanden Berge has over 30 years of experience in residential home building and remodeling. This provides you with the comfort of knowing that you have a professional with the knowledge and skills to complete your construction projects in a timely manner.

Our low overhead along with our new online estimating system will provide you with the most competitive construction pricing in the area. We continue to educate ourselves about the new home improvement books and building systems in the construction industry. If we have any doubt that something might not work we don't use it. We have found some of these products to be the root of some major home building problems.

Click on the Home Remodeling Ideas to get more information and a possible online estimate for your home improvement project.

Do You Lose Or Win In Christiani

The Busy Street

It is not so easy to sell a home these days, and if you are on a busy street, it can be even more difficult to tempt prospective buyers to your door.

A luxurious extra would certainly be a bonus here, something that can only be found in your particular home that will bring buyers to the door out of curiosity, and then they may be hooked!

Every house on the market needs curb appeal, but on a busy street, it is imperative to have an appealing front yard. Whether it has appeal because of the trees and footpaths or because of the double garage and paved parking is dependent on your circumstances. If your lot is large enough to have an office addition built onto your home, then be sure to advertise this asset. Businesses like a busy street!

You do have one big advantage - a lot of people will be passing by your home and notice that it is for sale. Ask your realtor for a sign that is bright and new. Ask for the WEB address to be showing very clearly.

Many people will only be quickly whizzing past your house in a vehicle, so they need a big, clear reference on the For Sale board that they can check up later; a web address is ideal as it offers a first step that is impersonal.

In today's housing market all serious sellers need to make sure that their homes are value-priced. This is even more important when you are selling on a busy street.

Think back to when you first bought the house. Was the street busy then? Did you buy it because you were offered it at a discount price that reflected the knowledge that it was on a busy street? If so, you can reduce the price slightly, knowing that you are just passing this discount along with the house.

If you can think of that luxury touch to get them in the house, splash out! Perhaps a Jacuzzi or a real mini-haven of a bathroom complete with a Victorian 'footed' bath-tub and matching decor. How about a home theatre or a professional looking bar or a walk in fridge?

They say there is a buyer for every home, and you know some people like to be in the thick of things! A good realtor will be an asset to you in this sale; he will have the knowledge of previous sales in the area, and can give comparisons to prospective buyers to prove that your house is a steal that reflects true realty value.

Justin is a professional real estate agent working in the Montgomery County MD real estate market. If you're looking for Rockville real estate information, visit Justin at jdlrealestateonline.com

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Shop For a Mortgage to Gain Your Desired Home

Each of us wants to have our own home. There are some who do their best to make that dream come true.

Buying a home is a huge investment. But it is the best investment that you can do for yourself and your family. Why do you have to spend your money on rent, that house can't be yours no matter what. So why not shop for a mortgage and buy your own house that you can be with for the rest of our life.

If you wish to have a home in Sarasota real estate, you can do so, but never search for home without being assured that you got approved for a mortgage. Actually, this is one of the common mistakes of buyers out there. They search for a home, spent time, effort and money, only to find out that they haven't got approved for a mortgage. So they end up losing money with nothing but frustration and embarrassment.

You can prevent this mistake if you do the process step by step. The first thing that you should do is shop for a mortgage. There are different types of mortgages, so you have to gain better understanding of it since it will have to do with your future expenditures.

You can go to different lenders to look for their different quotes or you can work with a mortgage broker. Do not go and apply with a particular lender, you can to look for different quotes and find the best one for you. Gain different quotes with different lenders, understanding each quote and pick the one that will work best for you.

You have to wait until you will be approved for a mortgage. When you got approved for a mortgage, you can now start searching for homes in Sarasota real estate. You can hire a realtor to guide and assist you. But pick the one that is familiar enough with the market that you are interested in. Why not give little of your time finding the realtor that can help you best.

Of course, you have those features and criteria that you want in a home, write them all down. Give this list to your realtor, and he/she will go to the market and search for few homes that match your criteria. You and realtor should visit these homes in order to gain the best deal you deserve.

If you find a home that you desire, let a home inspector to view the home so to find out if it has a problem or not. If the home inspector find a problem, let the seller know and ask him/her to fix it, if the seller insist, search for another home.

Having an approved mortgage is advantageous on your part since sellers give priority with buyers who got approved mortgages. With all of these done, you will soon gain the home that you want.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson

http://florida-mortgage.xon.us

Eliza Maledevic writes for http://Jump2Top.com - SEO Company

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MLS Options When Selling Property

Exposure is the name of the game when it comes to selling your home. Multiple listing services are a good way to get the exposure, but not all such services are the same.

A multiple listing service is something you might not have heard of because it is more commonly called MLS. It is a database of homes for sale. The database traditionally has come in the form of a booklet, but now is more often found online.

Regardless of the platform, the MLS contains information on homes sold. The information is pretty much what you would expect. The basic information on the home such as age, size, number of rooms and bathrooms and any particulars are mention. The price, of course, is also included as, typically, is the selling agent.

MLS listings were formerly the reign of the real estate agent. To be included in the MLS, you had to formally retain a real estate agent. The agent would then list your home and act as the contact source for other buyers and agents. In exchange, of course, the agent received a juicy commission on the sale of your home. These days, it is not necessary to retain a real estate agent [a pay the commission] for a couple of reasons.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that there is not one MLS. Instead, there are many. Some include homes nationwide, and are typically found on the Internet. Others are controlled by real estate agents and cover just a certain area. For instance, there is a MLS for just San Diego, Los Angeles and so on.

Buyers can usually access the online national database for free. As a seller, you can expect to pay a flat fee to list your home. If you prefer to stick to the local MLS for your area, it is still not necessary to retain a real estate agent and their 6 percent commission. Instead, you can usually find a flat fee listing service. Just search for flat fee MLS and your area in any search engine. Either approach will save you a bundle compared to paying a six percent commission to an agent.

Exposure is the name of the game when it comes to selling property. To gain exposure, make sure to explore the MLS options available to you.

Raynor James is with FSBO America - get a free one month listing when you sell FSBO homes for sale by owner.

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Building Stairs With A Platform Or Landing

When Designing stairs with a platform or landing in the middle, a common mistake is to first build a landing at an arbitrary level, then design and build the upper and lower staircases. Ninety-five percent of the time this results in the upper and lower staircases having noticeably different geometry. By analyzing your entire staircase first, then building your platform at the correct level, you will end up with matching flights.

First of all, let me say that stair-building is one of the most complicated aspects of carpentry (or ironwork), so DON'T RUSH. Rushing usually results in poor results and wasted lumber.

In summary, here are the steps (no pun intended) ...

DESIGN A PHANTOM SET OF STAIRS FOR THE ENTIRE RISE (IGNORING THE PLATFORM)

CALCULATE A Rise Per Step THAT MEETS LOCAL CODE (e.g. 7 1/8)

BUILD A PLATFORM AT ONE OF THE STEP LEVELS (e.g. 21 3/8)

DESIGN THE UPPER FLIGHT, USING THE SAME Rise Per Step AS THE PHANTOM STAIRCASE

DESIGN THE LOWER FLIGHT, USING THE SAME Rise Per Step AND Run Per Step AS THE UPPER STAIRCASE

NOW YOU HAVE TWO FLIGHTS WITH MATCHING GEOMETRY, MAKING A COMPOUND STAIRCASE

In greater detail ...

Most importantly, you want the Rise Per Step for both the top and bottom flights to be the same. Your local building code probably requires this, and even regardless of code, the stairs will look and feel better if Rise Per Step, Run Per Step and all the other figures are the same for both flights.

In order to ensure that you have equal Rise Per Step on both flights, first design a phantom set of stairs using your total Overall Rise like you're making one long set of stairs instead of breaking it in two. (You don't really need to worry about the Overall Run at this point.) Take your Overall Rise and divide it by your local building code maximum Rise Per Step (7-1/2 inches is a common value.) This tells you the number of steps you will need. Since you can't have a fraction of a step, round this number up to get an integer, then divided your Overall Rise by this new number to get your calculated Rise Per Step.

Here's an example:

84.5 Overall Rise

7.5 Building Code Maximum Rise Per Step

divide 84.5 by 7.5 = 11.27

11.27 is the ideal number of steps

round up to 12 full steps

now divide 84.5 by 12

7.04 this is your calculated Rise Per Step

You can now build a platform or landing for your compound staircase at a multiple of 7.04 inches, and both the upper and lower flights will have the same Rise Per Step. For example, if you build the platform at 21.12 inches (3 x 7.04), it would be three steps up from the bottom. If you build it at 35.20 inches, it will be five steps from the bottom.

Now, since the upper flight usually has space constraints, and the lower flight usually doesn't, design your upper flight first. Use the same process for the Upper Overall Rise and you should end up with the same Rise Per Step (7.04). Calculate your Run Per Step and make sure to include some overhang for the treads. (I've developed a staircase calculator for this at: www.Shalla.Net .) Now use these same Rise Per Step, Run Per Step, Tread Size, and Tread Overhang to design your lower flight. Your upper and lower flights will now have matching geometry.

The key point here is that you have to build your platform at the right level in order to have matching upper and lower flights.

Quintin Shalla
Author of the calculator for building stairs available at http://www.Shalla.Net

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Alaska Real Estate Listing Types

Education on listing types is essential knowledge for both the buyer and the seller. Without knowing what each is and what the benefits and drawbacks are for each, many people would miss out on sales and potentially lose money. There are four main types of listings and each one is specific to certain cases. Review the following to determine which listing method is best suited for your needs.

Exclusive Listing Agent
When you sign a contract for an exclusive listing agent, you are basically employing that specific listing agency to market and list your home. This option is designed to allow for this agency to receive a commission of the home sale, even if it was sold through another company or realtor.
The reason why this listing type is not as popular in Alaska real estate as others is due to the fact that the realtor receives a commission no matter how the house sells. In other words, they can list it quickly in the Multiple Listing Service, wait around and not be aggressive at marketing your home. On completion of the sale of your home, they make their money.

Right to Sell Exclusively
The exclusive right to sell is the most popular way to list of the four being mentioned. This is where you hire a realtor to list and market your property. They, in turn, market your property to other realtors and buyers and actively seek a sale in the Alaska real estate market. These realtors are aggressive and do not get paid until the home is sold. With that being the case, they put great time, effort and money into the sale marketing of your home. Other services you can expect from your realtor are open houses and advertising.

The Open Listing
This is another popular way to list. Often times, owners of homes will try to sell the home themselves. With the open listing option, they can also get the help of realtors that deal in the Alaska Real Estate sector. The way this works is simple; a realtor can bring the potential buyer around to see the property. If they buy the home, the realtor gets a commission. If the property does not sell to the buyer, then they do not receive any payment.

During an open listing, a realtor does not market or list the property being sold. They will just pass by and show it to their buyer as an option.

A One Time Show Listing
A One Time Show listing is definitely not as popular as some others. This way of listing is not to sound with realtors. The way a One Time Show listing works is quite similar to the way an open listing works, however, there is a contract signed. This contract basically states that if their buyer purchases this property from the seller, they will receive a commission. Ultimately, this helps with the realtor not getting the short end of the deal. Without the contract, the buyer and seller could work directly and bypass the realtor altogether.

With the four different listing types available in Alaska real estate, there are plenty of options for sellers and their price ranges. This allows for those homeowners who do not want to pay commission to a realtor the option to do so.

Learn more about the Anchorage AK Real Estate market or search Alaska Property For Sale on Ryan Tollefsen's Alaska Real Estate web site.

Bathtub Building Code Problem

Seller Paid Closing Costs - Knowledge is Power

When you're considering making an offer on a home, there are other ways to get a good deal other than just snagging the lowest price you can imagine. Most loan programs allow the seller to concede money toward the buyer's closing costs that would normally walk away with the seller in his pocket. Oftentimes, seller paid closing costs can make a home more affordable for you. You just have to make sure you stay within the allowable guidelines for the mortgage product you need.

You see, a lot depends on what type of loan you are getting. The scenarios I am going to discuss all pertain to if you are buying your primary residence, not an investment or second home. And the reason the amount that a seller can pay on your behalf varies from product to product is because different loan types have different documentation requirements, and therefore, different layering of risks. So, it's important to compare apples to apples. The less money out of your pocket invested into your home presents a higher risk for the lender, regardless of the source of the funds to close.

For instance, I had a loan the other day where the seller had agreed to pay up to 6% of the sales price in closing costs on behalf of the borrower. Totally reasonable since the borrower was getting an FHA loan. Unfortunately, the home wasn't up to FHA standards, and the loan had to switch to Conventional financing. Whoops. Conventional financing only allows for 3% seller concessions if one is putting less than 10% of the sales price down on the property. All of a sudden the negotiated contract wasn't working out to the benefit of the borrower quite as nicely. She actually would be paying more for the property than she need be without the same benefit to her unless she re-negotiated a lower sales price. Why is that? Well, originally the sales price was $100,000. The seller was giving her $6,000 toward closing costs and walking away with $94,000 in his pocket. Now, Conventional underwriting guidelines would only allow him to give the buyer $3,000. So his pockets would be a bit fuller unless the buyer renegotiated.

Different loan programs have different allowable amounts for seller concessions. For instance, VA loans allow the seller to pay 4% of closing costs, and Rural Housing loans have no limit on seller paid closing costs. Conventional loans will allow up to 6% seller paids, but the buyer has to put more than 10% money down on the property. And finally, FHA allows for 6% of sales price paid on behalf of the buyer toward closing costs.

Don't lose sight of the fact that seller paid closing costs usually don't count toward a buyer's minimum out of pocket investment required. For conventional and FHA, you usually have to come up with at least 3% of your own funds regardless of how much the seller is willing to help out. VA loans and Rural Home loans allow for 100% financing in most cases, so you're good to go there. And FHA will allow the seller to participate in a down payment assistance program and contribute toward your 3% investment, but that's a whole other article to write (and who knows if it will still be ok by the time this article makes it to print).

Your best rule of thumb is to work with a lender and realtor who know what they are doing. And if you have any doubts, your lender should be able to define your limitations for you pretty quickly. So, arm yourself with knowledge when negotiating your contract. It is always to your advantage to negotiate from a position of strength, and knowledge is power in this case.

Let My Experience Work For You!

Email your home loan financing questions to Kristin Abouelata, Home Loan Specialist with Mortgage Investors Group, at question@kristinmortgage.com or

call direct: (865) 567-0113 Toll Free: 1-800-489-8910.

For more information visit her website at http://www.kristinmortgage.com Home Loans Plain Talk.

Foundation Wall Repair Problem

Installing a 32 Inch Back Door

In some older houses you will find a 30 inch back door. Have you ever tried to move a refrigerator or some large furniture through a 30 inch door? Keep in mind most bedroom doors are 30 inches wide and are in 36 inch hallways. 30 inch doors and bedrooms make it tough to move some furniture in too.

Let's start with the price difference between a 30 inch door and a 32 inch door. The cost difference is usually going to be around $20. If you are building a hundred homes this could become quite an additional expense. So we can understand why the home builder installed a 30 inch door in the back of our home.

He got the extra money in his pocket, you got a headache.

Here's the big problem. If you ever want to install a larger door you will need to replace the structural door framing. Now this is where you could run into a little bit of an expense. Changing the framing for a wider door could become quite costly. It could actually cost over $1000 in some cases.

Now if the homebuilder would have originally installed a 32 inch door in your house it might have ran him as high as an additional $45. How can this be? I will give you the first clue. There is a good chance the homebuilder will not be moving into any of these houses. If for some strange instance he did move into the house, he would learn the same lesson whenever he needed to move a large item into the house.

I'm a contactor and learned this lesson in a long time ago.

If you are building a new home you might even want to consider installing a 36 inch back door. This door will give you plenty of room when it comes to moving large items in or out of your house. The cost difference between a 36 inch door and a 32 inch door is usually around $20 also.

When building a new home most people don't give very much thought about their interior or exterior doors. Here's a simple chart I made to help with some basic door decisions.

Bathroom Doors Should Be 28 Inches Wide Minimum.
Bedroom Doors Should Be 30 Inches Wide Minimum.
Front Doors Should Be At Least 36 Inches Wide
Back Doors and Garage Doors Should Be At Least 32 Inches Wide

If you are a professional football or basketball player don't use these numbers above.

If you have large sliding glass doors or French doors throughout your home and can use them to move large items into the house you can install whatever size doors you choose that are comfortable to walk through.

Give some thought when installing a new door on your next project and keep some of the above tips in mind..

If you are designing a home give some thought to the stairways and hallways in the home as well.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Bay Window Ideas

Caring For Loving People

Investing in Real Estate & REITs

Real estate investing runs the gamut in terms of risk and investment success. The first rule of real estate investing, even before location, location, location, is be very careful with whom you are dealing. For some reason, real estate is fraught with unscrupulous characters, many of whom youll see on late night television commercials with their "no-money" down methods of becoming millionaires. Only a very small percent of these so-called real estate gurus are legitimate.

If you are seriously considering investing in real estate property, it means essentially that you will need:

Investment capital, or a legitimate means of attaining some without putting yourself in debt.

A good knowledge of the real estate market and the neighborhood in which you are looking to buy property.

Good management, people and negotiating skills

The ability to do repair work or access to people who can do it for you.
The name and number of a property inspector or engineer.

Unless you are able to find, evaluate and buy houses that are either in foreclosure or fixer-uppers, which can be turned around quickly, you will most likely serve as a landlord for the property while it increases in value. Be careful to whom you rent because your property must be well-maintained.

Since legitimate real estate investing means having some money to make money, you need available capital. For this reason, many people go into real estate after coming into a sizable amount of money. For example, empty nesters who sell a large home for $500,000 and buy a smaller condo for $250,000 have money to purchase another property or two.
Make sure to research your location. Go to local town board meetings, do research in libraries and go on the Internet to find out as much as possible not only about the location today, but about plans for the area over the coming years.

And then there are REITs Real Estate Investment Trusts. This is a way of investing in real estate for a lot less money and without having to worry about fixing a tenants leaking bathroom pipes in the middle of the night.
REITS invest in various corporations involved in real estate, ranging from industrial parks to shopping centers to construction companies. They are listed on the NASDAQ and the stock exchange.

Essentially REITS work in the same way as mutual funds, except they set up a diversified portfolio that deals only in real estate. They primarily pay the bulk of their earnings in investor dividends. Before investing in a REIT, consider:

The economic conditions where the key holdings are located

Past performance of the REIT and future projections

The manager of the REIT, who operates like a mutual fund manager

The overall state of the real estate market

REITS, like stocks, bonds and mutual funds, have high and low periods. Like other income-producing vehicles, they can be strong investments over time and pay dividends. They are fairly liquid and are a much safer way of investing in real estate than buying property.

Neda Dabestani-Ryba is a licensed Realtor in Maryland. She is a member of the President's Circle of Top Real Estate Professionals. She can be reached at (800) 536-3806 or visit her website for more information: http://neda.dabestani.pcragent.com/ Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Bow In Basement Wall

Shoe Repair Glue

They call him the doctor of footwear. Among the various tools that a cobbler has, Shoe Repair Glue is mandatory. This adhesive is available in various forms depending on the part to be repaired and the cause. You will need different types of glue to make your shoe look better and for repairing purposes. The price of the glue varies depending on the quality of the glue. Experts advice the use of quality products. This helps preserve your footwear.

You can use the Shoe Repair Glue to repair the footwear yourself. Simply apply the glue on the torn part and attach the two areas. Apply pressure to enable it to stick firmly. Give the adhesive time to dry. There you have it. You may now use the footwear. This idea comes in handy in emergencies for example when going for an interview.

Some types of Shoe Repair Glue are made from a formula that allows the glue to work faster. At least you won't be late for your appointment. There are various companies that produce quality footwear adhesive. They use an advanced formula that ensures the formation of a strong bond. Other types contain superior athletic material that gives the best service. You, the customer, can decide on which type you want

Other types of adhesives are exclusively for leather and others for rubber. However, it's better to have an all purpose type that works with Rubber, Vinyl, Canvas and Leather. Some types need heating. Other types do not need heating. Be careful when getting information. Some companies may claim certain things yet they are no true. They basically just want your dollars.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Glue. For More Information on Shoe Repair Glue, Visit His Site at SHOE REPAIR GLUE

You Can Also Add Your Views About Shoe Repair Glue At My Blog here SHOE REPAIR GLUE

Water Damaged Wood Floor

The New Home Essentials - Vinyl Siding and Mailboxes

The astute homeowner knows that the standards of a well-groomed house change with the passing of every generation. For some people, the size of a chimney and the length of the grass on one's lawn constituted the ultimate in social superiority, for other people, the size of one's car and the style of one's windows were the apex of home-owning chic. While it may be too early to tell just what exactly the new 'it' features of home-owning are, it is not too early to stake your claim as having the ultimate vinyl siding and mailbox on your street.

Certainly, no one would suggest that a new mailbox and an addition of siding will sky-rocket you to the top of the social food chain, just as no one would venture to guess that a new automobile will bring you the social satisfaction that you so desire, but one can with good conscience suggest that with new vinyl cladding and an artful mailbox, your house will be in a better position than it was before you had purchased these products.

The advantages of siding go beyond the basic aesthetic principles of sleekness and uniformity. Indeed, cladding adds a functional component that normal vinyl cladding simply cannot match in the form of its increased protection against fire damage. Normal vinyl siding has a propensity to catch fire during serious home fires, and can cause severe damage if left untreated for a sustained period of time. Cladding, on the other hand, is especially designed to be impervious to flame, and will shield itself against the threat of catching fire during the event of a home fire.

The practicality of siding aside, the aesthetics of vinyl cladding alone should cause you to pause and reflect on the exterior of your home. Consider this: when driving down a street, are you more or less impressed by brown stains, old age signs, and dents in the vinyl siding of your neighbors? Perhaps you do not try to pay too much attention to signs of disuse in the property of your friends. Fair enough. But consider this: do you consider it better or worse to have clean, dent-free, new vinyl siding? If the answer is 'better' you know full well the advantages that new vinyl siding can afford.

Equally important is the appearance of a well-kept mailbox. Many homeowners neglect to consider the aesthetic dimensions of what is traditionally considered an entirely functional object because of the much hidden nature of its being. Sure, there may be the occasional gimmick that is crafted in the shape of a cruise ship or a whale, but for the average homeowner, the mailbox is simply a utility.

Creative mailboxes notwithstanding, the key to keeping your mailbox functional and tasteful is to make sure that it does not fall into disrepair. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if it is fifteen years or older, you should seriously consider its condition. If you find that wear and tear is too great, do not hesitate to buy a new one. After all, in most cases, the mailbox is the first thing that a neighbor encounters when approaching your house.

These too oft-overlooked features of the overall home aesthetic can provide a spectacular boost to the look of your home if updated with care and thoughtfulness. Keep tabs on the condition of both your vinyl siding and your home front mailbox at regular intervals to ensure a well kept house.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Preferred Siding. The James Hardie Siding contractor provides the installment of fiber cement siding throughout the Northern Virginia area. For more information on their Fiber Cement Siding please visit their website.

Damaged Exterior Drywall

DIY Computer Repair, Really?

There are three reasons why you would want to DIY Computer Repair...

A lot has been said over the years about DIY or Do It Yourself. Why? Why would you do it yourself? Good question, most of the time you will get this as an answer: Save Money! Yes you defiantly will save some money.

Is that all there is to it though? Really? Is there some other compelling reason to do it yourself? Maybe, If you are the type of person that gets a good feeling, or an ego boost when you do something and it turns out very well.

Then again you maybe the type of person that doesn't want someone else to do the task because no one can do it as well as you can. What if you are new to the idea of doing it yourself? Where would you find the information to do the task? There are a lot of places to get the information such as a library, the local book store, or on the internet.

What if the information is spread across all these places instead of one place? Then you spend more time looking for the information to do it yourself than you would doing the actual task.

You could buy a book or an e-book that has some of the information or you could go to the local collage and take courses that teach theory but not any actual how to do it. Or you could buy one of those 'Dummies' books that leave you wondering what did you miss because they don't go far enough to complete the job. Then you could go buy another book to see if that had the information to complete the job. By now you are sitting in front of your broken computer scratching your head wondering what they are talking about, micro, nana, cap, resistor, bus, Mega Hertz, Giga bytes, totally Greek!

Now you have invested as much money and quadruple as much time as it would have been to have a computer tech come to you and repair the computer. Not much of a choice is it, looking for the information all over the world, litterly, and the world wide web.

Well what if someone that had a lot of experience in the computer industry and is now retired decided to help you do it yourself? Such as a DIY Computer Repair book or even an e-book?

What if the guy writing this article did that for you? Would you like to DIY Computer Repair? Think about it, boost your ego, get the job done right, and save some money. What a bargain! The thing is you have to search the internet to find a book that has all this information in one place, or do you?

Monte Russell with over 20 years experience, numerous degrees and certificates, writes the free monthly http://www.diy-computer-repair.com/newsletter-signup.html Fit It, always intriguing, full of insights about computing.

Read more about this article at http://www.diy-computer-repair.com/ebsp-1.html

Damaged Exterior Drywall