Home Improvement

Cleartex AdvantageMat PVC Chair Mat for Hard Floors - Wood, Tile, Linoleum or Vinyl, Clear 48 x 36 Inches, (129020LV)

Rating: List Price: $55.00 Sale Price: $29.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Cleartex is the brand name for transparent, crystal clear floor protection mats in Original Floortex PVC. Cleartex mats will allow the beauty of your natural wood floors to shine through, and will protect your carpeted areas from wear and tear. Flooring can be expensive - in those areas where there is heavy foot traffic, chair movement or risk of spillage, a relatively small investment in a high quality Cleartex mat will help protect your carpet, wood or laminated hard floors from damage, reduce cleaning costs and increasing their lifespan. Cleartex mats are versatile, easy to move and clean, making them perfect for a wide variety of uses. They are ideal for all areas of the office and home. A wide range of shapes provide floor saving solutions for desk areas, reception areas, high foot traffic hallways, waste bin areas and a great deal more. PVC mats are the clearest vinyl mats on the market, offering higher quality, less odor and higher UV protection than other vinyl mats. Combined with the mat's durability and appearance, this makes a Cleartex mat a flexible and long-lasting floor protection solution.

Details

• Suitable for a wide range of applications
• Unique Floortex PVC formulation for a clearer, more durable PVC mat
• Smooth back for hard floor and carpet tile applications
• Suitable for wood, tile, linoleum or vinyl
• Size to fit many needs

Technorati Tags: (129020LV), AdvantageMat, Chair, Clear, Cleartex, Floors, Hard, Inches, Linoleum, Tile, Vinyl, Wood

Seville Classics SHE14305 Home Style Mobile 5-Shelf Storage System, Chrome

Rating: List Price: $89.99 Sale Price: $54.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

This practical 5 Shelf Storage Unit is perfect for the kitchen, bathroom or office. Store your kitchenware, officeware, or any other cumbersome items in this spacious 5 shelf unit. Easy assembly; no tools required. Wheels included for added mobility.

Details

• Dimension: 30-Inch by 14-Inch by 60-InchH
• Finish: Chrome-plated
• Poles: 3/4-inch diameter poles
• Each Shelf Supports 200-pound evenly distributed
• Locking Wheels

Technorati Tags: 5-Shelf, Chrome, Classics, Home, Mobile, Seville, SHE14305, Storage, Style), System

Bose UFS-20 Universal Floor Stands (pair) - Black

Rating: List Price: $99.98 Sale Price: $59.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Get the best sound with these exclusive Bose« cube speaker stands. There're just what you need to complete your home entertainment system! Color: Black

Details

• Elegantly displays Bose cube speakers
• Slender stands hide wires
• Pair of stands

Technorati Tags: (pair), Black, Bose, Floor, Stands, UFS-20, Universal

Brad Slade
521

The history of artificial or fake grass is to say the least an interesting one and arose out of the social desire to in-effect ward off what could be seen, as far back as the 1950s, as an increasingly unhealthy tendency by youngsters not to exercise.
History has it that birth of synthetic grass began through attempts by scientists trying to develop a type of grass that would not only allow children and adolescents to play on regardless of the weather condition but encouraged them to do so, in other words, a surface that they enjoyed using or a user friendly surface. Hence the advent of fake or artificial grass.
The result was one of the early prototypes of what we now know to be fake or artificial grass. The earlier types were not only hard under foot and made for impracticality especially where sports and children were concerned given the tendencies to fall but were very unpopular. Conversely, however, in terms of workability and endurance this surface proved itself worthy, with the originally playing field where the fake grass surface was installed lasting twenty years of solid wear.
Claims that in terms of practicalities due to poor drainage and its tendency to rot fake grass has limited applicability are unsubstantiated. Furthermore, highly contentious arguments revolving around the argument that artificial grass causes more on-field injuries when used in sports-grounds is again unfounded and may be derived from factions wanting to see this type of surfacing a thing of the past. The claim by the industry is that if laid correctly no problems should occur. In fact, if anything, this type of surface should encourage better drainage enabling competitive sports to continue play with less interruption time due to rain.
Today the advances in artificial grass surfaces are enormous and can’t be down-played. It is common practice to no longer use asphalt as an underlay beneath the surface of the grass which has increased the shock absorption provided by the grass, decreased the retention of heat during summer and further improving the drainage ability of the grass. Finally and possibly most importantly no longer does fake grass look, both on and off T.V like the earlier versions of fake grass, that is, FAKE.
Typically artificial grass is approximately 3cm thick (from base to blade tip). The material of the ‘blades?themselves are a polyethylene-polypropylene blend which are then woven into a mat-like backing (much like that of carpet). The only maintenance that is recommended is that the surface be given a once over each month, which involves rubbing it down. It you were to get this done professionally it is estimated that it would cost no more than a couple of thousand dollars a year. While this may initially sound a lot when compared to the water costs alone for the real thing ?there is virtually no comparison. For those still sceptical and missing the small things associated with ‘real?grass consider this. In America, consumers missing the smell associated with cut grass can purchase, that is right, purchase a can whose contents promise that ‘just cut smell?
But wait there is more?in addition, other requests by customers have included wanting to have the newly laid ‘fake?lawn have the same effect as when you just cut real grass and there are the alternating light and dark bands of grass. This too can be achieved?.ah the marvels of modern society.
Once perceived as being exclusively for those at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, time-and resource-poor, fake grass has now become the stable for all regards of income bracket. With everyone becoming increasingly time-limited and wanting immediate results – ‘visual?perfection ?artificial grass answers both these requirements.
As already mentioned fake grass has many advantages being both low maintenance, cheap and providing reliable year-round good looks for those concerned with their gardens aesthetic appearance. Especially in areas where water is particularly scarce and or for areas whether there is heavy usage ?i.e. constant foot traffic ?then fake or artificial grass may provide a practical solution. What is more, with fake or artificial grass there is no limit to the amount of area you wish to cover and up-keep is negligible especially when compared to the requirements of real grass. Golfing greens require the employ of a number of full-time ‘green keepers?whose job it is to solely look after the lawns!!!! For those without this luxury in budget or time the alternative is clearly ?.fake grass. No need for pesticides, watering, mowing, and replacing of dead patches etcetera.
While slow to catch on in many Westernized countries, Asian nations who are resource tight have long used fake grasses for their play-grounds, private lawns and commercial turfs. Furthermore, using fake grass removes the threat of degradation by human or other pests. The laying of fake grass is also immediate ?like that of carpet. Another advantage is that is does not have to be a permanent fixture but can be lifted at any time.

LEGO Community Miniature Figure Set - Contains 256 Pieces

Rating: List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $42.61 Availability: unspecified Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

This LEGO set features indispensible people from everyday life in the community, such as policemen, a postman, hospital staff, a mechanic and many more. Includes 22 minifigures, plus a variety of accessories, such as food, animals, a laptop, a bicycle and a backpack.

Details

• Set includes 256 pieces
• Contains rare and unique minifigures and accessories
• Suitable for age 4+

Technorati Tags: Community, Contains, Figure, LEGO, Miniature, Pieces

Lorell 86000 Series Executive Mesh Back Chair

Rating: List Price: $447.00 Sale Price: $151.98 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Lorell 86000 Series Executive Mesh Back Chair 86200 Office Chairs

Details

• Assembly Required: Yes, Base: 5-star Nylon, Color: Black, Dimensions: 45" Height x 28.5" Width x 28.5" Depth, Frame: Black, Product Series: 86000, Seat: Fabric - Black
• Features: 360° Swivel
• Sold as 1 each

Technorati Tags: 86000, Back, Chai, Chair, Executive, Mesh, Series

Melissa A. Boyd
413

Little girl’s love to spend time in their bedrooms. It’s a place all of their own. A place where they can not only sleep, but dream. What better way to help your child’s dreams come true then by surrounding them with their favorite things! Decorating your child’s bedroom can be both a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. Here are five simple tips to get you started in the right direction:
Listen
The most important factor is to hear your child’s ideas; after all it is “her” room you are decorating! Have her sit down and make a list of her favorite things from toys to television programs. Would she like to have a themed bedroom? Or would she like to utilize her favorite colors as a canvas for a potpourri of decor?
Recycle
Make use of what is already in place. You will be amazed at how you can turn items already in her bedroom into something new! If her dresser has an attached mirror, remove it from the dresser base and place a new mirror directly to the wall. Change dresser knobs/and pulls. Flip posters around and let her draw her own masterpiece. Paint bedroom doors for a new bold look. Purchase a duvet cover for a quick bedding change.
Think Ahead
Like the seasons change, so does your child’s likes and dislikes. As a parent you may have obtained a “feel?for this. Take this in account when decorating. Also, ask yourself if she will still love the hand painted mural of the fairy’s garden a few months from now. Will she love the pink carpet when she is a teen? Explore less permanent options such as wall stick ups, framed art, and accent rugs.
Simple Impact
You can make a dramatic change by just adding splashes of color and texture. Add accent pillows and throws to bedding. Hang throws and tapestry from the wall. Change window treatments. Throw down accent rugs for quick impact.
Have Fun
Spending time with your child decorating her room should be fun. Explore each other’s creative side by creating artwork, bulletin boards, and other decor crafts together. Throw a bedroom-makeover party for her and her friends. They can each make a decor item for the room.
These are just a few of the many tips and ideas to incorporate when beginning your decorating adventure. You’ll be sure to come up with plenty of your own by project’s end. Make sure and jot them down for next time. Yes, there will be next time!

Whitmor 6056-344-N Supreme Cart, Chrome

Rating: List Price: $37.99 Sale Price: $28.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

No description available.

Details

• Durable chrome steel construction
• Easy assembly
• 10-Year limited warranty
• No tool assembly
• 250-Pound shelf load

Technorati Tags: 6056-344-N, Cart, Chrome, Supreme, Whitmor

Janeth Duque
1415

One of the main elements of the landscape is the use of plants. Plants provide interesting places for the eye to dwell, as well as providing soothing scenery and even contributing to the energy efficiency of a home. Unfortunately, the costs associated with purchasing plants for use in your landscape can be rather steep. In order to save money and use you landscape budget wisely, it is important to buy cheap plants.
Just because a plant is cheap, however, does not mean that it is quality. Be sure that the plant you are buying is free of disease, and that it is in generally good health. Purchasing a plant for a rock bottom price may only result in you having to go out and buy another plant if your wilted or diseased “find?dies shortly after planting. Planting can be a traumatic thing, so you want a plant that will survive and then flourish. Another thing to keep in mind when purchasing inexpensive plants is to think about the maintenance costs on down the road. A cheap plant may in actuality end up having a great many care needs. You may spend more taking care of the plant than is worth the savings of an initial bargain.
Inexpensive plants can be found in a variety of places. Most people buy them at big box home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. There are even plants available at some WalMart and Kmart stores. These plants are often very cheap, but many of them have not received proper care, and may not be healthy enough to survive planting. One sliver of peace of mind that stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer is that these places offer guarantees of up to one year, so if your plant dies, you can be compensated.
Nurseries are great places to find healthy, professionally cared for plants. These are a little more expensive, but they are often of a higher quality. If you are looking for a bargain at a nursery, they can still be found, however. Many nurseries have a clearance table full of unpopular plants or plants that they plan to discontinue carrying. These are often discounted dramatically. Additionally, going to end of season sales can help you find good prices on the plants that nurseries have to offer. Most nurseries also provide plant guarantees, and you can receive expert help and advice if you are a novice.
The Internet also offers cheap plant deals. It is possible to order online and have your plants shipped. Online providers often provide a variety of seeds and starts that can be shipped without incurring too much damage, and that are very inexpensive. Check to see if your online plant provider has a guarantee, however, and make sure that the costs of shipping do not make the plants more expensive.
Other ways that you can reduce your plant buying costs is to choose plants that are seeds or starts. These are available online or in stores and nurseries. A packet of seeds costs less than a start, and starts cost significantly less than plants that are already growing. Choosing smaller plants not only reduces the amount of money that you pay up front, but it also reduces the amount of money you pay later in maintenance. Mature plants require more care when they are first planted, and they also require more water and maintenance. So, while you do not have to purchase tiny plants, you can purchase plants that are off to a good start but that have not reached maturity.
Related to the idea of choosing plants that are smaller, is selecting slower growing plants. While these may take longer to fill in your landscape, if you plan accordingly you can save a great deal of money and still have an attractive yard. Rapidly growing plants require more care and the maintenance costs are often much more than the costs associated with their slower growing counterparts. Choosing slow growing plants is a great way to save money in the long run.
Looking for cheap plants for landscape can be a fun adventure as you search for the best deal. Just remember that the best deal is not always the cheapest plant. The best deal is a plant that is reasonably priced, healthy, and has low cost maintenance requirements.

American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Quilted Porta-Crib Mattress Pad Cover

Rating: List Price: $13.99 Sale Price: $12.25 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

No description available.

Details

• Measures 24" x 38"
• Machine wash warm with like colors and use non-chlorine bleach when needed
• Tumble dry medium
• Top layer made of 100% cotton onion quilting
• 100% waterproof vinyl

Technorati Tags: American, Baby, Company, Cover, Fitted, Mattress, Porta-Crib, Quilted, Waterproof

Hydrofarm JSV4 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System

Rating: List Price: $90.00 Sale Price: $52.52 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

The 4 ft wide Jump Start T5 Grow Light System is ideal for seedlings, cuttings, flowers and house plants. The super efficient T5 lights help you grow faster by providing 15-20% more lumens than traditional grow lights. It features a simple toggle clamp for easy lamp height adjustment, and the fixture has an internal reflective finish that directs more light to plants. Ideal for African Violets, orchids, flowering bulbs, vegetables, seedlings and cuttings. Super easy assembly.

Details

• Light system for starting seeds, propagating cuttings, and growing indoor flowers and houseplants
• Feather-touch height-adjustment mechanism raises or lowers fixture easily; energy efficient
• Premium-quality UL/CSA-listed fluorescent fixture with wide reflector provides maximum coverage
• T5 high output grow light fixture and bulb. 6' grounded cord with on/off switch
• Measures approximately 50 by 18-1/2 by 30 inches; full 1-year warranty

Technorati Tags: 4-Foot, Grow, Hydrofarm, JSV4, Jump, Light, Start, System

Seville Classics Resin-Wood Composite Utility Shoe Rack

Rating: List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $26.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Product Description

Keep your shoes organized with this 3-tier, multipurpose, utility shoe rack. The frame is constructed using durable steel iron while the shelf itself is layered with composite resin wood. Each shelf is able to hold up to three full-size pairs of shoes. As an available option, you can also stack two units together, forming a complete 6-shelf unit. You can also expand horizontally by bridging the shelves to opposing frames. A single unit measures 27-Inch wide by 12-3/4-Inch deep and by 19-1/4-Inch tall.

Details

• Units are stackable (requires 2 units)
• Shelves can expand/bridge horizontally (requires 2 units and extra shelves)
• Finish: mocha - epoxy coated frame
• No Tools or assembly required
• Folds flat for easy storage

Technorati Tags: Classics, Composite, Rack, Resin-Wood, Seville, Shoe, Utility

John Murray
1321

If you are in the market for new carpet chances are you have plenty of questions about which manufacturers are best, which carpets have the best warranties, what to look for when buying carpet, and the list goes on. Of course there are several excellent carpet manufacturers but one that really stands out is Stainmaster Carpet. Find out why Stainmaster carpet is your best choice.
Stainmaster carpet offers it all. Exceptional service and a first class product with plenty of styles to choose from, and a superb warranty.
Stainmaster is known as an industry leader when it comes to innovation and carpet fashions. They’ve got hundreds of colors and styles to choose from. They’re very proud of their latest member to the family the Tactesse nylon fiber line which is even more luxurious than wool.
Stainmaster is very proud of the carpet construction which is second to none. They use bulked continuous filament which means that the yarn is formed from continuous strands of nylon which is textured to create a fuller rug as well as provide curled fiber as well as straight.
Each carpet fiber is then wrapped to provide a tighter twist and a more resilient carpet. It also resists crushing from footprints, matting, and texture change.
After the fiber is twisted it is then treated with a heat system to lock the twist into place. This means your carpet is less likely to snag and unravel or crush from heavy traffic.
After the fiber has been heat treated it is thread onto large carpet needles and then stitched to the backing. How dense the carpet becomes is determined by the amount of yarn that is used.
It is then saturated in a liquid dye solution followed by a solution that sets the color, then it is dried. Finally it is saturated with the stain guard solution and it is once again dried. Finally it is coated with Stainmaster’s unique Teflon?solution. The end result is a carpet that’s gorgeous, able to repel stains, and dirt, and will last a long time.
Stainmaster Carpet offers a variety of styles. The Cultured Beauty Line is their most popular line offering a warranty that guarantees it won’t wear more than 10% in ten years during normal home use. It also has been engineered to retain its texture and not flatten down. The stain guard guarantees against most household type stains for a seven year period and it’s also guaranteed to not change color due to soil for a seven year period. It even has an anti static warranty.
Some of the most popular carpet styles in the cultured beauty line are beach comber, birch bark, champagne bubbles, chenille white, and ice crystal. In their vibrant colors there is earth violet, crab apple, faded denim, nocturne, ocean reef, confetti pink, and a host of other choices.
Four very other popular styles are the 352 Rhett, 353 Scarlet, 358 Romeo, and 359 Juliet all with the Teflon solution, the wear warranty, stain and soil warranty. These four lines are rich and plush providing a full bodied carpet in a wide range of fashionable colors. Durable and beautiful all in one!
Carpet is a big investment so be sure you check out Stainmaster Carpet and see what they can offer you!

Roller blinds can prove to be the perfect finishing touch to any newly decorated room and, with a wide variety of colours, designs and styles, you are sure to find a suitable blind for your home. However, if you are not someone who likes to follow mainstream fashions and trends, why not attempt at custom designing and creating your very own roller blind? By doing this you will not only be adding a touch of personality and uniqueness to your home but also providing an attractive centrepiece to your windows.

This is a great way to complete the look of a room but also an inexpensive way of re-vamping old, aging blinds.

If designing a window treatment from scratch you will need to purchase a plain blind. It may be an idea to browse clearance sales or the internet for special offers on cheap roller blinds.  Measure the window that you wish to decorate using a tape measure, noting the width and length. It is important to look for blinds that match the interior décor of your home; however neutral colours are more likely to suit the overall finished design and pattern.

A desirable purchase would be a DIY kit for roller blinds. Available in most hard ware stores, these kits do not come with fabric; so this needs to be bought separately.

There are several ways of creating your own roller blinds:

The first, and less difficult, approach is through the use of fabric appliques. These can be purchased from most craft and fabric shops but can also be made from hand, simply by cutting out the desired shape or motif from appropriate fabric. If ironing onto the blind, ensure that you have double sided iron-on applique fabric. Follow the manufacturer’s guide to make sure you are doing this correctly. This will give you a more professional and neat finish. However, fabric glue can also be used but care needs to be taken when following this process as edges may begin to fray or bulks of glue may form if the adhesive has not been evenly spread.

Another way in which this can be achieved is through the use of stamps and ink prints. These types of tools can be bought readily-made or you can create your own using everyday household items, such as soap, potatoes or wood. Simply dip the stamp into a coloured paint of your choice and press firmly onto the blind. It is important to wipe away any excess paint to avoid the appearance and chance of drips and smudges.

If decorating a child’s bedroom, it may be worth getting that child involved. Ask them to dip their hand in the paint and press onto the blind for a personal feel, yet decorative look to their bedroom.

Deciding on a style, design or pattern will, almost certainly, be the hardest part of this process. So instead of racking your brains for innovative ideas, focus your attention on everyday items. For example, leaves, flowers, shapes and pictures are all possible design ideas. Use a flower from the garden to create a motif to use on the blind. Or take a section of a picture and apply it to the blind.

Improve the look of your roller blinds today!

Hans Dekker
429

In mid-March when winter blues overtake you and it’s hard to find a clear patch in the grey overcast above, I look out my front door and find a spot of sunshine in my newly growing daffodils.
Growing daffodils is one way to get a good dose of sunshine before spring pulls back the blanket of winter. Daffodils are one of the easiest flowers to grow and a perfect choice for the beginning gardener. Famous for the bright yellows of cultivars like jonquils and the yellow trumpet, daffodils also come in thousands of colors that range from the demure whites of paper-whites to peach and on to bold orange.
Although narcissus is often mistakenly referenced as another type of flower, narcissus is the botanical name for the daffodil. The family is divided into 12 divisions of 25 species and over 13,000 hybrids. However, it isn’t only selection that makes growing daffodils an easy introduction to gardening. Daffodils are prolific in multiplication. While many other types of bulbs dwindle in a few short years, with minimal care, a planting of daffodil bulbs will last a lifetime!
Daffodils come in all sizes from 5-inch blooms on 2-foot stems to half-inch flowers on 2-inch stems. Along with the harbingers of spring, there are also daffodil cultivars in mid and late season varieties. Growing daffodils in an assortment of sizes, colors, and bloom-times gives you an irresistible display that carries through spring into summer.
Although daffodils can be grown from seed, it takes up to five years to achieve a blooming plant. If you want growing daffodils in the spring, bulbs need to be planted in the fall. If you didn’t know that, take note of it for next September. For success in growing daffodils, plant bulbs deep-six to eight inches down from the top (pointy end) of the bulb-where they will get plenty of sun. Remember, they’re going to make their appearance when sunshine is at a premium! Also important for growing daffodils is a location with good drainage. Daffodils like water, but they can’t swim!
Less is more when growing daffodils. Space your daffodil bulbs according to the package directions. Although you may be tempted to plant them close together for a great looking first-year group, it’s important to be mindful of the fact that they are prolific in bulb propagation. Planting daffodils too closely together results in a crowd of bulbs that fight each other for growing room!
One common mistake you can make when growing daffodils is to cut back the foliage after the flowers finish blooming. After your daffodils bloom, they’ll start rebuilding their bulbs in preparation for the next year. During this time, the plants use foliage to collect both sunlight and moisture, so keeping them watered during this period is also important. Your daffodils are planning ahead to create that spot of sunshine to melt away the winter blues!

Kenny Hemphill
435

High Definition DVD (HD-DVD) vs Blu-ray is shaping up to be a battle to rival the VHS vs Betamax format war of the early eighties. Looking like they’ve learned nothing from the DVD ?RW debacle, the companies involved, whether they are in the technology or content distribution industry (or in Sony’s case, both), are set to slug it out over the next few years.
The prize is the licence fees that will be payable to the format owners when the next generation of high definition DVD players and recorders start shipping in volume. As high definition television becomes increasingly popular, consumers will want a recordable format that has the capacity to hold at least a couple of hours worth of HDTV content. Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD were developed in response to the anticipated need for an HDTV recording medium and provide content whose quality would match the expectations of HDTV-owning customers. Additionally, the film distribution companies will cash-in as they release all the titles currently available on DVD in one or both of the new formats and convince consumers that they really should chuck out the DVD collection they’ve spent time and money building and start afresh with the new high definition versions.
Rather than get together and agree a format for high definition DVD, the industry has split in two and is producing two different versions. In the red corner is Toshiba, which has developed HD-DVD and has signed up numerous film companies as supporters, including Warner Brothers, New Line, Paramount, and Universal Pictures.
In the blue corner, is, if you’ll forgive the pun, Sony’s Blu-ray. Sony intends to use Blu-ray as the format for the next generation of the PlayStation and has signed up Disney, and MGM, and is expected to add 20th Century Fox to the list.
Currently the major Hollywood studios are split down the middle with almost exactly half of them in each camp.
HD-DVD has been developed by Toshiba and NEC and has the support of the influential DVD Forum, whereas Blu-ray is supported by Phillips, HP, Sharp, Pioneer, Panasonic, and Sonic Solutions.
Microsoft stands to benefit whichever format succeeds as its Windows Media 9 video codec has been approved for use in HD-DVD and Blu-ray content.
For details of the specification of each format, click here for Blu-ray, and here for HD-DVD.

David Andrew Smith
1587
12:30:13

You are a young contract cleaning company or just starting out and want to expand? So many cleaning firms are run as a ‘one man band?and do not want to employ cleaners so they are incapable of expansion. If you are reading this then you are not among that number and want to enlarge and expand your cleaning business. There are a few simple rules you must follow if you want to be successful in this and retain your contracts.
1. Visit each site at least once per week. In order to ensure that the cleaning is taking place as you want it to. Vary the times and days of your visits.
2. Maintain good communications with the client and respond rapidly to any requests or complaints.
3. Maintain good relations with your staff. Your most valuable resource are your staff so treat them well and not just in monetary terms.
4. Maintain all equipment used on a site in excellent working order. If a piece of equipment is not working efficiently then the cleaners no matter how hard they work are not going to be able to carry out the cleaning effectively and they will soon become disgruntled.
5. Ensure that there are always adequate supplies of cleaning materials available for the cleaning staff on each site. If they have not got the materials then they cannot carry out the job effectively.
These five points would seem to be common sense and indeed they are. However the larger you become and the more contracts you take on the more difficult it becomes to carry them out consistently. You are out there working away trying to attract in more business, attending to new customers, setting up new contracts and sometimes involved in crisis management. Under these normal pressures of work these basic principles can be pushed to the bottom of the ‘to do?list. A clean may be going along with no problems and under these circumstances it is quite easy to assume that all is well and does not require your attention. Then out of the blue it can come up to bite you! Consequently always give time to perform these five ‘rules?regardless of the other pressures on your time.
Experience has shown that the larger the company becomes the more these five points become neglected. Very large companies often lose contracts simply because they neglected these five cardinal rules and you can step into their place and pick up these contracts. However you must always be on your guard that you do not fall into the same trap as you become bigger.

Kenneth Davis
1460

Drip drip drip…that darn leaky faucet!
We’ve all been there, trying to fall asleep and the only thing we can focus on is that dreaded sound: drip, drip ,drip. So you get up and you think I just have to turn the handle tighter to make the drip stop, yea if it were only that easy!
But you don’t need to call a plumber and spend money on a service call with a few easy steps you can become your own “master plumber?
The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply to the sink, most of the time the valve is located right underneath, if not you need to follow the plumbing line to the nearest shut off valve. If the valve resists being turned, put a drop or two of oil right where the stem disappears into the large nut. Then use a wrench to loosen the nut one complete turn, and tighten it back up by hand. Wait for a couple of minutes and then you should be able to turn the valve off.
The second thing to do is remove the stem from the top of the fixture, then there will be nut that needs to be turned counterclockwise to be taken off. Grasp the handle and turn it counterclockwise, as if you were turning on the water. The whole thing will lift out in your hand. If you have a ball-type fixture, there will be a setscrew on the lower surface of the handle itself, remove the screw. There will be a plastic ring or cap just unscrew and remove then pull out the ball assembly.
Your almost finished, just need to replace the washer, which should still be attached the ball assembly you just pulled out, there’s a screw holding it on so remove that, replace it with the new washer, tighten the screw back on, be sure not to go to tight where the washer starts to become damaged. Reinsert the stem assembly, and twist it firmly clockwise (don’t over tighten it). Tighten the large nut back into place. Turn the water valve back on and that’s it! If it still leaks it may mean you have to replace the valve seat or replace the entire fixture. You will need to purchase a repair kit that you can find at your local plumbing supply or hardware store.
Use the following steps to replace the ball type fixture: Using the end of the screwdriver, lift out the rubber seats and springs. Replace them with the new ones in the kit. Tug the spout off the base by turning it from side to side and lifting up. Then use the screwdriver to leverage the old O-rings off the base. If they need to be cut off, make sure that you clean off any remaining pieces. Roll the new O-rings over the base to replace them. Re-seat the faucet by turning it from side to side while pushing down. Place the ball assembly back in there, and screw the rounded, knurled cap back on. Before retightening the adjusting ring with the special tool, turn the water back on. Then tighten the ring until no water leaks, but don’t over tighten it. Replace the handle, and tighten the setscrew. You should be all set! It’s a good idea before starting this job to go to your local plumbing supply with the make of your faucet just to make sure that all the necessary parts are available.

Dawn Keadic
1106

Feather wreaths can be a strikingly attractive decoration and are surprisingly simple to construct.
A wreath made from feathers (either real or artificial) can take many forms. They range from playful decorative items constructed from artificial pink fuzzy feathers to more traditional looking seasonal door pieces made from the feathers of wild turkeys. The options are nearly endless. A quick look at any major crafts show will reveal hundreds of possibilities. The many different styles of these wreaths make them a consistently popular accent item.
Although there are many different patterns and ways to construct a feather wreath, one of the more simple means to produce one is by using a basic straw wreath form (available at any major craft store) and several large feathers. This approach requires no additional supplies, except a pencil or other device that may be used to poke guide holes into the form.
The wreath maker simply splays out the feathers and creates a ring around the bottom third of the form. Usually, the feathers are inserted at an angle to produce a more organized and attractive final product. After completing the first ring of feathers, additional layers are made using the same pattern. Generally, three or four layers will produce a desirable outcome if the feathers are sufficiently large relative to the wreath form’s size. After all feathers are properly inserted, the wreath maker may add accent items to improve the final performance. The traditional favorite is a bow placed at the bottom of the wreath.
This strategy for producing a feather wreath works wonderfully with large turkey feathers and can produce a stunning seasonal piece perfect for fall and Thanksgiving decoration. However, the technique will work with virtually any kind of feather. For instance, one can create an angelic wreath from white flowers or a fun, colorful craft from a bag of multicolored artificial feathers.
Feather wreaths can be relatively simple to make and produce a wreath maker with a popular alternative to wreaths constructed from leaves, twigs or branches. The exact nature of a flower wreath is limited only by the maker’s imagination.

Aby Matynne2
786

Buying the right garage door opener has not never been more simpler.Whether you want to buy one for residential use or the commercial use read the tips below and buy the garage door opener which ideally suits you .
Also opening the garage door opener has been a big problem until now but the new technology now ensures that its no more a big problem.
Electric power is the most extensively used fuel for opening the garage door opener.
Also what will you do when the power fails.Although not a routine proble but who will predict the ever unpredictable whether changes,lightning and more.
If power failure is your problem and its a recurrent problem then we recommened the 2500/3500 – DC Motor Belt Drive with EverCharge Battery Backup System .Its made by the liftmaster professional.It can work for full 20 cycles 24 hours a day.Now no more outing in the bad whether just because your garage door opener faisl to open.
Also the new addition has been the new motion detecting control panels built by many leading companies now.
Consider the warranty for all these garage door openers.Always enquire if it has a lifetime gwarranty.Most of the times there is a lifetime warranty on belt and motor only but not on the battery which may have a warranty for 1-3 years.
Commercial Vs Resedential Garage door openers
Commercial are used many times a day but resedential may be used not so often. And thereforewe highly recommened that while selecting a commercial garage door opener always go for the one which is more heavily built and extremely durable.
You have belt drive,screw drive and chain drive models.So select the one most ideal for you.
The last aspect I want to cover is who will fit it?
You have 2 options here.You can either fir it yourself if you have the time and patience to do it or hire a professional to do the job for you.
Visit our site www.garage-dooropeners for all the information garage door openers and use our resource centre to make the best buying decision.

John Mann
1929
12:30:13

Many of the great woodworkers have become skillful because they have had the opportunity to watch and learn from a pro. Undoubtedly, serving as an apprentice under a professional woodworking expert is the best way to hone your own skills but not everyone has this opportunity. However, if you have the drive and passion for woodworking, it is entirely possible to become highly skilled by simply reading about the subject. The following includes some useful tricks of the trade that will surely help you to get the most out of your woodworking tools. A woodworking expert is not born; it takes time and some useful hints.
Wood is the woodworker’s most important tool. Without wood, your woodworking tools would have no job and there could be no end product. The first trick to woodworking is knowing how to properly cut plywood, and that involves using the right tools and manipulating the wood in the appropriate way. Different cutting jobs require different blades. Blades differ depending on the number of teeth, the width, angle and the rake of the blade. Before cutting, assess which blade best suits your cutting needs and which one will help you to produce the cleanest cut possible. When you are ready to cut, score the cut first by running the plywood through your saw once, removing only a small piece. The next cut that you make will be much cleaner. To keep a clean line in your cut, use a router. Make sure that your router is fitted with a straight bit as this will help you to achieve a clean line. A pilot bit and a straight edge will also help produce a clean line. You may also want to consider purchasing a panel scoring setup. Some saws can be fitted with a plywood panel scoring setup that is most useful if you cut a lot of plywood. This setup consists of a smaller blade that first scores the surface of the plywood before the wood reaches the cutter.
Once you have your wood cut, it is necessary to sand down the rough edges. You may not realize it, but sandpaper is one of your important woodworking tools. Here are some helpful wood sanding hints. For easy handling, some woodworkers cut their sandpaper into smaller pieces if they have a sanding block or a finishing sander while others fold the sandpaper to rotating sides as it wears down. However, make sure that your sandpaper is not folded so that two abrasive sides touch as this will wear down the paper against itself during use. To prevent this, fold the paper so that the abrasive sides contact only the non-abrasive sides. This simply requires a single cut along half of the sheet.
Once all your wood is cut and well sanded, you are ready to build. Handling wood is not always easy though, but there are tricks that can help you to do the job right. Anyone who has ever tried to nail into the end of board knows that splitting can happen because as the nail is driven into the wood, the wood fibers are forced apart causing the grain to split. Experienced carpenters will flatten the tip of the nail with a hammer before driving it into the wood because a flattened tip will slice through the wood and crush the fibers rather than split them. This woodworking trick is most useful when installing molding and trim.
There are so many tricks of the trade to be learned when it comes to woodworking. You will find that as you begin to amass a larger knowledge of woodworking tips, your projects will start to look better, and you will be well on your way to becoming a woodworking expert. Woodworking professionals will tell you that there exists an important relationship between the tools you use and the wood you handle.

77hydro
968

For over two decades, Hanna Instruments has led the world in water quality measurement and control technology. They provide easy to use but at the same time, technically advanced products for science, education, agriculture and industry.
www.77hydro brings to you a range of instruments from Hanna Instruments, which are easy to order and buy online. These instruments are manufactured after many years of research & development, manufacturing experience and customer service.
Hanna Instruments is rapidly growing to become a world-class, leading manufacturer of water quality instruments with research & development and production & sales offices in over 30 countries. Hanna Instruments has offices all over the world and has gained its reputation because of timely response to market as well customer requirements.
Founded in 1978, Hanna Instruments is well known as an innovator with very basic solutions to testing and analysis of water. The manufacturing facilities of Hanna Instruments have been ISO 9000 certified since 1996 and as such, they have a full range of products manufactured to the most stringent quality requirements. Every product at Hanna Instruments is carefully designed and manufactured with the individual user in mind.
At the moment, www.77hydro features 10 products produced by Hanna Instruments. The instruments are Handheld ph/ec/tds meter, HI991404 ph/ec/tds/temp continuous read meter, Phep 4 waterproof ph/temp tester, Dist 5 Waterproof ec/tds/temp tester, Combo waterproof ph/ec/tds/temp tester, Hanna ph 7 Calibration Solution 230ml, Hanna tds cal solution 1413ppm 230ml, Hanna Storage Solution 16oz., Hanna Electrode Cleaner 16oz. and Replacement ph electrode for Hanna Handheld meters. These instruments are engineered to meet specific user requirements. The price range of these instruments varies from 15$ to 280$. www.77hydro makes it very easy to choose any of these products, order and buy it online.
The charm of Hanna Instruments lies in the fact that though it is technically very advanced, it is very easy to operate. These products can be used by a technical person as well as a non technical person alike. These instruments have a wider user base because application of new technology has made them accessible to one and all. This is the tradition of Hanna Instruments and its commitment to the customers.
If it is state-of-the-art water quality test instruments you are looking for Hanna is your best choice wherever you are. So wait no more and no longer. Just log on to www.77hydro and order your desired Hanna instrument now.
Please call us on our toll free number at (1-877-774-9376)77HYDRO for availability and shipping quote.

Caroline Smith
860

By fitting furniture slipcovers over your worn or outdated upholstery you can give your old sofas and chairs a stylish new look in minutes. Stretch slipcovers for furniture are designed to be really easy to fit and can be held in place with elastic or ties for a snug fitting finish. If you’re keen to add some vibrancy and style to your home, without too much expense or effort, the answer could be simply adding some ready made slipcovers. With chair and sofa covers you can give well used furniture a fresh lease of life, and transform the appearance of your whole room.
Furniture covers come in a huge range of sizes and designs for all types of seats. For your family room or den there are wing chair, recliner, loveseat and sectional couch slipcovers. Additionally, loads of attractive kitchen and dining chair slipcovers are available to protect your chairs from accidental food or drink spills, as well as adding a touch of elegance to mealtimes. Slipcovers are made from a variety of durable fabrics, many of which are fully machine washable for your convenience. Choices include cotton, brushed twill, chenille or faux leather. There’s sure to be a material that would look great with your decor and color scheme.
Chair and sofa slipcovers come in a wide selection of patterns and colors, from pastel floral prints to colorful country checks. You can change the mood and atmosphere of your room with your choice of slipcover. You can also alter the style of old fashioned furniture, by disguising ugly legs with a skirt for instance. If you’d like a fully coordinated look, you could spend a bit more to get some custom slipcovers made to the exact measurements of your seats. Slipcovers can be an affordable alternative to re-upholstery or buying brand new furniture. And there’s the added advantage of being able to remove and replace them whenever you fancy a change.
If your home is in need of a makeover, slipcovers could work wonders at improving the appearance of an entire room, without blowing your budget.

Dan Auito
143

There is more to buying raw land than meets the eye and more than a few individuals have wished they’d had a second chance upon finding themselves duped, conned, misled, ill-advised, uninformed, oversold, undereducated and often unprepared. They realize, often too late, that a raw land purchase should be properly investigated, evaluated and negotiated using a logical and rational plan.
Let me start by saying I’m not a geologist, soil analyst, surveyor, engineer or land consultant. I’m a passionate real estate investor, licensed agent, appraisal assistant and landlord who purchased various raw lots, as large as a 15-acre parcel, for investment and building projects. In addition, I have consulted with numerous individuals proficient in real estate, who have contributed to my general awareness of the conditions and merits of raw land. We, as small investors, can further use this information to our advantage in wisely choosing land and utilizing it to it’s highest and best use regarding fulfillment of our needs, wants and desires.
This chapter is not a technical sleeper and as such, it will not go so far as to tell you how much lime to add to your soil to adjust PH levels (7.0 is neutral) but it does try to get you thinking about some of the more general considerations that can lead you to further investigate your options using this material as your starting point.
With that said, the first question I’ll ask you is what exactly do you intend to do with this land once you have it? Why are you buying it? What purpose do you have in mind for land? Are you going to build a home, purchase a lot for retirement or investment? Will you acquire considerable acreage for farming or subdivision? Do you want commercial, residential, recreational or agricultural? Will it be in the north, south, east or west?
So your first question should be, what am I, or we, buying this land for? Will it satisfy my, or our, requirements? To get answers to these questions you would best be served by talking to those who will be most intimately involved with the land, such as your spouse, partner, family members, associated owners, etc. Once you have a clear understanding of what the land is supposed to satisfy, then your search can begin. So often people waste their time and effort because the significant partners have such a wide gap in what each person truly wants from the purchase that they never settle on anything or end up with much less than they could have had.
Land can be said to consist of soil, geology, water and climate. Whether you’re looking at beaches, mountains, deserts, high plains or city lots, they all have some basic components. Some of the basic requirements we most often seek are clean air, water, electricity, sewage disposal and trash removal.
Clean air might be construed as freedom from dusty roads, smog, foul smells from industry or landfills, free from noise of traffic, airports and/or neighbors.
Water availability is essential and is often desired for aesthetics as well as drinking, bathing, washing, cooking, cleaning, toilet facilities and watering vegetation. We also enjoy lakes, rivers and streams for recreation. Others enjoy the tranquil sounds that our streams, rivers and oceans can provide. Without a doubt, water availability is a major concern. Note: A 1666 square foot roof can capture 1000 gallons of water for each inch of rainfall; cisterns of all types have existed since the dawn of man.
Electricity is another necessity that we often take for granted. Is a power plant within a reasonable distance from the land or will it cost you thousands of your own dollars to run cables across public lands to get your electricity hooked up? How far are gas and oil suppliers?
Sewage disposal – 25% of our country is on a well and septic system. If you don’t have access to public utilities, will your land support a septic system as well as the water to operate it?
Solid waste disposal – how far is the landfill? Is there a collection service? You can’t burn everything; how will you get rid of it?
Those are the major necessities for modern, everyday living…things that we really need, but can often overlook until after the contract is signed. Others essentials are a telephone, mail delivery, shopping, police, fire station, hospital/emergency services, schools, churches, recreation facilities and access by good roads and highways.
You’ll want answers to questions like those above and county officials such as planning and zoning, community development and building departments are a good place to start. I would also call utility companies about water, sewer, electric and phone, and talk to neighbors, contractors, developers, real estate agents, appraisers and a local surveyor to have some of the more important questions addressed at the beginning of my search. I wouldn’t rely on the sellers to be all-knowing, either.
Again, planning and zoning departments can offer the following: Maps of existing uses, forecasts of future development, lists of planned new roads, utility extensions, locations of planned waste disposal facilities, details on environmental areas and future land uses. They also regulate building codes, curb-cut permits, historic preservation, housing codes, subdivision regulations, tree cutting and zoning laws. They usually have aerial photographs and plat maps that can help you to better identify and evaluate the land in question.
Do you already have your location identified? Will it be in the east where the weather is often wet and humid or out west where it is predominantly arid and dry? Will you be living in cold weather in the north or gravitating towards the southern hemisphere? Concerning location, what are you least comfortable with: Avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, volcanoes and/or wildfires? You may want to investigate areas of interest by going to websites like officialcitysites. You will get a better picture of what awaits you concerning it’s economy, environment, population, recreation, educational, medical and employment facilities to name a few.
Let’s assume you know where you want to buy this land, why you want to buy it, and how and when you will use it once you have it. The following general observations, ideas and information may help you to further investigate the alternatives that are available to you in your endeavor to find the land of your dreams.
Raw land is unimproved property; it has no utilities, sewers, streets or structures and usually must be cleared.
Here are (or can be) a few drawbacks that are sometimes associated with raw land:

Negative cash flow; usually the land does not generate any income while you pay the principle, interest, taxes and costs of development.
Tax advantages are scanty as land cannot be depreciated.
Generally, raw land is considered a long-term ill-liquid investment that often takes time before gains can be realized.
Risk of loss on resale can occur if you choose poorly, fail to evaluate and negotiate properly, the economy slips or various other unforeseen events occur.
It is difficult to obtain traditional financing on or borrow against accrued equity.

Here are some possible benefits to raw land:

Land has the potential to experience tremendous appreciation if bought in the way of growth, or if a higher and better use can be achieved.
Owner financing can often be obtained through the seller at below-market rates.
Subdividing can create added value and provide for immediate returns.
Privacy and pride of ownership can provide a secure feeling to the holder.

What is considered good and bad land?
The worst you can buy is swamp or marshland. Most often flat land is the least expensive to develop and the most desired for building purposes. Land with barren rock will increase costs and virtually eliminate a basement just the same as a high water table.
Note: Loamy soil, which consists of a balanced mixture of clay, sand and some organic matter, appears rich and dark in color and is considered ideal for most purposes. As opposed to good soil, you don’t want hard cracking ground when dry and sticky soil when wet. Warning! Check with your state offices for the presence of expansive soils; this stuff cracks foundations in the most insidious ways, leading many to ruin.
Many people are literally being driven to the hills. Granted the views can be spectacular but roads, utilities, water, sewer, and foundations, such as pilings, can add 25-30% to building costs alone, further adding to this already expensive proposition. When considering going vertical, an 8-degree slope is about the limit when concerning building economically on hillsides.
Plots with trees, a view, rectangular in shape, a gentle slope or none and a good location are most often preferred, and streams can boost values by 100% in some cases.
How to determine the value of raw land
Using the appraisers standard view of estimating value can give us some clues, so let’s look at what appraisers do!

Site size and shape, represented by frontage, width and depth.
Corner influence equals visibility for commercial, or privacy for residential.
Plottage, has assembly or combining of parcels been accomplished.
How much land is excess or surplus; surplus has less value than what is required.
Topography: Land’s contour, grading, natural drainage, soil, view and usefulness
Utilities: Sewers, drinking water, natural gas, electric, telephone, cable, etc.
Site improvements: Landscaping, fences, gutters, walks, drives and irrigation
Accessibility: Parking, location, streets, alleys, connecting roads and highways
Environment: Climate, adequate water supply, air quality, streams, rivers, lakes, oceans and the absence of any hazardous materials

An old timer once gave me this advice: He said, “Dan, always try to buy land that is located as close to those amenities that an area is famous for, as that is often the reason people come to certain areas. He lived in Florida and had plenty of beachfront property located in tourist areas, which clearly illustrated his point.
Who has this raw land and how do we find it?
You may start your search by contacting farmers, investors, real estate agents, state and federal agencies, cities with odd lots they need to put back on their tax rolls, bureaus of land management, federal marshals, tax sales, bank foreclosures, developers, property heirs, the elderly, and family and friends. Use your networks and birddogs while driving areas of interest looking for further opportunities to buy.
Property is often advertised through newspaper ads, real estate brokers, For Sale by Owner signs, flyers, bulletin boards, the Internet, etc. A quick note on how not to buy is in order here. I would not recommend buying land from a glossy brochure or big development company as it is almost always overpriced to cover large overhead costs, advertising and profit. Also remember when a building boom is on, land prices rise. You will do much better buying when demand is low. Another caveat is to stay away from land that is advertised outside of its normal market as it is often overpriced or has problems; otherwise, a local buyer would have bought it!
If you want to find the deals, then most often you are going to have to dig for them. A few successful methods may include visiting the county clerk/recorder’s office to search the public records for the following:

New probate filings, use them to contact heirs
Eviction proceedings to contact out of state landowners
Arrests – these people may need money and may also be going away for a while.
Bail bondsman who may have forfeited collateral in the form of land.
Divorces filed, leading to a division of assets
New guardianships to contact disinterested heirs.
Deeds in lieu of foreclosure, private sellers may in turn sell it to you.
Lis pendens means litigation pending, often signaling foreclosure.

You will most often be contacting many of these sources by writing to them. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t get immediate replies, as the average response rate is one reply for every eight letters that you send. The pros will get on lists and pay services to monitor many of these potential sources, however, good old-fashioned detective work does pay off. When researching in this manner, secrecy is one key and fast action using all cash is the other.
A special consideration to note when hunting legally challenged property is to have a title company in addition to the regular search of mortgage. Tax and easement liens also check files for I.R.S. liens, bankruptcy filings and judgment liens.
Quick review
Up to this point we have talked about not getting conned when starting out. We also noted that it pays to understand what everyone wants from the land to start. You are aware that utilities and basic necessities are very important considerations. You know whom to contact to get further in-depth information on properties of interest. You know flat land with natural amenities is the most desirable and economical to develop. You are more familiar with the risks involved with this type of real estate and you also know that rock, marshes and hillsides can be expensive to develop. You have a better idea of how an appraiser begins to determine value and you may have a few ideas on how to find land and the people who own it.
With that said, we are ready to get down to the business of evaluating, negotiating and financing our well-sought piece of terra firma. What follows is a basic checklist. There is more to consider but this will get you off to a running start.
Basic Raw Land Checklist

Get the most recent and valid information available: A copy of the deed containing the legal description with any covenants and/or restrictions.
Get the street address, a plot plan indicating the specific property location, a survey, a preliminary title report, a recent map and any aerial or land based photographs to help you locate fence lines, trails, roads, streams, ponds, building locations, etc. Walk the land to verify, evaluate and correlate what is indicated, also looking for any signs of hazardous waste dumping, burying or burning.
Determine present use in zoning, according to what planning and zoning tells you. Symbols are used to designate uses – here are a few:

A1: Agricultural with single family home
C: Commercial business
CO: Commercial office
FP: Flood plain
M: Industrial
R1: Residential single family
R1H: Residential hillside
R2 : Residential multifamily
RT : Recreational tourist/ Residential transitional

General categories include:

Farm, Ranch and Timberland
Recreational or Resort
Industrial
Commercial/Business
Residential
Mixed use

Confirm who owns it, their full name, address and phone number
Find out what they do; are they a dealer in real estate?
Ask if anyone else is on the title or has authority to act
What are the annual taxes and assessed values?
Ask why they are selling and how long they have owned it
If the owner doesn’t want to sell, ask if they would consider selling a parcel of it.

The preceding is an abbreviated checklist. It is meant to get you started off on the right foot. Many people will research buying a new car more thoroughly than they would when buying raw land; there are many good books that are devoted solely to the subject of raw land. This type of investment is generally not the best choice for the new investor but often times people look to build they’re dream homes away from developed areas and for that reason I have included my two cents here.
Finance considerations $$$
Raw land as opposed to improved property is much more difficult to finance through traditional lenders. The main reasons are that it generates very little income, development costs can be expensive, there are no buildings or improvements that can be used as collateral and it is often considered speculative.
For those reasons mentioned we find that sellers are often our first choice regarding financing. It is typical for a seller of raw land to accept 10% down and the rest to be paid over time at a specified (below market) interest rate. This would be an example of an installment land contract. Other forms are contract for deed, mortgage and note and purchase money mortgages. In these cases, a real estate attorney usually drafts these contracts and a bank will act as an escrow agent to facilitate verifiable records of payments received. The seller often retains the deed until the property is paid for in full.
If you want to investigate bank financing, then you may start out by offering 30% down with a seven-year mortgage, with the bank getting an extra percentage point over and above the current interest rates for standard loans. This may not be accepted but it does give you a starting point to see just what they may be willing to do.
If you plan on building on your land, then having a development plan with an appraised set of blue prints for the project will help the lender in justifying your loan. If you can use equity from other property, then paying substantial down payments may also be an option.
My final words of caution here would be to know values and don’t overpay. Always offer less when possible and research recent sales of comparable properties. The larger a parcel is, the cheaper it tends to get per acre. Ask an agent what an acre of land tends to go for in the area that you are considering; try to buy more than one acre.
When buying residential lots, builders try to keep raw land costs down to 10% of the overall value of the project. If streets and utilities are already in place, then they will use 25% as their guideline. If you can combine or assemble parcels or achieve zoning changes with property, you have a good chance of immediately increasing its value. Always physically inspect the property and do your research before obligating yourself to buy it. Try using contracts with contingencies put in to protect yourself. In essence, these are really options that let you control the deal while you investigate and research the land’s potential to satisfy your objectives. Happy Hunting and buy the high grounds!

As the Big 5 announce further price increases this winter, people are searching for green alternatives to reduce energy costs in their home; one such alternative could be window blinds. Not only is this cheaper than replacing your existing windows to more efficient ones, but it is also easier, quicker, and will provide similar benefits. Window blinds are able to maintain a more consistent temperature in your home by insulating the windows, and also have a pleasant and versatile decorative aspect.

Obviously the suggestion of removing your windows to keep your home warmer is ridiculous; they provide light, air and views of the outside world. The fact that they let in cool air in the winter and hot air in the summer is just an unfortunate side-effect that cannot be ignored. Replacing single glazed windows with double glazed equivalents is quite expensive and in the current economic downturn may not be suitable for everyone’s budgets. This is why blinds are becoming more popular; not only do they provide privacy and a new angle on interior design, but they can reduce air flow from outside, meaning the temperature will not be affected as much.

Touched on previously, the myriad other functions offered by blinds are also worth considering; blackout blinds can be placed in bedrooms to aid any light sleepers, for example. Blinds come in a range of styles, materials and finishes, which can be used to compliment almost any existing decor. Their price, often lower than alternative window coverings, is also an incentive.

If you’re interested in the range of blinds that are available, pop over to Hillary’s to browse the current range.