If you’re in the market for a new home, there are a number of things to keep in mind, one of which is that you may need to have a home inspection performed before the transaction can be completed. Having the home inspected can reveal a lot about the property and confirm whether or not it is worth the asking price. Following are a few tips on what to expect from a home inspection. What Is a Home Inspection? Basically, a home inspection is a visual check of the home performed by a trained inspector. They will be looking at the building itself as well as the systems contained within it, such as the water, sewer, plumbing, wiring, and insulation. They will check for water damage, both inside and out, and make sure the electrical and plumbing systems are up-to-date and working the way they should be. In some cases, the inspector may check for mold, termites, or radon. Keep in mind that this is a visual inspection, so they won’t be tearing the walls apart. You Can Learn a Lot Although in most instances it’s not mandatory that you are present while the inspection is being performed, it may be in your best interest to be there. A home inspector is usually knowledgeable about how to perform routine maintenance and will most likely be willing to share their years of experience. You can learn a lot if you pay attention. A professional home inspector will notice things that escaped you during your tour of the house and will be able to point out what needs to be done in order to ensure the home is safe to live in. A home inspection goes far beyond mere cosmetic discrepancies. It is structural damage that you should be concerned about. What a Home Inspector Looks For The inspector will be looking for more than a missing tile in the bathroom or a torn carpet in the living room. They will check everything from the roof to the foundation for structural damage. They will look at the shingles, the gutters, and the siding. The inspector will make sure that water will drain away from the home and make sure that the sidewalks and driveway aren’t potentially dangerous. They will check the structural integrity of any porches, patios, or decks. On the inside the inspector will be looking at the attic, checking to make sure it’s appropriately insulated and properly ventilated. The inspector will also look at the bathroom fixtures, and will usually check for correct water pressure. They will also ensure the electrical system is working properly. Further Checks This may seem like an awful lot of work, and it is. A thorough home inspection will usually take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, and can seem quite tedious. On the other hand, you really should know of any potential problems that exist. In addition to the above mentioned items, a home inspector will also make sure the water heater is in good shape, and the heating system is working right. That includes checks of the furnace, chimney, and fireplace (if there is one.) The inspector will also look at the duct work, and the central air conditioning unit if one is installed (weather permitting.) The kitchen appliances, such as the range, oven, and dishwasher will be checked, as well as the washer and dryer. If there is an attached garage, the inspector will take a close look at the floor, walls, and doors, including an electric garage door opener, if one is being used. Report Time After the inspection is finished, it will be a few days before a report is issued. Don’t be surprised if there is a laundry list of items that need to be addressed. It’s common in most any sale. The inspector will usually separate the essential repairs from the less important ones. Once you are aware of what needs to be done, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you want to go through with the purchase. Usually a compromise of some sort can be worked out between the buyer and the seller as to what each will pay for. Unless the price of the needed repairs is exorbitant you should be able to negotiate a fair and reasonable transfer of ownership. Guest post from Jean Clark. Jean writes about background checking for BackgroundCheck.org. Read more »

If you’re fortunate enough to own property that’s has considerable value, you should make an effort to carry adequate insurance. Personal possessions such as jewelry, paintings, antiques, or collectibles are worth a great deal of money, and some items may be impossible to replace. Having adequate insurance coverage is important, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay an excessive price to get it. Following are a few tips on how to insure your valuables for less. Homeowner’s Insurance Traditional homeowners insurance probably won’t cover items of great value–you will have to stipulate that you need the additional coverage in order to ensure you’re completely covered. Each policy will have limits built in, so you’ll need to take out extra coverage for expensive items like expensive jewelry, one-of-a-kind paintings, or a collection of antique figurines. Get an Appraisal It will probably be necessary to have an independent appraisal done for each item or items that are part of a collection. Keep in mind that the way an insurance company looks at valuables may differ from an appraiser. Because the cost of precious metals continues to rise, your antique pocket watch that was handed down from your uncle could be increasing in value not only because of its age, but because the metal itself may be worth more now than it was in the past. You need to make sure your insurance policy will cover each item’s actual worth, which means carrying a replacement value policy. Travel Insurance When taking out a personal possessions policy, sometimes called a PAF or personal articles floater, find out if the items in questions will be covered while you’re traveling. If you take a vacation overseas and wear your expensive jewelry, you will want to make sure you’re still covered. If your present policy doesn’t cover you, you may want to consider taking out an additional travel insurance policy. Determine Your Needs After you’ve determined the value of your possessions, you need to decide the extent of coverage you’ll need. If you’ve been collecting valuable coins, stamps, or antiques, their value could fluctuate according to the market for that particular item, so you should carry adequate insurance to protect against their loss or damage. Make sure your policy will cover additions to your collection, as well. Since these items are more than likely not covered by your regular policy, there will be an additional premium charge. The object is to make sure you’re adequately covered without paying outrageous prices. High Deductibles As with any other type of insurance, the cost of personal possession floaters can be alleviated somewhat by raising your deductibles. It is standard practice within the insurance industry to lower your premiums as you raise your deductibles. Because the items you’re insuring are considered to be extremely valuable you should use caution if you decide to take this route, because the deductible could be excessive. Having a high deductible policy will mean that if you need to file a claim because your collection of rare baseball cards was damaged in a fire, you will be required to pay the deductible before your insurance policy will kick in. It would be a good idea to open a savings account designated strictly as an emergency fund. If you deposit money into this account on a regular basis, it will accrue interest and be available if you need to pay a deductible–providing you exercise the necessary will power and avoid tapping into the account for non essential items. Shop for the Best Price Because the insurance industry is extremely competitive, you should shop for the best price on insurance coverage. This is true for any type of insurance, but extremely important for additional coverage such as a personal possession floater. Because this is additional insurance made necessary due to the value of the items it’s designed to protect, it probably won’t be cheap. Shopping for the best price could begin by gathering quotes from online insurance companies. Use these quotes for comparison when you call on the more traditional brick and mortar insurance companies. Tell the agents you talk to what items you’re looking to insure and ask them for their best price. Also ask if you qualify for any discounts. If you already do business with an insurance company, make sure you tell them the best price you’ve been offered. If they want to keep your business, they will make every attempt to match or beat the price. Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes about free insurance quotes for InsuranceQuotes.org. Read more »

What do you buy the man who has everything for Christmas this year? These classic gift ideas should help you pick the ideal gift for your partner. Remember that even the man who has everything is always happy to get an upgrade. Although many men will keep using an item until it falls apart most really are happy to receive a newer version so replacing items that are worn and seen better days is always a good idea. As well as the classic gifts we have added a few new ideas too, here is our round-up. 1. A Stylish Hi-Tech Watch Modern hi-tech watches tend to look stylish too so you can actually get a two-in-one here. There are so many watches on the market now that you can always meet the needs and desires of any man. For outdoor types watches come with GPS, altimeters and a compass. These watches are not just for mountaineers but also great for runners and cyclists. Some come with heart rate monitors and route tracking systems. The combination of style and technology is a winner. 2. Personalised Cufflinks If your man wears cufflinks then what better present than a pair of personalised cufflinks? Many jewellers will engrave plain cufflinks with a message of your choosing. These make a very discreet and personal gift. 3. Traditional Shaving Kit For the man who likes to stay well-groomed a new shaver is always a great option. A good quality traditional wet shaving kit will deliver a cut that is closer and smoother than either an electric razor or the usual combination of disposable razor and foam. 4. Leather Belt Leather goods always make great presents. Simple but always appreciated. A good belt provides a fashion statement as well as additional comfort. If you are unsure of the correct size always make sure that the belt is on the larger size rather being too small! 5. A New Wallet Wallets are the second of the leather presents. A typical man will use the same wallet until the leather has worn through. There are some items that you should not replace as they get older, but a new wallet is always a winner. Buy a similar design but and make sure that it is made from a high quality leather for the extra stylish look. 6. Sunglasses A pair of designer sunglasses chosen to suit your partners features can make a great present. If they wear glasses already then it is easier to choose the right style. If you are unsure which style to choose take his photo to an opticians and ask their advice. 7. Remote control car All men are really just big kids at heart. Today remote control cars are so much better than they were a couple of decades ago. Remote control cars generally fall into three categories: battery-powered, petrol-powered and nitro-powered. For the novice the best cars are electric cars. Petrol and nitro-powered cars require more care and servicing to keep them running. 8. Digital Golf Cart If your man is a keen golfer then a new golf cart can make a great special gift. Electric golf carts do more than just make walking between the holes easier. Now you can measure the distance to the ball with great accuracy so your partner can easily keep track of their longest shots. No more guessing required. Some now come with GPS to track the game and some allow you to set the caddy to auto-pilot so that you do not even have to push it. 9. Experience Days Experience days are a modern classic when it comes to gifts. Send your man away for a day of driving fast cars, indoor skydiving, gliding or sphereing. There are so many great experiences that a man can have. These days are guaranteed to de-stress even the most overworked male. 10. Vinyl Record Frame If your partner has a prized record collection then these make an excellent gift. A simple but stylish frame in which a 12 inch vinyl LP with cover can be displayed. Allow your partner to display his favourite records on the wall. Anthony Collins is a writer for online grooming store Brummells Of London. It would also seem he has a pretty good idea of what he would like for Christmas himself this year if this article is anything to go by… Read more »

There’s something special about being able to cook in the great outdoors that makes food tastes so much better. Maybe it’s a combination of the open-air and being surrounded by friends and family. It gives you a chance to get back to nature and really return to your roots for wonderful food. Nothing beats a campsite barbecue in terms of authenticity and taste. Depending on the equipment you use, there might not be anything fancy about your routine at all. After all, all you really need is an open fire and wonderful meat that you can grill. Of course if you want to take things up a notch, you can bring some of the modern conveniences of home into your camping environment as well. Either way you go, you’ll be sure to be rewarded with a wonderful meal and a memorable experience. Here are some barbecue tips to remember whenever you go camping. Choose the right grill – it’s all about the equipment when it comes to barbecue, and you should always pick the right product for the job. While it might be tempting to bring your backyard barbecue to your campsite, you have to be realistic and pragmatic as well. In many cases, a portable barbecue will do quite nicely. If you need more grill space then you can go ahead and purchase two or more of these smaller grills to give you more cooking options. Also remember to keep your equipment clean and trying to do it after each cooking session. Food safety – just because you aren’t at home doesn’t mean you can throw food safety rules out the window. In fact, in this type of environment you have to be more careful than ever. After all, nothing can ruin your camping trip faster than a bad bout of food poisoning. Keep your food and nice and cool in a sturdy cooler, and try to have more than one so that you can add variety to your routine. For example, you can keep beverages in a cooler of their own so that kids can reach in and grab their favorite drink without losing any of the temperature. Above all else, be extra careful when it comes to safe food handling, and make sure to separate utensils that have touched raw food. The best flavor – now that you have some of the practical things taken care of, it’s time to concentrate on maximizing flavor. An outdoor barbecue is a great chance to experience true authentic flavor mixed with smoky goodness. You can even benefit from using certain types of wood found in your campsite. Just make sure that you don’t get overzealous and start chopping down trees. Take the time to marinade your food beforehand, and this can sometimes be done before you put your food into the cooler. You can also think about a variety of fresh herbs and spices to really punch up your barbecue food even more. Be patient with the process – barbecue is all about taking a slow and steady approach even though you’re working with high temperatures. Don’t make the mistake of getting too excited and serving your food too soon. You have to make sure that it is thoroughly cooked in addition to giving a time to rest after the cooking process is Don. Don’t flip your food too often and make sure you don’t cut into it to see if it’s done. Try to get a general feel by touching your food and judging from general resistance. Better yet, time the process at home so you know exactly how long certain types of food take to cook. Be smart with your grill – sometimes people get very excited when gas grills enter the picture, but it’s important to have your overall safety in mind. Food safety has already been mentioned, but you should also take general precautions as well. Never make the mistake of barbecuing inside your tent no matter how small a charcoal grill you might be working with. Also bring along fire safety precautions so that things don’t get out of hand. You should also check with the local rules at your campsite regarding campfires, and make sure that your barbecue equipment is well away from dry leaves or wood. Remember, a campsite is there for everyone to enjoy and it’s your responsibility to look after it so that you can go back for years to come. This look at barbecuing in the great outdoors comes to us from our friends at gasgrillsandbbq.com, a site that celebrates the art of barbecue and perfect place to find information about new gas grills. Read more »

When it comes to selling a house for the best price in the shortest amount of time, home staging is a valuable tool to attract more potential buyers and get more offers. However, staging a home properly can be both time consuming and costly, and sellers may find it hard to justify the added expense. That’s where community co-opting comes in, a win-win process wherein local businesses add their special touches to make a home more presentable, at the same time promoting their products and services to open house attendees. Here’s a look at 7 ways to utilize local vendors to help you stage a successful and very cost-effective open house. 1. Enlist the local nursery: First impressions start with the outside of the home, so why not enlist the local nursery to help you create the best first impression possible? From providing potted plants on loan to be place strategically in the yard, to sprucing up key rooms with more colorful plants and flowers, nurseries can make a major difference in the first impressions department. If fresh cut flowers are not a part of what the nursery provides, get the local flower shop involved. To promote their services without detracting, vendor business cards can be paired with some of the more prominent plants and arrangements. As an added incentive to ensure vendor participation, a “thank you” flyer listing each participating vendor, along with contact information may be distributed to open house attendees along with the more home-specific hand-outs. 2. Call the local candle company: Few items can do more to create a pleasant atmosphere in a home than candles, especially the scented kind. Kitchens with candles producing the aromas of fresh baked goods become cozier, Living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms boasting the scents of lavender and jasmine seem more relaxing and inviting. Larger candles can be decorated with ribbons and small tags bearing the candle shop’s name and logo, with business cards propped up against candle holders in more prominent rooms. The key with candles is not to get carried away, as too many flames and fragrances can detract from the rooms themselves. 3. Bring in a bakery or candy shop: While the aroma of freshly baked cookies emanating from candles is a pleasant surprise in the kitchen, why not invite the local bakery or candy store to provide your open house guests with the real deal? Even modest offerings of cookies and confections will make a positive impression. Just make sure that the treats are not too messy, as unwanted impressions might be made on the carpet. A smart way for bakery and candy  vendors to promote their goods naturally is to provide bottled water for guests to wash down the tasty treats. The bottles could carry labels with custom-printed business logos, or business cards firmly affixed with clear tape. 4. Contact a caterer: Taking the food factor a step further, a local caterer could be contacted to supply plates or hors’ devours for open house guests to enjoy. The caterer might even provide a waiter attired with a jacket or apron bearing the catering company’s logo. While not all open houses may warrant a caterer, those held around the holidays would certainly be better for it. 5. Find a frame shop or photographer: As professional stagers will tell you, one of the prime goals in staging a house is to eliminate clutter. Another goal is to create a neutral atmosphere by putting family photographs away. That being said, a few paintings or pictures, properly framed and hung in strategic places, such as over mantles or on obviously barren walls, can go a long way in enhancing the overall impression of the home. Professional photographers are also an excellent resource for providing photographs, primarily of natural settings, that elicit a positive response. 6. Connect with a quilt shop or baby boutique: When showing homes with nurseries or other rooms that could use a touch of warmth, such as bedrooms and family rooms, handmade specialty items from quilt shops and baby boutiques can create a feeling of warmth and security in a home. Living rooms with large couches can also benefit from a casually strewn quilt to make the area seem more inviting. Items supplied by these vendors can be tastefully accompanied with decorative ribbons bearing the company logo on tags or business cards. 7. Invite an interior decorator: Depending on the house, the seller’s motivation, and the time of year, it may be appropriate to invite an interior decorator to make sure that all elements of the staging process combine to produce the desired  effect on open house attendees. In turn, the decorator may place promotional business cards or brochures in appropriate places about the home, and their logo and contact information would be featured on the “thank you” flyer. Promotion: While having any of the above vendors participate in the staging process,  no amount of planning and preparation can make up for a poorly attended open house. However, the inclusion of local businesses creates a powerful opportunity to promote the open house through websites and social media. When inviting vendors to participate, be sure to explain to them how your open house is an impending event, an event that they can promote through business websites and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. By utilizing each vendor’s unique product or service, along with  leveraging their ability to promote your showing over the internet, you are well on your way to staging the kind of open house that can quickly turn a “For Sale” sign into a “Sold” sign. Erica Lendell is a freelance writer for Park’s Edge Park City. Read more »

In this current period of economic uncertainty and lack of job opportunities it is becoming more attractive than ever to learn a trade. There are many different fields of work that you can enter as a tradesman and acquiring a set of unique skills can set you up for a long and successful career within your chosen industry. It is often hard work to learn a trade as you will most likely have to serve an apprenticeship, go to college and in some cases pass exams. Once you have done all this then you will be free to work for someone, a company or even as your own boss and you can end up having an extremely lucrative and fulfilling career. Here are some of the different types of trades that are available for you to learn. Electrician As an electrician you will perform such tasks as wiring entire buildings, fixing domestic electrical problems and installing complex electrical appliances. This trade requires years of training and on the job experience. It can be a dangerous profession as of course if you make a mistake you will be running the risk of being electrocuted. It is also a very closely regulated profession as there are obvious safety issues involved as if you fail to perform the task correctly then you could be putting lives in danger. The dangerous nature of the job and strict regulations are weighed with an attractive typical salary and being an electrician is widely regarded as one of the most lucrative trades you can do. Joiner Like an electrician in order to become a joiner you will have to study and serve an apprenticeship under a fully qualified senior joiner. As a joiner you will be required to undertake a large variety of tasks such as laying down a wooden floor, hanging doors, constructing roofing material and basically fitting an out entire building’s wooden features. For this trade you must be good with your hands and with tools as you will be constantly adjusting the sizes and shape of the material that you will be using. Welder There are many operations that a welder will carry out on a daily basis from cutting and shaping metal materials to constructing an object through following a design process. What you will be designing can change on a daily basis and working as a welder requires a close eye for detail and concentration on the job at hand. To become a welder you will need to study the techniques involved with the role and obtain a certificate in welding. Mechanic Being a mechanic can be a very lucrative profession as there is always a high demand for someone who knows how to fix a car. Many of us rely very heavily on our cars but know very little about how they operate. Like the previous trades you will have to undergo extensive study and on the job training to become a fully qualified mechanic but once you do you can reap the rewards of a very challenging and varied profession. Plumber To become a plumber you will need to study the different aspects of the role which are taught in many different collages throughout the UK. You will also need to serve as an apprentice and pass industry examinations in order to become a certified plumber. Once you are qualified you can choose which of the many areas of plumbing you want to specialise in. You could focus on the installation and maintenance of household appliances such as showers, baths and washing machines or you could focus on more complex appliances such as boiler installation and maintenance. Plumbers are also required to fit out newly built buildings with quality pipes and water supplies. There is always a high demand for the services of plumbers as if you have a problem with the waterworks in your home it is not usually something that can be put off, it usually need to be dealt with straight away. Another aspect to plumbing that you may not have considered is fitting air conditioning and solar panel devices. This is an entirely different area that you could focus on. Heating, air conditioning and waterworks all fall under the trade of plumbing.   Sam Qam is a qualified plumber who used to specialise in boiler repair but has recently began working with solar companies in Edinburgh. He believes that learning a trade is the best solution for any young people who are out of work. Read more »

After a whole lot of years working with my hands, I’ve learned some pretty good tips when it comes to building, painting, working with a crew, etc.  Now that I’m getting ready to retire, I’m starting to think about trying to pass on a bit of “wisdom,” if you can call it that.  The technical stuff is important, but you can learn that through videos, manuals, and (best of all) on the job training.  There’s not much about the techniques of craftsmanship that I can communicate in a blog.  But I can try to pass on a bit of my experience in terms of a few observations I’ve made.  This is my first attempt, so bear with me. If you are running a crew, you may have to make some tough decisions.  As much as I hate to say it, you can’t afford to keep a guy around on your work crew who is going to cost you money.  I’ve had employees who were the nicest guys in the world but who were just accident prone, clumsy, or unable to get their act together.  I’ve probably lost thousands over the years because I kept nice guys on the crew who broke things, made messes, upset customers, or just slacked off all the time.  This one guy was named Max – great kid but as clumsy as they come.  I couldn’t bear to fire him, but I started calculating private estimates of how much damage he was probably going to do on a given job – X$ for materials, X$ for payroll, X$ for gas and vehicle maintenance, and X$ for what I figured he would destroy.  I called it The Max Factor.  He always broke or ruined something.  It cost me a fortune, but I was a pushover.  The way I handle this now is, after a few heart-to-heart talks that don’t work, I try to figure out what they are good at and find another job for them.  In a few cases, I just had to let them go with a good letter of recommendation focusing on their strong points.  In some cases, you just can’t do much for someone.  Of course, you should always be as nice as possible about the whole thing, while still covering your own tail. A lot of things I’ve realized are common sense, but easily overlooked.  Working on a painting crew, I learned that it’s worth it to buy the best rollers you can afford.  If you actually clean them after each job, and store them in plastic to keep the moisture in (to keep the paint from drying on the roller), you can use the same rollers for months.   This may not be the most interesting tip, but it can save you a lot of cash in the long run. If you experiment with different oscillating tool blades, you can really make your life easier with a lot of jobs.  I don’t even know how I survived without a multi tool.  They’re relatively light, easy to use, and really versatile.  You just need one tool and a bunch of multi tool blades and you can do all kinds of things – cut just about anything, scrape dried paint or concrete, sculpt wood, score stone and concrete board, and many other jobs that would have taken a ton of tools.  Having one of these makes it a lot easier to work on tricky job sites.  It really beats lugging a giant tool box up ladders, down basement steps, across mud or ice, or into tight spots.  The replacement blades can be pricey but you can find inexpensive off-brand blades that are just as good as the name-brand blades. When it comes to hiring workers, I think college kids are the best.  Of course, not all college kids are hard workers, but you can get a feel for your local colleges and which types of students tend to be serious and responsible.  Once you find a few good workers, they’re likely to lead you to friends who have a similar work ethic.   The author is a crafting professional who has recently written a variety of articles on painting businesses, common construction mistakes, and selecting the best oscillating tool blades.   Read more »

If there’s one thing that can quickly disrupt your quality of life it’s an infestation of bugs or rodents. They can create an annoying and occasionally hazardous situation in your house, due to their ability to spread diseases through bacterial contamination. Therefore when you’re faced with the unpleasant reality of having to deal with an infestation of any pest, it is important to know exactly what your options are when it comes to the quick and complete removal of the insects or rodents in question. For the longest time, it used to be the case that the only truly effective way to get rid of an infestation of any insect or rodent was to call a professional pest extermination service and allow them to come into your home and treat it with any number of potentially dangerous and unknown chemicals. This not only led to the drawback of being ignorant of exactly what was being used in your own home, but also often was a rather costly proposition, that became even more so when the infestation was very large or widespread. Thankfully this is no longer the case, and the popularity of do it yourself pest control is growing larger every year. It provides those facing a pest problem with the ability to take control of the problem and save money by researching and doing their own work in pest elimination. The first thing that anyone who wants to do their own work should do is to first ascertain exactly what kind of pests are causing the problem, because the methods for getting rid of them will be completely different for the many varieties of pests that might infest a home. Therefore we will take a look at several different kinds of insects that can cause problems and how to get rid of them effectively The first thing anyone should do after they have identified the pest species that is infesting their home is to try and find out what is drawing them into the house in the first place. Often it is something as simple as the fact that the person is unwittingly providing one of the many things that pests seek out, namely food and shelter. The food is often in the form of dirty dishes, trash that hasn’t been taken out, or other cleaning issues. This issue can easily be solved by making sure that a concentrated effort is made to clean the area completely and remove any incentive for further invasion of the insects or rodents.  Several species of insects such as roaches can also be drawn into a house by damp conditions, such as can be found in kitchens. The solution to this is to make sure all plumbing is properly maintained and that any damp conditions are quickly fixed. The next step in do it yourself pest control after having made sure the area is clean and dry is to search for the proper pesticides that can solve your problem. Again this is very dependent on the type of pest, and whether they are insects or rodents. The problem is somewhat more straightforward if they are insects, as there are many different kinds of insecticides available, many of which that are broad spectrum and will control a wide range of insects. There are also many natural alternatives to the traditional pesticides, such as boric acid or diatomaceous earth, which act in a completely different manner than chemical solutions. These natural products are often designed to cause severe damage to the protective exterior of the insects, thereby rendering them unable to continue living.  The primary benefit of these sorts of products is the fact that they are invariably safe to use in any situation, and in many cases are even safe for human ingestion, something that can obviously not be said about most chemical products. Because the types of insects that can infest your home are so varied, it’s important to know the differences in the forms of pesticide application, and what it means for the various insects that you’re trying to control. The most common form of pesticide application is a spray that is intended to remain active even after it has dried on the surface to which it has been applied. This is often accomplished by the formulation of the product itself, where at the molecular level it exists in some form that maintains its strength for months, even after drying. Another popular form of insecticide is the granule, although this is somewhat less likely to lead to the length of action that sprays can boast, it does make it likely that the insects or rodents will come into a greater level of contact with the product potentially leading to a higher amount of control over the same length of time. There are also some considerations that must be made when it comes to those who share your house with you. Whether there are children or pets whose well-being you must consider their health when applying a pesticide, and often the manufacturer will include detailed instructions that should be carefully followed during application to make sure that the safety of all occupants of a house are kept safe and sound. The general rule of thumb, however, when doing your own pest control, is to keep any area that has been treated with typical pesticides clear of all people and animals for several hours, or at least until the product has completely dried if it is a spray. If using a natural product such as boric acid, it is important to make sure that it does not come into contact with moisture of any kind, as it will lose its efficacy if it is not kept 100% dry. These are just a few of the things that should be considered before you embark on a process to get rid of annoying insects, however it should be said that doing the work yourself is definitely a better option for virtually any situation, the money and time saved is well worth the slightly increased extra effort to make sure your house is no longer an attractive home for unsightly and possibly dangerous animals. To learn more about do it yourself pest control, including the products and supplies you need, please visit www.domyownpestcontrol.com. Read more »

When you are moving house there are a few things you need to remember.  As well as having your electrical services connected to your new home you will need to have the gas connected and have the water connection put into your name.  Even before you buy a new house you should get a few things checked out, like having a builder come through and check that the house is solid and that there is no termites, as well as having an electrician come through to check the wiring. Inspections  It is important that you send professionals in to inspect any prospective houses that you might wish to buy.  A builder will be able to tell you if a house needs re-stumping or any other major repairs.  You don’t want to end up buying a house which is then going to cost you even more money in renovations, unless this is something that you want to undertake.  A builder will also be able to let you know if there has been any damage or infestation of pests like termites.  It also pays to have a fully qualified electrician look through the house it see whether there is any faulty wiring, which will need to be replaced.  Faulty electrical wiring can lead to house fires, so it is for your own safety that you should have this done. Connect Utilities  You will need to contact the electrical and gas company to have these services connected under your name, and you will also need to get in touch with the water supplier. Hire a Mover  Get in touch with a few different moving companies to get a few different quotes in regards to the cost of moving.  Professional movers will make the whole process a lot easier than trying to move yourself.  You can hire a small truck yourself and get friends to help but if you don’t have the time or can’t do any lifting of heavy furniture then a removalist is the way to go.  They will also come and pack for you if you wish.  You can choose to pack your own belongings and the removalist can supply the boxes. Change Your Address You will need to change your address with all the businesses, clubs, organisations and associations that you deal with.  Contact the bank, change your address on your driver’s license and with Medicare.  You will have insurance companies, sporting clubs and other groups to change your address with, and you will also need to let your children’s school know of your new address, if they are staying at the same school. Inform Everyone  Don’t forget to let your friends and family know your new address.  Having a house warming party is a good way to let everyone know of your new address, and catch up with a few old friends at the same time.  It is a good idea to have your mail redirected for a few months, just until you catch up with changing your address at all the various companies and organisations that you belong to.  That way you will keep getting your mail. Read more »

Closing costs are usually one of the last things a homebuyer thinks about when purchasing a home. Although getting to the closing table and walking away with the keys to your brand new home is exciting, the actual closing costs associated with buying a home can be surprising if you’re not prepared. You’ll go through a period called escrow when buying a home where the issues dealing with purchasing a home are sorted out. The closing signals the last day of the escrow period, and this is where you’ll pay closing costs when you actually buy a home. There are different forms of closing costs. While some of these costs are minor, some are quite significant. This article looks at different types of closing costs so you’re prepared before sitting down at the closing table. Escrow Fees A third party whose job it is to double check everything and finalize a home sale, the escrow agent charges a fee for escrow services. The amount of this escrow fee varies depending on the mortgage company, real estate agent, and area, but it’s usually somewhere between a few hundred and a thousand to two thousand dollars. If you can, choose your own escrow agent to minimize the fees you’ll pay. Home Insurance And Title Insurance When you buy a home, getting title insurance and home insurance is smart. In fact, if you’re financing your home purchase with a mortgage loan, your mortgage company will require you to get title insurance and home insurance. Even if you’re lucky enough to pay cash for a home, getting insured is a great idea because it protects you if issues with your title come up, and will protect you in the event of home damage or disaster. Points Depending on where you get your home loan, you may have to pay points as part of your closing costs. Points are fees typically built into a loan, but that can be a separate fee paid, that is essentially a fee assessed for being given the privilege of borrowing money. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. Each point paid is usually equivalent to 1% to 2% of your loan. For example, a 1% point fee on a $200,000 loan would be $2,000. Shop around for a lender that won’t charge you points to avoid this fee, especially if you have great credit. PMI PMI, also known as Private Mortgage Insurance, is usually a mandatory closing cost for loans where you put down less than 20% of the sales price of a home. While PMI is considered a closing cost, it’s something you’ll pay year after year unless you refinance your loan later after you have paid down at least 20%. PMI payments can total as much as several hundred dollars per year. Prepaid Fees Prepaid fees fit into the closing costs of most loans and they include prepaying items like your mortgage interest and property taxes. Sometimes the interest on your first mortgage payment accumulates before you make your first payment so the mortgage company gets that interest as a prepaid closing cost. Since the seller paid property taxes on the home for the entire year, but sells before the year is up, you reimburse him for the property taxes he paid in the form of prepaid fee closing costs. Recording Fees This is a fee charged by your local governing authority when they officially record the deed. Also called recording taxes, sometimes you can negotiate the seller to pay recording fees, but it’s usually attached to the buyer as a closing cost. Miscellaneous Lender Fees Miscellaneous lender fees include any extras the lender pays for, including a credit report fee, loan origination fee that covers the administration and financing of your mortgage, processing fee, underwriting fee, and even commissions. These closing costs can add up quickly, but many lenders will negotiate the payment of these miscellaneous fees with you. It never hurts to check. Other Closing Costs As part of the home buying process, you may have to pay other types of closing costs as well. Most of these extra closing costs have to do with validation of the property in the form of appraisals and home inspections. These fees are included in mortgage loans in some states, but not all. There are many closing costs associated with buying a home, but if you know exactly what you’ll have to pay at the closing table, you won’t have a big surprise at closing that empties your bank account. Closing costs will also vary , depending on your locale, so it’s a good idea to consult with a real estate agent or lawyer beforehand. Chas Carrier is a home buyer and real estate investor with We Buy Ugly Houses Dallas, who’ve helped numerous home buyers and sellers save money on their closing costs since opening in 1996. Read more »