Storm Damage Can Be 'Upsetting'

An increasing number of homeowners are finding their property has been damaged by the elements, it has been suggested.

Figures released by Abbey indicate that over the course of the past week, when high winds and storms have battered many parts of England and Wales, the number of insurance claims it has received has gone up by more than half. During the last seven days, the financial services firm reveals that claims made have gone up by over 55 per cent - the biggest increase noted since the floods seen in the summer of last year.

Tony Beckwith, spokesperson for Abbey Insurance, added that such damage can be "upsetting and inconvenient", with the insurance provider stating that storms and floods are increasingly becoming a part of the country's typical weather. As such, homeowners were advised to be "prepared for the worst".

Research from the company also showed that the typical claim received for storm damage over the course of last year stood at 913 pounds. Meanwhile, the average claim for harm to property via flooding accounted for 15,530 pounds.

However, it may be possible that those consumers who have failed to take out home insurance - or who hold a sufficient policy - may come under monetary pressures. After incurring damage to their property by the elements, whether this is from floods, fire or a storm, it is possible that these homeowners will have to dip into their own pockets to pay for the cost of repairs. This could have an impact upon their capacity to meet other demands on their finances, such as housAB8ehold bills, mortgage or rent costs, loans and credit cards.

To help minimise the impact of storm and flood damage, homeowners were advised to make certain all insurance documents and other important paperwork is kept in a watertight container, while details of a provider's hotline should also be kept close to hand. In addition, Abbey urged people to make sure that they keep a torch in a place that is easily accessible in the event of a power failure. Consumers were also reminded of the need to be aware how to turn off their electricity and water supplies.

For consumers looking for an effective way to fund the repair of a home after storm or flood damage, a home loan could be of assistance. By taking out such a loan it is possible that homeowners can afford the cost of materials and hiring qualified professionals to carry out such work and are left with a low-cost rate of repayment. Furthermore, getting out a homeowner loan could provide borrowers with the additional financial resources to allow them to take out comprehensive insurance cover.

This type of loan could be of particular help to people carrying out home improvement projects. Research by Halifax Home Insurance indicated that a quarter of all major property renovation tasks go over budget each year at a total cost of 4.7 billion pounds. Around a fifth of consumers claim that they simply underestimated the full expense of work such as refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms. Meanwhile, the average improvement project was revealed to be worth 10,320 pounds.

Tom Dawson writes for Essentially Home Loans UK where visitors can apply for cheap personal loans online, and also focuses on secured UK loans for homeowners. Visit Today

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Chicago Water Damage Restoration

If you live in the Chicago area and are in need of water damage restoration there are a number of places you can call. Water damage happens all the time from storm drainage back ups which also carry sewage and can ruin a person's basement or even their main floor. There is also damage from rain water that a sump pump can help but you might not have had it installed yet and therefore the damage is done.

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Five Deadly Sales Letter Mistakes

To be effective your sales letter must be opened, read, believed and acted upon. In order to do this it must attract attention, warm the interest of the reader, create a desire for your product or service and cause your prospect to take positive action.

An effective sales letter, not surprisingly, achieves the same objectives as an effective salesperson. And just as there are certain mistakes a salesperson wants to be sure to avoid in the selling process, the same holds true for the writer of sales letters.

So today I present Five Deadly Sales Letter Mistakes. Eliminate one or more of the common blunders described here and it's a good bet your response rates will improve.

Deadly Sales Letter Mistake16CD # 1 Writing Your Letter For the Hundreds or Thousands of People You Will Be Mailing It To Instead of One Special Person. One sure way to generate an apathetic response to your sales letter is to write for the group or list of people you will be mailing it to.

Approaching your letter with a crowd mentality instead of focusing in on a single, real, living, breathing prospect will greatly impair the ability of your letter to make a genuine connection with the reader.

The sales letter is the most personal, one-to-one form of advertising there is. As is often said, it's the only form of advertising that begins with the word "dear." So it should read like one person sitting down writing to one other person. And heres a crystal clear example of exactly what I mean by that statement. Its from a letter by the brilliant copywriter and nonpareil advertising man, Maxwell Sackheim:

Thank you very much for having written to me for my latest catalog. A copy is being sent to you in another envelope and should reach you in a day or two.

When my catalog arrives I hope you will give it as friendly a welcome as if I were visiting you myself. Ive tried to put into it just the words I would say to you if you were to come here personally, or if I were to come to your home and spend an evening with you.

Deadly Sales Letter Mistake # 2 Thinking that Your Prospect Wont Read a Long Letter. The key question is, what makes for a long letter? To which the answer is, any letter that is uninteresting is a long letter! Even the one-page letter that many salespeople and amateur marketers arbitrarily limit themselves to can seem long.

For example, a number of years ago Kevin Costner made an interminably boring and bloated movie entitled Waterworld that the critics panned and audiences ignored. On the other hand, Stephen Spielbergs inspiring and unflinching film about the Holocaust, Schindlers List, was more than three hours long and it was a huge critical and financial success.

Heres my point: People read long books, take long trips, and watch long movies and plays. And evidence abounds that people read long letters. But people wont read boring letters, dull letters, obviously self-serving I-me-we-product-oriented letters.

Offer the right product or service at the right price to the right audience and if you have enough to say and say it interestingly enoughyou can make a five-page letter pull a better response than a two page letter.

Deadly Sales Letter Mistake # 3 Being a Slave to the Formal Rules of Correct Grammar. When you were in school, teachers and professors were paid to read your work and they dutifully corrected your writing according to the formal rules of grammar.

In the real world its a different story. When writing a sales letter you want your work to have a conversational readability to it. And in most instances that means writing in an informal style. Because thats how the vast majority of buyers and sellers communicate with one another.

As a result, youll break a number of formal grammatical rules. Youll start sentences with and or but. Instead of complete sentences youll sometimes use a sentence fragment. But thats OK. And every now and then youll dangle a participle or end a sentence with a preposition.

If all of this seems totally against the grain consider this true story. Winston Churchill, a Nobel Prize Winner for literature, was corrected by one of his proofreaders for ending a sentence in a preposition. To which Mr. Churchill replied, That is the type of nonsense up with which I will not put!

Your objective is to generate a lead or advance or close the sale. Not one of your prospects is getting paid to read your letter. This time your grade will be determined by how well people respond.

Deadly Sales Letter Mistake # 4 Giving The Reader a Reason For Not Reading. Beware of the so what reaction of your typical prospect. Simply stated, they dont care about you, they dont care about your product or service and they dont care about your company.

Indifference is the order of the day. So you must grab hold of your prospects mind with a startling statement, a provocative question; some volley of words that will stir them from their apathy and make them pay attention to your letter.

But capturing the prospects attention will do you no good unless you hold onto it. And you do this by focusing your copy on one or more of the fundamental urges which motivate people fear, exclusivity, greed, guilt, the desire for love, beauty, health, salvation and so on.

Among these you must find or create the symptom or symptoms which your product or service cures. If your letter does not clearly and convincingly articulate your cure you have given your prospect an excellent reason for not reading it.

Deadly Sales Letter Mistake # 5 Not Offering Proof That Your Product or Service Does What You Say It Will Do. Not only is your typical prospect indifferent, in the vast majority of situations he is also highly skeptical. Thats why you always want to offer the reader proof that your product or service will do what you say it will do. This will serve to validate your claims and minimize your prospects skepticism. Most important, it will establish your salesperson the sales letter as a more credible and believable source of information.

The proof you offer up in your sales letter can take several different forms. Here are two forms of proof that I have found to be very effective:

5B31. Customer Testimonials A testimonial from a satisfied customer with a well-known, well-respected company is some of the most valuable proof you can offer. But make sure that the testimonial copy speaks to specific and relevant issues and concerns your typical prospect is likely to have.

For example, you sell training services and you know that one of the biggest concerns your prospect has is whether or not the training will produce meaningful, measurable results. So you go through your thick packet of glowing testimonials and find a statement that speaks directly to the prospects concern. This is what it says:

When you compare 6 months of results prior to your training with the 6 months after, we have improved our market share by $2,261,000 and have established numerous new dealer relationships. Thanks to you, we are the only district in our region to experience any type of retail growth."

2. Tell A Success Story As a salesperson you know that stories sell. Thats because, as skeptical as the typical prospect may be, she knows that few people will stoop so low as to fabricate a story.

Like any good story yours has to have some drama to it. And of course the hero of the story is you, your company and your product and/or service. Heres an example of what I mean. Its from a letter I wrote for a broker at a commercial real estate firm and this is exactly how the letter opens:5B8

"They had accepted our purchase price. But when the building inspection revealed many small details that needed repair their response was, No way, this is an as-is purchase.

"My clients just did not have the time to "lock horns" on this issue. Fortunately, they didn't have to. As their representative it was my job to get them what they wanted.

"I persisted. In phone callafter phone call after phone call. In meetingafter meetingafter meeting. I met with the broker. The property manager. The corporate ownership's management. Their attorneys (ugh!). I persisted. And, I negotiated.

The bottom line? My clients got everything they wanted; every repair they asked for. Some $40,000 worth!"

Stories sell, in person and on paper. They sell because they offer the prospect believable and credible proof that your product or service will do what you say it will do.

Your sales letter is the pen-and-ink embodiment of YOU, the professional marketer or salesperson. So when writing your sales letter think of yourself first and foremost as a salesperson, not a writer. And that means communicating with the prospect in much the same way and selling to him or her using many of the same tools as you would in a face-to-face meeting.

2006 Ernest Nicastro

About the author
E594rnest Nicastro, a direct marketing consultant, copywriter and lead-generation specialist, heads up Positive Response, an award-winning marketing firm specializing in B-to-B marketing and lead-generation. He also publishes a free monthly newsletter, AIM For Positive Response. For more information visit http://www.positiveresponse.com. Contact Ernie directly at ENicastro@positiveresponse.com. or by phone at 614.747.2256.

2006 Ernest Nicastro
You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "About the author" message).

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Who Else Wants Free Golf Tips Lessons On The Web?

First golf tips lessons on the web Driving tips for golf

There is not a beginner anywhere who would not want to hit their driver better. A great drive will set up the hole perfectly and is also very gratifying. Here are a couple of tips to improve your set-up position when hitting your driver. First of all, make sure that at least 60 percent of your weight is on your back foot at address. Second make sure that the end of your clubs grip points at the middle of your body.

The reason you would like to have the grip pointing that way is that it helps promote the sweeping action necessary for a driver swing, allowing you to hit up on the ball. If the end of the grip is not pointing at the middle of your body, you may be prone to press forward with your hands. That causes more of a chopping action with the driver you have seen the divots on par 5 tee boxes as opposed to the preferable sweeping action.

Second golf tips lessons on the web - Swing keys

There are two swing keys that will help you to hit your driver long and true. First of all, make a full turn on your back swing, turning your back to the target and coiling into your back leg. This will help you to achieve maximum torque, helping to store the power you are about to unleash on the ball. Second, make sure that on the downswing, your head is behind the ball. This is especially important at impact. You simply will not find a good driver who has their head ahead of the ball at impact.

Our online golf lesson provides you the best golf tips lessons on the web on grip, stance, posture and other fundamentals of the game, while our sports psychologist provides insights on discipline, patience and handling the pressure of the game.

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Old Home Foundation Repair

As a house ages, it will eventually need repairs and maintenance. One of the most important parts of an old house in which you need to pay extra attention to is the foundation. If damage develops on this part of the home it can turn into a very expensive repair job.

Possible Causes:

As a house ages, so does the materials they are created from. These will get weaker with age, causing them to be more susceptible to damage. These damages can be caused by many different factors, all exacerbated by the age of the house. Routine maintenance to this part of the house is essential in order to save you from the aggravation of going through with the repairs of the foundation.

Another factor that might cause damage to an old home is water damage. If you have any leaks from your pipes or sewage lines, they might cause harm to your foundation. Sadly, water damage can sometimes be difficult to detect until it is already too late. As soon as you suspect any damage within your foundation your first step should be to have your pipes and sewage lines looked at by a professional plumber. This will help the contractors you hire to repair your foundation find a way to fix your home.

Cost:

The cost to repair foundation damage could be very expensive depending on the extent of the damage and the size of your home. A typical house with moderate damage can possibly cost you up to $30,000. Te cost will include labor costs, initial visit from the contractor, and materials used in the repair.

Even though the cost to repair is very high it is a cost you cannot get away from. If you ignore structural damage in the foundation you are only asking for potential disaster. The cost to rebuild a home will be significantly more than to repair an existing one.

Foundation Repair provides detailed information on Foundation Repair, Concrete Foundation Repair, Foundation Repair Costs, Foundation Leak Repair and more. Foundation Repair is affiliated with Fine Home Buildings.

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Wedding Tents and Marquees

Are you planning a wedding? If you have always wanted a beach wedding or an out door ceremony, consider the benefits of using a marquee tent to host your guests. Outdoor weddings and functions are directly affected by the weather. It is often recommended that wedding organizers consider a marquee tent to ensure a successful wedding or function. Having the option to take cover under a marquee tent is recommended, weather conditions cant be controlled, for any event or wedding there has probably months or even years of planning involved, it would be a disaster to have the day or evening ruined by fowl weather conditions. So, consider using a marquee tent to ensure that your day is a success.

Extreme weather conditions to consider using a marquee wedding tent would be rain, wind, harsh sunlight, cold conditions and finally the evening can be stretched out for a longer time under a marquee tent with protection from evening dew. Setting the date for outdoor events and outdoor weddings can often happen relatively early, therefore weather predictions are often out of the question, relax in the knowledge that you have the back-up of a marquee tent.

Getting a marquee tent for your wedding or outdoor function can be a simple process, firstly you need to decide on a company which can supply the type of tent you require, ensure that they can construct your marquee efficiently and provide or advise on extra services such as decoration for the interior of your tent. Choose a company which has some experience in the construction of marquees, to ensure that your day is not interrupted by technical difficulties and construction incompetence. Your chosen tent construction company should also be able to work closely with you or the organizers of the function to ensure time restraints are met.

There are many different styles of marquee tents to choose from. Your chosen marquee tent construction company should have a selection of different styles and colours for you to consider. For different occasions there may be suitable marquees to suit and complement the style of your function, such as a Arabian Tent, or Indian and Bedouin Tents.

For your special day, consider the benefits a marquee tent offers, not only to provide protection against weather conditions, but also to create a style or complement your theme. If you decide to get a marquee tent, choose a company which can provide your desired marquee tent, skilled labor and industry experience, this will ensure your wedding day or outdoor event is a successful and memorable occasion.

Dylan wrote this article for the online directors at Pitmans People.

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The Nanny Camera Watches Nannies Watch Your Child

"Uppie! Uppie!" These words ring through the house as the four wheels turn furiously along the tiled floor. Suddenly, a toddler, nestled in a baby walker, appears around the corner. He shouts out a few high-pitched yelps, and then goes into a loop of shouting "Uppie! Uppie!" and yelping again. Wacky lights and sounds on the walker go off as the baby presses colorful buttons on its "control panel." And the tap tap of his feet continue as he continues sprinting awkwardly along the kitchen floor. Then, the baby's destination becomes clear: the stairway at the far left corner of the kitchen! A safety gate usually blocks the baby's access to the stairs, but someone in the house forgot to close it. The baby and his walker move closer,,,and closer...to the stairs. Then as the walker's front wheels roll off the kitchen floor, the baby rises into the air, safe in the hands of his Momma. Luckily, a tiny nanny camera in the kitchen had captured the baby's joyride, and his nanny's failure to close the safety gate!

Not Just for Nannies
A nanny camera or "nanny cam" is a tiny hidden video camera that has been installed in secret. Typically, the purpose of the camera is to record the actions of caregivers in one's home. However, it can secretly record any action. It is possible for a nanny camera to be linked to a DVR or VCR. This requires a wireless receiver at the DVR or DVR recording tool, and wireless transmitter or cable in the nanny camera. Recently, this camera type has been used on several occasions to prove a caregiver's guilt or innocence in child abuse cases.

Nanny Check
Installing a nanny camera can certainly help to monitor a caregiver within the home. But, as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When hiring a nanny, it is important to be methodical, in order to screen out any potential problem employees.

1. Before you begin looking for a nanny, know what type of person you want.
2. Develop a list of questions that you will ask every applicant.
3. The first interview should never include the children.
4. The second interview should include the whole family. The applicant must provide character references and basic personal information.
5. Use a nanny agency to help screen the candidate.

Watching the Watch
After hiring a nanny, installing a nanny camera will help ensure that your child or children are constantly healthy, safe, and happy. Keep in mind that even when a nanny has been screened carefully, she will always be somewhat of an outsider, since she is not technically a family member. Using a nanny camera will help to give you peace of mind when your child is at home with a caregiver. Make sure that the nanny is feeding the baby on time, changing the diapers on time, and most importantly-not physically harming your precious child! Child abuse is a serious issue that can affect not only a child's body, but also his mental and social wellbeing. What makes nanny cameras so wonderful is that they're small enough to put in everyday objects around the house, monitoring where your nanny spends the majority of her time.

Today, the number of child abuse cases involving nannies is on the rise. Placing nanny cameras around the house will help to ensure that your child is always in good hands, even when they are not yours.

Keep your kids safe with a home security camera! Learn more about video surveillance security cameras, particularly the nanny camera, when you visit our site today.

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Which Types of Commercial Property Should You Invest In?

When it comes to commercial real estate investment, investors often want to know which types of properties they should consider investing. This article discusses about 5 groups of properties and reasons why you should or should not consider them.

1.Land: the people who invest in raw land often hope to buy agricultural land near commercially-zoned land at a few thousand dollars per acre. They dream their lot will be re-zoned to commercial in the near future which is worth hundreds of thousand dollars or more an acre. People who convince you to invest in raw land often try to sell you this dream. While this dream actually happens just like its possible to hit the jackpot in Las Vegas, the reality is most investors lose money or get little return in land investment. It is a very risky investment as land generates either no or very little income. From an income tax viewpoint, land does not depreciate in value so you cannot claim depreciation. On top of that the interest rate to land loan is also very steep compared to other types of commercial properties. So each month, you would need to come up with money to pay for the mortgage while collecting none. You should consider invest in land if you

-Know how to develop so you could convert raw land into a shopping center.

-Know exact what you do and have deep pocket.

-Own the land of a shopping center (you dont own the buildings).

2.Apartments: this is a management intensive investment as the turn over rate is high. The leases are short-termed often at one year of month to month. As tenants move in and out, you would need to spend money to get the unit ready for occupancy. Apartment tenants tend to have higher late payments history than other tenants as they are more often have a tighter budget. If you dont like the headaches dealing with lots of tenants, you probably want to stay away from apartments. The key to successful apartment investment is to

-Control or minimize the expenses. This may sound like a trivial task until you see the expense list provided by the property manager. These expenses include: advertising, accounting, bank fees (for insufficient funds), capital improvement, coin laundry subsidy, cleaning, collection fees, garbage disposal, insurance, landscaping, legal (eviction) fees, maintenance, offsite property management, onsite property management, pest control, painting, repairs, sweeping, security, property taxes, utilities and water.

-Invest only in properties in a good location with no deferred maintenance.

-Stay away from areas with rent control, e.g. Berkeley, Los Angeles.

Otherwise you may end up getting little cash flow or even having negative cash flow. If one of your investment objectives is to get high cash flow, you may want to stay away from apartments. In California, if you own a 16 or more units apartment you must have an onsite manager. This increases the expenses further. In general, apartments are easy to buy and harder to sell. There are always lots of them on any markets. The upside about apartments is they tend to have high occupancy rate as everyone needs a roof over their heads. Due to this fact the interest rate for apartments is often - to percent lower than other commercial properties.

3.Special Purpose Properties: These are properties designed for a specific business, e.g. restaurants, gas stations, and hotels/motels.

-Restaurants: some investors like to invest in brand name fast food restaurant like Burger King, Pizza Hut, Jack In The Box, KFC. These are single tenant properties with long term absolute triple-net lease which often require no management responsibilities from the landlord. However, the rental income or cap rate for these restaurants is often lower in the 5-7% range. Emerging regional brand name restaurants like Johnny Carinos, Back Yard Burger, Zaxbys or Tias TexMex tend to offer higher cap rate in the 7-8.5% range. However, when you look deeper in the financial statements they may not make a profit yet. The restaurant operators sell the real estate to investors higher cap rate and lease back the property for 20 years. They in turn use the sale proceeds to expand their business by building more restaurants. So if you are willing to take higher risks, you will be rewarded to high income with these emerging restaurants.

-Gas stations: when you buy a gas station, you buy both real estate and the gas station business. Most gas stations also have convenience stores and sometimes several car repair bays. The profit margin for gas is fixed at 10-20 cents per gallon [many customers wrongly blame the high gas prices on the innocent gas station operators] but is pretty high for convenience store. This is considered an owner-occupied property which qualifies you to a SBA loan with as little as 10% down payment is required. If you dont plan to get involved in running the gas station, auto repair and convenience store business, you may want to stay away from gas stations as gasoline is a chemical that could contaminate the soil. Once a leakage occurs and contaminates the environment, it takes years and lots money to clean up the soil. You may even be liable to damages from owners of adjacent properties as contamination may spread out to their properties. Its almost impossible to sell your property as no lenders want to loan the buyers the money to buy it.

-Hotels/Motels: once you buy a hotel/motel, you buy the real estate and a 24-hour-a-day 365-day-a-year business. This business requires hard work, and marketing skills to get the rooms filled. The rooms are worthless if they are vacant. The business tends to be seasonal and may be affected immediately by economic downturns and political events, e.g. 9-11. Many of these properties are owned by Indians with the last name Patel as they seem to work harder and know this business well.

4.Office Buildings: these properties are single or multi-story buildings. The older two-story office buildings without elevators tend to have trouble finding tenants on the upper floor as many service businesses may have physically-challenged customers who cannot walk up the stairs.

-Single-tenant buildings: the properties are used as corporate headquarters of big corporations like Cisco. These big buildings tend to be more sensitive to the economy. Once vacant, its hard to find a replacement tenant.

-Multi-tenant buildings: these properties are leased by small businesses, e.g. real estate, tax accountants. Investors who purchase these properties want to spread out the investment risks. When one tenant vacates a unit, you lose just a small percentage of rental income.

-High Quality Tenants: most of them have good credits, lot of assets and promptly pay the rent when due.

-Leases: The leases for office building vary from full service [landlords pay property tax, insurance, maintenance and utilities] to NNN [tenants pay property tax, insurance, maintenance and utilities]. The NNN lease is a litmus test on whether the office building is in high demand by tenants or not.

-Medical buildings: these properties are leased primarily by doctors and dentists. A good medical building should be in front of or across the street from a hospital. This makes it convenient for doctors to go back and forth between hospital and their offices. Some investors prefer medical buildings as medical tenants are very recession proof.

5.Shopping/Retail Centers: These centers are mostly single-story and can accommodate wide varieties of tenants: retail and service businesses, restaurant, medical, school, and even church. As a result, this is the most popular type of commercial properties that investors look for. They are always in high demand as there are more buyers and few sellers.

-Multi-tenant strip: the advantage of this investment is when a tenant moves out, you only lose a portion of the total income while you are looking for a new tenant. So you spread out the risks in this property.

-Single-tenant building: The advantage is you just have to work with one tenant. Some of the tenants, e.g. Costco, Home Deport, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy sign 10-20 year lease and guarantee with their corporate assets which could be worth billions of dollars. This makes your investment very safe.

-High Quality Tenants: most of them have good credits, lot of assets and promptly pay the rent when due. They often sign long term 5-30 year leases so you dont have worry about finding new tenants every year. They keep your property in good condition and sometimes even spend their own money to make it look better in order to attract the customers to the stores.

-Triple Net (NNN) Leases: the leases for retail centers are often in favor of the landlord. The tenants pay a base rent and reimburse the landlord for property taxes, insurance, maintenance and sometimes even property management fees. This takes away a lot of risks from you as an investor. The NNN lease in a sense is a litmus test on whether the property is in high demand by tenants or not.

-Ground Lease: occasionally a retail center with ground lease is for sale. When you buy this center, you only own the improvement but not the land underneath. It could be a trophy property but you should think thrice about investing. Once the ground lease expires and the land owner refuses to extend the land lease, you own nothing! So its easy to buy this center but very hard to sell.

David V. Tran is the CEO at eFunding, Inc., a commercial real estate brokerage, commercial loan broker, property management, self-directed IRA investment and syndication company in San Jose, CA. His website is http://www.efundingcom.com He may be contacted at (408) 288-5500. eFunding does business in all 50 states. You are welcome to share this report, unedited and in its entirety, with anyone you like. You may not remove this text. 2007 eFunding, Inc.

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Corporate Contests Biggest Loser Craze

Many companies are not waiting until New Years Eve to make resolutions about their total health and wellness program and incorporating weight-loss competitions inspired by a popular TV shows such as The Biggest Loser. Corporations are investing big dollars by assisting workers who are concerned about their waistlines. Employers are viewing this as a win-win situation by creating an opportunity to improve employee health, increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and lower health care costs.

From reading many testimonials employees have admitted that they were excited about the contest as they really didnt have the motivation and willpower necessary to lose weight on their own. Interestingly it seems the idea of a competition built a true camaraderie, team centered environment which kept the motivation and focus on their weight loss targets. Turns out some corporations are seeing extra benefits as it relates to the overall culture with enhanced teamwork and tenacity.

Apparently these contests have spurred its contestants to make radical changes to their eating and fitness habits which are even rubbing off on others. It appears, the most popular choice in the soda machine is sparkling water, and its common for people to use the stairs instead of elevators and walk or run around the building at lunch.

As a Human Resources Professional and champion of our health and wellness program for my company, this initiative sparked my interest both from corporate perspective and also personally. I too have tried many weight loss programs in the past, trying to lose those pesky pounds but they keep creeping back, so I would try another one and then I was back at square one.

It is very tempting to be one of many companies incorporating this great idea and host a fad diet competition by using the latest magazine article that promises the world with fantastic fat losses, just take a couple of fat burning pills follow the diet and then wow! A brand new body in a few weeks.

The sad fact is these fat diets dont work long term, so what does this mean, what would happen to morale and productivity? I asked myself, would this potentially spoil the short term gain and have a damaging effect on the culture and morale for the employees long term?

This was a great opportunity for me to find a total health and wellness program through nutrition and exercise and reap the rewards long term rather than just a quick fix. My company sponsors fitness and exercise through at our local gym so my research focused on uncovering a nutritional program that is safe and natural. After months of searching I was introduced to doctor recommended total health and wellness system that focuses on cleansing and fat burning. I jumped right in and gave it a try, and why not I had tried virtually everything else. I have to report that my results have been absolutely amazing; I have dropped over 20 pounds and 28 inches, safely and naturally and to my surprise I have kept it off. This system has changed my life in understanding the importance of looking after my internal body and the best thing is I feel fantastic.

I recommend companies and individuals to take advantage of my research and be cautious about be involved or incorporating Biggest Loser type contests as a band-aid approach and seek long-term results.

I encourage you to visit http://advantages4you.isagenix.com and click on Doctor Becky's video to educate those considering a healthy and more vibrant life style. Based on the video presentation please click on the contact me tab for more information and contact details so I can assist you with choosing the program that suits you based on your lifestyle and the results you desire.

As a Certified Human Resources Professional with 15 years of experience and having worked with many businesses globally throughout my career. Through the Human Resources function I raise awareness that improves organizations competitiveness through people.

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Fallbrook Construction

Arizona Schools Focus on Science

In April 2007 the Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) announced an investment of $3.2 million into a K-12 Student & Teacher Discovery Program to benefit the Arizona Schools. The Arizona Schools grant are the third awarding of SFAz funds intended to create a top-notch science, engineering and medical core in Arizona. The foundation intends to create this by supporting and funding secondary and university level Arizona Schools.

Why Fund Science in Arizona Schools?

The state looked to the foundation to strengthen scientific, engineering and medical research programs and infrastructure in areas of greatest strategic value to Arizonas competitiveness in the global economy. In addition to benefits to economy, educators in Arizona Schools are aware of a growing achievement gap that most affects minorities and low-income students. That gap is greatest in areas of math and science.

Arizona Schools are an oxymoron in education. Education Week rated them last in the nation for per pupil spending in January of 2007. Yet it rated Arizona Schools 14th in the nation on academic standards, and 20th in education alignment. On the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) the state came in 21st. Typically schools with lowest spending per pupil (like California) also rate poorly on other indicators of success; while the top spending states (like New Jersey) rank higher.

Superintendent of Arizona Schools, Tom Horne, wrote in his January 2007 district letter that although the national average is not a satisfactory goal, if our [Arizona] schools can bring our students to above the national average, even though we are last in resources, I believe we could be in the top 10 nationally if we raised our resources to the national average. Clearly private funding from groups like SFAz is expected to help Arizona Schools reach that goal.

What Programs Will Benefit Arizona Schools?

Arizona Schools intend to use some of the funds for summer classes, teacher training and online courses. $225,000 will go to growing the Hands-on Optics Project run by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson. This program lets elementary and middle school students in rural Arizona Schools learn about optics from scientists in surrounding communities.

The For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) award gives $525,000 to the development of underprivileged K-12 students. Arizona Schools will participate in the First Robotics Competition and FIRST LEGO League Programs with these funds.

As Arizona Schools try to address issues like English Language Learner program funding, and equity across racial and socio-economic lines, debates over allocation funds will continue to heat up. This is why a national trend of philanthropic and corporate sponsorship of public schools has become so popular.

Whether Superintendent Horne will get the additional state funding he seeks for Arizona Schools is still unknown. But its certain that the funds provided by private parties will benefit the Arizona Schools in the 2007-2008 school year and beyond.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Arizona Schools

Damaged Concrete Stair Riser

Stones to Make Your Garden Rock

Rocks are important to any landscape. They give functional characteristic and they also have a distinct beauty. When designing a beautiful landscape it is necessary to plan and choose with care the type of rocks to be used.

Landscape: Hardscapes and Softscapes

When it comes to landscaping, it will be helpful to be familiar with the terms softscapes and hardscapes.

Softcapes pertain to the living elements of the landscapes, like plants and flowers.

Hardscapes are those non-living elements that include the rocks and stones.

Rocks and Stones

Rocks are particularly durable and not easily destroyed. They are perfect to use for pathways and retaining walls. They enhance the appearance of a pond mini-waterfalls.

Rocks and stones will make any landscape design more interesting and pleasing to the eye. There are many kinds of stones to choose from. One must only discern which ones will be appropriate effect.

Boulders

These can come in different sizes. They are ideal for water landscapes, like falls or cascades. Large boulders can be used for marking a driveway or for the entryway to a garden. They can provide a dramatic effect to the design. Make sure that they are strategically situated as attract much attention.

Flag Stones

These stones are perfect for walks and patios. They are very thin and smooth and come in various shades, sizes, and distinctive shapes. They are usually placed above a layer of sand. The flag stones can be adjusted to make a pleasing design.

River pebbles

When it comes to drier locations, river pebbles are the best choice since they help with water conservation. They can also be used as a decorative balance to a plantings.

Granite

Beautiful and versatile, granites can be carved into garden furniture like the tables and benches or simply used for decoration.

Other Tips in Choosing the Appropriate Rock

1. You must consider the space available when making your choice. Take note of the proximity of one to another. Make sure that these do not a path or an important view.

2. Color is also a distinct feature in the landscape. Some implement specific color schemes. There are different colors to choose from like red, yellow or white or you can carefully use in combination.

3. Porous rock is a better choice for a weathered look. They are receptive to growth of mosses and other plants like creeping phlox..

4. Avoid using sharp rocks near the pathway.

5. For a more natural look, choose rocks that are of similar appearance, considering texture, color and form.

Utilize rocks in the best way possible. Choose well. Simply use the imagination to make the stones functional in the design. Remember always to make the area look as natural as possible and nature will be closer to home than ever.

Good Luck and Happy Landscaping

Ken Krysinski

The above article was written by Ken Krysinski, owner of online contractor referral service http://www.quotecity.com QuoteCity matches home and business owners who have home improvement and maintenance projects, to qualified and available contractors.

Fallbrook Bathroom Remodel

Effective Body Building

Body building benches are fairly inexpensive new, and if you frequent yard sales, you'll probably run across a cheap used bench every so often. Protein bars are a common source of protein, though they are also very expensive. Body building can be done on a budget, no question about it. A Body building supplement is a supplement that is designed to help people who use it to achieve several things that include but are not limited to weight gain, muscle building, and strength training.

Protein

The most effective supplements that are familiar with are creatine and protein supplements and they are the bodybuilding products I would use if I were interested in more bulk. The higher protein intake will also provide a relatively large thermic effect that may aid in reducing body fat. A relatively high protein intake (approximately 30% of energy intake) reduces lean mass loss relative to a lower protein intake (approximately 15% of energy intake) during energy restriction. Additionally, during the off-season, adequate protein must be available to provide amino acids for protein synthesis. Furthermore, during the pre-contest phase, protein intake must be adequate to maintain muscle mass.

Women

Bodybuilding is open to both men and women with specialized categories for each. The women were further stratified into two age groups -- those between 25 and 34 years of age and those between 35 and 44 -- and by percentage of body fat. Women performed resistance exercise training, with increases in small increments. Women also exercised the deltoids, biceps and triceps. Women Are Into Bodybuilding Bods Comment: Weve made in roads into the corporate boardroom, proved that we can hold our own in the sporting arena and the business world. Build more mass, get rid of your love handles, build a body women admire. Strengthen bones, especially important for women Make you stronger and increase muscular endurance Help you avoid injuries Increase your confidence and self-esteem Improve coordination and balance Getting started with strength training can be confusing--what exercises should you do. Any type of heavy exercise can divert the blood flow from crucial areas, and most women that exercise on a regular basis should tone down their work out regimen during pregnancy. Whey protein and soy protein are protein supplements effective for bodybuilding in men and women. More and more women in and fitness are discovering the benefit of a healthy, chiseled Chest. Experts recommend these tips for coping with the physical, nutritional, social, mental and emotional needs of women at 40. "During this time of the year, we usually see an increase of women members," says Chen Baobing, who works at a fitness center in Beijing.

Body Building Supplement is now available in the nearest health store. Body building and Figure sculpting first started at HMAS CERBERUS in 1998 as a Mens and Woman's 'before and after' competition. Nutritional supplements are easily available in every health food store and most gyms.

Jeremy Page is a successful Webmaster and publisher of www.WeKnowBodyBuilding.com. He provides more information about body building and lifting that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Fallbrook Bathroom Remodel

Effective Body Building

Body building benches are fairly inexpensive new, and if you frequent yard sales, you'll probably run across a cheap used bench every so often. Protein bars are a common source of protein, though they are also very expensive. Body building can be done on a budget, no question about it. A Body building supplement is a supplement that is designed to help people who use it to achieve several things that include but are not limited to weight gain, muscle building, and strength training.

Protein

The most effective supplements that are familiar with are creatine and protein supplements and they are the bodybuilding products I would use if I were interested in more bulk. The higher protein intake will also provide a relatively large thermic effect that may aid in reducing body fat. A relatively high protein intake (approximately 30% of energy intake) reduces lean mass loss relative to a lower protein intake (approximately 15% of energy intake) during energy restriction. Additionally, during the off-season, adequate protein must be available to provide amino acids for protein synthesis. Furthermore, during the pre-contest phase, protein intake must be adequate to maintain muscle mass.

Women

Bodybuilding is open to both men and women with specialized categories for each. The women were further stratified into two age groups -- those between 25 and 34 years of age and those between 35 and 44 -- and by percentage of body fat. Women performed resistance exercise training, with increases in small increments. Women also exercised the deltoids, biceps and triceps. Women Are Into Bodybuilding Bods Comment: Weve made in roads into the corporate boardroom, proved that we can hold our own in the sporting arena and the business world. Build more mass, get rid of your love handles, build a body women admire. Strengthen bones, especially important for women Make you stronger and increase muscular endurance Help you avoid injuries Increase your confidence and self-esteem Improve coordination and balance Getting started with strength training can be confusing--what exercises should you do. Any type of heavy exercise can divert the blood flow from crucial areas, and most women that exercise on a regular basis should tone down their work out regimen during pregnancy. Whey protein and soy protein are protein supplements effective for bodybuilding in men and women. More and more women in and fitness are discovering the benefit of a healthy, chiseled Chest. Experts recommend these tips for coping with the physical, nutritional, social, mental and emotional needs of women at 40. "During this time of the year, we usually see an increase of women members," says Chen Baobing, who works at a fitness center in Beijing.

Body Building Supplement is now available in the nearest health store. Body building and Figure sculpting first started at HMAS CERBERUS in 1998 as a Mens and Woman's 'before and after' competition. Nutritional supplements are easily available in every health food store and most gyms.

Jeremy Page is a successful Webmaster and publisher of www.WeKnowBodyBuilding.com. He provides more information about body building and lifting that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Fallbrook Bathroom Remodel

Why Brand Yourself?

Think back to a time early in your career when you met with your boss for a performance review. Do you ever remember your boss stating something about your ability in a certain area, as if that was all you were good at?

Or has someone ever introduced you at a business function by stating an area of your expertise as if that was all you did? (Which made you think, Hey! Thats only a piece of what I do, but its certainly not all I do!)

If either of these situations occurred, you were branded (and burned!).

Perhaps something like this happened to you recently, or maybe youre wondering if you ever really defined your brand. (Its not too late!)

You can define your brand, re-work your brand, or tweak your brand. The important thing is that you know your brand and use it to its fullest potential.

Why Brand Yourself?

Branding yourself opens new and better doors for you. It ensures that you focus on work that you enjoy and that utilizes your strengths (even in creative ways). It also keeps you current in your field so that you can re-position your brand, if needed.

Branding yourself also ensures that other people are not in control of your brand. Last month I wrote, If you dont brand yourself, someone else will and it may not be the brand you want for yourself. When you let other people brand you, you let them control your future. You also let them control how others perceive you.

Wouldnt it be better if you branded yourself, controlled how others perceived you, and had more control over your future than other people?

And while thinking about why you would brand yourself, consider what you want branding to do for you, such as build credibility, earn more money, ensure that you will thrive in economic downturns, or open new doors of opportunity.

What else do you want branding to do for you?

This self-branding thing can get really involved: there are a lot of steps to discovering, creating, and marketing yourself as a brand successfully. To help you out, I've created a "Brand Yourself! Coaching Program". It is a self-paced coaching program you can purchase directly from Borgeson Consulting. I'm very excited about this program! Since it is self-paced, it is very affordable - less expensive than traditional coaching by telephone, and you complete it at your own pace.

The "Brand Yourself! Coaching Program" has 10 modules, taking you through each of the essential elements of personal branding. Call (630-653-0992) or e-mail (info@BorgesonConsulting.com) to find out more about it.

I also give a keynote speech, "Brand Yourself Without Getting Burned: Know the Secrets to Finding the Right Brand for You!" Contact Borgeson Consulting to find out more!

2007 Borgeson Consulting, Inc.

Glory Borgeson is a business coach and consultant, and the president of Borgeson Consulting, Inc. She works with two groups of people: small business owners (with 500 employees or less) to help them increase their Entrepreneurial IQ, which leads to increased profit and decreased stress; and with executives in the "honeymoon phase" of a new position (typically the first two years) to coach them to success. Top athletes have a coach; why not you?

Click here for Borgeson Consulting, Inc.

This article was originally published in The Business Express, Borgeson's free monthly ezine. You may subscribe by clicking here: Ezine

House Mold Problems

Homeowners Clinic June 2006: Dimmer Switches, Shower Installation, Solar Engineering and More

Professional Engineer Norman Becker explains what dimmer switches are best for saving on energy bills, gives guidelines for installing a shower, highlights resouces for using solar energy in your home, tackles the issue of using a sealer with grout and investigates the issues behind a faucet that likes to shut itself off. Plus: Learn more on vacation than the plot to the latest paperback with our guide to "Club-Ed."

In the absence of a significant catastrophe like a hurricane or earthquake, finding a job as an insurance adjuster can prove challenging. The field for independent adjusters can be particularly tricky and those looking to break into the industry need every competitive advantage available to them. Knowing how to write an industry-focused insurance adjuster resume can provide new and experienced adjusters alike with a particularly unique advantage.

Crafting a powerful and effective resume for work as a claims adjuster obviously requires first understanding what particular qualities hiring companies look for. Here are 5 keys to a great resume based upon the particular needs of adjusting firms and insurance carriers:

Key #1: People Skills

Insurance claims adjusters should possess excellent people skills and hiring companies will certainly take notice of a resume that paints a picture of superior interpersonal communication. You dont have to be Dale Carnegie, but you should be able to demonstrate an ability to deal with a wide variety of people in various stages of stress, anxiety, and agitation. Emphasize in your resume the polite, professional, and cordial manner with which you have effectively dealt with people under the aforementioned conditions.

Key #2: Construction/Engineering Experience

If you are applying for a position as a residential property adjuster, you will most certainly want to highlight your experience with residential construction. Do you have a working knowledge of how a house is put together? Do you know the difference between soffit and fascia? If so, how do you know? Have you worked on a construction crew? Operated as a general contractor? Helped your uncle out with building his deck? Adjusting firms in particular do not want to devote significant amounts of time in training their adjusters in basic construction terminology. Allay their fears immediately by highlighting your facility with the property construction pertinent to the position you are applying for.

Key #3: Computer Skills

The days of hand-written estimates are essentially over for the professional insurance adjuster. Estimates are written and submitted electronically and if you know your way around a computer it will be greatly to your advantage as you put together your resume. Many companies will not even consider a new hire unless he or she is comfortable using Xactimate 24/25 or MSB Integriclaim (the most commonly used property estimating programs). If you dont know these programs consider taking a course in Xactimate or IntegriClaim. If you are unable to take a course, at the very least you should express clearly in your resume an ability to use Windows-based software. If you are completely computer illiterate, you may consider taking a Basic Computing course before you seriously pursue a career in claims.

Key #4: Insurance Policy Knowledge

Knowing how to read and apply an insurance policy is very important for any adjuster and hiring companies know it. If you have worked in the insurance industry before and have a basic knowledge of insurance terms and concepts you shouldnt fail to portray as much in your resume. Even if it is as simple as having read your own homeowners or auto policy (more than most do!), you will want to let your prospective employers know about your comfort level with insurance policy jargon and interpretation.

Key #5: Time Management and Personal Accountability

Working as a claims adjuster, especially if you want to be an independent, requires outstanding time management as well as personal initiative and accountability. In putting together your resume, be sure to think about various experiences in your professional history in which multi-tasking and personal accountability were required and met. Within reason and your own honest ability, project the most professional, capable, can-do image possible. This, as much as anything, will leave a positive and lasting impression on your future employer.

A Final Thought on Your Adjuster Resume

As resumes and curriculum vitaes are submitted more and more in electronic form, there is a temptation to lower your standards for the appearance and grammatical integrity for your resume. After all, we dont observe Strunk and Whites Elements of Style when emailing and text messaging why should we really observe those old-fashioned standards when posting an electronic resume? Indeed, many optimistic job seekers are submitting 2nd to 3rd grade quality material to career sites on the Web. Is it any wonder that no one is giving them a second glance?

Keep your standards high! Take the time to write a well-considered, grammatically sound, and visually pleasing resume. And if you create your resume according to the 5 keys above, you will absolutely gain a competitive advantage as you look to launch or advance your insurance adjuster career.

To learn more and for resume consultation services, check out AdjusterPro's guide to the insurance adjuster resume

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: In addition to his work as a catastrophic claims adjuster, Daniel Kerr acted as the V.P. of Operations for one of the most successful adjuster licensing companies in the country helping to grow the business into the most recognized brand in the industry.

Mr. Kerr currently co-owns and operates AdjusterPro LLC, a rapidly growing business dedicated to providing the finest resources available to aspiring claims adjusters. AdjusterPro is a certified educational provider for the Texas Department of Insurance and will be offering adjuster licensing, Xactimate 25 training, and continuing education courses this fall. For free consultation on advancing your insurance adjuster career or to find out more about how to become an insurance adjuster, call AdjusterPro directly at 214-606-8370.

Conservatory Heating

Heating is an important consideration if you intend to use your conservatory all year round.

But how can you achieve comfortable temperatures in your conservatory?

In terms of heating there are a myriad of options available, radiators, storage heaters and under floor heating, can all be viable depending on individual circumstance. In order for you to make an informed decision you need to look at your conservatory and decide what meets your requirements.

The first thing you need to do is calculate your heating requirements. This can be done using the following formula

Recommended power needed (watts) = Floor area x 200 e.g. 4m x 4m = 16 sq. m x 200 = 3200 or 3.2 KW

This gives you a rough idea of your heating requirements, although this can sometimes be reduced by as much as 25% dependent on the aspect of your conservatory, your location in the UK and whether you have any insulating products e.g Sun blinds.

Due to the amounts of glass within your conservatory you will find they cool down much faster than conventional brick or stone built buildings. This will be most evident at sunset. Due to this rapid heat lose you need to consider the speed at which your heating system can bring your conservatory to a comfortable temperature. Radiators and fan based electrical heaters all can heat rooms at quick rates but require a relatively large amount of energy to do so. storage heaters and underfloor heating tend to heat at a slower rate as they try to maintain a constant room temperature. Obviously if the room is going to be used frequently this may be the best option.

When considering a heating system you will also have to consider installation. Obviously if your glass panels are floor to ceiling you will be limited to what kind of heating system you can install due to your lack of mountable wall space. if your considering a radiator you will certainly have a sizeable amount of plumbing to contend with, and all electrical appliances require access to mains electricity.

This is probably the biggest factor to bare in mind when selecting you heating appliance. If it can't be installed correctly in your conservatory it's not suitable for your needs.

Don't scrimp when picking a heating system, you'll regret it. Decide on how frequently the conservatory is to be used, and base your initial requirement on that. There's no point in getting the best conservatory money can buy and then not being able to enjoy it because it's too cold.

For ideas tips and tricks log into Conservatory TV an online resource that tells it like it is.

Andy Bean is a media professional working in broadcast and web based video.

Fallbrook Bathroom Remodel

Young Michelle Wie Cracks European Tour Lineup - PR Move Or Pure Talent?

With the European Masters drawing closer, there is a stir in the air over qualifying issues and a particular player that was invited. This player happens to be the young and vibrant Michelle Wie. At 16 years of age and still carrying much of the girlish charm, this Hawaiian native is taking the golf world by storm. She has had raving endorsement, from some great players on the PGA tour such as Ernie Els.

There have been some golfers however, that feel that this is not exactly fair. While Wie is indeed under sponsorship from Omega, the very same company that is sponsoring this years event at Cran-sur-Sierre in Switzerland this is not a free qualification. The thought among many of the men is that with her competing, she in turn is taking a spot away from a carded member that has earned a spot on the tour.

Many speculate that this is more a PR moves on the part of Omega, rather than the fact that she is a qualified golfer capable of making the cut. Fact remains; Wie has only made the cut once on the mens tour, earlier in the month while in South Korea. It is also speculated that the field that she was competing against in that tournament was less than strong.

This young female golfer has yet to bring home a major in the LPGA, and Wie has only appeared in a mere eight mens events. Wie is very capable of driving with the big boys, and does not have a problem with her short game, yet for some reason she is struggling against the men.

The very best of luck is wished upon her for this up coming event, for what ever the reason she is there, be it PR moves for funding or the fact that she does have a raw talent for the game.

Read more exciting sports articles at Suite101

Damaged Concrete Stair Riser

Old Home Foundation Repair

As a house ages, it will eventually need repairs and maintenance. One of the most important parts of an old house in which you need to pay extra attention to is the foundation. If damage develops on this part of the home it can turn into a very expensive repair job.

Possible Causes:

As a house ages, so does the materials they are created from. These will get weaker with age, causing them to be more susceptible to damage. These damages can be caused by many different factors, all exacerbated by the age of the house. Routine maintenance to this part of the house is essential in order to save you from the aggravation of going through with the repairs of the foundation.

Another factor that might cause damage to an old home is water damage. If you have any leaks from your pipes or sewage lines, they might cause harm to your foundation. Sadly, water damage can sometimes be difficult to detect until it is already too late. As soon as you suspect any damage within your foundation your first step should be to have your pipes and sewage lines looked at by a professional plumber. This will help the contractors you hire to repair your foundation find a way to fix your home.

Cost:

The cost to repair foundation damage could be very expensive depending on the extent of the damage and the size of your home. A typical house with moderate damage can possibly cost you up to $30,000. Te cost will include labor costs, initial visit from the contractor, and materials used in the repair.

Even though the cost to repair is very high it is a cost you cannot get away from. If you ignore structural damage in the foundation you are only asking for potential disaster. The cost to rebuild a home will be significantly more than to repair an existing one.

Foundation Repair provides detailed information on Foundation Repair, Concrete Foundation Repair, Foundation Repair Costs, Foundation Leak Repair and more. Foundation Repair is affiliated with Fine Home Buildings.

Fallbrook Bathroom Remodel

Leyden Cast Iron Wood Stove By Lopi

The newest wood stove in the Lopi line is the Leyden. This top loading cast iron wood stove is designed with the serious wood burner in mind. The Leyden wood stove was built around the phrase Life should be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. Inscribed on the lid are the words Love Life, Live Large. The lid opens to a large firebox able to hold more firewood than any of Lopi's other wood stoves. This gives you longer burn times and less refueling allowing you to enjoy your home instead of spending time heating it. Ash clean up is easier because the ash pan rolls out on drawer glides with ball bearings.

A new cross draft combustion technology allows for longer burn times and more efficiency. A heat exchange chamber allows the radiant heat to be transferred from the stove to your home. An optional convection blower can gently push the heat into your home. Color choices black painted finish, Fire Run Red enamel and Oxford Brown enamel.

The Leyden will heat up to 2,000 sq ft and the large firebox allows for a burn time between 12 18 hours. Maximum Log Length is 21. Lopi wood stoves are made in Washington by Travis Industries. For more info visit Lopi Fire

http://www.fireplacedistributor.com

Buyingahome

Remodeling Your Floors

If you want to install your own tile floor, you have probably chosen the most difficult home improvement project there is.

The best way to get started is to acquire a software package that helps with home designs. There are many available, and they will always have a section on the best way to lay floor tiles. No, they will not prepare the floor for you, or put the glue down, but they will help you avoid mistakes by planning right. They will give you ideas about designs, how to measure properly, and many tips on how to cut the tiles, working with glue, etc.

Your taste will dictate the kind of tiles you want, but you have to keep some things in mind. Stone and slate are beautiful choices, but they are very expensive compared to ceramic. They will also need to be sealed once they are installed, otherwise they will stain and will not be easy to clean.

Make sure your floor area is properly prepared. If you have existing vinyl or linoleum on the floor, it can remain, as long as it is smooth and not worn in spots. This is a difficult choice, because soft spots caused by warping will cause your tiles to crack.

If the surface is concrete, make sure it is likewise completely level. You can use a 2X4 to do this, but finding a straight 2X4 is a challenge. To avoid this, use boards and place them against each other, then switch around 180 degrees and make sure they still lie flat.

High spots in the floor can be leveled down by an electric disc sander with a course sandpaper. If there are bumps, you can carefully chisel them down; just don't make a hole instead. You will never achieve a perfectly smooth surface, but you should not have greater than a 1/16th of an inch rise or you will end up with tiles that rock over the lump and eventually cause cracks.

You have to have a strong parquet or hard wood floor surface so you do not end up with any flexing. Smooth and strengthen uneven floors with fiber board for cement or you can use a composite-spread it on the surface with a trowel.

Locate the center of the floor using strings by laying two of them them across the diagonals of the entire room. Chalk string is used to mark these lines on the floor, and a heavy pencil mark shows the center.

Beginning at the center, start to lay a few tiles to lay out the pattern and make sure it will work as well as to see how much space you want for grout. You do not want less than 1/2 a tile at the wall.

Trowel out the tile adhesive on the floor using the proper tool-a trowel with notched or saw toothed edges. If you have a tight spot, you can apply the adhesive directly to the tile. Try to have long, low ridges. Then put each tile down and shimmy it back and forth to set it.

Once you have some rows down (make sure the adhesive has not set) use a wide surface tool and a mallet with a rubber head to hit the tiles into place on the floor.

It will be easier to apply grout if you use a nozzled tube. Just put down a bead of a couple of feet, wipe away any additional grout with a damp cloth before it sets.

For best results, you should let the floor cure for at least three days (a week is better) before regular use.

Being particularly interested in parquet flooring and installing flooring, Greg Hansward authored a variety of long articles in this particular area. His comments on parquet flooring and hard wood flooring are published on his web publications .

Remodeling Tips and Advice

Pressure Treated Lumber

If you are building a deck, retaining wall or a swing set for the kids it is highly likely that your material of choice is pressure treated lumber.

Pressure treated lumber, if installed properly, should provide a 40 year useable life. However, there are some things about pressure treated lumber that you have to know, in order to obtain that life and not have your project fall apart in a few years.

To create pressure treated lumber, raw lumber is impregnated with two waterborne compounds that are copper based chemicals. The amount of copper basically determines the usage and all pressure treated lumber, sold in the US, is supposed to have a tag stapled to the end of the board signifying its pounds of preservative per cubic foot of wood product:

0.25 Above Ground

0.40 Ground Contact

0.60 Permanent Wood Foundation

2.50 Salt Water

Because the lumber is impregnated with Copper, the choice of fasteners becomes very important. When two dissimilar metals come in contact with one another a galvanic reaction is created, the outcome is that the materials corrode and disintegrate. The higher the levels of copper in the lumber the faster that the corrosion will occur.

Although most people realize that they must use corrosion resistant fasteners and connectors many do not consider items such as flashings and light poles that are also in contact with the pressure treated lumber. Of course the best metals to use for fasteners, flashings and anything else that comes in contact with the deck is stainless steel or copper whenever possible. Stainless steel is expensive and copper is not conveniently available at your local lumber supply so the next best material is steel that has been galvanized.

Galvanized fasteners come in different grades (the thickness of the coating), better manufactures mark the box with a G rating. The higher the G rating, the more zinc used. You shouldnt use less than a G-90 rating and engineers are now suggesting the use of G-185. If the box is not marked it is probably a G-60 or less and this will not provide enough zinc coating to prevent galvanization from occurring. Cadmium plated nuts, bolts and screws do not provide any protection from corrosion whatsoever.

Some manufactures have created composite coatings for use with pressure treated lumber. Read the label on the box and make sure that what you are buying is suitable for the job.

Do not use aluminum flashing, deck flashing must be stainless steel, galvanized or copper. Aluminum corrodes very quickly when in contact with copper. This also means that metals items that come in contact with the pressure treated lumber must also be protected, items such as outdoor furniture, and barbeques should have rubber or vinyl feet or wheels.

For additional information on pressure treated lumber for your home or other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

Metal Shingles

Metal shingles were previously seen as roofing material for low-slope houses. Over the years, they have been found out to be a significant roofing alternative for steep-sloped roofs as well.

Metal shingles are usually meant to look like traditional asphalt shingles, wood shakes, or tiles, but metal shingles come with a greater guarantee to ward off rough weather. Many consider these shingles to be the strongest roofing material available. Contrary to popular belief, modern technology has made metal shingles very light, and they are a feast for the eyes, and also have very high fire-resistant ratings.

These classic shingles give a building a timeless look and often come with permanent color warranties. They can be made out of a wide variety of metals like aluminum, copper, stainless steel, zinc and phosphate coating, and alloys of tin and zinc. The different metals can be suitably chosen by the prospective buyer according to his geographical location and climate.

There are other minor details that a buyer should keep in mind. Stainless steel shingles are said to weigh less than most other traditional roofing material. Metal shingles made with alloys of zinc and aluminum should ideally not be painted. Tin roofs should be painted at an interval of eight years. Zinc and tin alloys are perfect for rough coastal weather. These are the various issues that should be considered before making one's choice.

There are a number of benefits that the owner can enjoy once he chooses metal shingles as his primary roofing material. They come with excellent resistance guarantee to strong wind, fires, hail and storms, earthquakes, and other such natural calamities. They are also well protected from pests and are extremely anti-corrosive. Most manufacturers offer a fifty-year warranty on their metal shingles.

Metal shingles are mostly recycled and statistics show that they are, in most cases, 100% recyclable. Installation is also relatively simple, but consulting a roofing professional would probably be considered a smart idea.

Shingles provides detailed information about shingles, cedar shingles, fiberglass shingles and more. Shingles is affiliated with Home Foundation Repair.

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Sunroom Installation

You need to take several things into consideration when you're thinking of a sunroom installation and there are many options to choose from. Maybe the first thing that will come to your mind is the price, but this all depends on how big you want your sunroom to be and what type of material she will be using. For example, if you want an aluminum sunroom and you're just thinking of adding a few windows, then it is going to cost you much less than if you had the entire sunroom constructed out of glass and wood. So there are a few factors that you must consider before you get started.

When building a sunroom you start with the foundation and it is important to build its foundation to the building codes of your local area. These codes will vary depending what kind of climate to live in. If you have a lot of freezing during winter, then it stands to reason that the foundation has to be deeper in the ground and this will mean more expense in labor and materials. But if you have an existing patio then the expense won't be as much.

Of course the major expense in a sunroom is the number of windows that you intend to use and also the type you have in mind. For example, if you are going with fixed windows will be less expense than if you order custom installation. Another cost difference would be in the type of glaze that you choose to put on the windows. This glaze can control sunlight and block out damaging rays but keep in mind the more your windows can do the more expensive it will be. You will find a difference in the materials that you choose and this will affect costs also. The cheapest material is PVC and the next one up the line is aluminum with the most expensive being wooden material.

For lots of information on how to build a sunroom and other sunrooms related topics, visit DIY Home Advice at home remodeling

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How to Refinish a Clawfoot Tub

Let's face it, tubs are built to last. How often do you hear of people refinishing their tubs? Doesn't happen often. However, clawfoot tubs are a different story. Clawfoot tubs are somewhat "vintage" commodities, and people like to think of them as collectors items, such as an old muscle car. People restore their collectors cars all the time, so why not a clawfoot tub?

When assuming the task of refinishing a clawfoot tub, common questions such as "Where do I start?", come up all the time. Hopefully this article will give you a better idea on how to best accomplish this task.

For starters, you need to understand the basic elements that make up a clawfoot tub. Listed in level of difficulty, they are:

1) The Feet of the Tub (least)
2) The Outside (somewhat difficult)
3) Inside (very difficult)

For the feet, you need to remove any outside coating, such as rust or paint, with a wire brush. You can make this job much easier by applying paint stripper or thinner over the feet before brushing them. Once the residue is removed, apply a solvent to clean the feet entirely. Make sure you wear safety gear (glasses, respirator, and gloves), as some solvents can be pretty nasty. Once clean of any paint or residue, the next step is to apply a metal primer, followed by your chosen color of paint. Some people choose to coat their feet in chrome, nickel, or brass. It's your choice.

Stepping up to the next level of difficulty, we have the outside of the tub. Just as we did with the feet, your going to need to strip the outside of the tub of any finish, such as paint, rush, or any other coatings. Depending on the coating strength you may need to do some heavy grinding or sandblasting. This step could take awhile, and smoothing the surface with fine grit sandpaper may be required to get the desired results. Once clean, you need to apply several coats of polyester material. This will create a smooth surface for your outer layer. Once dry you may apply the enamel or porcelain substitute to finish the outside of the tub.

For the last step, you are probably going to need to hire a professional. The inside of the tub needs to be resurfaced, and most novices shouldn't tackle this one on their own. Skilled tradesmen that specialized in tub refinishing use special molecular bonding products, which are applied over a series of layers. In short, the product creates a very strong molecular (covalent) bond between the surface of the tub and the outer smooth surface. Some professionals use a different method, called mechanical bonding. This is a more budget oriented method, and is not as strong as the molecular bonding. It is prone to breaking and chipping, and water often seeps within the cracks which can lift the outer coating (not good).

Using this 3 step method can produce a very clean, smooth, "new" looking clawfoot tub, however some people still suggest hiring a professional to do a complete overhaul of the tub. The choice is yours. If you feel you are up to the task, it can be a very rewarding experience. Good luck!

http://whirlpool-baths.info is a website devoted to giving you the latest information about luxury and beauty baths. Whether your looking for more information about a luxurious walk in bath tub, or looking to purchase a clawfoot bath tub, we've got you covered!

Do It Yourself Home Help

Planning Your Bathroom Tile Design, Pattern & Installation

If you are planning to tile a bathroom by yourself, this article will help you plan your bathroom tiling installation in the best and cost effective way as well as giving you some tile design ideas. We will guide through your new bathroom tile design and installation planning step by step.

Attention - Note that planning your tiling installation properly is the most important step for smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

Remember a DIY bathroom tiling installation isn't a quick job, so don't miss the point and plan it right. All the time spent planning your tiling installation will save you money and headaches.

You have to plan your bathroom-tiling project carefully; choose the tile design and tile patterns, what materials you need and which tools you require.

Choose your Bathroom Tile design & Tile patterns

The tile patterns that you can create with different tiles are limited only by your own Tile design ideas. A large variety of standard tile designs, ideas and tile patterns are available. Some tile manufacturers may make special custom tile designs for you.

Choosing the tile design is obviously the first thing you need to do, with out deciding this you can not start planning your bathroom tile installation.

You can find a few basic bathroom tile design ideas & tile patterns, check it out.

For some Inspiration you can check Google pictures for some Bathroom Tile design ideas, there are over a million bathroom pictures here.

Tile suitability - Tiles are made in porous and non-porous varieties. When planning a bathroom tile installation, you should choose the non-porous ceramic tiles.

If your bathroom is small and the tiles have designs on them, you may have to go for smaller sized tiles as they have smaller designs. Too large tile designs may not suit small bathrooms so choose a smaller tile design for smaller bathrooms.

If you go for a plain color, the size isn't that important, however try to follow the rule above anyway.

A good tile design idea is to choose contrasting colors for the floor tiles and wall tiles. Then have a skirting line the same color as the floor tile.

Another tile design idea is changing color at chest level, which will change the look of your bathroom.

Try to choose bathroom accessories that compliment the color of the walls.

Materials - How much will you need? - To calculate the quantity of materials that you need, you must take precise measurements of the total area that you wish to tile.

From the total area and the size of each tile, you can calculate the number of tiles required (you must know the size of the tiles you have chosen).

You must also remember to take into account the gaps between tiles when calculating the number of tiles needed, so make sure you include spacers appropriate to the tile size chosen.

If this equation becomes a little complicated, you can always use the table "Calculating your Tile needs" (link here) on this page.

When calculating consider more than half a tile as a full tile and less than a half tile as a half tile. If you have chosen a multicolored bathroom, calculate each color separately and note down the tile requirements.

Ordering tiles - Order the tiles on the basis of the measurements taken. Note that tiles are packed in boxes and the supplier is unlikely to sell tiles individually.

Remember to order extra tiles as you can be sure that some tiles will break during installation (even the best professional breaks tiles). In addition some of these extra tiles could be used in the future if any tiles need replacing. This is not only good but an advisable practice.

Always order additional tiles since the tiles you have ordered may not be available in future, and if you require replacement tiles, you will have difficulty finding a match.

Best tools for a good job - Make sure you choose the right tool for the job. It'll make the job easier and safer too. You probably have a basic toolbox however for tiling installation you need special tiling tools.

Some of them are expensive but don't waste your money buying professional tools that you won't use enough to pay for themselves. Instead hire them. For some $$ you can have the best tools for a few days. And if you've done your planning properly you'll only need them for a few hours.

Remember, that planning your tiling installation properly is the most important step for smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

I hope it's been useful, happy tiling!

The best Tiling Video & DVD and Tiling books reviews at Tiling Tips.Get our FREE report "27 Insider Tiling Tips you want to know" and more by visiting us NOW at http://www.tiling-tips.com

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How to Replace a Circuit Breaker

It is always a good idea to have each circuit breaker clearly labeled. This prevents confusion and frustration in the event that one needs to be reset or replaced. You can begin labeling the circuits by turning them off and on to see which appliance it is connected to. Circuit breakers consist of the main power supply to your home as well as individual circuits for appliances within your home.

Learning how to replace a circuit breaker or install a new circuit breaker is a little more complicated than merely resetting a tripped breaker. Firstly, you should purchase a new circuit breaker from a home improvement or hardware store. Before installing a circuit breaker you should turn the main power breaker off to shut down power to the entire house.

You can remove the gray circuit breaker panel by unscrewing the faceplate. You will see two wires on the side of the breaker; be careful to remember what position each wire is in as you remove the panel. You can use a wire nut to hold and bend back the wire that you will use later on. Repeat this process for both the white and colored wires. After removing the old breaker box simply reinstall the new circuit breaker box and replace the wires in the same manner in which they were previously installed.

Installing a circuit breaker box is a seemingly simple task. Even if you are not technically inclined, you should still be able to perform this task. If, however, you are uncomfortable in dealing with electrical issues, it might be wise to consult with an electrician. All electricians know how to replace a circuit breaker and it is not very time consuming for them, and so it should not be expensive for you, and might save you some unnecessary frustration.

Circuit Breakers Info provides detailed information about circuit breaker panels, circuit breaker manufacturers, plus advice on how to replace and install circuit breakers and where to buy used and surplus circuit breakers. Circuit Breakers Info is the sister site of Electricians Web.

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