Power outages during frigid winter months can endanger lives. Being prepared can help you and your family stay safe and comfortable. If the power goes out, make sure you have not blown a circuit by checking the breakers in your home's electrical panel. Thinking ahead by unplugging electronics and appliances that use electric motors. Turn on an incandescent light to signal when power is restored.

How to stay warm
If the power goes out in a winter weather event, temperatures can drop significantly. Make sure to keep all doors to the outside shut. Use towels to block drafts coming in from window and door cracks.
It's also possible to insulate windows with black blankets. The black draws heat from the sun. If the sun's beams are coming through the window, put the blankets on the floor where the sun is directly shining instead.
Running a bathtub of hot water also draws in heat to the house.
Turning faucets to a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing. If needed, wrap pipes in insulation or newspaper. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

Don't take risks on the road or in your home
Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supply kit in your vehicle. Do not travel alone and let someone know where you are going and your expected arrival time.
"Traffic accidents tend to dominate followed closely by wires down," Steven Bair, fire director and chief of department at the Centre Region Council of Governments, said.
Don't rely on gas stoves, charcoal grills or other open-flame heat sources. Deadly carbon monoxide gas - which is odorless and invisible - may build up in your home.

Avoid carbon monoxide dangers
Carbon monoxide poisoning, fire and electric shock are hazards during an outage. Place generators away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
"Make sure generators are properly ventilated and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Take time to read the owner's manual before you actually need to use the generator," Bair said.
If you live in an area prone to blizzards, install carbon monoxide alarms. It's best to put one on every floor in central locations. If the alarm sounds, move quickly to fresh air either outdoors or by an open window. Call for help and remain there until emergency personnel arrive.
"A single-unit should be near the sleeping area so it can wake a sleeping person if activated," Bair said. "A second detector could be placed near an appliance likely to be a carbon monoxide source, such as the furnace or hot water heater."

Keep stock of non-perishable foods
During the winter months, its best to maintain a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food. Batteries, flash lights and a radio are also good backup supplies.
Items such as fruit bars, peanut butter, nuts and trail mixes, crackers and canned juices are great to stockpile.
Be aware of fuel fumes while trying to make a hot meal. Asphyxiation is a high risk when cooking during a power outage.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. These appliances are well insulated, so food will keep for hours if opening the door is kept to a minimum. In the winter, a ready supply of snow or ice from outside can be placed in a plastic bag and put into the fridge or freezer to keep food cold.

Tips for communicating
Communication could mean life or death in these situations.
Limit non-emergency phone calls during serious situation. This will also minimize network congestion. Texting is better for keeping phone lines open.
It is a good idea to keep a portable charger ready for use in case. If you don't have a portable charger, reduce the screen brightness and close apps not in use to conserve battery.

​How to keep kids and pets safe
It can be stressful to keep track of extreme weather events and children or pets. Staying calm in this situation will help keep children at ease.
Keep emergency phone numbers posted beside the phone, and keep children's emergency medication organized and accessible. Put extra clothes on your children and animals or wrap up in blankets. Distraction is a big advantage when young children are involved.
Most of all, make sure to give verbal reassurance and hugs. Children might not always express their fears and feelings.

​By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer
January 13, 2017, 11:28:26 AM EST
Original article http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/how-to-survive-a-power-outage-in-winter/70000039

Whether they’re in Baltimore, MD or Houston, TX, the first thing people think about when they rent a new place is getting renters insurance to protect their belongings, right? No, not really. Almost all homeowners have homeowners insurance — 95% of them, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Mortgage lenders require it, after all. But only about 40% of renters buy renters insurance. If you’re a renter, you may be wondering how much is renters insurance — most policies will cost you about $15 a month. But if your laptop is stolen, for example, it’ll cost you much more than $15 to replace it. And there are other considerations that should help you rethink your decision to skip renters insurance. Here are a few.

Your belongings are covered
This one might seem somewhat obvious: If someone breaks into your rental unit and steals your personal property (computer, electronics, jewelry, clothing, bicycle, etc.), you can’t expect your landlord to help you replace those items … unless you can prove the landlord was negligent by not providing a lock for your doors or windows, perhaps. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay to replace your belongings. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck as it is, you may have trouble replacing those belongings without going into debt.
Having a renters insurance policy in place could save your wallet, however — and in most cases, your personal property would also be covered if it were damaged by lightning, fire, vandalism, volcanic eruption, and other natural disasters. Of course, there are state-by-state exceptions: California renters, for instance, are not covered for damages from an earthquake, and Florida tenants are not covered for damages from a natural flood. Earthquake and flood coverage both usually require a separate policy. Your policy will spell out in detail which disasters are covered. Moral of the story: If you don’t want to replace everything that could be stolen or be ruined by Mother Nature at retail price, you should get renters insurance.

Your policy covers your stuff even when it’s not in your home
Any valuables you keep in your car or that you bring with you, such as on vacation, are covered by most renters insurance policies. Renters insurance will reimburse you the same amount whether your bike is stolen from inside your apartment or while parked outside your favorite coffee shop; but whether your insurance pays what your property is worth (actual cash value) or the cost to replace it (replacement-cost coverage) depends on your policy

It covers other people's stuff too
Your renters insurance policy sticks with you when you (or, say, your kids) go out into the world, such as to a friend’s house or shopping. “If your kids decide to horseplay in the china department of a store, can you afford to pay for the damages to the merchandise?” asks Eric Narcisco, CEO of Effective Coverage. “That’s property damage liability, and renters insurance pays for that.”

You could stay in a hotel in case of emergency
If your rental unit is rendered unlivable for a time because of damages from a disaster, such as a fire or a storm, the cost of a temporary hotel stay would likely be covered by your renters insurance. Your policy should kick in even if your neighbor has a fire and management must turn off utilities to your building for a few days to make repairs. “Loss-of-use coverage on your renters insurance could take care of that for you,” says Narcisco.

You’re covered if someone gets hurt on your watch
What if one of your friends is injured in your apartment because of clutter left on the floor? If the friend rolls an ankle because they stepped on your dog’s chew toy, you’re technically liable for the medical costs. You’re also accountable for legal costs if your guest files a lawsuit. The liability part of renters insurance will cover that for you. It also covers damages to the apartment that you caused, such as water damage from letting a bathtub overflow. The landlord will probably sue you to pay for damages not covered by your security deposit, and that’s when your renters insurance would kick in.

Third-party property damage? Covered
Let’s look further into that overflowing-bathtub scenario. What if, in addition to damaging your apartment, the overflowing tub also caused damage to your neighbor’s unit below? Or what if you drove your car into your neighbor’s fence? The cost of repairs in both instances will often be covered by your renters insurance.
An important note about property damage: Renters insurance doesn’t typically cover damage done to your rental property by another person. If someone were to break your window, for example, and that person doesn’t have renters insurance, you’d be on your own for working out the costs.

Further consideration
Note that renters insurance comes with coverage limits, so know what is and isn’t covered in the policy you select. You also decide how much liability and personal property coverage to buy. For example, you might decide to get $300,000 in liability coverage and $50,000 in personal property coverage. “If you can’t afford renters insurance, you can’t afford to be without renters insurance, because a loss would be devastating to your family,” says Narcisco. Before you decide renters insurance is one more expense than you need, think hard about what it’ll cost to replace your belongings — or pay damages — out of pocket.

Author: Laura Agadoni
Original Article: http://www.trulia.com/blog/renters-insurance-worth-money/​

Living the rental life has its benefits: the flexibility to move whenever your lease is up, access to neighborhoods you might not be able to afford to buy into (yet), and someone to fix anything that breaks. However, unless you’re living in a superluxury building, chances are good that at least one room in your place lacks that gorgeous natural sunlight that’s the difference between a “charmingly cozy apartment” and a cave.

But whether you’re moving into a new apartment for rent in Baltimore, MD, or a bungalow in Atlanta, GA, an odd layout, a less-than-ideal wall color, a brick wall view, or even a lack of windows can make your new home feel dark and dreary. If your abode suffers from lack of natural light, there are a few solutions that can make it feel bright and welcoming. Here are some tips to help you lighten up.
​
1. Hone in on lighter colors
Light colors are the hands-down favorite decor trick for creating an open and airy setting. White, of course, is the easiest choice. But some shades can look flat or dingy, depending on the undertones. “One of our favorite colors is Benjamin Moore’s Moonlight White. It has just enough depth to make an impact while still reading as very bright,” says Gale Sitomer of G Sitomer Designs.
We know what you’re thinking: Some landlords panic at the mere mention of paint. However, if you’re currently stuck with dark walls, Sitomer recommends opening up the conversation with your landlord — especially if you plan on staying awhile. Be sure to stress that you’ll be painting the apartment a neutral color. (Hint: Have samples of the new shade to share!) If they won’t budge, cover those dark indigo walls with temporary wallpaper in a light hue. And if that’s still a stretch, Sitomer suggests working in furniture or accessories in a light color.

2. Reflect a bigger space
Objects in a mirror can definitely look larger than they really are. This especially holds true in a room, according to Amy Fleischman of Drapes Decor. The key is mirror size and placement. “The bigger the better for mirrors to make a space look large — and they should also be simple, clean-cut, and placed in a space to reflect surrounding furniture,” she says. Best of all? Reflect a window. “We recently worked on an apartment on the water that made use of a large mirror on the wall to reflect the view and create the illusion that the water continued on,” adds Fleischman.

3. Clear the room
No, clear furniture doesn’t have to look like the ’80s. Glass, Lucite, and acrylic designs have made a huge comeback — and they can do wonders to maximize a feeling of spaciousness in a room. “The ability to see through the furniture allows one to see the rest of the space, which makes everything look less cluttered,” Fleischman says. Clear coffee tables, side tables, and even lamp bases can make a huge impact. Pro buying tip: If you can’t choose between glass, Lucite, and acrylic, she recommends going with acrylic: It’s thicker and stronger than glass yet (generally) more affordable than Lucite.

4. Dress windows wisely
Light-blocking curtains can help you get a good night’s sleep, but if they’re your only window dressing, you’ll be left in the dark during the day. For this reason, Fleischman recommends a layered, two-treatment approach that gives you options depending on your needs. “Closest to the window, you can use a blackout roller shade or blackout-lined drape to block out the light at night. In front, the use of a solar shade that is minimum 10% — preferably 14% — opaque will allow light in while keeping UV rays out,” she says, adding that the layered approach isn’t the only solution; she opted for light-filtering sheer shades in the dining area pictured above. “You can also do this using a fabric that has an open weave, therefore letting light in.”
If you’d prefer a single-product solution, designer Julia Robberts has a simple recommendation. “Blinds can also be a good option — even when they are blackout-lined — if they’re hung above the windows, so when they’re in the raised position they sit above the glazed area.” This way, you can use the full window during the day, maximizing light.

5. Don’t forget to dust
While it might not be as glamorous as a chic acrylic table, keeping all surfaces clear of dirt and grime is a cheap shortcut on how to brighten a dark room. Both Fleischman and Robberts agree that giving your windows a thorough cleaning will instantly brighten a room. But there’s a commonly overlooked item that affords an even bigger benefit when cleaned: light bulbs. That’s because accumulated dust and dirt can dramatically reduce illumination of a bulb (by up to 50% when factoring in the age of a bulb, according to Consumer Reports). While you’re at it, give those walls a good cleaning — dirt and dust also reduce the amount of light they’ll reflect, making a space feel dark and (rightfully) dingy.

6. Stow your stuff
​“Having good storage that keeps clutter at bay can help a space feel bigger — less is more!” says Robberts. Sure, you can’t turn a studio into a penthouse, but limiting clutter reduces visual chaos. Just think twice about investing in clunky storage furniture, like big armoires and shelving units, and choose scale-appropriate furnishings. Ottomans and benches with hidden compartments, along with under-the-bed and under-sofa bins, keep everything out of sight without wasting a square inch.

Author: Brie Dyas
Original Article: http://www.trulia.com/blog/how-to-brighten-a-dark-room/?ecampaign=con_wek_rentals_lifestyle_mk&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-brighten-a-dark-room%2F​

Finding a roommate is a lot like dating. There has to be chemistry and common ground to create a match that’s made in heaven. At the end of the day, a good roommate should be someone you can enjoy coming home to — whether it’s a friend, a family member, an acquaintance or a total stranger. Finding the right fit can be the difference between living happily ever after and living in a nightmare. These tips will help guide you on choosing a suitable roommate in Baltimore:

Get a Taste of Their Lifestyle
Early riser or night owl? Friends over often? Parties soft, hard or not at all? Finding out about a potential roommate’s lifestyle and daily habits can help you figure out what you don’t mind living with, what you can compromise on and what are deal breakers for you beforehand. Meet over coffee or drinks to break the ice — especially if it’s a multi-roommate situation. Don’t forget to ask about the little things, too — like housekeeping styles and how they manage the thermostat.

​Set Expectations
Are you looking for a non-smoker? Someone who loves pets? Be upfront about what you’re seeking in a roommate — including sharing household chores and sharing toiletries or food. More importantly, let a potential roommate know when rent is due so there are no misunderstandings. Knowing what expectations are from the beginning will help you avoid any conflicts during your time together.

Reliability Matters
Make sure he or she has a history of paying rent on time, with a steady job or another source of income. College students may have parents or a stipend that can help cover costs, but beware of a non-college student who jumps jobs often — it could mean trouble for you down the road.

Get a Second Opinion
If you are deciding whether to live with a stranger, ask for references from past roommates to vouch for someone’s character, reliability and livability. If you don’t have another roommate that can weigh in, ask a friend who is a good judge of character to help you vet him or her. A trusted friend may be able to spot any red flags that you may have missed.

Don’t Rush It
If possible, give yourself at least one to two months in advance to find a roommate. Otherwise you could rush right into sharing a space with someone who pushes your buttons — and your sanity.

Above all, make sure a roommate is someone you can trust — who can respect your space, personal items, food and — if you have any — your pets. Remember that most typical leases are for a year, so once you sign with this roommate, it’s usually a done deal. Lastly, be the kind of roommate that you’re searching for. Follow all of the tips above!
Do you have any additional tips on finding someone to live with? Share yours in the comments below!

Original Article: http://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/how-to-find-a-roommate-questions/
Author: Apartment Guide

Let’s face it: It’s hot out, and it’s only going to get warmer as summer goes on. While it’s tempting to crank the AC or plant yourself in front of the nearest fan, these aren’t the only tricks to keeping cool. It turns out there are plenty of ways to buffer your home from the heat without racking up your electric bill. And they’ll make you feel like a DIY champ, too.

​Keep your cool, and…

1. Keep your blinds closed. 
As simple as this tip may seem, Family Handyman notes that up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades, curtains and the like can save you up to 7 percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. In other words, closing the blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse, which is especially the case for south- and west-facing windows.

2. Be smart about your doors. 
Closing off rooms will prevent the cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, too, letting air flow naturally through your home.

3. Hack a fan instead of turning on the AC. 
Not even an air conditioner can give off a faux sea breeze... but this simple trick can. Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack) and position it at an angle in front of a large fan, so that the air whips off the ice at an extra-chilled, extra-misty temperature. Trust us: it’s magic.

4. Swap your sheets. 
Not only does seasonally switching up your bedding freshen up a room, it’s a great way to keep cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. And as an added bonus, buy yourself a buckwheat pillow or two. Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them, they won’t hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows, even when packed together inside a pillow case.

5. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. 
Whether you know it or not, your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the fan’s airflow will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you and your guests “feel” cooler.

​6. Focus on the temperature in your body, not the house. 
If your ancestors survived without air conditioning, so can you. From sipping tasty iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, cooling yourself from the inside out is not a bad idea. Other tricks include being smart about your clothing choices and telling your partner you won’t be cuddling until the leaves start changing color.

7. Turn on your bathroom fans. 
...or the exhaust fan in your kitchen, for that matter. Both of these pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your apartment.

​8. Heat-proof your bed. 
Go straight to the source, and put a cool-inducing Chillow under your head while you sleep. For feet, fill a hot water bottle and put it in the freezer before placing at the foot of your bed. And it sounds strange, but slightly dampening your sheets before bedtime will majorly help you chill out.

9. Let the night air in. 
During the summer months, temperatures may drop during the night. If this is the case where you live, make the most of these refreshing hours by cracking the windows before you go to bed. You can even create a wind tunnel by strategically setting up your fans to force the perfect cross breeze. Just be sure to close the windows (and the blinds) before things get too hot in the morning.

10. Ditch the incandescent lights. 
If you ever needed motivation to make the switch to CFLs, or compact fluorescent lamps, this is it. Incandescent bulbs waste about 90 percent of their energy in the heat they emit, so tossing them to the curb will make a small difference in cooling your home while lowering your electric bill.

11. Start grilling. 
It’s obvious, but we’re going to say it anyway: Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 100+ degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on a 400-degree oven. Besides, who doesn’t want to get more mileage out of their outdoor furniture and seasonal accessories?

12. Make a few long-term improvements. 
If you’re really, really committed to the whole no-AC thing, you can make a couple changes to your home that will keep it cooler for seasons to come. Insulated window films, for example, are a smart purchase as they work similarly to blinds. And additions like awnings and planted trees or vines on or in front of light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs and make your investment nothing but worthwhile.


Original Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/03/ways-to-cool-your-home_n_5516182.html
Author: Samantha Tuscano
Samantha ToscanosSamantha Toscano

If you've ever had to look for an apartment, you know the process can be time consuming and stressful; even more so if you are new to a city or are looking in a competitive market where hoards of people show up to see every unit. 

There may not be a way out of doing the legwork, but these 11 tips can help you get organized, set your priorities, search smart, save time, and stay focused every step of the way.

1. Narrow your search. Focus on a favorite neighborhood or two, but be smart about it. Balance things like charming shops and a vibrant community with factors like price and access to transportation. Narrowing your search to a specific area will help streamline the process, since you can schedule multiple showings in a single morning. At VacancyFillers.com, you can easily schedule your showing appointments online!

If you are just moving to a new city, there is no better way to learn about the neighborhoods than to spend some time walking around — so get out there and explore. You can also visit Walkscore.com to learn more about the neighborhood.

2. Identify your top three priorities. Make the budget one of your top three priorities; the other two could be anything important to you: great natural light, proximity to work or school, or a washer-dryer in the unit, for instance. If you are having trouble coming up with your top three, try listing everything you want and cross things off one by one until you are left with your most important priorities. Try to only schedule showings at the units that meet most of your priorities. Ideally, you don't want to be wasting time running around town seeing units that are not a fit.

3. Keep track of multiple listings with a comparison checklist. When you are hitting half a dozen showings in a single morning, they begin to run together. Keep pertinent info neatly sorted on a single checklist and snap a picture of each place to accompany it, if possible. 

4. Have your ducks in a row.  Its a competitive market out there! Be prepared to fill out a paper or online application , plunk down a deposit or sign a lease before attending that first showing. Bring the information you need to fill out a standard rental application (contact info for employer, present and past landlords etc.), plus your checkbook.

Also consider printing out a copy of your credit report — some landlords will insist on running their own check, but simply having it to show can be reassuring and put your application ahead of others in a competitive market.

5. Uncover hidden costs. Know what you could potentially be taking on, beyond the rent, by asking key questions whenever you look at a new place. A few to consider:

• Who is responsible for maintenance?
• Which (if any) utilities are included? 
• Is there a fee to use building amenities or for parking? 
• Are there cable hook-ups where you want them, or will you need to have a new line put in?

At VacancyFillers.com, many of these questions can be answered by checking out the Details section of our listings!

6. Rely on your senses. Odd smells and noises you notice during a showing could end up being a major problem when you move in. Natural light, or a lack thereof, can make all the difference in the world, so try to attend a daytime open house rather than looking at the apartment after work. 

7. Don't be afraid to be a little nosy. Open the closets to get a realistic picture of the available storage space. Turn on the shower, run the water in the kitchen and bathroom sinks, and flush the toilet. Check under the sinks for signs of mold and critters — it's a lot better to know now if there is a problem.

8. Combine methods for the most effective search. Search online via Craigslist and similar sites, or contact a local rental agency like VacancyFillers.com — but don't forget to hit the pavement, too. 

Even today there are plenty of landlords who rely on a simple sign posted in the window, a scrap of paper tacked up in the local café or word of mouth to rent their units. So keep your eyes and ears open wherever you go.

9. Planning to stay a while? Negotiate! If you have excellent credit and a solid rental and work history, and you want a place to call home for many years to come, you may be in a position to negotiate a better deal. Finding excellent long-term tenants is the hardest part of being a landlord, so remember, you are a catch! 

While it's not likely any landlord would lower the rent, you could try negotiating for a longer lease to lock in your current rent, ask for improvements to be made (and paid for) before moving in or get permission to paint and make improvements on your own. The worst they can say is no, but it can't hurt to ask!

10. Measure key pieces of furniture ... and check if they fit through the door. If you have not accumulated much furniture yet, or you don't mind swapping a few things out, this may not be an issue. But if you do have a special piece, like a canopy bed, large sofa or piano, it would be heartbreaking to find out it won't make it through the door after you've signed the lease. Bring a tape measure with you to each showing, and check doorway and stairwell measurements to be sure your beloved pieces will make it in.

11. Get everything in writing. So your landlord promised that the leaky sink would be fixed, you can paint the walls any color you want and your cat is allowed without a deposit? Get it in writing. Should you and your landlord ever get into a disagreement down the road, having documentation will be a lifesaver. 

Author: Laura Gaskill
Original Article: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10180155/list/11-Apartment-Hunting-Tips-for-Renters/

Did you know that there are grants that can help real estate investors with the acquisition of investment property?
Did you know there are programs that will pay above market rent for your investment property?
Sure you do… but there are so many misconception about using government funds, they may be deterring you from maximizing your investments.
There are numerous government sources to assist you in your real estate endeavors: to name a few, there’s the HOME Investment Partnership Program, local and federal block grants, and the Housing and Urban Development.
The governmental assistance program that is most well known is Section 8. Immediately when you think of Section 8 housing what comes to mind might be slums, ghettos, unemployment, substance abuse, and dysfunctional families. This may not be the perception of some, but many do believe this.
The association between the above descriptions and Section 8 is so strong that these images immediately come to mind when thinking of government assistance. I would like to inform you that the majority of the time, it is not the individuals on government assistance that diminish a community, but the investor, the property managers, and the slumlord.
This article is to inform investors about some of the commonly believed misconceptions about Section 8 housing that are causing you to lose thousands of dollars and diminish your returns.

1. All Section 8 Recipients Are Terrible Tenants
This is the biggest fallacy. Although there are many Section 8 recipients that are bad tenants, the majority of the tenants are cooperative with the rules given from the landlord. Section 8 tenants must abide by the lease set forth by the landlord, and if they are not abiding by the lease, there are two courses of action that can be taken versus just one in a traditional rental

According to Section 8 rules and regulations, if a tenant is not adhering to the lease, you can contact the tenant’s Section 8 social worker. The worker will inform the tenant that if they do not abide by the lease, they can lose the section 8 voucher. Normally in this case, the tenant immediately complies with the lease. The loss of the voucher will result in them paying 100% of the rent versus the difference between the voucher amount and the rent. So this is a big plus because it minimizes the likelihood of evictions.
2. The Landlord Has to Accept Anyone
This is not the case; actually, there is another layer of protection similar to lease compliance. The tenants are heavily screened by the Section 8 workers prior to them being awarded the voucher; they cannot have an extensive criminal background or issues of substance abuse, and only the voucher recipient and those named on the voucher can have tenancy in the property. Once the recipient is awarded the voucher, they still can be screened by the landlord. If the individual does not meet your requirements, you do not have to rent the property to them.
3. Tenant Turnover is High
I have found this perception to be incorrect as well; there are only a few reasons tenants move — they purchase a home, they find something better or more affordable, a family member moves from the neighborhood, they need to downsize, or they have problems with the landlord. The majority of the time, these are the five reasons a tenant voluntarily moves. In most cases those awarded section 8 have kids, and kids have to go to school, and the kids make friends at school, so they become attached to the neighborhood. This limits the family’s ability to continuously move.
4. The Rent is Inconsistent
Investors love to talk money, and with Section 8 tenants, you can get a premium for your property. The biggest complaint everyone states about the government is the fiscal policies and how out of touch the bureaucrats are. You are exactly right; the government pays a premium for everything. So why not have them pay the premium for your rental?
In most cases Section 8 is willing to pay above the market rent depending on the area. For example I have a small 3-bed, 1-bath SFR, and the market rent is $850. Section 8 is willing to pay a minimum of $1150, and that increases my cap rate on my investment. Again, not only will there be a increase in rental payment, but there will be extra layers of protection per Section 8 policies.
5. It is Difficult to Get Your Property Approved
This may not be so in every city, but the process to get a property Section 8 approved is simple — the property must not have evidence of mold, heat or running water, and it must be in livable condition. Sounds simple enough, right?
There is a check done on the landlord to ensure that there is not a criminal history of theft, drugs, or abuse of any kind. This process is easy, and as long as your property meets county/city code, your home will qualify.
6. Section 8 Housing is Only in Low Income Neighborhoods
There was an article in Crain’s Chicago Business by Alby Gallun called “Poor Families Use ‘Supervouchers’ to Rent in City’s Priciest Buildings.” This article disproves that notion that Section 8 is only for blighted areas of your city. One individual in the article was paying $3,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment at 500 N. Lake Shore Drive (yes, if you know Chicago, that’s not too far from the Gold Coast & Mag Mile). I’m pointing this out to say: not all families or rental units that are Section 8 approved have to be in the worst neighborhoods in America.
7. My Property Will Be Destroyed
​Again, with the extra layer of protection, it helps if your tenant does damage to the property. In the event the tenant does damage to the property, you can notify the tenant’s worker, and Section 8 will pay for the damages, and the tenant has to reimburse the worker.
The tenant can lose the voucher if they destroy the property and do not pay. So this is a benefit to the landlord to ensure the property is maintained. This extra layer of protection limits the possibility of litigation and losses due to damages. As with any rental, you should conduct a walk through with the tenant and document any defects. 
8. The Rent Will Not Be on Time
This happens to be one of the best benefits: not only do you receive higher than market rent, but your payment will come directly from those that administer the program. The rental payment will come on time and without fail.
These are the 8 misconceptions about dealing with Section 8 Tenants and the program. Although I have outlined the benefits, there are always downsides when dealing with people. I have been fortunate to have a wonderful experience with Section 8, but I have heard some of the horror stories as well. Remember, you are the landlord, and your tenants can only do what you allow.

Author:  MARCUS MALONEY 
Original Article: https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/16/section-8-myths-profitable-truth/​

Sometimes the landlord/tenant relationship can be a difficult one. But it does not have to be that way, and it certainly does not have to start out that way. As landlords, we try to get this relationship off to a good start and keep it that way by taking care of our properties and tenant concerns.

But some tenants, perhaps due to past experiences, prepare for the worst and thus approach the relationship ready for a fight. Maybe they have never had a decent landlord. Maybe some just do not know how to act. Whatever the reason, here are 14 tips to tenants everywhere for a decent landlord/tenant relationship!

1. Pay your bills on time. Seems fairly obvious, I know, but many tenants believe they can pay every other bill before they pay the rent. Want to stay on our good side? Please pay your rent on time.
2. Always try to be polite. I will, too. Being polite and calm really does go a long way. You would not like it if I left you snarky or angry screaming messages on your voicemail. I know sometimes issues can seem to linger on and on, but we really are doing our best to get things resolved.
3. Listen to our instructions. We tell you things for a reason. If we show you how to trip a breaker or turn a gas valve off, listen. It may just save your butt. If we tell you there will be a hard freeze tonight and to please let your faucet drip, don’t call us the next day and complain that your pipes have frozen and you need to do laundry. I can’t control the weather, so you will just have to wait until it warms up.
4. Help us. We try to take care of our properties, but we can’t be everywhere all the time. Is there something we need to know about? Tell us. Is something broken? Let us know. Help us by being our eyes and ears.
5. Tell the truth. Did you or your kid flush something down the toilet and stop it up? Then tell us the truth so we can get the problem resolved as quickly as possible. After a dozen years in this business, we can almost always determine the culprit anyway.
6. Please just leave me a message. If we do not answer your call, do not hang up and call over and over again. There are times we simply cannot take your call. How do you think we are going to feel when we finally answer you after you have called five times in a row? It had better be a matter of life or death.
7. Understand that we have a lot going on. Sometimes other tenant’s issues may take priority. We know about your issue, and we will get to it just as soon as we can. We might for example need to make sure everyone has heat before taking care of your dripping bathroom sink.
8. If you get in a bind, talk to us. Communication is key! Tell us what is going on. Did you lose your job? Has your roommate gone off the deep end? We have been there before, and we know what it is like. But if you do not talk to us, there is no way we can help you. Please do not put your head in the sand and hope whatever problem you are having will go away. It will not, and things will only get worse.
9. Treat my property and the people who do work for me with respect. You would not believe how many people are just plain rude to the people we send over to try and fix their problems. Plus, how do you think we are going to react if we see that your place is a mess or that you are causing damage? Disrespecting our properties or our help is a sure way to create an adversarial relationship.
10. Work with me. We know you have a busy schedule. So do we, and trust us, we want your issue resolved as quickly as possible too because we have a dozen or so more to deal with. It all goes much easier if you work with us on times and arrangements. You might have to put up your dog for a day or allow us into your apartment on your day off. We hate to disturb you, but we will be done and out of your hair just as soon as we can.
11. Trust me. We are not going to steal your stuff or try and stiff you. Yes, we know some landlords might, but not us. If we say we need to get into your home, it is for a legitimate reason.
12. Follow the rules. They are there for a reason. They were explained to you when you moved in, and you agreed to follow them. It just makes life harder for all of us if you choose to ignore them. If you could not live with the rules, then you should not have moved in.
13. Respect your neighbors. Would you appreciate a loud party the night before you need to make a major presentation at work or before your final exams? No, you would not. Remember that you live in an apartment building, and you have neighbors — sometimes very close neighbors. Think about how your actions might affect them. I’m not saying do not have any fun; just try to be considerate.
14. Hide your weed. Just please do this. It is technically against your lease, and you really never know when there will be an emergency and who will need to access your place.

A lot of the above is just common courtesy and common sense. But for those few — and you know who you are — please review and follow the above and let’s make your stay with us as pleasant as possible.

VacancyFillers.com is a Baltimore based tenant placement company that helps landlords who are losing money from their vacancies, and being distracted from their families/careers while trying to find tenants. 

Original Article: http://time.com/money/3697636/landlord-tenant-renters-tips-advice/
Author: Kevin Perk

Here is some advice from experts to keep your rental money flowing in the right direction!!!

1,Keep your goals in mind. Investors need to know why they are in the rental market and what they want to accomplish financially, says Wendell De Guzman, chief executive of the real estate investment firm, PCI in Chicago.
If the goal is to live passively off the rental income, then investors should know how much income they'll need. The tax rate changes as income becomes passive, says De Guzman, and "your tax rate can be zero percent" because you can deduct the depreciation from your taxable income.
For example, an investor who pays $275,000 for a house would divide it by 27.5 (years) for depreciation and shield $10,000 in income annually.
2. Put your financial house in order. Knowing your income and expenses will help you get loans and, subsequently, buy more property, De Guzman says. Don't forget to include taxes, insurance, maintenance, management, utilities and the reserves for major repairs, like a new roof.
It also pays to learn financing and talk with mortgage brokers to find programs to buy the property with as little money down as possible. First-time homeowners might buy a four-unit apartment building, get an Federal Housing Administration loan with a 3.5-percent down payment, collect the security deposit and, if you close early enough in the month, use the first month's prorated rent toward the down payment, De Guzman says.
3. Learn your market's vacancy rates and property ratings. There are areas rated A through F, and they all sell and rent for different rates. Keep your vacancy rate to 5 percent or less, De Guzman says, so you won't be stuck with an unrented property for months at a time.
If you don't want to be a property babysitter, avoid the areas with the lesser ratings. Areas with F ratings often have the most violent crimes in the neighborhood. "It's tough being there. You have to watch your investment like a hawk," he says.
A-rated areas often mean higher sales prices but lead to higher rents and more regular tenants. "You'll have fewer headaches if you're dealing with renters who can afford a more expensive rent. You don't want to be dealing with the bottom-of-the-barrel (properties) if you plan on being an absentee landlord," Novotny says.
4. Look for real estate with great potential. Properties that tend to do well are near schools, expanding retail or trendy points of interest, local transportation, or surrounding malls, says Daniel Sanchez, commercial associate partner of Partners Trust Commercial in Beverly Hills, California.
Once it's yours, maintain the exterior and keep your costs down with desert landscaping, low-flow toilets and tankless water heaters, he says.
5. Keep your options open. Consider smaller markets within secondary markets, how well the house was built and how much people are paying rent in the neighborhood. "I want to be in the $800-to-$900 range in the secondary market," says Yariv Bensira, owner of Hyde Capital in Memphis, Tennessee, who came to the country to attend college and now who owns and handles 4,000 units with a private investment fund in Israel.
Before buying, he checks how well the house was framed, who the tenants would be and what he can add to the property to reasonably increase the rent. "You're not going to change the demographic or bring in completely new people. The question is whether the existing tenants can pay a little more for a better product," he says.
6. Don't be lured by low interest rates. If a property is already 30 years old and would cost the same to build it, then don't buy it, Bensira says. Make sure your home has enough value to get the returns you want when you eventually sell the property.
7. Renovate the kitchen and bathrooms to get higher rent. Quality granite in the kitchen could save you resurfacing costs, and bring in an extra $50 to $90 per month, Bensira says. Be sure to know how much renovations cost so that you know if you're getting a fair bid.
8. Screen the tenants. Have an application process and use a service such as National Tenant Network to look for civil and criminal lawsuits, recent collection activity and credit scores above 600, says De Guzman. "Look for people who were down financially, but now are on their way up with a good job and some savings, who have been paying their bills for the past four years," he says.

Here are some often-overlooked tax tips that can help you manage the tax side of your rental property.

Renting out a residential property can be a solid investment, but there are many tax rules that must be followed in order to claim income and expenses properly. Tracking and organizing your rental receipts is the first step in managing the tax side of your rental property, but there are a number of other important — and often-overlooked — tax tips for landlords.

1. Claim your home office
You may not consider your rental income to be a regular business with an office, but it is. You have to record your income and expenses somewhere, and that is likely to be a desk or room in your home. If you use a room or other dedicated space in your home exclusively for your rental activities, you can claim a portion of your house expenses as a deduction against your rental revenues.

Your business portion can be based on either the office's square footage divided by the square footage of the entire house or by how many rooms it encompasses versus the total number of rooms in the house. Calculate it both ways and use the percentage that gives you the largest deduction.

Beginning with 2013 tax returns (filed in 2014), the IRS has begun a simplified option for claiming the deduction. This new method uses a prescribed rate multiplied the allowable square footage used in the home. For 2015 the prescribed rate is $5 per square foot with a maximum of 300 square feet. The space must still be dedicated to the business activity as described above.

2. Repairs versus improvements
Maintaining a rental property includes fixing the building up over time. Some of these costs are repairs, and some are improvements. The basic definition of a repair is anything that puts the property back into the same condition it was in originally.

For example, if you paint the walls, fix a broken window, or change the locks on the doors, you are simply restoring it the way it was in the beginning. An improvement, on the other hand, increases the value or the longevity of the property over what it had been originally. For example, if you build a room in the basement, put a new roof on the structure, install a solar electric array for the first time, or put in a new outdoor pool, the value of the property increases or it will last longer.

The reason it is important to differentiate between the two types of costs is that repairs and maintenance costs can be expensed in the year incurred, whereas improvements must be capitalized and the expense taken over a period of years through depreciation.

3. Track your mileage
If you have to use your personal vehicle for rental activities — such as buying supplies, picking up rent checks, or showing the property to potential renters — the proportion of the vehicle usage related to business purposes is deductible against rental revenue.

You can choose one of two methods to calculate your allowable deduction. The first requires that you track the percentage of your mileage you are using for business versus the total mileage of the vehicle. Apply this percentage to your total vehicle expenses for the year including gas, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and loan interest or lease cost. A more simplified method allows you to apply a per-mile rate to your total business miles for the year. These rates change once or twice a year and can be found on the IRS website (irs.gov).

4. Watch out for recapture
The tax code allows you to expense the cost of purchasing your rental property building and improvements (but not the land) over a number of years, through depreciation. This can provide you with a hefty annual expense to lower your taxable rental income each year. However, if you sell the property for more than the depreciated value, you may have to add some or all of the depreciation you have taken over the years back into your taxable income. This is called "recaptured depreciation," or "recapture" for short. It can be a nasty and expensive surprise in the year you sell the house.

Plan ahead for recapture if your property is in an area with increasing property values.

5. Legal and professional fees
You can deduct the cost of hiring a lawyer or an accountant to provide services related to your rental property. For example, if you have a lawyer draft your rental contracts, or engage an accountant to file your personal taxes that include your rental income, the rental-related portion of the expense is considered business-related, and you can deduct it against rental revenues.



​Original Article:  https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Investments-and-Taxes/Tax-Tips-for-Landlords/INF22649.html
Author: TurboTax

As you run a household for a decent length of time, there are certain things that become automatic. Like the shopping list—stuff runs out, you buy it again. But what if you didn't? Could life go on just fine without a few of those things you're always buying at the store? And could you save a little money in the meantime?
Here's the challenge: next time one of these 8 things runs out at your house, instead of automatically putting a refill on your shopping list, try for just two weeks to go without. I wonder if you'll really miss...

1. Dryer sheets? Of course we can all agree we love the way our towels smell after they come out of the dryer. But when something's gotta budge in the budget, surely the scent of dryer sheets can be the first to go.
2. Trash bags? You get so many from the supermarket—enough to last you through the week—why buy more? If your trash can requires a larger liner, here's an idea: convert that can to a liner-less one for recycling and buy a smaller, store bag-sized can for regular household waste.
3. Ziploc bags? Large Ziploc bags can be handy for freezing, but if you are buying them to take to work every day, consider using a lunchbox or other reusable container.
4. Paper towels? Making the switch to washable rags and sponges will both save you money and be better for the natural world in which you live.
5. Coffee pods? With the amount you get per pod, coffee pods end up costing about $50 per pound of coffee. That's madness when you consider how much better French press coffee tastes. Not sure if you could make the switch? Read suggestions offered by The Kitchn readers here.
6. Soda? Yes, soda is delicious. Yes, it is bad for you—even diet soda. Your body and your bank balance will thank you if you take a break from it for a little while.
7. Air-fresheners? Did you know lighting a match will do the job just as well? Or opening the window? And if you want something to smell pretty, bring in some flowers from outside, or buy a candle from a local all-natural candle supplier.
8. Pads and tampons? This one requires some investment, but could save you big bucks in the long run. Are you aware there are alternatives out there now, like this and these? It might seem a bit much, but, it's 2016! Do we really need to keep doing things just because that's the way we've always done them?


Original Article: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/need-to-find-some-extra-money-this-month-8-things-you-can-stop-buying-today-227921

.When your apartment has a bad smell, it can permeate every room quickly and can give guests the wrong impression of you. Don't make the mistake of simply covering up a bad smell with a heavy scent. To get your apartment smelling really good, first deodorize it. Then introduce a pleasing scent to make your living space appealing to every nose.

1. Sprinkle baking soda onto the surface of your fabric furniture, carpets and rugs. Leave the baking soda overnight, then vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda absorbs odors trapped within the fibers, so when you vacuum it up, the smells disappear, as well. Then, open all the windows and let your apartment air out for at least an hour.

2. Make a 1 to 10 mixture of bleach and water, then use it to clean all the hard surfaces in your apartment. Use a cleaning rag to apply the bleach mixture to counters, cabinet fronts, walls, baseboards and doors. The bleach mixture will remove dirt and grime and leave a clean, crisp scent throughout the apartment.

3. Light candles to scent the air in your apartment once you've deodorized it. Department stores, dollar stores and even thrift stores carry scented candles in a range of colors and scents. Candles also last for several weeks at a time, making them an economical choice. Look for beeswax or soy candles over paraffin for a more delicate scent. Before you light the candle, place it on a sturdy surface far from normal traffic.

4. Create a stove-top deodorizer in place of candles. Place 3 cups of water to simmer on the stove top. Add a handful of whole cloves or a cinnamon stick. Slice an orange into eight wedges and add to the mixture. Leave the stove-top deodorizer simmering for 30 minutes, then turn it off. You can heat the deodorizer periodically throughout the day or evening for 30 minutes each time.

Things You Will Need

• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• Bleach
• Cleaning rags
• Scented candle
• Whole cloves or cinnamon stick
• Orange

Tips

• One quick way to scent your apartment is to dab a few drops of vanilla onto the light bulb in your lamp. Turn the lamp on and within a few minutes, you'll smell warm vanilla in that room.

Warnings

• Don't use scented candles if you have pets or children living with you; children and pets could easily get burned or knock candles over and start a fire.
• Never leave candles unattended. Always extinguish them whenever you leave the apartment.

Author:  Jenna Marie
Origin: ​http://homeguides.sfgate.com/make-apartment-smell-good-cheaply-44089.html

Whether you're visiting friends downtown or headed to an event in the city, you may need to find parking if you're driving in from outside. Even if you live in another town where parking is scarce, your skills in your old town many not help you too much in the new one. Here's how to find a place to leave your ride, whether you're in town for a few hours or moving in. If you're in for something specific, finding parking can be bad but there are usually options near your venue. If you're just in town to see friends or try a new night spot, you might have a tougher time. If you're moving in and still need the option of driving, you'll need longer-term parking for your car in a safe place. All of those things are challenges, but they're not without solutions. Here's how to find short and long-term parking when you need it, in just about any town.

Short Term: Use Technology to Help You
If you're headed into a city for a special event, you may have the parking situation well in hand. Staying at a hotel? Ask the hotel if they have parking. Going in for a concert or a major event? The website for the event or venue probably has parking tips. Those things are useful, and you should definitely check before you leave, but if you're already on the way or headed to a place that's not likely to have parking, you need more options:

• ParkoPedia is your best friend if you haven't left yet. Even if your event has parking nearby, Parkopedia can show you lots or garages that are closer, and if you're visiting friends or going to a market or concert, you can see all of the nearby paid lots in the vicinity of your friend's place on a top-down Google Map. There are mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, and there's even a price calculator to help you estimate how much you'll pay in a given lot for the time you need to be in town.
• Parkmobile partners with cities large and small around the country (you can see a full map with locations here) to manage electronic payment for parking. If it's available to you, it's the best thing in the world for finding city parking. Load the iOS or Android app on your phone, and then find a parking space, garage, or lot. Once you park there, you'll see a code you can enter into the app to start a parking session. Type in the code, select how long you'd like to park, and start your session. Your credit card will automatically be billed, your car will be legally parked, and you can walk away—if your session ends, just open the app and extend it or start a new session. No running out to feed the meter, no moving your car every few hours to beat a time limit. Best of all, the app will guide you back to where you parked if you forgot, or help you find supported lots and open spaces if you're on the hunt.
• Parker is another parking service that also works with cities and municipalities to make paying for parking and finding legal spaces easier on drivers. You'll definitely need the mobile apps to make this service work (available for iOS and Android) but once you have them, a quick search using your destination address or your current GPS location will turn up meters, lots, and garages near you, along with how much they cost. The service even differentiates between ADA compliant parking spaces, EV charging stations, and other speciifc types of parking. Once you find a spot, you can pay with your phone and make a note of where you parked so you can get back easily or renew your parking session if you'll be longer than expected.
• Robin is a great parking assistant for Android users, and it's hands-free so you can use it in the car while you're driving around looking for a place to park. Just get Robin's attention by tapping the screen or waving your hand on front of it, and then ask for parking in your area. The app will show you available locations, and you can navigate to any one of them. Robin generally supports garages, paid lots, and centralized street parking, and will even tell you how many spots are available if the information is available. If you're looking for the cheapest available parking, just ask Robin to show you something cheaper, and the app will display more affordable alternatives.

Technology can only get you so far, of course. It can help, but sometimes you just have to go and see. You could always try to be sneaky and do things like park in a lot for a nearby store and walk to the concert or your friends' house, or park in a hotel garage pretending you're checking in for the night, but doing that you run the risk of getting found out and coming back to find a parking ticket, or worse, that your car's been towed. Do your homework ahead of time if you can, but even if you can't, a few handy apps will help you find an affordable, legal place to park. Unless the risk is really worth it (or you'll only be gone a short time), try not to tempt fate—or parking enforcement officials. They can swoop in, write a ticket, tow a vehicle, and be long gone in the time it takes you to run in and grab a bite to eat at a 24-hour burger joint.

Long Term: Research is Key
If you'll be parking for longer than a few hours—as in you'll be visiting for a few days or you're moving downtown but don't want to give up your car—you'll need some long-term options. Feeding a meter every single day doesn't sound like fun. Even so, fewer and fewer communities in cities offer garages or parking spaces to their residents, and fewer and fewer cities are letting new residents park on the streets in their neighborhoods. Here are some ways to get around that crunch:

• Parkopedia is useful here as well. It's great for short-term parking, but the service also displays lots that have daily, monthly, or yearly permit options, again on a top-down Google Map. Search for your future home or your new office, and then look around the area. Odds are there's a garage or a parking deck nearby that you can get a permit to park in. It may cost you a pretty penny (if you're parking for work, you should check with your company about being reimbursed for that) but you'll have options. Since they're mostly garages and company-owned lots, expect to pay more for spaces there—but at least you'll have reliable parking.
• BestParking is another service that collects and organizes available parking spaces in an area on a Google Map. If your parking needs take you near an Airport, or if Parkopedia doesn't have options for you, it's worth a look.
• ParkingSpotter, a service we've mentioned before, has a track record for being on-again-off-again in terms of the reliability of its listings, but the service does have the benefit of hosting Craiglist and independent parking space listings as well as commercial lots. That means that if someone in a nearby building is leasing a garage space in their building and has posted it to Craigslist, ParkingSpotter will show it to you so you can get in touch with the owner. Your mileage may vary though—like we mentioned, some cities and some listings are old and out of date, while others are bustling and active.
• Craigslist is another great way to find long-term spaces, garage spaces, or even people looking to make a little money by filling up the garage next to their home. Independent owners or people who are leasing apartments with parking to tenants without a car all use Craigslist to try and make a little extra money on their unused parking spaces—and they know that people in the community will bite, especially if parking is limited anyway. Don't overlook Craigslist as an option, especially to find the cheapest available parking. Often individual owners will lease below garage prices just to get people into their spots.

Technology is great, and can help you solve your parking problem, but you wouldn't be the first person paying a meter to park or moving your car every four hours to avoid getting a ticket because all of these options failed you. Here are some less digital but still valuable ways to find a long-term space:

• Get familiar with your local neighborhood parking cartels. Odds are there are maybe two or three companies that handle the vast majority of lot, garage, and street parking in your city. In some cases, one of those companies may be an absolute juggernaut. If that's the case, call them up directly and let them know where you're interested in parking. They may have their own application process to get you into a space near your home, and even if they don't have spaces there, they may be able to offer you something else. Similarly, don't forget the little guys—smaller companies that only have one or two lots may be thrilled to squeeze you into one of their garages if it means you'll be a monthly paying customer.
• If there's nothing in your building or on your block, ask other buildings instead. When I moved into the city, only to find there were no resident spaces in the garage under my building, our property manager gave me the number of a friend of his who was the property manager for another condo building about a block away. He explained that her building wasn't full yet and had plenty of units—and spaces in her garage—for sale. He explained that until her building was full, she'd be happy to rent out a space in the garage to me, or even let me park there for free until someone needed it. Be careful with this option though; while garages have set costs, renting spaces from individuals can cost more because you're paying for the convenience of parking near your home. Don't hesitate to ask around, shop around, and try to make a connection with a neighbor in another building.
• Check with your local housing/parking/motor vehicle authority. In my community, people living in condos and apartment buildings don't qualify for residential parking rights—the people who own and rent townhomes a block away do, though. You may be able to arrange a swap with someone further down the block who doesn't need their parking tag or sticker, or you may be able to swing something if you call your local department of motor vehicles or your nearby parking authority and ask. Similarly, you can ask what it would take to be able to legally park if for some reason your home isn't zoned for it. In my building, for example, a few residents got together and organized a petition to get our block zoned for residential parking, and they're pulling out all the stops to get local government to listen to them. You may need to do the same, especially if you'd rather not pay to park in the same place you live.

Sometimes the soft touch is the best way to go about finding long-term parking in a city. When I moved downtown, I started off with a pretty steady parking space in the garage below the building I lived in, but eventually I had to give it up because the owner of the space got a tenant in their own apartment who had a car. Be prepared to make that switch several times if you have to, and don't get too comfortable with any one space—you can have a great relationship with a "parking landlord," but if they need the space because their own apartment is advertised as having one, they'll ask for it back from you and you'll have to start your search again. Try to have a fallback option available.
Also, remember that sometimes reliable, safe, and secure parking is better than closer, more convenient parking. I eventually wound up paying for a spot in a lot about two blocks away over the garage below my building just because I could get a solid monthly contract for the lot, as opposed to renting a space in the garage under my building and worrying every month whether they would email me needing their space back. It's less convenient, but it's cheaper, and at least I always know there's a place for my car.

Or, Don't Park at All
Even though up to this point we've talked about how to find great parking options in a city, remember that sometimes the best parking options are no parking options. Many communities are going out of their way to discourage people from moving downtown and bringing their cars with them, and instead are encouraging people to take mass transit, use bikeshare programs, or use car-share programs with communal parking spaces if you need them. If those programs are convenient for you to get around town, then you may be better off just ditching your car and using them instead.
Similarly, you may consider renting a long-term space in a lot or garage far from your home but accessible via transit, and leaving your car on the outskirts of town, somewhere safe but accessible on the rare occasions you do need a car. That way you can take the train to your car when you need it, but you don't have to pay ridiculous parking fees to have it downtown close to your home. The same rule applies if you're headed into a city for a short term event, like a concert or a night on the town. You may be better off parking for free at a transit station and taking the train downtown, or driving close enough to park easily and then grabbing a taxi or an Uber or Hailo driver instead to get you around town, and then back to your car when the night winds down. 

In any event, parking in the city doesn't have to be a nightmare. It's almost never easy, but with these tools hopefully it'll be a little easier, and finding a safe, secure, and affordable place for your vehicle won't take up more time or money than it's really worth.

Original Article: http://lifehacker.com/how-to-find-parking-in-the-city-when-you-need-it-513771516
Author: Alan Henry

No matter how spacious your apartment, chances are, you could always use more storage. This is especially true during the holidays, when adding festive decorations feels right — until you’re left with nowhere to put ’em come January. Whether you’re moving into a Boston rental or an apartment in Nashville, TN, here are 10 surprising storage solutions to carve out more space for stuff in every room of your home.

Divide rooms strategically
Partitioning off an open floor plan might seem beside the point. But when you add shelves and cubbies, the right room divider can actually make a space feel bigger while also giving you more places to rein in clutter.

Kit out your coffee table
Coffee tables can quickly become catchalls for unopened mail, magazines, and other clutter. That’s why we love this DIY by A Beautiful Mess, with elegant compartments beneath a lift-up, translucent acrylic top. Such a cool way to show off colorful knickknacks while keeping them out of the way.

Boost your bed
Squeeze even more storage out of that prime space under the bed with an inexpensive set of bed risers. You’ll get a full 6 extra inches of height, enough room to stack up two layers of boxes if you play your cards right.

DIY a narrow pantry
While a wall-mounted spice rack works wonders in a small apartment kitchen, this DIY organizer on wheels by Classy Clutter is life-changing! If you have even a 6-inch gap between the fridge and the adjacent wall, you could swing this project and gain a ton of extra space for nonperishables. Roll it out when you need it and slide it back into place (and out of the way) when you’re done.

Exploit the ceiling
Perhaps the most underused space in any home is the closet ceiling, which is exactly where one clever homeowner found space to stow rolls of wrapping paper. A few carefully placed wires keep ’em corralled and out of view. This is a genius trick for the holiday season, of course, but we can picture similar suspended storage working for extra linens and handbags too.

Stack some boxes
Here’s a supersimple way from A Beautiful Mess to squeeze in extra storage in practically any nook, cranny, or corner: Cover small boxes (any size works) with patterned paper or fabric and stack them up. Inside, stash remotes, extra linens, shoes, sweaters, or basically anything you want to keep out of plain sight.

Build a breakfast nook
This deceptively simple breakfast nook designed by Arkin Tilt Architects (photo by Ed Caldwell) beautifully combines hidden storage with open shelving. Dishes and stemware go above the seats, silverware drawers pull out from the seat backs, and the benches flip up to reveal even more storage. If you can find (or build) a similar banquette to fit your apartment’s dining room or kitchen, you’ll be all set for storing culinary wares.
Stuff your stairs
From the “why didn’t we think of this?!” file, handy pullout drawers built into steps make the most of that often overlooked space under the staircase. It could be just the thing you need in a split-level rental (but even if you think your landlord will love the end result, get their signoff before hiring a carpenter).

Put up a pop-up
Does your building or rental home have outdoor or basement space? Take full advantage of it with a pop-up tent to house bikes, skis, or other sports equipment that might not fit inside. (Just be sure to clear it with your landlord before setting up.)

When in doubt, look up
Almost every apartment has vertical wall space prime for the taking. Whether you stack towels atop a wall-mounted cabinet or maximize the area above the toilet like My Fabuless Life, the possibilities for adding creative high-up storage are endless.

Original Article: http://www.trulia.com/blog/10-storage-solutions-to-gain-more-space/?ecampaign=con_wek_rentals_lifestyle_mk&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2F10-storage-solutions-to-gain-more-space%2F

Author: Jill Russell

Many of us who have done some city living have been there: You’ve moved into a new apartment only to find that your upstairs stiletto-wearing neighbor (and her terrier, with the claws) like to stomp around after your bedtime or the hot dog man on the corner outside your window sings falsetto.
But before you start looking at new apartment, try these tips to combat how much your neighbors can hear and make your space as quiet as can be. We talked to interior designers, contractors, and real estate brokers for the best advice on how to soundproof a room and turn down the volume for your neighbors.
With that in mind, here’s some of the best advice we got.

​1. An empty apartment is a noisy apartment
This one’s a no-brainer: Filling up your space will help absorb sound. Placement can be strategic, so if the noise is coming from the folks next door who share a wall, Brianna Weymouth, interior designer and principal of Weymouth I+D suggests placing large items such as armoires, bookshelves, or dressers against said wall or hanging sound-absorbing wall hangings such as macramé, if that can fit into your style.
2. It’s all about the acoustics
The thought of lining a ceiling with acoustic tiles doesn’t scream style, but color architect Richard Prime tipped us off to the superhandsome Baux line. The Sweden-based brand makes panels and tiles, each in a variety of shapes, constructed from wood wool, cement, and water. Simple materials with a practical, pared-down design make for a beautiful way to line your walls in sound-canceling harmony.
Kyndra Georgeson, principal designer for Platinum Design Studio, recommends a similar product from Mio, which blends recycled paper and cardboard in acoustic tiles that look sleek and are also environmentally sound. “They’re great because you can paint them,” she says, “and take them with you when you go!”
3. Try out a magic carpet
Though it’s not a rule of law, some residential lease terms in noisy New York will add a clause requiring a certain percentage of carpeting in a unit to keep traveling sound (read: footsteps, pets, and completely bizarre and inexplicable nighttime activities) to a minimum. Whether or not you’re obligated by your lease, it’s a good rule of thumb to cushion those floors to soften the pitter-patter of paws and feet.
4. Add a window dressing
Windows are a big culprit when it comes to letting sound come and go. Georgeson and Weymouth both sing the praises of heavy drapes — especially, says Weymouth, in older homes that haven’t been properly made airtight or have lost their caulking. Georgeson recommends fabrics such as elegant heavy velvet or a more utilitarian duck cloth to maximize the insulation no matter what decor vibe you’re going for.
5. Ask your landlord for an upgrade
Getting to the root of the issue starts with the window itself. New windows can help keep energy costs low while also offering soundproofing and curb-appeal benefits.
Denver-based home repair company 5280 Exteriors specializes in home installations that will withstand the Colorado climate — and what blocks cold and snow can often translate to blocking outside noise. If your landlord is replacing your windows, co-founder and owner Mick Lindquist recommends laminated glass with a wider distance between panes (standard is ⅝ inch and superdeluxe options come in at 1 inch thick). But, he adds, windows have to be pretty crummy to be replaced, so if you’re getting new ones of any kind, you’ll probably notice a difference.
But all of these benefits might not matter to your budget-conscious landlord. So even if you’re not in a position to get new windows, there are still things you can do. “Noise can also get through around the outside of the window if the window is not properly sealed,” says Lindquist. “It’s best to use spray-foam insulation around windows to prevent sound (and air and water) from getting in. Caulking around the outside of the window can also help.” Just be sure tocheck your lease before tackling any repairs.
6. Don’t discount nighttime sleep aids
With the advent of smartphones comes an abundance plethora of ambient noise samples to choose from, whether you prefer a croaking frog in the rainforest or the din of white-noise static. Sound-canceling headphones work well on an airplane and in your living room during a neighbor’s monster-truck-rally binge-watch.
The cheapest solution? Earplugs. They’re right around the corner at the drugstore and can make all the difference when you need a good night’s sleep and you live near the railroad tracks.


Author: Kelly O'Reilly
Original Article: ​http://www.trulia.com/blog/how-to-soundproof-a-room/?ecampaign=con_wek_rentals_lifestyle_mk&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-soundproof-a-room%2F

Give your home a once-over and tend to winter preparation tasks and repairs before the year’s first frost. Getting the exterior of the home ready for the cold winds, snow and ice is critical for keeping Old Man Winter out and keeping it warm and toasty inside. By being proactive, you’ll lower your energy bills, increase the efficiency and lifespan of your home’s components, and make your property safer.
 
Windows and Doors

• Check all the weatherstripping around windows and doorframes for leaks to prevent heat loss. Replace weatherstripping, if necessary.

• Replace all screen doors with storm doors.

• Replace all window screens with storm windows.

• Examine wooden window frames for signs of rot or decay. Repair or replace framing to maintain structural integrity.

• Check for drafts around windows and doors. Caulk inside and out, where necessary, to keep heat from escaping.

• Inspect windows for cracks, broken glass, or gaps. Repair or replace, if needed.

 
Lawn, Garden, and Deck

• Trim overgrown branches back from the house and electrical wires to prevent iced-over or wind-swept branches from causing property damage or a power problem.

• Aerate the lawn, reseed, and apply a winterizing fertilizer to promote deep-root growth come spring.

• Ensure rain or snow drains away from the house to avoid foundation problems. The dirt grade — around the exterior of your home — should slope away from the house. Add extra dirt to low areas, as necessary.

• Clean and dry patio furniture. Cover with a heavy tarp or store inside a shed or garage to protect it from the elements.

• Clean soil from planters. Bring pots made of clay or other fragile materials indoors. Because terra cotta pots can swell and crack, lay them on their sides in a wood carton.

• Dig up flower bulbs, brush off soil, and label. Store bulbs in a bag or box with peat moss in a cool, dry place for spring replanting.

• Remove any attached hoses and store them away for the winter to prevent cracks, preserve their shapes, and prolong their life. Wrap outside faucets with covers to prevent water damage.

• Shut off exterior faucets. Drain water from outdoor pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads to protect against pipe bursts.

• Inspect decks for splintering, decay, or insect damage and treat, if needed, to prevent further deterioration over the winter.

• Clean leaves, dirt, and pine needles between the boards of wooden decks to thwart mold and mildew growth.

• Inspect outdoor lighting around the property. Good illumination will help minimize the chance of accidents on icy walkways at night.

• Check handrails on exterior stairs to make sure they’re well secured.

 
Tools and Machinery

• Bring all seasonal tools inside and spray them with a coating of lightweight oil to prevent rust.

• Weatherize your lawn mower by cleaning off mud, leaves, grass, and debris.

• Move your snow blower and shovels to the front of the garage or shed for easy access.
• Prepare the snow blower for the first snowfall by changing the oil and replacing the spark plug.

• Sharpen ice chopper and inspect snow shovels to make sure they’re ready for another season of work.

• Make sure you have an ample supply of ice melt or sand on hand for steps, walkways, and the driveway.

 
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

• Inspect the firebox and flue system to ensure that they’re clean of any soot or creosote and that there aren’t any cracks or voids that could cause a fire hazard.

• Check fireplace for drafts. If it’s cold despite the damper being closed, the damper itself may be warped, worn, or rusted. Consider installing a Chimney Balloon into the flue to air seal the area tightly.

• Clean or replace the air filter in your furnace for maximum efficiency and improved indoor air quality.

• Clean your whole house humidifier and replace the evaporator pad.

• Bleed valves on any hot-water radiators to increase heating efficiency by releasing air that may be trapped inside.

• Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.

• Remove air conditioners from windows or cover them with insulated liners, to prevent drafts.

• If you have an older thermostat, replace it with a programmable unit to save on heating costs.

• Install foam-insulating sheets behind outlets and switch plates on exterior walls to reduce outside airflow.

• Make sure fans are switched to the reverse or clockwise position, which will blow warm air down to the floor for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort.

• Flush a hot water heater tank to remove sediment, and check the pressure relief valve to make sure it’s in proper working order.

• Examine exposed ducts in the attic, basement, and crawl spaces, and use a sealant to plug up any leaks.

 
Gutters, Roof, and Drains

• Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace, as necessary before you get stuck with a leak.

• Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, and skylights and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.

• Check the gutters and downspouts for proper fastening, and re-secure if loose or sagging. The weight of snow and ice can pull gutters off the house.

• Clean gutters of any debris. Make sure downspouts extend away from the house by at least 5 feet to prevent flooding of the foundation and water damage from snowmelt.

• Clean leaves and debris from courtyard and pool storm drains to prevent blockages.

• Ensure all vents and openings are covered to prevent insects, birds, and rodents from getting inside to nest in a warm place.

 

If you grow it, you have to mow it. There’s no doubt that growing grass and maintaining your lawn can be costly. Routine lawn care activities like mowing, watering, and fertilizing can add up to hundreds spent each year just making your outdoor space greener – and this doesn’t include planting grass seed or laying sod!

Here is a few frugal tricks for cutting lawn care costs – and any plot or yard size can benefit.

1. Stop over watering your lawn!
An established lawn requires only 1 inch of water each week, whereas many people water double this amount. Grass is a neat little plant with roots that grow deep. The less you water your lawn the deeper the grass roots grow – costing you less in water use. To measure your water usage, buy a plastic watering gauge at your hardware store for about $5. Place the gauge in the lawn and turn off the sprinklers when you have reached the target amount. Or, place a small bucket or ice cream pail under the sprinkler to catch the water and measure for free. You could save hundreds this summer by not sprinkling your cash over the greens.

2. Water early in the morning
The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning when it’s cool out and before any winds kick up and carry your water away. By watering in the mornings instead of in the hot afternoons, you can reduce your water use because heat and evaporation are not diminishing your watering attempts.

3. Grow a taller lawn
Growing your lawn to heights between 2 and 3 inches can save you up to 50 percent of the water consumed by a shorter 1 to-2 inch lawn. Keeping grass cut short causes the roots to grow shallow, which exposes them to drier soil at the surface, so the grass then requires more frequent watering. A taller lawn also helps to crowd out weeds, saving you additional dollars on weed-busting maintenance costs.

4. Convert part of your lawn to a vegetable garden
Adding green space around your home in the form of a lawn is attractive, but it’s also expensive when you consider the costs of growing grass over the savings gained from having your own vegetable garden. By converting a portion of your greenery to a small vegetable garden, you get more bang for your soil buck and can save money on your food budget. Besides, growing some salad tastes a whole lot better than eating grass.

5. Use vinegar and dish soap to kill weeds
Herbicides can eat holes in your pocketbook while being hard on the environment. Skip expensive chemicals and cultivate your own weed-killing solution by mixing vinegar with a bit of food-safe dish soap. Just fill an old spray bottle and apply directly onto your weeds. This frugal and environmentally safe mixture kills most weeds and can be safely used anywhere near pets and children. For tougher weeds that don’t respond to vinegar and dish soap, a bit of digging is free and guaranteed to work.

6. Make your own fertilizer with compost
Skip spending good dollars on expensive synthetic and petroleum-based fertilizer each year by starting a compost. A properly maintained compost can break down waste from both your kitchen scraps and garden trimmings. The compost from a single household can replace about $20 worth of synthetic fertilizer each year and will help keep chemicals off your lawn and out of your vegetable garden.

7. Sow grass seed and skip sod
If you need an instant lawn it will cost you. Laying weed-free and pretty sod runs 30 to 40 times more than planting grass seed. So if you’ve got the time, opting for sowing grass seed will save you hundreds. The best time to plant is after the last frost in spring or late in the fall. Seeds will lay dormant over the winter, then be the first plants to sprout in the spring. Seeding grass is dirt cheap and easy – just sprinkle your grass seed onto your soil and rake it in so it’s just under the surface.

8. Use a manual push lawn mower
Save yourself lots of green by cutting your lawn with a manual push lawn mower instead of a gas-powered unit. Manual push lawn mowers slice the grass using the energy you provide and cost anywhere from $100 to $150 with virtually zero maintenance costs. On the other hand, gas-powered lawn mowers (especially riding lawn mowers) are expensive to buy, cost big dollars to fuel, and may require a mechanic to service any breakdowns. Don’t get me started on the costs of lawn tractors, the annoyance of sourcing replacement lawn mower parts, or the impossibility of using an electric lawn mower in the middle of a farm. Sigh. As an added free bonus though, push lawn mowers are quiet, are non-polluting and give you a great workout. Now that’s a new way to find splendor in the grass.

9. Keep your lawn mower sharp
You don’t need to be the sharpest knife in the drawer to know that dull lawn mower blades do not cut grass well. If you’re using a gas or electric mower, dull blades can increase energy use by 10 percent. To get your lawn mower blades sharp, get a sharpening stone for under $10 at most hardware stores and sharpen your lawn mower blades at least every other month. Just be sure to turn off or unplug your lawn mower before sharpening. Ouch!

 Author: Kerry K.  Taylor

Original Article: http://www.squawkfox.com/2009/06/17/grass-cut-lawn-care-costs/

In all honesty, it's impossible to bug proof your home completely. Like it or not, some insects will find a way into your house. But you don't have to make it easy for them! Invest a little time in these home maintenance and housekeeping tasks, and you will greatly reduce your chances of a major insect infestation.
When attempting to bug proof your home, you need to do two basic things: prevent insects and spiders from getting inside, and eliminate bug habitat in your house.Your goals are to keep as many bugs out as possible, and to make your house inhospitable to the few that find their way in.

1. Install and maintain screens on all doors and windows.

If you don't have screen doors on your home, install them. Repair or replace any torn or damaged window screens. Use fine mesh screening to prevent all but the tiniest insects from entering your home.


2. Seal around all doors.

If air and light can pass through, bugs can get in. Install tight-fitting thresholds and door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors. Use door seals to fill the gap around the sides and top of each door, too.

3. Seal cracks in your home's foundation, exterior walls, and fascia boards.

Any crack in the exterior walls of your home is a welcome sign to insects. Grab a tube of caulk and inspect your home from top to bottom. Seal any cracks you find.

4. Seal around utility lines and appliance vents.

Insects may enter your home through tiny gaps around your dryer vent, gas line, or even telephone line. Caulk crevices on the outside of your home. You might also want to seal these areas from the inside using a spray foam product.

5. Install critter-proof mesh on vents in attics and crawl spaces.

Raccoons, squirrels, mice, and even birds may make themselves at home in crawl spaces and attics if you don't install barriers to keep them out. These animals may carry mites, fleas, or other pests that will then infest your home.

6. Eliminate moisture by fixing leaks.

Most insects (except for those that live in arid environments) require a certain amount of humidity to survive. Any source of moisture can attract them. Fix any plumbing leaks, however minor, promptly. Even condensation on pipes can drip and create suitable places for bugs to live. If your basement or crawl space takes on water during heavy rains, you're asking for insect problems. Install a proper drainage system, and run dehumidifiers if needed.

 7. Keep a tidy kitchen.

Where there's food and water, bugs will happily make themselves at home. Do all you can to keep your kitchen clean. Wipe up crumbs, sweep or vacuum the floor, and clean up spills right away. Don't leave dishes in the sink overnight. Clean out the toaster and microwave regularly. Scrub down your stovetop every day. Throw away food scraps and packages.

 8. Keep food sealed up tight.

If you have a kitchen pest problem, you'll need to take drastic steps to eliminate food sources for the offending insects. Store cereals, grains, rice, and other pantry items in air tight containers. Keep opened food containers in the refrigerator.

 9. Get rid of clutter.

Insects need places to hide, and a cluttered home is a bug's paradise. Recycle unneeded boxes and newspapers promptly. Keep laundry in clothes hampers. Keep your floor clear of belongings, and put things away after you use them.

10. Clean up after your pets.

Some bugs like pet food, and others like pet waste. Clean your pet's food dishes regularly, and don't leave extra pet food accessible. Store dry food in air tight containers. Scoop and clean your cat's litter box daily. Wash your pet's bed or favorite blanket regularly.

11. Take the garbage out frequently.

If you can smell it (even a little), it's going to attract bugs. In fact, insects are much more sensitive to odors than we are, so even if you can't smell it, it may attract bugs. If you're really worried about insect pests in your home, empty your garbage often. Line your cans with plastic garbage bags, and tie them tight before you take the bags out for pick-up.

12. Rinse recyclables thoroughly.

Your recycling can is a smorgasbord for bugs. Soda cans, beer bottles, and pet food cans will all attract insects if they aren't rinsed out thoroughly.

13. Scrub your trash bins.

Even with your garbage in plastic bags, there's bound to be a spill or torn bag now and then. Scrub out all of your trash bins to eliminate smells and sticky substances that may attract insects. Several times per year, use a solution of bleach to clean your outdoor cans thoroughly, especially if you keep them close to your house.

14. Clean up your yard.

Mulch, leaf litter, and garden debris can all harbor insects. Keep mulch away from your home's foundation, and clean up any accumulated organic matter. Mow your lawn regularly, and keep it short near your house. Pull annuals out at the end of the growing season, and trim back perennials as appropriate in the fall.

15. Prune trees and shrubs.

When trees and shrubs come in contact with your home, they function as highways for insects on the move. Keep tree branches pruned so they don't rest on your roof. Prune shrubs away from windows and doors.


Author: Debbie Hadley
Original Article: http://insects.about.com/od/insectssociety/a/15-Ways-To-Bug-Proof-Your-Home.htm

Saving water is particularly important during the summer, when the days are hot and the rainfall is sporadic. It's even more so this year as much of the country faces an unrelenting drought. If you want to cut your water bills or just do your part to conserve a precious resource, here are a few smart tips to reduce water usage around the house.

Use the Dishwasher
Odd as it may seem, studies have shown that in households with two or more people, a dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. To get the most significant savings, scrape your dishes clean, don't prerinse them, and run the dishwasher only when it's completely full.

Showers, Not Baths
The average bath uses between 30 and 50 gallons of water. And that's if you only fill the tub once—most bathers add more hot water as the bath water cools. An old shower uses about 20 gallons of water, but installing a modern low-flow showerhead can reduce water consumption to just 10 gallons per shower—assuming you don't stay in there all day.


Tame the Toilet
Toilet flushing accounts for more water usage than any other activity in the home. That's why it's so important to replace old toilets, which use between 5 and 7 gallons of water per flush, with an efficient modern toilet that uses only 1.6 gallons. Leaky toilet tanks are also huge water wasters; a faulty flush mechanism in the tank allows water to slowly and silently leak into the bowl. To detect a toilet-tank leak, remove the tank cover and add a few drops of food coloring to the water. Wait 30 minutes, then check the water in the toilet bowl. If it has turned the hue of your food coloring, then the tank is leaking. Repair or replace the flush mechanism.

Don’t use the toilet as a trash can. Dispose of facial tissues, diaper wipes, cotton swabs, and bandages in a trash can; never flush them down the toilet. Besides clogging your pipes, you're also wasting water.

Fix Faulty Faucets
Sooner or later you'll probably find at least one dripping faucet in your home. A little drip may not seem like a big deal, but a faucet leaking one drop per second wastes about 2700 gallons of water per year! If you don't repair the leak promptly, it'll worsen over time and waste even more water (leaks never heal themselves).

You can easily stop leaky faucets without calling a plumber. Do-it-yourself faucet-repair kits are sold at most hardware stores and home centers. Check the faucet's installation manual to make sure you buy the right replacement parts.

Insulate Hot-Water Pipes
Pipe insulation might not jump to mind as a way to save water, but it should. Just think about all the water that's wasted while you stand there waiting for the water in from your sink or shower to get hot. If you wrap every hot-water supply pipe in your home with thick foam-rubber insulation, the water inside the pipe will stay hot longer, reducing the amount of time it takes for hot water to reach the faucet. As a bonus, you'll also save on energy because it won't take as much to heat your water.


Smart Laundry
Today's super-efficient washing machines use much less energy and water than models built just 10 years ago, but you can reduce water consumption even further.First, wash only full loads of laundry. If you must wash a partial load, adjust the water level to match the load. Avoid the permanent-press setting, which uses additional water during the final rinse cycle. Replace rubber water-supply hoses with braided stainless-steel hoses, which are much more durable and less likely to crack and burst open. And when leaving home for vacation or extended periods of time, shut the hot- and cold-water valves, just in case a hose ruptures.


Kitchen Conservation
Don't thaw frozen food under warm running water. Instead, thaw them on the counter or, especially in the case of meats, in the refrigerator. Rather than boiling vegetables in a pot, steam them in a microwave oven, which requires very little water. Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running faucet. You'll save more than 3 quarts of water each time. Even if you don't use a Brita or some other kind of water-purification pitcher, keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge. You'll save more than half the amount of water versus running the faucet until the water turns cold.


Lawn and Garden
Spread a thick layer of bark mulch around flower beds, trees, shrubs, and gardens. Mulch not only blocks out weeds, but it helps retain moisture so you won't need to water as often. When using lawn sprinklers, ensure they're not spraying the house, street, driveway, sidewalk, or patio. And if you've got an automatic sprinkler system, install a rain sensor that will shut down the system during a rainstorm. Water early in the morning or late in the day, when temperatures are cooler and less of the water will evaporate before it can soak in. (Read more smart watering tips here.)
Never use a garden hose to rinse leaves and grass clippings off driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Use a wide push broom, rake, or leaf blower.

Original Article: 
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a7909/8-easy-ways-to-save-water-this-summer-11182067/
Author: Joseph Truini

Are you in the process of buying a home? You may have discovered that we are in a very competitive market right now. Many houses will sell in one day with multiple offers. This can be a frustrating time for many home buyers, but, with the right “ingredients” you will be “cookin’ with fire” in no time. So, without further ado ....

 1. Make your offer as “clean” as possible. Don’t ask the seller to pay for your home warranty, and the homeowner’s association’s transfer fees, and your lender’s fees, etc.

2. Don’t ask the seller for their personal property (refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.)

3. Ask your agent to find out what’s important to the seller (price, terms, closing date, etc.) and then craft your offer around this information.

4. The typical inspection period is 10 days long. Consider shortening the inspection period to five or seven days.

5. You may have to offer more than the list price. Really? Yes. Really.

6. A typical earnest deposit is 1% of the purchase price. Give the seller more than this to show you’re financially strong and serious about buying the home.

7. If you can afford to do this, offer to pay cash and provide proof of the funds you’ll use.

8. If you feel confident in the price you’re offering, waive the appraisal contingency. This will mean, if the home appraises for less than the purchase price, you’ll make up the difference in cash.

9. Add an “escalation clause” to your offer that outbids any other offer up to a given price. For example, “Buyer will pay $500.00 over any offer up to $200,000.” Your agent should check with his/her broker for a recommendation on the specific language to use before doing this and then require a copy of the next highest offer the seller received.

10. Offer to forfeit your earnest money to the seller if you cancel the purchase contract after the inspection period.

11. Make a larger down payment than what is required for your loan program. For example, put 5% down on your FHA loan, rather than the minimum requirement of 3.5%. Again, this shows the seller that you are financially strong, but more importantly, by making a larger down payment, you’ll finance less, and save more money over the long term.

12. Offer to buy the home in as-is condition. Signing an As Is Addendum doesn’t mean you can’t have the home inspected. You can still get a home inspection, cancel the contract, and get your earnest money back if you find something wrong with the home and notify the seller during your inspection period.

13. Agree to open escrow with the listing agent’s preferred title company.

14. Agree to get pre-qualified with the listing agent’s preferred lender. This doesn’t mean you have to finance the home with the listing agent’s preferred lender. It will just reassure the sellers that you really are qualified to purchase their home.

15. Write a letter explaining why you chose the seller’s home and why you want to live there. You may even include a photo of your family, if you feel comfortable doing this.

16. If your bid on the home isn’t accepted, have your agent ask the listing agent if the seller wants to hold your offer as a back-up offer.

17. Make sure you’ve provided all of the required documents with your initial offer. If a seller receives multiple offers, one of the first things he/she often does is throw out the sloppy and incomplete offers.

Original Article: http://www.thehillgroupaz.com/2012/17-ways-to-get-offer-to-buy-a-house-accepted-in-a-sellers-market/
Author: Doug Hill

Let's cut to the chase -- it's hot out and it's only going to get warmer over the next couple months. And while it's tempting to crank up the AC or plant yourself within a couple-foot radius of the nearest fan, these certainly aren't the only tricks for keeping cool.

1. Keep your blinds closed. As simple as it may seem, the Family Handyman notes that up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades, curtains and the like can save you up to 7 percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. In other words, it essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse, which is especially the case for south- and west-facing windows.

2. And be smart about your doors. Closing off unused rooms will prevent the cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You'll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, however (see tip #7), and let air flow naturally through your home.

3. Swap your sheets. Not only does switching up your bedding seasonally freshen up a room, it's a great way to keep your bedroom cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. And as an added bonus, buy yourself a buckwheat pillow or two. Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them, they won't hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows, even when packed together inside a pillow case.

4. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. Whether you know it or not, your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. By setting them counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the airflow produced will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you and your guests "feel" cooler.


5. Worry about the person, not the house. If your ancestors survived without air conditioning, so can you. From sipping tasty iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, doing the cooling from the inside out is not a bad idea. Other tricks include being smart about your clothing choices and telling your partner you won't be cuddling until the leaves start changing color.


6. Turn on your bathroom fans, or your exhaust fan in the kitchen for that matter. Both of these pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your apartment. That being said, you don't want to let the cooler air escape, so be sure windows, doors and cracks are caulked before things start really heating up.


7. Let the night air in. During the summer months, temperatures tend to drop during the night. If this is the case where you live, make the most of these refreshing hours by cracking the windows before you go to bed. You can even create a wind tunnel by strategically setting up your fans to force the perfect cross breeze. Just be sure to close the windows (and the blinds) before things get too hot in the morning.

8. Ditch the incandescent lights. If you ever needed motivation to make the switch to CFLs, this is it. Incandescent bulbs waste about 90 percent of their energy in the heat they emit, so throwing them to the curb will make a small difference in cooling your home while lowering your electric bill.

9. Start grilling. It's obvious, but we're going to say it anyway: Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 100+ degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on a 400 degree oven. Besides, who doesn't want to get more mileage out of their outdoor furniture and seasonal accessories?

10. Make a few long-term improvements. If you're really, really committed to the whole no-AC thing, you can make a couple changes to your home that will keep it cooler for seasons to come. Insulated window films, for example, are a smart purchase as they work similarly to blinds. And additions like awnings and planted trees or vines on or in front of light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun's rays, reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs and make your investment nothing but worthwhile.

Home security systems have grown in popularity over the years but the simple truth is that there are ways you can ensure your home security aside from using a security system. While having a system is a good idea, it is not the only idea. There are things that you have to do to ensure your family’s safety and the safety of your home and many of these things will cost you nothing.

From remembering to lock the doors when you leave to always keeping your windows locked, some security steps are not expensive nor are they time-consuming. Whether you are leaving on vacation, going to work or even staying at home, you want to know that your home, family and possessions are safe and secure. We have put together a list of things that you can do to better protect your home and family.

You can try one of these tips or try them all. You simply can never be too safe. These tips are effective, easy to initiate and best of all, many of them are completely free.

1. Keep Ladders Put Away

If you have a ladder just sitting up against your house, you can bet that a burglar is going to use it to enter your upstairs windows. Most won’t bring their own ladders and you certainly do not want to make their jobs easier. Put ladders away in the garage or work shed when they are not in use.

2. Reinforce Door Jambs

If your door jambs or frames are weak, you want to reinforce them so that they are not easy to kick in. When burglars cannot jar the locks, they may resort to kicking in the doors and if you reinforce those doors, you make their jobs much harder. Most burglars will give up when they cannot easily enter a home.

3. Invest in Tougher Windows

While this is not a free security tip, it is an important one. Even if you do everything else right to deter burglars, if your windows are easy to break then someone is likely to intrude your home. You can get double-glazed windows that are much tougher to break so that burglars are not as likely to come inside.

4. Close the Garage Door

When you are gone you should always keep the garage door closed. If you forget to close it regularly, a timer may be a good idea. You can simply set the timer to close the door for you after a specific amount of time has elapsed so that burglars can’t get inside. The sensors are easy to install and relatively cheap considering the alternative.

5. Check Your Door Locks

If the only locks on your doors are knob locks, you need better locks. You should never rely on knob locks as your only form of security. Top locks make your home much more secure and are relatively easy to install. Deadbolts along with knob locks make it twice as difficult to pry the door open and enter.

6. Set Up a Neighborhood Watch

This is a completely free tip that will help you to protect your home and the homes of your neighbors. If you don’t already have some sort of neighborhood watch in place, you may want to talk with your neighbors and set one up. Studies have shown that you can reduce the level of crime in your neighborhood by as much as 26 percent when you have a neighborhood watch program in place.

7. Get a Safe

Safes are really inexpensive and great for keeping things safe from burglars as well as fires. You can find many different kinds of safes so it is completely possible to get the perfect one for your needs. Whether you want something that you can hide in the wall or just something that you can shove under the bed, important documents, expensive jewelry and other valuables should always be protected by a safe.

8. Motion Sensors Are Essential

Motion sensors are not terribly expensive and come in very handy when protecting your home. Most home security systems today offer these sensors and you have the choice of a low monthly fee or a low upfront cost. You can install the sensors yourself, saving you a lot of money over professional installation.

9. Install a Peephole

If your main door does not have a peephole, you should install one. You want to always be able to tell who is at your door before you open it. It takes just a little time to install the peephole and it can be a great addition to your home security lineup. No matter what type of door you have, there is a way to install a peephole.

10. Build a Hiding Place for Valuables

If you have valuable jewelry, cash or other items that you really want to keep hidden, you can build your own hiding place. Burglars have gotten smart enough to check under the matters and in the freezer but there are numerous other places in your home that will work for a hiding place that they would never think to check.

11. Use Alarm System Decals – Even If You Don’t Have An Alarm

You can buy fake alarm system decals that will deter would-be burglars. eBay sells them or you can pick them up in yard sales and other places. Although you will know that you don’t really have an alarm system in your home, burglars will certainly think twice about trying to enter when they see the decals that say your home is protected.

12. Keep Your Landscaping Neat

Criminals love places to hide so if you have untrimmed bushes near your windows, this is virtually like inviting them to enter your home. If you are going to be away from home for some time, it is particularly important that you keep your lawn mowed and bushes trimmed to give the impression that you are still at home.

13. Get a Dog

You don’t actually have to get a dog, but studies have shown that barking dogs deter burglars. If you don’t have a dog and don’t really want one, there are alarm systems that sound like barking dogs when they are triggered. Would-be burglars will worry about confronting your canine friends and will be gone before they can do any damage.

14. Keep Your Mail Picked Up

If you are planning to be gone on vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail every day while you are away. You could also ask the post office to hold your mail and cancel newspaper subscriptions until you return. A mailbox filled with uncollected mail is the first indication to a burglar that no one is at home.

15. Keep Electronics Boxes Out of Sight

Leaving boxes from major electronics on the curb or on your porch lets criminals know that you have these things in your house. Security experts recommend you tear down the boxes or haul them to the dump right away. If needed, you can just cut them up into smaller pieces and hide them in your trash can.

16. Buy Light Timers

Keeping your indoor and outdoor lights on timers is an excellent way to give burglars the impression that you are at home, even when you are not. Timers are inexpensive and will turn on your lights at a certain time every evening. This is also a good idea for when you arrive home late at night. You won’t have to worry with forgetting to turn on lights when the timer does it for you.

17. Don’t Broadcast Your Plans

If you are going to be on vacation, you shouldn’t really broadcast the fact that you will be away. While you may want to hit Facebook and alert all of your friends that you are heading to Maui, it is best to wait until you return home and then let them know what a good time you had. A broadcast that you are going to be away from home could fall into the wrong hands.

18. Install Dummy Surveillance Cameras

You don’t need to purchase expensive surveillance cameras. You can actually trick burglars by installing cameras that seem like they are watching your home, even if they really aren’t. There are some great ways that you can install webcams and turn those cameras into security cameras that allow you to keep an eye on your home no matter where you are.

19. Bar Doors and Windows

Sliding doors and windows give burglars good opportunities to enter your home. By simply placing wooden dowels or metal bars on these areas, you can secure them so that burglars can’t open them. You just cut the dowels so that they fit into the tracks whenever the doors and windows are closed.

20. Leave Tracks in the Snow

If you are going to be gone during winter, burglars will actually look for tracks around your home in the snow. Have a neighbor come to your house and track up your yard so that it looks as if you are home. Untouched snow is a certain indicator to burglars that you are gone, particularly if it remains untouched for a couple of days.