Month: January 2015

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Buy luxury homes Buying an investment property Real estate companies

Four Tips for Investing in a New Property

Buy investment property

Although most homeowners plan to remain in a new home for at least two years, average adults buy and sell properties several times throughout their lifetimes. Whether you are considering moving residences, buying a seasonal or second home, or buying an investment property to yield a lucrative future reward, knowing your stuff when it comes to buying real estate is the key to a sweet deal and a happy home.

Know the Location

For people looking to buy luxury homes or affordable homes, choosing and researching the right area is an important first step. Compare current listings for luxurious residential properties across neighborhoods or create a spreadsheet of investment properties for sale so you will be prepared to spot a great deal when you find one. Important statistics to keep in mind are the average and median prices of properties in the area you are considering.

Hire a Professional

As a liaison between buyers and sellers, a real estate agent can show you multiple real estate sites to discover property sold by different agents. People who have always wanted to buy luxury homes can ask important questions to their real estate agent to find out how to make their dream a reality. Forming an alliance with an insider in the business will help you narrow your search and optimize the property buying process.

Get your Facts Straight

While 42% of prospective home buyers think that only first-time buyers qualify for mortgages insured by the Federal House Administration … or FHA loans, several different types of FHA loans are available to suit buyers in many different circumstances. Know what’s fact and what’s fiction as far as your financing options are concerned.

Crunch the Numbers

Banks look for buyers to make down payments because this helps protect the mortgage lender. While a down payment on a property increases your out-of-pocket expenses initially, a down payment results in the buyer gaining equity, or owning part of the property. If you choose the right property to invest in, it is possible to start earning returns on your investment property in very little time.

Whether your heart’s desire is to buy luxury homes, purchase investment property, or move across the globe, share your real estate related ambitions here.

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Digital tv remote control Toshiba ct-90275 remote Tv remote replacement

Five Easy Ways to Stop Your Dog from Chewing on TV Remotes

Replacement remotes for tv

There are few things that dogs love eating more than television remote controls, and many dog owners will go through several TV remote replacements trying to curb their dog’s appetite for small infrared devices.

Of course, most people would rather nip the problem in the bud instead of spending money on endless replacement television remote controls. Here’s how to stop your dog from chewing on television remote controls in a few simple steps.

  1. Hide Your Remote

    The simplest solution is to just keep your remote hidden. Put it in a high cabinet with a closed door or close the dog out of the TV room using a gate.

  2. Distract Your Dog

    Pay attention to your dog and wait until he goes for the remote. As soon as he starts chewing, make a loud sound (clap your hands, for instance) and say something like “No chew.” Usually, your dog will be startled enough to stop chomping on your remote. While he’s distracted, show him a bone or chew toy that he can play with instead, and praise him when he takes it from you. Eventually, he may associate dropping the remote with being rewarded.

  3. Bribe Your Dog

    If you’re dog has the remote control, tell him to “give” and show him a treat. Your dog will usually figure out that he has to let go of the remote to get the treat. Over time, your dog will start to associate the “give” command with dropping items in his mouth to get a treat.

  4. Exercise Your Dog

    Your dog should have plenty of mental and physical activity throughout the day. When dogs are bored, they start to chew. The more you take your dog outside to walk, run and play, the less he’ll be interested in TV remote controls. You can also keep your dog mentally stimulated with training exercises and food-stuffed toys.

  5. Replace Your Remote

    This one is a little sneaky, but still effective. If you’ve already purchased replacement remotes for your broken ones, take one that’s not working anymore and spray it with a taste deterrent made for dogs. Leave it out and let your dog discover that remotes don’t taste very good.

One of these tips should work for you, but if they don’t, it might be time to take your dog to a professional dog trainer; or just buy a whole box of remote replacements.
Continue your research here.

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Philips remote control Replacement remotes for tv Tv remote control replacements

Why Does My Dog Keep Chewing My TV Remote?

Philips remote control replacement

Many dog owners go through several TV remote replacements while trying to get their dog to stop eating them. Replacement remotes don’t cost that much, but programming a remote over and over can get tedious, and obviously most pet owners would prefer to avoid that hassle altogether.

But before you can get your dog to stop viewing television remote controls as chewtoys, you need to get to the bottom of what makes them chew in the first place.

Most dogs are born with a natural tendency to chew. They may consider it an enjoyable way to pass their time. Dogs often think of activities as a path to a reward, and when they chew on something, they’re performing an activity (chewing) and getting rewarded at the same time (with more chewing).

For many dogs, the impulse to chew actually comes from a very affectionate place: it’s reassuring to dogs to chew something that smells like the family that takes care of them. Since remotes and replacement remotes are handled so often, they collect plenty of great smells for your dog to enjoy.

For other dogs, chewing can be a way to relieve boredom, nervousness or separation anxiety. This is especially true of dogs who only chew destructively while you’re away at work: most of the time they’re just looking for a way to sooth themselves, and chewing offers a calming, repetitive outlet, much like eating comfort food.

Chewing can also be a symptom of lack of exercise. If a dog is pent up inside for much of the day and doesn’t get a chance to burn off energy, they may try to burn energy by chewing. This is another reason why dogs that are left in the house all day tend to be the biggest chewers.

If none of these seem to apply to your dog, it’s entirely possible that the remote is just shaped too much like they’re dog bone chew toys. Puppies and younger dogs often find remotes to be just the right size for chewing.

If you want to stop buying replacement remotes every month, try to identify why your dog is chewing and gently train them to stop, or provide them with an alternative. In the meantime, you should train yourself to keep remotes somewhere that the dog won’t be able to reach them. Helpful links.

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Charities for military families Pick up clothing donations Where can i donate clothes

Three Important Reasons to Donate Clothes to Military Families and Veterans

Donation pick up maryland

The excitement and chaos of the holiday season may seem like a distant memory as the first month of the new year comes to an end, however, the work for organizations that help military families and veterans has just begun and is far from over.

While the winter holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is the busiest time of year for veteran and military charities and the time in which they receive the most donations, it’s important to remember that military families and veterans need help all year round.

Like many Americans, you may be eager to donate or find a way to give back to the military and veteran community but due to hectic work and personal schedules, find it difficult to find the time to do so.

In fact, the majority of organizations that accept clothing donations offer used clothing pick up services. Simply coordinate a time with your local charity, place your clothing outside your home or business, and the used clothing pick up service volunteer will scoop up your clothing donation from your home or work.

Gently used clothing donations are one of the most convenient and beneficial ways to give back. Here are three of the top reasons why clothing donations are so important.

Stay warm

The first month of the new year brought record breaking bitterly cold temperatures. As such, cold weather clothing donations such as jackets, gloves, hats, scarves, and sweaters are in high demand, especially for children. Winter clothing donations help keep military families and veterans warm while also warming your heart.

Professional edge

Military families and veterans often face challenges that are unique to military lifestyle. For example, did you know that veterans experience higher rates of unemployment compared to civilians? Business casual and professional attire can be expensive, so gently used workforce-ready clothing can give military spouses and veterans a competitive edge.

Eco-friendly

Did you know that nearly 99% of all clothing that is discarded could have been reused or recycled? Donating clothes significantly reduces the amount of waste and pollution in landfills.

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Country club weddings Driving range newark de Newark wedding venues

Save Money and Break Out of the Norm with This One Wedding Detail

Delaware wedding venues

One of the best things about getting married these days is that you can pretty much plan whatever you want. These days wedding are more about the bride and groom’s preferences and the ceremony and reception are more reflections of their unique relationship. Rather than about tradition and custom, weddings are more than ever about the couple. If you’re itching to break out of the norm, an easy and fun way to do it is to opt for a morning ceremony and an after wedding brunch. Here’s why.

1. It’s Pretty Inexpensive
One of the biggest draws of having a brunch wedding is that it’s going to be less expensive. Many people opt to have weddings in the evenings, which means that many venues offer discounted rates in the morning hours. Additionally, brunch foods are going to be a lot less expensive per guest than say, a steak dinner for the whole wedding.

2. Brunch Dishes Are a People Pleaser
Another reason having a morning ceremony and brunch is such a fun and easy idea is that people just love brunch. There is a reason that Sunday brunch is so popular, and it’s because people love breakfast food. They love having cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys with their meals. You’re not going to have to worry about dietary pickiness among your guests because brunch has something for everyone.

3. After Wedding Time
Another reason to have a morning ceremony and brunch reception is to be able to enjoy the day after the festivities. There’s no reason not to party all day long and spend as much time with guests, family, and friends, but you could also spend the remainder of the day with your new spouse gearing up for the honeymoon or just relaxing.

What do you think about wedding brunches? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. References. Continue reading here.

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Amish pool house Cupolas nj Pool house

Three Things to Think About When Designing a Custom Shed or Garage

Garage doors are not only a functional part of your home but also a significant factor in its curb appeal and security. Choosing the best quality garage doors can enhance durability, insulation, and appearance, making them a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. High-quality options often include steel, wood, and composite materials designed to withstand weather and wear.

Garage doors are not only a functional part of your home but also a significant factor in its curb appeal and security.

For added convenience and security, a wireless garage door sensor is a popular addition. These sensors allow you to monitor and control the garage door remotely, alerting you if it’s left open or accessed unexpectedly. They add a modern touch to garage management, providing peace of mind with easy smartphone integration. Garage security doors take protection a step further, built with reinforced materials and locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access. These doors are ideal for safeguarding tools, vehicles, and stored valuables.

A complete garage setup may include storage solutions, workbenches, and lighting to turn it into a functional space for hobbies or projects. When combined with a high-quality garage door and security features, a complete garage setup can serve as both a practical and secure extension of your home. Call your local garage door company or local contractor today to get started and find the garage door system that is right for your home!

2 car garages nj

Buying a new shed or garage can be a pretty stressful process, since there are so many options and you’re going to want to find the perfect structure for your needs and your property. The problem is that you’re probably not going to find one that’s going to suit your needs unless you opt to customize it. If you are going to shop for custom sheds and garages, there are a few things you need to think about when you are designing one.

1. Materials
The first thing you need to think about when you’re designing custom sheds and garages is what material you’re going to use. This largely depends on what you’re going to be storing in the shed and the weather in your region of the country. Plastic and resin sheds tend to be more durable than wood or metal, and if not well-cared for, wood could rot.

2. Shelving and Organization
Another thing you need to think about when you’re designing a custom shed or garage is the interior. During the initial construction is the perfect time to add built in shelves and rafters in the ceiling to optimize storage space and make it ready for organization. You can also add things like hooks, bars, and other organizational tools before you start putting things inside.

3. Size and Dimensions
This is one of the most important things you’ll need to think about. Depending on the purpose of your structure, you’re going to want to think about exactly what size the structure should be. You don’t want to take up valuable real estate on your lawn if it’s not necessary and you can’t have a structure that’s too small, so finding the right size and dimensions is key.

Do you have any tips for designing a custom shed? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. References.

 

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Charity donations Organizations that help military families What is a purple heart in the military

The Benefits of Donating Gently Used Clothing

Pick up clothing donations

Military families often face unique challenges that while civilian families may be able to empathize with, seldom experience first hand. Getting involved with an organization that helps military families and veterans may help you to better understand the difficulties these families face.

While it’s common for many people to make charitable donations during the winter holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s important to realize that helping military families is a full time, year round job. Helping families in need by volunteering your time or making donations can be done during any time of year.

Not only is volunteering or donating an excellent way to give back to the military community, it’s a great way to get involved with other members of your local community and unite under a common cause.

Volunteering or making a donation can take time, time which many people unfortunately do not due to hectic work schedules and other obligations. However, there are a number of easy, simple ways to give back to the military community that require little to no time.

Clothing donations are a perfect way to show veteran and active duty military support while also supporting environmental efforts. Donating clothes significantly reduces the amount of textile waste and pollution in landfills.

They can be picked up directly from your home or office, dropped off at a designated clothing donation bin, or donated in person at a charity. However, many donors choose to have the donations picked up from their homes or work as a matter of convenience.

The beginning of the new year brought frigid, sub-zero temperatures across the nation. As such, winter clothing donations are in high demand. Items such as jackets, hats, coats, gloves, and scarves are all needed.

In addition, gently used professional attire and business casual items such as jackets, button down shirts, dress shoes, pencil skirts, blouses, and heels are often requested by military and veteran charities. Veterans office face higher rates of unemployment, therefore, donating professional clothing helps to save them the expense of purchasing interview-worthy clothes while giving them a competitive edge.

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Home buying tips Home inspection checklist Real estate agents

Market Favorable for First-Time Home Buyers

Boca raton homes for sale

In 2014, only 33% of United States home buyers were first-time homeowners, the lowest percentage since 1987. That number is expected to change in 2015, as real estate market conditions shift to be more favorable to first-time buyers. The home buying process is becoming easier for more house hunters, and with several economic factors changing, first-time buyers may be at an advantage.

One of the biggest factors allowing first-time buyers back into the market are new lending standards. Lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have put new guidelines in place to make it easier to obtain a mortgage, including offering mortgages with 3% down payments. Several cities also have incentives in place for first-time home buyers, such as lowered tax rates and down payment grants.

Builders are also taking a break from construction of luxury homes to build smaller homes for first-time buyers. The influx of new, smaller homes is expected to allow the prices of existing homes to fall, especially in high-demand cities. Existing homeowners are also likely to take advantage of lower prices to move to bigger, better housing, making their current homes available for first-time buyers.

With rents on the rise and so many lending and government incentives, experts predict that it will be less expensive in 2015 to own a house than to rent. The Federal Reserve has stated that they do not plan to raise interest rates until the summer of 2015, if not later. Real estate market analysts expect interest rates on mortgage to peak at 5% at the most, but believe 4.5% is more likely.

If a new home has been in your dreams for the future, you should brush up on your checklist for buying a home and start looking at real estate agents. With so many favorable market conditions, now is the time for people who were considering the purchase of their first home to act. Visit here for more.

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Charities that will pick up donations Charity donations Donation pick up md

Why Volunteering is the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Used clothing pick up

The holiday shopping season between November and December is the busiest time of year for retailers, and the time in which they make the most profit. The same is true for non-profit organizations that help military families. While they may not be turning a profit, the holiday season is the period of time in which they receive the most charitable donations. While the chaos and excitement of last year’s holiday season is in the past, there is still plenty of work that need to be done.

There are several ways you can give back in the new year, many of which can be done from the comfort of your home or work. The first few weeks of January have been bitterly cold, with areas across the nation experiencing subzero temperatures. As such, warm weather clothing donations have been in high demand. In addition to winter clothing, professional and business casual attire is in demand year round. These donations allow veterans to reenter the workforce with confidence.

Clothing donations are perhaps one of the easiest and most convenient charitable donations to make. There are several organizations that pick up clothing donations directly from your home or work.

Non-perishable food items such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and others also make for excellent charitable donations. Take advantage of store deals and coupons that make stocking up on these items easy and affordable. Or, if you have a natural affinity and love for cooking, why not volunteer to cook a meal at your local military and veteran organization?

Volunteering your time is an not only an excellent way to to give back to the military and veteran community, it’s an excellent way to network and meet other like-minded community members. In addition, volunteering has been shown to have several mental and emotional benefits, such as increased mood and sense of purpose.

Donating and volunteering allows you to contribute to a great cause, help those in need, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

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Assisted living cost Local nursing homes Senior housing cecil county

GPS Shoes May Keep Dementia Patients Safe

Assisted living facilities

Tragedy struck an Ohio nursing home earlier this week, when a resident who had been diagnosed with dementia wandered outside sometime overnight and died of exposure. Martha Jensdrix was found in the parking lot at 7:30 the next morning, when it was too late to help her. Family members say that the staff of the nursing home was aware of her condition when she moved in, and many people are wondering how no one noticed that she was gone. While an internal investigation is underway at the nursing home, technology is stepping up to try to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again in other nursing homes.

Two separate companies have developed a way to track a person’s movements via their shoes, an ability that could save the lives of countless Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, as well as giving their caregivers peace of mind.


The Aetrex shoe has a GPS device embedded right in the heel of the shoe, providing real-time tracking that can be linked via satellite to any computer or smartphone. The shoes have a USB charger, and can be connected to a computer to upload the data. The shoes cost $299 initially, with a $30 monthly charge for the satellite tracking.

SoleTrackr is another company with a similar product: a small GPS device built into a removable insole. The SoleTrackr is powered through a cellular network for increased range, and is designed for people who don’t normally carry a cell phone, such as young children and the elderly.

Both the Aetrex shoe and the SoleTrackr have an option for the caretaker to set up an acceptable area for the wearer to be in at a certain time, so that the device will notify the caregiver if the shoes exit that area. For example, if a resident wanders outside their assisted living facility, the staff can be immediately notified. The Aetrex shoes also notify caregivers of prolonged periods of rest and changes in battery life.

As the technology improves, it could really revolutionize senior citizen housing options. Nursing homes would be able to spend less time chasing down patients within the facilities, making it easier to find them quickly and administer assistance in case of emergency. While the cost of assisted living facilities may rise slightly to cover the costs of the shoes, many caregivers and nursing homes agree that it would be worth it for the added security and peace of mind. It may be too late for Martha Jendrix, technology may be the best way to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Refernce materials.