The Internet has literally revolutionized the way we buy and sell items. Web sites such as Craigslist have become enormously popular in recent years-with over ten million unique visitors every month and ten million new classified advertisements placed every month, it's ranked in the top ten most popular Web sites in the United States. Placing classified ads on Craigslist is very easy, and completely free. Craigslist has local sites for all U.S. states and a large number of international cities so, no matter where you are, your Craigslist ad has very high potential readership.
Instructions
1. Navigate to the Craigslist home page and choose a local site to post to-this can be a state, province, city or country (see Resources).
2. Click the Post to Classifieds link in the top right corner.
3. Select a category and then a sub-category to post your classified ad.
4. Write your advertisement using the form provided. Click Continue when you're finished.
5. Review your ad and make changes if necessary, then click Continue.
6. Read the Terms of Service on the next page, click Accept to agree, and then check the information in the confirmation window.
7. Check your e-mail for a "self-publishing message" from Craigslist. Click the link in the e-mail message to access the publishing form for your ad.
8. Review your ad one last time then click the Publish button. Your ad will appear on Craigslist within fifteen minutes.
Tags: Craigslist very, every month, Review your, then click
Donate your old vehicle to the Ohio Valley Goodwill in Cincinnati.
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio is the Ohio Valley Goodwill, which was founded in 1916. The Ohio Valley Goodwill is a charity whose purpose is to provided jobs and job training to those who are unable to obtain employment. The Ohio Valley Goodwill organization accepts donations from the community in the form of money, clothing, computers and vehicles. The organization works with individuals from their community as well as war veterans.
Instructions
1. Visit the Ohio Valley Goodwill's website to donate a vehicle, where you will locate the Ohio Valley Goodwill Vehicle Donation Form. Additionally, the form can be obtained at the Ohio Valley Goodwill office location for those without computer access.
2. Fill out the Ohio Valley Goodwill Vehicle Donation form. Enter your name and address, the address where to pick up the vehicle, the year, make and model of the vehicle and whether or not the vehicle runs.
3. List any specific problems with the vehicle and any repairs it needs. Provide your phone number and email address and which method is better for contacting you. Submit your application online or deliver it to the Ohio Valley Goodwill offices. Sign your vehicle title to release you from ownership.
4. Schedule an appointment with the Ohio Valley Goodwill to have your donated vehicle picked up by the charity. Your car will be used by the charity or sold at their vehicle auction. You will receive a tax form from the Ohio Valley Goodwill after you donate your vehicle that states either the fair market value or the auction sale price of your vehicle. This is the amount you can deduct on your income tax return.
Tags: Ohio Valley, Ohio Valley Goodwill, Valley Goodwill, your vehicle, Cincinnati Ohio, Goodwill Cincinnati
technicians must have extensive knowledge of computer hardware.
If you like working with computers or tend to tinker with electronic devices, you may wish to consider a career in home computer repair. Most companies that hire in the computer repair field expect you to work from their facility. If you plan to work from home, expect to be self-employed and do much of your own advertising and marketing. Does this Spark an idea?
The Job
Computer repair or service technicians generally work on a variety of computer systems and peripheral components. Much of the work requires extensive knowledge of computer hardware components like motherboards, circuitry and network cards. In most cases, computer repair involves the replacement of these different hardware pieces rather than repairing the component itself. Because it may not be feasible to work on all aspects of a computer system from home, you may need to offer in-home inspections and repair services. For those systems that cannot be repaired on-site, you can utilize a workshop at home.
Qualifications and Training
To work as a home computer repair technician, you must be comfortable working with all types of computer systems and have extensive knowledge of electronics. This can be obtained through an associate degree program or a certificate program offered by a technical school. Having some type of credential will lend credibility to your business. A number of online schools offer degree or certificate programs in computer repair. Certification through an organization like the Electronics Technicians Association also may provide your business with credibility.
Job Outlook and Compensation
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of jobs in this field to decline slowly through 2018 as computer equipment becomes more reliable and less expensive. The bureau notes that as of May 2008, computer service technicians made a median hourly wage of $19.87. The highest earners in this field made as much as $28.41 per hour.
Home rehabilitation assistance increases accessibility.
There are an estimated 43 million people living with a disability in the United States, according to the University of Buffalo. Hundreds of disabilities exist, which have a direct affect on an individual's ability to earn sufficient income. Consequently, many persons with disabilities require assistance that supplements a fixed or low income. Several federal and private programs provide housing assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness, difficulty meeting payment obligations or prohibitive damage to the home.
Eviction Prevention Programs
Eviction prevention programs offer a one-time grant that pays an applicant's rental obligation for one month. The amount an applicant is eligible to receive depends on several factors, such as household income and available resources. This one-time grant is typically distributed once in a rolling 12-month period depending on the state regulations.
The county department of social services oversees the application and distribution process. Applicants must provide documentation of a court proceeding, a lease, income, resources and identification documents. If approved, the department generates a check payable to the landlord or management company.
Housing Choice Voucher
The Department of Housing and Urban Development's, HUDs, Housing Choice Voucher, HCV, program provides rental assistance to disabled and very low-income households. The program was designed to ensure disabled individuals access to safe, clean and suitable housing at an affordable price. Persons who receive a voucher pay no more than 30 percent of the household's income toward rental payments and utilities. The program is administered at the state level and requires an application and interview process. Applicants must provide detailed information about their income, resources and assets. Once approved, an applicant can select a home or apartment that participates in the program.
Home Purchase Programs
Persons with disabilities face several barriers to homeownership, such as unemployment, low income and modest assets. As a result, several organizations and agencies, including HUD, offer homeownership programs. These programs provide a variety of housing assistance options such as free or low-cost housing counseling, down-payment assistance and income-based mortgages. Furthermore, HUD offers a Homeownership Voucher Program, which is available to disabled persons that have a current HCV contract. Habitat for Humanity also provides housing assistance to eligible applicants in the form of affordable loans and sweat equity.
Home Repair and Rehabilitation Programs
Heating and cooling systems, structural support, the roof and disability-related equipment, amongst other things, drive the cost of maintaining a home upward. Consequently, persons living on a fixed or low income run into difficulty maintaining their homes. Ideally, an emergency repair account would fund much needed repairs, but several organizations offer assistance with home maintenance costs.
Tags: Applicants must, Applicants must provide, Choice Voucher, fixed income, household income
Housing adaptation projects can be financed by grants.
There are several programs available that sponsor grants to finance home renovation, adaptation and improvement projects in the United States. Projects funded by these grants are carried out to make homes and housing units handicap accessible, energy efficient and safer. Recipients do not need to repay these housing adaptation grants.
VA Specially Adapted Housing Program
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) sponsors the Specially Adapted Housing program for veterans. This program provides grants to fund adaptation projects to be carried out on homes of veterans who have service and non-service related disabilities. There are three grants available for veterans: Special Home Adaptations (SHA), Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Housing Improvements and Special Alterations (HISA). SAH (up to $50,000) and SHA ($10,000) are for veterans with service-related disabilities only. HISA grants can be awarded to veterans with either service ($4,100) or non-service ($1,200) related disabilities.
Brian N. Bixler
Chief
Specially Adapted Housing
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
202-461-9546
va.gov
Very Low-Income Housing Repair
Homeowners can receive grants from the Very Low Income Housing Repair Program to renovate and modify their homes. The grant program pays for these home modification projects that result in the removal of health and safety hazards from in and around the recipient’s homes. Applicants must be 62 years of age or older and financially unable to pay back loans. They must also not sell their homes for three years. If this obligation is not met, the grant program can seek repayment of funds. These grants are sponsored by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Housing and Community Facilities Programs National Office
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Room 5014 South Building
14th Street and Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-9619
rurdev.usda.gov
Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides grants to finance renovations to households to make them energy efficient. Sponsored by the Department of Energy, grants fund projects such as insulating walls and ceilings, window replacements and improving the home’s electric, heating and cooling systems. Low income households receive these renovation services free of charge. Project costs typically cannot exceed $6,500 per home.
Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program
U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW, Mail Stop EE-2K
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
202-586-5000
eere.energy.gov
Tags: Adapted Housing, Specially Adapted, Specially Adapted Housing, Department Energy, adaptation projects, Avenue Washington, Department Agriculture
The area around a chimney is a common place for roof leaks
Roof leaks can cause a significant amount of damage to your home if water seeps into the foundation of the roof, the attic or the ceiling below the roof. Leaks around chimneys are one of the most common types of roof leaks that homeowners face because the flashing that waterproofs a chimney can bend, crack or separate. To detect a chimney roof leak, you'll need to do some detective work and use basic reasoning. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Inspect the ceiling inside the home where the chimney enters the interior. Look for discoloration or sagging. Feel the ceiling and check for moisture. Signs of moisture indicate that you have a leak, but further investigation is needed before you conclude it is the roof around the chimney that is leaking.
2. Repeat the inspection in the attic around the floor that the chimney passes through and the area of the attic ceiling where the chimney enters the attic. Look for discoloration, rotten wood, mold or mildew. Feel the areas for dampness. If you find signs of moisture, particularly on the attic ceiling around the chimney, you probably have a chimney roof leak.
3. Attach your safety line and climb onto the roof. Inspect the flashing around the chimney. Look for worn or missing caulk around the inside of the flashing where it surrounds the chimney. Look for cracks or broken or missing pieces. If the flashing is intact but the caulk is worn, you can simply replace the caulk to repair the leak. However, if the flashing is bent, broken or cracked, you will need to replace the flashing or hire a roofing repair company to do it for you.
A tomato plant can yield 10 to 15 lbs. or more of fresh red fruits.
When planting tomatoes in western North Carolina, it is vital that you wait until the final frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Tomato plants cannot handle freezing temperatures, and they need warm days to produce flowers. Does this Spark an idea?
Timing
Tomatoes in western North Carolina should be planted after the final frost date for your area. Final frost dates for western North Carolina range from April 24 in Asheville to May 21 in Waynesville. The McDowell County Extension Service, which is located near Asheville, recommends May 1 for the earliest plantings, with higher elevations and later frost dates planting tomatoes in mid to late May.
Considerations
The North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension suggests planting seedlings or young plants in late afternoon or on a cloudy day. This will cause less heat stress for your plants. Clemson Cooperative Extension says that tomatoes grow best when daytime temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Varieties
The key to a healthy harvest is choosing a variety known to do well in your area. The NCSU Extension recommends Better Boy, Whopper, Celebrity and Mountain Pride for western North Carolina.
Tags: North Carolina, western North, Cooperative Extension, degrees Fahrenheit, final frost
Kenmore front loading washing machines will give you years of service. Sometimes things do go wrong, especially after the warranty runs out. Troubleshooting a Kenmore front loading washing machine could save you a lot of money on a repair bill. Before you call a service technician to fix your machine, attempt to resolve the issue through simple fixes first. Does this Spark an idea?
Washer Code Messages
Your Kenmore front loading washing machine has an LED display that will give you error codes.
F20 indicates that it is not getting enough water. Check to make sure the hose is not kinked and that the water is turned completely on. If that checks out, turn the water off and disconnect the hose from the machine. Look at the inlet filter and make sure it is clear. If necessary, clean out the debris with a small brush and reattach the hose.
F21 indicates that the washer is having problems draining. Check the drain hose to see if it is kinked or if there is an obstruction in the hose.
SUD comes on every time excessive suds are detected. Not using the proper detergent will set this off faithfully. The machine will run a cycle to remove the excessive suds before completing the wash cycle.
Will Not Spin
If your washing machine does not spin, check to make sure the door has latched completely. Also remember that if your machine is in the SUD cycle it will not spin until it has eliminated the suds.
If the motor does not operate at all either in wash or rinse, the motor control board could be bad. You can visually inspect this by removing the front panel and taking the two screws out that hold the motor board in place. If the board is bad, the fuse will be blown or the components will be scorched.
Washer Is Noisy
If the washer is making noise or vibrating, check to make sure it is still level. If it is out of level you can change this by adjusting the feet. Metal belt buckles and buttons in your laundry could be causing the noise as well.
Door Stays Locked After Cycle
At the end of the wash cycle, the lock will disengage after about 30 seconds. If it does not, it may be because the machine still detects that the water has not completely drained. Just select "Drain" and "Spin" and let the washer go through the cycle. Your door should unlock.
Tags: make sure, front loading, front loading washing, Kenmore front, Kenmore front loading, loading washing, check make
Maintaining a home repair list keeps everything around the house in working order.
Home maintenance is a full-time job. Just like any job, documenting to-do tasks helps to prioritize and keep track of all the little jobs. A home breaks down into separate sections---managing tasks in sections make the lists seem smaller. By simply jotting down the tasks that require attention as they arise, a homeowner can more effectively keep track of needed repairs. Early spring is an ideal time for checking the items listed on your house repair list. Does this Spark an idea?
Yard Care
Performing seasonal maintenance around the outside of the home is the difference between a beautiful yard and a mediocre one. Schedule outdoor tasks such as seasonal fertilizing, aerating, weed control and seeding regularly. For structures such as fences and garden borders, set aside time to examine each section closely for signs of wear or deterioration. Repair the small problems while they are still small.
House Exterior
Staying abreast of potential problems around the exterior of the home is a challenge. Items, such as a sagging soffit or a loose shingle, can be easily overlooked without careful examination. Areas around the external structure that should be placed on the repair list include any signs of wood rot or staining, bug infestations, loose flashing, cracked window caulking and foundation cracks. While the complete list can be exhaustive, it is a good representation of the areas warranting further evaluation.
Electrical Boxes, Switches and Lamps
Electrical items that can make the list include broken or cracked switch covers, light fixtures, damaged ground-fault receptacles, exhaust fans and air-conditioning units. Especially important is the routine cleaning of the air conditioner coils---both evaporator and condenser---improves the cooling efficiency of the unit and reduces energy cost.
Plumbing
Just because most of the home's plumbing is out of sight, it should not be ignored. P-traps and piping under kitchen and bathroom sinks make the list. Examine them for signs of leaks and plan for making repairs to any discrepancies. The water heater is another area to list. Inspect the water heater piping and the tank for leaks. Likewise, leaking toilets and showers can leak several hundred gallons of water over the course of a year if not addressed.
Interior
Items for the interior repair list consist of flooring, baseboards, crown molding, cabinet doors, door jams, paint and ceilings. Signs of water stain on the ceiling or walls indicate either a leaking pipe, or attic plumbing leakage. Sagging doors, or doors that are difficult to close should be listed for adjustment.
Tags: repair list, keep track, list include, make list, water heater
Senior citizens may be eligible for special programs for home improvement projects.
The United States government provides a number of social services for senior citizens, including assistance programs to help seniors find affordable housing options and to maintain their current home. Additionally, a number of private companies and organizations have several products and services geared towards senior citizen homeowners, although they must be researched thoroughly and carefully.
Housing and Urban Development Programs for Seniors
The United States Government has established the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide assistance to a variety of homeowners and renters. Programs for senior citizens include rent assistance for low-income earners and advice on private financial options for homeowners. More information is available directly from the HUD Senior Housing Information Center, which can be reached at (800) 955-2232 or via email at pihirc@firstpic.org.
Connecticut's DECD Homeowner's Emergency Repair Assistance for Seniors Program
In addition to programs administered by the HUD, some states have special departments for senior citizen services. A good example is Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development, which administers financial assistance programs for senior citizens as well as other groups. The DECD provides grants and loans to senior citizens for a variety of housing needs. Since 1987, the DECD has offered funds to seniors for home improvement under the Homeowner's Emergency Repair Assistance for Seniors Program. Other states have similar programs, so it is important to contact your local social services center for more information.
Discounts on Home Improvement for Senior Citizens
Besides several government programs, senior citizens are often offered discounts by major home improvement companies, usually through AARP. For instance, AARP members will get a 4% discount at all Home Depot locations. A full list of discounts for AARP members is available on their website (aarp.org).
Home Equity Conversion and Reverse Mortgages
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, or "reverse mortgages," are the opposite of a typical mortgage. Whereas a homebuyer will usually borrow a large portion of the value of a house when purchasing a home, a reverse mortgage is where the bank borrows a large portion of the value of a house from the homeowner. For example, if a senior citizen has purchased a house with an estimated value of $100,000, he may be able to get a reverse mortgage for $80,000, which the bank would pay to the homeowner in monthly installments. It is important to note that at the end of the reverse mortgage period, the bank will own the house. Another way to understand a reverse mortgage is that the homeowner is selling his house in slow motion and will finally lose his house at the end of the mortgage. It is possible to use a reverse mortgages to fund the improvement of a home, but seniors should be fully aware of what they are getting into before agreeing to a reverse mortgage or any kind of loan program.
AARP Advice on Home Improvement
There are a number of low-cost and free home improvement ideas that seniors can take advantage of at no risk. A detailed list of these is available from AARP in their pamphlet entitled "No-Cost/Low-Cost Home Improvements for a More Comfortable, Safer, and Easy-to-Live-In Home", available online or in print from their website (aarp.org).
Reprogramming a Craftsman garage door opener is a simple and step by step process that will only require a few minutes to complete. Technology, including the ability to encrypt transmission codes, allows homeowners to replace worn-out remotes while still using the original opener. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Locate the Learn or Smart button. All motors produced in the past several years have a Smart button on the motor. This can be located next to the adjustment screws on the back or side of the motor. Note that a plastic panel may have to be moved to see the button. Depending on the model of the motor, some buttons are purple and others may be red.
2. Push the Smart button until it displays a solid light. Most of the light-emitting diode (LED) lights beside the button are green but colors may vary. You must complete step 3, below, within 30 seconds of finishing step 2.
3. Push the button on your remote that you want to correspond with the motor that is being programmed. Once the button has been pushed, the LED will flash; the remote has been programmed.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 if there are additional buttons to program. The process also may be repeated to accommodate additional remotes.
Making an offer on a foreclosed home is a little different than when buying a home from a typical seller. Banks do things differently, and often foreclosures are priced well enough to attract several buyers at one time. A bidding war can ensue when this happens. By taking some precautions and necessary steps to making an offer on a foreclosed home, you can increase your chances of buying the home.
Instructions
1. Call a licensed real estate agent or broker in your area to view the home inside and out. Banks will enlist the help of professionals to market and sell their home; you will need a real estate agent to get you inside. A bank also sells their homes "as is," so you want to make sure of the condition of the home before making an offer. Getting inside is critical to knowing your next step.
2. Visit a loan officer to determine what you can afford to pay for a home. Make sure you have enough cash, not only for the purchase, but for any repairs needed as well. Most foreclosed homes need repairs and maintenance, especially if they have been vacant for long. Discuss finance options with your loan officer, as you may be able to receive extra funds to do the repairs. FHA has a special program to incorporate repair money into the loan, and other banks will offer programs as well.
3. Check with local sales to determine what is a fair price to offer on the home. Your real estate agent can run comparisons, or you can do it yourself utilizing public records.
4. Write a contract to purchase the home once you have your approval from a loan officer and have determined a fair purchase price. If there are multiple offers on the home, make sure your offer is as strong as possible. Go in with your top price to begin with, instead of looking to negotiate. You don't want to lose the home over an offer that is a few dollars more than yours. Another thing banks look at when selling a foreclosed home is the closing date. The sooner you can close on the home, the better.
5. Include an earnest money check with your offer. Check with the bank to see if it has a minimum requirement for earnest money. The more you can put down, the better. This money will come off of the purchase price of the home, so you will get credit for it. If the deal falls through, you will receive the money back, unless you opted to back out of the deal for no reason. In that instance, the bank may elect to keep the earnest money as compensation for its hardship.
Good neighbors are a blessing, but harassing neighbors can be unbearable.
Robert Frost wrote, "Good fences make good neighbors." This means that to maintain amicable relationships with our neighbors, you need to respect other people's privacy and keep a healthy distance. When disagreements occur, they may quickly escalate to action and revenge. Neighbor harassment might be caused by people who are desperately seeking new friendships that are not mutual or when an offense has been taken and vengeance is sought.
Instructions
1. Examine your own behavior to determine whether you said or did something that may have triggered the harassment. Do not seek out your neighbor to borrow anything or initiate any conversations if the harassment stems from overly friendly neighbors who do not respect your privacy.
2. Cease any unreasonable behaviors you or other members of your family might have been doing. For example, if your teenagers have been playing very loud music late at night that disturbs your neighbors' sleep, your teen must refrain from doing so.
3. Discuss the situation face to face with the neighbor. Do not raise your voice or express your anger. State your feelings calmly and explain to your neighbor why his behavior is a harassment. For example, if he has been ringing your doorbell very early every morning to demand you move your car because he believes it is blocking his driveway, point out to him where the property line is and show him how you are within your rights to park there. If, however, you are blocking his driveway, you will have to find an alternate place to park your car.
4. Elicit support for your point of view from the authorities if necessary. Check your municipal by-laws to ensure you are within your rights if the harassment is caused by a dispute over property rights. Inform the neighbor that you will have to resort to calling the police if the harassment continues.
5. Ask other neighbors whether they are experiencing similar problems with the same neighbor. Gather signatures on a petition as a last resort if you feel it will help the neighbor realize his complaints are invalid.
6. Try a little loving kindness if the harassment consists of the neighbor complaining about your behavior. Bring the neighbor a home-baked cake or merely try some friendly conversation. Choose a time when the neighbor is not angry and try to connect on a personal level; your neighbor's anger might be stemming from loneliness.
7. Try avoiding the neighbor as much as possible until emotions calm down. Leave for work a bit earlier than usual, if possible, to avoid having to confront the neighbor every morning if that is when the harassment usually occurs. Do not answer back if the neighbor screams unreasonable comments at you. Childish behavior often can be corrected by responding in an appropriate way. Do not stoop to his level and scream back; this will only continue the unpleasantness.
8. Consult a lawyer and get her to send a warning letter to the harassing neighbor. Follow up with court action if the situation escalates; the courts may issue a "cease and desist order" that may cause the neighbor to finally realize he must stop his problematic behavior.
9. Put your house up for sale and move if none of the suggestions bring about improvement in the situation. Unreasonable neighbors can ruin the enjoyment and sanctity of your home, and moving may, unfortunately, be the only possible way to avoid the unpleasantness.
Tags: your neighbor, blocking driveway, every morning, have been, possible avoid, will have, within your
Replacing cracked or broken windows will reduce your energy costs and improve the appearance of your mobile home. Horizontal slider, vertical slider or jalousie replacement mobile-home windows are readily available at any mobile-home parts store--and you don't need to be a master carpenter to replace them. Using the correct replacement window, the right tools ,and weather proofing makes this a project that you can do in an afternoon. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Remove Old Window
1. Remove the outside window trim (if any), by unscrewing the wood screws with a drill, equipped with a 3/16th bit, run in reverse and prying the trim away from the mobile home with a small crow bar.
2. Remove the screws that hold the window to the window frame with the drill run in reverse.
3. Slowly pry the window out of the window frame with a small crow bar.
4. Remove the old weather stripping and caulk by scraping it with a paint scraper.
Install New Window
5. Place putty tape along the new window flange (metal frame) by lining it up and removing the adhesive backing a little at a time. Keep the tape straight along the entire window flange.
6. Set the replacement window in the window opening and screw it in place with #8 sheet metal screws, at each of the pre-drilled screw holes.
7. Replace the window trim (if any). Using a drill, attach the trim to the siding with 2 1/2-inch wood screws, screwed through the trim into the siding.
8. Seal the trim. Run a 3/18-inch bead of silicone caulk along the outside perimeter of the trim to seal it.
Tags: window window, crow Remove, frame with, replacement window, small crow, small crow Remove, window flange
Disabled veterans are entitled to a number of grants, including those that assist them adapt to their homes. These grants help disabled veterans remodel or add adaptations to homes so that the homes are better able to accommodate the person's disabilities. This allows the service member or veteran to fully and safely live in their homes. All of these grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and all proposals should be sent to the same address.
Specially Adapted Housing Grants
This grant is given to veterans or current service members who have been severely disabled due to injuries received during active duty. To qualify for these grants, service members or veterans must have either lost (or lost the use of) their lower extremities; be blind in both eyes; received severe burns; or lost the use or actually lost their upper extremities.
These injuries must also prevent the service members or veterans from obtaining gainful employment. Veterans who receive this grant may also be eligible for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance. Generally, veterans who receive a dishonorable discharge will not be eligible for this grant.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20420
202-461-9700
va.gov
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Program
The HISA program provides grants to veterans who need to make enhancements or other structural changes to their homes to perform basic life skills. These grants can be used to improve a home's exit/entrance ways, to improve driveways or walkways, to make changes to plumbing or electrical systems, or to provide access to necessary facilities like the sinks, counters, toilets, ect. Funds can also be used for improvements to door latches, windows, heating/air conditioning units and ramps. Improvements must not exceed $1,400 for veterans who received their wounds from active duty or $1,200 for those who were disabled outside of active service.
Special Housing Adaptations Grants
This grant is given to both disabled active service members and veterans, and the purpose of this grant is to provide funds for home adaptations. Eligibility includes being blind in both eyes and having visual acuity that is 5/200 or less.
Some grants may be available for service members and veterans who have experienced either an anatomical loss or who have lost the ability to use both of their hands. The injuries must be related to their service. Some veterans and service members may qualify for a temporary grant if they are or will be residing in the home of a relative.
Tags: service members, members veterans, service members veterans, their homes, active duty, active service
Ceiling joists are essential for the structure of the roof.
Unsightly ceiling joist sags are a common occurrence in old ceilings. They often occur because of warps from weather and temperature. Sometimes they come about when different materials are used between the frame and the joists. You can correct a sagging ceiling by overlaying a two-piece strongback on the joists. The strongback is a plank of wood, stood on its side to provide strength, which sits on the ceiling frame and intersects with each joist at the point of the sag. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Preparing the Site
1. Determine the location of the sag. Run your level along the joist to find the point at which the level indicates the beam is level with the ground, which will be the bottom-most point of the u-shaped sag. Mark these points on the joists, and mark the same parts on the ceiling frame.
2. Jack up the ceiling with the bottle jack. If needed, extend the jack's range by standing a straight plank on top of it. Lay a solid wood block below the jack to avoid damaging the floor. Jack up the ceiling slowly, about a quarter of an inch per day.
3. Measure the distance between the joists. That will determine the length of the strongback needed.
Constructing the Strongback
4. Lay the two-by-four flat on the ground and lay the two-by-eight stiffener on its side right next to it. The planks of wood will be parallel to each other, but viewed from the side they will appear to form an "L" shape. Using two nails per 2 feet of plank, nail the stiffener to the 2 x 4.
5. Prepare the platform the strongback will sit on. Set the two-by-six blocks onto the ceiling frame in an upright position on the marks on the frame you made in Section 1, Step 1. Lay them so that the 6-inch sides are parallel to the joists. The length of the blocks should stick straight up, forming the platform that the strongback will sit on.
6. Toenail the block onto the frame with four 6d nails. To do so, make small marks in the block with a pencil 3/4 of an inch from the bottom of the frame, two on each side. Place your foot behind the block and line up a nail with one of the marks. Nail the wood about a quarter inch of the way straight into the block from the other side. Remove the nail and angle it 50 degrees downward. Hammer the nail in all the way. Repeat this step for the earlier marks. Toenail the other blocks onto the frame by repeating this step.
7. Lay the strongback over the ceiling joists and toenailed blocks. Using two 12d nails per joist or block, nail the two-by-four of the strongback to the joists.
Tags: ceiling frame, about quarter, about quarter inch, blocks onto, Jack ceiling, onto frame
When your TV begins malfunctioning, your first inclination may be to look into getting a new one. Getting it repaired, though, is much less expensive. Unfortunately, many TV repair places use these opportunities as a way to rip off consumers. Since you may not know much about the inside of your TV or about TV repair in general, a repair place may try to find ways to take advantage of you. Don't let them by following these tips.
Instructions
1. Find the lowest service fee for inspecting your TV in your area. Most places will charge somewhere between $50 to $80 just to inspect your TV to find what is wrong. Call at least three local TV repair stores to get the best price possible.
2. Make sure the repairman looks at your TV carefully and ask him to list everything that is wrong with your TV right away. Some repairmen will magically find "other problems" with the set once they have the TV in their possession. Have the repairman write down exactly what is wrong with your set and what needs to be done for your set to be fixed.
3. Get an exact quote for repair costs as well as a guarantee that the price won't go up. Once you get this quote and you know exactly what is wrong with the set, call around to a few other local TV repair stores to see if you can get a better price. Since you now know exactly what is wrong with the set, there shouldn't be any price increases from here on. If the repairman cannot guarantee you this, move on to another store that will.
4. Learn how long repairs on your TV should take and get the repair place to stick to that timetable. Have them make a guarantee that you will receive a discount on repair services if your set is not returned when you are told it will be. With a little bit of arguing and threatening to take your business elsewhere, the repair place should be willing to give you this guarantee.
5. Get a warranty on both the new parts as well as the repairs. Some repair places will try to rip you off by either using faulty parts or doing a "less-than-great" job on the actual TV repairs. This way, your TV will break down again within 3 to 6 months, causing you to come back for more repairs. If you don't get at least a 90-day warranty on the repairs and parts, take your business elsewhere.
Tags: what wrong, wrong with, exactly what, exactly what wrong, repair place, what wrong with
The U.S. government funds a range of home repair programs.
The U.S. federal government supports low-income citizens and tribal communities to help with home repairs and modernization. Payments are offered as low-interest rate loans or as grant payments, which are not required to be repaid. Some programs help individuals purchase homes as well as renovate and repair existing properties. Does this Spark an idea?
Very-Low Income Housing Repair
The Very-Low Income Housing Repair (VLHIR) program issues loans and grants to homeowners who earn very low incomes. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) classifies a very low income as less than 50 percent of the median average for a given region. VLHIR funds can be used to carry out general maintenance work and renovation work to remove any health and safety threats. Loan payments are made at an interest rate of 1 percent for a duration of 20 years. As of July 2010, loan payments up to $20,000 are available. Any modernization or home repair work must be designed to make accommodation more sanitary and safe rather than for cosmetic reasons.
VLHIR grants are intended for homeowners over the age of 62 who lack the means to repay a loan. Grant payments up to $7,500 are available but may be retracted if a home is sold in the following three years.
Direct Housing Loans
The USDA administers section 502 loans, which are aimed at low-income individuals and families. Section 502 loans can be used to purchase homes or carry out renovation work in rural areas. Funds are typically used to update rural facilities to provide water and sewage facilities or to remove health and safety hazards.
Applicants for section 502 assistance should be on low or very low incomes. Low incomes are defined by the USDA as between fifty to eight percent of the average median income for a particular are, with very low incomes being less than fifty percent of the median income. Loans are made for a period of 33 or 38 years depending on an applicant's circumstances. Applicants should also have reasonable credit histories and have exhausted other loan possibilities before applying.
Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program
Section 184 payments support American Indian tribes, native Alaskan families, Indian housing authorities and organizations that support tribally designated housing. According to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website, Section 184 payments are intended to increase access to capital for native Americans to further home purchase and home improvements. The program was established by Congress in 1992 to increase home ownership among Native American communities. Loans can be used to purchase a property or to buy materials needed for individuals to construct their own homes. Payments are also available for families who want to carry out rehabilitation and repair work on their homes. Successful applicants are required to pay 1 percent as a loan guarantee fee, which can be given in cash or financed into the mortgage payments.
Tags: very incomes, health safety, home repair, Housing Repair, Income Housing, Income Housing Repair, less than
Storm damage may be a casualty loss for tax purposes.
If your home has been damaged by a hail storm, you may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction on your federal income tax return. Usually casualty loss deductions are based on the loss of market value due to the casualty, however, under certain circumstances the deduction can be based on the cost of repairs. This deduction is subject to important limitations, however, including a significant downward adjustment based on income. So, even if you qualify for a tax deduction for repairs of storm damage, you will not be able to deduct the full amount of the repairs. Depending on your income, you may not be able to claim the deduction at all.
Casualty Losses
Casualty losses are an itemized deduction claimed on Form 1040, Schedule A, line 20, supported by Form 4684. A casualty is defined by Congress and the Internal Revenue Service as property damage or loss due to a sudden, unexpected, or unusual event. Storms are not excluded from the definition, so a hail storm could cause a casualty loss. Note that losses are deductible in the tax year of the casualty, which may not necessarily be the same tax year in which you make repairs.
Proof of Loss
You will need records supporting your casualty loss claim. These records do not need to be sent to the IRS with your tax return, but should be retained by you to prove your loss in the event your tax return is audited. Your proof of loss records should include the type of casualty (in this case, a hail storm), when it occurred, what losses you suffered as a result of the casualty, and information about any claims you have made for reimbursement, whether from insurance or otherwise. An important component of proving your loss is having documentation that shows either that you own the damaged property or that you are liable for fixing the damage.
Measurement of Loss
Casualty losses are measured by the decrease in fair market value of the property, comparing the fair market value immediately before the event to the fair market value immediately after the event. This loss in value can be determined by an assessment, but it is often simpler to measure the loss in value using repair cost as a proxy. Measuring the loss in value using repair cost is allowed only under specific circumstances. First, the repairs must actually be made. Since casualty losses are deductible in the year of the casualty, rather than the year of the repair, this means that repairs must be made before you file your tax return if you want to use this method.
Second, you can repair only the damage caused by the casualty; the repair cannot increase the property value above what it was before the casualty. For example, if your roof is already badly in need of repair, and the hail storm is just the final nail in its coffin, you cannot replace the roof and use the repair cost method to measure the loss in value.
Finally, the amount spent on repairs cannot be excessive.
Deduction is Reduced
Casualty loss deductions are not for the full loss of value. The amount of your deduction is reduced twice on Form 4684 before you enter the deduction on Schedule A. First, you must subtract $100 from your loss. Second, you must subtract 10% of your adjusted gross income from the remaining amount. Depending on your income and the cost of the repairs, your potential casualty loss deduction could be zeroed out.
A clogged toilet is often due to using too much toilet tissue.
Performing common household repairs is not difficult, although it can seem overwhelming to someone who is not skilled in do-it-yourself projects. Clogged toilets and drains are repairs that occur in almost every household at one time or another. Calling a plumber typically involves time off work or juggling your schedule to meet with him. It also may involve a costly repair bill. These are two repairs that can be completed quickly and inexpensively if you use the correct tools and products. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Clogged Toilet Repair
1. Purchase a closet auger if plunging the toilet does not release the clog. Closet augers are also called toilet snakes. They are available at discount, home supply and hardware stores and are relatively inexpensive. Generally, they extend into the toilet drain about 3 feet.
2. Twist the handle of the closet auger until the tip end is almost even with the guide section.
3. Insert the end -- it usually has a spiral of wire on it and is curved -- into the drain at the bottom of the toilet bowl.
4. Wind the crank handle on the auger until you feel resistance. Once you feel it tighten, wind the handle in the opposite direction. Repeat this until the auger is extended as far as it can go.
5. Push and pull the auger gently if you meet resistance. Continue twisting the handle in one direction and then the other. The clog is clear once the water starts to drain.
6. Remove the closet auger from the toilet bowl. Assist any large amounts of toilet tissue down the drain with a toilet plunger. Flush the toilet once the clog is clear.
Clogged Kitchen Drain
7. Pour one cup of baking soda into your kitchen drain once the slow-draining water clears the area.
8. Add one cup of regular salt to the drain on top of the baking soda.
9. Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar into the drain. This causes the ingredients to bubble and is effective in dissolving a clog inside the pipes.
10. Boil about four cups of water on a pot on the stove. After the vinegar solution has set for 10 to 15 minutes, flush the drain carefully with the boiling water. This method should effectively dissolve any clogs.
In every real estate transaction, there are certain rights that are retained by the buyer. The rights of a purchaser should be explained by the real estate agent or a real estate attorney before any contracts are signed.
Disclosures
All buyers have the right to review any disclosures explaining any known defects or conditions of the property.
Home Inspection
Every buyer has the right to a home inspection once entering a purchase contract with the seller. Though time limits vary by state, after the inspection, the buyer has the right to ask for repairs or walk away from the deal.
Property Condition
When a buyer enters into contract to purchase, the property must be delivered in the same condition at the signing. If it is not, the buyer has the right to end the contract.
Financing
Within a purchase agreement are the rights to acquire financing for the purchase of the property within a specified time limit.
Professional Advice
Buyers have the right to enlist the services of real estate professionals such as an agent, attorney, appraisers and home inspectors. Each of these professionals owes the buyer due diligence to perform duties in the buyer's best interest.
Tags: real estate, buyer right, have right, purchase property
Negotiate with the bank to get the best bargain in a short sale transaction.
When you buy a house in a short sale, you acquire a property that the current homeowner can't continue to make mortgage payments on. The homeowner may prefer that the bank sell the property in a short sale, because a foreclosure is more damaging to credit. The buyer purchases the property from the bank and benefits from the transaction because of the below-market price. The bank benefits because it does not have to incur costs associated with foreclosure, nor does it have to bear the risk of acquiring a property it may not be able to sell promptly. Since the bank accepts a smaller sum than what is owed on the mortgage, negotiations are important for the buyer.
Instructions
1. Make a list of potential short sale candidates. In general, banks are more open to negotiations for properties in which the homeowner owes a lot on the mortgage and in which the homeowner has little equity. Refer to legal advertisements, online databases and courthouse listings, or talk to an experienced real estate agent to identify candidates for short sales.
2. View and evaluate the properties. Determine the extent of any damage and how much you may have to spend on repairs. Narrow your list down to one property that you want to buy, based on which house you think will yield the best bargain.
3. Estimate the true market value of the property. Compare it to similar houses in the area that have changed hands in the past few months, to get an idea of the home's market value. Having a realistic idea will help you in negotiating a reasonable price for the property.
4. Apply for financing. The bank will not consider the short sale offer if you do not have adequate financing, because that may indicate you are not creditworthy or eligible for a loan. On the other hand, pre-approved financing will allow you to close the deal as soon as the bank accepts the offer.
5. Determine the mortgage on the home. Along with the property's true market value, you should find out how much the homeowner still owes on the mortgage. This information will tell you how much the bank stands to lose and help you negotiate a better deal.
6. Organize the proposal. Your short sale offer to the bank should include an appraisal of the property and an estimate of damages and repair costs, along with other documents. The lower the appraised value, the better it is for the buyer since it gives him the upper hand in negotiations. This is because a low appraised value may convince the bank to sell the property at a below-market price rather than holding on and expecting a better offer. Similarly, high estimates of damages and repairs will also work in favor of the buyer.
7. Determine the highest amount you are willing to spend. Use the market value, appraised value and the estimates of damages and repair costs in negotiations. If the property is in a distressed area and rapidly losing value, and if it needs a lot of repair work, the bank may consider even modest offers. Have a set figure in your mind, and negotiate the deal by emphasizing the problems with the property.
Tags: short sale, market value, appraised value, bank accepts, bank benefits, bank sell
Without constant maintenance even the best RVs will deteriorate rapidly.
Because RV travel trailers are often kept in areas of high humidity, and often used where there is a lot of atmospheric salinity, they are prone to moisture and salt damage. The interiors are particularly vulnerable to the moisture, and just a single soaking can cause disintegration of the particle board used to build floors. It is this far more than rotting that can cause floors to feel soft underfoot. If ponding has occurred even once, from a plumbing leak or from rain getting inside, it is likely that a complete replacement of the floor in that area will be necessary. Prompt repair is vital in keeping your camper serviceable.
Instructions
1. Move around the whole interior of your RV travel trailer, testing the floors everywhere for a soft feeling and noting the locations on a roughed-out floor plan. Be especially vigilant around slide-outs, places where plumbing is above the floor such as in kitchens and bathrooms, and all around your freshwater storage tank if it is inside.
2. Lift away your floor coverings above the soft areas. Sometimes you can get a wide pry bar under a corner of carpet, as long as it is thoroughly dried out, and roll it backward while moving the pry bar backward and forward to break the glue. The glue will probably have been softened by the water. Floor tiles and linoleum are usually impossible to lift out in reusable pieces.
3. Use your permanent marker pen to make a wavy line that follows the outside of the area of floor that feels soft, which is often also swollen. Use your stud locator to find the nearest underfloor support in all four directions, then make four lines that mark out a square box around the wavy line. Draw another set of four lines 1 inch outside the first box; this second box is your cutting line.
4. Check thoroughly for screws, nails and any other metal in the wood along the cutting line. If you find any they must be removed, because they can become dangerous flying projectiles if you catch them with your cutting tool. They will also blunt your blade.
5. Drill a hole into the floor where there are no underfloor supports, and measure the thickness of the particle board. Adjust the blade height of your cutting tool to that measurement. You do this by adjusting the blade shroud if you are using a circular saw, by adjusting the head depth if you are using a jigsaw or by adjusting the blade guard if you are using a reciprocating saw.
6. Follow your cutting lines exactly. The replacement panel will make a much neater fit if all the cut lines are straight and all the corners are perfect right angles. Lift out the square of soft flooring and you will see that a 1-inch lip of underfloor support has been created around the hole. Use your tape measure to learn the precise thickness of the sound floor around the edges and make sure you buy replacement material that is exactly the same.
7. Use marine-grade plywood for the replacement panel to prevent any future water that may get in from doing the same amount of damage again. Measure your hole, transfer the measurements to the ply and cut it once more making dead straight lines and perfectly square corners. Before you put it in, check the underfloor insulation and replace it with a comparable insulator if the moisture has made it discolored or deflated.
8. Drop your new panel into place. It should fit without any horizontal movement in any direction and seat firmly on the 1-inch lips of the four exposed underfloor supports. Drill a countersunk pilot hole every 6 inches and secure the ply panel in place using treated exterior decking screws. Lay new floor covering according the manufacturer's instructions.
9. Install a carpet threshold bar over the join between your new floor covering and the RV travel trailer's original floor coverings. This will disguise the work in an attractive way.
Tags: your cutting, adjusting blade, cutting line, cutting tool, floor covering, floor coverings, floor that
Small engine maintenance makes engines easy to start.
The most common problem with gas trimmers is that they become hard to start. Sometimes they start easily, and other times, not at all. A gas trimmer engine that starts easily is well-maintained. So when you begin to experience these problems, you know that you must step up your maintenance program. Many potential problems may prevent the engine from starting. Correct the most common issues without professional help. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Clean the air filter if needed. The air filter keeps dirt and debris from entering the combustion chamber. Dirty air filters block air from entering the combustion chamber. Small engines are engineered to require the correct air/fuel ratio before they will start.
2. Disconnect the sparkplug wire from the spark plug. Unscrew the sparkplug with a sparkplug tool. Replace the sparkplug if it is more than one or two seasons old. If the sparkplug is relatively new, inspect it for damage or wear. Wipe the electrode end of the plug off with a cloth rag. If, after wiping the sparkplug clean, you see it is in good shape, check the gap with a gapping tool (the gap should be between 0.020 and 0.032 inches, depending on the make and model of the trimmer) and reinstall the sparkplug. If the plug is damaged, replace it. Reinstall the plug and reattach the sparkplug wire.
3. Empty the fuel tank into an approved fuel storage container. Bend an 8-inch piece of metal wire into a hook and insert it into the empty fuel tank. Pull the tube with the fuel filter attached to the end out of the tank. Inspect it and clean it with a nonflammable solvent. Reinstall it if it is not damaged. If it looks damaged or excessively dirty when it is pulled out of the fuel tank, replace it.
4. Add fresh, stabilized fuel to the tank. Stale fuel will not allow that engine to start very easily. Fuel expires in 30 to 90 days if it is not stabilized with a stabilizer additive, which helps it last up to a year. Attempt to start the engine. If it does not start, take the trimmer to your local service dealer.
Tags: fuel tank, combustion chamber, entering combustion, entering combustion chamber, from entering, from entering combustion, most common
Home repairs can be written off in certain situations.
Write-offs, otherwise known as deductions, are tax breaks that are calculated against your gross income to reduce the overall amount you pay in taxes. For those taxpayers who choose to forgo the standard deduction and itemize instead, you can write off home repairs in some instances. In general, you cannot deduct expenses for repairs and improvements that increase the value of your home or prolong its usefulness unless they fall within guidelines. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Writing Off Home Repairs
1. Keep a meticulous record of every penny you spend on repairs for your home in regards to medical situations. This includes receipts for anything that is done to alter a home in order to make it more accessible for someone who is suffering from an illness or disability. Take into consideration all money spent for all expenses that ameliorate the conditions of the home, such as the costs for materials, labor installation charges ramps, railings in showers and bathrooms, elevators, raised sinks and enlarged doorways to accommodate wheelchairs. When you are filling out your tax form, deduct the total coasts associated with these repairs in the itemized deduction section.
2. Take advantage of the tax credits for repairing energy systems by replacing them with solar-powered systems. The difference between a tax credit and a deduction, is that a deduction reduces the overall amount of your income that is taxable. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the actual amount of money you owe. Because of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, repairs and improvements made to homes on the basis that they improve energy efficiency can be applied to your deductions. This includes solar water heaters, solar panels, energy-efficient windows and air conditioners.
3. Maximize your deductions by familiarizing yourself with what constitutes the difference between a repair and an improvement. The cost of an entire project that includes both a repair and an improvement might be able to be written off in its entirety if they're both in the same location. For instance, if you have a leaky dishwasher, and a kitchen sink that backs up constantly, you might be able to remodel because of the need to redo the entire kitchen and write the entire expense off. As long as they're in the same area, you're generally safe.
Tags: difference between, might able, overall amount, repair improvement, repairs improvements, This includes
Many homeowners enjoy taking on do-it-yourself projects and basic home repair jobs. Some hesitate, however, when it comes to fixing major home appliances. Tackling the troubleshooting or repair of these big ticket items can be intimidating at first, but it is not as difficult as you might think. Investigate some common issues and follow these steps to troubleshoot your oven's problems and make informed repair decisions. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Check for bad oven sensors or thermostats if your electric oven does not get hot enough. Read the manufacturer's specs and test the unit(s) with an ohmmeter. Also check the seal around the door to see if it is torn or cracked and letting heat out.
2. Look first to make sure that you are getting power to the oven if the heating element on the electric oven won't get hot at all. Also look for a tripped breaker, bad electrical outlet or burnt out cord. If power is good, test the element with an ohmmeter, again referring to the manufacturer's specs for a properly functioning unit. Also check the wiring leading to the element for wear or a loose connection.
3. Start once again with the simplest possible solution first if your gas oven will not heat at all. Check to make sure that there is a good gas supply and that the gas orifice is clean, then relight the pilot. If the gas supply is good, look to the ignition system as the problem. It is usually worth it to replace this, as the parts are not expensive. Another potential cause is a bad valve. Check this with an ohmmeter against manufacturer specs in the same manner as described above in Steps 1 and 2.
4. Inspect and test the oven sensor, thermostat and oven relay if the oven temperature is erratic. This problem is almost always related to a failure of one of these devices. Check these with an ohmmeter and replace as necessary.
5. Look for to the the self-cleaning latch being bent, broken or out of line if the self-cleaning function does not work. Another reason may be that the self-cleaning latch switch has failed.
6. Look up the appropriate code to identify the problem if the oven display is showing an error code. These codes are different for nearly every model (see Resources).
Tags: with ohmmeter, manufacturer specs, Also check, electric oven, make sure
Many modern double-wides look like permanent houses from above.
With the price of housing still beyond the reach of many families, many people are turning to double-wide mobile homes as their first residential purchase. These structures are cheaper than permanent houses, although homeowners are often charged monthly rent for the land on which the double-wide sits. The cost of roofing for these mobile homes varies by material. Does this Spark an idea?
Calculations
Because modern mobile homes have rooflines similar to permanent houses, the costs of roofing for both types of structures are the same and depend on surface area. For example, assume a home measuring 26 feet and 6 inches by 60 feet. Multiplying the two values yields 1,600 square feet. Multiplying this square footage by a standard multiplier of 1.35 for an average pitched roof yields 2,160 square feet of area. This surface area that needs to be covered by roofing material is the same whether the structure is a permanent house or a mobile home.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a popular roofing material for all types of homes, including double-wides, because it is inexpensive, durable and low-maintenance. The typical cost of the material from a professional contractor is $1 to $2 per square foot. Adding installation brings the square-foot price up to between $2.75 and $4.50 as of October 2011, according to Cost Owl. Using our 2,160-square-foot example puts the total cost at $5,940 to $9,720, depending on quality. Cheaper shingles may last only 10 years, while high-quality versions can last as long as 25 years.
Metal
Metal roofs are also a common choice, especially for double-wides with more modern profiles. They are commonly made of steel, followed by iron and copper. This type of material is naturally fireproof, which often gives the homeowners discounts on homeowner's insurance. Metal roofs are also more energy efficient than standard shingle roofs. A metal roof with medium pitch costs about $4 to $5 per square foot installed. This makes the total of a 2,160-square-foot roof cost between $8,640 and $10,800. Metal roofs are typically put over an old roof, which can add insulation value.
Considerations
One factor that can increase the cost of a double-wide roof is accessibility. If roofing trucks have no room to maneuver through narrow mobile home park roads, or if the structure is blocked by trees or other mobile homes, costs can go up considerably. The cost of roofing labor is a major factor. As of May 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the average wages of roofers at $18.21 per hour. Those in Hawaii cost 40 percent more at a mean of $26.20 per hour, while those in New Mexico are paid almost a quarter less at a mean of $14.11 per hour.
Tags: mobile homes, Metal roofs, permanent houses, yields square feet, cost roofing, feet Multiplying
The Trex Company began in 1999 and manufactures Trex brand decking, fencing, rails and trim. Trex composite decks are made from recycled materials and are weatherproof and do not need staining or painting. Cleaning a Trex composite deck should be done after the initial installation and then twice a year in order to preserve the appearance and extend the life of the Trex deck. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Use a broom to brush away dirt and debris from the deck surface.
2. Spray the deck surface with a hose and clean water and allow to dry.
3. Mix ½ cup dishwashing liquid with 1 gallon hot water in a large bucket.
4. Use the brush to lightly scrub the deck using the dishwashing liquid. Rinse the deck with clean water when complete. Allow to dry.
5. Dampen a stain erasing sponge and scrub any stains that do not clean off following the above steps. If this does not remove the stain, apply deck brightener, available at most hardware or home repair stores, and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Today's home shows feature many products and services that are for use in and out of the home including solar paneling, garage systems and recreational vehicles.
Home shows are popular in just about every city as the interest for home owners and home owners to-be focus on home improvement projects to enhance and upgrade their prized investments. With Vegas serving an event capital, housing a host of meetings, conventions and tradeshows daily, there's no wonder that there are a plethora of annual home events in the city. Does this Spark an idea?
Las Vegas Home and Garden Show
The Las Vegas Home & Garden Show produced by Affinity events showcases home services of all types including water systems, flooring options, bathroom and kitchen remodeling and outdoor pool and patio design. The event has been in production for over 30 years is open to the public spanning the course of a three-day weekend typically in February. Each year, the show prides itself on bringing new and improved products, vendors and services to the show including the showcase of the World's Largest Swim Spa.
Las Vegas Home & Garden Show
Cashman Convention Center
850 Las Vegas Boulevard North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
800-736-5958
Agievents.com
Las Vegas Home Improvement, Backyard and Travel Expo
Homeowners can enjoy an extended selection of vendors at the Las Vegas Home Improvement and Travel Expo where not only will attendees experience the latest in pools, spa and indoor projects but exhibitors who provide products and services in the cellular, solar energy, fountains and patio furniture business, to name a few, who will all be on-hand. This event segments several categories of home service businesses and hosts them all in the South Point Casino & Hotel convention center for a $7 ticket for adults to attend. The event producers, On the Edge Promotions, Inc. recreates the event three times a year in February, April and September.
Las Vegas Home Improvement, Backyard and Travel Expo
South Point Casino & Hotel
9777 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89183
702-656-2337
Vegashomeshows.com
Spring and Fall Home Show Extravaganza
A home show produced with both the exhibitor and the attendee in mind is the Spring and Fall Home Show Extravaganza by Thorsch Productions. This event features specialty interior design rooms, a wine sampler, retail marketplace and product display floor. The show is produced bi-annually with the same concept in mind for each. The Spring show is held in May, the Fall show in October, both held at the Cashman Convention Center in Las Vegas. Families are welcome to this event and kids under 18 are admitted free of charge.
Spring and Fall Home Show Extravaganza
850 Las Vegas Boulevard North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
760-720-7181
Thorschproductions.com
Tags: Vegas Home, Fall Home, Fall Home Show, Garden Show, Home Garden, Home Garden Show, Home Improvement
Long Island is one of the longest and largest islands in the United States.
Long Island, New York, located in southeastern New York, just east of Manhattan, includes the counties of Kings, Queens, Suffolk and Nassau. Extending 118 miles from New York Harbor, with a total land area of 1,401 square miles, it is one of the longest and largest islands in the United States. Long Island rehabilitation programs include Cobble Hill and Ditmas Park in the Brooklyn boroughs, Eger Health to the west, and Glen Cove on the north shore.
Cobble Hill Health Center
The Rehabilitation Institute at Cobble Hill Health Center offers a wide variety of rehab services in orthopedic, neurological, vascular, dental, pain management and dialysis specialty clinics. The program's goal is to restore functionality after stroke, heart attack, fracture, amputation, head trauma and spinal cord injuries. Additional conditions treated at Cobble Hill include burns, dysphagia, aphasia and knee replacements. Cobble Hill Health Center was twice the recipient of the New York State Best Practices Award and serves as a demonstration project for the New York State Department of Health.
Ditmas Park's trademarked "quick-n-out" rehab program emphasizes the "short" in short-term rehabilitation. The program's objective is to restore functionality, normality and independence to treated patients as soon as possible. Conditions treated at Ditmas Park include hip or knee replacements, amputation, arthritis debilitation, stroke, trauma to the brain and spinal cord and various sports-related injuries. While undergoing rehabilitation at Ditmas Park, patients reside in apartment-style dwellings complete with bedrooms, sitting rooms, lounges, dining areas and kitchenettes.
Ditmas Park Rehab/Care Center
2107 Ditmas Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11226
718-462-8100
ditmasparkrehabcare.com/index.html
Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center
Founded in 1916 by and for Norwegian Americans, Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center has since come to serve peoples of all nationalities and backgrounds. Eger's short-term rehabilitation services include physical, occupational and speech language pathology services. Program participants include post-surgical patients recovering from knee surgery, fractures and various other orthopedic injuries and persons recovering from a debilitating disease, such as heart and renal disease. The aim of the program is restore patients to a level of activity sufficient to sustain them in everyday life. Additional services include specialized wound care, intravenous therapy, hospice care, respiratory services and adult day care.
Glen Cove, located on Long Island's north shore, is a 154-bed facility offering orthopedic rehabilitation services. Orthopedic surgeon Eugene S. Krauss is the director of the Center for Joint Replacements at Glen Cove, and surgeon Steven M. Erlanger specializes in reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, knee and hip. Glen Cove amenities include computers with Internet access, flat-screen TVs with movie channels, hospital socials, on-site hair salon, in-house cafe, ice cream parlor, concierge services and studio guest rooms.
Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation
6 Medical Plaza
Glen Cove, NY 11542
516-671-9010
glencoverehab.com/about.php
Tags: Glen Cove, Cobble Hill, Ditmas Park, Long Island, Cobble Hill Health, Eger Health, Health Center
You need to strike a balance when preparing your house to be rented. You want to make it as attractive as possible to potential renters while keeping your investment in fixing up the house low. You'll want to choose materials that are known for being durable and inexpensive to replace.
You'll also need to present the house in the best possible light. Anyone who will rent a rundown property is a renter you probably don't want to hassle with. Attract potential renters with high standards by fixing up your house in a manner that shows you care about your property and will work to maintain it.
Instructions
Fixing Up Your House
1. Give your house a deep cleaning.
Clean your house thoroughly. Disinfect the refrigerator by cleaning it and then wiping it down with a product containing bleach. Clean the stove and oven until they sparkle. Clean and polish fixtures in the bathroom until they are gleaming. Renew wood floors by removing any wax buildup or stains.
2. Paint rooms neural colors.
Paint the interior rooms in your house. Realtor.com recommends using neutral colors, such as off-white and beige. This will give your home a new appearance and save you the trouble of removing scuff marks and other spots from walls. Before painting, fill in nail holes and repair any plasterboard damage. Never leave rooms painted bright colors. While you may be enchanted by your lime-green bedroom, many potential renters will think differently.
3. Replace stained carpet to give the house a new look.
Replace old linoleum and carpet. Consider replacing carpet with tile. Even though tile is more expensive in the short term, it will last longer than the carpet, and you will not have to spend money cleaning or replacing it between tenants.
4. Make sure your faucets are drip-free.
Complete minor repairs such as replacing knobs on cabinets and fixing dripping faucets. These inexpensive improvements will go a long way toward making your house appear comfortable and livable.
5. Good curb appeal is essential.
Rent a pressure washer and clean the driveway, porch and the house itself. This is the least expensive thing you can do to give your house a fresh look short of painting the exterior. While you're working on the outside, trim hedges and keep the grass cut. Planting a few flowers in beds can also help give your house curb appeal.
6. A cluttered house will be more difficult to rent.
Remove as much of your furniture and personal items as possible. You'll want renters to be able to imagine themselves living in the house with their own items. The things you keep in the house should be kept very clean and orderly. You will be subtly letting prospective renters know what your standards are. If renters see a house that is cluttered and not well kept-up, they may believe that you will not be bothered by minor damage to your property.
7. Your house should smell great before attempting to rent it.
Ask a friend to evaluate your home for you. She may notice if there are any unusual smells or if the steps are creaky---things that you may have become accustomed to and therefore have not noticed. Anything your friend notices, prospective renters are likely to notice as well.
Renting your House
8. Advertise your house in a variety of ways.
Place advertisements for your house in newspapers, online and in local rental publications. Place a sign in your yard with your phone number. Use your social networks to let people know that you have a house for rent. Word of mouth can be very effective.
9. Don't hand over the key until you have checked references.
Obtain a standard lease from your state and be diligent about checking the credit of the applicants. Also check references thoroughly. References should be from prior landlords. Check with at least two previous landlords before renting the house to prospective renters.
10. Be prepared to keep your property maintained.
Line up reliable plumbers, electricians and other maintenance people so that you can address issues that arise with your property quickly. Set money aside in an account so that you will be prepared for any home repair emergencies.
Tags: your house, your house, your property, give your, potential renters, prospective renters, your home
Stark County, Ohio offers six options for RV enthusiasts.
If you’re in Canton, Ohio to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame or the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum with your RV, you need a place to park it. Although there are no campgrounds within the city limits of Canton, Ohio the 2010 Canton/Stark County Official Visitors’ Guide lists six RV camping options in the Stark County area.
Baylor Beach Park
Baylor Beach Park in Navarre, Ohio has 50 RV campsites with electric and water hook-ups, including 38 pull-through sites for large vehicles, according to the Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau’s website. The campground features a 2-acre waterpark, banquet facilities, horseshoes and a concession stand. Reservations are highly recommended, according to Baylor Beach’s website. Alcohol is not permitted on the property.
8725 Manchester Ave. SW
Navarre, OH 44662
330-767-3031
baylorbeachpark.com
Bear Creek KOA
There are 100 campsites with full or partial hook-ups available at Bear Creek KOA in East Sparta, Ohio, according to the campground’s website. On-site recreation opportunities include a 3-acre lake with catch and release fishing and paddleboats, an 18-hole miniature golf course, horseback riding and hayrides.
3232 Downing St. SW
East Sparta, OH 44626
800-562-3903
bearcreek.us
Clay’s Park Resort
Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawrence, Ohio has over 700 campsites and is "big rig friendly," according to the resort’s website. Clay’s is best-known for its family festivals and concerts, including the annual Rock N Resort Festival in July and the Yankee Peddler Colonial Festival in September. Amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center and an on-site restaurant, according to the Canton/Stark County CVB. Clay’s is Stark County’s largest RV camping facility.
13190 Patterson Road
North Lawrence, OH 44666
800-860-4FUN
clayspark.com
Clearwater Park
Clearwater Park in Uniontown, Ohio features over 150 sites with full hook-ups at 30 of them, according to the Canton/Stark County 2010 Official Visitor’s Guide. Recreational activities include a large swimming pool, an 18-hole miniature golf course and gem panning. Clearwater is well-known to locals for their homemade ice cream.
12712 Hoover Ave. NW
Uniontown, OH 44685
330-877-9800
clearwaterpark.net
Cutty’s Sunset Camping Resort
Of the 475 campsites at Cutty’s Sunset Camping Resort in Louisville, Ohio, 400 feature full hook-ups, according to the Canton/Stark County CVB website. Cutty’s can accommodate RVs up to 38 feet with several pull-through sites. Campers can enjoy a climate-controlled game room, library and swimming pool. Cutty’s also has an on-site RV repair service.
8050 Edison St.
Louisville, OH 44641
330-935-2431
cuttyssunset.com
Hidden Valley Lake Campground
With about 50 campsites, Hidden Valley Lake Campground in Paris, Ohio is the smallest campground in Stark County, according the Canton/Stark County 2010 Official Visitor’s Guide. Most campsites include full hook-ups. The facility offers Sunday worship services, hiking trails, a general store, fishing lake and swimming.
550 Baird Ave. SE
Paris, OH, 44669
330-862-3316
No website available
Tags: Stark County, Canton Stark, Canton Stark County, according Canton, according Canton Stark