general

As the real estate market cools, individuals and families considering buying a new home must evaluate many factors. Every search of homes for sale has common elements: location, proximity to good schools and employment, area attractions and distance to family and friends. Some evaluating the market may wish for an older home while others who want to buy a new house prefer the modern amenities common to most new homes offered by various new home builders.

It is a buyer’s market and every new home builder is competing for a shrinking pool of customers. Every home buyer is unique yet each will come across dozens of names when researching the home builder industry. The competition is fierce and home builders are outdoing each other with incentives and freebies all designed to bring new home buyers into the sales office. The potential new home buyer is advised to look underneath the noisy sales pitches and marketing efforts and evaluate new home builders based on competence, relevance to individual needs and reputation. Throughout Australia, home extension Sydney has developed a formidable reputation as a top home renovator and house extension.

This article will offer 5 tips for success for finding the ideal home builder.

1. Solicit Referrals from Family and Friends
Your friends and family know you best. If they have bought a new home from a homebuilder, ask them how they found the home builder and who they recommend (and indeed, who they would avoid). If you have been inside their home, ask yourself if you like it and ask them if they are having problems. Remember, a referral from friends and family is more valuable than one from a stranger – or a marketing pitch.

2. Research Area Home Builders
87% of future home buyers begin their search online for the simple reason that, because a new home purchase is the biggest purchase of a lifetime, it is best to know your options. But there are a lot of new home builders out there. In busy markets like North Carolina, there are literally dozens all competing for business. Visit their websites. If they invest in a good website with valuable information, it shows they care about demonstrating professionalism and integrity. If they speak to your needs (upmarket, first time home buyer, large family, etc.), it suggests they have worked with people like you. If a website is all glitz and little substance, do not call. If the site has valuable information, interactive floor plans, new house plans, sample photos and the functionality to print plans and brochures, this demonstrates competence. So if you like the site – and like the information it contains – sign up for information. You may be given special promotions and will be the first to hear of new offerings.

3. Research the Experience of Previous Customers
It is extremely unlikely that you will be the first person to buy a home from a prospective homebuilder. Because the internet offers such a diversity of voices and opinions, if you do not know anyone who has worked with a considered homebuilder before, see what the online community has to say about the home builder. Some homebuilders have inspired such contempt that websites exist to showcase reasons to avoid them while others have created incredible loyalty. A little research may save you hours of pain and thousands of dollars.

4. Tour Model Homes and Ask Questions
When a home builder unveils a community of new homes for sale, there will be a model home open for public tours. Take one. Some “tip of the iceberg” questions to ask include: How often will access to the new home be given during building; Are there any fees required that need to be paid upon closing; How many times has a given plan been built; Is there a premium on the home site; What will be built on adjoining properties; What are area zoning laws; and How is code-compliance guaranteed?

5. Read the Paperwork
The new home purchase is a major decision so take the time to read all documents thoroughly. If something is unclear, ask questions. Everybody says “read the fine print” but in this case, perhaps more than any other, this is crucial.

* You may republish this article provided you retain the active hyperlinks below. Copyright 2006, Robert O’Shaughnessy.

* Written on behalf of New Home Builder Orleans Homes

Robert O’Shaughnessy is the Online Marketing Manager for Graphic Language in San Francisco. Graphic Language provides results-driven online solutions to businesses, primarily in the home builder industry. Robert welcomes the opportunity to help Graphic Language build their reputation as a “one stop shop” for businesses seeking to develop and maintain a web presence.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Robert_O’Shaughnessy/59891

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By standard definition, a modern kitchen is any kitchen that uses electricity or natural gas. So technically speaking, I guess every kitchen in the western world is known as a modern kitchen. However for the purposes of this article, we’re going to expand the definition and focus on the conveniences of modern kitchen design and the benefits that you can potentially enjoy every day no matter your lifestyle. Our skilled and experienced team of installers for luxury kitchens Sydney that includes the handpainters can take care of the installation for you, making sure your new kitchen is finished to showroom standard, and we can advise about and supply appliances from market-leading manufacturers.

When you think of modern, no doubt you have a rush of images from sleek designs to state-of-the-art technology. Here are just a few categories to get you focused and narrow your definition of modern kitchen ideas.

Technology is typically the first association people make with the word ‘modern.’ And if you want your kitchen to be technologically advanced you will focus on computer chipped appliances and computers. Today appliances use computers to set temperatures, timers, food expiration dates, and even alerts for inventory restocking. A modern kitchen may very well include a large flat screen TV to display recipes, family calendars, household schedules, and it’s certainly more fun to cook while watching videos, searching websites, or listening to music.

While technology can pose an image of cold and uninviting, a modern kitchen embraces state-of-the-art innovation with classic design ideas – clean lines, clear countertops, bold colors, contrasting design elements, and simple shapes. A modern kitchen can be both a technologically advanced and warm and inviting space.

Cabinetry of a modern luxury kitchen will distinctly lack extra features found in traditional style designs. Most modern cabinets are simple, square or rectangular shaped, without fancy door handles. Although ‘plain’ the look of the cabinetry is sleek, clean, and highly functional. The look is all about working properly and showcasing your personal style. In fact, you may wish to completely leave cabinet doors off for the sheer convenience of access and sexy open look.

Appliances in your new kitchen need not be the most recent release from a major appliance company. While having the fancy new refrigerator or the hottest new 5 burner cook top may be nice, does it fit into your overall decorating scheme and budget? Believe it or not, a retro refrigerator, if working properly, could be the right fit for your new kitchen. Even your kitchen hood exhaust fan from a different time period can work, as long as it functions fine and does not pose a danger to the rest of your house.

Use this checklist for the appliances you have or might need to replace:

Oven
Microwave
Dishwasher
Wine Cooler
Hood
Refrigerator
Washer / Dryer
Waste Disposal
Cook top
Freezer
Coffee Machine
Instant Hot Water Tap
Sink & Tap
Fireplace / Hob
Wet Bar
Blender, Food Processor

Furniture in a modern kitchen should be simple in shape, multi-functional, and bold in color. Modern kitchen furniture will not include carved legs, multi-colored patterned cushions, or seats made of many parts. Modern style by definition means full of straight line and not a lot of fuss.

Modern décor means little to no art work is required for a modern kitchen design. The decoration is the furniture and cabinetry and it’s typically limited to a one or two color scheme. A one color scheme means everything, cabinets, furniture, and appliances, is a single color. A two color scheme is one in which the walls and cabinets are one color but the appliances and furniture are a second color, usually a highly contrasting color.

Whether it’s a few touches or a complete new kitchen, you can create a modern kitchen successfully as long as you express your personal style and the space makes you happy.

Remodeling Benefits

As the housing stock ages and new construction prices rise, more and more people are remodeling their homes than any other time in history. If you live in a house that you generally love and it’s located in a desirable neighborhood, remodeling makes good financial sense. What’s the primary benefit you might derive from a new kitchen?

1. Functionality – add a walk-in pantry, re-design counter space, and make room for your laptop and printer – anything that complements your lifestyle.

2. Interaction – open up your kitchen to the other adjoining rooms, a new island can be a comfortable place for early morning coffee chats and late evening wine tasting.

3. Safety – reduce risks of accidents and make your much-used room safe. Modify countertop heights to reduce back strain and use green materials to improve indoor air quality.

4. Storage – a well-designed kitchen remodel can greatly increase your storage space and ability to keep organized.

5. Entertaining – enjoy the fun of entertaining people in your new space.

6. Resale – According to realtors, the kitchen and bath are the most important rooms in the house to potential buyers. Reports show that a kitchen remodel can return up to 85% of its cost upon resale.

7. Style – it’s all about you and the beautiful things you appreciate. Make your kitchen a happy place to spend time.

Whether practical, functional, or desirable, fitting your kitchen with an updated look can make any old modern kitchen into a new modern luxury kitchen expressly designed for you. After all, technology waits for no one.

Kathryn Dawson writes articles for KDCUK, a well established supplier and provider of high quality modern kitchen at affordable trade prices. Explore an extensive collection of luxury kitchens and appliances at their showroom such as their best selling handle-less German collection. Using only quality imported products and with all the ideas and creativity you can be sure to get a new kitchen that multi-functional, attractive and is an envy of others.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kath_Dawson/69934

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Whether you are a born-and-bred local or a first-time visitor, there is no denying the spectacular natural beauty of the Noosa Shire. The surf comp is always a challenge especially if there is not enough big waves.

Each year, the Laguna Real Estate Noosa Festival of Surfing takes a step up in its ecological responsibility towards a completely sustainable event. In 2017, we have urged all partners and promoters to take it upon themselves to match our sentiments, providing more environmentally-viable promotional material.

Partnering with Unitywater, Noosa National Surfing Reserve and Noosa Community Biosphere Association, the festival aims at drastically reducing the level of single-use plastic generated by the event and create greater consciousness in every area of our ‘8 Days of Pure Stoke’.

Unitywater will be providing a ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ initiative, providing fresh, filtered drinking water for all who bring their own bottle to fill, and festival staff will replace single-use plastic water bottles with reusable bottles and bulk water tanks.

Not only that, Friday, 10th March will also officially become Sustainability Day, with a host of pubic activities taking to the sand. Tom Wegener, long-renowned as a leading innovator of sustainable surf commerce and PhD in Surfing Sustainability, has organised an interactive day of creation and craftsmanship, daring together himself and three other shapers of wooden surfcraft.

Wegener will be hosting workshops of his timber ‘Surfie’ bellyboards, a fusion of inspiration from the Hawai’ian alaia and paipo boards and the bellyboards of the South West of England. Fun for everyone, the Surfies are a far cry from the foam bodyboards of today, and Wegener will be helping members of the public shape one for themselves.

Similarly, Toru Ogawa will be joining us from Japan to coach people in the crafting of timber handplanes. Used for bodysurfing, handplanes are possibly the simplest of surfcraft, but the shapes and designs still need to be carefully created to give maximum lift and hydrodynamics. Toru has spent several years perfecting his shapes and travelling the world to share his skills. Adding to the lineup for Sustainable Friday, he is inviting the public to join him on the sand at Main Beach to shape their very own handplane under his expert tutelage.

Also from Japan, Nouhito ‘Nobby’ Ohkawa is a master craftsman of timber surfboards. Ceating the boards as sustainably and chemical-free as he could, he was unsatisfied with then affixing fiberglass and polyester resin fins. While timber alone or constructs such as ply are not strong enough to endure the pressures of fins on their own, through much experimentation, Nobby developed a highly technical process to create timber hardy enough for the purpose. Nobby will be inviting the public to shape a fin with him from his special timber composite.

Lastly, but by no means least, Adam Baldwin will be making the short trip up to Noosa from Caloundra. A teacher at Coolum High School, he too is an expert woodworker, but moves a step further in the realms of sustainability. Timber is, of course, biodegradable, but Adam utilises waste, recycling and upcycling old, broken surfboards and materials he finds to create functional surfboards bound together with organic bio-resin. So successful have Adam’s creations been that he was awarded the ‘Most Functional Surfboard’ trophy in the 2016 Creators & Innovators Contest presented by Vissla and Surfrider. Adam will be on hand to discuss his techniques and the need for us all to readdress our use of materials in all areas of life.

Sustainability Friday’s conclusion will be in scintillating conversation with Tom Wegener and Save the Waves Coalition’s director of programs, Nick Mucha, discussing ways in which the surf industry can improve, as well as the prospect of Noosa Heads’ induction into the heralded list of International Surfing Reserves.

Places for this special event are very limited. To reserve a space with any of these inspiring shapers, please email Tom Wegener at: [email protected].

The iPhone happens to be a device that is packed with lots of functionality and form. It has app system and allows you to perform many tasks. There are many hidden things that can be done to optimize the system even further than ever. This article contains helpful tips for enhancing how you enhance your iPhone. Almost like the Swiss army knife of surfing apps, Surfcomp.net has a whole range of features that can be useful for both beginners and professional surfers alike.

You do not have to be concerned about ending up on the wrong road with the iPhone. The maps app is in the phone when you see your location any time your service is active. This is great for helping you get back home or visiting a new place you were planning to be.

You don’t have to append “.com” to web on your iPhone.

Siri helps you to set reminders based on your location. You can ask Siri to remind you to do something at 5pm.You can also tell Siri to remind you to do something when you get home.The phone will recognize when you reach home and remind you of your task. You can easily set a reminder if you are unsure of the time you will get home.

Any website can be turned into an app. Tap “Go” when you access the site. This will give you the ability to put this site on your home screen.

There is no need to press X every time AutoCorrect attempts to correct a word that has been subjected to AutoCorrect.Just tap somewhere else on the screen anywhere instead.This closes the suggestion box and will save you much needed time.

Are you regretting something you just typed into iMessage? Has the notorious Auto Correct messed with you say something silly? There is a very easy way to fix this; just shake your iPhone quickly. This feature will undo recent typing. Go to your Settings and make sure this function is enabled.

The iPhone will show you a preview of incoming text messages on the main lock screen. You may find this annoying rather than convenient. The facility you wish to disable is called Show Preview.

You can enable your iPhone visually indicate incoming messages and calls. Just go to the Settings menu and navigate to “General, then to “general” and next to “accessibility.” Then all you do is turn on the alert feature titled LED Flash Alerts.

If an iPhone freezes up, you can simply force a hard reset. Press on the sleep button and home button at the same time for several seconds. The phone should shutdown and restores itself.

Always remember to update your iPhone updated with the latest OS anytime a new version comes out. Apple iPhones are almost as complex as computers now, so there exists sporadic patches to repair functionality issues, bugs and security holes. This updating is crucial if personal information is own or accessed online with your phone.

You probably already know that you can set reminders for certain times. You can say “remind me to go to the store after work. There are many reminders that can be implemented on the iPhone.

Do not panic if your iPhone freezes on you.However, should this fail, try a combination of the home and sleep/wake buttons. This will provide a hard reset prompt that should revive your phone.

It is easy to access to the iPod controls and all of your favorites instantaneously. Simply choose Settings, tap general, then hit the home button. You can customize your iPhone by double clicking and then selecting the options that you need to customize. This process is fairly easy to do when you follow all the right steps.

A fun way to talk to others with your iPhone is using FaceTime. This application lets users actually see the person with whom they are speaking with. You can use it by going to the contacts and searching for the button that says FaceTime.

Avoid exposing your phone in extreme temperature extremes. Do not take your phone into a freezer and refrigerated areas.

It can be quite confusing if all of your accounts that are named the same. So double check what you’re looking for; give each account a unique name.

Are you looking to back up your iPhone contact list? There is an app known as iDrive Lite that will let you backup your contacts. This handy app is totally free if you have previously updated your software to 2.0.

Keep the screen as low as you can. The phone’s consistent illumination plays a significant role in how fast the power depletion. A darker screen means a longer time before the phone needs recharging as compared to a charge.

Turn off wireless radio functions. Even when they are not actively being used, they drain the battery when they are open. Wireless radios will include GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When you aren’t using them, power them off.

Be careful not to add excessive numbers of movies to the iPhone. A video can take up roughly 1g of space. Having too many stored on your iPhone can cause it to malfunction. It can interfere with the ways apps operate.

The Find My iPhone application is a great tool to find where you lost your missing phone.You just have to sign up early to use it.You can also lock and/or delete any data if you are afraid your phone may have been stolen.

When you call someone but do not want to show them your phone number, you can hide the caller ID. In settings, press the phone button, tap caller ID and switch the setting to the off position. You can also use it for a reminder of your own phone number in case you have forgotten it.

You can easily get new custom sounds for your phone. Apple has finally added a way to choose custom tones for all incoming emails, texts, voicemails, tweets, tweets, reminders and more. You can conveniently buy new tones any time by scrolling to the very top of the sound menu.

As you are probably already aware, the iPhone contains the newest technology. It looks great, it runs smoothly and it is fun to use. If you use the tips laid out here, you can optimize your phone to reach its potential.

How can I explain surfing in one word? WOW! Surfing is the best “high” you will ever experience. This article will tell you about the special feelings that you will get once you get hooked on surfing. There are many ways to explain what surfing is all about. Here are a few. Surf Comp app is another useful app for surfing that will help you to keep track the competition.

Surfing is Aloha. Surfing is Freedom. Surfing is Living. Surfing is Stoke. Surfing is a Feeling. Surfing is Happiness. Surfing is like having a Love Affair. Surfing is in your Heart. Surfing is Love. Surfing is Wonderful. Surfing is God Given. Surfing is Life.

There are nearly as many expressions of surfing as there are watermen; the art of surfing is about the different elements that bring joy to each individual in the water. So, go surfing and get a real natural high!

You can experience the joy of surfing on just about any surfboard type or design. You can get the feeling of surfing from everything from a bodyboard to a skimboard, a wakeboard, a short surfboard, a long surfboard, a Standup Paddleboard, and even bodysurfing.

I love surfing and being in the water. I want to share this experience with you so that is why I am writing this article in hopes of getting someone excited about surfing.

Here is what one surfer says about sharing the surfing experience, “There is no better feeling than getting another person stoked on surfing. Truly, it does not bum me out that there are more surfers in the water these days. It just means that I have to get up earlier in the morning. When I saw this man rise on a wave for the first time, I felt as if I had gotten up on a wave for the first time.” -Shaun Tomson. Surfer’s Code.

I grew up in Laguna Beach and it continually surprises me that I don’t see more Laguna Ticks, as the locals are called, in the water and on the beach every day. Yes, there are a myriad of reason to avoid the beach when it’s windy, when it’s raining, when it’s too hot or too cold, the sun burns, but there are so many better reasons to find the reason to be on the beach and in the water on those days that I can’t stay away. It’s like a wonderful natural high. With the ocean and the surf as your friend, you are set for life.

You don’t have to be a pro surfer to enjoy surfing. It’s too bad that most all surfing movies show the professionals doing all of these wild and difficult maneuvers in waves that most surfers can’t and will never ride. Most of us mere mortals can have fun riding waves that are only one foot or maybe 3 to 5 feet on the face of the wave. Most of the movies send the wrong message to the general public because the waves are scary and beyond the capability of 99% + of all the surfers in the world.

So, forget the big surf and go to the beach and ride the little to moderate sized waves that God created for all of us to enjoy. Ride you boogieboard or your soft surfboard. Go out and have fun,which you will. If you really get hooked on the sport of surfing then you can graduate to the bigger waves, but that takes practice, lots of time in the water, physical stamina, and the will and determination to get better. Most of us just want to feel comfortable and have fun riding the friendly waves.

Here is what one of my friends recently told me, ” A friend asked if I enjoyed retracing my steps, going slow, riding mushy waves… For me, there was never a pro career and never will be. Surfing is a vocation for me and my job is to share my love for the sea, for the water and the spirit that I find with others, one way or another. It’s not about “liking” it. It’s that I can’t imagine not doing it”. This is the feeling of love that will build in you from surfing. You will grow to love it and it will become irresistible.

In the opening paragraph of this article I wrote, “Surfing is Aloha. Surfing is Freedom. Surfing is Living. Surfing is Stoke. Surfing is a Feeling. Surfing is Happiness. Surfing is like having a Love Affair. Surfing is in your Heart. Surfing is Love. Surfing is Wonderful. Surfing is God Given. Surfing is Life.

When you discover surfing, you will experience all of these feelings. Now, it may not be immediate, but if you go to the beach on a warm sunny day with warm water or wearing a wet suit that keeps you warm, you will get the taste of what it is all about. You will see many people from the smallest kids to senior citizens playing in the water, riding waves on various surfing devices, all of them with a smile on their face. They are silently feeling the warm inner feelings of surfing. However, they will also become very expressive and sometimes yell and shout when they ride a good wave.

The waves are a special gift of God that gives the surfer the feelings of happiness, love, excitement, feelings that you are free, that you are alive, and that your are surfing life. You are experiencing Aloha, which is all about love and happiness and the sharing of these warm feelings with everyone you encounter. This is what Duke Kahanamoku promoted.

Surfing is “stoke”, which is a surfing term that means excitement. When you get involved in wave riding and surfing, you will feel the stoke! Surfing is wonderful, it grows in your heart and becomes like a love affair.

How can I explain surfing in one word? WOW!

So my friends, don’t stay out of the water on those cloudy days or when the surf isn’t just perfect. Go to the beach, take a walk, get in the water, ride those little small mushy waves, and have fun. Take the wonderful feelings you get from surfing and fill your life and relationships with them.

Surf Life for the rest of your life and feel the stoke!

Oak Street Surf was founded by Chuck Herpick, a Stanford graduate and former Naval Aviator, an accomplished surfer who has spent his lifetime in or near the ocean surfing most of the California and Hawaii breaks over the many years.

Oak Street Surf is an online, one stop, surf shop representing the latest surfboard products. You can get a good review of top of the line surfboard types and designs including bodyboards, skimboards, Custom SUPs, longboards, and shortboards.

Chuck has been a friend and associate with legendary surfer Tom Morey who invented the Morey Boogie Board. Together, he and Tom have designed and made many different types of soft and hard surfboards and other surfing products.

Chuck believes that surfing, whether it is bodysurfing, boogie boarding, board surfing, skimboarding or riding a Standup Paddleboard (SUP) will change your life forever. You will be able to apply the love you will obtain from surfing to everything you do and will learn how to Surf Life! What a joy!!

Visit Oak Street Surf at [http://www.oakstreetsurf.com] to find out more about surfboards, surfing, Standup Paddleboards, and what types and designs of water sports products are available.

You will be able to talk to the experts with over 70 years of surfing experience. They will tell you about the “stoke” of surfing. Visit the site now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Chuck_Herpick/1477936

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A trend I’ve been noticing in a down economy is that when people are losing their jobs, unemployment rises, and work is harder to come by, education systems come out of the wood-works. As people have been forced to become more creative and ‘entrepreneurial-minded’, a whole new industry has boomed, offering professional certifications for just about anything, as long as you have the money to spend. Besides inspecting the property yourself, you can also arrange for property inspection reports, such as a building inspector report.

For example, before I made my way into the home inspection industry in Colorado Springs, I obtained two different certifications while experimenting with other careers in 2007 and 2008 for two very different fields: heavy equipment operation, and personal fitness training.

The heavy equipment operating school I attended in Las Vegas (The Nevada School of Construction, a.k.a. NAHETs) was straight forward, and not completely relevant to what I’m about to point out, except for this: I spent a lot of money to acquire training and certifications to market myself to prospective employers, but in the end, those certifications were basically just ‘marketing tools’. Telling a construction company that I was ‘certified’ was supposed to help me stand out above the rest, but aside from some very basic proficiency with the machines, by the time I found a real job running that heavy equipment, it was completely obvious to that employer how painfully ‘green’ I was while working. Spending a lot of money for that certification was just a way market myself, and it did not mean that I was a good heavy equipment operator.

When I went into personal training, the certification schools available were extremely similar in structure to the certification organizations involved in the home inspection industry, which I’ll get into in a minute.

Most large gyms in Las Vegas only employed trainers who were certified by one or more certain educational organizations. I obtained my certification through NESTA (The National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association), one of the larger (but not the biggest) educational companies out there for trainers.

And here’s how it works:

You pay NESTA $300 or so for some study material (an e-book and a few DVD’s, as I recall), which, upon passing the multiple choice test at an approved testing location, you become a member, and have the right to utilize their logos in marketing yourself. To KEEP your certification and membership, you must regularly enroll in continuing education, choosing from various other courses, indefinitely. Keeping that membership and the title of being ‘NESTA-certified’, you’d have to continue paying the organization, year after year.

Now, in all honesty, I enjoyed the education. But I didn’t learn anything from their materials that I couldn’t have learned just as easily on my own. But I had been convinced that education provided from a certification company was special.

NESTA, and other larger educational organizations like it, have utilized a tactic to carve out a business niche and change the standards of the personal training industry across the country to propagate the belief that such certifications are necessary. And this circular belief continues to reinforce such a standard, while anyone serious about going into the business for themselves could accomplish the same education on their own. Such educational entities ultimately enjoy forcing these small entrepreneurs into becoming a member to satisfy this artificial perception.

In 2012, after years in the construction and home improvement industries (and a brief stint in personal training, of course), I took my residential construction and marketing experience, and set my focus on the home inspection business.

And I was not surprised to see the same, similar model of self-serving professional certification businesses there.

Now, in the home inspection industry, there are likewise many certification companies to choose from. The big ones are ASHI (The American Society of Home Inspectors), NACHI (The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, a.k.a. InterNACHI), NAHI (The National Association of Home Inspectors), and NIBI (The National Institute of Building Inspectors). There are many others, less-widely known.

The model is the same. You pay a few hundred dollars to take their exam and become a member. Some organizations will try to sell you expensive in-person training, and match you up with one of their certified instructors in your state, if possible. You will have to pay substantial yearly dues to remain a member, and you will also need to take continuing education to keep your certification valid. You’ll continue paying the organization, year after year.

To someone new to the real estate or construction industry, this basic education in home inspection (if you opt to pay for the expensive training) can be valuable to an extent, but only as valuable as my basic heavy equipment operating training was to me. A brand new home inspector with a certification may have never raised a hammer before in his life. And even though he may be very inexperienced, even incompetent, he can then use that certification as a banner to get business because the real estate industry has been manipulated to believe that having a big-name certification means he’ll do good work.

The major advantage of being certified is the ability to use the certification organization’s logos and their marketing tools. Some may have a marketing ‘network’ on the web to help provide leads. This marketing ability can actually be quite powerful and effective, because just like with the personal training industry, the home inspection certification industry has carved out their own niche in the real estate world to where many realtors and customers are led to believe that certifications are necessary. And you’ll often see home inspectors with these large, expensive certifications helping to continue this myth, because they are now bound to it by the recurring expense they incur to maintain them.

I believe that the focus of professional certification businesses is to build their own cash flow more than it is to provide the great educational background that people are led to believe a certification stands for. A professional certification can be extremely valuable as a marketing tool for an inspector going into business, but that’s about it. The organization may provide (for sale, of course) the inspector with various forms, maybe a business model, and other shortcuts to get them on their way, but when you examine these things, it becomes clear that the primary goal is to just make more money for the certification companies.

In my business, for instance, I examined some of these forms (available for sale from certification companies) before designing my own, and found their legal strength convoluted and weak. When I first considered getting into the business, I bought an excellent book/manual for the industry from Amazon, and found that many certification companies use that very book for course materials. And as far as their testing standards? One of my inspectors informed me that when he, himself, was perusing the major certification companies, he applied to one of the big organizations online and aced their exam without a lick of study, based on his construction background.

Christopher Solomon of MSN Real Estate, author of the e-article “4 tips for finding the best home inspector”*, states:

“Don’t trust an inspector simply because he or she has a state license or certification… the training may be so minimal that it is ineffective.”

What this all boils down to is that, whether you are a customer looking for a home inspector, or a realtor networking with home inspectors, a builder or construction professional considering home inspection as a new career, or anyone else in the real estate industry exposed to the myth that a certification is required… remember that it’s a myth. Certification organizations are in the business of making money from people who believe they need certifications. And you can bet that those companies, and the successful home inspectors who are tied to them, will continue pushing the myth, even so far as lobbying for state regulation that ends up giving those organizations even more business.

That’s why I don’t pay much attention to certifications, but, instead, focus on the experience a potential (inspector) applicant already HAS, in real estate, development, home building, renovations, etc., before he ever decided to get into the property inspection business in the first place.

And you should too.

Eddie Patin is the Managing Director of Alliance Home Inspections Inc. in Colorado Springs.

He is not certified. And if he ever becomes certified, it will be for marketing purposes.

All of the Home Inspectors working for Alliance (some certified, some not) have many years of experience in construction, building, renovations, and real estate. When you’re looking for a property inspector, make sure they have lots of practical experience and will know exactly what they’re looking at when evaluating a house, and especially WHAT to look for.

Alliance Home Inspections Inc. – A Colorado Springs Home Inspection Firm

You have probably had problems with your car at some point and you know how frustrating repairs can be. With all of the dishonest auto shops, it can be hard to find a good one. This article will tell you all about getting your car repaired right. Brand your location and turn foot-traffic into sales by using a signage Sydney in your business.

Prior to letting a mechanic touch your vehicle, ensure that they are A.S.E certified. This certification means that the technician has passed a written test and has over 2 years of experience under his or her belt. This also means that you have an experience, knowledgeable repair person working on your car.

Your car should be washed regularly so that rust doesn’t become a problem. While cars are going to rust eventually, you can definitely slow this down by ensuring all chemicals are cleaned off your car as quickly as possible. A good wax is your best friend: a friend that will protect that shiny new paint job for a long time.

Look over the manual that came with your car. Do not hesitate to let your mechanic know about what you learned from the owner’s manual. By knowing the manual, you may actually find you can fix some issues yourself.

Watch out for mechanics that don’t know what they’re doing. If your mechanic talks in confusing terms or tells you not to worry about the details, then it may be time to find one who you have confidence in.` Make sure that you trust the person that you are working with.

You should make sure to have a spare tire and jack with you all the time. They are included with most new vehicles. They are extremely helpful if your car experiences a problem while you are out on the road and you don’t want to call a tow truck. It is a whole lot easier and cheaper if you do it yourself.

Always get a second opinion, a reputable mechanic will not be offended because he knows his diagnosis will be confirmed. Although shops usually can be trusted, you could end up having to pay extra money that you don’t have. Try to find shops that are experts in fixing your specific type of car. Your car is more likely to be repaired properly at these shops.

Is a work-at-home mechanic a viable option? As long as they have experience they can do the same work but they often charge far less for the labor. Next time your car is in need of repairs, ask around for referrals for an unlicensed but fabulous mechanic.

Remove fluffy, fun key chains or have it so that your car key can be removed from the bunch. The ignition on your car is not devised to hold all the weight, even when you don’t consider it heavy. If the key starts to stick, its time to replace the tumblers and say goodbye to your troll buddy!

You do not always have to have your dealer repair your car. There are great techs everywhere whether there’s a great shop 10 minutes from your house or whether you decide to go to the dealer further away. Trust someone that you’re comfortable with.

It is often best to get minor issues checked by a qualified professional if you are not sure how to fix them. Even small issues can lead to much larger ones.

Believe it or not, there are a few shady auto repair businesses that will take your newer tires and switch them with older tires. It is a scam that is used to make more money off of uneducated people. Prior to going there, you should put chalk on the tires so they’re marked. If the chalk isn’t there, you’ve been taken advantage of.

If you’re experiencing a major problem with your brand new car, call the manufacturer immediately. There may have been a recall on the car already, or one may be needed. Manufacturers will often fix the car in these cases.

A portion of auto repair comes from consistency. Find one shop that you like and stick with them. Shops do not all give you the same diagnosis of your vehicle’s problems. The amount that they charge can be different and may cost you more.

The dealer’s mechanics are expensive but worth it. The technicians at dealerships are trained to work on your particular model of car. They can pinpoint the problem quickly and are trained to fix problems common to your model. They also undergo regular training programs.

When you have paid for a new part, ask the mechanic to return the old one to you. If he cannot provide this, he may not have done anything with your car. If this happens, call him out!

The need for repairs is an inevitable part of owning a car. The next time your car needs repairs or maintenance, the tips you’ve learned about here will surely come in handy. One of your best protections is knowing your repair shop’s reputation for reliability.

How Weather Affects Skiing

You should know what weather you are heading into so you’ll be aware of the kinds of conditions you and your equipment may be up against. Often the knowledge of a possible storm may cause you to cancel a ski trip and seek other plans. Or maybe you are a person who enjoys skiing the backcountry in changing weather conditions, in which case the possibility of a storm makes you want even more to keep your plans. Here are some considerations to take into account. I choose ski Canada deals this year’s bucket list for adventure, their agent is really friendly.

Clear Conditions

Clear and quiet conditions are great for skiing. But if you are only a fair-weather skier you are missing a beautiful part of backcountry skiing. Understanding mountain weather allows you to take advantage of good conditions and avoid violent conditions. Always ask yourself, “If the weather does change, how will it affect me?” The best rule is this: Be prudent! Make camp or turn back before you are forced to. The good backcountry skier has a habit of constantly looking above and behind for weather changes and making mental notes on the route already skied.

Mountain Weather Changes Quickly

Each mountain has its own weather pattern that is associated with its shape and surroundings, causing air currents to lift, cool, and condense into clouds – this is called orographic lifting. Mountain valleys are warmer during periods of warm weather, but during the winter they become cold sinks holding super-chilled air at night. With the morning sun, air heats and rises up the mountain to create wind and storms on the peak tops. After sunset, air cools and once again descends into the valleys for the night.

Changes of Season and Storm Frequency

In the United States, storms occur more regularly during the middle of winter, from January up to and including March (roughly June, July, and August in southern latitudes). During winter, the sun is lower in the sky, with sunset occurring much earlier than in summer. Skiing normally occurs between about 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. during deep winter. It gets cold quickly as the sun drops in the sky. Spring brings fewer storms and longer days more suited for ski touring. For a seasonal overview of sunrise and sunset times and the length of days in the United States, consult the Farmer’s Almanac and the internet.

Regional Influences

Mountains close to oceans with coastal climates (Sierras, Alps, Cascades, and New Zealand Alps, for example) have higher humidity, and snowfalls of 3 feet (0.9 meters) are common. Mountains far inland from oceans have Continental climates (for example, Rockies and Wasatch) and have less humidity and snowfalls of 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) are more common, with occasional snowfalls over 2 feet (0.6 meters). Humidity is a natural junk maker as it keeps the snow saturated with water, but this wetter snow stabilizes quickly with few avalanches (although it allows snow to stick to steeper slopes). Inland areas of the United States such as Colorado and Utah have dry, cold conditions perfect for dehydrated dry powder snow and powder avalanches.

New Snowfall

New storms bring in new snow and powder skiing, but new snow can also impede progress by forcing you to break trail and thus increase energy expenditure and food demand. Waxing your skins with anti glop wax may be needed to accommodate new wet snow that is slowing your travel. Avalanche danger may increase, forcing you to reroute. Increased cold and wind demands more clothing. During deep winter ski tours, you will need more food, more stove fuel, and more clothing. With this in mind, snow camping could be reserved for spring tours while hut tours are more ideal for the deep of winter.

Rain

Rain is the scourge of skiers. It can follow a recent snow when a warm, low-pressure system hits coastal mountains. Rain destroys the snow pack by cutting bonding layers between snow layers or between the whole snow pack and the ground. Skiing becomes difficult in rain because the snow is reduced to slush. Climbing skins can fall off due to moisture if they don’t have a backup attachment system besides adhesive. The skiing is miserable and sloppy. Goggles fog up, making navigation difficult. It might be a good time to make camp or turn back.

Planning for Bad Weather

Have alternate routes planned in case of bad weather. It’s good to have several high (haute) routes and low routes to choose from. Remember that the temperature normally drops 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) per 1,000 feet (305 meters) in elevation gained. Valleys may be sunny and comfortable, but you might still find blowing and snowing higher up. Higher routes are exposed to more weather and so they are better suited for periods of stable weather and low avalanche danger, like in the spring. Low routes are below the tree line, sheltered from the weather and avalanche activity. These two route design options let you ski the backcountry all winter long.

Getting the Complete Weather Picture!

You can get a good idea of what the weather will be doing by getting up to-date weather forecasts before leaving home and by being observant in the field. An altimeter will back up your observations by detecting pressure changes in the atmosphere. At home there are several different sources of weather information. The internet and television are the primary sources of weather info these days. The satellite radar image shows where the big “storm cells” are. Ask yourself: How big is the storm mass? Does it have breaks and clearing areas? A mountain travel advisory with a winter storm warning that alerts motorists of blowing wind and poor visibility will also hold true for skiers. If you know where ski resorts are located and the snow amounts they are receiving, you can deduce the direction and speed of the storm. For long-term planning, a national weather bureau will have 5-, 10-, and 30-day forecasts that are invaluable for multi day trips.

Jean Vives Ed.D. has his degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Northern Colorado. He has published over 25 articles in such sources as Ski, Skiing and Outside Magazine. His research on skiing won the Charles Houston Grant from the Wilderness Medical Society. He has skied and climbed all over the world. He has done sport science research as Everest Base Camp while teaching at Kathmandu University, Nepal. He has written several books on backcountry skiing. He is a guide and writer living near Boulder, http://www.skirandonnee.com His new book “Alpine SKi Touring Handbook” is due Fall, 2013.

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In today’s ever-changing, innovative and high-tech automotive refinish market, tremendous product information is imperative to successful results. Winning results can be defined as proper planning procedures for surface preparation, product selection, and ultimately the victorious application of primers, base-coats and clear-coats. In the following few paragraphs, it is our every intention to provide you with the latest in technology and trends, sharing our vast and limitless product information, understanding, and experiences. One way to increase the resale value of your car is to repaint it and car paint protection in Melbourne is the one that I recommend.

Surface preparation is crucial to quality results in automotive refinish. The tiniest particle could mar a paint job. Whether it be a panel or spot repaint, tried and proven methods are utilized in providing “user friendly” means for optimum preparation success. Each application is unique.

There isn’t just one type of car paint primer. You’ll find there are several, such as epoxy primer, urethane primer, high fill primer, and more. It is a necessity to establish the type of primer you need for your particular job. Etching primer is ideal for areas where a little rust cannot be easily removed. It does not remove the rust, but will prevent its spread. With epoxy primer, there’s the primer and the activator. You can use it underneath a filler, but it has to be on bare, prepared metal in order to bond properly. It prevents corrosion. Ambient air temperature needs to be high enough for epoxy primer to fully cure. If not, you could end up with topcoat failure. Urethane primer gives good coverage, and you can apply several coats of it over filler. With this type of auto paint primer, there’s no loss of gloss in the topcoat of paint. It has become the preferred alternative to lacquer primer, since it covers better and gives better results.

No matter what type of auto primer is used, it will still need to be sanded before painting. This is a vital step to help the paint bond to the primer. Use a fine grit sandpaper and sand the primer to be completely smooth and level with the rest of the spot or panel.

Base coats are reasonably easy to use and offer appearance advantages. Follow these simple steps for a successful application. First, tape off any windows or non-painted trim on the vehicle. Next, strip the old paint in places that this is required using paint remover or be simply sanding all of it off the vehicle. If the paint is good then sand it with 360 grit sandpaper. You should be down to bare metal when done. Spray only the places that you repaired with primer. No exposed surface that you plan to paint should be left un-primed. Allow the surface to dry completely before you begin painting. Wipe down the entire surface with a painting prep solvent to remove any grease, wax, or oils. Spray the entire surface with your base coat paint. Hold sprayer 6″ – 10″ from surface and spray in smooth and level strokes, overlapping strokes by about 50%. Check the paint manufacturer’s instructions about drying times before sanding. Last, wet sand the base coat until a smooth finish is obtained. This may not be a good idea for a metallic color, since it could remove metallic flakes from the basecoat.

There are notable and distinguished appearance advantages of clear coats. By using clear coats the manufacturer is able to create more specialized colors. Just look at some of the dazzling colors on the new cars today. This is made possible by the use of clear coats and techniques that can be utilized.

Believe it or not, some of today’s clear coat paint finishes are the most durable ever applied to automobiles. This is true not only of factory finishes, but also in the aftermarket. Proof of the durability of clear coats over single stage paint finishes is evidenced by the warranties that auto manufacturers are offering on the clear coat paint finishes. Typically they do not offer the same warranty for single stage paint finishes. Durability is really a very real concern for car owners today. With the increase in airborne pollution and other environmental factors, a car’s finish is subject to serious damage. Acid rain; jet fuel fallout; industrial fallout; hard water, not to mention high acidic bird droppings; insect residue; tree sap all are very dangerous to a paint finish if not removed immediately.

The durability of the clear coat goes even beyond the topcoat itself. By adding UV blockers to the clear coat you have a new level of protection for the pigments in the base coat. As you know oxidation and fading have always been the major problem with paint finishes and the biggest problem faced by detailers.

Now our biggest problem is to eliminate scratching and etching in the clear coat, which in many cases is impossible. It can be reduced, but not always eliminated. When it comes to repair and maintenance, clear coats make repairs and maintenance much easier. For example, a repair can be made on a portion of the panel and the color coat blended in that area, then the entire panel is clear coated. This will eliminate the problem of panel-to-panel color mismatches. Even a clear coat with scratches or water spots that has to be buffed is much easier to work on than an oxidized metallic single stage paint finish. If the correct compound and pad is used the first time the process is much quicker.

Those paint finish problems that can’t be corrected with either an orbital or buffer can be handled by a light wet sanding, which only qualified detailers should attempt to do. However, if you know what you are doing and can properly evaluate the problem with the customer, you can charge far more money than for just a buff polish and wax.

While most car manufacturers won’t admit it, the cost of applying clear coat/basecoat finishes substantially reduces their cost to paint the car. How so? First, recognize that the most expensive ingredient in paint is the pigments. With single stage paint finishes a manufacturer would apply at least 4 to 5 mils of colored paint. Compare this to no more than 1 mil of colored paint that is covered with 1.5 to 2 mils of clear coat. It doesn’t take much to see using the right products saves money.

Ray Ingram

At Mototouch (http://www.mototouch.net), we have been recognized as one of the premier providers to the automotive refinish market. We have been propelled as a team to the next level of marketing and would encourage you to allow us the opportunity to provide the finest products and services to you, our valued customer. Thank you for allowing us to earn your patronage.

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Finding a reasonable, qualified Plumber in Denver turned out to be not as easy as one would think. First off, the local GYP directories made it pretty confusing for a newcomer just arriving from the St. Louis area. The metro Denver encompasses 23 different municipal areas all with different zip codes and different names. The problem was these different areas all seem to have different business directories. St. Louis is much the same, but here you have all these small cities from the frontier days when Denver was the biggest cattle town in the Old West. In Australia it is easy to find a local plumber Sydney because many homeowners had a problem also in their plumbing system.

Asking friends for recommendations is always a great idea. But, having just moved to Denver from St. Louis, I sure didn’t know anyone to ask for Denver plumber referrals. In the end, I was successful and had a happy result. The clogged shower drain repaired and the cost was okay for the service call too. Here are the steps I used to locate the best Denver Plumber for my problem.

Yellow Pages

My first stop in my search was the Denver Yellow Pages. Since I lived in Highlands Ranch in another county that didn’t work too well. I couldn’t find a Yellows Pages for the local area. The metro Denver Yellow Pages sure didn’t give me a quick way to know the locations or which areas the plumbing contractor might do service calls. No help on who was reasonably priced or did quality work either.

Too Many Denver Plumbers

Usually the quick way is flipping the Yellow Pages, but not in this case. Denver Plumbers in the Yellow Pages would be reputable businesses, but there were so many listings I couldn’t decide who was close to my home or which plumber to choose. Besides, later on I found out there are actually FIVE different Yellow Pages Directories for city of Denver alone, and all the suburbs have their own Yellow Pages directory.

Newspaper Classified Ads

Bought the local paper and gave that a try. I found a few good plumber ads on the Denver Post down one 1 W. Colfax Avenue. You can also call the paper at (303) 954-1557 and get recorded listings. Other local newspapers in Highlands Ranch, Englewood, Aurora. and Littleton can be a good alternative resource for Plumber ads. And these local areas are small towns in their own right with their own Yellow Pages. But, finding one might be tricky.

Try Asking Around for a Good Plumber

Even though I couldn’t do this successfully; I would recommend this as a first step if you do know local people when you move to a new city like Denver. This should be the first thing you do because nothing beats actual experience of people who can recommend someone who did a good job on their own plumbing system. Nothing beats a personal recommendation because most of us wouldn’t steer another homeowner wrong.

Searching the Internet for Plumbers

I’ve got two words for you. Speed and Convenience. These days nothing is faster than finding a local business by using a Search Engine. Search Engines provide you with maps, street addresses and most importantly links to reviews about the local plumbers in Denver and surrounding areas. Reviews are great for anything you want to use but watch out for phony reviews. They can help but use a grain of salt with your judgment on personal reviews. Many dissatisfied customers can be traced to simple misunderstanding, and you’ll never hear the plumber’s side from reading the review.

Unless you have a basement flooding, don’t go for the first plumber you see in your search. I did that once in my rush to find someone to fix my gushing pipeline and what I got was an expensive bill, a plumber who took 3 hours to fail and say he can’t do it. I was knee-deep in water.

Other Internet Sources

Local reviews are pretty easy to find with searches too. Annie’s List had a few. City Search pulled a lot of plumber reviews for Denver plumbers, aurora plumbers, and companies from other smaller towns, but they were a bit too shallow and didn’t provide enough information. Not for for me at least. Aurora has a local hub pages site on the Internet… loads a on line ads for all kinds of stuff and some plumbers and handyman types too.

Web sites for Denver Plumbers

Search engines will also lead you to local business web sites.Along with a map to quickly find the location in all the confusing cities and suburbs on the map. These plumbing web sites seem to be quite common nowadays, and especially for plumbing contractors. They know that serious people are looking for their services… and are usually in a big hurry. So, the best plumbing contractors do everything they can to stand out on the Internet. I found that to be very true in Denver as a whole, an Arapahoe County where I lived. Plumber web sites often have testimonials, prices for services clearly shown and several ways to contact the business for an appointment to be scheduled.

To Summarize these are the most important qualities you want to find.

– Experience
– Reliability
– Offers more than one service
– Integrity
– Free estimate before work is started
– A Solid Guarantee

I’ve had both good and bad results with plumbers, handymen, and carpenters in the past, but the advances in the Internet have sure made the job. That and local businesses seem to realize it too and are creating their own websites to make my job easier to find them.

Allan Lianza is an interior designer who moved from St. Louis, MO. Born of Filipino-Chinese decent, he is slowly moving his way up in this world as he seeks better options for his life as he moves to Denver, CO. He’s fairly new in the community so he’s almost certainly coming across new predicaments that seem to make his life a bit more challenging. Because of his curious nature, he tends to write down his experiences into words. Often discussing them with anyone who might come across the same problems.

He may not look like it but one of his main hobbies is fiddling with computers and anything that’s about computers so he has a fair understanding of the IT industry.

He now contributes to a lot of reviews for the Denver Plumbers Directory that talks about Denver Plumbers [http://denverplumbersdirectory.com] and Denver plumbing contractors.

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