Real Estate Innovation

Putting in a New Floor Can Be Fun!

As beautiful and popular as hardwood flooring is, many are choosing bamboo flooring as an alternative. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also an environmentally friendly type of home flooring. Many major manufacturers such as Columbia Flooring, Mohawk Flooring and Armstrong Flooring all carry some type of bamboo product for your floors.

Next to steel, bamboo is one of the strongest flooring products. Even stronger than some wood flooring, its durability makes it the perfect choice for your floor. It’s more comfortable on your feet than stone flooring and stronger than linoleum. The density, feel and weight of bamboo is similar to real hardwood flooring.

You have your choice of using an engineered product or solid bamboo. Engineered bamboo is combined with another type of wood, usually a bamboo surface with a core of plywood. You can then stain the bamboo with a coat of urethane as you would with hardwood floor. Bamboo flooring is installed in the same way as hardwood floors, either nailed or glued to the sub floor. You can also get some of the newer versions that lock together like tongue and groove. This eliminates the nailing and gluing and gives a “floating floor” appearance.

It’s important that the sub floor is level before you begin installation. If it isn’t level, you can use asphalt shingles to make it level. The sub floor needs to be clean and completely dry as moisture may damage your new floor.

Besides the beauty and ease of bamboo, many are choosing to use bamboo as a means to help the environment. We’re all being made aware of the depletion of hardwood products. Many of these woods such as walnut and oak trees do not grow fast enough to keep up with the “supply and demand”. As a way to save our natural resources such as wood, many environmentally conscious people are choosing to using alternatives such as bamboo. Bamboo, unlike hardwood, grows faster than any other tree used in the manufacture of wood flooring. It only takes five years for a bamboo plant to mature. Even when they’re harvested, new shoots begin to grow quickly.

Bamboo floor is very easy to maintain, needing only dusting and mopping. A cleaning solution consisting of 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar does an excellent job of cleaning with a damp sponge mop. The floor needs to be dried immediately with a towel so the moisture doesn’t damage the bamboo. Simple spills can be wiped with a damp cloth and dried immediately. To keep the floor looking shiny, you can buff it with a buff sander. Your bamboo floor will look new for many years with proper care.

Closet Organization Systems - How To Make The Most Of Them

Are you thinking about converting a spare closet for extra storage? You should be aware of all the options you have for installing storage closet systems. You can choose from thousands of different bins, shelves, and boxes.

You’ll first need to decide what’s most important to you: Form, function, or a combination of the two. If it doesn’t matter how coordinated everything is in your storage area, you’ll have more options available to you. Canvas toes, rolling bins, and plastic tubs are just some examples.

There is a vast assortment of plastic bins and totes by Rubbermaid that you can use in your closet storage area. They could be as small as containers used for food (great for craft supplies or tools), or giant tote bags for everything from patio furniture cushions or Christmas decorations.

What you can do is put the large bins on the floor under the shelves, then fill up the shelves with bins of different sizes.

One of the keys to good closet storage systems is to clearly label everything. When each tub, bin, and tote is clearly labeled, you’ll always know what’s inside.

It’s best to keep all similar items in one place, so that way you can tell what’s in any box just at a glance. You can use a label maker to make the process easier, and you can always peel off the labels and switch them out later if you need to.

Another option is to label the storage bin with a permanent marker, or you can tape a piece of paper to the side or front of the bin that describes the contents.

Clear or translucent bins are the favorite of most professional organizers, because labeling no longer has to be so detailed with these. When you can see the contents, you’re even more organized, and you save yourself more time.

Rubbermaid also has a good selection of clear bins you can use as part of your closet storage systems as well. You can also find specialty storage items for your closet too, designed to hold things such as gift wrap, hobby supplies, and craft items.

The Debt Snowball Method Can Help You Become Debt Free Faster

There are several methods that can be used when people want to systematically pay off their debts. One of the difficulties with debt management is that it can be hard to know which debts to pay off first or how to go about paying down various liabilities. There are several schools of thought to help people through this process, and one method that is gaining in popularity is the debt snowball method.

The debt snowball method requires the borrower to first get their debts organized. This process begins by listing all of the debts you owe on a spreadsheet. Some borrowers choose to leave their mortgage off the list, since it’s usually a much larger liability than other debts and can’t realistically be paid off over a relatively short period of time. The list of debts you create should have payoff amounts, interest rates, and minimum monthly payments. The debt snowball method calls for debts to be organized based on the size of the outstanding balance. For example:

Type of Debt Payoff Amount Interest Rate Minimum Payment

Auto Loan 1 $20,000 5.9% $400 Credit Card $12,000 19.9% $225 Student Loan $8000 6.9% $115 Auto Loan 2 $5000 5.9% $260

In this example, you’ve placed the debt with the largest overall balance at the top of the list. Your total combined minimum payment on all four debts is $1000. If your budget allows for $1500 per month to pay down debt, the snowball method would prescribe making the minimum payments on the three debts with the largest balances, for a total of $740, and paying the remaining $760 toward the smallest loan balance, in this case Auto Loan 2.

Why does this work? The idea behind the snowball method is that you’ll pay off the smallest loans first and be able to cross them off of your list, thus motivating you to stick with the program. The psychological benefits of having only three monthly debt payments instead of four will help you to keep working to get out of debt. After Auto Loan 2 is paid off, your job is to continue paying $1500 a month, this time paying minimums on the first two debts, and putting all the excess toward the student loan, paying it off as quickly as possible and reinforcing the positive feelings of paying off another debt.

Another variation of the debt snowball method is to rank debts not by the size of the payoff amount, but by the interest rate. Proponents of the Interest Rate Snowball method prefer to pay off the loan with the highest interest rate first, helping to make sure that the borrower ends up paying less overall and paying off debts in a shorter period of time.

Both of the above snowball methods will work, but only when accompanied by discipline and a commitment to contribute monthly and stop accumulating new debt. The debt snowball method is a great first step to take before looking for more costly professional debt solutions.

How to Get a Free Credit Check

Online Credit Reports makes reviewing your credit value easier than ever. Consumers who regularly check their free credit report online find it much easier to catch and correct any errors listed on their credit history. Online credit reports also help consumers to prevent identity theft.

Your credit scores is calculated based on the data in your credit reports and this number will change regularly, sometimes every day. Credit scores allow lenders to quickly make credit decisions based on the three-digit number that is shown on your credit report. Credit scores sum up all the information in your credit report and represent your over-all credit worthiness.

By monitoring your credit report, you can stay on top of your credit. Other than getting your credit report each day, credit monitoring is the best way to know what is happening within your credit report. Under Federal law, you have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three major consumer reporting agencies. Just keep in mind, all online credit reports are not created equal.

Each of the three credit reporting services will display your credit history differently. Checking all three of your credit reports can help ensure you are maintaining a healthy credit profile free of mistakes. Credit checks can be obtained online, by phone, and via mail. Credit reports obtained online are available for your viewing immediately upon authentication of your identity.

Free credit checks are a simple and safe way to get your credit report. These reports are easy to interpret and use colors and graphics to assist you. Be sure to check each of your credit reports very carefully for errors and always be sure your personal information is listed correctly. Credit reports are far from perfect and have been known to contain mistakes.

Online credit reports allow you to see what potential lenders see. More importantly, viewing your credit report allows you to do something about your credit score if you think there are errors. Did you know that Experian has reported that it takes consumers, on average, a whole year to discover identity fraud? Regularly viewing your credit report can help deter identity theft. Yet another valid reason to request an free credit report online.

Simply monitoring your credit report is the most effective way to protecting your credit against errors and fraud. Watch activity on your credit report for inquiries or the opening of new accounts in your name. Consider a credit monitoring service to help you watch over your credit report.

Consumers can get their credit check for free, but this report will not include your score. You must pay for a report that includes your credit score. Mistakes found within your online credit check can also be disputed online, which makes these credit reports quite convenient for many consumers. The internet makes it very efficient to get your credit report these days. In turn, this makes it easier for consumers to protect their financial future.

Dog Training Treats Are A Brilliant Reward For A Job Well Done.

No one can underestimate the power of a treat during the training of your dog. However fond your dog is of you and vice versa, a treat can be the right reward at the right moment.

But, just as with people, unhealthy treats tend to promote health and behavior problems, rather than reinforce good habits.

Whole Life Pet Treats are different than most other treats because they are made of pure dried meat — you can give them to your pet like jerky or soak them in water for a richer, meatier flavor. You can purchase them in the flavors of beef, chicken, liver, cod, and even salmon. Wellness Pure Rewards are made with 95% meat. They are free of grain and wheat and have nothing artificial added, which results in a healthful treat for your pet.

Etta Says! Freeze-Dried Treats are made from ingredients that are of human consumption quality. They are freeze dried to capture and keep the freshness, aroma, and taste. Your dogs will go wild for the treats with the winning taste, as voted by Citydog magazine readers; Etta Says Liver Treats.

Products made from one hundred percent human grade ingredients consists of Uphaus Free-Range Real Meat Treats that contain no artificial sweeteners, extra calories or fats, and Northwest Naturals Liver Treats that are rich in vitamins and minerals.

If your dog is overweight, or loves treats to eat way too many treats, try Zukes Mini Naturals. You will earn everlasting gratitude from your dog when you give him these two calorie Mini Naturals that are nutritious and deliciously flavored like chicken, peanut butter, or salmon.

Another tiny type are Dogswell Minis Functional Dog Treats with a lo fat high protein content and easily digestible ingredients.

Both older dogs and puppies will find themselves in doggy heaven with the delicious flavors of beef, lamb, or turkey and brown rice, oats, tapioca, cinnamon and rosemary in Solid Gold Jerky Treats.

A product specifically designed for puppies is Wellness Just For Puppy Treats, with healthy ingredients such as blueberries, flaxseed, salmon and carrots in a scrumptious snack.

Ordinary dog jerky and biscuits snacks can’t compete with the quality of Zukes PowerBones. PowerBones were developed, based on advice from veterinarians and canine nutrition science findings, to be a good source of nutrients and power for active and performance dogs.

If you are looking for a healthy, yet yummy treat for your dog, then Zukes PowerBones are the way to go. If your dog has less of a need for energy try Zukes Jerky Naturals.

Public Marriage Records Online

Marriage is a much more serious affair than it’s been treated. In the US, the state steps in to help make the point. Like other cosmopolitan environments, there are variations among the ethnic and religious groups in joining people in matrimony. The requirements can also differ from state to state but people other than the couple are always involved. Yes, there will be a conducting official. Legal witnesses of the ceremony are also required in certain states. Even God and deceased ancestors may also be involved by religious and customary practices.

Rejection and protest from certain religious groups or beliefs notwithstanding, it is mandated by law that a marriage can only legally proceed after a Marriage License has been obtained from the state authorities. The requisites for application are typically age, identity, residency, medical examinations and clearance from any previous marriages if any. They can be issued by the state of residence of the couple or where the marriage ceremony is planned to be officially conducted. Fees are usually nominal but lead time can be long, up to a month in some states. After the ceremony, the license is then signed off by the new couple and the official to file for certification and the issuance of the Marriage Certificate.

Both the license and certificate are then entered as marriage records into the respective files of the new spouses. They will then be maintained as public records at the county or state where the marriage has taken place, whichever is the prevailing practice. Being public records, they will be subject to public retrieval and search as long as procedures are complied with and fees are paid.

Same-sex, or gay marriages are a little bit trickier. They are recognized in less than half the states. A handful others are fuzzy about it, recognizing them as legal union and offering explicit marriage rights and responsibilities while not calling them marriages. Be prepared for some surprises with such states.

There are basically two types of service we can turn to for marriage license or record search, the free public offices and the paid providers. Free services tend to be discrete and scattered so it can be quite time-consuming and tedious. Paid versions come at different levels of professionalism. The better rated ones can deliver very comprehensive reports. Over and above public resources, many have access to private and privileged databases.

Conducting public marriage records search is often contentious. Except for super-snoops, people have better things to do than prying others’ private lives. It is usually done on those who are more than acquaintance, and ironically with whom we relate with fondness. Inherently, it infringes the expectation of trust. Tussle between the sense and the feelings, there is never an outright correct answer.