Homes and Lifestyles - NW

(Tampa, FL)—The warmer weather has us all heading outside to soak up the sun, but it’s also a good reminder to take care of some basic things around your house. Pillar To Post is the leading home inspection company in North America, according t…

There have been countless anecdotal claims about the benefits of practicing meditation since the Eastern tradition has become more popular in the West. Now, there’s plenty of Western-based scientific evidence to support them, says Dr. Matt Mumber…

A: Chances are you will have to pay the going rate for contractors in your area. Architects or designers will typically cost 12 to 20 percent more.  

But remember you will want a home improvement that is done right the first time. That said, ther…

Settlement.  The day on which title is conveyed.

Having suffered hurricane damage in the past, I wanted to pass on a few important tips from the insurance industry regarding the upcoming and potentially severe hurricane season.

According to Chicago-based Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), leading weather researchers are forecasting an active hurricane season. The Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science recently released its 2013 Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability.

The forecast calls for 18 named storms, including nine hurricanes, four classified as major (Category 3, 4 or 5). CSU also projects a 72 percent chance of at least one major hurricane hitting the United States, as compared to a 52 percent average over the course of the last century.

The report states that the east coast, including the Florida peninsula, is projected to have a 48 percent chance of a major hurricane, compared to a 31 percent average over the last century. And the Gulf coast, including the Florida panhandle, is projected to have a 47 percent chance of a major hurricane, compared to a 30 percent average for the century.

Additionally, the North Carolina State University Coastal Fluid Dynamics Lab is forecasting 13-17 tropical storms, compared to a 63-year average of 10.8, and this includes 7-10 hurricanes, with 3-6 major hurricanes, as compared to averages since 1950 of 6.3 and 2.7, respectively.

The PCI’s Chris Hackett advises home and business owners to prevent the loss of life and minimize property damage, it is vital that coastal residents create a family disaster plan, maintain an emergency supply kit, and stay informed about approaching storms.

Hackett. added that storm proofing of structures is one of the most effective ways to promote public safety and reduce the costs of homeowners insurance. Taking proactive steps to strengthen structures not only protects policyholders’ families and assets; it also strengthens the property insurance market, on both the state and federal levels, by reducing risk exposure.

In the next segment, we’ll pass on a number of tips and things to consider as you batten down for the anticipated severe 2013 hurricane season.

Frequent flyer miles aside – because, as many of us have learned, they may not be available when we need or want them – there are other ways to ensure you get the best possible price on air travel.

From Scott Gamm of TheStreet.com, here are five ways you can try:

Talk to the airline – Some airlines, like Southwest, do not allow their fares to be posted on third-party sites. Dealing directly from the airline could net you a better deal than those you find posted elsewhere.

Book a package – On sites like Travelocity, booking a package that includes the hotel as well as airfare could save you as much as $525. The packages have great flexibility, making them worth looking into.

Choose the days you fly – It’s usually cheaper to fly during the week than on weekends, so the middle of the week is golden for travelers. Airlines and hotels know that Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are the easiest times to travel, so prices are higher then.

Time of day matters - The most cost effective flights are the ones during odd hours of the day – including the first flights of the day at 6 a.m. and the red eyes overnight. The difference an early flight and the same one mid-day could be at least 20% cheaper.

Ask about special fares – the airline will rarely advertise it, but special rates on selected flights are sometime available for students, youths, and/or seniors.

Check airport pricing – In some cases, you can find a better rate by flying into or out of a smaller regional airport. In other cases, because flights are more frequent, the fare is less using a larger airport. Check out the options, if you have them.

Be alert to the oversold flight – If you are flexible on flight times, remember that oversold flights usually offer big discounts to passengers willing to be “bumped’ to a later flight – so step up if volunteers are called for.

(BPT) – In warmer weather, patios transform into the ultimate gathering space for backyard barbecues, reading, relaxing or even exercising. These outdoor rooms become an extension of the house, seamlessly merging the outdoors inside and vice versa.

This summer, many homeowners will tackle revamping the home to expand this transformation between indoors and outdoors, developing a patio space that will be used all season long.

Think about outdoor and indoor living spaces collectively, and choose a design that integrates them into one seamless space. Incorporate elements from the patio into the house and elements from inside into your backyard patio design.

Start with a patio door that will set the stage for your transformation.

“The privacy of a backyard allows you to be adventurous when choosing a patio door. With many design options available, it’s easy to find the style that suits your home’s needs,” says Joseph Ritzert, patio door expert for Pella Windows and Doors.

Choose a sleek sliding patio door to compliment or create a clean look, or if you’re short on floor space. An elegant French or hinged patio door is a good option for homes with ample open floor space. Durable, easy-to-care-for doors like Pella 350 Series premium vinyl sliding patio doors are great for families with children and high traffic.

Also, select a patio door with accents to create the look you want, like stylish grilles, or convenient between-the-glass blinds or shades for added privacy, plus a variety of hardware, exterior and interior finishes. Many Pella patio doors offer a retractable Rolscreen that helps keep insects out while letting in fresh air, and rolls out of sight when not in use.

Windows are very important to keep the seamless transformation between the room and patio. But more glass means more exposure to the elements. Low-E options, like Pella’s InsulShield Advanced Low-E triple-pane glass with argon, can help protect your furniture from fading in direct sunlight, while enhancing your home’s energy efficiency.

“If energy efficiency is your top priority, look for a patio door that is Energy Star-qualified to help maximize potential energy savings and year-round comfort,” Ritzert says.

Continue your transformation with landscaping both inside and out to combine the areas. If your patio connects to the kitchen, potted herb plants indoors blend beautifully with potted flowers on the patio. In settings where a patio connects to a living room, potted small trees inside connect well with planted trees framing your patio.

Complete your indoor/outdoor gathering space by using similar materials between the two spaces. If you have decorative woodwork inside, bring it out on the deck with furniture, wooden boxes for your potted plants, in the railings (if needed) or even the trim on the house. Or if you have a lot of fabric inside, carry that over to your patio with weather-tolerant fabrics on your patio furniture.

With these transformations, your beautiful patio space will quickly become the top destination in your home – the gathering spot for all family members when they come home from work or their daily activities.

Second mortgage.  Lien on property that is subordinate to a first mortgage.  In the event of default, the second mortgage is repaid after the first.  Also called a junior mortgage, and in some circumstances a home equity loan.

A: A home equity loan, like a second mortgage, lets you tap up to about 80 percent of the appraised value of your home, minus your current mortgage balance. But because it is set up as a line of credit, you will not be charged interest until you actual…

I recently referenced reporting by Nell Bernstein at caring.com, who pointed out two important factors about planning for aging in place. Bernstein says the steps to successful aging in place include learning how to “future-proof” a home — before a health crisis or other emergency strikes.

Household maintenance is another significant area of concern. Little chores can cause big problems in the form of falls or other mishaps, unless you have on-site assistance at all times.

In the event you don’t, the National Association of Home Builders lists many factors homeowners can take into consideration when looking to simplify or reduce maintenance chores.  

Consumer seeking to modify an existing home for aging in place or build a new home to meet long term should consult the NAHB Aging-In-Place Design Checklists which include the following points:

Exterior

• Low-maintenance exterior (vinyl, brick)
• Low-maintenance shrubs and plants
• Deck, patio or balcony surfaces are no more than ½ inch below interior floor level if made of wood

Overall Floor Plan

• Main living on a single story, including full bath
• No steps between rooms/areas on the same level
• 5-foot by 5-foot clear/turn space in living area, kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom

Entry

• Accessible path of travel to the home
• At least one no-step entry with a cover
• Sensor light at exterior no-step entry focusing on the front-door lock
• There needs to be 32 inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
• Non-slip flooring in foyer
• Entry door sidelight or high/low peep hole viewer; sidelight should provide both privacy and safety.
• Doorbell in accessible location
• Surface to place packages on when opening door

Other Reduced Maintenance/Convenience Features

• Easy to clean surfaces
• Central vacuum
• Built-in pet feeding system
• Built-in recycling system
• Video phones
• Intercom system

View the complete checklist here.