Posts tagged: real estates

To most people a Toyota motor home built in the 1980s looks like a cute and charming recreational vehicle. And for the most part this is exactly what they are. But there was a fatal flaw built into these early 1980 motor homes was that caused heartbreak and disaster for hundreds of people.

As the motor home size was expanded past 18 feet, the original Toyota pickup chassis which was only rated at 1/2 ton capacity, was simply not up to the job. Specifically the rear axle began to fail. When this happened bad things occurred to good people.

Completely empty, these little campers have a marginal carrying capacity for people and possessions. This meant that the typical motor home left the driveway in probably an overloaded condition. This was normally not a problem because the performance of the camper insured that slow speeds would be maintained on the trip. The hundred horsepower four-cylinder engine would not move three tuns of house in a very fast pace.

As the size of the camper increased it wasn’t long until the rear axles began to fail. The camper manufacturers compensated by adding a second set of wheels on the axle. This created a dual set of tires on each side. However this did not correct the problem. The problem lie in the fact that the bearings and the axle itself were just not heavy-duty enough to carry the load.

Excessive load caused the bearings to overheat, fail, and then disintegrate with disastrous consequences. Victims of this problem reported that the wheels would actually leave the truck. This was such a serious problem that the national highway safety administration became involved and issued a recall of certain Toyota motor home models.

There was no way to predict when the axle would fail. Some units failed almost immediately, some units went thousands and thousands of miles, and some units have not failed yet. However any Toyota motor home without the heavy-duty axle should be considered as a suspect vehicle.

There is an easy way to tell if your Toyota RV has a safe axle. First of all, all models of Toyota RV built after 1987 were built with the upgraded safe axle. All models of Toyota motor home built in 1984 and before are required to have the upgraded axle due to the safety recall. In 1985 and 1986 some models were built with the upgraded safe axle and some were not. So it is up to you to be careful when inspecting the axle on any Toyota motor home you are considering to buy.

A simple inspection of the axle itself will tell you if it is safe or needs to be replaced. The safe axle will have six lug nuts, the unsafe axles were built with five lug nuts. The safe axle will also have a protruding center hub that has a ring of nuts around the outer edge.

If the axles on the Toyota motor home you are considering only have five lug nuts and the center does not stick out and have a ring of bolts on the center hub, keep looking for another camper to purchase.

Behrens Ranch Homes

Round Rock real estate is a comfortable, cozy neighborhood that is perfect for your family to settle down in. With a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful homes, Behrens Ranch homes offer prime real estate for potential buyers to settle into a new home. There are so many reasons for you to decide to build your family in Behrens Ranch; you should not hesitate any longer!

Behrens Ranch Real Estate

This subdivision’s real estate homes are also located in a very convenient location. Although the relatively small neighborhood has a cozy and rustic charm, this neighborhood is conveniently located twenty minutes away from the major metropolitan center of Austin, Texas. This subdivision is also very close to the major highways I-35, FM 1452, RR 620 and Toll 45. While you immerse yourself in the welcoming community, you will also find that the homes are located next to fantastic local restaurants and coffee shops. A few of these locations include the Daily Grind and the popular restaurant Louisiana Longhorn.

Behrens Ranch Homes for Sale

This would be a beautiful community that would make Behrens Ranch homes for sale are ideal for you to build your new home. There are also great shopping, restaurants and entertainment areas nearby, such as Lakeline Mall, Dell Diamond and the Round Rock Premium Outlets. This subdivision is also located close to major employers, such as Scott & White, Dell, Seton and La Frontera. These major employers being so close by can cut down on your commute time from work. This neighborhood is also only a few minutes away from numerous parks and lakes, which have many activities such as camping, boating, fishing, and several hiking and biking trails. This neighborhood also has easy access to I-35, FM 1452, RR 620 and Toll 45, which means that you can easily navigate yourself to other locations and shopping and recreational areas.

Round Rock Real Estate

These homes are a comfortable, cozy neighborhood that is perfect for your family to settle down in. With a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful homes, this subdivision offers prime real estate for potential buyers to settle into a new home. This neighborhood has almost everything that you could possibly be searching for in a home, with a welcoming and friendly community and a huge range of amenities and features. Located twenty minutes north of Austin, Round Rock is conveniently located five minutes away from the downtown portion of Round Rock. This subdivision is a beautiful community.

Are you on the verge of buying a new home in the city? It can be a thrilling episode altogether if you’re planning to change the neighborhood or moving to a new city. The townhouses stand to be a favorable choice for most property buyers interested to move to cities. The traditional narrow and terraced houses with more than two to three floors are good choices for families looking forward to budget homes. Again, investors consider buying such properties for their future benefits. But, if you and your family are excited to get a new residence in the town, few suggestions might help you.

Make your priority list

If you have a family with you, then you guys should sit along and discuss the priorities based on which choose the townhouse. For instance- a single person’s apartment differs from that of a family. If you are a family person with one or more kids, you need sufficient space for the children. You’ve to think about the future when your kids will grow up and will seek individual rooms. If you have are intending to buy this property as your permanent address, you have to consider the future. Moreover, you need some extra space, if you’ve pets along with you.

Stick to the additional features

Along with the spacious rooms and the living area for the family, you might have the interest in some special and additional features. It might include the number of balconies, how the rooms are faced, whether the rooms are receiving ample light and air and so on. If you have kids, you need to buy an airy home that receives ample sunlight and fresh air. You can also have a preference of choosing a sea facing or a riverside property so that you can enjoy the view from your townhouse.

Location matters

The location has a very important role to play when you are looking for the house. You gave to stick to the priorities and the location that might also include the priority list when you are about to choose a new residence. Make sure the area has easy access to the marketplaces, gas stations, medical stores, hospitals etc.

Take the help of a reliable real estate agent to find the best homes for sale in your preferred location. Make sure, the professional has the reputation of having the most updated property listing in the area. Besides, the agents help throughout the whole process of selecting and buying the house.

When the market is down, homes for sale can sometimes sit longer than homeowner’s would like. Generally, lowering the price moves it quicker because buyers want to feel like they got a good deal. However, lowering the price isn’t the only option, and it is helpful for homeowners to learn tips to help them sell their home fast.

1. Create Curb Appeal

When you sell a house, it’s important to remember that appearance is everything, and so are first impressions. The first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of your house. Make sure your yard is well-kept, clean, and uncluttered. Replace any old or faded shudders, give the house a fresh coat of paint if needed, and replace outdated or worn gutters. In short, make it look as nice as possible on the outside so potential buyers want to see the inside.

2. Differentiate From Your Neighbors

There may be several homes for sale in your neighborhood or on your block, and you need to set yourself apart from them. Start by making your home memorable, which should also increase its value. You can get custom landscape designs, high-grade windows, or a new roof. Just make sure that you don’t go overboard with pricey renovations that may not pay off.

3. Update Your House

In a down market, buyers have a lot of options, and they don’t want a house that they need to fix up after buying it. Your job is to make them feel like they can move in and hit the ground running with their new life. Ensure that the doors, appliances, electrical, and plumbing fixtures are in compliance and good working order. Change the batteries in the fire alarms, make sure the molding and baseboards look nice, and update anything that is outdated or unattractive.

4. Clear the Clutter

Potential buyers need to see themselves living in your home, and it’s difficult to do when it is cluttered. Go through everything and either get rid of stuff or take it to storage. You want your home to look simple and clean so buyers can easily picture themselves there. Consider hiring a stager to help you make the most of your space, and create the right image for potential buyers.

5. Sweeten the deal

You may not need to lower the price of your home to sell it, but buyers still want to feel like they got a good deal. In that case, consider some perks. Offer a credit to go toward closing costs or offer to pay closing costs outright. Check with your realtor to see if there are specific deals buyers want that you can consider in your offer, as well.

Selling a house in a down market doesn’t have to be difficult, and homeowners don’t have to immediately lower their price. Start with one of these tips to help you with your homes for sale, and increase your chances of selling it quickly.

Having insurance for your assets can be just as important as the actual asset itself. For example, where would you be without homeowners insurance if your home caught fire? Imagine your home and all the belongings within its walls being destroyed by fire and soot. If you do not have homeowners insurance, you are left picking up the pieces alone. An insurance company is there for you in time of trouble whether it be for auto, home, or business needs.

How do insurance companies help in time of trouble? They start by getting on the case the instant the mishap takes place. During a car accident one should report the incident immediately to his or her insurance company! As soon as they get the call they start the process. They handle everything from rental cars to working with the other person’s insurance company to actually picking up the bill (minus your detectable if you were at fault) for the damages. It is safe to say they handle a great deal of the stress involved with accidents.

Auto insurance is available for all ages of drivers. In most states it is of course illegal to drive without insurance. This is not only for your protection, but it is for the protection of others. You may choose to have full coverage or partial coverage. Most people want full coverage because in the case that an accident is your fault, you are still covered by your insurance company. Autos that can easily find coverage are general automobiles, commercial autos, RVs, motorcycles, and boats.

Homeowners insurance is important for areas that are prone to natural disasters. Homeowners will also be backed by flood protection with this form of coverage. Renter’s insurance is another form of coverage that is available. This is great for renters because although the homeowner may have the house protected from natural disaster, that doesn’t mean the person renting the home’s belongings are also protected. Renter’s insurance is typically considered to be very affordable and a smart investment.

Businesses coverage is important for business owners and commercial properties alike. Businesses can take advantage of workers comp insurance and general liability.

If you are an auto, home, or business owner, it is essential that you understand what an insurance company has to offer. They are easy to find online and just as simple to contact. Free estimates are always available and will change depending on each client’s personal or business needs.

Mobile homes are often considered an economically effective housing solution. What is often not considered is the tremendous amount of off gassing from the mobile home itself and from products used in mobile homes that can send harmful chemicals into the air. This becomes an unhealthy situation quickly because of the initially tight seals, and lack of ventilation. Here are 5 ways to reduce the chemicals that mobile homes off gas; and reducing these chemicals will help you and your family stay healthy.

Avoid Carpeting If Possible

New carpet is infamous for the “new carpet smell”. That smell is often the off gassing of harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde. Without proper ventilation, you and your family are subject to formaldehyde vapors which can cause your eyes and nose to burn, sore throat, headache, dizziness, and nausea, and frequent exposure to higher than normal levels of formaldehyde has been proven to cause serious long-term health issues.

Older carpet is a haven for numerous pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, and small particles of dirt and/or sand, all of which are difficult to remove with a regular vacuum, and go airborne with normal daily activity. These microscopic pollutants can greatly aggravate existing problems such as allergy and asthma, and can cause symptoms that just make you miserable such as sneezing, watery eyes, and congestion not unlike that of a cold.

Ventilate

Use a fan to move the air through your home, and if weather permits, open windows to help exhaust fumes from your home. It is important to change the air rather than to just re-circulate it.

Keep Temperature and Humidity Stable

Many of the offending chemicals such as formaldehyde are affected by increases in humidity and temperature. Keeping both humidity and temperature low will decrease the amount of formaldehyde that will off gas into your air.

Allow Products to Off Gas Elsewhere

If you are planning to purchase products such as new carpet or that are known to contain solvents, adhesives, exposed particleboard, ask that they be opened and allowed to sit in the warehouse to off gas before they are brought to your home.

Use an Air Purifier to Remove Chemicals

All homes continue to settle after they are built. When mobile homes settle the seals loosen and chemicals and materials that have been previously sealed are now unsealed and can evaporate into the air. Using an air purifier that is specifically designed to remove airborne chemicals such as formaldehyde will help insure that the indoor air you and your family breathe is the healthiest it can possibly be.

This is an article that everyone needs to read. The facts are these, that sometimes a nursing home will actually teach and train a new resident or patient to be incontinent. How does this happen? How can something like this happen in this day and age? I will type here how this happens with an example of a forty-five year old female patient who entered a nursing home for short term care for therapy.

Here is the story:

At the hospital, the patient was not incontinent, never had accidents and was able to sleep and live without wearing diapers, just like in the regular world. Then the hospital transferred the patient into a good nursing home so that she could get short-term therapy for an injury to her left leg. She would need the therapy, physical therapy in order to learn to walk again. She now had the use of only one leg.

Immediately when she got to the nursing home, the nurse, who would be caring for her, asked if she wanted to wear a diaper. The patient hesitated answering because she thought that question was odd. After all, she did not need a diaper, nor did she want to wear a diaper. The nurse proceeded to say things like, well, in case you have an accident. The patient was basically, politely talked into wearing a diaper while at the nursing home, even though it was against her better judgment to begin wearing diapers at her age since she did not need diapers.

As in all nursing homes and hospitals, when patients are wearing diapers, they are told to go in their diapers. After all, that is what a diaper is for, correct? So this patient, at times, would just go in the diapers, using herself to have a bowel movement, since she was wearing the diaper. What it amounted to was that it was easier to dump in the diaper than it was to get a nurse to come to help her out of bed, then help her to the bathroom. The patient became increasingly afraid of falling and was made o think that diaper would stop falls and the diaper would also stop the patient from calling the nurse to help her to the bathroom. After all, make the nurse happy because she is the one who will be around most, for emergencies and all.

But from the beginning with this particular nurse who talked the patient into wearing a diaper, the patient and probably many other patients were put in diapers for the convenience of the nursing home, not for the convenience of patients. The patient did in her diaper one day and the nurse became a little upset about what happened, and then the nurse convinced the patient that she had an accident. When indeed, the patient had no accident, but instead the patient dumped in the diaper BECAUSE she was wearing a diaper and because when the patients rang for help, they had to wait and wait for someone to come and help them. Family members witnessed how long it took a nurse to come there one day, just to change the diaper. So the nursing home gave so many mixed messages to the patients that the patients eventually became confused as to why the heck they were in diapers to begin with.

So, many times, nursing home patients are automatically put in diapers for convenience. The homes make the patients lose their dignity — they do not need diapers yet they are emotionally forced to wear diapers. This is a large, important issue that city officials need to look into. And when looking into it they need to realize that patients are reluctant to disagree with the nurses that give them daily care. So if a nurse even hints that a patient should wear diapers, guess what? That patient will be wearing diapers before you know it.

First, the diaper was put on for the sole convenience of the nursing home, and the patients were talked into wearing diapers IN CASE THEY HAVE AN accident. So patients complied by saying, okay, put me in a diaper. But what some patients did not realize was that by wearing diapers, that gave the staff more permission to not come quickly when the bell is rung because the staff knows the patient in in a diaper and they will not have to clean sheets if there is an accident. In other words, accidents are approved of, rather than having a patient in no diaper and rather than having a patient need to be escorted back and forth to the bathroom which TAKES more time for nurses to do, they encourage the patients to wear diapers.

By wearing diapers, ambulatory patients who just need assistance going to the bathroom, are encouraged to be LESS independent. They are now encouraged to stay in bed more simply because they are wearing diapers. The less bathroom trips , the more bed time, and the less bathroom trips, the less walking a patient does. After a week or so, the patients wonder why they are not as strong as they were when they were in the hospitals and no one makes the connection that the diaper is actually making them weaker and weaker because they are out of bed that many times LESS. As each day in the diaper passes, the patient becomes less independent and more dependent on staff to change diapers.

This whole procedure is wrong. There are SOME patients that need diapers due to medical reasons , but for the most part, many patients are simply talked into wearing diapers for convenience. It is insinuated that if they are wearing a diaper they will not have sheets accidents and it is insinuated and implied that the staff will be happier with the patient if the patient is wearing a diaper. Happy staff equals happy patient, correct? Incorrect. Just because the staff is happy that they have so many less trips to the bathroom, that does not mean the patients are happier. The patients are taught and trained to be incontinent and they are taught and trained to be happy that they are wearing diapers JUST IN CASE.

What happened to your relatives in the nursing homes? Were they put in diapers for convenience? Are they still wearing diapers? Do they seem less independent now that they are wearing diapers?

I am not speaking about regular patients who NEED, who medically need to be in diapers because they are incontinent, I am speaking of patients who have not been and who are not incontinent, and these patients are politely convinced, persuaded by staff to be in diapers. And all the while the staff is politely insisting they wear diapers JUST IN CASE, the nurse says, if you want to , it is your choice. It is your choice if you want a diaper. She states that to the patient and keeps stating IN CASE you have an accident. Basically , she is instilling the idea in a patient that she will have an accident and it is better for the patient to have a diaper. The patient agrees just to please a staff member.

Yet the moment a patient agrees to please these staff members, that is the moment that the patient becomes less independent. And is not the purpose of rehab to have the patient MORE independent? So the nursing home is giving the patient a mixed message. The first message is that you are there for short-term therapy, and yet, you need to wear a diaper JUST IN CASE.

What about your relatives? If you relative is there for short-term therapy and your relative is NOT in medical need of diapers, then should your relative be in diapers? Probably not. IF there is no medical need for the diaper, why is the patient wearing a diaper? Other reasons, yes, Virginia, the staff wants patients in diapers to prevent falls.

Why are there more falls with patients who do not wear diapers? There are more falls because when the bell rings, when a patient rings a bell for a nurse to come to aid someone to accompany someone to the restroom, the patient has to wait and wait and wait, and so frustratingly, some patients, decide to get up on their own and walk to the restroom instead of waiting so long for a nurse to come. So patients learn that they will wait and wait and wait, so they better have a diaper on. That is the implied message and that is the reality of the situation.

Patients wait. Those patients that are wearing diapers can eventually dump in the diaper rather than have wet or soaked sheets or poop in sheets. So patients are taught, systematically taught that they need diapers even though it is their choice, it is their decision; these places make it so that the patient really has no choice in the matter. What their real choices are is these:

1. They can wear wait and wait and wait and wait when they need to have a bowel movement or urination. And wait and wait and then have an accident on the sheets, on their clothing, all over them OR

2. They can wait and wait and wait and wait after they ring the bell and then they can try to get to the restroom on their own since they are waiting so long, and then risk a fall or actually fall OR

3. They can opt to wear a diaper and if they are waiting too long, they can just dump in the diaper.

If you were a patient and you knew you were there temporarily which choice would you take? Would you risk falling when you might be in there for the reason that you need help walking? Or would you risk pooping or urinating all over your clothes or sheets and then having the nurse extremely upset with you? OR would you say, okay I will have a diaper on JUST IN CASE? This is what patients and staff do. The staff , SOME staff, train the patients to become incontinent just for convenience of staff because there is no time for them to help patients to the bathroom. Remember with some patients, the staff might have to do some lifting, and with other patients it might take a long time to walk a patient to the rest room and the staff does NOT have the time. These nursing facilities who follow these policies of telling patients to wear diapers JUST IN CASE are doing harm to patients. They are teaching patients to become less independent, while the main goal for most short-term therapy patients is to become MORE independent not less independent.

If you ever are a patient that has this situation, TELL them you do not want to wear a diaper. And then document how long it takes for the staff to come to your aid after you ring the help bell for assistance to go to the bathroom. Document each time so that you are not made to wait and wait and wait and wait and then mess your sheets. When they let you wait and wait, they are merely training you to wear diapers and training you to become like a baby and become more dependent on them to change your diaper.

Here is advice for patients who are able to go to the restroom by themselves, just tell the staff that you do not medically need diapers and that when they come to your aid when they should come to your aid, there will be no accidents. AND best of all , if there is an accident, the staff will handle that and not let you wait and wait and wait and wait while you lay in your accident.

The ONLY time that patients should be in diapers for convenience is when patients are traveling outdoors and or making short or long trips by ambulance, ambulette or access-a-ride. In these cases, it makes sense for patients to use diapers. The reason? When you are outdoors the restrooms are usually so far away and some are not wheelchair accessible. And you just never know if there will be a bathroom anywhere. So, it is important to use diapers only for traveling because if you are outside and have an accident on your clothing, you will be outdoors in wet clothing, and especially in winter, you are putting yourself at risk for illness by staying in wet, or soiled clothing for the length of your trip outdoors. However, once indoors at the nursing home facility, and once indoors at your residence, if you do not medically need diapers, you should not be wearing diapers at all.

Just because a human has an accident because they were waiting too long for help, that is not a reason why people need to wear diapers inside of nursing homes. Lets help make things better not worse for our relatives and for patients inside of these nursing homes.

Each and every LESS bathroom trip makes your patient less independent and makes them more dependent on you, on staff and when they get home they will be in a condition worse than they were when they arrived at the nursing home for healing.

What are your thoughts on this. I would like to hear from patients who were convinced by staff to wear diapers when they did not medically need to wear diapers. Did staff do this to you too? Please leave a comment or send a confidential email . Your connection is important. With unity, we can change the system. All patients, residents and families need to unite in getting better and quicker service inside of nursing homes so that people are not made to wear diapers when they do not medically need to wear diapers.

Yes, of course, if your medical condition is that you medically need to wear diapers then you should. No one is telling you to go against doctor’s orders. All I am saying is that you should NOT be in diapers for the sole convenience of the staff. And hundreds if not thousands of patients are put in diapers on a daily basis for the sole convenience of the staff.

Disclaimer: This article is written by a writer, observer, researcher, and author. I am not advocating walking around in the nursing home if you need help. I am advocating that patients do not wear diapers if they do not medically need to wear diapers. I am advocating that patients not be talked into wearing diapers for the sole convenience of the staff or in their own words, JUST IN CASE! No patient needs to wear a diaper JUST IN CASE when that patient never was and is not incontinent. It is ridiculous to wear a diaper JUST IN CASE!

It is in wearing diapers JUST IN CASE that makes patients less independent and more dependent and it basically teaches and trains patients to poop in their pants and to urinate in their pants when they do not medically need to do that. Let us give these patients back their dignity, and instead, let us run to help them , run to escort them to the restroom instead of letting them wait and wait and wait and wait. That makes more sense. Any patients who medically need to wear diapers should wear diapers. Any patients who have doctors orders to wear diapers for MEDICAL reasons, should wear diapers. That is all that I am saying. Please respond with your comments.

Did you hear about the woman who was found naturally-glued to her boyfriend’s toilet. They claim that she had been there for more than two years and that her skin grew around the toilet bowl making her permanently attached to the bowl. Why in the world did this woman sit there for two years? Here is a suggestion. Perhaps she had previously been in a nursing home. In some nursing homes, the practice is to let them sit on the bowl forever practically. Patients wait as time passes by, until someone has time to help them back to their beds. And patients know this. That is why so many residents and patients are literally afraid to enter into nursing homes and physical rehabilitation and care centers. They are afraid of losing their dignity. They know that they will be asked to either sit on the bowl forever without help of getting up OR they will lose their dignity by having to wear diapers when they do not medically have to wear diapers.

Here is the news story, yes NEWS story of the toilet-bowl caper . This is probably what bad nursing homes and bad rehabilitation and care centers are doing to our human beings. They are making people so afraid to go to nursing homes , that people say they would rather die than go to a nursing home, and some would sit at their homes glued to toilet bowls because of the fear that the nursing homes have put into them.

I need your input here. I need to hear from you. And you need to share your experience so that everyone else knows what is really happening inside of those nursing homes. The goals of staff , the personal nursing staff that ushers people to bathrooms are conflicting goals with having patients become more independent.

Please, I beg you to respond and let us hear your thoughts on this matter. Your input is greatly appreciated.

I updated this article on May 20, 2008.

Are you like most homeowners that want to save money on your electricity bill? If you’ve been seeing your prices rise, it may be time to make a change and figure out just what needs to be done to lower your energy costs. Conserving energy isn’t just about the money savings, though – you can reduce the carbon footprint of your household by adopting some of these practices and using these tips for saving energy in residential homes.

Turn off Lights

Some people have a habit of turning lights on and leaving them on even when they aren’t in the room anymore. If you’re one of those people, you may want to curb your habit and start turning the lights off when you’re not using them. Only turn them on when you need them and turn them off when you aren’t using them. Home electricians suggest making use of natural light coming into your home, opening the curtains wide.

Use LEDs

A residential electrician on Mornington Peninsula can help you switch all the lights in your home from traditional lights to LED lights, which burn less electricity and last longer than incandescent bulbs. This is one of the easiest and most popular changes to make when it comes to your home and its energy usage.

Buy Appliances

If you’re looking to increase your energy efficiency, one place to start is with your appliances. You don’t have to throw out your old appliances and get brand new ones, but when it’s time to upgrade your appliances look for ones that are rated as energy efficient. Some appliances can qualify you for rebates, so you get even more savings for your investments in energy efficiency.

Use the Thermostat

Another good idea is to have your home controlled by a thermostat, as this will allow you to manage just how much energy your home temperature regulation system is using. When you program your thermostat, you are able to control your savings and ensure that you’re using less energy.

Consider the optimal temperature of your home and determine what’s comfortable for you, adjusting your temperature as you see fit. If you don’t have a thermostat, a residential electrician on Mornington Peninsula can install one in your home.

Unplug Electronics

This tip is common sense, but many people have a habit of leaving their devices plugged in even when they’re not being used. If you have devices such as computers or tablets charging or plugged in, unplug them when you’re not using them. Home electricians have noted that simply unplugging items can help you save tons of energy throughout the year.

With these simple tips, you’ll definitely notice a difference in your energy bill when that time of the month arrives. You’ll find that your savings increase as time goes on and your practices become second nature, leading to even more savings as time goes on and you continue to optimise your home’s energy use and efficiency.

What is a single level home?

A single level home is just as it sounds: It is a home–built on one level. Often referred to as a “patio home” or “slab home.” Not to be confused with a crawl space type foundation commonly used with mobile and modular homes. They are finished and appear the same as any home.

What are some of the benefits of a single level home?

Single level homes have no steps inside and rarely have steps on the outside. People with physical disabilities are obvious candidates for a single level home. Elderly folks or those looking to build for retirement also can benefit from a single level home. Just about anybody can appreciate not having stairs to climb after a hard day’s work. Not having the extremely dangerous hazard of someone falling down a set of stairs is a priceless benefit.

Eliminating the wet, damp, moldy, basement or crawl space that is constantly under the risk of flooding is another huge benefit! Single level homes do not require a sump pump or any type of mechanical drainage system to maintain.

Crawl spaces and basements are notorious for housing rodents, critters, insects, snakes and other reptiles. With a properly built single level home, keeping Mother Nature’s little creatures out of your new structure is easily manageable. Stairways consume valuable square footage as well as being expensive and complex to build.

A single level home is an excellent match for a hydronic, in-floor heat system. With proper planning the slab can operate as a “mass thermal storage system” that will store heat in the winter and provide natural cooling in the summer. This storage system is very energy-efficient and typically qualifies for price reduction incentives by energy providers such as electric companies.

How are single level homes built different from traditional homes?

Single level homes are commonly built with a Frost Protected Shallow Foundation (F.P.S.F.)” or “Monolithic Foundation,” This means that the concrete footings and the slab of the home are constructed as one unit, rather than the traditional footing.

In addition an F.P.S.F. has insulation both horizontally and vertically on the perimeter of the foundation. The size of the insulation is determined by a chart according to frost depth of each individual construction area. The 2009 International Residential Building Code references this in section R-403.3 in the code book. As with any foundation system it is extremely important to use quality building practices and materials.

Understanding the characteristics of the soil and environment is vital as well. “Clay” or “water saturated” soils are undesirable soils when building with an F.P.S.F. A soil that has natural drainage properties such as sand or pea gravel is more desirable. Water saturated soils tend to freeze and expand causing obvious problems with concrete and other building materials. A building site with water saturated soils can be rectified simply and affordably with a more desirable soil such as “fill sand”. One of the major benefits of an F.P.S.F. is the reduced cost compared to a traditional foundation, without compromising the integrity or longevity of the structure.

What about flooding?

Proper planning regarding the slab height according to the high water table in the building area is a sure way to keep a single level home safe from flooding. The use of a good water runoff plan is critical as well. Keeping the slab up higher than the ground and sloping the earth away from the house is vital. The use of “flashing” where the slab meets concrete walks, decks, etc. is extremely important. Common sense will go a long way when planning and building a structure of any kind.

Worried about tornadoes and high winds?

With the weather we experience in the Midwest, the idea of living in a home without a basement can be intimidating if not scary for some folks. There are several different types of storm shelters that will work for a single level home. A well designed, above ground, built-in storm shelter, will protect you and your family, and alleviate some of the fear that comes from tornadoes and high winds that have been known to have devastating results. There is also an option of a below grade storm shelter. These can be as simple as a mini basement which can double as a spare room.

Make your next home a single level home!

Single level homes are becoming very popular in the housing industry. “Why?” You may ask–there are so many reasons! The benefits are plentiful and the costs are affordable. The sky is the limit when it comes to designs, floor plans and options. They are innovative yet simple to operate and maintain. The conservative building practices used are in alignment with green building. They really are the home of the future.

Homes sold by owners are advantageous for both the seller and buyer. If the house that is put up for sale sells for $200,000, for example, and the common commission rate ranges up to six percent of the selling price, then both the buyer and seller can save $12,000 – money that would have been used for an agent’s commission. And if the property owner dedicates a lot of time in finding the prospective buyer of his home instead of spending weeks or months finding an agent, then he will most likely dispose of his property in a shorter span of time.

There are various reasons why a person may sell his home. The homeowner may want to gain financing for a new home, obtain an ample amount to finance the mortgage of the property that is up for sale, or just want to move to another place.

Homeowners who adopt the “For Sale by Owner” method of selling assume the role that is conventionally played by the bank or the mortgage firm. Such a process, when adhered to, is advantageous both to the seller and the buyer. Naturally, homeowners contact real estate agents who will handle the transaction for them. But when the homeowners administer the selling by themselves, they are able to save on commission costs and also provide a good package for buyers needing to purchase new homes but facing difficulties getting bank loans.

For innumerable reasons, many individuals find it hard to obtain bank loans due to the strict requirements imposed by these money-making lenders. They may have the funds ready in their pockets and have stable jobs to sustain the monthly payments, but they just find it hard to settle for a bank loan. With the sale of a home by the owner, the process gets much easier.

It is, therefore, not surprising why homes for sale by owners are highly coveted. If you are a seller, you save yourself a great deal of money because you never have to pay commission costs. If you are a buyer, you can buy a house and lot without the terrible burdens of tremendous bank interests.