Home Improvement, Furniture and Gardening

Marketing a home inspection business can be a tough skill to learn. It takes lots of experience and practice to make it flow naturally and to make it look effortless. One skill that is very useful at networking events is the skill of giving a 30 second commercial.

A 30 second commercial is a brief sentence or two that answers this question: What do you do? This seems simple enough and that there really is no opportunity or need to over think a simple response. However to really be effective there is a simple way of answering that will increase how effective you answer the question of what do you do for a living.

Any time that you can get the person that you may be marketing to to feel some sort of emotion the greater the chance of them remembering you and the work that you do. Think of the best television commercials you have seen. it is very likely that the ones you remember are also the same ones that created an emotional response in you. Common emotions that are involved with people who are buying a home are nervousness and excitement. When delivering your 30 second commercial try to bring up those feelings by mentioning how home often feel both nervous and excited. This is done by asking them to think of those feelings or to remember them from their own experiences.

Another important component of an effective commercial or marketing piece is to have it effectively explain how you or your service solves a problem. By explaining this you have also given the benefit of using your services. People hire others to solve a problem. With home buying one of the problems is the nervous feeling of the unknown issues that may be present in the potential new home.

Delivery of the 30 second commercial that I normally give at a networking event goes like this:

Potential client: What kind of work do you do?

Me: Well, do you know or understand the feelings that a person has when they are buying a home, it is a mix of excitement and being nervous.

Potential client: yes

Me: What I do is that I go in to the home that a person is thinking of buying, I check it out and give the buyer lots of information about that house so that they understand any issues with it and they can feel more confident and less nervous about their decision to buy it. I do home inspections.

This 30 second commercial explains to the person the benefit of what my service is, it explains what I do and it does this as it gets the person emotionally involved.

Typically a home inspection is thought of as a service that is performed shortly before one buys a home. This is the most common time in which a home inspection is scheduled, however there are several other times in which the services of a home inspector is very useful.

The use of the services of a home inspector prior to completion of a purchase of a home is often called a pre-purchase inspection. This inspection is conducted during the seven to ten day window of time after an offer to purchase a home has been accepted. The purpose of this inspection is to help inform the buyer of any issues with the home that the buyer may wish to address with the seller or the sellers real estate agent. With knowledge of the homes “weak” areas the buyers can often renegotiate the offer, get the concerning areas repaired, or is bad enough, walk away from the house.

Pre-listing home inspections are conducted before a home is officially placed on sale. This is done to help identify issues that will likely be a hindrance to selling the home. A bonus in having this done is that the sale of a home can actually be finalized two weeks faster. This is because the seven to ten day inspection window is often eliminated. Another good thing about have a home pre inspected is that the asking price is more justified. The price is better justified because the home inspection may have verified that the home is in good condition. Add to this any receipts you may have from repairs done as a result of the pre listing inspection and you have really made the home buyer feel confident that they are getting a home that is in good shape. This is more likely to be recommended for higher quality homes that have been kept in good condition and the sellers are wanted to take extra steps to justify the higher asking price.

Maintenance Inspections are another version of a inspection. With this version the home is not about to be listed or to be purchased. The owner wants to have a person with an experienced and eye look over the house. The inspector in the case is hired so as to catch issues early and before the issue can become a larger problem. It is common for this inspection to be limited to areas of the home in which the home owner does not have the ability to check out themselves such as the attic, crawl space or roof. This inspection can also be used by elderly people to get an unbiased report on the home. People fear being scammed and tricked into paying for repairs that did not need to be done. Home inspectors are neutral and most (like myself) do not do repairs and therefore have no motive to create an issue so as to get paid to repair things.

The schemes involving color, layout, flow and lighting can be very creative. However, it’s finding the fabrics, wallpapers, paint, flooring and lighting that adhere to the government codes that can become a challenge. All interiors in hospitals are required to be flame retardant. It’s amazing to discover how many different flame retardants there are in the world. Because the resources are limited, the creative process is also limited in medical interior design. Having knowledge of these codes and retardants, being familiar with the companies that manufacture the products is definitely a requirement for anyone who wants to enter this field.

Differences in Medical Interior Design

There is a vast difference, within medical interior design, to work with a random doctor’s office compared to a large medical complex. Nearly any interior designer can design the interior of a doctor’s office. This often boils down to simply designing the interior of the doctor’s lobby. In recent years, these lobbies and waiting rooms have grown to become more stylish. The doctors often delegate the entire project to the designer, and as a result the project can turn out to be quite extraordinary.

Problems arise when the doctors who know little about interior design become too involved in the design process. That may result in a waiting room with a boring, stale appearance. If the designer is permitted to design the examination rooms, the project quickly gets more exciting. There is a certain decorum which must be achieved in these offices, as in all Medical interior design. However, with the influence of an interior designer, the interiors can be very pretty or at least “interesting.” More doctors are coming to realize that a smartly decorated office will equate into more relaxed patients. They then are more willing to invest the money and retain a designer.

Designing a large medical complex is a vast undertaking. It will require a large experienced design staff and may require more than a year to complete. The good news is, it can be financially lucrative for the lead interior designer.

Spas and skin care salons that are springing up everywhere in today’s market has led to yet another form of medical interior design. While the surroundings may be luxurious they still have to come up to government code standards. Actually, the spas and salons that have appeared, have helped the medical interior design field in general. More manufacturers are now producing specified code standard paint, wallpaper, flooring and fabrics. There is a new demand is for more colorful products, which in turn helps the medical interior designer because she or he now has greater freedom of in creative abilities.

You have long admired custom pools and have finally decided that the time has come to realize your dream of building your very own custom swimming pool. But wait – are you undecided about what your swimming pool should look like? Here is a cheat guide on various sources you can use for inspiration and how to make the most of them.

Books, periodicals and the Internet

Your very first stop could be the local library. Check out the home improvement section for periodicals and books on custom pool design. You may also want to look at magazines on travel, especially those featuring luxury hotels and resorts, as well as periodicals on landscaping, architecture, interiors and exteriors. Jot down notes as you go along, noting names of designers and architects whose work you particularly like. You could then look up these designers’ work in further detail online. If possible, scan or photocopy designs and images of custom pools, making note of the elements that appeal to you in each, such as overall pool shape or tile pattern. Another great source of finding interesting pool designs is search engine Image results. Try Bing or Google Images for good results.

Movies and TV shows

Rent movies with a lot of poolside action or watch television shows set in warm locales like Hawaii, LA or Miami that are bound to have poolside scenes. Keep a paper and pen handy to note down design elements that appeal you.

Hotels and upscale homes

You could take trips to good hotels in your city and visit the pools areas to get inspirations for your own pool. Don’t forget to take notes and pictures of features you like.

You could also take a walk around the upscale neighborhoods in your city, for a viewing of backyard pools. It’s however possible that you might be disappointed, as such pools are usually enclosed and not visible from the road – you might catch a passing glimpse of a few though. You could even pick up a few ideas for landscaping around the pool.

Make a pool design wish list

The following are some of the key questions you should ask yourself, as these would be important factors in consideration while planning your pool.

• Is the pool meant for adults or children or both?
• Would it be used for regular workouts, e.g. swimming laps, or is it primarily going to be used for fun?
• What are the different elements that could be incorporated into the pool design to enhance the user experience?
• Could there be any factors that detract the user from having a good experience and is it possible to do something about them?

Make a pool design scrap book

Finally, the information you collect – written notes, sketches, photocopied pages, scanned pictures, photographs and printed information – all needs to be organized properly so that you can access it quickly. A ring binder would be the best option, as it would allow you to rearrange the sleeves or pages with ease. The most sensible approach to organizing the data would be to arrange it according to fundamental elements like overall pool shapes, tile patterns, water slides, etc.

At the end of some very much fun research on the design of custom pools, you can hopefully settle on an inspired choice for your very own one-of-a-kind pool.

Home inspections confuse a lot of first time home buyers, because there are a number of different inspections that take place during the home buying process. But it’s important to understand the most common home inspections, so we’ve summarized them for you below.

Primary Home Inspection

The first inspection, of course, is your inspection of the home before buying it. Believe it or not, many home buyers overlook the home inspection, or else don’t take it seriously. They are paying more attention to the size and number of rooms in the home, rather than the condition of important elements within the home.

Keep in mind that when you buy a home you, are generally buying it in “as is” condition (unless specific provisions are added to the contract saying otherwise). For this reason, you want to make sure you know what is, and is not, working in a home. You’ll also want to know what repairs you might have to make, or what repairs you might ask the seller to make. For all of these reasons, the primary home inspection is essential.

Engineer’s Reports

Prior to signing a contract, most home buyers hire an engineer to do what is typically referred to as an engineer’s report. This detailed inspection is done on behalf of the buyer and will conclude with a detailed report on the condition of the home, its electrical system, plumbing, heating, roof, foundation, etc. In some states, this is part of the primary home inspection mentioned above.

Termite Inspections

About the same time as the primary home inspection, you will likely have a termite inspection. As the name implies, this inspection checks for the presence of termites or other wood-destroying insects within the home. This inspection is done on behalf of the buyer and the mortgage company. In most cases, you will have to provide a copy of the inspection for your mortgage lender.

Oil Tank Inspections

Some homes also need oil tank inspections. Some sellers will not allow this type of inspection, as it can be invasive (for example, if the oil tanks are underground). In most states, the homeowner is responsible for any leaks.

Well Water Inspections

Depending on where the home is located, you may also need a well water test to make sure the water is potable.

Appraisal / Appraiser’s Inspection

Your bank will also inspect the home in order to obtain an appraisal on the value of the home. They’ll also want to make sure there are no problems with the home, with respect to provisions in the type of mortgage you seek. FHA mortgages, for example, require the home to have certain features in place and be in a specific condition. Therefore, the bank will do an inspection to protect their interest in the home.

Final Walk-Through Inspection

The buyers will do an inspection near the end of the real estate transaction to make sure the house is in the same condition it was when they agreed to buy it. During this final “walk-through,” you’ll want to ensure that everything is in working order, and that the house has not been damaged in any way since you first signed the contract.

As each of these inspections take place, keep in mind that no home is perfect. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of every home in order to make the right purchasing decision. It’s also a good idea to have an off-the-record conversation with all of the inspectors to get additional insights, if they are willing to give them.

All in all, you can expect a number of inspections to take place during your home buying process. These inspections are for your benefit, as the home buyer, so you need to take each inspection seriously and consider the outcome carefully.

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Home decorating can be challenging enough as it is, until you add a tight budget to the mix! Many wonder how they can learn to decorate on a budget, and if it’s possible. Here are the top three budget decorating problems, and the solutions!

Problem 1:

Q. Can I decorate my home on a budget without making it look cheap or tacky? I can’t afford to do much, but I want a nice home just as much as the next person!

A. Absolutely. Budget does NOT mean cheap! It means you need to take some steps to ensure you aren’t putting your family’s financial well being on the line while you decorate your home. It means making wise decisions, and following a plan. And it means using creativity and elbow grease, not bucks! We’ve all seen those home decorating tv shows and the miracles they can do on $1000 a room. What if you could do a whole room like that for $100. $50? Sounding better, huh?

Problem 2:

Q. I am not artistic or creative. I can’t see how I can do this without a lot of money.

A. EVERYONE has creativity within them. You only need to find out why you’ve been hiding it so long. First of all, there are a lot of great resources out there for those decorating on a budget. Check out your library for home decorating books, walk through model homes with a notebook, and visit websites like The Budget Decorator for endless decorating ideas. Once you get inspired by others ideas, you will be surprised at how freely your own start to flow. Keep in mind that few decorating projects can’t be undone, so don’t be afraid to try new things, especially when all your projects are done using very little cash!

Problem 3:

Q. I don’t know where to get started, so nothing ever changes. I just feel overwhelmed at the prospect of decorating and am afraid to move forward.

A. You need help and you need confidence! First, start by picking a small room to decorate first…a powder room, for instance. Choose a theme for the room, such as “Country Style Blue and Yellow Bath”. Your theme gives you a “mission statement” and allows you to make decisions based upon it. You will know that everything you choose for the room needs to fit within your theme. This will save you a lot of money and time in the long run, and help you to build skills and confidence. Make a plan, and start with the walls. They have the biggest impact in the shortest time. Once you see the difference one small change can make, you will be on your way!

When planning your deck building, you will want to look carefully at the deck railing choices that are available. Many people choose to build a deck themselves as a project, because a deck can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. It also adds value to your home and may even be a focal point of your home. A deck will also give you a great place to entertain during the warmer months.

Deck railing comes in many different styles, sizes, and designs. You will want to make sure that the deck railing that you choose blends with the deck pattern that you have chosen. Planning and preparation is an essential part of your deck planning and building. If you prepare and plan carefully, you will find that a deck can give you years of fun and enjoyment.

Things to Consider

Here are some things that you need to consider when choosing which deck and railing pattern that you are going to us:

o Location – You first need to determine where you are going to build your deck. The size of your home and how it is located on your land will have a big impact upon your deck placement. You need to remember that you may have several options for your deck, including enclosing the deck for privacy or making a walkway to your deck.

o Climate – The climate of the area that you live in is also very important. A moist environment will dictate what kind of material that will work best for your deck railings and deck.

o Style – You want to choose a deck that will enhance the look of your home. For example, you will not want to put a traditional, colonial railing on a home with a contemporary style. Be certain that you keep the style of your home in mind when looking at patterns for your deck and rails.

o Size – The rails that you choose will be dependent upon the size and shape of your deck. You want to check with your local government, neighborhood covenant, or homeowner’s association because there may be limits on the size of deck and the design of the deck that you can build in your yard. If you build against their wishes, then you could be looking at steep fines or you may have to tear down your deck and rebuild it according to their specifications.

o Shape – Consider the shape of your desired deck when you are looking for a deck plan. You can usually find plans for almost any shape of deck, but you will want to carefully look at the plans to make sure that it meets your desires.

Preparation is the key to finding the best deck and railing pattern for your particular yard and desires. By simply doing some preparation and planning, you will find that your deck choice can give you years of fun and enjoyment.

You have probably heard of home inspections and how buyers and sellers can benefit from their expertise. You may have even heard of how it is advisable to have your own home inspected by a professional every so often to prevent damage that may be seen in advance through expert eyes and the help of early warnings. But what exactly does a home inspector do when he gets to your home?

Home inspection is a visual assessment of a house in order to look for material defects present in the property during the time of inspection. While a home inspector cannot guarantee to find each and every defect in the residence that ever happened, is happening, or could happen, these undertakings often prove to be useful in assessing the value of properties to be bought or sold (although these inspections should also not be mistaken for appraisals or tests that will “pass” or “fail” a house), or what improvements should be undertaken.

Part of the standard operating procedures for home inspectors is to assess the following areas: the roof, exterior, basement, foundation, crawl space, heating, cooling, plumbing, electric systems, fireplace, attic, ventilation, insulation, doors, window, and exterior. While an inspector’s task inside the home also has limitations, such as the identification of concealed material defects, and while an inspector will not forecast the life expectancy of any given property or opine about the suitability of a property for any given purpose, still, home inspection is a task that cannot be left to the untrained.

An individual, for instance, does not have the training to determine whether a crack on the wall is a sign of the building’s aging or if it is already an indication that water has seeped into the basement and has already corrupted the integrity of the house’s foundation. Inspecting the plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and the electrical circuits that make the house tick, on the other hand, cannot be done unless you have a comprehensive knowledge of how these delicate and intricate systems work. An amateur walk around the house, of course, does not constitute what a home inspector does. Aside from the training, a good home inspector also has years of experience to back him up, and can tell from sight alone what can material defects are present in your home. In fact, generally it takes a board examination to be a licensed home inspector, except in certain states in America.

For many things in life, the benefits blossom only later on. A home inspection may seem unnecessary to a newly painted house that you may want to buy. But you never know what a thin layer of paint conceals, or what may be lurking in your crawl spaces, under the floorboards, or up in the attic. The maximization of benefits that you can derive from your home also largely depends on your knowledge of it. Some people do not know just how much better their insulation or ventilation systems could be if only they had an inspectors’ report. So go ahead, call one now.

In my last two articles, I talked about the beauty, popularity and versatility of Tuscan home decorating and outlined the basic elements and use of colors in achieving this look. Now we’re going to explore the use of materials and textures to create a Tuscan home of your own.

The warm, rustic look and feel that is reminiscent of the Tuscan region of Italy can be achieved by utilizing an eclectic and diverse of mix materials and textures. Since Tuscan decor is inspired by the natural surroundings of the region, keep this in mind as you select furniture, fabrics, accessories and even wall textures.

Following are some ideas and suggestions for utilizing a variety of organic materials to create a Tuscan-inspired home decor scheme of your own:

Iron Iron is used liberally in Tuscan decor. Wrought iron, copper and other metals are used in unique wall decor, candle holders, pot racks, canisters, baskets, urns, vases and furniture. Metal nail heads on furniture, both upholstered and wood, add Old World detail and richness.

Wood, being one of nature’s most abundant resources, is a natural choice for Tuscan decorating. Tuscan wood furniture can be rough hewn and heavily distressed or more traditional and polished and can be used together throughout your home.

Think of a rustic farmhouse table for the kitchen or dining room. Or chairs and sofas with exposed wood arms and legs. Armoires, sideboards, hutches, bookcases and media centers made of warm and rich dark woods are both functional and beautiful. Iron is a perfect complement and accent to wood furniture.

Stone – in all of nature’s colors – is a beautiful and durable material to use in tiles for counter tops, flooring and accessories. Tumbled, matte or polished travertine, marble and granite are popular choices.

A good, local faux painter can even create areas that appear to be made of stone. This technique works well in entryways, leading up a staircase, in wine cellars and kitchens.

Ceramic accessories add functionality, color and interest in any room or garden. Vases, pitchers, urns, tubs, planters, bowls, platters and dinnerware are common uses of ceramics in Tuscan decorating.

Finishes are both smooth and polished or rough and rustic. The glazes and paints used to finish Tuscan ceramics embrace the entire spectrum of the Tuscan color palette and are often irregular – which only adds to the uniqueness and beauty of an individual piece.

Fabrics Rich fabrics will soften the liberal use of hard surfaces and materials found in Tuscan decorating. Furniture upholstery, throw pillows and blankets, draperies, table cloths and runners, even tapestries in the rich or muted colors found in the Tuscan color palette create warmth and comfort.

Leather is also a versatile textile to use in Tuscan furniture and wall decor and works extremely well with wood, metal and other fabrics.

Foliage Don’t forget to incorporate foliage in your Tuscan decor. Foliage can be live or silk plants, trees and flowers. Create groupings of foliage, ceramic and metal accessories for a natural, warm and inviting look.

There are no hard and fast rules or boundaries in Tuscan decorating. It can be inspired by a country farmhouse or a grand villa; both within the same space. Most important in Tuscan home decorating – don’t be intimidated by it. Tuscan decorating is about the colors, textures and accessories in your home being harmonious and not “matchy-matchy.”

Whether you’re decorating an entire home in Tuscan style or are just looking for a few ideas or decor accessories to enhance what you already have, you can’t go wrong with the Tuscan style. Tuscan home decor is casually elegant and perfect for everyday life in any home.

With all of the home security and surveillance equipment available today, many homeowners are wondering how to best protect their home without spending a fortune. The homeowner on a budget may want to consider home security alarm signs and window decals. These simple and effective methods to guard against intruders are not only practical, but they are also affordable. Alarm signs are also an excellent options for those who are not comfortable with high tech home security equipment, no matter how effective it might be.

How well do home security alarm signs work? Statistics show that these signs are actually quite effective, even if you have no alarm actually installed on the home. Like a fake security camera, these signs make potential intruders take notice. A potential burglar can’t be sure whether you really have a security system or not unless they’re willing to risk setting it off. No burglar is willing to risk breaking into a home with an activated security alarm. By warning intruders that you have such a system (even if it’s not true), the burglar will simply walk away. Like a scarecrow in the field, this decoy really works to scare away intruders.

These security signs can be placed almost anywhere. Ideally, they should be immediately visible to anyone approaching your property, including those who may sneak around to the back door before ever approaching your main entry. There are signs designed for your yard or wall, and decals to place in the window next to your front door, or any other glass surface. Every ground floor entry, including all doors and windows, should have a sign. The security system sign by your front door should be visible from the street to let all every passerby know that your house is protected.

Essentially, home security alarm signs advertise how well protected your home is. These signs will make an intruder think twice about entering your home. After all, no criminal wants to be caught in the act, and that’s exactly what you’re warning will happen. Why would he take the risk to break into your home, when there are so many other homes that have been left unprotected?

If you have a home security system installed, it will most likely come with such signs to place around your property. However, even if you don’t have such as system, high-quality and professional-looking signs will keep burglars at bay. These signs and stickers must stand up to close inspection by would-be criminals. An experienced burglar won’t be fooled by an obviously fake sign. Security system signs and decals are so inexpensive, and so easy to install, that it’s surprising how few homeowners have taken advantage of them. These devices offer very effective home security protection at a very low cost.

In addition to signs warning of cameras or alarm systems, there are also emergency signs that alert emergency responders to the presence of children or pets in the home. These signs are crucial for a fast response time and quick rescue. Signs around your home aren’t just criminal deterrents; they provide essential emergency information as well. Alarm signs should be seen as your first line of defense against criminals. A security sign or decal is certainly better than taking no security precautions at all. When used in combination with dummy cameras, wireless door and window alarms, and other home security devices, any intruder is sure to look for an easier target before choosing your home.