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Archive for the ‘EDUCATION’ Category

by Derek Mortland

Elements of design and function are what make any area of your bathroom accessible, from countertops and sinks to cabinets and electrical outlets.

Federal Accessibility Standards provide a minimum level of accessibility enforceable by law. These standards do not apply to private residential housing. They are, however, a point of departure to gauge the level of accessibility that we may require in our home.

With this in mind, be aware of your own needs as a person with a disability and what works for you. Design and remodel for your greatest ease of use, no matter what a standard says.

Sinks and Mirrors
If you lack sensation in your legs, definitely wrap any exposed supply and drain pipes under the sink. As a T-9 complete paraplegic, I suffered massive second degree burns on my leg in a hotel once from an unwrapped pipe. I had no idea what happened until it was too late.

Other considerations, including clear floor space are being able to maneuver under the sink, having accessible controls within reach ranges and having a mirror with a bottom edge at 40 inches or lower.

Countertops
An accessible counter should have its surface at 28 to 34 inches above the finished floor. Having knee clearance under the counter at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide and 19 inches deep ensures most wheelchairs can pull in underneath it.

Cabinets or other storage over a counter may need to be as low as 44 inches above the finished floor if they are more than 20 inches back from the leading edge of the counter. Pull-down or pull-out shelves, similar to those used in accessible kitchens, can enhance accessibility of these storage areas and allow greater access to toiletries, medicines, and supplies.

Other Elements
Use accessible-reach ranges as a resource for placement of controls, switches, and amenities, (see link above). Locate outlets at least 15 inches or higher if not part of a counter; toilet paper around 19 inches; light switches, towel bars, and other elements 48 inches or lower.

If you have limitations with pinching and grasping, look at controls and hardware that incorporate levers or loop handles easily operated with a closed fist. This will include your door hardware, cabinet hardware, flush controls, sink and shower controls.

Elements of Style
Everyone has his or her personal preferences with style. The internet and a plethora of home improvement stores cater to this. Many have accessible shower, sink, and toilet units in a variety of styles.

Once you know the basics of size and function required for your personal use, you can mix and match available options to meet your style and budget. Also seek out knowledgeable, experienced, bonded and insured contractors willing to listen to your needs.

You both bring experience to the table. Work as a team to get the job done. 

Kitchen Counter Accessibility

This story was submitted by one of our readers and may have originally appeared elsewhere
Get this and other West Des Moines realty news from www.MyDesMoinesrealty.com

by Jane Hampton, CID, CAPS, Access Specialist

Before beginning the installation process of your grab bars for bathroom installation, it is important to know what type of tub or shower you have.  The type of shower determines the installation method and products needed to have a successful installation.

Installing Grab Bars for Your Bathroom to Code
Installed grab bars for bathrooms need to sturdy enough to support your weight.  State Building Codes and Federal accessibility guidelines for public buildings require grab bars be installed to support a minimum 250 pounds. 

In most cases, additional wood or structural material needs to be added to the shower walls such as installing plywood between the shower unit and wall studs, or solid wood blocking between the wall studs.  If you install a grab bar into an existing bathroom wall without providing the proper support, the grab bar installation will not secure properly.   This could cause you great harm in the event you are relying on the grab bar for support and it pulls off the wall.

The easiest way to install proper support is to open the wall, either from the toilet room side of the wall, or if possible, through the back side of the wall from the adjacent room.  This will require some patch and repair work to the wall after the support has been installed.

Molded Fiberglass Shower
If you have a molded fiberglass shower, installation of grab bars for bathrooms is more challenging.  Most prefabricated units use a thin fiberglass plastic wall material that is not strong enough to support grab bar installation.  If this is your situation, it’s best to rely on a professional installer who has previous experience drilling holes through a fiberglass wall. 

Grab Bars for Bathroom Tools
It is important to have the proper tools to ensure the shower wall does not “crack” or become damaged.  The structural issue of concern for grab bars mounted on a fiberglass shower is the air space between the fiberglass wall and stud wall.  There is a product on the market which called “The Solid Mount” that attaches to the wall stud, filling the hollow space, sealing the hole and leaving a mounting surface to which a standard grab bar can be safely attached.

If you have tile walls, consider using a professional installer for grab bars to avoid shattering or cracking the tile when you drill screw holes.

Styles and Sizes of Grab Bars for Bathrooms
Sizes of Grab Bars - As far as grab bar size and styles, a variety of grab bars is available on the market.  They come in different diameters and clearances to the wall, various lengths, shapes and finishes.  You need to find a grab bar that has a 1-1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch diameter (whichever fits your hand size best) and when mounted on the wall, provides a clearance no greater than 1-1/2 inches.  If the clearance to the wall is greater than 1-1/2 inches, there is a safety concern.   If you were to lose your balance your arm could slide between the wall and grab bar.  You could get “wedged” between the wall and grab bar or even break your arm.

Styles and Finishes of Grab Bars - Grab bars don’t have to look institutional.  Attractive finishes and decorative flanges and screw cover plates are available.  Grab bars are available in various colors to match your décor, as well as brass, antique brass, chrome, bronze, oil rubbed, etc.  Some of the higher end plumbing showrooms carry the more decorative finishes and cover plates.  In addition, some grab bar manufactures offer “non-slip” surfaces which work well in wet areas.

Though at first glance grab bars by different manufacturers appear to be comparable, the quality varies. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if you can use a less expensive grab bar or need a higher quality grab bar:

1. Does the grab bar support the user’s weight, or is a stronger grab bar needed?  Some grab bars are designed to meet minimum requirements set forth by accessibility codes and guidelines (250 pound minimum) and may not be able to support the weight of a heavier person.

2. If a stainless steel grab bar is selected, will the materials eventually rust (especially in a shower situation)?  Grab bars that are made of 3 or 4 series metals (stainless) should not rust, grab bars made of 1 or 2 series metals can rust even though they are stainless steel.

3. If selecting a powder-coated (e.g.: white or colored) grab bar, will it rust if the bar gets chipped? 

4. Is it important to have a style where the screws are counter sunk (recessed into the bar flange)? Some manufacturers do not recess the screws into the flange.  They are less attractive and the screws may catch on the user’s skin, or snag their clothing, etc.

5. Is it important for you to have the screws concealed for a more aesthetic image?

6. Is the flange thickness important to you?  Some manufacturers offer a 12 gage flange thickness which is thicker than most that are only 14 gage. (Note: The lower the gage the thicker the metal.)

7. Is the flange “hand pig” welded to the bar?  Some welds are thinner and possibly not done by hand which may create a weaker joint.

8. Is it important to have all visible clamp or fabrication marks removed from the surface of the grab bar or are minor imperfections acceptable?

9. Is a product guarantee important to you?  Some manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee.

10. Finally, in regard to position and length, there are many resources available that provide guidelines.  But, it is always best to consult with your physician or therapist to determine the best grab bar for bathrooms positioning for your specific safety needs.

Jane A. Hampton, CID, CAPS is the President and Founder of Accessibility Design, a Minneapolis, MN based home access design, consultation, and project management company (est.1992). As a Certified Interior Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Jane Hampton was one of the early pioneers in developing the specialty niche of home access and defining what it is today. She and her company have captured the essence of Universal Design, Aging in Place, and Home Access and have helped thousands enhance their lives by refining residential access and independent living. She is looked to as an expert in the field, as well as an educator on both a regional and national level.  

For more information regarding Jane Hampton and her company, visit Accessibility Design’s website.

This story was submitted by one of our readers and may have originally appeared elsewhere
Get this and other Des Moines and central Iowa real estate news from www.MyDesMoinesrealty.com

Perhaps no home improvement project has more perceived value than installing replacement windows into your home. Is this a well-deserved perception? Like most things the answer is, “It depends.”

The first thing to do is analyze your current situation. How many windows does your house have? How old are they? How many panes of glass do they have?

It may be the case that your current windows, while not at peak performance levels by today’s standards, are still performing well.

According to Consumer Reports:

Replacement windows can save you between 10 and 25 percent per year on heating and cooling if you have single-paned windows.

But because the cost of replacing all the windows in your home can run anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on the number, style and performance of the windows, it’ll often take many years just to recoup their cost.

If you do decide to buy new replacement windows, take into consideration what kind of windows homes in your neighborhood currently have. Vinyl windows are by far the most popular and generally cost a great deal less than clad wood windows. But if your home is located in a more upscale neighborhood, selecting the more attractive clad wood windows makes more sense.

Pella has a new line of fiberglass windows called Impervia that are designed to be more durable than vinyl windows but still be wholly maintenance free. These received a recommendation from Consumer Reports in their latest report.

You might also be interested in THIS story about a woman who spent $750,000 having her dream house built just to then spend an additional $700,000 having the new windows re done and another woman who is ready to demolish her never lived in house because of window problems. Do not hire a contractor or builder or buy windows until you read this!

Get this and other real estate news from www.MyDesMoinesrealty.com

New home: $750,000. Window repairs: $700,000

An Oregon woman faced this nightmare scenario after the windows in her newly built home were improperly installed. The Wall Street Journal’s Teardown Diarist uncovers several cautionary tales and discovers a few problems of her own.

My house was all framed and roofed and the windows were installed — but the siding wasn’t yet on — when I happened to meet two women at a cocktail party who had recently had new homes built. I casually asked them if they had learned anything.

There’s no such thing as casual conversation when you’re building a home. It turns out that both women had been involved in lawsuits because of leaking windows that they say were improperly installed.

Window installation has become more of a problem as houses have become more energy efficient. Windows used to be installed leaving a gap for airflow to occur. Now they are completely sealed. While fewer cold drafts occur, the reduction in air means any water that gets in can’t evaporate, making leaks more of a problem.

Window makers’ warranties typically don’t cover installation — only the window itself is covered, and only if the window is installed using an approved and recommended method. That means if windows leak around the edges because of improper installation, the window manufacturer won’t pay for repairs. And if the contractor doesn’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions, the window maker won’t pay for any kind of damage to the window, either.

Oh, and unless you ask, it is unlikely your contractor will tell you what installation method he’s using.

The women at the party shared their horror stories: Theresa Rockove, who manages her husband’s medical practice, had a 5,000 square foot, $1 million two-level home built in Troutdale, Ore., finished in August 2005. The following winter, she noticed a smoke alarm was shorting out; it turned out to be wet. Soon, more windows started leaking. She hired Western Architectural, a national waterproofing consulting company that inspects the weather and structural integrity of residential and commercial buildings. Western Architectural found the flashings — the material, usually metal or plastic, installed to prevent water from penetrating — hadn’t been properly installed. It took nine months, a second mortgage and living in only part of the house, but finally Rockove had the damage repaired and settled a lawsuit with her builder for $250,000. The builder could not be reached for comment.

The contractor Rockove hired to fix the leaking windows — Sean Gores of Clackamas, Ore.-based Sean Gores Construction — has been in the construction-defect repair business for 11 years. He says that about 40% of his business involves leaking windows because of improper installation.

Rockove’s sister-in-law Kristi Calcagno, a real-estate broker in Portland, Ore., spent $750,000 building a three-story, cedar-shingled beach house with lots of windows and decks facing the sea in Long Beach, Wash. She also noticed some leaking around the windows after the house was finished in 2005.

After hiring Western Architectural, which said the installation wasn’t done properly, she hired another contractor who estimated that it would cost $700,000 to fix the problem.

She then sued the original builder, who in turn named seven subcontractors. The issue is still pending, and Elizabeth Lampson, the attorney for the defendant, insurance company AIG, had no comment.

Calcagno has never occupied the house and is prepared to tear it down altogether because there has been so much water damage. "I’m at a point where if the house falls down I would just say ‘eh,’" she says.

I e-mailed my contractor and architect to ask them if they thought I should hire Western Architectural before we closed up the exterior. Both agreed that was a very good idea.

Western Architectural found that most of windows in my new home were installed in the openings using foam as a sealer and no flashing or weather-resistant barrier wrapped into window and door rough openings — a direct violation of the installation instructions issued by window manufacturer Pella. If the sealant fails, the wood structure would be vulnerable to moisture, according to the company’s report, which also found that the foam used isn’t an industry standard.

Western Architectural recommended removing all the windows and reinstalling them according to Pella’s instructions. According to the company’s inspector, Michael Drexler, even the foam wasn’t applied according to instructions — it should have had paper as well as foam. "My guess is that it was for cost reasons. The wrap takes more time and materials than the foam," Drexler says.

Instead of using paper that rolls into the opening between the window and the hole cut into the siding for the window to create a barrier, the subcontractor my builders used to install the windows used foam to seal them. "They thought that was a better solution," my contractor told me. He says the issue wasn’t cost. "It was never about money," he says.

My contractor cleared the installation variation with Pella, which guaranteed that despite the modified installation method the full terms of the product warranty would remain in effect. All very well — but as I stated earlier, that didn’t mean that Pella would be responsible if the foam method caused leaking.

Kathy Harkema, a spokeswoman for Pella, said the No. 1 problem builders have is with improper window or door installation. "Installation is every bit as critical as the window," Harkema said. The company has more than 200 engineers at its Iowa headquarters who study installation techniques in order to make the best recommendations to builders. If requested, the company will dispatch a service technician — for a fee — to go to a building site and inspect the installation. "We strongly suggest following our instructions," Harkema says. "It takes the guesswork out of it for everyone."

My contractor says every window manufacturer has different instructions for installation. "It’s like getting three doctors to agree on the same treatment," he says. He hired two different consultants to check the installation using foam and tested it with water to look for leakage. "Ultimately, we’re liable for this," he told me. One of the consultants, worried that the foam could shrink over time, recommended adding a sticky paper over the foam for further sealing — a step my contractor took.

We are moving ahead with the siding this week, which will be followed by drywall. Then comes the expensive part of building a house: the interior — including cabinets, finishes and lighting.

Have YOU had any experiences building a home, hiring builders or with installing windows? we would love to hear your COMMENTS!

Are you looking for quality contractors in Des Moines, IA?  CLICK HERE

This story was submitted by one of our readers and originally appeared HERE

9 tips for buying a foreclosed home

By Jeanne Baron

4:00AM Thursday Feb 26, 2009
By Anne Gibson

If you are secure in your job and have enough money saved, now is the time to buy a house, say real estate experts.

No one should try to pinpoint the bottom of the housing market and if the price is right, the timing is perfect, says BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander.

His call sits uncomfortably with talk of recession and the worsening international outlook, but it is based on sound judgment.

"As long as I figured on keeping my job I would be out there actively looking for a property at the moment," Mr Alexander said.

"I wouldn’t be hanging off simply trying to pick the low point in the house-price cycle."

Economists had proved they could not pick the top of the cycle, so no one should expect them to pick the low point, he warned.

He believes real estate sales have probably almost reached their weakest level, and activity is likely to fluctuate and start moving up before the end of the year.

House prices will possibly fall another 5 per cent, but will stabilise by the end of the year, then rise slightly next year, he says.

Buyers should be seeking a mortgage interest rate of 5.5 per cent fixed for five years.

"But as I wait for this rate, I’ll become increasingly prepared to accept something just below 6 per cent just in case the world suddenly looks like a brighter place," he said.

Mr Alexander is not alone in his views.

Property author and advocate Kieran Trass is running a seminar in Remuera on March 7 on taking advantage of the crash.

He says Auckland flats are the first category of property this decade to emerge as cashflow-positive - "paying you to own them" - because of interest rates and property prices.

BIS Shrapnel’s managing director, Robert Mellor, said this week the Auckland house market would reach its lowest level by May and called for banks to loosen up on lending.

Strategic Risk Analysis economist Rodney Dickens, of Whangarei, said the market was eroding the benefits of renting a house, and it now made more sense to buy.

"Only six months ago the economics were hugely in favour of renting, but with house prices having had more than half of the fall we expect and five-year fixed mortgage interest rates having fallen from 9.1 per cent to 6.5 per cent, it would be understandable if quite a few people were tempted to buy rather than rent and to lock in longer-term mortgages to give them certainty about interest costs," Mr Dickens said.

Some people were responding to the economic conditions by buying existing houses, rather than building new ones.

"But this response will drive section prices down relative to existing house prices and restore the competitiveness of new housing."

UBS NZ senior economist Robin Clements says would-be buyers should house-hunt now, but not necessarily buy.

The next round of the recession could bring wide-scale job layoffs, debt-servicing trouble and more forced house sales and it would not be until the middle of the year that people would be able to tell where the economy was going.

"My base case is that we will muddle through without that worst-case scenario but that is the risk and house prices will continue to fall for much of this year."

An online survey of 2852 New Zealanders this month by the Business Council for Sustainable Development found nearly a fifth of them feared they might lose their jobs this year.

Those on low pay and those making more than $100,000 a year were among the most worried.
Bayleys’ communications manager Scott Cordes said savvy buyers can get great deals and he cited Saturday afternoon’s auction of seven Whisper Cove properties at Snells Beach which sold for about half price.

More than 300 people watched as three-bedroom villas - one valued at $1.07 million - went for $500,000 to $550,000 and an apartment sold for $328,000.

A year ago, buyer Sandi George found a place there priced at $900,000. At the weekend, she got it for $515,000.

Mr Cordes said the many mortgagee auctions and receivership deals such as those at Whisper Cove offered great buying.

But people considering buying a family home should not forget long-term principles.

"If you’re buying and selling simultaneously, you’re in the same market. Both houses will have dropped in price by a similar percentage," he said.

Market recovery is being picked at between six months and three years, he said.

Barfoot and Thompson director Peter Thompson said people needed to act differently in a weak market.

His advice is:

* Be cautious about borrowing - don’t get a loan for any more than 85 per cent of a property’s worth

* Sell your own place before buying; cash-buyers get better deals and can bid confidently at auctions

* Seek longer settlements: instead of a month go for two, giving more time to seek a new home

* Consider selling by auction: Barfoot and Thompson says it sells auction homes in 35 to 40 days, against 60 days for fixed-price.

* Fix a mortgage for the longest-term possible, up to five years if you can.

* Don’t over-commit - buy in an affordable suburb then move to your "wish suburb" a few years later.

Mr Thompson said Barfoot agents had noticed the market picking up. More people at open homes, more multi-offer contracts and 241 properties sold last week - the highest number since November 2007 - were evidence of a change, he said.

Sydney real estate expert Neil Jenman encourages people to negotiate directly with house-sellers to get the best deals in bear markets.

"Tell the agent, ‘I want to meet the sellers.’ If the agent gives you the slightest bit of cheek such as saying something inane like ‘What for?’ resist the urge to reply, ‘Because I want to meet the people who are getting more than half a million dollars of my money, you inconsiderate boof-head’ and go and knock on the sellers’ door.

"Say, ‘G’day, we are the people who are buying your home. Do you mind if we come in?’ That’s all you have to say - and, presto, you are sitting with the sellers, the big decision makers," said Mr Jenman.

But in Auckland, Mr Cordes and Mr Thompson strongly advised against such meetings, saying agents were professional negotiators.

BEAR MARKET MOVES

* Tough it out - prices will eventually rise again
* Don’t sell unless pushed; the market is still dropping
* If you’re thinking of buying, one economist says leap now
* Mortgage payments woes? Talk to the bank and explain
* Consider restructuring loans and waiting out the slump
* If you have to sell, spruce and clean the house but be realistic on price
* Buyers fixing long-term are getting favourably low interest rates
* Twenty per cent deposits are becoming more common, so save hard.

With interest rates falling and property prices coming down, first home buyers are in the best buying position they have ever been in. The key to getting the best value is to do your research, make sure you use all the support options available to you and source the assistance of the appropriate professionals, including a good mortgage broker, accountant, financial planner and solicitor.

first home buyer grants
First home buyers have access to the best range of grants and concessions in history after the federal government doubled the First Home Owners Grant to $14,000 for existing properties and tripled it to $21,000 for newly-constructed properties. The states have also come to the party with a range of additional grants and concessions. See our quick links menu for further information.

Home Loans for First Home Buyers
There are a number types of home loans particularly suited to or advertised as suitable for first home buyers, including introductory or honeymoon rate home loans, limited guarantor (family pledge, equity guarantee) home loans, shared equity home loans and low or no deposit home loans. These loans are not the only types available for first home buyers, you will also be able to choose from a range of standard residential home loans.

First Home Buyers have some of the best government assistance, deposit saver and Home Loan options.
Talk to a mortgage broker for more information that’s in your best interest.

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More Information About Getting your first home Loan
Whether it is sourcing a deposit or finding the home loan that is in your best interest, negotiating with lenders, completing the paperwork and even applying for first home grants and concessions, your Loan Market mortgage broker can help you.

  Give Pat or Beth a call today for more information on financing a first home.

You might also be interested in our MOVING WITH PETS post

Use the right boxes, and pack them carefully

Professional moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded, and so can’t shield your valuables as well from harm in transit.

Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton. Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.

Be sure to point out to your mover the boxes in which you’ve packed fragile items, especially if those items are exceptionally valuable. The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.

The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t lift the carton easily, it’s too heavy. Label your boxes, especially the one containing sheets and towels, so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home.

For your family’s safety and comfort

Teach your children your new address. Let them practice writing it on packed cartons. You can lighten your load and reduce any storage space you need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.

Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry items (make sure caps are tightly secured), flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a pan or two, paper towels, and any other items your family can’t do without. Ask your van foreman to load one of these boxes, so that it will be unloaded at your new home first. Why the second box? In case the movers are delayed getting to your house on the day of the move.

Keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity on moving day.

Let all your electrical gadgets return to room temperature before plugging them in.

Since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home, pack your phone book.

Work hand in hand with your mover

Give the mover’s foreman your reach numbers and email addresses so you can stay in contact.

Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the mover to explain anything you don’t understand. Make a note of your shipment’s registration number, and keep your Bill of Lading handy.

If you’re moving long distance, be aware that your property might share a truck with that of several other households. For this reason, your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for several days. Therefore, ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for  security, organization and cleanliness.

You might also find EASING THE MOVING TRANSITION interesting

As pets become a part of the family, moving them safely is important. However, relocating pets can be a tedious task.

It requires time and proper attention in order to provide suitable transportation for them. However, before moving your pet, analyzing the expenses involved, acquiring the documentation, arranging for transportation, and other such matters would have to be taken into consideration. The transportation required could be of different types, such as local, national or international. Relocating them within the city is comparatively easier than transferring them out.

Relocating nationally:
Usually, according to the law, you would need appropriate documentation of health before shifting your pets to another state. Though this is not problematical, yet it is very necessary to obtain these documents. If you need to shift from one city to another, the state officials might demand the following:

• a) A permit letter for import.
  b) Vaccination proof.
  c) Tests to find out if the pet is ill.
  d) Validity proof that the pet does not belong to an area with quarantine restrictions.
  Relocating Internationally:
  Relocating your pets internationally can be complicated, and requires the following information:
  a) Knowledge regarding import and export documents.
  b) Various veterinary processes.
  c) The policies of specific airlines.
  d) Requirements regarding the transportation.
  e) Proof of the required quarantine.
  f) How to accommodate the animal on board.
  g) Animal identification proof.

Precaution while relocating pets within the state:
It is very important to understand the nature of your pets; whether they are shy or enthusiastic about traveling. In either case, it is risky traveling with them without taking relevant precautionary measures. To make your travel hassle free, you should take the following precautions:

• a) Attach ID tags on you pets while traveling. Write down either yours or a friend’s telephone number on the tag.
  b) Make sure your pets have the facility of the microchip ID, which contains your full and updated address and contact number.
  c) Always keep your pets contained in an enclosure. You should ensure that they are tied safely, or kept in a place from where they cannot fall and injure themselves.
  d) Pay attention to the temperature of the metallic pick up bed as it takes on the atmospheric temperature.
  e) Though cats generally travel well in cars, yet they should be carried in a carrier to prevent them jumping out when the door opens, or disturbing the driver by jumping on him.
  f) Try to contain dogs in a carrier inside the car, as it is safer for both the dog and the owner.
  g) Temperature affects the mood of pets; hence, you should not travel with your pets in extreme hot or cold weather.
  h) Always keep enough water to drink, as the lack of water could prove fatal.
  i) Moving from one place to another could cause your pet great anxiety. Hence, you may need to consult your vet to prescribe a sedative to calm the pet down.
  j) Ensure that you possess all the necessary vaccination certificates of your pets. If you do not have them, you need to get them from your vet. This is particularly important because the vet in the new location will need the information.
  k) The rabies vaccination proof is very important because when dogs are emotionally disturbed, they may bite people, hence it is necessary to carry it while traveling.

Preflight Instructions:
Preflight instructions are required to be adhered to by the owner. These instructions ensure the safety of your pet, while ensuring their journey is as trauma free as possible. The following instructions can help in simplifying the hassles involved with moving pets from one place to another:

• a) In order to minimize the animal’s anxiety and nervousness, they should be conditioned to travel many days before the day of travel.
  b) You should not give tranquilizers or sedatives to pets during the conditioning period, as it might upset the pet’s respiratory mechanism, temperature control system, and cause loss of blood pressure.
  c) Do not feed the pet or allow it to drink water for about six hours before the flight.
  d) Pets should be allowed to exercise before taking them to the carrier.
  e) A familiar toy or object should be placed in the carrier.
  f) Leashes should be removed before the flight, but should be kept handy for the transporters. Choke chains or harnesses must be avoided.

Moving from one home to another may be necessary for you, but it could be a traumatic experience for your pets. Hence, if your pets need to be left alone after arriving in your new home, give them time to familiarize themselves with their new environment before leaving them by themselves.
Therefore, moving your pets can be made simpler by understanding their nature and needs. Although it may be a daunting task, it can be managed smoothly by following a few guidelines and taking some precautions.

The Only Way to Succeed as a Real Estate Investor
by C.L. Jones

"The only way to succeed as a real estate investor",  are my private thoughts from being in the real estate investing world for 4 years (and failing for the first 3.5 years).  I am currently living in Bridgeport, CT where we have the highest gas prices in the country.  So I bet you can imagine the price of real estate here.  My reason for mentioning the gas and real estate prices is to let you know that if I can be a successful investor in my hometown, then you can too.  So please stop saying that real estate investing doesn’t work where you live.  Ok, its time to get a pen & pad  and start taking notes.

The first thing key to being a successful investor (from my experience) is that you have to believe that you are a successful  investor.  If you don’t believe it, how in the world do you expect others to believe it.  Do you agree that the only way for you to believe it is to do deals. And the only way to do deals is to tame the "Cobra" of fear!  Before I move further, and more importantly, before you can move further, I want to put some laser beam focus on the word "tame".

I want you to know that the fear will always be there.  Please note that I didn’t say that you have to eliminate the fear.  I said that you only have to tame the cobra of fear.  If you can grasp this concept, you will take the most important step (in my humble opinion) to becoming a successful investor.

I believe that you will agree that fear is the #1 enemy to your future success in Anything! 

So please learn to act in spite of the fear, and what others say about your career as a real estate investor.

As we go forward with more articles, I will fill in the blanks and help you build a bridge your own real estate investing success.  I hope this introduction article has given you the confidence to believe that fear is normal. You don’t have to wait until the fear is gone to start investing.  I know that you can do it.

In your next article, I will go over 7 critical things that you must have to set up and run a successful home office.  Make sure you check that site daily for new articles that will help you create your family’s real estate empire.

P.S.   

To ensure that you never miss the latest article, make sure that you join our network of investors who are learning how to create generational wealth for their families with real estate.

To your Generational Wealth,

CL Jones