Fix Squeaky Floors

I was just watching Ask This Old House and they demonstrated a really great system for eliminating squeaks in carpeted floors. It is called Squeeeeek No More and basically it uses a special tripod to accurately set the depth of special screws that are designed to break of just below the surface of the subfloor. The threads still in the subfloor hold it down without leaving any marks in the carpet or anything to be felt when walking over the area. Here is a link to their demo video. Pretty smart system.

Quote of the day

"I feel very close to you all now; so close I could almost... loan you money. Really. it goes that deep."
-- Tom Waits

New Meebo Live Chat Added

I've just finished adding a live chat window to all pages on my site. I think it will be a great communication tool for all of my visitors. After researching options I choose the Meebo widget as it seemed the most functional. The chat window automatically displays if I'm online or not and allows users to pick a nickname that will be remembered the next time they visit my site. The one thing I didn't like was that when visitors change pages the current conversation is not carried over. If the user has chosen a nickname I can see them on the new page but if they have not they receive a new generic name. I thought for a minute about converting my site over to frames to correct this but I would prefer to only use frames where I have no choice. My current solution is to simply add a link below the chat window to open a separate chat window. Check it out for yourself.

High Valley Carphones.com Motorcycle Weekend

We all had a great time up at High Valley in Suches, GA last weekend. Plenty of great dirtbike riding, perfect weather, and no new injures. The trees were just starting to turn the weekend before when we were up there so they were about perfect. It had rained before we got up there Saturday and rained again Saturday night so the wet leaves and rocks made it challenging. I got almost 200 shots with my Canon 20D. The 10-20mm lens worked great.

New RE/MAX balloons animation

Well I think my new animated RE/MAX balloon banner has turned out really well. Went from concept to completion in record time. (what record?) This is corner stone of my new hypnotism based marketing strategy. Keep those listings coming.

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Camera Backpack Review

The received my new Lowepro backpack just in time to use it on a dirt bike ride next weekend. I picked the 200AW for its size and quick camera access without having to take the bag off. I carry a Canon 20D with its 18-55mm lens along with a Sigma 10-20mm and 70-300mm so the larger model bags that hold two bodies and 6 lenses are too much. I have plenty of room to add at least two more lenses to this bag. The dividers in the camera area are velcroed in so they can be adjusted or removed. A cover is built in that protect the camera’s lcd from scratches which is a nice feature. The bag has plenty of room in its top compartment for my battery charger and strap. I probably use about 60% of the space in this bag but I don't see a need to go any smaller. The most unique feature of this bag is the ability to remove the camera and shoot without having to take it off. You just rotate it under your left arm up to your chest and the camera pocket is right there. A great side effect I have found from this is that when you are shooting you can rest your forearms on the bag to help steady the shot. Overall this is a great bag and I would certainly recommend it. One tip if you purchase this bag, the included rain cover is a little hard to find if you don't know where to look. I took a picture to help you out.

Quote of the day

"Their memory's like a train: you can see it getting smaller as it pulls away and the things you can't remember tell the things you can't forget that history puts a saint in every dream”
--Tom Waits

October Garden Update

Pretty limited amount growing right now. Jesse and I put in some transplants from home depot. She apparently wasn't reading the tags so we ended up with two sets of broccoli instead of broccoli and cauliflower. We also planted an eggplant, some lettuce, Brussels sprouts. They have held up well to the couple nights it has been close to freezing. We probably have Jesse's gnomes to thank for that...

Things to Understand About Homeowners Insurance

1. Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverages must be bought separately.

2. Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.

3. Understand replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you’ll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you’ll only receive $150,000.

4. Understand actual cash value. If you choose not to replace your home when it’s destroyed, you’ll receive replacement cost, less depreciation. This is called actual cash value.Understand liability. Generally your homeowners insurance covers you for accidents that happen to other people on your property, including medical care, court costs, and awards by the court. However, there is usually an upper limit to the amount of coverage provided. Be sure that it’s sufficient if you have significant assets.


Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

Quote of the day

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. "
--Albert Einstein

Gwinnett County I-85 SR-316 Interchange Project

One of the many projects that will lead to further expansion into Gwinnett is the expansion of the 85 and 316 Interchange that will add 13 bridges and 17 miles of HOV lanes. The GDOT reports that 80% of the work will be completed without lane closures. Anyone who has taken 316 to I-85 recently knows that with 316 reduced to one lane and traffic jams have become normal. I have found that taking Old Norcross to Breckinridge then getting on I-85 at Pleasant Hill when coming from Lawrenceville is the best route during peak hours. Once completed in Dec 31, 2008 this project will provide increase capacity allowing commuters to move further down 316 increasing housing demand and prices in their path.

Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying

1. Find a real estate professional who is compatible. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there is a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.

7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

Reasons to Own Your Own Home

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® found that a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in a home.

3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your mortgage payments don’t go up over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will rise.

6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and be able to benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

To calculate whether renting or buying is the best financial option for you, use this calculator courtesy of Ginnie Mae:
http://www.ginniemae.gov/rent_vs_buy/rent_vs_buy_calc.asp?Section=YPTH



Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

Quote of the day

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little to no influence on society.

-- Mark Twain