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DIY your way to a New Years start. All those home improvement projects
that you wish to accomplish are within arms reach. The Bosch chipping hammer is paramount in helping get rid of the old and begin to realize your dreams. This little workhorse has saved us tons of time and sweat by doing the jackhammers job tenfold!
The Bosch 10 Amp Spline Rotary Hammer features a spline/round hex bit system that provides tool-free bit changes and automatic bit locking. A combination dual mode selector offers 2 modes of operation, rotary hammer and hammer-only. The Vario-Lock positioning system rotates and locks the hammer chisel in 12 different positions to optimize the working angle.
Many features that the Bosch 11247 excels in :
Small enough to throw behind your truck seat but big enough to remove patio slabs in a cinch! When push comes to shove the Bosch Jack Hammer is worth its weight in gold to my team. Light and powerful for all the small to medium sized jackhammering demolish work we have encountered. DIY your way thru 2012 for all the home improvement desires you have on that list. Tools make any
JOB easier or harder, make the choice that can improve your projects! Have a great 2012 everyone!!
Typically known as scribe molding every cabinet or trim molding needs to find it’s place of application. Every cabinet is set in place, shimmed, spaced , leveled and then fastened. When we have our cabinets where we want them then we must cut and , pin nailed usually with a finish nail gun , another type of trim finish molding that will take up the rest of the space that needs to be hidden or finished off so to speak.
Often times we have to cut , notch or scribe around the other parts of a room that get in the way. Moldings are the very product that when executed correctly will make or break a “Job well Done” . The image to the left here shows, after furring out a door jamb with a jamb extension in a bathroom, the cabinet and door casing moldings meet up exactly in the same place! In another instance there is always ways to apply moldings for different looks or decorating. Such as with crown molding, base and case moldings or a common used edge molding trim piece called actual scribe mold.
Where ever these specific moldings wrap around, cover up a gap or create a cap finished look like an plant on oak Ogee arch molding. With the right miter saw and or jigsaw, you can show off your skills that pay the bills faster than you can say “Instant equity”….. why call the guy ? When YOU CAN DIY!!
This approach to creating counter space is growing daily and will give identical appearance as some of the other more expensive counter top options. Using concrete on top of cabinetry or even a pass through shelve, can certainly change the look in any room or office. Outside of the concrete color or veining techniques, the mixing and pouring is essentially identical.
Here in this concrete counter form image with reinforced steel or rebar, 
we have used 4″ lag screws to anchor the #3 rebar, staggered every 24″O.C. The counter or shelve here is formed to 2″ in depth and 12″ wide with the length being 10′ long between the two end points of the adjacent walls. Because it sits atop a 2×4 framed wall, it will cantilever 2″ to the kitchen area and roughly 6″ pass the other side of the same wall into the living room.
The image to the right here shows the importance of protecting the wood framing beneath with flashing paper to act as a moisture barrier and future dry-rotting adherent. The small spacers under our #3 rebar allows the new aggregate pour to completely surround the reinforcement steel for optimum strength.
- plywood or melamine, plus screws to build the mold
- bagged counter-top mix (or “scratch” mix below)
- dyes or pigment if you’re coloring your counter-top
- grinder / polisher with water feed (can be rented)
- diamond polishing discs of various grit
- concrete mixer- concrete vibrating tool (can be rented)- dusts masks
…… Now DIY your own Concrete Counter-Top over almost any applicable surface!
This approach to creating counter space is growing daily and will give identical appearance as some of the other more expensive counter top options. Using concrete on top of cabinetry or even a pass through shelve, can certainly change the look in any room or office. Outside of the concrete color or veining techniques, the mixing and pouring is essentially identical.
Here in this concrete counter form image with reinforced steel or rebar, we have used 4″ lag screws to anchor the #3 rebar, staggered every 24″O.C. The counter or shelve here is formed to 2″ in depth and 12″ wide with the length being 10′ long between the two end points of the adjacent walls. Because it sits atop a 2×4 framed wall, it will cantilever 2″ to the kitchen area and roughly 6″ pass the other side of the same wall into the living room. 
The image to the left here shows the importance of protecting the wood framing beneath with flashing paper to act as a moisture barrier and future dry-rotting adherent. The small spacers under our #3 rebar allows the new aggregate pour to completely surround the reinforcement steel for optimum strength.
- plywood or melamine, plus screws to build the mold
- bagged countertop mix (or “scratch” mix below)
- dyes or pigment if you’re coloring your counter-top
- grinder / polisher with water feed (can be rented)
- diamond polishing discs of various grit
- Tupperware or similar sandwich containers to make concrete samples
- concrete mixer- concrete vibrating tool (can be rented)- dusts masks
- eye protection- ear protection
That’s why it’s a good idea to make sample pours first so that you can get an idea what you’re working with and how small variations in the concrete mix can make a difference.
Many people start with a premixed concrete countertop mix. They are specially formulated to be flowable and high strength with plasticizer that makes it flow well even at a low water / cement ratio.
A low water / cement ratio is important for a good result that resists cracking. The Quikrete mix has high enough flow that the need for mechanical vibration is minimized, and it’s made for minimal shrinkage.
Alternately, you could start with regular bagged concrete mix that is rated for a hardness of 5,000 psi or greater, available @ Home Depot or most of your home improvement centers.
Here is a counter top mix you can make “from scratch” that’s enough to make a small test block and that can be scaled up by weight.
You can use a kitchen or postal scale to weigh out the sample measurements. It is recommended that you use white sand and white cement to maximize your color options:
Product / Weight in Grams
Portland Cement 210g
Sand 625g
Nycon G nylon fiber 1g
Metakaolin 30g
Fritz-Pak FR1 Water Reducer 5g
Water 80-90g
If you’re using Quickrete Countertop Mix or Sackrete 5000, or some other pre-mixed countertop mix, start with about 875 grams of dry mix and about 85 grams of water to make a sample.
Whether you’re using a bag concrete mix or my “scratch” concrete countertop recipe, use the smallest amount of water necessary to craft a mix that you can work with.
Of course, you can only estimate how it’s going to look once it’s cured, but again, you have to start somewhere.
Write down how many grams of colorant you use in every batch so you’ll have a basis for guessing how much more or less you need in subsequent samples and so you’ll also know about how much you’ll need for the final product once you get the color you want.
If you want a darker concrete countertop – all the way to a dark charcoal gray – start with Home Depot’s Quickrete Countertop Mix, which is darker than the scratch recipe above, and add charcoal colorant.
Start with one bottle per bag of concrete countertop mix when mixing the final countertop.
Of course you can still experiment with the colorant in your sample slabs.
After you’ve poured your sample, allowed it to set and removed it, ask yourself what’s right and what’s wrong about it. Color will likely be the thing that determines what you should try next.
In fact, you should keep all of your samples so you can try out your concrete polishing and sealing techniques on them. Once you have your sample smoothed to the finish you want, you can seal it, according to the directions or you can seal it with beeswax (which may not be the best at standing up to what the average kitchen countertop endures) or even pure tung oil (like what is used on wood). It depends on the final look you want.
Foreclosures to persist
According to authors at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the nation’s high foreclosure rate is likely to persist. The Fed article looks at the changes in foreclosure and unemployment rates across states, noting the differences in the timing of the movements. The conjecture that the high foreclosure rate will persist is based in part on the observation that states that experienced boom-bust housing cycles in the past (Texas, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and California) had elevated foreclosure starts for years after the peak in foreclosure starts and inventory. These previous boom-bust cycles “were small in comparison to the current cycle,” the article said. While the recession has left deep scars in the housing and labor markets — with the unemployment rate doubling and the foreclosure start rate roughly tripling — the timing of the movements differs over the cycle, according to the abstract, written by the vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and K.F., a research assistant.
In So-Cal every Wednesday morning there is a short sale workshop open to the public, allowing homeowners, agents, brokers or investors the opportunity to see and participate in how and why this has been changing communities across our nation. Join us this week or any week for a fulfilling chance at making a difference in the lives of others.
** When to seek outside investors to help fund your growing real estate portfolio so it’s only natural that we should also spend a little time talking about the pro’s and con’s of various investor types. Not every investor is created equal; the trick is to learn how to find the ones that bring the most value and the least constraints to the relationship. Here is a quick overview of the most commonly encountered types of outside investors and how each may play an important role depending upon your current needs.
1. High Net Worth, Experienced in Industry, Exceptional Contacts. This is the most desirable outside investor possible. Not only does this person have sufficient capital to invest but their industry and professional affiliations can open doors that would otherwise be ‘off limits’. Not only do you benefit from access to capital but even more importantly, learn from their experience and expertise while meeting the “right” people. However, preparation is essential and a wrong step could have dire consequences for years to come.
2. High Net Worth, Experienced in Industry, Related Contacts. This can be a win-win situation for those that are long on short sale or real estate experience but a bit short on cash; by teaming up with someone that has plenty of cash sitting idle you are able to provide the expertise required to put it to work. Often these persons have valuable contacts outside of real estate; for example, doctors, lawyers and other professionals. It may be necessary to provide extensive explanation and education prior to investing in order to put the person or group at ease.
3. High Net Worth, Experienced in Industry, High Contacts. Plain and simple, this is one of the most frequently encountered types of investors the novice short sale entrepreneur is likely to encounter; someone simply seeking a return on their money rather than watching it waste away in a bank account or the bond market. Although the money is often a welcome addition to your individual growth plans, it often comes with a rather steep price tag…a lot of oversight and explanation. Family member, retirees and small investment groups often fall into this category which can add even greater volatility to the equation.
If you know someone in danger of losing their home to foreclosure and need some professional assistance, do them a huge favor and give them my personal email::: 3feet2go@gmail.com I CAN HELP THEM!
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that “the backlog of foreclosures and high levels of negative equity, combined with elevated unemployment, pose risks of a double dip in housing.” further support for foreclosure mitigation under the existing framework may be needed if the housing market were to weaken,” IMF wrote, adding that a worst-case scenario may include reconsideration of mortgage cram-downs within bankruptcy. The IMF noted that recent reform legislation emphasizes a return to “safe securitization” of assets like mortgages through greater oversight and accountability for ratings agencies, more transparency of the assets, greater emphasis on investor due diligence and “skin in the game” for originators. 
“Given the large role that securitization played in the past, and the potential limits to bank balance sheets for creating credit, speedy implementation of these measures would be essential to avoid limits on credit supply that could crimp the recovery,” IMF said. “It will also be important to coordinate reforms domestically and internationally to ensure safe securitization and promote a level playing field.” In the meantime, the housing finance system remains “costly, inefficient and complex,” according to the note. The IMF also recommended a clarification of government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) mandates and a privatization of their retained portfolios. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s core bundling and guarantee business lines “should be made explicitly public,” the IMF said.
Please feel free to visit our Foreclosure Relief Page, to understand their are other options!
After a long day, one of the things you would be craving for is a warm long bath. A great bath tub can become your best friend at the end of the day. Many people upgrade their tubs with bath tub faucets to make it more delightful to use. Increasing the value of their largest investment, Real Estate. Nowadays, bath tub faucets come in all shapes and sizes so you have countless of options to choose from.
One of the newest things in this industry today is the touch faucet innovation. Some of the touch faucet brands in the market today are Delta and Kohler. The Delta 980T – SSSD is equipped with the latest Touch 20 technology and is one of the leading products in the market. The price of Delta touch sensor faucet in Amazon is $348. Listed at the original price of $585, you would be able to save around $40 when you purchase it in Amazon. It has a Pilar design which was inspired by technology and nature combined. It also features a Magnatite spray head to secure tight fit. Additionally, this product also boasts its Diamond Seal technology which utilizes an electronic valve along with a diamond coating, making it more durable and guaranteed to last a lifetime.
If you want a Zen-styled bathroom, a faucet Asian waterfall nickel sink would be the best way to go. You can find one in Amazon, like the model SV15, which is an oriental inspired bathroom sink and faucet that sells for $425. This product has marble sink which is handcrafted and a brushed nickel faucet finish. The sink is about 1″ thick and colored black and grey. The product includes a pop up drain and a limited lifetime warranty. Bath tub faucets with an Asian design will also go along well with a Zen inspired bathroom. Vintage themes are also popular. You can add vintage glass fixtures for bathroom or look for modern floor mount bathtub faucets if you want a contemporary, modern look.
For a modern styled bathroom, most people choose ceiling mount tub fillers or custom ceiling tub faucets with a contemporary sleek modern finish. This is one of the most unique kinds of bath tub faucets ever thought of. A bath faucet from ceiling mounts is a great statement of modern style. You can find the Kohler K922 CP ceiling mount bath filler at Amazon for $323.86. The product has a solid brass construction and a polished chrome finish for more durability and resistance to tarnish and corrosion. It has a 2 centimeter orifice and weighs about 5.6 lbs. This product can be used for dual purposes. Aside from filling your tub, it can also be used as a shower. The minimalist style is also the modern style so if you want this kind of bathroom, don’t overdo decorations and fixtures. Look for fittings that possess simplicity and clean finishes.
Bath tub faucets, no matter what design, should complement and match the overall look of your bathroom. Before buying a faucet that interests you, think about the kind of look you want to achieve first. Compare the different styles that you want and canvas on some of the things you need to buy. Remember, you don’t have to spend too much and hire a contractor or decorator for this. Just have in mind the right idea, and the great products to go along with it.
BofA Agrees to Pay $108 Million to Overcharged Countrywide
Borrowers Representing one of the largest judgments imposed in a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) case, two Countrywide mortgage servicing companies, now part of Bank of America Home Loans, have been ordered to pay $108 million to settle charges that they collected excessive fees from cash-strapped borrowers who were struggling to keep their homes. In a statement released Monday, the FTC said the $108 million settlement will be used to reimburse overcharged homeowners whose loans were serviced by Countrywide before it was acquired by North Carolina-based Bank of America in July 2008. Bank of America said it agreed to the settlement “to avoid the expense and distraction associated with litigating the case.” According to the FTC, Countrywide used unlawful practices in Servicing homeowners’ mortgages.
The company allegedly charged excessive fees for default-related services, made claims about amounts owed by homeowners in bankruptcy that were false or couldn’t be backed up, and didn’t tell people going through bankruptcy when new fees or charges were being added to their loans. Going forward, borrowers in Chapter 13 bankruptcy must be sent a monthly notice with information about what amounts are owed – including any fees assessed during the prior month. Additionally, the defendants must implement a data integrity program to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data they use to service loans in Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Demonstrate the ability to pay the loan and you are halfway toward becoming a commercial investor. Critical is an understanding of the major risks associated with commercial loans from the lenders perspective. Use this as a quick checklist when putting together an offer or evaluating your own potential.
1. Credit Risk. Perhaps the most common type of risk, this simply indicates the ability of the borrower to meet the contractual obligations as outlined in the loan documents…aka, the ability to pay. However, because you are dealing with commercial loans, the credit risk can be impacted by several items including competitive market factors (ie, the inability of the property to lease as expected, increased or decreased demand etc), interest rate sensitivity, rollover of leases (long term leases may be stable but are also more prone to declining values), changes in regulatory environment including zoning and tax laws.
2. Interest Rate Risk. The majority of commercial real estate is financed on a floating rate basis so interest rate risk is a very real threat depending upon the timing of cash flows, yield curves and other economic conditions that may adversely impact the economic climate.
3. Liquidity Risk. Banks must meet obligations the same way that private individuals are required to do so; loss of liquidity means the bank is unable to extend credit or must call loans in order to raise capital. For an investor, liquidity risk is typically isolated to the ability of the bank to loan money in the future should you require it in order to roll-over or refinance a loan.
4. Compliance Risk. Once the domain of elusive economic theory, compliance risk has risen to disproportionate levels thanks in large part to the current crisis as well as outside influences. Examples are broad but range from potential liability of bad debts during the mortgage boom to the current oil spill at BP; a bank may be held responsible for assets held as collateral. High risk assets will be assessed a premium.
Real estate investors seeking entry into the exciting world of commercial real estate should review each property from the perspective of the lender; examine risk levels and potential threats through the eyes of the bank in order to maximize your prospect for success.