Top 10 home maintenance tips for the fall
Well fall is here and time to think about getting your home ready for winter. Fall maintenance is an important homeowner duty because it helps make homes more energy efficient during the winter months, and will safeguard homes against potential seasonal 'disasters' such as leaking roofs or home fires due to neglected chimneys. Here are ten tips to a safer warmer winter.
TIP #1 Check the heating system. Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year. Filter changing is something homeowners can and should do themselves at least once every 2 months. Have the specialist inspecting your unit show you how to change the filter. Clean ducts in the heating system. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants. Ducts should be professionally cleaned about every three years.
TIP #2 Have the chimney inspected by a qualified chimney professional. Chimneys should be checked and cleaned, if necessary, on an annual basis. If you are using a wood stove this season, be sure that the stovepipe was installed correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed. If you have a chimney that will not be used, consider having it sealed shut.
TIP #3 Test fire alarms and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Often alarms and detectors go unattended. Batteries should be checked every six months to ensure that they're working. Vacuum out the dust.
TIP #4 Remove excess leaves and damaged branches surrounding the house. Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs, decks, vehicles or people.
TIP #5 Maintain gutters. Remove all debris that can slow or impede the ability of the water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof as well. Make sure gutter water drains away from your home.
TIP #6 Inspect the roof. Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney.
TIP #7 Inspect exterior walls, doors and windows. Check walls and window sills for damage such as cracks, gaps, loose or crumbling mortar, along with splitting and decaying wood. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which helps keep the home weather tight and lower heating bills. Check windows and doors to make sure locks work properly and that they are in good condition. Clean tracks and lubricate hinges. Repair or replace any cracked windows.
TIP #8 Maintain steps and handrails. Repair broken steps and secure loose banisters and handrails. Broken steps can cause a dangerous fall. Similarly, a person slipping will grab a handrail for support.
TIP #9 Inspect the attic and basement or crawlspace. Insulate Voids in the Attic - The entire attic floor above a living space should be insulated with at least 6 inches, except around electrical fixtures such as recessed lights that aren't rated for contact with insulation. Damp basements and crawl spaces can become mold and mildew problems. Watch for leaks from your hot water heater, plumbing system and seeping rain water. Locate and maintain a clear access to your main water shut off valve. If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate it.
TIP #10 Shut down sprinkler systems and outside faucets. Homeowners can shut down outside faucets, while the underground sprinkler system weatherizing is best performed by industry professionals to prevent cracked pipes by having the system flushed before the cold sets in.
There's something for everyone in Renton. And here at the Renton Real Estate Blog it is our effort to keep you up to date, informed not only what is happening in Renton Real Estate but also in the community.
To see the latest news and announcements about exciting events and Real Estate opportunities in the City, have a look here If you search Google for Renton Real Estate you will find many blog and other web sites that bring out the interesting facts, not only about Renton Real Estate blog, but about the community and it'd unique features. For example...
Discover the magic of Renton and enjoy the convenient, spectacular location, outstanding value, hometown hospitality, and business-friendly environment.
Nestled on the south shore of beautiful Lake Washington, Renton is centrally located in the heart of the Puget Sound area - just 10 minutes from SeaTac International Airport, Seattle and Bellevue. Renton also offers terrific views of the Olympics, the Cascades and Mount Rainier.
Get the best of the Northwest, without high prices, hassle, traffic and expensive parking!
Lonnie Snyder |
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Top 10 home maintenance tips for the fall
Spotlight Opportunities
There's something for everyone in Renton. And here at the Renton Real Estate Blog it is our effort to keep you up to date, informed not only what is happening in Renton Real Estate but also in the community. To see the latest news and announcements about exciting events and Real Estate opportunities in the City, have a look here Volunteer Program
Spotlight Opportunities
Mayor's Day of Concern
Annual food drive to help families in need. For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, click here.
If you search Google for Renton Real Estate you will find many blog and other web sites that bring out the interesting facts, not only about Renton Real Estate blog, but about the community and it'd unique features. For example...
Discover the magic of Renton and enjoy the convenient, spectacular location, outstanding value, hometown hospitality, and business-friendly environment.
Nestled on the south shore of beautiful Lake Washington, Renton is centrally located in the heart of the Puget Sound area - just 10 minutes from SeaTac International Airport, Seattle and Bellevue. Renton also offers terrific views of the Olympics, the Cascades and Mount Rainier.
Get the best of the Northwest, without high prices, hassle, traffic and expensive parking!
Lonnie Snyder |
Business Profitability Goal
When you set out to start a business, you might set a goal to "make money." This is rather shortsighted in today's competitive marketplace. A real business profitability goal is needed.
The question comes up, what is a business profitability goal? How do you go about setting up a business profitability goal?
What is a realistic business profitability goal? This may differ from business to business and from market to market, but there are some general rules that should be followed. The first and most important is to establish a realistic and detailed profitability goal from the very beginning.
Sounds good, but again how is the best way to go about this task?
A comprehensive business plan is the best way to start any business. Not only does it provide a guideline for the entrepreneur, but it is also going to come in handy when he is out seeking start up financing.
Even if this start up financing is coming from your own savings, you need a business profitability goal.
Any financial lending institution is going to want to see a good comprehensive business plan with a clearly defined profitability goal before they make a business loan. They clearly understand that cash flow is not the same as profit and will not be as interested in the large amounts of cash that is expected to be generated as they will be in the bottom line profit. The lending institution understands the importance of profit in the sustainability of a business.
A good business plan that has established a realistic business profitability goal will make maximum use of every available business resource. Business resources come in many forms. Depending on the type of business your thinking about would determine where the resource would come from.
Another important element of a profitability goal is good and accurate reporting. A goal is considered to be a point in the future toward which your efforts are being directed. Business reports are like roadmaps showing if you are at least going in the right direction. The very nature of a profitability goal assumes that you will not reach it at once. If you see that you are falling short, it is the time to make adjustments to your operations and budgeting to get back on track.
Business is a complicated thing in this modern era. The opportunities that exist are mind boggling as we move closer and closer to a Global market place. At the same time, the importance of knowledge and data has never been greater to remain competitive. Even the smallest business needs a profitability goal that is realistic and can be monitored and adjusted as needed.
That is one reason a home based business is so attractive to many today. Even in a home based business it is important to set a business profitability goal. Remember you must monitor your business profitability goal and be willing to be flexible and adjust as needed.
Jerry Snyder SEO Consultant |
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Computing Business Profitability
If your contemplating starting a business or if you are the owner of a business, it is important you should understand the importance of computing business profitability. With any business, no matter what goods or service is being provided, it is very important that the owner understand the business side of the business. The purpose of your company, business is to generate a profit.
Fixed Versus Variable Expenses
When computing business profitability, you will notice that your business has many different expenses. Some of these expenses are fixed and others are variable. Fixed expenses are expenses that you must pay no matter how much product you make. This is something you pay even if you do not open up your business for the month. Examples of fixed expenses are rent, employee expenses, and some utility costs.
Variable expenses are expenses associated with creating additional product.. You only have this expense if you produce an additional product. It is important in computing business profitability, that you make sure that you are at a minimum covering your variable expenses. If you are not covering your variable expenses, then you are losing money with each unit you produce. Revenue versus Profit
Many people think that profit is the money a business brings in. This is not true. The total money brought in by the business is called revenue and this is different from profit. For example, if you sell an item for $100, you have $100 of revenue. To get to profit, you need to subtract the expenses out. For that $100 product, it may have cost $50 to make, there could have been additional overhead costs of $10, and employee expenses of $5 associated with that product. That would mean that there was $65 of expenses associated with that one product. So out of that $100 of revenue from the one product, you will make $35 of profit.
As you can see, it is important to set your business goals to make a profit, not just make revenue. This is the importance of computing business profitability. You need to make sure that your business brings in enough money to not only cover the expenses but make sure that there is something extra so that you can take some money out of the business.
Get Professional Help
Computing business profitability can be a tall order, especially for a small business owner. You should hire a competent accountant or attorney to help you with your analysis. There are many profitability ratios that can be used to show the health of your business.
The more you know about the profitability of your business, the better off you will be. It is important that you stay up to date regarding the financial health of your business. You should constantly be computing your business liability and making any necessary changes. Business Model
There are all kinds of business models. One of the Best is buying customers. How do you do this? Why is this a good thing? Visit our site today to learn of the best business on Google today and what we stand for. http://networkmarketing.aboutleads.net/ Jerry Snyder SEO Consultant |
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Home Business Profitability
Home business profitability opportunity is no different than any other brick and mortar business profitability opportunity in terms of what you need for a successful brick and mortar profitability, or a home business profitability. The only difference your storefront is your home or if you are creating a business on your computer screen if your home based home business profitability is online. Working online is one of the most cost effective ways to become a home business owner. With relatively no overhead and minimal set up costs you can be a home based home business profitability owner in minutes. Focus your time and energy on creating a customer base and you will have a successful home based home business.
Here's something to think about before you make a decision to take advantage of a home based business profitability opportunity, ask yourself one very important question. Do you have what it takes to operate a home based business ? It may sound like a simple question but in reality it is a very complex question. You need to understand at the start of your journey that it will be difficult and challenging. Too many people think it will just be easy and the cash will roll in.
The answer to this question is not a simple yea or no. You have to give consideration to a number of very important aspects before you make a final decision. Many people dream of having their own home based business profitability where they are in control of all areas of operating the home business profitability. But you have to know if you are the type of person that can be in charge and actually get things done.
Any home based business profitability opportunity requires much personal dedication. If you are the type of person that has lots of energy and enjoys keeping busy with your time then I suggest that you give a home business profitability opportunity serious consideration. However, if you are the type of person that really enjoys relaxing and just kicking back after a days work I'd suggest that maybe a home based business opportunity may not be a good choice for you. Why? Because it will take most of your free time to develop and build your home business profitability. Don't believe those that would have you think it only takes a few minutes a day and you'll be a great success.
Having a home based business profitability opportunity is not for everyone. We all like to think that it is for us but that is simply not the case. Far too many home business profitability opportunities lead you to believe that the amount of work involved is very minimal. The fact is that it takes lots of time and if you don't have time, or you are too tired to make the time, then save yourself lots of problems and don't start a home business. However, if you feel that you can make that personal commitment then get involved. Now! It will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. A home based business profitability opportunity can change your life and the possibility of great success is a reality. If you can make the commitment needed to be successful you will be glad you made the decision. Jerry Snyder SEO Consultant |
Monday, September 1, 2008
Renton Real Estate Blog
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REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: Snyder@KW.com
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Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent
and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing
in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers
in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Sunrider Leads
The early Chinese doctors believed that instead of taking medicine to help cure a health problem, one should instead eat the proper herbs to prevent the body from ever getting sick. The Chinese doctor was paid to keep his patients well and if they became ill, payment ceased until he got his patients well again-at his own expense.
Leads are expensive, they not only exact a toll on your bank book, they exact a toll on your most valuable asset, time. Trying to contact a lead is very, very time consuming. Why bother? Just Buy Customers. It is much easier and will build your business much faster.