HowToDoThings.com Elite Author Articles

How To Successfully Sell Your Home in a Soft Housing Market

Grace170 — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:29:00 -0500

You've been hearing it every day. It's a buyer's market. The market is soft. Interest rates are up. In other words, if you are trying to sell your house, it will be tough. While a soft market can be a hassle for a home seller, it does not mean getting an offer on your home is an impossibility. Here are some tips on how to sell your house in a soft market.

How To Care for Hardwood Floors

Grace170 — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:50:00 -0500

Many homeowners believe that installing hardwood floors is ideal because of the low maintenance attached to the product. This can be the case, but hardwood floors do require care. Here are some tips on how to care for your hardwood floors.

Prevention. As with any flooring, preventing dirt and grime from entering in the first place is the best plan. Place floor mats at your home's entrances to collect any dirt, mud or debris that may be walking in your door.
Dirt and Grime. Dirt and grime can be removed from hardwood floors with some elbow grease. Brooms with fine ends are ideal for removing dirt from the surface. Wood cleaners like Murphy's Oil, which combine cleaning agents with a small amount of wax, will keep your floors looking clean.

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How To Buy a Tenancy-in-Common (TIC)

Grace170 — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:19:00 -0600

A tenancy-in-common (TIC) is a legal scenario where several owners buy a building together which has not been divided into condos. This arrangement can be a confusing one for those new to the system, and even gives the old pros difficulty at times because of its complicated nature. Here are some tips on how to buy a tenancy-in-common.

The Pros. First, examine the pros that a TIC will bring you. In this arrangement, you, as an individual owner, have the right to sell your interest or part of the building if you'd like. Also, if the building produces income, one owner may complete a tax-deferred exchange into another "like-kind" income-producing property. This allows the owner to avoid capital gains on the first property. All in all, if you are outpriced in the market and cannot afford a property on your own, this is one of a few solutions.

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How To Apply Concrete Sealer and Stain

Grace170 — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:10:00 -0600

If you have recently completed a project using concrete, you may need to seal the surface to prevent water and other seepage. Additionally, some concrete projects will receive an aesthetic "lift" if stained properly. Whether it is a paver driveway, an exposed aggregate pathway, or a patio, you will want to consider the benefits of sealing and staining your work. Here are some tips.

Sealer: Why use it? Concrete sealers are needed for projects that require the material to be impenetrable, or at least, less penetrable than unsealed concrete. Concrete sealers are finish coatings used to protect the concrete. Sealers act to prevent damage from traffic, water and chemical agents. Sealers reduce the porosity of concrete and prevent water and dirt from getting into the concrete.

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How To Avoid Real Estate Scams

Grace170 — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:11:00 -0600

If you are in the market to buy or sell a house, refinance your mortgage, or if you are considering investing in the real estate world, beware-there are scams out there that the smartest of people fall for. Here some of the classic real estate scams and tips on how to avoid them.

Who is the ideal Con Artist? The most savvy of con artists are those who have already attained some level of trust in your life. People you deal with daily, even family members, prove the most successful of con artists. When we "go along with others" our brains' defense mechanisms soften, and our skepticism is reduced. Con artists use this neurological trick to get you. It is ok to place trust your friends, family, and co-workers, but be skeptical about any business pitches they may give you. Always seek the advice of two or more financial advisors or confidants before proceeding.

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How To Differentiate Between Baseball and Softball

Grace170 — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:39:00 -0600

True or false-the only difference between softball and baseball is the size of the ball? False! Although the two sports are very similar in nature, there are several key differences. Here they are:

Equipment: Balls. Baseballs are 9 inches in circumference. Softballs are 12 inches in circumference. Softballs are also less dense than baseballs. Additionally, baseballs are white, while softballs can be white or neon yellow.
Equipment: Bat. Baseball bats are a maximum of 42 inches long, where as softball bats cannot be any longer than 34 inches.

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How To Mix Cement

Grace170 — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:20:00 -0600

Think mixing cement is easy? Think again. While mixing cement is not brain surgery, it is can be an arduous task that requires some degree of precision for peak performance. Cement is a bonding agent used in conjunction with sand, water, and aggregate (crushed stone) to create mortar and/or concrete. You need cement for a variety of projects--to set footings for decking or fences, to fill a sidewalk, or to patch a blemish in your house's foundation. If you are doing a project that requires concrete or mortar application, you will need to know how to mix the cement that bonds the materials together. Here is how you mix cement.

How To Choose a Wood Floor

Grace170 — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:06:00 -0600

What is in a floor? Well, a lot, actually. If you have decided to put new hardwood flooring into your home, there is much to consider. What type of look do you want to create? How much wear and tear do you expect on the floors? How much do you want to spend? What about color matching and quality of woods? Here are some guidelines and tips for homeowners exploring the hardwood option.

Window Shop. Before creating a budget, and before making a bulk purchase, do some window shopping for flooring. Head to lumber yards and stores that specialize in hardwood floor supply and installation for examples. See what your neighbors, friends and family have in their homes as well. Get samples and decide on a look that you want. Consider the shade, finish, and hardness of the wood.

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How To Grout Tile

Grace170 — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 05:27:00 -0600

Grouting is the second to last step in the process of do-it-yourself tiling. It is also the messiest part of the job. Grout is the material that is visible between tiles on a floor, backsplash, in a bathroom, etc. It fills the space between the tiles and supports them-almost like glue. Here are some tips on how to grout your tiling project.

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How To Care for Welsh Terriers

Grace170 — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 06:24:00 -0600

The Welsh Terrier is a lovable breed-one of the friendliest of all terriers. Welsh Terriers are loyal and playful, and have the reputation as being one of the most happy-go-lucky breeds of the terrier variety and of dogs in general. Here are some tips for owning a Welsh Terrier and some things you'll need to know before you purchase this pooch.

Physical Characteristics. The Welsh Terrier's looks are similar to that of an Airedale, although the breed is smaller. They are roughly 15 inches tall and no more than 20 pounds. The compact body has a wiry coat. The face has heavy and bushy eyebrows and is equipped with a stylish beard and mustache. The snout comes to a square end instead of a point, and its nose is black. The Welsh Terrier is born black and as it ages, turns tan, black and tan, or a mix with some grays. The tail is normally docked.

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