Archive for April, 2010
Let Your Home Age With You
More and more seniors are opting for renovating their current residence to suit their needs instead of pulling up stakes and moving from their home of many years. Some renovations can be costly and extensive but there are many minor changes you can make that will make life easier. The key is to look at your routine and habits and see if you can modify your home to better suit your needs.
General Changes
Replace round doorknobs with leverstyle handles which are much easier for arthritic hands to turn.
Put lights at the top and bottom of all stairways high traffic areas and closets. Rocker switches tend to be easier to use for people in wheelchairs. Dimmer switches can be handy for directing low lighting to specific areas such as between the bedroom and bathroom. Small night lights are good for those areas as well.
Remove all throw rugs they are too easy to trip on and a source of many accidents.
You may want to widen doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or use swinging or sliding doors.
The backs of stairs should be filled in to prevent falls and install handrails on both sides.
Add extra telephones so that you never have to run to answer the phone or use cordless models.
If you’re trekking up and down stairs to do the laundry consider relocating your laundry room to the main floor. The apartment size stackable units can easily fit into an existing closet.
Place a fire alarm in every room and test it regularly.
An emergency response system can assist in the case of emergencies. Generally they can be installed for a small price with a subsequent monthly monitoring fee.
Bathroom
Install grab bars by the tub and toilet.
Handheld shower heads are easier to use when using a bath seat.
If replacing faucets consider lever type or control arm taps for easier use.
Door locks should be easy to use with large knobs and an emergency release.
A bath seat or raised toilet seat can make life easier.
Living Room
Treat yourself to new furniture that has high cushions and sturdy arms; you’ll be surprised at how much easier those up’s and down’s will be.
Kitchen
Consider adding lower level shelves lazysusan cabinets or sliding shelves for easier access.
Outdoors
Place a bench outside each entrance to your home. The next time you’re trying to unlock the door with your arms full of groceries you’ll appreciate the rest stop for you and your packages.
Place a textured surface on your outdoor steps and ensure you have solid hand rails.
About the writer: This article was submitted for Anne Eliason at West USA Realty. She will gladly answer all of your Phoenix real estate enquiries including the many outlying areas such as the Tempe AZ real estate market.
Languedoc Wine Festivals In October Not To Be Missed
In the French Languedoc region south of France it is now the grape harvest season. Tractors usually drive along vineyard paths but it is not that rare to see people picking the grapes. It is an old tradition which still endures today in regions where the machines cannot drive through. Every morning during a few weeks gatherers pace the vineyard up and down equipped with clippers and buckets. Some are in charge of cutting others empty the buckets and the tractor driver carries the grapes to the farming cooperative. The beginning of the harvest season depends of course on the wine grape variety but also on the weather conditions. The Muscat for example is generally gathered before the others that is to say around midAugust. The grapes destined to produce red wine like the Syrah are generally harvested from August 20th as well as the grapes for the Muscat de Frontignan. Then at the end of August we usually pick the grapes for the white wine Chardonnay and in September those for the red wine Merlot. The Viognier grapes are harvested around midOctober.
If you are around in the Languedoc region on October 13 and 14 there is a traditional event. The “Fete des Vendanges” in the lovely village of Ouveillan in the Aude 11 is a week end of festivities displaying activities ranging from the flea market to car boot sale parade house clearout sales etc. The event recreates past tradition and skills that still live on. The original fest was to honour and thank God for the blessed harvest. Every year since people gather and celebrate the end of the harvest season. A great dinner is offered to labourers who originally sang in sign of triumph.
In the towns of Minervois Limoux and Fitou still in the Aude we also grow and harvest wine grapes to produce the AOC wines of the same names. The Minervois is a red wine produced from Carignan 40 of the blend Grenache Lladoner Pelut Mourvedre and Syrah grapes. Limoux wine is produced under four AOC designations which are: Blanquette de Limoux Blanquette mthode ancestrale Crmant de Limoux and Limoux. The first three are sparkling wines and they dominate the production around Limoux.
There are lots of small producers in the Languedoc region. You can visit their vineyard and taste their wines. It is definitely convivial and has a Mediterranean atmosphere. The Perpignan wine festival takes place on October 16th 17th and 18th. There again you can taste local wines and celebrate with workers and visitors.
About the writer: Matthieu Cany is Director of Sextant French Property
International Buyers: Tips For Buying Florida Real Estate
Below are 7 tips for International home buyers considering an investment in Florida real estate.
1. Consider the Cost of Hurricane Shutters When Buying a Home in Florida
Hurricane Shutters are not a small investment. Most small homes are looking at a spending a minimum of 3500 to protect their homes. If you are interested in buying a larger home and they have installed quality hurricane protection you should keep in mind how much money the sellers invested when negotiating a price.
2. Remember Sprinkler Systems
I am sure you are aware that it can get very hot in Florida. Homes need built in sprinkler systems to maintain the beauty of the landscaping. However there are many homes that do not have sprinkler systems and there are those that do not have functioning sprinkler systems. The cost of adding or repairing a sprinkler system is considerable.
3. Barrier Island vs. the Mainland
There are many buyers that believe they want to live in a barrier island because they have heard about the beauty and the instant water access but there are those that are unhappy with their choice. There are many benefits of living on the mainland of Sarasota. For example there are luxury condos in Downtown Sarasota that are minutes away from Marina Jacks. You can have waterfront views and a boat and avoid paying the high prices of living on a barrier island.
4. Maintenance Fees
Maintenance fees can be quite high depending on where you buy. You will also have taxes and homeowners insurance costs to consider and sometimes the maintenance fees will put home buyers over their yearly budget.
5. Family Neighborhoods
Sarasota has neighborhoods that tend to be quieter than others and we have those that are full of children and all the noise that comes with them. If you are hoping to buying a home where you will have peace and quiet let your Realtor know. A knowledgeable Sarasota Realtor will know which neighborhoods are best suited to your needs.
6. Homeowners Insurance Deductions
Talk to your Realtor about which aspects of a home will give you a deduction on your homeowners insurance because they could save you a lot of money in the long run.
7. Owning a Home with a Pool and/or Jacuzzi
The Florida Department of Health reports “Deaths from drowning for children less than age five in Florida are more than double the national average and are higher than any other state in the nation. More than twothirds of these deaths occurred in swimming pools.”
Most people dream of having a home in Florida with a pool and it is a great dream but everyone needs to consider pool safety. Again ask your Realtor what you should be looking for and/or avoiding.
There are many more tips and laws that are important to International buyers. It is important for International home buyers to choose a Realtor that knows the Florida real estate market well and can help you choose the perfect home that meets the needs of your lifestyle.
About the writer: Jeff Rauth is President of Commercial Finance Advisors Inc out of Birmingham Michigan. He specializes in Commercial Real Estate Loans between 100000 5000000. Offers unique loan programs such as Commercial Second Mortgages Commercial 30 Year Fixed 90 non SBA financing Commercial Equity Loans. 248 8858797 or commercial real estate loans or commercial loan officer training or how to read tax returns