10-Minute Home Repairs

From thefamilyhandyman.com

Flush without hang-ups

Yet another use for straws
Slipping a straw over the flapper chain greatly reduces
 your chances of having a running toilet.

By Adam Breen, a Field Editor from Phoenix. He and his father recently gutted and remodeled his entire house.

"Every time I get a new house or toilet, I take 10 minutes and cover the flapper chain with a plastic straw. I remove the chain from the arm attachment, and slide the straw over it, covering about two-thirds of the chain. I then reattach the chain to the arm. It’s that simple, and you’ll never have a running toilet caused by a kinked chain again."

Best Reverse Mortgage

From the Superpages.com

If you are age 62 or older and you own your primary residence you are probably eligible for a reverse mortgage and of course you will want to find the best reverse mortgage. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) created a program called the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) or reverse mortgage.

Best Reverse Mortgage: What to Do

Meeting with a HUD approved HECM counselor is a requirement prior to participating in the reverse mortgage program and will insure that you get the best reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage has closing costs that are generally higher than a traditional mortgage and you will have to pay those costs. This was designed to help senior citizens to remain in their homes and receive the equity in regular monthly payments as income. With the best reverse mortgage the lender cannot foreclose on your property, regardless of how high the loan gets or how low the equity as you continue to receive those funds.

Best Reverse Mortgage: What to Expect

Much like any other equity loan you can receive a lump sum or a line of credit in which you will use checks or a credit card to use as needed. Another and the most popular choice that older Americans make is to receive a regular monthly payment. This money is yours to do with as you wish and does not have to be repaid as long as the home is your primary residence. You will still be responsible for your homeowner’s insurance and property taxes. You must keep these in good standing as well as keeping your home and property in good repair in order to benefit from the best reverse mortgage.

Best Reverse Mortgage: Why?

Although reverse mortgages have been available for more than twenty five years they have recently grown in popularity. One reason for this is the increase in older Americans due to the ‘baby boom’ as well as the fact that life expectancy is longer. With the economy as it is older Americans are finding their fixed incomes are just not enough to make it. If you are age 62 or older and are finding yourself in this position with financial hardship, the reverse mortgage may be the answer for you. Remember this money can be used as you choose and can be used to pay off existing debt or simply to get through your day to day. You may want to consult a HECM counselor for the best reverse mortgage.

Pink Lists Spanish-style Home in Sherman Oaks

AUTHOR:EMILY HEFFTER
ZILLOW BLOG

Source: IMDb

Edgy and acrobatic pop rocker Pink is selling her investment property in Sherman Oaks, a Spanish-style mansion on a large, park-like lot.

Pink, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, was Billboard Woman of the Year in 2013 and made headlines recently performing Somewhere Over the Rainbow during the Oscars.

She bought the house in Los Angeles’ Sherman Oaks neighborhood with her dad, James Moore, in 2002, for $2 million, according to property records. She apparently has not lived there for some time, and listed it for sale once before, in 2011, for $4 million, twice what she bought it for.

It didn’t sell, and so now she has listed it quietly for $3.499 million.

The gated home has a pool with an in-ground cave-like spa tucked behind a waterfall. Inside, there are 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, with a vaulted two-story entry and a gourmet kitchen.

10-Minute Home Repairs

From thefamilyhandyman.com

Unclog a toilet with dish soap

Clean out toilet clogs with dish soap
Lubricate the clog with half a cup of dish soap.

By Shannon Mecham a Field Editor from Salem, OR. A recent home buyer, she's busy doing repairs and improvements.

"When my teenage son told me the toilet was clogged and his plunging attempts were futile, I told him: “Thanks for the info—let me know when you get it unclogged.”

He poured in about 1/2 cup of liquid dish soap and let it sit for a while. He reported that it worked like magic. Apparently, liquid soap reduces friction and allows the contents of the bowl to slide on through. Perhaps he should have written this tip!"

JP Morgan Invests Millions in Miami Offices

By Jennifer LeClaire | Miami
GlobeSt.com

MIAMI—Not to be intimidated by newer office buildings in the urban core, Southeast Financial Center continues making renovations that attract some of the most prestigious law firms in the state to its building. Ownership is investing another $8.15 million to modernize, drive greater efficiencies, and otherwise improve the tenant experience.

Southeast Financial Center

Since taking 100% ownership of the building in late 2008, institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management—Global Real Assets have invested more than $20.5 million on capital improvements at Southeast Financial Center. The building is Florida’s largest and tallest office tower at 1.225 million square feet.

“As one of Miami’s landmark buildings, we are constantly seeking new ways to enhance the tenant experience and continue to set benchmarks for class A office space in Miami,” says Jay Leone, vice president and group manager with JLL, the exclusive management and leasing agent for Southeast Financial Center. “Over the past six years, ownership has committed to making capital investments that further allow the building to stand out as a leader in the market. As a result, Southeast Financial Center is one of the most highly sought after office buildings in the area.”

Current upgrades include a $6.4 million elevator modernization project led by Shindler. Southeast Financial Center is the first building in Downtown Miami to install elevator destination dispatch technology. The new system works to save energy and reduce operating expenses, and promises tenant savings by allowing employees to get to their respective offices faster and maximize work hours.

The elevator system also drives improved traffic handling and even distribution of passengers for efficient energy consumption, as well as green technology to enhance efficiency and improve performance. Remote monitoring for 24/7 monitoring and diagnosis helps return equipment to service up to 22% faster than traditional troubleshooting methods. Schindler’s destination dispatch PORT Technology, an add-on that promotes energy savings, much higher efficiency of all the elevator cabs, is also part of the modernization.

Southeast Financial Center has contracted SemaConnect to implement high-end electric vehicle charging stations with easy payment options. Mahi Reddy, founder and CEO at SemaConnect, says, “Having SemaConnect's electric vehicle charging stations at any building is an essential amenity for tenants, guests and visitors to charge up, and we're proud to support Southeast Financial Center and their commitment to sustainability.”

JP Morgan is also planning to invest in constructing a state-of-the-art conference and training center available for tenant use, as well as a new roof for the tower, new common area signage, and two pay-on-foot payment stations in the garage. Finally, ownership is investing in a tenant portal to automate all work orders and vendor notifications online in order to streamline property management processes and provide an enriched quality of service.

Construction employment up 9.2% in Fla.

WASHINGTON – March 21, 2014 – Florida added 32,700 construction jobs between January 2013 and January 2014, a 9.2 percent increase and the third-best total of all 50 states.

An Associated General Contractors of America analysis of Labor Department data finds that construction firms added jobs in 38 states year-over-year, while 27 states posted construction employment gains between December and January.

Kansas posted the biggest increase with a 10.7 percent rise (5,900 jobs). Oregon came in second with a 9.4 percent increase, or 6,600 jobs.

Meanwhile, nine states and the District of Columbia lost jobs between January 2013 and January 2014, with construction employment unchanged in three states. Wyoming had the greatest decrease at -5.9 percent, or the loss of 1,300 jobs, followed by West Virginia (-5.4 percent, -1,900 jobs), New Hampshire (-4.4 percent, -1,000 jobs) and Washington, D.C. (-4.3 percent, -600 jobs).

AGC officials said the fact that so many states added construction jobs for the year and month – despite harsh winter conditions in many areas – is a sign that demand appears to be recovering.

“Especially considering the fact many parts of the country experienced very harsh weather in January, these construction job figures are particularly robust,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Yet some of these gains will be at risk if federal transportation funding comes to halt this summer as predicted.”

© Florida Realtors

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr. Selling LA Estate

AUTHOR:EMILY HEFFTER
ZILLOW

Source: IMDb

Considering they once starred together in the real-life movie version of “Scooby Doo,” actor spouses Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. sure have sophisticated tastes.

The two — parents of daughter Charlotte and son Rocky — have listed their classical Bel-Air mansion for sale, according to the Los Angeles Times. They recently bought a Mandeville Canyon home in Brentwood. They started their married life in the Bel-Air home after meeting on the set of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and marrying in 2002.

The 7,600-square-foot home at 11778 Stonehenge Lane in Los Angeles  is on the market for $5.499 million. The 5-bedroom, 5-bath estate, located in the gated community of Bel Air Crest, boasts grand fireplaces and a gourmet kitchen. The patio area includes waterfalls, pool, spa and barbecue.

The home’s lower level includes guest quarters, a sunroom, and a gym.