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Get Flu Season Ready: How To Clean Almost Any Surface Of Your House

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Nobody enjoys cleaning their home, but unfortunately we all have to roll up our sleeves and embark on the household chores. If you want to reduce the amount of time spent on cleaning your home while also making sure that your home is hygienically clean for the flu season, this guide will help you to get the right choice of products to make cleaning all the surfaces of your home quicker, easier and more effective.

Acrylic And Glass Surfaces

While acrylic and glass are tricky to clean, they can be hygienic and free from bacteria if you use the right products. The key is to use a clean and damp cloth or chamois to eliminate friction so that dust won’t stick to the surfaces. Next, use a solution of mild detergent in water for acrylic or an ammonia and water solution on glass to produce optimal results. The result will be a shining and clean surface.

Cleaning Ceramics

Ceramic bathroom fixtures can be hard to clean. If you have a ceramic toilet bowl, bathtub or washbasin, you need to use an abrasive cleaning product to get rid of the bacteria and grime. Although abrasive cleaners aren’t good for use on every surface they’re great on your bathtub. Just apply onto the bathtub’s surface, rub gently before rinsing off. The results will be impressive.

Cleaning Your Bedding

Although we don’t like to think about it, our beds can be full of disgusting things. From flakes of old skin to bed bugs and dust mites, it’s no wonder that so many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Luckily, you can eliminate these problems by steam cleaning your bed linen. There are some excellent steam cleaners on the market which can not only effectively get rid of stains and marks through the power of heat and water, but also kill bed bugs and dust mites. Take a look at these products to find the right one for you.

Clean Your Laminate Floors

Laminate floors look really stylish but they can be hard to clean. Vacuuming regularly is essential to get rid of dirt and loose debris, however more thorough cleaning is essential to ensure that your laminate surfaces look their best. Mop your floors using a damp mop, not one which is wringing wet. You don’t want your floors to be saturated. Also, avoid using abrasive cleaners like steel wool or scouring powders as these may scratch your surfaces. A steam cleaner is also very useful on a laminate floor since it will use only steam to kill bacteria while removing dirt effectively.

Cleaning Marble

Marble fireplaces, tables and floors all need to be cleaned carefully to avoid damage. Always dust them first using a clean and soft cloth before dusting them with a damp sponge. Always dry the surface afterwards with a separate cloth to keep your marble shining and clean.

Cleaning Painted Woodwork And Walls

If your home’s walls are painted, you’ll already be familiar with the problems which are linked to marks and stains. However, you can easily clean your painted walls with a non-abrasive cleaning product. Painted woodwork can also be cleaned with a solution of water and ammonia so that stains and dirt are a problem of the past.

Clean Your Carpets

Carpeted flooring is wonderfully luxurious on your feet and looks incredibly stylish however it isn’t always easy to keep clean and dirt free. Dirty carpets harbor all kinds of bacteria, and you could end up suffering from allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Vacuuming regularly will help to reduce the amount of dirt and grime on your floors, however there will still be dirt at the bottom of the carpet fibers. Use a steam cleaner on your carpets to keep your home completely free of harmful particles on your carpeted floors.

If you follow the helpful advice here, you’ll find that even in the middle of the flu season you’ll be well protected from catching illnesses. Bacteria and germs will be eradicated from your surfaces so that you can breathe more easily and feel your best all year round.

Happy cleaning!

What Are The Laws Regarding Pedestrians And Auto Accidents In San Francisco?

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When someone talks about an auto accident injury, typically people assume that only cars were involved. But auto accidents can involve more than just automobiles. There are times when motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are injured. These are all special types of cases, and the laws regarding liability are different. In San Francisco, pedestrians can be at fault for their own injuries if they were not following California pedestrian laws.

It is typically the case that the driver bears more responsibility to avoid injuring a pedestrian, which is why automobile drivers are almost always at fault. However, there are times when the actions of a pedestrian cannot be anticipated or compensated for, which makes them at least partially – if not completely – responsible for their own injuries.

Pedestrian laws

Pedestrians and crosswalk laws

A driver must yield the right of way or stop if a pedestrian is crossing any roadway that is either marked or unmarked. The restrictions on the crosswalk laws are if the pedestrian enters into a crosswalk (either marked or unmarked) when there is heavy traffic or a hazard is obvious. Since the pedestrian has a duty of care to act as any reasonable person would in the same situation, if they enter into heavy traffic without any concern for their own safety, then that might make them liable for their own injuries.

Pedestrians and control signals

Across San Francisco, there are various pedestrian signs that indicate when a person can walk and when they can’t. Whether the sign is in the form of written directions like “walk” or “don’t walk” or in hand signs, the signs are there to protect the pedestrian, and the pedestrian has an obligation to follow the signs according to the law.

If the sign either depicts a person walking or it says “walk,” then the pedestrian may proceed to cross the roadway or the street. The signal must be facing in the direction that the pedestrian is walking and if it is flashing or signaling a pedestrian to walk, then they have the right of way. If they are hit or injured by a motorist, then the driver would be at fault for their injuries.

If the sign is signaling either “don’t walk” or there is a raised palm indicating that a pedestrian should not cross into the walkway, then the pedestrian cannot lawfully walk out into traffic. If they ignore the sign and are hit by oncoming traffic, then they might be held partially or completely liable and responsible for their injuries.

When crossing at places which are not designated crosswalks

If a pedestrian is crossing at any other place besides those crosswalks that are designated for them to walk, they have an obligation to yield to the drivers and to watch for oncoming traffic. If they fail to do so, then they might be held either partially or wholly liable for their injuries.

Pedestrians who are on roadways

If you are outside of a residential or business district and walk into oncoming traffic, you are breaking pedestrian law. It is not legal for a pedestrian to walk either upon or along any roadway that is not designated as a crosswalk. If they do so and are injured, then they might be held liable for any injuries that they sustain. The driver cannot anticipate that someone might be walking on a roadway, and therefore bears no responsibility for having an increased duty of care when driving.

If a pedestrian has to walk along a roadway that is not designed for walking, then they must travel on the left side of the road or completely on the shoulder of the roadway facing the flow of traffic in the opposite direction.

Pedestrians and sidewalk right of way

If a pedestrian is walking along the sidewalk, any motor vehicle must stop or yield for them. Failing to do so will put the driver at fault and liable and responsible for any injuries.

When you are out walking, you do have a duty of care to act as any reasonable person would to protect yourself from being injured. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident in San Francisco, it is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer to ensure that you can recover for your injuries.

 

7 Factors That Influence Drug Possession Charges in Queens

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The news of marijuana legalization across various states was music to the ears of many US citizens. However, the issue of illegal drugs remains very prominent in American society.

The law is selectively strict on drug possession, and numerous factors can impact what the person will be charged with and even the extent of the final punishment. If you use these substances, even recreationally, it’s important to understand how one slip-up can affect your life.

What Is the Charge?

If the police catch you with an illegal drug on you, they will charge you with possession as they have physical evidence of ownership. Because the substances are illegal, that’s enough for a conviction if:

  • They can prove you were aware of having a controlled substance;
  • They can show you have control over the drug.

If they fail to prove that, then your Queens drug attorney can move to dismiss the possession charge. For instance, if the police searched your home and found heroin, you can have the charges dismissed if you argue the drug belonged to the roommate. So while the drug was in your home, you were unaware it was a controlled substance and had no control over it.

But, if they can prove you knew of and controlled an illegal substance, then the authorities will analyze a variety of other factors to determine the charge. These factors can also impact the final sentence, whether it’s a fine or years served.

Factors Impacting Charges and Sentences

1. State or Federal

A big factor that may impact your drug punishment is who arrested in the first place. If it’s a federal law enforcement body, the charge may be more severe, because they usually don’t arrest people carrying a few grams of cocaine.

2. State Law

The charges brought against you depend on the state where you were arrested. Some are rather lenient, while others have a strict 0-tolerance policy. Moreover, if the police determine that you’ve also crossed state lines, then your case is judged based on federal law, not the state-law where you were arrested.

3. Previous Offenses

If you already have a criminal record, you may get a harsher sentence, even if the other crimes aren’t related to drugs.

4. Added Offenses

If the police stop your car, determine you are under the effects of drugs and find the illegal substance on you, then you can face multiple charges at the same time (possession and driving under the influence, in this case).

5. The Place of the Arrest

It may seem like a strange factor to determine a charge, but some areas influence the drug-related punishment. For instance, in many states, if you are found with illegal drugs in your possession in a school zone, that may warrant a harsher sentence.

6. The Type of Drug

In a way, some drugs are considered “more illegal” than others, by law. The type of drug found in your possession warrant different sentences, depending on the state.

7. The Amount of Drug

If the police find small quantities of drugs on you, then they’ll most likely charge you with possession. However, larger amounts of illegal drugs may indicate the substance is not just for personal use, and authorities can add ‘:intent to distribute” to the charge.

Conclusion

In the end, it’s extremely difficult to anticipate what the drug charge will be. The police and prosecutors may push for a particular charge after analyzing the particularities of the case, but a lawyer may also have a lot to say in what the final sentence will be.

That is why it’s crucial not to dismiss any drug charge, no matter how small, and hire an attorney to represent you in a drug-related legal problem. They will conduct their analysis of the evidence on hand and argue on your behalf to lower or even dismiss the charge altogether.

4 Reasons Why Every Business Could Benefit By Switching to a VoIP Phone System

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Are you thinking of switching to a VoIP phone system, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Read on to learn how every business could benefit from this switch.

As a business owner, you’ve likely already heard the statistic that your employees waste about 5 hours of company time each week on their smartphones.

But the types of phones that are really costing your company time and money — and causing your employees and clients frustration — aren’t actually smartphones at all.

Instead, the problem is your outdated or inefficient business phone system.

Have dropped calls, the necessity of keeping lines clear, and a general lack of the phone features you need become your new normal?

If so, now is the time to change — and to increase your profits as a result. Get rid of that ancient landline or poorly-performing business phone, and make the switch to a VoIP phone system instead.

But why are VoIP phone services so valuable?

Keep on reading this post to find out.

1. You’ll Save Money

Let’s face it: the best way to convince you to switch to a VoIP phone system is to talk about how it will improve your bottom line.

Because you’re making calls over the Internet, you’ll be able to save serious cash on international and long-distance calls.

Plus, because you’ll now have multiple phone lines freed up, your team members can make more calls more often. No more “negotiating” when it comes to who can use a phone line when. Instead, everyone can be as productive as possible.

With the majority of VoIP phones, you’ll pay a flat rate every month, which can mean excellent savings. Plus, when phone lines go down, whether due to a storm or to construction, you’ll still be able to make calls.

2. You’ll Have More Flexibility

You need to make it to your anniversary dinner — but you also need to wait for that important business call to come through.

If you’re using an outdated landline or another form of old-school phone communication, your only option is to stay chained to your desk and wait for the phone call to come in.

This doesn’t just mess with your work-life balance in an era where people already spend 1/3 of their lives at the office. It could also seriously impact your relationship. Your phone system just shouldn’t have this much control over your life, period.

Employee burnout (and the frequently resulting substance abuse) is a very real threat to your business. Now is the time to stop it.

When you switch to VoIP phone services, you can make and receive calls from almost anywhere. This is because the system is able to forward your work calls to your personal smartphone, your home phone, or anywhere else you choose.

VoIP services also make it easy to install multiple phone lines within your office. This way, you won’t have to worry about keeping lines clear. This will lower stress levels and seriously increase productivity.

3. The Best VoIP Phone Systems Offer Excellent Features

When you’re choosing between potential VoIP phone systems, make sure that you take a look at the available features.

You can get features like call and voicemail transcripts, automatic call distribution, and even voice recognition. You can also opt for features that are specifically geared towards conference call use. For example, the right system will be able to send reminders to conference call participants.

This way, you won’t have to hear anyone’s excuses when it comes “forgetting” about a conference call ever again.

Looking to learn a bit more about the kinds of features that might be available to you when you make the switch to a VoIP phone service? One Ring Networks can help you to figure out which features you can’t do without, and which ones you can add on later as your business grows.

The scalability of a VoIP phone system is, after all, one of the most valuable things about it. No more paying for features you don’t need or won’t use.

4. Calls Are Clearer with VoIP

You’re on the phone with one of your biggest clients, halfway through what’s easily one of your most important pitches of the year. So far, you think things are going pretty well.

You’re just about to begin the closing process, when all of a sudden, you hear static feedback over your line. Then, the phone starts clicking, and before you know it, you’ve lost your connection with your client.

You try to get them on the phone again — but they don’t answer.

Your outdated phone service didn’t just cost you time. It also caused you to lose a deal, and likely made one of your biggest clients question your company’s professionalism.

Avoid this costly and seriously frustrating experience by switching to a VoIP phone system.

You’ll enjoy not just clearer and static-free communication, but also a much lower overall rate of dropped calls.

Ready to Make the Switch to a VoIP Phone System?

Whether you’re tired of losing business due to dropped calls, or if you just want to find ways to increase your bottom line, making the switch to a VoIP phone system is always the right call.

We also hope that you’ve learned about the features and benefits that the best VoIP phone systems can offer you.

Of course, the truth is that finding the right phone system is far from the only step you need to take to increase employee productivity and close bigger deals.

You’ll also need to think about how your office space encourages productivity, ideas for employee recognition, and even how your digital marketing strategy can win you more customers.

We’re here to help you figure all that out — and more.

Bookmark our blog so that you never miss a piece of our invaluable advice.

 

Estate Planning Tips for your Loved Ones

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Family
 A man lives and works for his family and loved ones for his entire life. Family is a universal reality and people regard it as one of the most important part of their lives. As they say, “The family is the test of the freedom; because family is the only thing that the free man makes for himself and by himself.”  You work for day and night to provide a good life to your family which includes good food, education and clothing so that you live equally by the standards of society. You build a beautiful house that caters all the needs of your family. It doesn’t matter whether you do a job or run a business. The ultimate goal is to provide them  with all the necessities of life as you age so that they can stand on their feet and the cycle continues.

Planning for Family
Like life, death is a universal truth, too. So a wise person thinks accordingly and makes proper arrangements in his life for his loved ones ahead of his death. They usually create a will or prepare deeds legally in transferring inheritance to their loved ones so that after death the family won’t have to face the financial crossroads let alone the departure of the loved one. There are many legal and social aspects to the transfer of property. However, this works differently for different people according to the circumstances they have. Imagine an eighty-year old woman whose spouse has recently passed away. That woman is now the only owner listed on the deed to her home. Her only asset is her home. She has children, but they are living the typical American lifestyle of “spend first, save later” and have mortgages, auto loans, and credit card debt—with little money saved. The woman would like to give her homestead to one of her children when she passes away – the one who has assisted her the most in her old age, but  also wants to make sure she can continue living in her home until that time comes. Until recently in California, the woman had several options to achieve this transfer, but none of them allowed her to retain full interest in the property until her death, at little or no cost to the woman or her family. Some of her options would cost money up front, but she would be able to retain full interest in her property until death. Other options would cost the woman little to no money, but would transfer an interest in the property to her child immediately. The woman’s final option, transferring the property in her will, would likely only cost the amount her attorney charges for such a document, but her property would have to be sent into the probate process to effectuate the transfer. In recent years, California gave this woman a new option, the transfer on death deed.

Death Deed
 A Transfer on Death Deed (“TOD Deed”), or also commonly referred to as a beneficiary deed, is a form used in the world of estate planning to avoid the need to enter into probate when an individual has minimal assets.
With all the procedural framework and proper legislative work, this process has become way easier than before and has got the following important advantages:

Probate avoidance
Retained control of wealth during one’s lifetime.
Continuity of ownership within the family.
Federal income tax is not imposed on death deeds.
With the process becoming more hassle free, legal work has been minimized and much of legal fee can now be saved.

Because as they say, “Love begins at home and your family is your strength.” Now you can make sure they always stay strong.

10 Must-Know Tips for Traveling With Diabetes So You Have a Safe and Fun Trip

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Just because you have diabetes, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself while traveling. Read on to learn the top tips for traveling with diabetes.

Do you have diabetes and are planning to travel? If this is your first time planning a major trip, you might be a little paranoid about how you’re going to do it, or what’s the safest way to do it. It takes quite a bit of planning to make sure the unfortunate doesn’t occur.

You have to get the right amount of insulin, watch what you eat, let a few people around you know you have diabetes if you’re traveling alone, and more.

In this article, we’ll be going over those, and other tips for traveling with diabetes that you’ll need to know before hopping on that plane or cruise ship.

1. Plan Your Meals

It can be difficult to find a healthy meal on a flight, but some companies allow you to book your food choices ahead of time. You’ll be able to pick a meal based on your unique health concerns.

If the company your flying with doesn’t offer this service make sure to call way ahead and let them know about your condition, most will accommodate for it. If they can’t accommodate, then you can get nuts, fruits, and other goodies at airport shops.

2. Carry a Doctor’s Note

Carry a doctor’s note to make going through airport security go a little smoother. If you have the note you’ll be able to have your insulin, syringes, test strips, and other supplies without any question.

It might also help to have all your bottles labeled then you really might be questioned less. You also won’t really have to explain your insulin pump or glucose monitor either.

3. Keep Your Supplies Close By

No matter which method of travel you’re using, make sure your supplies are close at hand. You should always keep your supplies and a little extra insulin in a carry-on bag if you’re flying.

If you put all your supplies in a checked bag some of your insulin and glucometers could be ruined by the fluctuating temperatures. If you must put it in your checked bags, make sure to use a cool pack to keep it in working condition. Don’t use a freezer pack.

4. Do Your Best to Stick to Your Routine

Traveling can put a wrench in your diabetes schedule. Despite that, you should stick to it as best as you can.

If your flight is late, you could sit in a runway for what feels like ages, and the changing time zones could cause you to become hungry before you should. It can be confusing, so bring a few snacks you can chomp on in case you have a long wait.

You can have another person attending the flight store your snacks in a cold pack or let a flight attendant know so they can do it.

5. Let People Know About Your Diabetes

If you’re traveling alone, you need to let a few people on the flight and flight attendants know about your condition. It’s the best way to make sure you get from point A to point B safely.

This way, if the worst happens someone can quickly get you some help, or a flight attendant can grab some juice or soda for you in the event you experience a diabetic seizure.

6. Adjust Your Insulin

You need to inform your doctor at least a month before you make your trip due to the changing time zones. They need to be able to work with you to update your regimen.

Any new timezone will affect your diabetes shots, your healthcare provider will tell you exactly how, and help you adjust. The change will vary from individual to individual.

7. Prepare a Carry-On

You always want to prepare your carry-on beforehand. Even if the bag is heavy you want a majority of your supplies in it. It’s unfortunate but true, luggage can get lost in transit and you don’t want it to be your supplies.

It should be filled with not only your supplies but any travel snacks as well. Anything you need to get by should be in there. You also might want to throw some extra diabetic socks in your bag. You can go here to learn more about those.

8. Disconnect Your Pump

A sudden change of pressure can cause your pump to deliver a little more insulin than you want so you’ll want to disconnect it briefly when you take off and land.

Before you reconnect the pump, make sure you check for bubbles because those can cause you to get less insulin than you need. Practice safe insulin pump procedures to stay safe.

9. If You’re Going to Indulge, Indulge wisely

The buffets on cruise ships are some of the best food you’ll ever have but, that means you can easily overindulge. As tempting as it is, only fill one plate full of fresh fruits and other foods that are safe for you.

It might be hard to resist the desserts, so make sure you practice good portion control. Do that, and you’ll be fine.

10. Always Prepare for Emergencies

Most flights and cruise ships are fitted with medical kits, the quality of the medkit can vary from place to place though. You need to call ahead of time to find out what is included.

Learn how they handle emergencies, specifically those that may happen to you while on the plane, ship, or train.

Traveling with Diabetes and Having a Good Time

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t travel and have a great time. Use these tips to stay safe and make traveling with diabetes as seamless as possible. Prepare a carry-on and keep it with you at all times, enjoy the food but don’t go overboard, and talk to your doctor about adjusting your insulin.

You can do deep soul-searching on a vacation. To learn about the benefits of a soul-searching vacation, visit our blog.

 

Caring for What’s on the Surface: 3 Tips for Better Skin

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Beauty may be more than skin deep, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about what’s on the surface. Read on for 5 ways to achieve better skin.

Good skin: we all want it, but it seems that so few of us have it.

The good news? You don’t have to spend half your paycheck on expensive creams, or spend every night with your face in an ice bath, to get the results you want.

In this post, we’ll tell you about three of the most basic tips for better skin that even the laziest among us can master (that go beyond just getting more sleep.)

Read on to learn how to look younger, enjoy clearer skin, and of course, finally get skin that’s soft to the touch.

1. Stop Over-washing

Especially if your skin is a letter less blemish-free than you’d like it to be?

It can sometimes be hard to resist the temptation to wash your face as much as possible. You exfoliate every day, use a cleansing brush or sponge, and you apply as much toner as is possible.

But the secret to better skin is to actually wash your face less?

We’re not suggesting that you fall asleep with your makeup on — just that you wash your skin less frequently.

This will help to preserve healthy oils on your skin, and will ensure that your skin doesn’t over-produce these oils because you’re stripping them away so quickly.

2. Invest in Professional Treatments and Products

If you’re serious about how to improve skin, then you need to get the right treatments and products to make it happen.

Look for face creams containing salicylic acid to help keep skin clear, and aim to buy retinoids when you want to keep skin looking young.

You should also make regular chemical peels and laser treatments a part of your routine. Sometimes, you just need a professional touch.

Consider a cool lifting treatment to firm things up and stimulate collagen production.

3. Keep Your Hands Off

We know: that whitehead in the middle of your forehead is just begging to be popped.

But before you become your own personal version of Doctor Pimple Popper, stop to consider one of the most important tips for better skin: resist the urge to pick.

This only pushes the gunk that’s clogging up your pores deeper into your skin (yes, even if it looks like stuff is coming out of it.) This will cause you to get another eruption right next to the zit you popped.

Also, think about all the stuff you touch during the day.

Do you really want that on your face? Touching it too much could be the reason behind those breakouts.

To master how to have better skin, keep your hands off.

Getting Better Skin Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

If you follow the three tips in this post, then we’re sure that the better skin you’ve always dreamed of is within reach.

Looking for more ways to love yourself more and live your best life?

Keep on checking back with our blog for more beauty advice, self-care tips, and even info about how to plan the perfect vacation.

After all, we know you want to show off your great skin!

 

Why Adding a Detached Garage to Your Home is an Insanely Smart Investment

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Are you thinking about adding a detached garage to your home, but aren’t sure if it’s worth the money? Read on to learn why it’s a smart investment.

Equity is the name of the game when you own a home.

The improvements you make will make your life better and sweeten your home’s investment potential. If you really want a sweet investment home, installing a detached garage is just what you need.

Without question, installing one of these garages is one of the best investments you can make.

To learn more about why this is worthwhile, follow the tips below.

A Detached Garage is Essentially an Extra Room

People seek two variables when buying a home — rooms and square footage.

Installing a detached garage adds both.

When you set up one of these garages, your home instantly becomes more valuable, and the extra room is a selling point. You can use the garage for whatever you’d like.

Some people simply use it as a typical garage, parking their car or storing items. Other people turn it into a workshop or entertainment room. If you really want to get the most out of this investment potential, you can rent it out as a suite, bringing in extra income each and every month.

This is especially important since you can become an Airbnb host, which creates a year-round lucrative opportunity. Regardless of how you want to use this room, you can expect great ROI from it.

This is a Green-Friendly Investment

Installing a detached garage has eco-friendly written all over it.

For one, you’ll get a breath of fresh air and rays of sunshine every time you leave your home to access the garage. This improves your quality of life and gives you a reason to get outdoors.

This is also considered eco-friendly in practice because parking your vehicle in a detached garage prevents fumes from entering your home. Installing a detached garage allows you to get green-friendly certification, which is great for property ownership and tax breaks.

You’ll want to install the best sheds for eco-friendly practices, which includes recyclable building materials, quality ventilation and more. Get on the same page with your construction professionals to get the work that you need.

It is Low-Risk, High Reward

There’s nothing but upside with installing a detached garage. You can add a lot of value to your home, and the installation itself is incredibly inexpensive.

This work is simple and straightforward for contractors, which means that you will save money in labor costs. As a result, it’s much easier for you to get a great return on your investment.

When shopping for one of these garages, always look into the features that you want the most. This means shopping for everything from the color scheme to the types of windows you need.

Touch Base With the Best Contractors and Learn More

It’s vital that you touch base with as many contractors as you can to get the work that you need. When exchanging notes with these professionals, it’s easier to get the best work from them.

Additionally, take the time to do your own research. Drop by our site to learn about these sorts of projects and more.

 

7 Insanely Awesome Advantages of Investing in a Turnkey Rental Property

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Are you thinking about investing in a turnkey rental property? If so, read on to learn the insanely awesome advantages of a turnkey rental property.

Many experts agree that if you’re looking to invest in real estate, it takes a solid team effort.

Very few people can make a wise investment in rental property and perform all the required tasks on their own without a little help. Having an extensive understanding and knowledge of the real estate market is critical, and not everyone has that on hand.

This is a big reason why people start looking at turnkey rental properties. Maybe you’ve heard whispers about its ease of access and high returns.

If so, then we’ve got seven advantages of a turnkey rental property for you to check out here!

What is a Turnkey Rental Property?

Just as the name implies, turnkey properties are homes or apartment buildings that are fully renovated and ready for a tenant. Hence, the term “turnkey,” because the key is ready to be turned.

Turnkey investments involve investors who want to purchase properties, renovate them (or have them renovated), find tenants, and then have the property managed.

Often, turnkey rental properties can be fully managed through a company designed to do just that.

This option of investment is usually incredibly appealing for people who want to dip their toes into real estate without having to perform much of the time-consuming tasks.

So, let’s dive straight into the advantages a turnkey rental.

#1. Takes Very Little Effort on Your Part

One of the biggest advantages to a turnkey rental property and the reason why many people end up choosing it is for how easy it is.

A turnkey investment is a streamlined process that is often managed by a company.

Normally, when you invest in a property there are a number of things you need to do:

  • Research the market
  • Find the property
  • Purchase the property
  • Renovate the property if necessary
  • Screen tenants
  • Manage the property

It’s pretty much a dedicated job from beginning to end!

Not everyone has that kind of time or freedom, which is why a turnkey rental property is so appealing. A turnkey company can help you get started on your investment with very little effort on your end.

#2. Benefit From a Wide Knowledge Base

When you choose turnkey investments through a provider company, then you’re also taking advantage of the knowledge and networking connections they have.

Do you know where the best real estate investments are? Do you know how much they’ll cost, what the returns will be like, or when you’ll see them?

Maybe not. And that’s exactly why you want to pull from other people’s expertise.

So, for example, if you’re the kind of person finding yourself asking questions like, “Is it a good idea to buy a foreclosed home?” then there’s a good chance turnkey is for you.

#3. You Don’t Need to Live Near the Property

Maybe living near your investment property isn’t such a big deal. Maybe you were already intent on investing in property near where you live anyway!

The good news, though, is that a turnkey rental property doesn’t require you to live near the property.

This means you could be living in Florida and investing in real estate in Wyoming for all anyone cares.

It’s an important advantage, because the best investments may not be near where you live. And generally, if you were investing entirely on your own, it’s a very smart idea to live close by. You need to be available and on-call for inspections, repairs, meeting with tenants, etc.

As a turnkey investor, you don’t need to do any of that. The company finds the best investment wherever it may be and helps get you to where you’re going.

#4. Get Cash Right Away

As we’ve already covered, investing in turnkey properties is a very streamlined process.

The company has most likely found a suitable property in your price range and can have it all lined up rather quickly.

This means you can get to the returns on your investment for a passive income sooner rather than later.

#5. Diversify Your Portfolio

It’s one thing you may hear a lot of people say off-handedly: “Make sure you diversify your portfolio!”

Basically, diversification means that you invest in more than one area and/or by more than one means to reduce your risk.

It’s risky putting all your eggs in one basket (another thing people say), so investing in turnkey rental properties is another way to mitigate risk.

#6. Repairs Are Done “In-House”

Purchasing a property is only half the battle. Repairs and upkeep are not only time consuming but costly, as well.

One great thing about turnkey rental properties is that they often come with warranties. Just like almost anything you’d buy, a company often provides some kind of warranty for some timeframe. Meaning, at the beginning of your investment, repair costs are often covered and done for you.

Even after a warranty expires, many turnkey providers will offer to do the repairs with their own contractors, making the whole process easy and convenient.

#7. Tax Breaks and Deductions

A big draw for a lot of people with turnkey investments are the tax breaks and deductions.

Investors can reduce income tax by writing off many things from their investment, including:

  • Repairs
  • Maintenance
  • Mortgage interest
  • Property management fees
  • etc.

There are a lot of aspects to investing in a turnkey rental which can help with taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does have specific guidelines on this, though, so it’s important to read up on some of their real estate tax tips.

To top it off, profits are not taxed until the property has been sold. This means that if you’ve purchased a property for $200,000 and it has appreciated to $300,000 before selling, then that $100,000 is tax-free!

Honing in on the Advantages of Turnkey

You may be interested in a turnkey rental property investment but are hesitant. You may be asking yourself, “What does it mean? How much will it cost? What will I need to do?”

Hopefully, we’ve answered some of those questions today and shown you some of best advantages of turnkey investment.

If you’re interested in purchasing a home in a new city, check out this blog post here for more info!

 

Encouraging Staff To Relax in The Workplace Can Actually Increase Productivity

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If your staff relax, can they work harder in the long run?

Many employers find themselves trying to find new ways of getting their staff to “work harder” or more productively in the workplace. They want higher sales figures, bigger profits and ultimately, of course, more success. It may seem odd to suggest small ways of getting your staff to relax when you want to achieve all of the above. However, medical research has found that by relaxing, a person can focus more intently and work more productively afterwards. They can feel happier and more content with their surroundings, increasing and enriching their work output.

Here are some ways that you can encourage staff to get some rest in the workplace, which could ultimately benefit their productivity levels, and therefore your company;

Add a sofa to the tea room: Why don’t you add a comfortable sofa or some lounge chairs to the staff area in your office? This will encourage staff to sit down and relax on tea breaks. It is remarkable how much sitting back and relaxing can have on your stress levels. The Alexander technique suggests that by lying down, you can instantly reduce tension on your back and realign your spine. To try it for yourself, find a warm, quiet place where you can lie down or sit back for a few minutes (10-20 minutes is best for this to work, but even a couple of minutes will do you good).

Add fruit to your kitchen fruit bowl: Did you know that by offering fruit to your work colleagues, you can increase their productivity levels? When people are eating, they can also become more sociable and can bond as a team outside of work topics. They can sit back, relax, chat and eat some healthy snacks. This can only be positive on their mental stamina for the rest of the day. Adding apples, pears, bananas or cherries to your kitchen place at work, not only boosts staff morale but also shows your staff that you care about them. Fruitful office, a fruit delivery company that delivers fruit baskets to companies across the UK, found an 11% increase in staff saying that they felt more productive after the introduction of fruit in the workplace.

Yoga: Why not set up a free yoga session in lunchtime at your place of work? Yoga allows you to learn how to meditate and this can ultimately reduce your stress levels at work. This also does not cost a lot of money for you.

Check all desk chairs: A person’s posture when they are sat at their desk is often rigid, stiff and bad for the spine. It can cause a lot of back strain, headache issues and allows stress to build up in their upper shoulders. Make sure that all of your office chairs are well designed and are in line with the desk. A person’s wrists should sit comfortably on the desk and if this is not the case, then a wrist rest could be introduced as well as a keyboard typing rest.