Archives for 2012

Don’t Waste A Drop With A Plant Holder Dishrack

media_httpfarm8static_CHmAH.jpg.scaled500Those with a particularly acute eco conscience have likely already bid farewell to their energy-wasting dishwasher, but have they really gone the green distance?

Now, one doesn’t have to waste a drop of that rinse water with the Fluidity by DesignLibero.

The water that trickles from the washed dishes irrigates the plants. The base, thanks to its fluid form, directs the wastewater into the sections where are plant containers placed. Each container is perforated at the bottom for water passage. The containers are filled with clay pellets and coconut fiber, to control the water environment of the plant on the one hand and to keep clean the dish drainer base on the other hand.

This might almost making doing the dishes worthwhile, or, barring that, have two pots of dying herbs to serve as some much-needed motivation.

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Full story at DesignLibero via LikeCool.

Homeownership: The Biggest Investment Most People Make

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Gypsy entertainment in a plane

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The fourteen-piece gypsy band filled the aisles with music on the flight from Toronto to Frankfurt. Passengers cheered the orchestra, which was travelling to Europe to perform with a popular Romani band

Scroll down for video

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The science behind the short sale

A short sale is defined as a sale of real estate property where the proceeds fall short of the mortgage debt owed. While all short sales do not necessarily forgive borrowers’ deficiencies (the amount of the unpaid balance), they are often considered more favorable than foreclosures. How a lender determines whether a borrower qualifies in the first place is explained in this cdpe.com video.

Understanding the process from the start is critical, says Kay Maurer, short sale manager at Wells Fargo, reports MercuryNews.com. In a recent Silicon Valley Association of Realtors meeting, Maurer recommended these steps:

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  • Determine qualification for government programs (HARP, HAMP, HAFA).
  • Understand that short sales are processed on a first come, first served basis. Submit complete and legible paperwork. If the lender finds an error, the file is returned to the client, who has 72 hours to correct the mistake before losing their place in the cue.
  • Expect a minimum 60-day processing timeline.
  • Communicate openly and regularly with the lender and respond quickly to inquiries.
  • Make no assumptions.

The valuation process begins once the short sale package comes under review. The lender verifies the numbers, evaluating the borrower’s ability to pay the mortgage, the property value, and the purchaser’s offer against the total debt amount. If a short sale potentially offsets the loss incurred by a foreclosure, the lender will be more likely to approve it. Sellers who enlist the help and expertise of short sale negotiators or go it alone will need the patience and wherewithal to navigate what can feel like a muddy process.

Stunning Kitchen Update (Video)

Homeowners Desiree and Brian Bell wanted to change the look of their 1950′s kitchen into a room they could call their own. Lauren Lake of Spice Up My Kitchen recreated the old space into a traditional one with modern flair and functionality. See the results on this HGTV video.

Home Prices: It’s About Supply & Demand

HousepricesThe real estate market continues to heat up as we head into the summer. Will this increase in demand equate to an increase in home prices? That depends. Remember, the price of any item is determined by the supply of and demand for that item at any point in time. Let’s look at the facts as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in this month’s Existing Home Sales Report:

  • Demand has strengthened, showing a 10% increase over the same month last year.
  • The supply of homes for sale is down 20.6% from the same time last year.

Because supply is down and demand is up, many believe prices should begin to increase as we finish out 2012 and head into 2013. In some markets, this analysis is correct. However, there are certain states that still need to clear through a backlog of foreclosed properties which were delayed by the court procedures in those states. The National Mortgage Settlement gave the banks a clear path for releasing these distressed properties. Therefore, in several states, there will be a new supply of discounted inventory coming to market over the next six months. Whether that increase in supply will be fully offset by the increase in demand is still unknown. If not, home prices in those markets will still be under downward pressure.

A Unique Water Fountain That Displays Time And Patterns

osakawater-thumbA water fountain which is located in Osaka Japan at a public meeting place shows time with different patterns and flowers. It surely is a treat to watch this fountain with your eyes. Unlike normal fountains which throw water upwards, this fountain runs by throwing water from up to downwards. The most innovative feature of the fountain comes here, it runs on a microprocessor system that actually sprinkles the water in such an amazing fashion that it displays time to public and when not showing time, it displays different patterns such as flowers, vines and waves of bars.

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The timing and patterns are all controlled by a microprocessor and it can be changed to different sequences and patterns. This fountain is basically located in a Osaka shopping mall where the customers are more attracted towards this fountain than the shopping items. This is one of the first few such types of fountains to be installed worldwide. However, with time this concept will get popularity for sure and we will see more and more such fountains getting installed.Below is the video of this attractive fountain in action:[pb_vidembed title=”” caption=”” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOYRHt2cqM” type=”yt” w=”600″ h=”337″]

Maple Ridge Estates [Video]

A great home in Maple Ridge Estates

The U.S. Housing Crisis: Where are home loans underwater? [Interactive]

House-UnderwaterWith U.S. home values falling by nearly 25% since peak in 2007, many homeowners are now underwater in their mortgages, meaning they owe more than their home is worth. Search this interactive map to discover what percentage of homes in your county or ZIP code are in negative equity, based on Zillow’s first quarter 2012 data. Now keep in mind that the county data (which Zillow uses) are notoriously wrong (at least in King County).

Click image to search the data.

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