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If you are in the process of refinancing your mortgage loan, your new mortgage lender may require an appraisal prior to approving your loan. Here is what you need to know about appraisals, including tips to help maximize the equity in your home.

Your home's appraisal is a written estimate of the market value of your property. Mortgage lenders use the appraisal to determine how much of a mortgage you qualify for. When you are refinancing your mortgage, the appraisal will also determine how much equity you own in your home. If you will be borrowing against this equity, the lender will most likely require that you pay for a new appraisal prior to approving your loan.

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The appraiser is a licensed professional that will do a market analysis of sale prices for similar properties in your neighborhood and evaluate the condition and amenities of your home. The appraisal will require a thorough inspection of your home inside and out.

When you are refinancing your mortgage your goal is for the appraised value to be as high as possible. There are a number of improvements you can make to your home that will improve the appraised value of your home; however, don't go overboard. New carpet and a coat of paint will go a long way to improve the appraised value. What you don't want to do is purchase top of the line appliances; these purchases rarely give you enough of a boost in your home's value to justify the expense. The best thing to do is make sure your home is up to snuff with your neighbors as far as the amenities and add-ons you invest in to improve your home's value.

When searching for a home appraiser, look for an experienced professional licensed in your area. Your realtor may be able to recommend a good one; if you are not able to find a recommendation try contacting the Appraisal Subcommittee. The ASC maintains a database you can access on their website to help you locate a licensed appraiser in your area. You can learn more about your mortgage and the appraisal of your home by registering for a free mortgage guidebook.

To get your free mortgage guidebook visit RefiAdvisor.com using the link below.

Louie Latour specializes in showing homeowners how to avoid common mortgage mistakes and predatory lenders. For a free copy of "Mortgage Refinancing: What You Need to Know," which teaches strategies to find the best mortgage and save thousands of dollars in the process, visit Refiadvisor.com.

Claim your free guidebook today at: http://www.refiadvisor.com

mortgage appraisals for dummies

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Exercise is an important part of any weight loss regimen. But with busy schedules, we all want to know which exercises will help us lose the most weight quickly.

Broadly, there are two types of exercises: aerobic and strength training (or anaerobic), and each one contributes differently to weight loss. Aerobic exercise burns fat calories while you are engaged in the exercise itself. On the other hand, strength training primarily contributes to weight loss by helping to increase the speed of your resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is the number of calories your body burns while you are at rest. Your RMR actually increases (i.e., burns more calories) the more muscular your body is because it takes much more energy to maintain muscles than it does to maintain fat.

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Important note: remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so some strength training exercises will make you healthier and more attractive while not necessarily contributing to weight loss. But, muscles are a "good" kind of weight and you should aim to build more muscle in order to help keep body fat at bay.

Here are 5 tips for exercises - both aerobic and strength training - you can do at home to lose weight quickly.

Tip #1: Squats: Your buttocks and leg muscles are the largest muscles in your body. Every day in front of the mirror, put your feet at shoulder width while facing forward and squat down-and-up 10-20 times for 2 or 3 sets. This will build your leg and buttock muscles. As you build up strength, try holding 2 or 5 pound dumbbells in your hands while you work out. Be sure to warm up first, and stop if you notice any sharp pain in your knees.

Tip #2: Pushups: Pushups are a form of strength training: during a pushup your arms have to support up to 70% of your body weight. Do 2 or 3 sets of 20 pushups to build arm strength and increase your RMR.

Tip #3: Jumping jacks: Jumping jacks are an excellent whole-body aerobic workout you can do right at home. Do 4 or 5 sets of 20 jumping jacks, or as needed. Hint: if you live in an apartment or stay in a second-story bedroom, be considerate of your neighbors by going outside or doing these in a first story room.

Tip #4: Fast walking: While walking is in itself a great aerobic exercise, fast walking is even better for burning fat. Make sure you really stretch first and warm up with regular walking. Once you start your faster walking pace, try to maintain as much speed as possible for as long as you can. If you get tired, try doing intervals of fast walking followed by short periods of slower walking.

Tip #5: Stepping: Stepping is a great way to get your heart beating and to burn calories. You can use your stairs at home, but for best results I suggest buying specialized stackable step mats and stack them up to at least 15 inches (38 cm). Do 2 to 3 sets of 20 steps each to begin. Even though you may not feel like the stepping is helping, it is! This exercise will not only help you lose weight but will also help shape up your buttocks and legs.

An important element in a strategy to lose weight quickly at home is to do a combination of exercises that build muscles (strength training) while burning fat (aerobic exercises). Start a regimen of most or all of these exercises 2-3 days/week and watch the unhealthy fat melt away.

Looking to burn more fat, faster? Try a proven new formula for success: The Diet Solution Program.

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If you are going to build a new home you need to waterproof the foundation of it so you won't have a wet basement in just a few years.

There are different waterproofing products and systems on the market so it really can be confusing. Hence what are your options?

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Here is the short overview of the most common foundation waterproofing systems to help you to decide:

1. Liquid rubber foundation waterproofing membranes

Are elastomeric polymerized coatings made from liquid rubber - the same quality material your car tires are made from.

Advantages: They are easy to apply, quick to dry, cold applied. You can do it by yourself, by using sprayer, roller or trowel. The liquid cures into an elastic rubber coating, able to fill up current small holes and bridge possible future cracks in foundation wall as the building settles down. Rubber is flexible. They also usually come with a long warranty, and many are environmentally friendly with low solvent content, or solvent free. Very economical.

Disadvantages: Possibility of inconsistency in coverage, but the newest products will help you to determine the "right" thickness by the intensity of color, i.e. if you apply the product and you see any lighter patches, you just add more liquid. Additional surface preparation and curing may be required. If there are bigger cracks or holes in the structure you have to fill in with cement or other trowel-grade material before applying the overall coating. Also some of the liquid membranes require longer curing times for the concrete before they can be applied to insure proper bonding.

2. Hot applied Liquid Rubber Foundation waterproofing product:

It is a rubberized asphalt compound that forms a strong, flexible monolithic waterproofing membrane. Can be also applied on roofs.

Advantages: Adheres to virtually any structural surface. Ideal for rough uneven surfaces. Monolithic, free of seams, watertight, eliminates water migration and buildup of moisture. Offers strong protection because of the way it has to be applied.

Disadvantages: The surface has to be primed by primer first. The cost is higher because the product has to be applied in layers - basically you apply first coat of hot liquid rubber, then you have to quickly firmly press on the fabric reinforced sheet into that hot layer, then apply a second coat of hot liquid rubber waterproofing. Also, depending on the local building code you may have to apply 2 or 3 of these sheet layers. Because of this, the elasticity is low. And because it is Hot you have to be very careful - the best is to have it applied by a certified specialist.

3. Sheet membranes

The most common are self-adhering rubberized asphalt membranes composed of rubberized asphalt laminated to a waterproof polyethylene film.

Advantages: The biggest one is consistent thickness because they are "pre-made" to a required standard. Mechanically strong, resistant to hydrostatic pressure. Cover even the bigger holes or damaged areas.

They can be applied to concrete, metal, wood or masonry surfaces.

Disadvantages: Harder to apply because of their very high "stickiness", also the cost for in-place is higher. Application requires at least 2 people to put in on properly.

Requires lots of additional work = additional cost. If there are irregularities on the surface you want to put a sheet on they have to be smoothed first with some coat to make the surface even. You also would need to learn of joint treatment, lap joints, corners, penetration, priming, patching etc. And once the piece is down you won't get it back up in reusable condition.

4. Cementitious Waterproofing

Is a cement based flexible waterproofing membrane. It can consist of Portland cement, sand acrylic mixture, plasticizer and other active waterproofing chemicals to increase it's durability and effectiveness.

Advantages: Very easy to use, just mix the powder with water according to manufacturers recommendation and apply with brush or trowel. Very accessible - available from suppliers of masonry products, or specialized dealers. Paintable. Also comes in a variety of colors. In most cases one coat is sufficient, although some areas may be needing a use of the reinforcing mesh. Low cost. Corrosion and weather resistant. Can be applied as a positive or negative side waterproofing.

Disadvantages: No flexibility - cement does not stretch, so as the structure settles down there are the possibilities of the future cracks. Before applying the surface has to be free from protrusions, gaping cracks, oils, paints, water repellents and any other foreign material that could act as a bond breaker. Holes must be filled with approved block filler.

5. Bentonite Waterproofing

is a bentonite clay below-grade foundation waterproofing product which consists of sodium bentonite clay sandwiched between 2 layers of woven and no-woven puncture resistant polypropylene fabric. Comes as a clay panels and sheets.

Advantages: Can absorb tremendous amount of water. And as it takes the water in the clay swells and pushes itself into cracks and voids where it stays permanently as a barrier against the water. It is flexible and resistant to most chemicals. Non-toxic, non-polluting. No fumes. Can be applied in cold weather.

Disadvantages: Because of the way the clay works the seal does not form until the foundation is backfilled and the water reaches the bentonite material, which means you cannot confirm the integrity of the seal.

Summary:

As you see a lot depends on your own situation, needs, requirements and what you feel comfortable with. The best way is to talk to the experts, check the manufacturers requirements especially for the concrete curing time, temperature limitations and additional labor requirements. Yes, waterproofing of the foundation can seem to be expensive at the first glance, but remember that it is a Long-term solution which when applied properly will save you lots of time, headache and money in the future, so please, don't skimp on it.

For more info about waterproofing visit [http://homehouseresources.com/category/waterproofing/] where you can find many more Resources and Tips on Home Improvement, Home Repair, Home Security, Home Financing, Decorating, Remodeling, Do-It-Yourself Tips, Residential Contractors, How To Advice and more... Visit [http://www.homehouseresources.com]

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When decorating a teen boy's bedroom the decor you decide upon will depend on the teen in question. But there are a number of different ideas that you can explore and these bedroom decorating ideas for a teenage boys space will hopefully produce a room that they will enjoy.

Color

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It is a good idea to paint the walls of your teen's room in deep or vibrant colours (such as purple or blue) and then use lighter coloured furniture which will provide accent to the walls.

Wall Art and Shelving

Normally the wall art you should be looking for to decorate a teen boy's room is murals with a sports theme or motor sport theme. Look at very modern shelving in order to display any trophies that they may have on them.

Bedding

When choosing the bedding for your teen boys bedroom is to go with the flow and use that which links in to the overall theme of the room.

For example if you teens room is based on a surf theme then you could paint the walls in an ocean blue colour and then cover them with surf and surfer murals. There are plenty of places where you can purchase bedding that will perfectly match the theme that they have.

Or why not go for a solid colour theme to the room and use other colours in small amounts which will enhance the overall design of the room.

Study Area

When decorating your teen's bedroom include an area for them to study. Each teen will have a different way in which they study and there are many types of different tables available which will suit your particular teens study needs.

Lastly but by no most least when you are looking at bedroom decorating ideas for teenage boys then you should wherever possible involve them in the whole process. You should allow them to have a say as to what colours, theme and designs they want included in the decorating as well as what kind of furniture they would like to have.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs And Decorations where you can get more bedroom decorating ideas and find out more about teen bedroom design.

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A bench can become the perfect solution for your ongoing home improvement projects. A bench becomes part of your life as you are blessed with a lifetime of memories. While sitting on a bench memorable conversations unfold, conversations with your parents, spouse, loved ones or friends. A bench is a place where some receive their first kiss or a much needed hug in a period of crisis or a simple touch from your spouse that reinforces your years together. A person can relax, think and experience many peaceful moments by adding a bench to their home improvement plans. There are many different kinds of benches to choose from.

As a bench quickly becomes the center piece of your home you can choose from a cubby bench, deacon bench, fly tying bench, potting bench or a teak bench. These benches are different in a variety of ways. With the proper information you will be able to make an informed decision.

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A cubby bench is a sensible way to store all of those things that seem to always be in the way. This type of bench is great for a child's play room and other areas of the house where things seem scattered. A cubby bench usually consists of three open cubbies designed for storage and a firm bench seat. You can leave the cubbies open or you can put baskets into the slots. The baskets will give your cubby bench a sense of tidiness. This bench is available in beautiful cedar, oak, maple or teak wood. Parents love the cubby bench because of its convenient space storage; children appreciate the private space to sit with friends and to store all of their comforting treasures.

If you are looking for a trendier bench, the deacon bench may be just what you need. A deacon bench offers a place to sit, chest storage and adds a touch of attractiveness to any room or space. Most furniture stores carry this type of bench and they usually range in price from 0 to 0 dollars. This is a preferred bench for both style and storage. It is a great addition to any home.

Benches are made for indoor and outdoor use. Many people enjoy having a bench on their porch or in their patio area. During the summer an outside bench is a wonderful piece of furniture to have. Many times families like to sit outside, enjoying a warm summer breeze, while sipping homemade lemonade. This is a perfect opportunity for family time and the chance to create many lasting moments.

No matter what your home improvement plans are make sure to include a bench. Patio and lawn chairs are only made for one whereas benches are made for two. Have many romantic and heart-warming moments as your new bench quickly becomes your favorite piece of furniture. Any of the above mentioned benches can be purchased at many stores, online or through catalogs. Some enterprising individuals even like to build their own bench adding an extra touch of sentimental value. For more information on benches visit http://www.bench411.com .

Visit, subscribe to and bookmark: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com for your home improvement projects & tips.

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Page through home catalogs and you see taupe. Check out the latest fashions and you see taupe. Cruise new neighborhoods and you see taupe. This brownish-gray color is the darling of the home and fashion industries. The popularity of the color is surging because there are so many shades of taupe. Do-it-yourselfers have picked up on the trend.

In response to customer demands, many paint companies have come up with shades of taupe. Behr paint, for example, has its White and Light Collection. This collection includes shades of taupe that go from Parisian Taupe, to Indulgent Mocha, to Pale Bamboo. Some shades have more brown in them, while others have more pink.

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Glidden also produces various taupe colors and, like all paint companies, the colors have fantastic names like Meditative Moment and Bistro Beige. As descriptive as the names are, they may not help with your color choice. How can you find a shade that works for you?

Find the brightest spot in the store and look at a color swatch. Flourescent lighting changes colors, so take the chip outside and look at the color again. Bringing fabric and carpet swatches will also help you find the right shade. Buy a small can of paint and try it on a small section of wall. Since changing light changes the color, look at your sample paint job during the day, at dusk, and at night.

Your painit homework may not keep you from disappointment. The Home and Garden TV Web site has a message board and one home owner pleaded for help. He painted the walls of his renovated bathroom taupe and was dismayed with the result. "Every color I put up against the walls makes taupe come across as slightly mauve," he wrote. The home owner repainted the walls.

The Garden and Hearth Web site discusses taupe in an article titled, "Interior Design Colors: Taupe," by Sarah Van Arsdale. She describes taupe as a neutral color and a good choice for walls, but you have to choose the right taupe. "Be careful not to make a room too dark, " warns Van Arsdale.

A dark shade of taupe will make a small room appear smaller. Taupe also darken angular spaces. While taupe can be the basis of a neutral decorating scheme, Van Arsdale says you don't want your scheme to be bland. Adding textue with pillows and upholstery, plus colorful accessories, will keep this from happening.

Taupe is really a family of colors -- beautiful, rich, adaptive colors that go with all design styles. It's a great color choice if you're planning to move and a great color choice if you're planning to stay. With a little detective work you'll find the right taupe for you.

Copyright 2008 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 29 years. She is a member of the Association of Healt Care Journalists and the Association for Death Educaiton and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com You will find a review of the book on the American Hospice Foundation Web site and the Health Ministries Association Web site.

Log onto http://www.harriethodgson.com to learn more about this busy author and grandmother.

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When it comes to choosing the right doors and windows for your home, you may find that you are spoilt for choice. There are so many different types of doors and windows to choose from! There are several factors to consider when buying windows and doors.

Factors to consider when buying doors.

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Doors are a little different from windows because you don't have to consider glass panes. All you need to know is the type of materials that your door will be made of, and the designs that appeal to you. However, if you want to let in more light, you can consider installing French doors, which we will discuss shortly.

Doors can be made from different materials. The type of materials that you choose will affect the price of the doors. Doors can be made from wood such as teak, mahogany, cherry wood, and others. Doors can also be made from uPVC, which is a special plastic material that is very commonly used in the chemical industry.

uPVC is a type of hard plastic. It's known to be very durable. Unlike wood, it is not prone to flaking, rusting or rotting. Both uPVC doors and windows are available.

If you want to brighten up the interior by allowing more light to come in from the outside, you may want to consider installing French doors. French doors come in elegant designs. They come with glass panels, and light is allowed to stream into the interiors through these glass panels.

When considering glass panels, you may wish to take a look at double glazed glass panels. Double glazed glass panels cost a bit more. That is because they are made with not one but two glass panels that are sealed together. There is a pocket of air between these two panels, and this pocket of air acts as an insulator.

Double glazed glass panels help save energy in the long run. When the weather is hot, the glass panels help keep the interior temperature cool by keeping out heat rays. When the weather is cold, the glass panels help to keep the interior warm by reflecting heat rays back into the home. This helps to save heating and cooling costs in the long run. The insulation air layer also helps to insulate against noise pollution. Compared to ordinary glass panels, they are harder to break and last longer.

Once you have decided on the materials that you would like to use for your doors and windows, you should decide on the design. The design that you choose for your doors and windows should depend on your overall theme. For example, if you have a holiday resort theme, and all your furniture is made of wood, you may want to choose wood as your primary material for your windows and doors as well.

The important thing here is to know that there are no lack of designs. Speak with a professional door and window installer and find out more about the designs available.

If you are thinking of having your doors or windows replaced, visit http://www.LocalQuoter.net . Local Quoter will find you three cheap windows quotes from suppliers in your local area.

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A healthy and lush lawn is the envy of all homeowners. Keeping a lawn looking great requires a good lawn sprinkler system. There are many options in a lawn sprinkler that will allow you to choose the system that is best for you and your lawns needs.

Initial Considerations

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The first thing you need to know before ever choosing a lawn sprinkler system is that your lawn has different needs in the different areas. What works for your front lawn may not work for back lawn. Shaded areas may not need the water that sunny spots do. You have to keep this is mind and choose lawn sprinkler according to these factors.

Types of Lawn Sprinklers

Here are is a run down of the different types of lawn sprinklers you will have to choose from and their characteristics.

Spray Sprinkler:

- Good for small spaces

- Produces a large concentrated spray

- Pop up and stationary models available

- Best used on flat ground

- Best used on a cycle timer

Rotor Head Sprinkler:

- Good for covering large areas

- Produces a small amount of water coverage

- Allows for a good absorption rate

- Single or double head models

- Available in models that spray in all directions

Drip Sprinkler:

- Good for water a specific plant

- Rate of drip varies widely

- Come in a tube design

- No spraying on needless areas

Making your Choice

You should choose your lawn sprinkler system based upon your needs. You need to choose a system that will provide you with the type of coverage and amount of coverage that you need.

Make sure that you choose a sprinkler system that works with your chosen method of application. You need to decide if you are going to go with a timer or manual method of turning off and on the system.

Setting up a lawn sprinkler system is something that you can do on your own or you can choose a professional to install it for you. Your choice should be based on the system you choose and the amount of sprinkler needs you have. It is best to go with a professional if your needs are complex. Make sure you do not try to install something yourself before ensuring that you can handle the job. Having a professional fix your mistakes can be more costly then just having them install the system in the first place.

Maintaining your lawn is not that hard. All you need is the right information and resources that will guide you to the maintenance. You can do so by visiting our website at http://www.myhomeresourcecenter.com and learn more about home improvement and how you can improvement your Lawn Sprinklers

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Laminate flooring is widely available in a number of colors, allowing you to pick the look and feel that is right for each room easily.

However, before you go ahead and spend a good chunk of change on laminate flooring, it is wise to make sure the color your pick is in harmony with your home décor. There are a number of things to consider for this.

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Matching Colors

Your first consideration should go to how good a match is the color of your chosen laminate flooring to the other colors present in your home. For instance pine laminate flooring comes with a slightly glossy finish, and you need to check if this works with the rest of your home. Take a look at all the various wood items in your house like skirting boards, fireplaces, window frames and furniture.

Fair colored wood works well with a neutral décor whereas cherry colored laminated flooring, with its deeper, darker red shade, will bring together a room that suits this particular hue.

Your choice of color may also be influenced by how the room is used. It is particularly important to consider whether an area is likely to get a lot of foot traffic, and pick a color that can cope with it. A light color may not be adequate where there is a lot of passage, as it would show dirt more than darker shades of wood.

In addition to choosing one of the many available colors, picking the right laminate flooring for your home also needs to take the pattern into account for a pleasing end result. You can opt for flooring that shows off the natural grain of the wood, or go for a more intricate look by selecting various sizes of floorboards. The internet is a good source for browsing and comparing patterns. Arranging the boards in a more detailed configuration may take longer but the resulting effect should be worth the additional effort.

Before you decide on what laminate flooring to buy, bear in mind the two main color considerations that will ensure the end result is in keeping both with what you like and with the rest of your home. In the first instance pick a pattern that suits you as it will become part of the overall design. Next decide on the color: as a wide variety is available, go for something that fits in well with the rest of the room.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on this subject for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. You can find more information and resources on laminate flooring at his website.

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