One of the simplest water features you can make is a fountain in a container, like this one.
Use any large pot. Terra cotta is particularly handsome. If the container does not have a drainage hole in the bottom, drill one or drape the pumps electrical cord over the rim. Disguise the cord by guiding a few stems of one of thensourroundinf plants along the rim. Set the freestanding fountain in a garden bed or border that has an electrical outlet nearby; using an extension cord is not recommended. If you think you will have a problem with mosquitos, add a few small goldfish, which will eat the larvae. The number of fish you can use, probably not more than two or three, will depend on the diameter and depth of the container.
1. Set a submersible pump in the bottom of the container
Using a pot that is at least 24 inches in diameter makes a splash and requires less water refilling than a smaller pot. Pull the pump electrical cord through the drainage hole of the pot.
2. Pull out enough cord
To be able to connect to the outlet, don't plug it in, and leave sufficient slack to raise the pump in the pot. Close the drainage hole with premixed quick drying cement. Let the cement dry thoroughly, follow directions on the package.
3. Seal the inside of the pot
Whether it's terra cotta, wood or some other porous material with a liquid water sealant that is labeled for use on wood. Let the sealant dry completely.
4. Elevate the pump in the center of the container
Place it on bricks to bring it a few inches below where the water's surface will be. Fill the pot with water and connect the pump to the GFCI outlet. Be sure the water level does not dip below the pump.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Friday, February 26, 2016
Top 5 Issues Found During A Home Inspection
As the Owner of EC Home Inspections there are issues we find almost daily in the field. While every home is different, in general most homes we inspect all have essentially the same type of issues. This list has been compiled after looking over the last few years and hundreds of our Home Inspections. This is the top 5 issues found during a Home Inspection. This is a checklist style article. I will be explaining the issues you should look for.
1. Electrical-
Make sure all outlets, GFCIs, switches work properly. Burnt out light bulbs should be replaced.
2. Water and Plumbing-
Drippy faucets, leaking plumbing, water damage and mold are red flags for greater problems.
3. HVAC-
Replace filters as needed. HVAC tune up service will help identify any issues that should be repaired.
4. Windows-
Windows should open and close freely and be free of cracks and fogging between panes.
5, Doors-
Doors should open, close and lock properly. Garage doors must have working safety features.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com
1. Electrical-
Make sure all outlets, GFCIs, switches work properly. Burnt out light bulbs should be replaced.
2. Water and Plumbing-
Drippy faucets, leaking plumbing, water damage and mold are red flags for greater problems.
3. HVAC-
Replace filters as needed. HVAC tune up service will help identify any issues that should be repaired.
4. Windows-
Windows should open and close freely and be free of cracks and fogging between panes.
5, Doors-
Doors should open, close and lock properly. Garage doors must have working safety features.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
How To Repair Vinyl Siding
Get some replacement vinyl siding stock. You're lucky if you have some leftover from the original installation. If not, take a sample of your siding to the hardware store or contractor siding supply for a match.
Your siding might be faded, in which case it will be hard to find a match. In this situation you might consider taking a piece of faded siding from the back of the house or other inconspicuous spot to use as a replacement. You can then cover that spot with a brand new siding that doesn't match as well.
Use a zip tool to remove the damaged section of vinyl siding. "Unlock" the siding from the top to the bottom.
Remove the nails from the damaged section of siding using a pry bar or the back of a hammer.
Use tin snips to cut off the damaged section. Use a framing square to ensure you cut in a straight line.
Cut a piece of replacement siding about 3" longer then the damaged piece you cut out using a utility knife.
Lock in the new piece by attaching its bottom hooks into the top hooks on the piece below.
Nail in the new piece on the top edge, in the nail hem. Place nails about 12" apart and leave about a dimes width between the nail head and the siding.
Lock in the top edge of the new siding with the zip tool.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Your siding might be faded, in which case it will be hard to find a match. In this situation you might consider taking a piece of faded siding from the back of the house or other inconspicuous spot to use as a replacement. You can then cover that spot with a brand new siding that doesn't match as well.
Use a zip tool to remove the damaged section of vinyl siding. "Unlock" the siding from the top to the bottom.
Remove the nails from the damaged section of siding using a pry bar or the back of a hammer.
Use tin snips to cut off the damaged section. Use a framing square to ensure you cut in a straight line.
Cut a piece of replacement siding about 3" longer then the damaged piece you cut out using a utility knife.
Lock in the new piece by attaching its bottom hooks into the top hooks on the piece below.
Nail in the new piece on the top edge, in the nail hem. Place nails about 12" apart and leave about a dimes width between the nail head and the siding.
Lock in the top edge of the new siding with the zip tool.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
How To Repair A Leaking Tub Faucet
Step 1: Make sure you have new parts available
You can fix most problems with the replacement parts availabile at hardware stores and home centers. A plumbing parts distributor will carry a much larger selection and may be able to special order hard to find items. There are thousands of different faucet replacement parts available, so bring your old parts to the store for a proper match. If your valve is highly corroded or the finish is wearing off, replace the entire faucet.
Step 2:
Pry off the handle insert
Shut off the water supply to the faucet and open the valves to drain excess water from the system. Pry off the handle insert with the thin blade of a pocketknife.
Remove the handle screw
Remove the handle screw. Then wiggle the handle and pull it off. If the handle doesn't come off, heat it with a hair dryer to free it. Be careful; if you pull to hard, it'll break.
Pop loose the handle
Turn the handle screw about halfway back into the stem. Position the handle pullers post against the screw head and press the arms together behind the handle. Turn the post clockwise until the handle pops loose. Remove the handle screw and handle. Then pull off or unscrew the escutcheon plate.
Remove the stem
Slide the bath socket onto the stem bonnet and turn it counterclockwise to break the stem loose. If it sticks, soak it with penetrating lubricant.. Unscrew and remove the stem.
Use a seat wrench
Press the seat wrench firmly into the center of the seat. Turn counterclockwise to snap the seat loose and remove it. If it sticks, soak it with penetrating lubricant. Coat the threads of the new seat with pipe dope and screw it into the fixture body with the seat wrench.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
You can fix most problems with the replacement parts availabile at hardware stores and home centers. A plumbing parts distributor will carry a much larger selection and may be able to special order hard to find items. There are thousands of different faucet replacement parts available, so bring your old parts to the store for a proper match. If your valve is highly corroded or the finish is wearing off, replace the entire faucet.
Step 2:
Pry off the handle insert
Shut off the water supply to the faucet and open the valves to drain excess water from the system. Pry off the handle insert with the thin blade of a pocketknife.
Remove the handle screw
Remove the handle screw. Then wiggle the handle and pull it off. If the handle doesn't come off, heat it with a hair dryer to free it. Be careful; if you pull to hard, it'll break.
Pop loose the handle
Turn the handle screw about halfway back into the stem. Position the handle pullers post against the screw head and press the arms together behind the handle. Turn the post clockwise until the handle pops loose. Remove the handle screw and handle. Then pull off or unscrew the escutcheon plate.
Remove the stem
Slide the bath socket onto the stem bonnet and turn it counterclockwise to break the stem loose. If it sticks, soak it with penetrating lubricant.. Unscrew and remove the stem.
Use a seat wrench
Press the seat wrench firmly into the center of the seat. Turn counterclockwise to snap the seat loose and remove it. If it sticks, soak it with penetrating lubricant. Coat the threads of the new seat with pipe dope and screw it into the fixture body with the seat wrench.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Friday, February 12, 2016
How To Replace A Refrigerator Door Gasket
A new gasket will help your refrigerator run more efficiently, which will save you money. So replacing a worn out gasket will pay for itself over time.
Take Off The Old Gasket
Remove the old refrigerator door gasket by grabbing the inside flange of the gasket and pulling it back to reveal the metal gasket retainer. Using a properly sized hex head nut driver, loosen but don't remove the retainer screws around the perimeter of the door and pull the old gasket off.
Install The New Gasket
Install the new gasket. Starting at one of the top corners, work the gasket lip behind the metal retainer then continue around the entire perimeter of the door. Use the hex nut driver to "snug up" but not fully tighten the gasket retainer screws. Close the door and check whether it has warped during the repair. If necessary, straighten it by gripping both the top and bottom. Push and pull the door, then close it and recheck for proper alignment. Repeat as necessary, then finish tightening the retainer screws.
Rub Petroleum Jelly On The Gasket
Prevent gasket drag by lubricating the hinge side of the door gasket with a thin film of petroleum jelly.
You can read similar articles online at
Take Off The Old Gasket
Remove the old refrigerator door gasket by grabbing the inside flange of the gasket and pulling it back to reveal the metal gasket retainer. Using a properly sized hex head nut driver, loosen but don't remove the retainer screws around the perimeter of the door and pull the old gasket off.
Install The New Gasket
Install the new gasket. Starting at one of the top corners, work the gasket lip behind the metal retainer then continue around the entire perimeter of the door. Use the hex nut driver to "snug up" but not fully tighten the gasket retainer screws. Close the door and check whether it has warped during the repair. If necessary, straighten it by gripping both the top and bottom. Push and pull the door, then close it and recheck for proper alignment. Repeat as necessary, then finish tightening the retainer screws.
Rub Petroleum Jelly On The Gasket
Prevent gasket drag by lubricating the hinge side of the door gasket with a thin film of petroleum jelly.
You can read similar articles online at
5 Things To Do Before You Sell Your Home
1. Get Rid Of Any Extra Furniture
This means that any furniture that doesn't serve a real, functional purpose needs to go. It can be sold, or just in storage, but it needs to get out of the house. You want as much of your space shown as you can.
2. Hide The Toys
Before taking any listing photos or showing your house, hide the toys. Unless there is a designated area used as a playroom, toys need to be hidden. Buyers want the spaces they are looking at to feel fresh, clean and grown up.
3. Open Doors
Be sure to open all of your interior doors before taking photos and showing your house. In photos, it helps the photos flow together so that the potential buyers can understand the layout of the home more easily. When showing, you don't want any big surprises. The potential buyers need to be able to easily walk from one room to the next.
4. Turn on lights
When showing your home, turn on all of the lights before you leave. This is especially the case if your house has light switches in strange places. The last thing you want the potential buyers to do, is search for your light switches. By having the lights on, it makes the home feel brighter and more cozy.
5. Good Smells
The smell of your home will be one of the very first things that the potential buyers register in their brains when looking at your home. Be sure it is a good smell!
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
This means that any furniture that doesn't serve a real, functional purpose needs to go. It can be sold, or just in storage, but it needs to get out of the house. You want as much of your space shown as you can.
2. Hide The Toys
Before taking any listing photos or showing your house, hide the toys. Unless there is a designated area used as a playroom, toys need to be hidden. Buyers want the spaces they are looking at to feel fresh, clean and grown up.
3. Open Doors
Be sure to open all of your interior doors before taking photos and showing your house. In photos, it helps the photos flow together so that the potential buyers can understand the layout of the home more easily. When showing, you don't want any big surprises. The potential buyers need to be able to easily walk from one room to the next.
4. Turn on lights
When showing your home, turn on all of the lights before you leave. This is especially the case if your house has light switches in strange places. The last thing you want the potential buyers to do, is search for your light switches. By having the lights on, it makes the home feel brighter and more cozy.
5. Good Smells
The smell of your home will be one of the very first things that the potential buyers register in their brains when looking at your home. Be sure it is a good smell!
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
How To Stage A Vacant House
To a buyer, a vacant house for sale often signals opportunity. The home will likely be available immediately and it may be reasonably priced because the owners have already moved. Buyers will make assumptions about a vacant house based on its curb appeal and condition, how long it has been on the market and whether the owners are still local or have moved cross country. These factors combine to give the buyer a sense of the property's value. To sell a vacant house for market value, it is vital that the homeowner effectively stage the home to enhance the buyers perception of its worth.
Set the property up for maximum curb appeal. Pay attention to the four most visible aspects of your house: the front door, the siding, the roof and the landscaping. Replace, repair, paint or renovate any of these features that have fallen into disrepair. Your investment will pay off handsomely.
Make sure the landscaping is meticulously maintained while the house is on the market. Nothing spells "bargain" like an unkept yard. If you have relocated beyond your driving distance of your vacant house, hire a landscaping service to regularly groom your property or have your realtor retain a lawn company to do the job.
Discontinue mail and newspaper delivery. Have any junk mail collected by a neighbor or your realtor. Set timers to have a couple of lights turn on at dusk, especially at the front door. You want to stage a vacant house so it appears well cared for and lived in.
Focus on interior details. When you stage a vacant house to sell, you want the buyer to sense that you are still invested in the property, that the house is anything but a bargain. Fix any holes in the walls, clean the carpets, shine the fixtures, and Windows, vacuum the basement and sweep the garage. Make sure there is no trash in the house. Ask a neighbor or your realtor to regularly air out the home.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Set the property up for maximum curb appeal. Pay attention to the four most visible aspects of your house: the front door, the siding, the roof and the landscaping. Replace, repair, paint or renovate any of these features that have fallen into disrepair. Your investment will pay off handsomely.
Make sure the landscaping is meticulously maintained while the house is on the market. Nothing spells "bargain" like an unkept yard. If you have relocated beyond your driving distance of your vacant house, hire a landscaping service to regularly groom your property or have your realtor retain a lawn company to do the job.
Discontinue mail and newspaper delivery. Have any junk mail collected by a neighbor or your realtor. Set timers to have a couple of lights turn on at dusk, especially at the front door. You want to stage a vacant house so it appears well cared for and lived in.
Focus on interior details. When you stage a vacant house to sell, you want the buyer to sense that you are still invested in the property, that the house is anything but a bargain. Fix any holes in the walls, clean the carpets, shine the fixtures, and Windows, vacuum the basement and sweep the garage. Make sure there is no trash in the house. Ask a neighbor or your realtor to regularly air out the home.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
How To Replace A Broken Toilet Handle
Tools you'll need:
-Crescent Wrench
-Toilet trip lever (replacement handle)
How To:
-Remove tank lid
-Unhook lift chain, taking note of which hole the chain is hooked to
-Unscrew inside nut and remove handle
-Insert new handle through hole and tighten the nut
-Attach lift chain using the same hole as before
Tip: Take the old handle with you when buying a replacement to ensure you get the right fit.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
-Crescent Wrench
-Toilet trip lever (replacement handle)
How To:
-Remove tank lid
-Unhook lift chain, taking note of which hole the chain is hooked to
-Unscrew inside nut and remove handle
-Insert new handle through hole and tighten the nut
-Attach lift chain using the same hole as before
Tip: Take the old handle with you when buying a replacement to ensure you get the right fit.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
3 Things To Not Do When Selling Your Home
We are entering one of the key times in the calendar for selling your house. If you are thinking of moving then you will be wanting to do as much as you can to help get your home sold ASAP, and as such I have put together a few of my favorite tips of what not tondo when selling.
1. Don't Show Day To Day Life
First and foremost, you need a buyer to fall in love with your home, and the lifestyle they could have in it. Moving house is all about imagining what life will be like somewhere else and most buyers look with rose tinted glasses, so the last thing you want to show them is that life is exactly the same in your house as it is in theirs.
2. Don't Leave Red Flags Showing
If you have anything on show that looks like it needs fixing, or looks to involve work and/or money to make right, you are leaving yourself open for lower offers or no offers from potential buyers. Buyers look to find areas that they can reasonably offer lower for your property, don't leave money on the table, it may take a day to honoring and sort everything out and that's time well spent.
3. Don't Be Negative
If you do the viewings yourself never be negative about your home. Never apologize for things and let the buyer make their own mind up about everything. Above all, never give a negative reason for why you are moving. Try something more positive, such as "I need to be closer to my work, but will miss this house" or "we are moving to be closer to family, but are sorry to move". If space is the issue then try and ensure that rooms aren't cluttered as this will show buyers that you don't have enough room.
Best of luck with selling your home!!
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
1. Don't Show Day To Day Life
First and foremost, you need a buyer to fall in love with your home, and the lifestyle they could have in it. Moving house is all about imagining what life will be like somewhere else and most buyers look with rose tinted glasses, so the last thing you want to show them is that life is exactly the same in your house as it is in theirs.
2. Don't Leave Red Flags Showing
If you have anything on show that looks like it needs fixing, or looks to involve work and/or money to make right, you are leaving yourself open for lower offers or no offers from potential buyers. Buyers look to find areas that they can reasonably offer lower for your property, don't leave money on the table, it may take a day to honoring and sort everything out and that's time well spent.
3. Don't Be Negative
If you do the viewings yourself never be negative about your home. Never apologize for things and let the buyer make their own mind up about everything. Above all, never give a negative reason for why you are moving. Try something more positive, such as "I need to be closer to my work, but will miss this house" or "we are moving to be closer to family, but are sorry to move". If space is the issue then try and ensure that rooms aren't cluttered as this will show buyers that you don't have enough room.
Best of luck with selling your home!!
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Friday, February 5, 2016
The Secret To Getting Leads From Your Real Estate Website
Getting real estate leads from your website is simple. However, simple does not mean it's easy. Here is the step-by-step approach that breaks down the secret to getting leads online. This will get you great results if you consistently put effort into these things.
Email Conversion=Leads
It's as simple as that. You can't sell in social media with Facebook and Twitter pushing down brand awareness. SEO won't automatically get you more leads. Getting leads all comes from building up traffic to your website.
Social & Real Estate Websites
Listen, SEO and Google traffic are great. They really are. But this type of traffic comes after social proof. Google wants to see your website be socially popular before they send traffic your way. Googles business model is built around them giving quality information and websites to their users. They want to help you succeed and put your site on the first page. But only if it's quality. They judge quality based on traffic you get from social media.
Post In Facebook Groups
In order to do this, you'll have to craft your content around the community you are writing for. A lot of neighborhood associations have Facebook groups, write something specific for that neighborhood and post it to the group.
Post to Instagram daily
Honestly, this social network is huge. Spend 1 week just studying what people in your area post to the network and then schedule posts to go out.
Pin To Pinterest Daily
Pinterest has the best demographic out there for real estate. Plus, the network drives more traffic.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Email Conversion=Leads
It's as simple as that. You can't sell in social media with Facebook and Twitter pushing down brand awareness. SEO won't automatically get you more leads. Getting leads all comes from building up traffic to your website.
Social & Real Estate Websites
Listen, SEO and Google traffic are great. They really are. But this type of traffic comes after social proof. Google wants to see your website be socially popular before they send traffic your way. Googles business model is built around them giving quality information and websites to their users. They want to help you succeed and put your site on the first page. But only if it's quality. They judge quality based on traffic you get from social media.
Post In Facebook Groups
In order to do this, you'll have to craft your content around the community you are writing for. A lot of neighborhood associations have Facebook groups, write something specific for that neighborhood and post it to the group.
Post to Instagram daily
Honestly, this social network is huge. Spend 1 week just studying what people in your area post to the network and then schedule posts to go out.
Pin To Pinterest Daily
Pinterest has the best demographic out there for real estate. Plus, the network drives more traffic.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Real Estate Lingo 101
The process of buying your first home can be intimidating enough, until you realize there's an entire language of terms you need to learn to fully understand the process and then things become even more daunting. From the different types of mortgages to the process of putting in an offer and then closing on a property, real estate brokers will toss around terms and phrases that may go right over your head. Fear not. We polled some experts and compiled a list of must know lingo to help you navigate this intense but exciting process.
ADDENDUM
A separate document form describing a change or addition to the initial purchase agreement. Addendum a can be used for many items, for example changing the closing date.
Appraisal
The appraisal is the process of determining the value of the home. This is required by the lender and organized by its choice of an impartial professional appraiser. The results may not be the same amount as the selling price. If the value comes back lower, it could result in additional negotiations between the buyer and the seller.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage
A mortgage that has a fluctuating interest rate. ARMs may have lower initial interest rates for a set time and then start to adjust according to an index.
Certificate Of Title
This proves that, that property is legally owned by the seller and no other institution or party has any claims.
Closing
This is when they buyer, agent or lawyer, and the escrow agent meet with the seller and their representatives to finalize the purchase. This will incur fees known as closing costs which include attorney's fees, a loan origination fee, and other charges totaling around six percent of the house.
Comparative Market Analysis
This unseen a homes market value is determined in order to come up with a fair asking price. This will be done by a broker who will find the CMA by comparing the home to other similar properties in the vicinity that have recently sold.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
ADDENDUM
A separate document form describing a change or addition to the initial purchase agreement. Addendum a can be used for many items, for example changing the closing date.
Appraisal
The appraisal is the process of determining the value of the home. This is required by the lender and organized by its choice of an impartial professional appraiser. The results may not be the same amount as the selling price. If the value comes back lower, it could result in additional negotiations between the buyer and the seller.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage
A mortgage that has a fluctuating interest rate. ARMs may have lower initial interest rates for a set time and then start to adjust according to an index.
Certificate Of Title
This proves that, that property is legally owned by the seller and no other institution or party has any claims.
Closing
This is when they buyer, agent or lawyer, and the escrow agent meet with the seller and their representatives to finalize the purchase. This will incur fees known as closing costs which include attorney's fees, a loan origination fee, and other charges totaling around six percent of the house.
Comparative Market Analysis
This unseen a homes market value is determined in order to come up with a fair asking price. This will be done by a broker who will find the CMA by comparing the home to other similar properties in the vicinity that have recently sold.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
4 Tweaks You Can Make In One Day To Improve Your SEO
I'm going to be talking to you about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Everyone harps on it, and it can be boring. I also know that you've never seen success from SEO, and that you once read from an expert that you should ignore it completely.
The majority of good SEO isn't about doing a range of complicated things in order to rank in search. In fact, it's much the opposite; it's all about removing the roadblocks that are preventing you from ranking in search.
1. URL Improvements
Creating a good URL is absolutely vital for both search visibility and social sharability. The problem? What's great on one medium is very rarely great on the other. I try to find happy middle grounds, with keyword optimized URLs that are still brief and easy to share on social media.
2. Increase Internal Links
Ever wondered why a post contains a load of links within the text, even though the text seems to flow naturally? These are usually included when an author has a knowledge of SEO, and they'll be linking to a range of resources that will benefit the reader throughout the post. Not only will it benefit the reader, but it will also benefit a sites search rankings. If you're frequently linking to other posts on your site, ones that genuinely benefit your reader, you'll build up the trust signals pointing to your posts. Trust plays a HUGE factor when it comes to google deciding where they're going to rank you. To balance this out, linking out to high quality external resources, again ones that benefit your reader, can help prove to google that you're a trustworthy site.
3. Add Image Alt Tags
If you're using images on your site, you need to make sure you're adding in 'alt' text when prompted. Without alt text, the image is adding no context for big G. If you add alt text, Google can understand exactly what your image is, if of course your alt text is accurate and descriptive.
4. Boost Site Speed
With the continuing rise in popularity of mobile browsing, page speed is playing an increasingly crucial role in where a website ranks in Google. In fact, speed plays such an important role in modern search that Google are even experimenting with 'slow' labels in search for sites that aren't performing well.
The majority of good SEO isn't about doing a range of complicated things in order to rank in search. In fact, it's much the opposite; it's all about removing the roadblocks that are preventing you from ranking in search.
1. URL Improvements
Creating a good URL is absolutely vital for both search visibility and social sharability. The problem? What's great on one medium is very rarely great on the other. I try to find happy middle grounds, with keyword optimized URLs that are still brief and easy to share on social media.
2. Increase Internal Links
Ever wondered why a post contains a load of links within the text, even though the text seems to flow naturally? These are usually included when an author has a knowledge of SEO, and they'll be linking to a range of resources that will benefit the reader throughout the post. Not only will it benefit the reader, but it will also benefit a sites search rankings. If you're frequently linking to other posts on your site, ones that genuinely benefit your reader, you'll build up the trust signals pointing to your posts. Trust plays a HUGE factor when it comes to google deciding where they're going to rank you. To balance this out, linking out to high quality external resources, again ones that benefit your reader, can help prove to google that you're a trustworthy site.
3. Add Image Alt Tags
If you're using images on your site, you need to make sure you're adding in 'alt' text when prompted. Without alt text, the image is adding no context for big G. If you add alt text, Google can understand exactly what your image is, if of course your alt text is accurate and descriptive.
4. Boost Site Speed
With the continuing rise in popularity of mobile browsing, page speed is playing an increasingly crucial role in where a website ranks in Google. In fact, speed plays such an important role in modern search that Google are even experimenting with 'slow' labels in search for sites that aren't performing well.
Simple Article On Seo Ranking Factors
Obviously you need your website to be seen first on the search results when anyone googles your product or service, but how would you really accomplish that #1 positioning? SEO specialists talk about this apparently in finishing conundrum each and every day, but as a matter of fact, there are a large number of variables that decide how a website page is indexed with regards to a specific keyword.
SEO seems like a magic to most of us, but there is a science to it. There are many factors that help building your rank. Not all those factors are equally important, but some are indeed must haves. Search engines like Google reward web pages with the right combination of ranking factors. In short, SEO is about ensuring your content generates the right type of signals.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
SEO seems like a magic to most of us, but there is a science to it. There are many factors that help building your rank. Not all those factors are equally important, but some are indeed must haves. Search engines like Google reward web pages with the right combination of ranking factors. In short, SEO is about ensuring your content generates the right type of signals.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Asbestos: What is it, how can it affect me
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
How Can Asbestos Affect My Health
From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer in the forms of mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity and asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increase with the number of fibers inhaled. The risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is also greater if you smoke. People who get asbestos have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.
Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos, as all Home Inspectors are in our daily lives, do not develop these health problems. However, if disturbed, asbestos material may release asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain there for a long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material that would crumble easily if handled, or hat has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is more likely to create a health hazard.
You can read this article in its entirety at https://www.nachi.org/asbestos.htm
How Can Asbestos Affect My Health
From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer in the forms of mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity and asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increase with the number of fibers inhaled. The risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is also greater if you smoke. People who get asbestos have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.
Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos, as all Home Inspectors are in our daily lives, do not develop these health problems. However, if disturbed, asbestos material may release asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain there for a long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material that would crumble easily if handled, or hat has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is more likely to create a health hazard.
You can read this article in its entirety at https://www.nachi.org/asbestos.htm
How To Budget Your Money Guideline
Whether you're a parent with two kids or a recent college grad working your first job, this 50/20/30 guideline can help you assess your budget. Learnvest planners often use this approach working with new clients to help illustrate the big picture of where their money is going.
Our guideline breaks your budget down into three buckets. It's designed to help you determine the order in which your money can be allocated.
50/20/30 Broken Down
1. Fixed Costs
These are bills and expenses that don't vary much from month to month, like rent or mortgage payments, utilities and car payments. We also include subscriptions, such as gym memberships and Netflix accounts, in fixed costs because you're committed to paying them on a monthly basis.
When it comes to fixed costs, planners generally suggest that you aim to keep your monthly like total no more then 50% of your take home pay.
2. Financial Goals
Planners typically recommend putting at least 20% of your take home pay toward important payments or contribution that will help you secure your financial foundation. We believe there are three essential goals everyone should strive for: paying down credit card debt, saving for retirement, and building an emergency fund. But your financial goals can also include larger savings priorities, like a down payment on a new home.
3. Flexible Spending
Finally, consider budgeting no more than 30% of your take home pay toward flexible spending. These are day to day expenses that can vary from month to month, like eating out, groceries, shopping, hobbies, entertainment, or gas.
We include groceries in flexible spending because even though food is a necessity in your budget, how you spend on food can vary. Some weeks you might eat out more, while others you may buy more to cook at home. Planners often say that it doesn't really matter what you spend your money on each month in this category, as long as you're aware of your spending and not going over your budget for the month.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
Our guideline breaks your budget down into three buckets. It's designed to help you determine the order in which your money can be allocated.
50/20/30 Broken Down
1. Fixed Costs
These are bills and expenses that don't vary much from month to month, like rent or mortgage payments, utilities and car payments. We also include subscriptions, such as gym memberships and Netflix accounts, in fixed costs because you're committed to paying them on a monthly basis.
When it comes to fixed costs, planners generally suggest that you aim to keep your monthly like total no more then 50% of your take home pay.
2. Financial Goals
Planners typically recommend putting at least 20% of your take home pay toward important payments or contribution that will help you secure your financial foundation. We believe there are three essential goals everyone should strive for: paying down credit card debt, saving for retirement, and building an emergency fund. But your financial goals can also include larger savings priorities, like a down payment on a new home.
3. Flexible Spending
Finally, consider budgeting no more than 30% of your take home pay toward flexible spending. These are day to day expenses that can vary from month to month, like eating out, groceries, shopping, hobbies, entertainment, or gas.
We include groceries in flexible spending because even though food is a necessity in your budget, how you spend on food can vary. Some weeks you might eat out more, while others you may buy more to cook at home. Planners often say that it doesn't really matter what you spend your money on each month in this category, as long as you're aware of your spending and not going over your budget for the month.
You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html
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