Locking in Your Utility Rate with Solar

Posted on January 15, 2015 by James Florence

Modern consumers are relying on electrical power more than ever—a fact made apparent by the growing prominence of electric vehicles. The problem is that power rates aren’t static; they increase exponentially in proportion to increases in usage. So, if your power bills are out of control, it’s time to seriously consider installing a solar power system on your property.

The exponential correlation between usage and utility rate is something electric vehicle owners are finding out the hard way. Read more

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How to Get Your To Do List Done

Posted on December 01, 2014 by Maria Onrubia

 

 

3 How To Get Your To Do List Done

 

John Maynard Keynes got it wrong, at least according to Elizabeth Kolbert. Read more

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Posted in: Consumers, Diamond Certified Experts, Home Tips, Personal Stories, Savvy Tips
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Realty and Reputability: The Importance of Choosing a Dependable Agent

Posted on November 18, 2014 by James Florence

While it’s not uncommon for real estate agents to offer client incentives or reduced commission rates, there’s a point where an overabundance of promises should be considered a red flag. Tori Atwell, broker associate with Alain Pinel Realtors, gives a true life example: “I had clients who returned after spending seven months working with a ‘discount’ agent. The agent enticed them by offering to give them most of his commission. Seven months later, they weren’t any nearer to getting a home, and they missed out on numerous opportunities. Read more

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Painting the “Fifth Wall”: The Importance of Ceiling Color and Sheen

Posted on October 29, 2014 by James Florence

When planning to repaint a room, it’s easy to get preoccupied with choosing wall and trim colors. However, there’s one wall that many people neglect to address altogether: the ceiling (also known as the “fifth wall”). Even though its role in a room’s aesthetics is somewhat subtle, a ceiling’s function is nonetheless crucial; in some cases, it may constitute the difference between a good-looking room and a great-looking one. Read more

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Preparing Your Home for Winter with Fall Maintenance: Part 2

Posted on October 14, 2014 by James Florence

We recently updated this post and added more content. You can read it here.

While Part 1 of this blog series outlined important weatherproofing measures to protect your home against water and air leaks, this segment addresses a second, equally crucial aspect of winter home preparation:

Make sure vital heating systems are performing safely and efficiently.
There are two fixtures you don’t want to break down in the middle of winter: your central heating system and your hot water heater. Losing either of these crucial home components can make for an extremely uncomfortable situation, so it’s a good idea to make sure they’re in good working order before the cold weather sets in. Read more

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Defense Against the Dark Arts: Four Expert Tips and One Simple Trick to Avoid Locksmith Fraud

Posted on October 08, 2014 by Maria Onrubia

If you’re locked out of your home or car, you might assume that googling “locksmith” or pointing to a random name in the phone book will yield a positive result. However, as it turns out, choosing a locksmith at random is a risky move. According to Gary Lekan, Read more

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How it Is: I Got Scammed by a Locksmith

Posted on October 08, 2014 by Maria Onrubia

Scammed by a locksmith
Listen.

I delete emails from down-and-out Nigerian royalty. Stranded hospital-bound strangers get nothing. And when Bernie Madoff made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, I said, “No way!” Or I would have, if he had…you get the drift. Consequently, it is with great humility (and some shame) that I admit this in a public forum: I got scammed by a locksmith—or more accurately, a con artist posing as a locksmith. Here’s how it happened.

One bright fall morning, I carefully locked all the doors to my house, walked my kids to the bus stop and handed my only house key to my son (who had forgotten his). Read more

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