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Showing posts from 2013

Can you get a warranty on a used car with over 100k miles?

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I've driven some jalopies in my life and had great affection for a few of them. I've had two Pontiac Grand Prixs that lasted over 200,000 miles and never had anything more than structural issues. So, while I see some people calling folks crazy for ever getting an extended warranty (of any kind) I don't know if they're as crazy as they're made out to be. Case in point. My last Grand Prix, a 1998 that I sold in 2012, never had any major engine issues. What it did have was a problem with eating brakes. So while the car kept running well beyond its expected life span, the only thing that ate into my pocketbook were the rear brakes, which needed to be changed every two or three years. This, and a couple of other small issues with power windows got to be a little expensive. Once the car approached 100,000 miles I thought, "I wonder if I can get an extended warranty up to 200,000 miles?" I figured I could at least break even on my expected brake repairs,

Will your car insurance cost more in Grand Rapids?

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Flag of City of Grand Rapids (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) No matter where you live someone is always telling horror stories about the things that either cost too much or are remarkably inexpensive about where they live. This can range from property taxes, to gas to bread (REALLY expensive in Hawaii). But one thing that really seems to get people fired up is when it comes time to talk about the cost of car insurance. Unless you’ve just switched to a new company and seen a big savings, chances are you think you’re paying too much. In Michigan, this has been a complaint for years. Grand Rapids, the state’s second biggest city, this has been an increasing complaint as the city continues to grow and prosper. So is it true, do people in Grand Rapids actually pay more than the rest of Michigan? Or the rest of the country for that matter? No Fault’s Fault With Michigan drivers required to carry no-fault insurance, there is some truth to the high price gripes. This requirement provides

Relocating Tips

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No matter where you move, relocating is challenging. Although there is much involved in the process, remember the three most important things are selling your home, finding a good realtor, and buying a new home. Sell The first step to relocating is selling your current home. In order to do so, you should obtain a professional home appraisal so you can set an appropriate, yet competitive price that suits both you and the buyer. A home appraisal is an estimate of worth or an opinion of value that varies depending on several different factors. Some of those factors may include different property features, the surrounding neighborhood and community, the amenities that are available, and many more. Property features include things like the total square footage of the home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the kitchen, the number of garages, the overall condition of the home, the quality of landscaping, etc. Typically, a home that has more property features als

Green Housing in 2013

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The housing industry is still in one of the most depressed times in many recent years. With this down turn the focus to include green in a project may get pushed aside. Budgets are tight and many builders have the concept that green building costs more and in some cases it does. But it does not have to cost more and the suppliers in the building industry could help change the higher cost stigma. This post is directed more to the building material supply industry. Many in the industry have not engaged the green concept and are quick to tell customers it cost more to discourage the customer from wanting to be green. Like I said in some cases it does cost more up front. Look at an energy efficient window. It may have a higher up front cost but it does not cost more to install. But the higher cost is recouped from savings on the heating and cooling bill. Many products can be looked at this same way. What is the cost over two years, five years or ten years and then determine

Have you found your dream second home, but it’s not for sale?

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We've all had the experience of finding the perfect home while out for a weekend drive. Sometimes we even drive by that home on a regular basis, hoping that one day there will be a for sale sign out front (or we check the MLS listings and FSBO listings on a weekly – or daily – basis hoping to see it listed). The real estate market is still down, but that doesn't mean all local markets are suffering. Okversilia real estate  is very popular at the moment, and home buyers need to be aggressive when it comes to finding a home in that area. Using that site, you can look up homes for sale in Italy, search for land in Mexico, and buy Red Sea property". There are a couple of different options for trying to purchase a home that is not currently on the market. If a property appears to be abandoned or otherwise not being lived in, inquire with the town or county that it’s in to see if the taxes are up to date. If not, then you may be able to acquire the property for the amou

Finding a Local Real Estate Agent For You

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The purpose of obtaining a local real estate agent in is to avoid the hassles of selling or buying property without the advice or representation of a professional third party. You need the help of a Realtor to save precious time and money. They will generally be of great assistance to you by displaying a wide range of properties to purchase, or enabling you to market your home efficiently. Agents are required to demonstrate professionalism and diplomacy in order to cater to your needs. Research It is not likely you will find the ideal agent in  if you do not put a substantial amount of effort into it. Your success relies heavily on how much research went into finding a Realtor. It is important to put a lot of time and consideration into your decision before taking action. Consult with family, friends, and co-workers for referrals or spend ample time reading through profiles and listings on the Internet. Never settle for less than you deserve. Ask Questions During the proc

Benefits of Faux Log Siding

Faux log siding offers many benefits that are simply not offered by actual log siding or by other traditional types of siding. Real wooden siding or logs will generally not last a very long time; however, faux log siding usually lasts a very long time, and it is exceptionally durable in all weather conditions and climates. Faux log siding is generally two to three times thicker than vinyl siding, and its increased thickness is one of the features that makes it much higher quality than vinyl siding. Increased Wall Coverage Faux log siding usually offers increased wall coverage for homes. The wall coverage is a great feature that many owners of homes with faux log siding talk about as being one of their favorite features. It Looks Like Real Wood Faux log siding truly looks like real wood. After seeing a home with faux log siding, people many be very surprised to learn that it's not actually real wood. The beautiful, rustic features of faux log siding make it look like real w

Brevard County - An Emerging Market to Watch

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The real estate market of Florida has seen many ups and downs over the last few decades. Huge development was made in the 60s-90s to help sustain huge population growths, while at the same time the Florida market was one of the hardest hit during the credit bubble collapse. Much of the state is still a bit sluggish, but Florida as a whole continues to recover. Area's in particular include the Brevard County regional area in Central Eastern Florida. Foreclosures for  Orlando Medical City & Cocoa Beach Homes  have been decreasing consistently, and one would expect home prices to increase dramatically in the near future. Here are a few reasons few reasons why you should expect the real estate market to improve in such a particular area. Seniors Things haven't changed much when it comes to planning out retirement. You finalize your 401(k), you make sure your loved ones are taken care of, and then you move to Florida. Retired seniors continue to seek housing in Florida as