Tilt Up Construction : An Old Method With New Conceptions For The Modern Builder

By John Stevens

Ideally a tilt up construction job will start by firstly putting all the necessary components needed to form a slab together on site. Footholds will be prepared round the slab area were the panels will be hoisted or lifted up once they are formed.

Ordinarily, the form is created with wooden tacks that are joined together. The forms resemble a cast for the cement panels. These forms will allow for the panels' accurate shape and size to be molded, for openings for doors and windows, and ensure the panels meet the design specs to enable them to correspond with each other.

Next the workers will start connecting the steel grid of reinforcing bars into the form, to intensify the strength of the panels. Inserts will be placed as well as embeds to enable the panels to be hoisted safely and without damage to the structures. They will also be attached to the footing and the roofing and eventually tied to each other. The work area underneath the form is cleaned and all debris must be taken away to render the area spotless for the concrete pouring.

This is where phrase tilt-up construction get's it's name:

Accepting that the slabs have neatly set into concrete forms and the desired shape, and formed within the desired specifications, the wooden forms will now be removed. Once that has taken place, the crew will start hooking the cables onto the inserts and likewise, hook the cables onto the crane. A crane will always be heavier than the slabs so that it would not topple over.

Now the crane will gently lift the panel from the slab into a perpendicular position above the footholds. Workers will continually help guide the concrete panel into position while the crane adjusts it into place. Quickly they join the braces of the panel to the slab and attach the embeds to the footing, and unhook the cables from the crane. This tilt up construction process is repeated until all panels are in place. - 31366

About the Author:

If you are planning to build a house with tilt up construction in Perth, Australia, Make sure to visit RandDBuilding.com.au as they are one of the best niche builders for stylish concrete homes in Western Australia.

Buying Blinds or Window Treatments: 5 Design Considerations

By Chris Stanley

As a homeowner making a window treatment or blinds purchase it's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there: promotional pricing, options, features, custom design choices, etc. Getting the details right is vital. If consumers aren't in the know they'll inadvertently miss details that will end up making a difference in the look and feel of their final product. Homeowners looking to improve the look of their home, increase the curb appeal or increase the value of their home should make window treatment purchasing high priority.

When purchasing window treatments homeowners should take into account the following list of 5 Design Considerations. Doing so will aid them in hitting the main points so they end up with window treatment products (blinds, shades, etc.) that suit their needs and fulfill their intended purpose. While there are many more details to consider during the window blind and/or shade purchase...this partial list will keep consumers on the right track.

1. Always remember that your blinds and other window treatments are going to be a part of the decor of your home. They will be one of the very few aspects of your home that will be visible from the inside and the outside. So don't forget that they need to accent the design scheme you currently have in place.

2. You've got your own set of priorities; don't let them get pushed aside during your search for blinds. If pricing is your most important factor...stick to your budget. If you are set on getting the very best energy efficiency products available then don't look at products that don't offer this advantage. Know what you're looking for and look for it.

3. Consider the long term price of the product. Don't take the price of every product and compare them equally. Some energy saving products offer long term savings that will quickly offset the initial cost of the products. Take these factors into consideration up front and you may find that you can afford a higher quality blind or window treatment than you at first assumed.

4. Consider you and your family's privacy and security. Some rooms/areas require higher levels of privacy and/or security. For instance, you'll want full coverage possible in bedrooms and bathrooms (especially those on the first floor). Consider the design of your home and how you utilize your interior space so you can appropriately decide which areas need to have low levels of "privacy" and which require complete "privacy." This will make a big difference in the type of window covering your choose: shades, blinds, etc.

5. Consider safety issues. The most vital safety issue when it comes to window treatments and/or blinds occur when homeowners have small children in the home (or small children in and out of the home). There is a very wide array of cordless window treatments that avoid the issue altogether and most professionals in the industry lean heavily towards cordless options for most available products.

Purchasing updated blinds or other quality window treatments is the quickest, easiest, and most affordable method to increase the value of your home. In addition it is also the quickest way to update the home decor without the expense of purchasing new home decor. And energy efficient products can decrease the household's monthly energy expense drastically.The benefits are there for the taking, consumers just need to know what to look for and then make sure they don't settle until they've found it. - 31366

About the Author:

Chris Stanley is a window treatments expert at Blinds Chalet. Blinds Chalet has over 25 years of experience in the window coverings industry and strives to educate consumers about purchasing and installing window blinds before they buy. Focusing on high quality, company tested and approved window treatments at affordable prices, Blinds Chalet is a resource for all things window blinds related.

Canadian Real Estate And How The Market Has Changed

By Darlene Strang

If you are hoping to invest, Canadian real estate is a topic which may interest you greatly. You may be surprised to learn that some key differences have come about in the recent past and that will occur in the near future that may radically change your ability to purchase properties. These include mortgage changes and taxation differences. Keeping on top of them can help you prevent costly mistakes that can set you back months or even years.

Some of these changes have been brought about by the CMHC. The CMHC is the ruling body that basically sets lending practices for mortgages in Canada. They provide mortgage insurance and set housing related policies. Because they provide mortgage insurance for lending institutions, if they determine that lending practices have changed, many banks will go along with the decision. There are times that this has benefited people who want to invest in homes and commercial buildings as well.

When you purchase any building, you are required to pay a down payment in order to secure a mortgage. For people who have already built up equity or who have money saved, this is not an issue. However, many first time residence buyers who did not have a down payment were able to secure a mortgage using a no down payment mortgage. This was excellent news for many people and caused a surge in sales. On the surface, it seemed as though these lending decisions were a benefit to the economy.

The practice was mirrored in the United States and a property boom resulted. However, in time people in the States were no longer able to afford their purchases and many of them suffered foreclosure. This was in part due to the practice of high risk lending to customers with bad credit records. Suddenly, in response to the massive foreclosures and other factors, the CMHC re-evaluated the program. It was ultimately canceled in October 2008. There are many people who are not aware that this has changed. Now, a down payment is required once again for any mortgage.

The ability to amortize your mortgage over a longer time period has also ended. Typically, buyers will choose to finance their properties over a twenty or twenty five year period. For a time, it was possible to amortize your purchase over a forty year period but this is no longer an option. The CMHC canceled this program at the same time as it canceled zero down payment mortgages. This may end up causing problems for people who are trying to buy into markets where purchase prices are much higher. Cities such as Vancouver and Victoria on the West Coast have very high land prices. Many people cannot afford to purchase there with a standard twenty five or thirty year mortgage.

There is a change which is coming for residents of Ontario. The government will be introducing a new Harmonized Sales Tax in July of 2010. This will combine the GST (goods and services tax) and the PST (provincial sales tax). It will mean that items which are currently not being charged PST will suddenly increase in price by eight percent. This is not as big a deal on smaller purchases but will affect the cost of buying a new home significantly. Unfortunately, it will also affect the cost of other house related expenses such as utility bills as these will now suddenly be subject to an eight percent increase as well.

As you can see, there have been some fairly significant changes to property investment in general. There will continue to be changes and so it is important to look into buying property well in advance of deciding whether or not to invest. - 31366

About the Author:

Visit the Condos Edmonton website for more on real estate news, great properties and buying and selling advice from Edmonton's top Realtor.

Realty News: Trends To Look For In Recovery Areas

By Cassie Best

The forecast of realty news has been showing not to expect the housing market to recuperate in at least a year. There have been some areas that have not experienced the same bust as others.

Part of why these areas will recover the fastest is due to the unemployment rates being lower which means there are more stable jobs in the area. This makes these areas a better bet for the residents to remain and allows the city to maintain the tax income for budgets.

Omaha, NE is one of the best examples of a place that will recover quickly. They have diversified their job market and have expanded past the agricultural backbone. While this is still a major industry, the biofuel technology has also helped them keep their unemployment rate to five percent, and they did not speculate in the same areas the other financial markets did, leaving theirs going strong. This has kept the housing stable, and sales still going on with less loss to the price of the homes then in other areas.

Texas markets are also set to recover quickly. San Antonio will recover in a large part due to the four military bases in the area. Even in the worst of times, the military will remain active. Dallas has diversified with technology and information while Houston has kept up with energy demands and changes and is no longer solely dependent on the oil industry. How it translates to realty news is in the fact that Texas did not see the housing prices rise to unparalleled levels even the housing sales were good. Unemployment and foreclosures are also down in these areas, which will help them recover quickly.

The Northeast will also be able to recover quickly, especially the more industrialized areas. Many of these places watched manufacturing decline and added additional types to their areas, which will help them recover. Places like Pittsburgh also did not see the upswing to the market other areas did, which kept their housing more stable. Experts are warning that this recovery will likely not include upstate New York, however.

The cities may not be doing well, at least economically currently. Some are actually in trouble as is the rest of the country. The housing market is doing all right in these areas because many of these places did not see the growth of other urban areas and when the bottom fell out, they were not as affected by it. Home sales have also been relatively stable, even if they're experiencing lackluster results. This also helps foreclosure rates to not climb as well.

These examples can help you recognize the models for recovery, and can help you determine the areas most likely to turn a profit in the future. Look for places with less overall unemployment, diverse ranges of jobs and that do not have a high foreclosure rate. When people start buying homes again, these will be the areas that pick up first, which can help you make initial sales faster then others.

Realty news at the moment is not full of promises that cannot be kept. The much of the news is showing no real recovery may you can latch trends to be able to profit when the economic situation improves. - 31366

About the Author:

The realty news shows that there does not seem to be recovery in sight in any of the financial markets, and the housing market may not recover any time soon. More info now on http://www.rerunrealty.com

What Repairs To Do Initially When Rehabbing Investment Properties

By Gavin J. King

Getting started always seems to be the most difficult phase of any process. Once off the ground however, the progress should be rapid and well planned. This is not an uncommon problem among people who rehabilitate homes. Many times the most glaring issue that is wrong with a home is not easily discovered. Finding a good place to start will help you keep your rehab project proceeding in the right direction. Just to help you get started on developing your own rehab manifest, here is a short list of places you may consider starting from.

Establishing a well planned series of repairs, with acceptable time goals will help you out. Always use a realistic deadline for specific items and projects to be completed. Will the repairs and improvement be completed in three weeks? A week? Once this time-line is understood, make an effort to finish the project before or on the deadline.

Now you can start the demo. During this phase you will be removing any undesirable components of the home. This includes any parts of the home that may slow your rehabbing process even a little. It can range from cabinets to appliances. You can consider changing out old windows for modern vinyl models. You can always donate them to the needy or to material stores that specialize in re-using those materials. Then you can apply those funds to your budget. If the old paint needs to be scraped, then it will go as well.

Now, on to the bigger types of issues. Remember, rehabbing houses means you are operating with a tight budget. Keeping a list that tracks your most important repairs and accounts for them first will help you stay on budget. Always remember to pull building permits while fixing anything structural. After that you focus on the obvious cosmetic repairs. Anything to do with any substance or material that directly support the roof is considered a structural repair.

The HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) will be carried out next. Followed by any necessary electrical and plumbing changes you plan on implementing. Cosmetic repairs or beautifying improvements will follow. Cosmetic changes may include updating light fixtures, new mop boards and any repainting that needs to be done. - 31366

About the Author:

The author enjoys writing articles about short sale specialist in boise idaho & boise idaho real estate. Click on the links above to learn more about these topics!

Hints For Employing A Contractor

By Gavin J. King

Whether you are a business or an individual who needs some work done on your house or a building, you will need to know how to go about choosing a contractor who won't let you down. One of the most important things you must understand is exactly how to pick the best contractors from the not so great ones, and especially how to avoid the contractors who will not do a good job cleaning up or send you some crazy bill that is over their estimate.

The following tips are designed to help you make sure you hire the best guy for the job and that you will get your moneys worth from your construction project when you are done.

The best advice is to interview at least 3 construction managers before deciding on any of them for your construction project and don't allow them to be shifty in any of their answers or change topics either. The only thing you have at your disposal is their reputation with either the BBB, local chamber of commerce or the consumer affairs department of your local attorney generals office.

One sure fire way to tell that a contractor takes their own business seriously is if they answer any and all questions you have in a prompt and thorough manner. Don't neglect to ask any questions regarding materials, fees, bills, waivers, or any other issue that you are not sure about, or may have concerns over the course of a construction project.

Another great way to test if the contractor you have in mind is any good is their initial reaction to your question regarding local references. You can bet that if you let them know a bit of code, and they are not confident in their abilities, they may refuse to give you their references.

Making your decision to hire the contractor will probably have to wait until you can confirm their references and interview them in person first. Finally, when looking for the right contractor, you should stick to what your gut instinct tells you, because chances are it is right. - 31366

About the Author:

The author enjoys writing articles about boise idaho short sale specialist & reo agent in boise idaho. Click on the links above to learn more about these topics!

Proper Installation of Window Treatments Depends Upon Proper Measurement

By Chris Stanley

Properly installing window treatments is impossible if the process didn't begin with proper window measurement. Sadly, many novice shoppers fail to recognize the importance of measurements until it's too late.

Inaccurate or improper measurements of your windows will lead to shoddy installation. Shoddy installation will lead to a dissatisfaction with your window treatments purchase. Improper installation can leave noticeable gaps between the treatment and the window casing that are obvious even at 1/8 inch.

There are simple guidelines you can follow to ensure you have the basic measurements you need to get started. You may find that the product you eventually end up with requires additional or slightly altered measurements, but starting the process off with the appropriate basic measurements is important. You will use them to gather estimates on pricing and unless the product you choose to purchase requires "special instruction" measurements you'll be ready to go with your exact measurements when it's time to buy.

If you aren't sure which type of window treatment you are looking to purchase you should probably take two separate sets of measurements. One would be for any window treatment that mounts inside a window frame/casing and the other would be for any window treatment that mounts to the wall above the window.

For products that mount outside the window casing you need to take three measurements vertically and three measurements horizontally. Don't do too much estimating or rounding up or down. Take exact measurements; recording the measurements all the way to 1/8 inch. If you decide to purchase and install horizontal blinds you'll add 3 inches to the length and width measurements. But when mounting vertical blinds products you'll add 4 inches to the width measurements and 3 inches to the length.

For interior mount products you will again take the three measurements running in each direction. And you will again be as specific in your measurements as possible (to the 1/8 inch). You'll take your longest vertical measurement and your shortest horizontal measurement to use in your calculations and product ordering.

When mounting inside the window casing you'll also need to take a depth measurement. This is so that your product will be able to mount and hang flush with the interior wall after installation. The depth measurement is taken between the interior wall and the window. You should be able to access depth requirements for any products you are considering easily on their list of specifications.

These basic measuring guidelines can't guarantee that you're installation will go smoothly and perfectly. But it can definitely get your search for the right window treatments off to the best start. You'll have what you need for cost estimates and you'll have the ordering and installation measurements you need for the majority of window treatment products out there. - 31366

About the Author:

Chris Stanley is a window treatments expert at Blinds Chalet. Blinds Chalet has over 25 years of experience in the window coverings sector and strives to educate consumers about purchasing and installing window blinds before they buy. Focusing on high quality, company tested and approved window treatments at affordable prices, Blinds Chalet is a resource for all things window blinds related.

15 Things You Need To When Purchasing Real Estate.

By Patricia Quinn

1. Talk to multiple agents. Don't think you have to sign on with the first agent you meet.

2. Read paperwork carefully. At some point, your chosen agent will ask you to sign an agency agreement. It's usually a boilerplate document, but be sure to read it carefully all the same.

3. Consider the "vibe" factor. You might be working with this person anywhere from 2 to 12 months, so it certainly helps if you like them on a personal level.

4. Practice self-reliance. Don't over-rely on your agent when it comes to finding a home. Get out there and do some hunting yourself. It's a necessity, but it's also exciting!

5. Ask plenty of questions. Don't be shy about asking the sellers questions, if they're home.

6. Consider shopping, dining and the like. Is the home near the places you frequent, or will it be a long drive?

7. Check out the zoning. Are you surrounded by residential areas, or is there a soon-to-be-used commercial zone right across the street?

8. Bring a "disinterested witness." A level-headed friend or family member will help you judge the pros and cons of each home.

9. Bring a notepad. Jot down some notes about each home, and label each page by address.

10. Think five years ahead. Will the home still suit your needs if your family grows?

11. Use your agent's experience. It might be your first offer, but your agent has probably seen dozens.

12. Plan the closing date. This will normally be agreed upon during the offer process.

13. Read up on RESPA. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act protects you from unethical lenders. Familiarize yourself with it.

14. Consider paying points. A point is one percent of the loan amount. Paying points can lower your interest rate. Look into whether or not it's a good idea for your situation.

15. Visit the mortgage section of your banks website. You can learn about everything mentioned above, in much greater detail. - 31366

About the Author:

Find out more about buying and selling real estate by dropping by our website at: Quinte Real Estate

Why You Should Consider Concrete Homes

By Steve Marcus

These concrete homes have been around for a bit now, and they are becoming more popular. Allowing you have a very durable home that will save you money and stand up to a lot of different things. In fact these homes will look like any other home that is built, yes even those wood framed homes.

You know that saying about a home is your castle, you can build your own durable castle with this type of construction. One that is going to be able withstand almost anything that Mother Nature will send your way. Plus you will not have to give up on comfort or the design of your home. This type of house is becoming very popular, just for the reduction in the cost of heating and cooling bills. Plus it's also popular for being able to stand extremely high winds. Such as Hurricane Katrina that hit Louisiana a few years back.

During 2005 about' percent of the homes that were built would be these concrete houses. Now they most likely are around about every one of the six homes that are placed up. The most popular way of building these homes is through the ICFs, or insulating concrete forms. Some of them are removed, while most will be placed down and stay.

Placing the forms up is very easy, and they stay in place very well, almost like putting a puzzle together. The forms themselves are made of high density foam that is made from plastic. You will have those forms filled up with that concrete, and also placement of steel bars in them. This will give you wall that is strong, and insulated very well. It will be able to not only resist high winds, but also fires. Once they are up and done you can place any type of material up on them. Making them look as if they were a regular home.

You most likely won't even notice a home that is made of concrete in this way. Because most likely it's going to have something covering it, like stucco or even siding.

They are being put up all over the place and are very popular. Especially for those people who live in locations where they see big changes in the temperature. - 31366

About the Author:

If you are living in Perth, Australia and thinking about building one of those stylish and energy efficient concrete homes, You may want to visit RandDBuilding.com.au as they are known to design and build quality concrete houses using tilt up construction.

Why You Have To Mull Over Concrete Homes

By Jack Donnars

When you have a home that is concrete homes you are getting a home that will be very durable, and will save you money. You can have a home that looks exactly like a wood framed home too. But by getting the concrete houses you are getting many benefits.

You know that saying about a home is your castle, you can build your own durable castle with this type of construction. One that is going to be able withstand almost anything that Mother Nature will send your way. Plus you will not have to give up on comfort or the design of your home. This type of house is becoming very popular, just for the reduction in the cost of heating and cooling bills. Plus it's also popular for being able to stand extremely high winds. Such as Hurricane Katrina that hit Louisiana a few years back.

Actually back in 2005 about' percent of those homes that were put up were concrete homes. Now it can be said that about one of every six homes that are put up are made of concrete. One of the most popular ways of building these homes has been the insulating concrete forms, better known as ICFs. Using forms and pouring in that ICF they will than remove the form.

The ICFs are extremely easy to work with and stay in place. Made of a plastic that is high density foam. You will have those placed together than the concrete will be poured in the forms, also steel bars will go into the form. It will be creating a wall that will be well insulated, plus resistant to those strong winds, and fires. After they are placed up, you will be able to place most any material onto it making your home look just like a wood framed home.

It's hard to notice these types of homes in your neighborhood. Since most of them are covered b y stucco or brick or even siding.

These homes are being built all over the place. But they are becoming very popular in those areas that face big changes in the climate. - 31366

About the Author:

If you are living in Perth, Australia and thinking about building one of those stylish and energy efficient concrete homes, Make sure to visit RandDBuilding.com.au as they are known to design and build quality concrete houses using tilt up construction.

Some Financing Things to Help During the House's Purchasing Process

By Adriana Noton

Finance home tips are something that everyone can use when they are looking to buy a new home. The process stays the same, but seems to change at the same time. Looking around on the Internet can prove to be very useful, but make sure the information that is being obtained is not misleading or just outright false. Here are a few things to get the process started when you want to buy a house.

Talking to only one real estate agent and believing everything that they say can be a dangerous road. While their interest should be that of the buyer or seller, it is also motivated by a commission that is at stake. In the end, they are going to do whatever it takes to make the sale. Prepping on the Internet for what can be expected may just put up those red flags when necessary.

During the internet search, seek sites that offer live chat help. If that is not available, there should be an email or forum page where questions can be asked and answered. Live chat is always good because sometimes the question will only take a second and not require any research. Getting an answer instantly is obviously much better than waiting around for an email to be answered.

For those that are buying their first house, there is sure to be a multitude of questions. Remember that there is never a stupid question and any doubt should be alleviated before moving forward with the process. One of the most common concerns and something that many new home buyers are not prepared for are the closing costs that must be paid before the sale can go final. These costs are often over and above everything else and can add significant money to the purchase if the buyer has to pay them.

Because of this, it is always good to research exactly who is responsible for what. In a time like this where the buyer often holds the upper hand, they can require that the seller cover all costs or there is simply no sale. With hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake, the seller will sometimes decide that it is better to eat a couple of thousand rather than risk losing the sale.

Mortgage rates are often very similar from company to company. Again, the Internet is going to prove to be a useful tool in that each company's rates can be pulled up side by side for a direct comparison. Until someone beats the site that is up on the screen, there is no need to further explore the other companies that are being checked.

Something else that is smart to check is the various consumer sites that are available to home buyers. These sites offer much of the information that is needed along with contacts that can be very helpful. Many of these agencies will also offer counseling and advice that will be totally free of charge for homeowners.

While it may take some time, it will be well worth the effort. Just a half of a percentage point can mean tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the mortgage. The more information that the home buyer is armed with, the better chance they have of getting the best deal for their new home. - 31366

About the Author:

It is often a difficult decision for one to decide when to Panama buy property. The economy could greatly affect whether you buy house Panama or not. In order to catch the time for Panama homes for sale, one must learn how the economy functions.