Coffee-loving Italians swap cafe for kitchen

Old Moka machines are displayed in a cafe in downtown Rome October 19, 2012. As Europe's debt crisis drags on, more and more cash-strapped Italians are giving the coffee bar a miss and taking their morning caffeine hit in the kitchen.

Credit: Reuters/Tony Gentile

By Antonella Ciancio

MILAN | Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:53pm EDT

(Reuters) - Italians aren't the biggest coffee drinkers in Europe - that title goes to the Finns - but their nation's link with cafe culture is etched on every menu board, giving the world the espresso, the mocha and the latte.
Now that link is feeling the strain of recession.
As Europe's debt crisis drags on, more and more cash-strapped Italians are giving the coffee bar a miss and taking their morning caffeine hit in the kitchen.
"Italians are drinking more coffee at home than at the bar," Raffaele Brogna, the founder of consumer blog community ioleggoletichetta.it, told Reuters.
The trend hasn't gone unnoticed at the Bar Principe in central Milan, and it is hitting the owner, Fausto D'Andrea, in the pocket.
Though coffee prices have risen sharply - reaching a 34-year high on world coffee markets last summer - D'Andrea has had to freeze prices to keep his clientele.
"There has been a little slowdown in consumption, but I haven't increased prices," he said, as he served coffees and sandwiches to customers brandishing corporate lunch vouchers.
D'Andrea said he served espressos for 0.80 euros a cup, against average prices of 0.90 euros charged by rivals in Italy's financial capital.
Still too much for those opting for a kitchen cup, some of whom are fuelling the growth of the $8 billion single-cup coffee market, dominated by players such as Nestle's Nespresso and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc, in which Italian coffee-producer Lavazza also has a stake.
But one-cup coffee makers and the coffee-filled cups, discs or capsules they use, still account for only 8 percent of total worldwide coffee sales.
In Italy, at least, that is because the consumer has gone back to the stove-top moka pot that their grandparents would have used after the Great Depression.
Consumer blogger Brogna said most of the 52,000 followers polled on his Facebook and Twitter pages said they had returned to the moka pot to save money.
"After years using various coffee machines, we have gone back to our beloved moka ... cheap and with a unique taste!" consumer Francesca Larcinese wrote on the blog's Facebook page.
Since entrepreneur Alfonso Bialetti created his first moka in 1933, the two-chamber steel pot has resisted competition from the fancy single-serve brewers.
In Italy, nearly 80 percent of the population drink coffee at home, and nearly 60 percent own a moka, leading moka manufacturer Bialetti said, adding the recession was encouraging the use of ground coffee.
"Consumers have certainly become more cautious about spending, and the cost of coffee-filled cups is higher than ground coffee," said Gaia Mazzon, head of communications at Bialetti Industrie.
Bialetti has also started to invest in multi-function machines that use discs and ground coffee, Mazzon said.
Consumer Annalisa Di Modugno said she preferred to spend 0.85 euros for a 250-gramme pack of ground coffee than 30 euros per month on coffee-filled capsules.
The only cost-saving option not on the coffee table is abstinence.
"I cannot see a permanent drop in consumption in Italy ... because it's part of their culture," Roberio Silva, Executive Director, International Coffee Organization (ICO), told Reuters Television.
"It would be impossible. I'd give up other things but never coffee," cafe consumer Enzo Serrani said.
resource:www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/21/us-italy-coffee-idUSBRE89I0RY20121021

tile flooring in your house

If you have tile flooring in your house it is very important that you regularly clean these so that the ceramic tiles do not develop stains or dirt in between them. Tile cleaning is an important part of keeping your house clean and tidy and regular sweeping enhances the brightness of the tiles. Dirt gets easily adhered to the tile junctions and stains tend to discolor the tile surfaces. So always use a vacuum cleaner to make it dirt free first and then wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Tile cleaning can also be done by professionals. But to keep the tiles in perfect condition use doormats, clean the floors with tile suitable detergents.

Hurricane Isaac: Tips for Protecting Your Home Against Damage

As Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to accelerate into a Category 2 hurricane targeting the Gulf Coast, it's a reminder to homeowners in areas exposed to such destructive storms that they should always have measures in place to protect their homes from such severe weather.

Analytics firm CoreLogic said Isaac alone threatens nearly 270,000 homes worth a total of $36 billion, most of them in already storm-battered New Orleans.

Batten Down The Hatches

In the event that a hurricane does hit, make sure your property is ready to weather the storm by following these tips from ACE Private Risk Services.

• Wash out all your rain gutters and exterior drains to avoid water backups. Water in gutters may not just spill over onto the ground -- it could back up and cause water to seep into a home's walls.

• Install a battery backup system for your water pump to guard against flooding and interior damage. "When these storms come through, power lines are knocked down," said Dale Tomlinson of ACE. "So it's important that you do have a battery backup to keep that [pump] going while there's water coming." Having a backup generator is also a way to ensure that necessary equipment can continue to function in the event of a blackout.

• Reinforce your windows with shutters, add heavy-duty hinges and deadbolts to doors, and make sure that roof sheathing can withstand strong winds. If wind bursts into your home, the risk of structural damage to the home's roof and doors increases substantially. "The internal partitions of your home are not built to withstand positive and negative pressures from the exterior," Tomlinson said.

• Trim trees whose branches could fall and cause damage, and be sure to clear all items that could become projectiles during a storm. "Move any outdoor furniture that could become debris that would either float or cause damage," Tomlinson said.

Make Sure You're Covered

In order to safeguard your home's value, you should make sure that you have homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and, in some cases, wind insurance.

Homeowners insurance usually covers wind damage and other hurricane-related losses. However, in some coastal areas especially prone to hurricanes, wind coverage may not be part of a policy, and you may have to purchase wind insurance from a different carrier. There is usually a deductible amount for named-storm wind damage, such as 2 percent of the value of the home, Tomlinson said.

Flood insurance covers water damage and can be obtained through the government's National Flood Insurance Program. The government insurance, which has a $2,000 deductible for high-risk areas, may cover up to $250,000 in property damage and $100,000 in damage to personal belongings, depending on the premium you choose to pay. To receive coverage for damage beyond those two amounts, you can sign up for a supplementary policy with a private insurance company like ACE.

To make sure that you get the most protection out of your policy, you should be sure to take inventory of and document your belongings and property before the onset of a storm.

Use Know Your Stuff, a free insurance software provided by the Insurance Information Institute, to help efficiently take inventory and store records of your belongings. Doing so will enable you to speed the claims process and maximize your settlement if some of your possessions are damaged.

Filing a Claim

If your home sustains damage and you have insurance to cover it, you may contact your service provider to file a claim. To do this, you must provide evidence of the damage to your home and possessions by taking photographs of the property damage and making a list of damaged items with their date of purchase, value and, ideally, receipts.
recourse:http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/08/27/hurricane-isaac-tips-for-protecting-your-home-against-dama/

Best Places to Live Money's list of America's best small cities

Homes on the west side of town

Top 100 rank: 1
Population: 80,100

Five years ago Carmel was a quiet, upscale bedroom community that offered an easy 20-minute commute to downtown Indianapolis. Despite the recession, this formerly sleepy burb has since transformed itself into the ideal place to work and play.

Carmel's business district now has the second-largest concentration of office workers in Indiana and an unemployment rate that's just over half the national average.

The city also has excellent schools, a big sports and recreation center, a performing arts center, and wide bike lanes. All that, plus a variety of housing options ranging from older homes to new subdivisions, and you have an irresistible draw for families.

Compare Carmel to Top 10 Best Places

resource:http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/best-places/2012/snapshots/PL1810342.html

'I'm trapped in a high-rate mortgage'

Name: Kristy Robinette and Ronald Schiller

Hometown: Livonia, Mich.

Interest rate: 7%

Shortly after her mother passed away five years ago, Kristy Robinette bought a home with her father, Ronald Schiller, for $189,000.

They love the place, but its value has plummeted to $120,000 -- and they still owe $178,000. Even worse: the mortgage is carrying a sky-high 7% rate.

For three years now, they've been trying to refinance but they owe too much to meet Freddie Mac's guidelines. And since they haven't fallen behind on payments, they don't qualify for a modification under the government's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

Their mortgage servicer, Ocwen Financial, told them to either short sell or walk away, according to Robinette. "My dad is 74 years old and worked the transmission line at Ford Motor. He's never missed a payment: It would kill him to walk away," she said.

Recently, they tried to refinance through the Home Affordable Refinancing Program (HARP), a government program that helps underwater borrowers who are current on their payments. After they met with Ocwen about applying for the program, however, they didn't hear back for weeks.

"I know they are bombarded, but I feel as if those of us that have pretty good credit are being shoved to the back of the line," she said.

Eventually, she received a letter from Ocwen offering to review their options, but it's still not clear if they will be able to refinance. Ocwen did not respond to requests for comment from CNNMoney.

resource:http://money.cnn.com/gallery/real_estate/2012/08/29/homeowners-high-mortgage-rate/index.html

Get a Clean, Attractive and Durable Kitchen Floor

While choosing tile flooring for your kitchen you should choose one which is durable and easy to clean and maintain. Some of the different types of tiles that are available for kitchen flooring are ceramic and porcelain tiles, cork tiles and wooden tiles.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles:

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are durable and will prove to be a great investment for your kitchen. While installing porcelain and ceramic Kitchen tile flooring you should make sure that that the floor is stable and sturdy. Before installing ceramic and porcelain kitchen tiles, the old flooring will have to be disposed of and you have to find a way to do that because most garbage services will not pick up these items. You will have to take the old flooring to the garbage dump. You also need to keep in mind that most dumps will charge a fee. Once the basic floor is clear of dust and debris, you can either install the tiles yourself or hire a professional installer.

Cork tiles:

Cork tile flooring is also not a bad choice for your kitchen. This is because it is aesthetically very appealing, durable and easy to maintain. Apart from this cork is a renewable and sustainable resource and hence environment friendly. Cork as a material is made up of a large number of small air filled cells or chambers. These air filled chambers give the properties of shock absorbing and insulating. In fact walking on cork flooring gives the feeling of walking on a lush carpet. Other flooring materials are hard and cold. On the other hand cork flooring is as comfortable as a wall to wall carpet. It is also interesting to know how cork tiles are manufactured. They are made from the bark of the cork oak tree. This tree can be found mainly in Morocco, Algeria, Spain and Portugal. This bark is mainly used to make corks for bottles of wine. The leftover scraps are processed in order to manufacture cork tiles. The trees are not killed in this process as the bark grows back again.

Wooden tiles:

In kitchen tile flooring, wooden flooring is quite popular. However maintaining kitchen tiles made of wood requires some amount of effort and expense, as wood ages fast and has to be polished to give a fresh look. At the same time wooden tile flooring is durable and long lasting. It is also aesthetically appealing and provides good insulation.

resource:http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-a-Clean,-Attractive-and-Durable-Kitchen-Floor&id=7221818

Choosing Between Carpets or Laminate Floors

Let's face it, choosing between carpets and laminate floors can be quite tough, especially in this day and age. Carpeting has certainly come a long way over the years. In fact, it is known to have been a part of people's daily lives for centuries already. The only thing that has changed is that they have become more durable, long lasting and look a great deal better. Laminated flooring too has come a long way as now new and improved versions are made available for easier installation and an ultra modern look and feel.

The following can be expected from each of these options:

• Carpeting- this type of surfacing is created with comfort, insulation and overall atmosphere in mind. A close look at what is available on the market will have you quickly informed that there is a wide variety of options to choose from. Nylon, acrylic, wool, polyester, polypropylene and various blended fibres are made available. What type you choose will depend on your home and unique situation. Of course there are various patterns and colours available and the texture will depend on whether you choose cut pile, multi-level loop, loop pile, shag, frieze twist, hard twist, velvet, Saxony or even cut loop.

A quick chat to the professionals in the field will have you informed of which types are best suited to the various areas within your home. There are a number of pre-installation systems that you can consider before the product is installed - this will protect the health and air quality within your home.

• Laminated Flooring- this type of surface is designed with convenience in mind. The new style of panel that simply click into the next means that it is quickly installed. The thick protective outer layer also ensures that cleaning this surface is hassle free and that it is not easily scratched, stained or damaged. Of course there are various finishes and shades of real wood and stone made available on the market, so you should easily be able to match this to your existing décor and furniture. This surface is very easily repaired or maintained too - when properly cared for, it can be expected to last a life time.

Of course regardless of which of these options you go with, you are going to need a professional supplier to assist you. Leading suppliers on the market will be able to install the chosen product for you and further guarantee both the product, and the workmanship involved in the installation. There should be a showroom for you to visit in your area, or alternatively the option of having a representative visit your premises with samples and catalogues as well as a wealth of product related information and advice. This alone will give you the peace of mind that you are investing in a product that has the full faith of the supplying team as well as the original manufacturer.

One should never settle on the very first product encountered so take your time to shop around and investigate the quality of each of the products offered to you. Each supplier will have their own terms and conditions so check what these are too - just so that you know what to expect should something go wrong after the installation is complete.

Many home owners are starting to redo their home's interior décor and design and the flooring is one of the first things to change. You should find supplier's rates competitive and reasonable - and if you are willing to learn about the required product before you install it, you can ensure that you make the right decision for you and your home. Leaders on the market will not try to sell you a product that you can ill afford - they will present your options to you with your requirements, needs and of course your budget in mind.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7209015

Factors to Consider During Floor Installation

Choosing the right type of flooring is far more difficult than finding a suitable product and installing it. There are many technicalities involved in the process of choosing a flooring material. So it becomes

more important to consider various factors which can affect the quality and design of your floor.

Important Technicalities to Consider

Durability is one of the most significant options to consider before installing the floors. Although some items may seem durable, it is susceptible to scratches and blotches. It is important to select them accordingly.

The area of installation is another important factor to consider. It is important to select flooring that suit me

dium or high moisture environment. Installation charge is another important factor that needs to be considered. Professional installation charges are usually double the costs.

Apart from these factors, maintenance is another essential feature that needs to be considered. Choose products that involve easy installation and maintenance.

Popular Flooring Options

There are a huge variety of flooring products that are difficult to maintain and damaged easily but granite flooring is quite different from a myriad of products.

Granite floorings are beautiful and unique with its distinctive patterns and varieties. Moreover, it is embedded with a number of beneficial features which makes it a popular choice among most of the home owners. Some of the most significant benefits of installing it include the following.

Durability: Granite is known to be the strongest stone next to diamonds. Most people prefer to use it as it is tensile and lasts for many years. It is installed with a stain resistant sealant which protects the floor for many years. However, it needs to be resealed after a gap of ten years. It is also highly resistant to moisture and water.

Cool: Both granite and marble flooring are known to remain cool during summer seasons. It is one of the greatest advantages of installing these two flooring products.

Superior quality: Granite flooring products are available in a huge variety of designs and styles. It is also available in different attractive patterns and colors. There are black, red and green colored stones with different exquisite patterns and designs.

Easy to clean: It is quite easy to clean and maintain these flooring products as it is resistant to dirt and spills. Sweep the floor with a wet mop to keep it clean and shiny. Abrasive cleaners will scratch and destroy the floors.

Expensive: This flooring product can exude an aura of elegance and sophistication. It possesses unsurpassed beauty and so it is quite expensive compared to many other products.

Natural substance: It is also a natural stone product which is bio-degradable. It is therefore considered to be environment friendly. It is also resistant to bacteria and pollens.

Installation: It is one of the heaviest stones among flooring products, so it requires professional assistance for installation. The entire process requires extreme precision and installation skills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7219339

An Introduction To Landscape Gardening

The outside of a home is the first thing visitors see and the first impression they have of the house. Landscape gardening is a relatively simple way to make the outside of a home look great and give off a clean, well-kept impression to guests. It can be done on a budget and it does not take a lot of gardening experience to put some of the basic landscaping principles to work in a yard. All it takes is a little sweat and hard work to make a front yard look like it is professionally maintained.

Landscape gardening is all about bringing several different elements together to create a streamlined landscaping look. The look should consist of a variety of different size bushes, shrubs and trees and may also follow a coordinated color scheme if flowers or other blooming trees are involved. To get started, simply visit the garden section of any home improvement store. A sales associate can point beginners in the right direction and provide helpful tips on getting started. Remember, it is easy to start with just a few basic pieces and then add on as time and skill level allows.

Inexperienced gardeners should choose hearty plants that require little upkeep and can withstand a range of climates. These will be the easiest to take care of and keep looking great. Choose one or two trees to create the main focal points of the landscape, then fill in the surrounding areas with smaller bushes and shrubs. A good set of tools is also important for any at home gardener. It is handy to have a set of long shears as well as smaller clippers to tend to different size bushes. A ladder, shovel, rake and a good pair of gardening gloves will also be necessary along the way. Some prefer landscaping trash bags to store yard waste.

Next comes the process of planting and installing the landscaping. A professional can be hired to assist with the project, or it can be done by the homeowner. It is sometimes helpful to put down a layer of plastic under any landscaping rocks or mulch, to help keep weeds from growing through. Make sure to cut holes to give trees and bushes enough room to grow and breathe. It is also important to consider whether an automatic or manual watering system will be used to regularly water the landscaping. Automatic sprinklers are convenient and save time, but manual watering with a hose can be just as effective.

Finally, it is important to regularly maintain the new landscaping for a polished and well-kept look. The smaller clippers are useful here for quick and easy pruning of bushes and clipping of weeds. Use the longer shears to reach any unwieldy branches on larger trees. Keep a proper yard trash can handy to dispose of all clippings, or use them as compost somewhere else. Landscape gardening is a great way to ensure the outside of a home looks great and inviting, and it's a project that will last for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7213120

Private home prices up 0.4% in Q2

SINGAPORE - Prices of private residential properties in Singapore rose by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter of this year, rebounding from a 0.1 per cent fall in the first quarter.

Real estate statistics released today by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) showed prices of non-landed private homes in the core central region increased by 0.6 per cent, while those in the rest of the central region climbed 0.4 per cent in the April to June quarter.

These compared with a 0.6 per cent drop in prices for both regions in the January to March quarter.

For outside central region, prices rose at a slower pace of 0.5 per cent in the second quarter, compared to a 1.1 per cent increase in the first quarter.

Rentals of private homes were up 0.3 per cent in the second quarter, similar to the rate of increase in the last quarter.

The URA said the volume of resale transactions jumped from 2,206 units in the first quarter to 3,487 units in the second quarter. Resale transactions accounted for 37 per cent of all sales in the second quarter, compared to 24 per cent in the first quarter.

The number of uncompleted private home units from projects in the pipeline climbed from 78,572 units in the first quarter to 83,251 units as at the end of the second quarter.

URA said the pipeline supply of 83,251 units was the highest ever recorded since such data were first made available in 1999.

Of the supply in the pipeline, 38,175 units remained unsold at the second quarter. 12,124 units (32 per cent) were located in the core central region, while 8,618 units (22 per cent) were in the city fringes. The balance of 17,433 units (46 per cent) were located outside of central region. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
Resource:http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120727-0000093/Private-home-prices-up-0,4-in-Q2

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See Why Solar Powered Lights Can Make a Great Addition to Your Home

If you're reading this then you've probably heard about an extraordinary technology called solar energy but are wondering how it actually works and what can really be done with it. Over the past decades this intriguing category has made strides with many new breakthroughs in the development of new and powerful technology. Because of these advancements a new window has been opened for smaller but practical products like solar powered lights.

In general, solar lights are essentially designed to function as mobile, portable and extremely simple to install lighting fixtures with the ability for use in a wide variety of applications. These practical and useful light sources are designed to serve as a single unit device able to give off illumination created from our most powerful and free natural energy source, the Sun.

Most models of solar powered lights illuminate by using wonderfully efficient and long lasting light emitting diode, LED bulbs, a photovoltaic, PV panel that collects the solar energy, and a storage medium for the collected energy, typically a rechargeable battery. The most popular use for solar powered lights seems to be for marking and lighting pathways, drives, pools and other outdoor areas. They offer a great way for people see where they should and shouldn't go when it is dark as well as provide a lovely ambiance to any location. Many solar powered lights are sold in packs of two, four, six, or even more. Very basic models can be found for as little as $10 each but there are certainly more expensive options. These typically have advantages like having better design, being brighter and have larger batteries providing longer lasting shine time and are more robust and attractive in general.

Another use for solar powered lights that's particularly fun is for the decoration of one's lawn or garden. There are an extensive variety of designs to choose from and they can be found in metal or plastic, with hand blown glass or molded shades. Artistic ones like flowers or animals as well as themed versions for holidays and special occasions. In addition, there are also models designed for indoor use, such as the garage or other similar indoor areas. In most instances this type of solar powered lighting comes with external mountable solar receivers, or PV panels.

With the vast improvements in efficiency, solar powered lighting technology has made it significantly easier to get a good charge from limited sunlight. This issue has plagued would-be users of compact solar powered lights particularly in locations where the perceived amount of sunlight is low. Unlike areas such as the southwestern United States where there is ample sunshine throughout the year and the efficacy of solar energy seems like a no brainer. Indeed with high sensitivity photovoltaic PV panels and nickel metal hydride NiMH rechargeable batteries the rest of North America can now also enjoy the great benefits begotten of solar lighting technology that provides bright and long lasting illumination.

In conclusion it should be noted that solar powered lights are ever increasing in popularity and demand as they're easily installed, virtually maintenance free and prove to be a viable, inexpensive and cost effective alternative to traditional wired lighting. Furthermore they are extremely easy to add to any location regardless of the application. It takes just moments to install and adjust your solar powered lights to get the most out of them and enjoy Eco-friendly, self-sufficient lighting and never get left in the dark again.

Chris Neumann of Go Green Resources is passionate about preserving our environment and keeping our planet healthy for future generations. He believes using items like solar powered lights, energy monitors, smart power strips, lighting timers, and LED lights are among the easiest ways to become less dependent on conventional energy sources. Using energy saving devices such as solar powered lights for pathways, driveways, or security spotlights makes it simple to reduce your carbon footprint. Chris's website sells all kinds of clever energy saving products ranging from energy monitors to LED lighting to hand crank flashlights and chargers and includes a vast selection of solar powered lights for every application.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7124544

How To Rectify An Indian Real Estate Violation

Are you feeling let down because your builder in India has treated you unfairly? Is your money gathering dust in a project that simply refuses to take off or have you landed in an awful mess because you were taken advantage of?

Well, here's help.

This list of contacts, phone numbers and websites will help you register a complaint and correct any wrong that has been done.

However, with that said, you must know that bureaucrats in the Indian government are in no hurry -- your filing a complaint can either hit the target or miss it completely.

What to do when builder lets down buyer/investor

1. First, write a physical letter (registered with acknowledgement due) to:

Economic Offences Wing

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Anti Land and Building Racket Section),

Economic Offense Wing,

Crime Branch, C-23/23,

Udyog Sadan, Qutab Institutional Area,

New Delhi-110016

This address is valid for offences committed in the Delhi New Capital Region area. Every police headquarters in every major Indian city has an Economic Offences Wing and therefore if you are located in any other Indian city, you must check online and figure out the local Economic Offences Wing address.

2. Now, write a strong post at the Consumer Complaints website (Google search for the website).

Next, post the situation on your blog, Twitter page, FB page, etc. Check for forums and groups (on Yahoo and Google) and post your grievance there.

Try and find other people who have received the same treatment and make a group that can jointly take on the builder.

3. File a court case with the consumer court. Here is the link to the Consumer Court website: http://core.nic.in/ You can even call the consumer court at 1-800-114000 or 011-27662955-58, or send a physical mail to the Ministry of Consumer affairs, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-110001

4. Is your builder registered with Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI)? If yes, go ahead and file another complaint at the CREDAI site (just Google it)

Credai maintains very high-quality standards and it will surely help extract you out of your situation.

5. Now, visit the Public Grievance portal and file another complaint there: http://www.pgportal.gov.in/

6. If you have signed an one-sided agreement, then file a protest with the Competition Commission of India.

You can mail your complaint to:

The Secretary, Competition Commission of India, The Hindustan Times House, 18-20, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi - 110 001

Tel: + 91 - 11 - 23704651 Fax: + 91 - 11 - 23704652/ 011- 23704651

You must include a statement of facts, which should contain details of the contraventions of the Competition Act. You should also enclose:

a. A full list of all documents presented in support of each of the alleged situation.

b. A narrative that explains the situation.

c. Details of the remedy that you seek from the Commission.

Taking these actions will ensure that your hard-earned money is safe. Investment in Indian realty can be tricky. So, if you feel there's something wrong, follow our guide, and good luck.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7075850

Top 5 Things to Consider While Selecting a Property Management Company

Today you will find many property management companies which promises to provide great services. People with large property holdings will not be able to handle everything alone. It would really get on your nerves if you are on a holiday with your family and you get calls from your tenants troubling you for trivial issues. That is the reason why people hire these companies.

5 things you should consider before you hire property management companies -

Performance - The primary thing to be considered is the ability of the company to render good service. For this the first thing to be taken into notice is the number of years the company is in this business. This is because there is so much competition around that the one that performs well will only survive. Apart from that the longer you are in the business more experience you will have and you can handle things much better. Property management is not just handling properties but it is to educate your client on how he can earn more from his holdings. The one who has more experience can only guide his client on this route.

Fees - What would it cost you to start this relationship? The first thing that has to be very clear right from the beginning is the monitory structure. Is there any annual fees, what is the monthly amount you will have to pay, advertising cost, commission that you will have to pay if you lease your property etc

Advertising - Right kind of advertising gives good market to your property. So make sure what kind of a advertising the company offers, do they follow up the ad etc. which advertising agency they hire and what are the charges for these ads, is it included in the company charges or you will have to pay them exacta.

Services provided - The following are the minimum services that a property management company should provide

1. Prepare qualified tenant forms should be provided
2. Online services which you can track any time
3. Collect amount from the tenants on your behalf
4. Make proper agreement with the tenant before leasing the property and collect all the necessary fees
5. List your site with photographs on multiple sites to attract customers
6. Inspect your property regularly and suggest repairs whenever required.
7. Answer tenant calls for repairs and maintenance.
8. HOA violations.
9. Recommendations on property rents values based on market conditions.

Maintenance - The biggest question is maintenance. Many times it so happens that NRI's hire these companies who take care of their holdings. Just in case something goes wrong they should take good care of the property in the absence of the owner.

1. They should provide all time access to the tenants for maintenance and repair
2. Use licensed contractor to handle construction issues
3. Give proposal to the owner for approval
4. Photograph's of the property before and after the work is done
5. 24 hrs maintenance service in every holding

A property management can survive only if it provides elite services to the clients. With so much competition around the services needs to be the best to attract, maintain and retain your clients. Property owners who take time to find through answers for the above mentioned points will definitely hire the best property maintenance service provider. After paying good money to these companies if they do not give you results it's a waste to hire them. Through inspection in the beginning can relief you from major tensions in the coming years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7069903

Home Affordable Modification Program Update for 2012

2012 Home Affordable Modification Program Update

The good news for homeowners is that the home affordable modification program or HAMP as it is called has been extended through 2013.

HAMP is a program offered by the government beginning in 2009 with the economic recovery act. While compliance by the bank is optional, HAMP allows homeowners to apply for modification to their loans and get the payment reduced down to 31 percent of their gross monthly income. There's an application process that begins at the lender when you will need to provide them all of your income documentation as if you are applying for new loan. They're going to evaluate this information to see if you qualify by the standards of the investor. They're not required to talk you about the program assistance however, they receive incentives from the government for modifying those loans. These may include extra money to cover the reduced amount of principle and there are also incentives for the borrower to make regular payments. If you make regular payments after the modification you also get some money back to give you some incentive to continue paying for loan and create equity in the process

Here's a little bit about how it works:

As long as you have a job and you're still struggling to make your mortgage payments you maybe eligible for HAMP. It allows for you to lower your mortgage payment down to 31 percent of your verified monthly gross income. Gross income is the amount of money you make before taxes are taken out. This means, if you have a $50,000 a year salary and your take home income is $1500 dollars every 2 weeks, your gross income is still $50,000 even though your paycheck is smaller.

For example: If your monthly mortgage payment is $1,650, and your income is $50,000 per year, that payment currently equals 39.6% of your income. HAMP will lower your payment down to 31 percent of that gross income or $1,291and your savings is $359 per month.

President Obama has announced changes to the program and intends to be even more aggressive with elements of the program. Mortgage lenders got the information in February but the new information for homeowners won't be available until June, so you can check out the government website at http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov then. For now:

You may be eligible for HAMP if you meet all of the following criteria:

1. You occupy the house as your primary residence.
2. You obtained your mortgage on or before January 1, 2009.
3. You have a mortgage payment that is more than 31 percent of your monthly gross (pre-tax) income.
4. You owe up to $729,750 on your home.
5. You have a financial hardship and are either delinquent or in danger of falling behind.
6. You have sufficient, documented income to support the modified payment.
7. You must not have been convicted within the last 10 years of felony larceny, theft, fraud or forgery, money laundering or tax evasion, in connection with a mortgage or real estate transaction.

One great thing about the HAMP modification is that the government considers entire payment including your tax escrow and your insurance escrow and homeowners association fees to calculate what your final monthly payment needs to be to reach the goal of 31 percent. This gives you an even better chance saving money in the program.

Mark Elkins has been using his knowledge and insight into how to help people in foreclosure to take the offensive, reverse the process, save their home and minimize their losses.

If you are experiencing difficulty making your mortgage, Mark has systems that may allow you to escape your trouble or at least exit the problem with your dignity intact.

Mark Believes the place of real estate investors in this economy is to build prosperity by helping people. He spends his days making real estate deals that help homeowners, sellers and tenants to resolve their housing issues. He also works with prospective real estate investors to teach them his process and how to make profitable, enlightened investments that help both buyer and seller.

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Home Decorating - Getting It Right

Home decorating is very important. It is the art of transforming a closed space, whatever the size, into a liveable place. It isn't just arranging furniture and accessories in any order in a space. It involves a lot of thought and careful selection. Many underestimate the real importance of paints in home decor. The right paint can set the perfect tone for any interior space. Wall painting adds character to a room and complements the accessories in it. And of course, there are colours that are suitable to each type of room in the house. For example, the colours that can be used in a kitchen will be different from the colours that can be used in a bathroom, or bedroom for that matter. Let us take an in depth look at the importance of wall painting.

Light colours, by default white or off-white, or subtle shades are used to add brightness to a space or to make a space look bigger and wider. Paints that are of light colours can also be used to stray away from the monotonous and the plain looking colours of white or off-white. The use of darker colours in home decorating is to draw attention to spaces or given spaces a warmer or cosier look.

The use of two colours in home decorating is a very popular concept and has been around forever. The idea behind this concept is usually to draw attention to certain areas in a space, by either painting them a noticeably darker colour or just a different colour which may not necessarily be darker or lighter than the rest of the room. Using paints of different colours in alcoves or inset areas in rooms also gives a nice touch to break the monotony of a single colour room and advertise these areas more. Wall painting living rooms and bed rooms in this style are a good idea.

In addition to the popular and safe white in bathroom and kitchen spaces, wall painting these spaces different colours can make them look beautiful and bring them to life. In home decorating the wall colours in a kitchen can be from either end of the spectrum and everything in between. However, it is a good idea to have a little contrast. Use darker colour paints if your kitchen cabinets are lighter in colour and use lighter colours paints if your cabinets are darker colours. For bathrooms, the same formula can be used, however, bright colours or subtle colours are a good idea since bathrooms are usually not as large as other rooms in a house and subtle colours make them look bigger.

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Home Maintenance Tips - Keeping Your Home Secured

Home maintenance tips are essential when it comes to keeping a property in top value. This is especially true for those who are clueless in making their residences free from any form of damage which it may incur through time.

There are many reasons why residences must be conserved. For one, they must remain comfortable and safe for the sake of our families. No one knows when disasters and emergencies might come. At any time you must be prepared in keeping your family secured even inside the bounds of your home. Moreover, big expenses caused by the need for major repairs may be avoided. As the saying goes - an ounce of prevention is better than cure.

Let us say you need home repair assistance. Here is a reminder to consider before you start with your overhaul project. Take each area or room one at a time. Starting the work all at the same time will just leave your whole house in total disarray, more so inoperative. Never jump to the next spot unless the first spot gets fully repaired. This practice will enable your family to have a resting place even though construction is ongoing inside your residence.

Regular upkeep of your environment is more inexpensive and, at times, more beneficial than replacements. In connection to this, it is important that property owners are aware of home maintenance tips that help combat simple residential problems.

Toilet and wiring failures are two of the most common household concerns which need abrupt attention. Toilets are prone to clogging. Once clogged you would not be able to use them properly. In other instances, there are toilets that run. When the water continuously flows from the tank to the bowl, lots of water gets wasted and bigger plumbing problems arise.

Wiring failures, on the other hand, cause certain parts of the grounded or lacking flow of electricity. Never address wiring issues on your own. Contact an electrician right away. Walls, roofs, gutters are other parts of the house which must be regularly checked. Any damage with your roof can expose your family to the weather and other mishaps. Leaks or blockages in the gutter can get a part of your house flooding. Cracks on walls may signal corrosion. They better be instantly examined before they collapse on your loved ones or before they bring the whole house down.

A house is definitely one of the greatest investments a person can have. With the proper observance of these home maintenance tips, this investment can be secured in the years to come. The good news about this is that home owners need not spend a fortune just to enjoy a well-kept property. There are things that they can do on their own to preserve its value. However, there might come a time that a specialist needs to look into certain maintenance issues. In this case, concerned owners must do a thorough research first about the appropriate service provider who will take care of their needs. With this, they can be protected from signing deceitful contracts.

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The Beauty And History Of Hand Forged Chandeliers

Nothing brings more luxury and style into your deluxe home than a few hand forged iron chandeliers. The romantic history of this chandelier dates back to the 18th century when many royal castles used to play host to some of the world's finest and most beautiful chandeliers. Even now, handcrafted iron chandeliers are considered the ultimate luxurious lighting option by most people. They are capable of lighting up your living room spectacularly while delivering a look of the utmost beauty and exquisiteness.

Although the first hand forged iron chandeliers were simple in design, they played a vital role in the making of the most stylish chandeliers of the future. The initial design was simple. Heavy iron chandeliers were fitted with a few candles and heaved up to the ceiling with metallic chains. Once people started using these chandeliers that only provided light, many designers began to enhance the design of the chandeliers. Luxurious people and royalties demanded beautiful handcrafted chandeliers that could brighten up their homes. The simple candle chandeliers were effectively transformed into striking and gorgeous iron chandeliers. Numerous different designs began to surface as the society advanced. With time, castles and luxurious forts started sporting hand forged iron chandeliers. These chandeliers were made from the finest materials to give a classy look.

As of today, many people boast some terrific handcrafted chandeliers in their living and dining rooms. Once the variety of chandeliers increased, the prices started to go down which brought the services of chandeliers to normal homes. People from all over the world started to buy these exquisite pieces of art and used them as decorative pieces as well as lighting sources. With exquisite finishes and supreme designs, these chandeliers have gained a well-deserved reputation since their creation. Today, you will see countless beautiful designs of hand forged iron chandeliers featured in luxurious homes that deliver a promising aura to the interior. Old fashioned chandeliers, however, are still one of the hottest decorative products in the market. Many companies have taken up the job to find and renew these chandeliers and sell them in the demanding market. You will not find a better decorative piece than a hundred year old hand forged iron chandelier. Although they come at a heavy price tag, these chandeliers offer the unique splendor of the yesteryear.

Nothing is more romantic than sitting in a living room with a couple of splendid hand forged iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Every chandelier has been carefully crafted to the tiniest detail and helps add a definite sense of beauty to your home. You can find hundreds of designers who are skilled in making high quality chandeliers. The variety of handmade chandeliers that today's world offers is simply unbelievable. Of course, if you want the ultimate sense of personality, you can find many companies who sell unique pieces of these artifacts from the old times. In any case, any luxurious home is considered incomplete in this modern era without a few attractive-looking and classic chandeliers dangling from the ceiling.

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Design a Sustainable Landscape or Garden

April is National Garden Month and families and households across America are encouraged to begin xeriscaping, designing a sustainable landscape, or start their own garden or a community garden. Southern Californian residents are lucky to have such idea gardening weather the majority of the time and have dozens of local plant species that are both drought resistant (and water wise) and beautiful. April is the perfect time to get plants into the ground, especially because Earth Day is right around the corner, and get into the groove of gardening as the days get longer and warmer. Most homes have some sort of yard space for landscaping, whether it's a 20 square foot balcony or patio or 10 acres of land, and getting into landscape design and gardening for National Garden Month is the most appropriate way to celebrate.

The benefits of sustainable landscape design

Adding sustainable landscape design to your home is a great way to add curb appeal and increase your own use and enjoyment of your yard space. A major myth of xeriscaping or sustainable gardening is that local plants are dull and plain, but there are many vibrantly colored native plants and flowers that fit into the sustainable and natural category. Most major plant supply stores and big chains will have a local section, making it easy to select plants that you know will do well in your front or back yard, and any landscape designer will create a custom garden of beautiful local foliage that work well together. Plus, by replacing some of that unnatural lawn with native plants you won't have to deal with the unsightly brown grass that's indicative of winter dormancy, which encourages additional curb appeal all year round. A properly planned zeriscape can even help you sell the home when future buyers notice how much they could be saving on their water bill when compared to other homes in the area.

Whether you're looking into sustainable landscape design for Planet Earth, a curiosity in atypical landscapes or because your water bill is just too high (hello everyone), or want something besides the plot of grass and a flower box for your front yard, xeriscaping has a host of benefits for both you and your family and the environment. First, drought resistant plants by nature do not need much water. In fact, over watering them can kill them, so if you're ever in doubt just don't water the yard. By using local plants in your landscape design you can let Mother Nature do the work and turn off your sprinkler system completely, giving supplemental water with a hose or watering can on occasion. A household can see the water bill decrease by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the course of a year by decreasing landscape watering, which will be much more noticeable in the hot summer months when nonnative plants need extra water and water rates are increased.

How to start a sustainable garden

You might have made the decision to trend your yard towards more native, water wise plants for any number of reasons, but getting started with xeriscaping can be a big step, especially if your home is traditionally landscaped. Rather than tear everything out and start over from scratch, you can make water wise and drought resistant plant choices one by one as you need to replace sections. For example, wait until the winter when your grass is dormant to remove sections of grass to keep the rest of it alive and replace thirsty plants with water wise plants as they die. Use pretty river rocks as ground cover in between plants for a more sophisticated look, and keep flowering desert plants in pots for a more sustainable version of your regular flower box.

You don't have to completely remove all grass, nonnative flowers and water dependent plants from your yard to have a sustainable garden. If you choose to keep nonnative plants, or plants that aren't drought resistant, use mulch or some sort of ground cover to encourage water conservation. Mulch also prevents weeds and controls overgrowth for a more visually appealing garden and can be used across a wide range of plant types. Talking with a landscape designer might be a good first step, as landscape design is as much about which species complement each other in terms of water use as much as it is about which plants are drought resistant or flowering. With a little knowledge and time any home can have a beautiful and water efficient landscape design.

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The Importance of Plumbing and Heating Supplies

Plumbing and heating supplies are crucial and very essential elements within any new construction or build. Whether it be a domestic or commercial property, plumbing and heating is essential to the main build and has to be accounted for on a number of levels. It is vital that professional plumbers have the right plumbing supplies in order to complete the tasks ahead of them. Plumbing and heating require a certain amount of skill so if you decide to take on a job yourself you should be aware of how much technical knowledge and specialist tools might be involved in order to complete an installation.

Plumbing is a rudimentary and essential element to the construction of modern housing and buildings therefore the need for plumbing supplies and indeed heating supplies is one of great importance. It is essential that plumbers find the correct products and supplies for any installation and most will approach a reputable company to find what they are looking for. Such stores will stock a wide range of items from the best quality leading brands within the plumbing industry. Professionals will always look to brands they have known and worked with for years and years.

If you are not a professional you can always seek expert advice from specialist stores in order to establish what you will need. But it is good to remember that if you are installing something like a central heating system or a new combi boiler, then professional help is probably the best option give that some elements involve the repairer or installer to be a corgi registered professional in order to comply with modern regulations.

That being said you can still find plumbing and heating supplies that will help in minor repair projects or smaller installations. And experts from a reputable store are on hand to point you in the right direction, whether it is plumbing sundries, plumbing tools, combi boilers, vented cylinders, heating valves or other heating supplies they will definitely have solutions for a variety of repairs and installations.

Modern plumbing and heating supplies are also very technologically advanced in terms of saving you money on heating bills and lowering emissions, given the relevance of being eco-conscious in this modern age many leading plumbing brands are working on innovative, modern designs in order to facilitate growing demands for being eco-friendly. So if you want to potentially reduce heating bills and save on water bills it is advisable to seek professional advice in order to establish what equipment might best suit your usage.

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Home Extensions Tips

In the current property market, rather than selling and moving to a larger house, most people are planning a home extension to make an extra room or increase the space in an existing room. There are many reasons for staying where you are, such as not having to arrange new schools for children, moving away from friends and neighbours and the trouble and expense of finding a new place to live.

With a growing family it will be invaluable to have extra room to entertain in. It is also difficult to replace a garden that you have put a lot of work into over the years. When you finally decide that you really want a home extension, you need to set about getting your plans in order.

You should check if you need planning permission, especially if your extension will change the appearance of the outside of the house or if it extends further than the legal limit. You should also discuss with your neighbours your intentions and ensure that the noise of building renovations does not go beyond the hours allowed. Very few neighbours object if you do not exceed any of these rules. It is not always necessary to employ an architect as it is easy to get designs which most builders can adapt and they will advise you on.

Make sure that you will be able to live with the inconvenience for the duration of the work that is going on. It may be advisable to put some of your belongings into storage to prevent damage to valuable furniture.

This is not expensive and will save money in the long run. This can be a very exciting venture and at the end of all the hard work you will have a more beautiful and functional home. You may on the other hand decide that there is an easier option for a home extension. A conservatory can be used as an extra room, for instance a sun lounge or a play room and it can be in place with minimum fuss in a very short time.

With all the extra light it would be a very cheerful addition to your home. The only thing to note with conservatories is they can collect a lot of moss over time and need regular cleaning or else they can become unsightly.

Whatever you decide, whether to go ahead with building an extension or to have a conservatory put in place you will find in most cases that your house has increased in value.

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Property Managers Help in Documentation for Chicago Foreclosure

Chicago foreclosure properties are on the verge of huge popularity in which most of the people prefer to invest. Chicago foreclosure property is put on sell by banks that capture the property to get their back. The properties are of those people who are unable to repay their dues or loans and in that case bank is responsible to capture their property in the legal way. However, banks also sell them as soon as possible so that they can fulfill their dues easily.

On the other hand, long and boring process and documentation often persuade people to hire property managers from a leading Real Estate company like Pearson Realty Group because professionals of these companies have expertise enough in making the entire process easy.
Property managers from Pearson Realty Group have an extensive database of

Chicago foreclosure properties that are on sale. In this way, you can easily be the owner of a Chicago foreclosure property.

property.

Real Estate: Building a Home Article Category

Air Tightness

It is important for homes to achieve a high level of air tightness in order to maintain energy efficiency and provide comfort for occupants. Successful airtight building stems from an attention to detail at both the design and construction stages of the project. If warm air is allowed to leak out of a building, the benefits of improved insulation and other energy efficiency measures will be lost.

Air Leakage Testing

Testing for air tightness in dwellings is an important part of UK building regulation compliance. Close attention must be paid to the reduction of air leakage throughout the building design and construction phases. It is much simpler to design and build an airtight dwelling than to carry-out remedial measures in a draughty home.

Air Infiltration

Air infiltration occurs when air leaks through cracks and gaps in the building fabric. The amount of infiltration is influenced by the type of construction and by the speed and direction of the wind. Wind blowing against the building causes pressure differences between the inside and the outside. Air is drawn into the dwelling through holes on the windward face and leaves the dwelling on the leeward side.

Air Buoyancy

Warm air inside the dwelling is more buoyant than the colder air outside. Buoyant air rises by convection and, in doing so, draws-in cool air from outside. As buoyant air rises, it increases the pressure inside the dwelling which pushes warm air out of holes in the building envelope

Air Leakage Paths

Air can leak through the ceiling below a roof void, particularly around the loft hatch cover and around its frame. It can escape through open joints in the brickwork and concrete blocks that make up the external walls. Draughts commonly occur at window and door locations, particularly between the frames and the brickwork. They can also occur between the frames and the doors or opening sashes. In the case of suspended floors, air leakage can occur where timber joists are built-into masonry walls. Air can pass through cracks between floorboards and through gaps at the junction between the floor and surrounding walls. Generally, significant problems can arise from the gaps left around electricity and plumbing services penetrations in walls, floors and ceilings.

Air Barrier Construction

'Air barrier' is a term used to describe a specific layer created within the thermal envelope that separates heated and unheated spaces. The air barrier will effectively restrict the passage of air between the internal and external environments. At an early stage, the designer should identify the exact position of the air barrier and mark it on a drawing. Its exact position will depend very much on the design of the building and the materials used in the construction.

Air Testing Procedure

When the building work is complete, an air test will usually be carried out by a specialist company. A temporary airtight screen is fitted into an external door opening of the dwelling. Water traps are filled, trickle vents closed and extract vents sealed. An electric fan is then mounted in the airtight screen and operated to blow air into or out of the dwelling to create a pressure difference between inside and outside. The air tightness of the dwelling is calculated by measuring the rate of airflow through the fan, while a range of pressure differences are maintained between the inside and outside of the dwelling.

Air Test Failure

In the event of an air barrier failing an air leakage test, smoke testing and thermal imaging can determine the main areas of leakage. Failure of the air barrier at the air testing stage can be very costly in both time and money.

Team Effort

Air tightness is the concern of all members of the design and construction teams. Communication between all workers is vital to make sure that practical working details are produced and that the air barrier is constructed with the utmost care.

Controlled Ventilation

When constructing an airtight dwelling, it is important to provide adequate controlled ventilation to ensure occupant comfort and safety.

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