(photo courtesy of David O’Farrell)

Australia is one of the biggest continents in the world, and even though it is surrounded by water, by virtue of its size and location in the globe, it can also be one of the driest and hottest. Australia’s rain fall pattern is highly seasonal and, besides Antarctica, Australia’s rainfall is the lowest of the seven continents. With variable rainfall and hot and humid air, Australia is often plagued with droughts, which can last for several seasons in some areas.

According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the rainfall in 2012 was below average for most parts of western and southeast Australia, with the rest of the country receiving average to above average. Overall, the country received 53.1mm of rain which is 17% below normal, making 2012 the 33rd driest winter in 113 years. With such low levels of rain, it is not uncommon for regional councils to impose water restrictions within their area – and this, in turn, makes maintaining gardens quite difficult.

Benefits of Gardens
It is unfortunate that many people underestimate the value of having a well-maintained garden. Researches show that having a garden, not necessarily a big one – even a small area would suffice – has tremendous benefits. A garden adds beauty and colour to homes and oftentimes, serves as an extra entertainment space for small gatherings. It is place where one can read a book to relax, or to run around to have fun. Having a well-maintained garden is also a sure-fire way to increase the market value of a home. Studies have shown that property buyers are willing to pay extra for a home with a garden or a lawn.

Home owners living in the more tropical areas of Australia don’t have much trouble in maintaining gardens. On the other hand, gardening may prove to be a challenge for those living in most parts of Western and Southern Australia.

Rock and Sand Gardens
It is fortunate that there are other gardening options for homeowners in the drier regions of Australia. Instead of traditional grass, homes can have Japanese-inspired rock and sand gardens where an area is covered primarily with sand, and rocks serving as points of interest. Greenery is added in the form of small bonsai plants or pocket gardens in key areas.

Potted Plant Garden
Another option is to have a garden made up of potted plants. The pots can be arranged to form a pathway, or can be clustered together to form a wall or a garden feature. Even though these plants will need to be cared for, the combined water usage to nourish the plants would still be less than what is required to water a whole lawn.

Synthetic Grass Garden
If, however, having a green lawn is preferred, synthetic grass is a viable and economical option to natural grass. Synthetic grass has come a long way in terms of appearance and versatility since it was developed in the 1960s. Synthetic grass offers high flexibility in landscaping designs and can also come in different kinds of grass varieties. It is easy to maintain because it doesn’t need to be watered, nor does it need to be mowed. Real plants can be placed in designated areas, with the synthetic grass trimmed to go around these. Or potted plants can be placed on top of the grass. The choices are limitless.  It is not uncommon to see houses with fake grass in Perth, Adelaide, Kalgoorlie, and other cities in the Western Australia and Southern Australia Territories.

Having a garden is still do-able, even in dry arid conditions. You just need to know what materials you can work with and be creative with what you have. Challenge yourself and you’ll be surprised at what garden ideas you can come up with.

If you’re into DIY home renovation and repair, you know that the power tools needed to complete a diverse range of projects quickly add up to a large expense. If you’re contemplating a new project, you may not have to buy every tool needed for the job. There are many tools that are easily rented, and you may even be better off renting because of the high cost of the tool or because you’re unlikely to use it once that project is over.

Choose whether to rent or buy

If you’re looking at a pricey tool, evaluating the likelihood of rental vs. purchase cost can help you decide what to do. If you’re thinking of purchasing a pressure washer to clean your deck, you might also use it to wash moss off the room, clean your driveway and perform a range of other tasks. If you think you might use it three times in one season, divide the equipment cost by the number three to determine the cost per use. Sure, you may use the tool 10 more times over the next couple of years, but it’s best to estimate based on what you actually know you need to do. Next, research how much it would cost to rent the pressure washer from your local home improvement center or another tool rental place. Determine the cost for a one-time rental, then multiply that by the number of times you would need to rent the tool to get the job done. Find out how long the rental is and what additional costs arise if you’re renting for a week vs. a day. Compare the total cost of renting the tool for the full time you would use it to the purchase cost. If it still costs more to buy the tool, rent with confidence that you’re saving money. However, if it is cheaper to buy the tool, do so.

If cost is a concern, try to find the tool used, either at a secondhand shop, estate sale or yard sale. Or you can splurge on the tool to get the work done, then turn around and sell it once you’ve used it, making back some of the cost. Sometimes, this gets you a better deal than renting it. But a quick sale isn’t guaranteed!

Other considerations

If you’re a tool nerd, quality is one of the most important considerations. Depending on the type of tool you need, there may not be many options when it comes to renting. You might prefer to buy the tool so that you can pick out the model you want. On the other hand, if budget is limited you may be better off renting a higher-quality tool than paying for a less-optimal version because that’s all you can afford at the moment. If you live in an urban condo with no garage space, storage may not be practical. In this case, you might want to rent that tool even if it is cheaper to purchase it.
Ultimately, the decisions is yours. Evaluate your needs vs. your anticipated usage of the tool, take into account additional considerations and make the decision that is right for your needs as well as your budget.

If you know how to drill into concrete, you can perform many common home improvement tasks for yourself, saving money and beautifying your home. Concrete drilling helps you hang shelves or painting, install interior and exterior lights and anchor objects. Without the right tools and tips, you’ll be hard-pressed to drill through concrete. Keep these seven tips in mind when working with concrete.

1. Start with the right drills- You can’t use your regular cordless drill for concrete. Instead look for a hammering drill, or a regular drill that has a hammering function. Instead of drilling a hole into the concrete by pushing forward, as a drill might do when used on wood, the hammering drill actually smashes the concrete and whisks away the dust. If you think you’ll be using it a lot, purchase a powerful hammering drill. If this is a one-time task, find rental drills at your local home improvement center.

2. Read up on operating the drill - Not all drills work alike. To avoid accidentally damaging your concrete wall through improper use of the drill, read the operating manual ahead of time. Take notes on what all of the different knobs mean and how to set up or switch modes on the drill.

3. Set the depth before you drill - If your concrete drill has a depth setting, set it following the manual’s directions. This will prevent you from drilling beyond the needed depth. If your drill lacks a depth setting, mark off the drill bit with tape to know when to stop.

4. X marks the spot - Make an X or a dot where you want to drill. Measure beforehand. You can’t place the concrete back on the wall once you’ve removed it with your hammer drill so it’s important to be accurate beforehand.

5.Hold the drill properly - Hold your drill like a gun, with one hand around the handle and your index finger on the trigger. Place your non-dominant hand on the back of the drill to guide it, or on a support handle if your drill has one.

6. Drill - Bring your drill up to the X and hold it on that spot. Press the trigger with your index finger to begin drilling. Start on slow speed, if your drill has that option, or by making short bursts of motion by pressing and releasing the trigger. You’re warming up the hole by making a shallow hole to start. Once you’ve got a small indentation in the right spot, turn your drill to high speed and drill away using the hammering function. Apply firm, even pressure to drill into the concrete. Once you reach the desired depth, stop.

7. Troubleshoot - Even if you’ve planned and done everything right so far, something unexpected happens. If you hit a beam while drilling, pause and remove the drill from the hole. Insert a masonry nail into the hole and hammer to break through, then finish up with your drill.

While the preparation may seem lengthy, it’s worth it to get this right on the first try. With the right tools and your newfound knowledge of how to operate your drill, you’ll have that shelf hung in under an hour.

Renting always come out as an expense and never an investment no matter how small or big the monthly rental is.  The only exception here of course is the rent-to-own agreements provided in real estate.  If monthly rental payments will not contribute to future ownership, it will not amount to anything else but an outright expense.

Advantages

For specific people with specific lifestyles, renting may provide certain advantages.  The up-front cash needed to rent is usually smaller which can really be the only option for some who are not exactly heavy on ready funds.  Buying a house requires a considerable down-payment as well as monthly amortizations.

Costs are more or less fixed.  Maintenance expense is limited to minor ones as major maintenance works are usually shouldered by property owners. People who rent also have the freedom to transfer when their contracts are up providing more flexibility in mobility.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage in renting is not ever gaining equity no matter how much rent is paid.  In this sense, rent will always be an expense and never an investment except in intended ownership.  Renters are likewise not entitled to tax breaks in relation to the occupied property since that right belongs to the owners.

Renters also do not have the freedom or the right to make modifications in the rented premises especially without written consent from the owner.  There may little control over living conditions.  There is also the issue of constant dealing with landlords.

Rent-to-Own

An option being laid out to individuals and families who are not quite sure with regards to owning or renting a house is the rent-to-own option.  In this agreement, renters are given the option to apply their rental payments towards the equity of the property.  Renters will have anywhere from two to five years to exercise this option.  If at the end of the agreement , the renter fail to pay for the purchase price less the equity they have built, property owners will have the right to evict them and get to keep all payments made.

Many property owners are constrained to enter rent-to-own agreements because of the difficulty in selling a home. Renters for their part should be clear with all the conditions of the agreement.  This is not an option to take for people who have no intention of buying a house.  There are people whose lifestyle are quite fit for renting.

Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.

Image: moneycrashers.com

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A career in real estate can be quite challenging, but it’s also a potentially lucrative job. It’s one of the reasons why many people are embarking on a career that involves real estate. But there are also other benefits for choosing a career path along real estate. Here they are:

You work on your own

A career in real estate is the perfect match for people who want to work on their own. Of course, you can always become a part of a real estate agency, but for those who have an independent spirit and want to go it alone, then this is the field for you.

You manage your own business growth

You can scale up or scale down depending on what your targets are. The potential for growth in real estate is amazing so if you have an amazing work ethic you will reap the rewards of that hard work.  Of course, you should also learn effective business skills and also know the intricacies of marketing to become successful.

You earn from your personality

Real estate agents are salesmen – and the most effective salespeople are those who have a natural aptitude towards interpersonal relationships. If you’re an outgoing person who loves to talk to people then real estate is the perfect career for you. A study conducted by the National Association of Realtors showed that 66 percent of home buyers said they will use their real estate agent again or recommend their agent to others. Your good will towards your clients will actually help you earn more money.

You manage your own time

A career in real estate can be quite time-flexible. You manage your own time and how you conduct your meetings and client appointments. This becomes even more flexible if you have a partner who can share in how to divide the schedule. It’s a win-win situation.

These four benefits are very compelling arguments for taking that plunge and taking the career path of real estate. One last benefit of being in real estate is that it is not an age-sensitive career. You can start a career at any age – whether you’re a new graduate or someone who’s pushing 50, real estate is a career that will offer you success.

About The Author

Sean Stone operates a popular job search site and has seen first-hand the success of many real estate agents.

The 2013 Tornado Season is Brewing

Well, Dorothy had a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion to help her following the storm that brought her to Oz with her little dog too. We can be almost as imaginative and use a saxophonist and amateur storm chaser, Bob Hartig, to forecast our upcoming 2013 tornado season.

According to Hartig, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are higher than normal in the Gulf of Mexico and the Climate Prediction Center or the CPC’s El Niño/La Niña-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) maps fail to forecast any change in the above-average SSTs. These observations are also reflected in average station and buoy temperatures collected by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC). Hartig interprets all these acronyms and abbreviations to predict that “Tornado Alley…stands a better chance of action…provided the polar jet cooperates this year by showing up farther south, where richer incursions of moisture can get at the energy.”

For those of us who are neither amateur climatologists nor saxophonists, a translation: It looks as if the spring tornado season may be an active one.

Quick Tornado Facts

The purpose of this article is to help you and your neighbors prepare for tornadoes and other bad weather. As long, however, as people outside of the Midwest persist in believing that tornadoes don’t occur in Virginia, New York or Alabama, we’ll continue to have huge numbers of Americans unprepared the power and devastation a tornado can wreck on their communities. So, let’s get the following tornado facts straight:

Danger signs include:

- Dark sky with a greenish tint

- Hail

- A “large, dark, low-lying cloud”

- A loud roaring sound, reportedly similar to an approaching train

Tornado facts include the following information to remember:

- They can occur very quickly with little or no official or observational warnings.

- They can be almost invisible until the funnel picks up visible dust and debris.

- The average speed at which a tornado travels is 30 mph but can range from stationary to approximately 70 mph.

- Peak tornado season is March to May in the southern United States and late spring through June in the northern states.

- These storms can occur at any time, but are most likely to happen between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Tornado Preparations

Before a storm is even forecast, be sure to complete the following tasks:

- Take a photographic home inventory and copies of your insurance policies and store them in a (no pun intended) cloud-based system where they can be retrieved after the storm is over.

- Safeguard other important documents in the same way and put the originals in a safe deposit box.

- Devise a household emergency plan and make it known to all family members. Review it from time to time so everyone understands what they are expected to do.

- Determine where the closest public emergency shelters are to your home, work and each child’s school.

- Compile a storm-readiness stockpile, to include: Handheld or hands-free flashlights; many batteries; a first-aid kit; bottled water; nonperishable food (include Fido!); can opener; baby wipes.

- Storm kits and recommended items vary according to the age of the family members, where you live, your access to tornado shelters or basements and other factors. Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s page on tornadoes to learn about additional items you may want to have on hand.

- Compile a storm-readiness stockpile, to include:

Afterward

Unfortunately, recovery from a tornado or other natural disaster requires more than tapping ruby slippers together and wishing it so. You can, however, help mitigate the damage to your home, personal papers and community by contacting your local Red Cross office for pre-storm planning.

With a revolutionary hybrid piling system, the benefits of both materials come together for a more stable and durable foundation.

What are the advantages of the Hybrid Piling System?

One company’s innovative approach to foundation repair was developed based on a strong understanding of the many compositions located in the earth beneath most homes. Clay is one particular compositional component that can be highly problematic in maintaining a stable foundation. Because clay naturally shrinks when dry and expands when wet, the foundation can easily become disrupted. This is where the advantages of the hybrid piling system come into play:

1.) The hybrid piling system doesn’t require any heavy equipment for installation and separates soil layers by applying the material right below the foundation of the home.

2.) Steel segments provide greater depth, while concrete portions provide increased bearing area for maximum support.

3.) The concrete cylinder features a larger diameter for a greater surface area and better support.

4.) Deep-penetrating steel segments reach layers of soil that aren’t affected by changing weather conditions, which prevents foundational disturbances.

What is the installation process like?

The installation process for the hybrid piling system can be completed in just three easy steps, over the course of one or two days:

Preparation: Before installation, the preparation process involves relocating plants surrounding the work area and drilling access holes. For safety purposes, heavy plywood covers should be placed over each access hole.

Driving the pilings: The hybrid piling’s interlocking steel segments are secured into the ground at a few strategically chosen locations. A transition plate is placed on top of the last steel segment, which is then topped by the first concrete segment. The last concrete cylinder is topped by a pile cap. Support cylinders are placed on top of the pile cap right beneath the foundation.

Finishing touches: Well-trained professionals will then conduct the repair process and test out the strength of the structure. Spacers are added once the process is complete to provide additional support for the building. The top of the holes are refilled with soil, and the concrete is patched up. Plants are replaced, and the area is thoroughly cleaned.

The hybrid piling system offers great benefits to homeowners and is a better choice for reliable foundation repair. With all of the potential benefits of this combined system, there will likely be an increase in homeowners opting to upgrade with the promise of superior strength and durability. Since foundational problems are such a common and expensive issue for homeowners today, this upgrade can actually be a cost-effective solution. At the very least, the hybrid piling system offers an exciting starting point for the future of home foundation repair.

Planning ahead is the key to saving money in many areas of your life. For example, if you wanted to go on a big family vacation, you probably wouldn’t wait until a week before the trip to book plane tickets for the whole family. They tend to be much less expensive in advance. Similarly, if you wait until a large appliance breaks down, you’ll be forced to replace it right away, rather than having the chance to shop during the times when it will be less expensive. Consider these tips about the best times to purchase major appliances like a refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, and stove.

Shop in the Fall: Most major appliance companies release their new line of products in September or October. Just like nobody wants last year’s car model when this year’s comes out, the newer appliances are the ones most people are drawn to. Because of this, stores discount last year’s models to get them out of the store before the new models completely take over in the winter.

Take a Last Look in January: Although selection will be much more limited, some stores still have last year’s models sitting around in January. Now that they’re dated with the previous year, people really don’t want them, so you’ll get even lower prices. This is also the best time to buy an air conditioner because it’s not peak season, which means prices on materials will be lower and competition for business will drive down installation costs.

Watch for Holiday Sales: Holiday weekends typically come with great sales, so keep an eye out for ads in your Sunday newspaper. This is especially true at the end of the year, over Labor Day weekend, Veteran’s Day weekend, and Black Friday. However, don’t just assume that the price listed in the ad is a great deal. Do some comparison shopping online to see what is available to purchase online or in other stores. Just don’t forget about shipping costs if you’re going to buy online.

Get a Refrigerator in May: If you’re shopping for a fridge, you should actually get it at the opposite time of year from other major appliances. Manufacturers wait to release their new models until summer, when demand is high, so buy in May to get the best deal on last year’s refrigerator. Plus, you’ll be ready to go into the hot summer months, which put the most strain on your refrigerator.

Don’t Forget to Negotiate: Although stores list prices on appliances, they’re often willing to wiggle a bit on them. Salespeople often work on commission and are trying to meet quotas for sales, so they’ll often want to help you out with a better deal if it will mean selling the appliance. Therefore, shop at a time when you are most likely to have success negotiating, like a quiet weekday toward the end of the month, when quotas are looming.

Shopping at the right time can save you hundreds of dollars on new appliances for your home. However, surprises happen, and sometimes you just can’t wait to make a purchase. In these situations, do your best comparison shopping or consider buying used to save money.

If you plan to sell your own home and are not particularly keen on doing it alone, you can still make use of real estate agents without having to pay a high commission.  Minimizing the cost of commission can be done in two ways.  You either negotiate for a lower agent’s commission or just pay for the services you feel you cannot do yourself.

Negotiating commission has become possible due to the falling trend of commission rates.  Agents are also more willing to settle for a lower rate of commission for higher-priced properties since it obviously still leaves them with a comfortable margin.  This does not mean to say however that owners of lower-priced house should not try.  There is always a chance for homeowners to find the bests deal considering that there are many real estate agents.

Homeowners can try big-named real estate companies which can usually afford decreasing the standard commission rates prevailing in the area.  Some are able to offer non-cash rebates.  Whether this is acceptable or not to homeowners, they alone can answer.

For homeowners who feel that they can do much better on their own, they can try but can do much better with a little help from real estate agents who are willing to accept payment only for the services they actually render.  This is an advantageous option for homeowners although it would require them to do some part of the job.  For most homeowners however, doing part of the job in exchange for a much higher selling price is quite acceptable.

Before offering a house for sale in the market, homeowners should make sure that the house is in “selling form”.  This would mean having it cleaned, having the necessary repairs made, and removing personal items.  Just to have a feel of the real thing, homeowners can invite friends to come over for a look-see as a way of going over the showing process among familiar people.  It goes without saying of course that homeowners need to advertise a lot in all possible places where it can be suitably promoted.  These include flyers, signs, ads in newspapers, as well as listings in various real estate sites.

One of the most promising options open to homeowners who are selling their homes is to go for real estate agents who charge a flat commission rate usually placed at 0.5%.  This is admittedly lower than the standard going rate.  A marketing package consisting of onsite signage, photography, brochures, floor plan, and coverage through major property sites is also offered for a price much lower than traditional agencies.

Homeowners however, will have the responsibility of showing their homes to buyers.  All the other requirements will be done by the real estate agent.  This arrangement does not only lower the commission cost but also provide a personal touch to selling a home.

About the Author

Lorna is a businesswoman who has discovered the advantages of transacting with real estate agents who are willing to accept a lower commission rate.

If you’re in the market for a drill for home improvement, think beyond the projects on your to-do list to choose something you can grow with. Once you buy the drill, you’ll find so many more uses for it — everything from installing your new porch swing to putting together that flat-pack furniture quickly. Consider these six criteria when selecting the right drill.

1. Cordless or corded: Corded drills are cheaper, so it can be tempting to pick one of these for your immediate need. Pause for a moment and think long-term: Will you want to haul out the drill and extension cord every time you need to drill something? A cordless drill lets you grab and go, getting a quick fix done in the time it would take you to set up a corded drill.

2. Battery life and power: If you choose a cordless drill, investigate the battery life and recharge time before you buy. Some models recharge in as little as 15 minutes; others can take up to one hour. You’ll find three options for battery type: Nickel cadmium (NiCad), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li-ion). The latter is more expensive yet performs better. Power is measured in volts. For most home uses, a range of 9.6 to 14.4 volts should suffice. Scale up and the drill becomes heavier; an 18-volt drill can weight 5 pounds. Would you want to heft that weight around when working on home repair projects?

3. Torque: Torque refers to the rotational force of the drill. For most home uses, a torque of 450 in./lbs. will be sufficient. If you’re a contractor looking for a drill that you can use at home and on the job, you’ll want more torque.

4. Speed: Look for a drill that offers high and low speeds, since different materials benefit from different speeds. You’ll want to go slow when drilling through glass or ceramic; a too-high speed may shatter the material. Likewise, when using a large drill bit or drilling a hard wood, you’ll want to go slow. Softer materials and smaller drill bits work fine at faster speeds.

5. Chuck: The chuck is the tip of the drill where the bits are inserted; it comes in standard sizes. Look for a drill chuck that is 3/8-inch; it’s fairly all-purpose. Some drill chucks are all metal; these can dent the material if you drill too deep. A drill chuck that includes a soft trim will protect the material if you drill too deep by accident or if your hand slips.

6. Reversible or not: A drill with a reversible mode can be used to loosen screws, handy when you need to replace old screws or disassemble furniture. However, if you don’t think you will ever use the drill as a screwdriver, then you may not need a reverse mode. Think about what you’ll be using the drill for before you purchase; it’s not a bad idea to buy a reversible drill for that “just in case” scenario.

Use these criteria to narrow down the types of drills you’re considering, then compare price points before you buy. While the right drill is an investment in your home, you should still stay on budget when shopping.