Welcome to the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Blog

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Gathering!!

Blog Author — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:56:48 GMT

On Monday, September 29, several members of NHN met at Good Soup Deli in the Beacon Executive Suites on Beacon Drive. Christy Michalec (State Farm Insurance), Jan Wolf (Sellstate Realty), Paul Auger and Bob (Nu-Image Claims), Manny Romero and Stacie (Foreclosure Help Center), Curtis O'Brien (AXA Financial), Jacob Mermin (JMI Inspections) and myself met to discuss the direction of marketing going forward.

All agreed Blogging has become a most effective way to get your message to the local customer. As a group, we are going to develop business Blogs as well as the NHN blog. Members were encouraged to write a short biography explaining how they ended up owning their particular business, the passions for their chosen field and their emphasis on customer service.

We are also going to become part of some of the most widely used INTERNET social and networking groups. Success of one of the members was discussed at great length,

Watch here for updates and follow the progress of our members as they grow their business using the most up to date tools for today's INTERNET savvy cusomers.

Mike Cathell, Co-Founder of Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Help! I Want to Retire, But I'm Off Track!

Blog Author — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:51:13 GMT

Sometime around the age of 50, we start to think more seriously about retirement. After all, the kids (if we have them) are out of the house, or at least relatively self-sufficient, we’re at the peak earning stage of our careers, and thoughts of soon having time for whatever we please are becoming more and more pervasive.

But those daydreams of freedom and folly are often interrupted with anxiety and doubt. Can I even afford to retire at all? Will I be able to sustain my lifestyle? Why didn’t I do more? Is it too late?

If You’ve Fallen off Track

Perhaps you always intended to save more, but just didn’t have a solid plan in place or the extra money to follow through. Intentions are commendable, but if life has gotten in the way of saving enough, there’s no time like the present to get back on track. It is not too late, but you need to act quickly.

Five Key Concerns for Retirement

To have a well-rounded retirement where you can maintain and protect the lifestyle you and your family have become used to, there are five key areas to address:

1. Income Management

2. Protection

3. Health Care

4. Long-Term Care

5. Leaving a Legacy

Income Management:

The income you’ll need during retirement is dependent on the lifestyle you plan to have. Will you be relocating or staying where you are? What hobbies or activities do you intend to pursue? Do you plan to work part-time or not at all? All of these variables should be examined as you create your overall budget.

Typically, retirees need to replace all or most of their pre-retirement income. Consider this: you may not need as much in the first few years of retirement, but as inflation bites into the dollar’s buying power year after year, it will eventually cost more to buy the same things. Make sure your budget takes inflation into account.

Social Security will meet part of your income requirement, but not enough to rely on exclusively. To create an adequate cash-flow, take advantage of tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). If your employer or union sponsors a pension plan, find out if you’re eligible and what the plan entails. Keep in mind that if you are over 50 years of age, you may be eligible to make additional contributions to retirement accounts through a catch-up provision. For 2007, the regular contribution limit to 401(k) plans, as set by the IRS, is $15,500, and the catch-up limit is an additional $5,000.[1]

Additional personal investments and/or annuities may also help generate a retirement income, therefore, you should speak with a qualified financial professional to determine which products may work best with your risk tolerance and investment horizon.

Protection:

If you have a spouse or dependents, ask yourself what would become of them if anything were to happen to you. You need to protect their future.

Often, when one spouse dies, the survivor’s cost of living remains nearly the same. Think about it: the mortgage and taxes still need to be paid, food needs to be bought, electricity needs to stay on, and things you used to do must now be hired out to someone else. Yet, the surviving spouse typically loses a large portion of their retirement income when their partner dies.

To help a surviving spouse or other beneficiaries maintain an income when you’re gone, carefully review your pension and IRA documents. There may be options that guarantee continued benefits for the surviving spouse either in a lump sum or at a reduced rate. Also, there are joint and survivor annuities which create an income stream for the rest of the second spouse’s life.

Life insurance is an option which can provide tax-free income to your beneficiary. There are a variety of contract options, including Term, Permanent, Universal, and Variable which should be explained to you in detail by a professional. Often, life insurance offers families protection so that their financial lives can remain intact even after the loss of a loved one.

Health Care:

Though everyone hopes for the best, the truth is, your health during retirement is unpredictable. At age 65, you will qualify for the country’s largest health insurance plan: Medicare. If you are among the lucky minority, your former employer may offer continued health coverage for their retirees. However, if you’re like the majority of Americans, this type of coverage will be unavailable. Therefore, if you plan to retire before you become eligible for Medicare, you will be responsible for purchasing personal coverage to fill the gap.

The Medicare program does a good job insuring the health of America’s seniors. But it doesn’t cover everything. There are out-of-pocket costs to pay for premiums as well as services outside the plan’s scope, such as vision, hearing, dental, and podiatric care. Considering most seniors need these types of care, the costs can add up. According to a non-partisan report published in December 2006, the average senior can expect to pay 27% of their income toward healthcare.[2] Therefore, it is of great importance to figure in anticipated medical expenditures when working through your retirement budget.

Long Term Care

As we age, there is an increased probability that we may eventually need assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. This type of care-- regardless of whether it’s in-home or at a facility – does not come cheap. Medicare does not cover long-term care, and most of us can’t afford to pay for it out of pocket without depleting our retirement nest egg.

Many pre-retirees are opting to buy long-term care insurance policies. Depending on the contract and issuing company, these policies usually begin paying for the costs associated with long-term care once you become unable to independently perform several of the activities of daily living.

Though most people recognize the value of long-term care insurance, often the expense of buying a standalone policy deters them from seeking coverage. Some insurers now offer an alternative in the form of a long-term care or “living care” rider that can be attached to a permanent life insurance policy. If the owner ever requires care, the rider makes it possible to accelerate the death benefit of the insurance contract to pay for qualified costs. For more specific information about long-term care coverage options, contact your financial professional.

Leaving a Legacy

Even if you’ve fallen off track saving for your own future, it is never too early to speak to an advisor about creating an estate plan to transfer your assets to heirs upon your death. With the help of estate planning and tax professionals, you can create a strategy to structure your bequests in the most advantageous way – both for you and your beneficiaries. Whether you intend to pass your assets to relatives, friends, or a charity near and dear to your heart, there are a variety of tools at your disposal, including living trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities.

When it comes to saving for retirement, time is of the essence. The longer your investment horizon, the more time your money has to work for you. Therefore, you mustn’t delay any longer. Contact your financial professional today to arrange a meeting to assess your situation. From there, commit to a strategy and stick with it. Before you know it, those daydreams of retirement will no longer dissolve into anxiety and worry because you’ll feel confident that you are back on track just in time.

Please be advised that this document is not intended as legal or tax advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided in this document is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The tax information was written to support the promotion or the marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed and you should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Curtis E. O’Brien offers securities through AXA Advisors, LLC (member NASD, SIPC) 9530 Marketplace Road Suite 101, Fort Myers, FL 33912 239-225-6560 Ext. 311, and offers annuity and insurance products through an insurance brokerage affiliate, AXA Network, LLC and its subsidiaries.

GE 39045 (03/07)

[1]www.irs.gov, “Your Federal Income Tax – For Individuals,” Publication 17, 2006.

[2] “Health Care Costs, Taxes, and the Retirement Decision,” Rudolph G. Penner and Richard W. Johnson; The Urban Institute, December 2006.

The Foreclosure Help Center - Manny Romero

Blog Author — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:36:02 GMT

This information is taken directly from Manny's web site, in his own words:

One out of every twenty-five households faces foreclosure every year. These victims fall vulnerable to predatory practices and scam artists. This overwhelming stress factor (comparable to a death in the family) leads often to illness, divorce, and despair that invariably leave behind broken homes, economic ruin and shattered lives.

Our mission is to help all, regardless of race, creed, religion or nationality, who are seeking solutions in stopping this downward spiraling tragedy by providing them information, counseling, and a referral network of caring, dedicated professionals, members and volunteers in position to financially, morally, physically and spiritually heal and repair these lives.

Homes and families are the backbone of this great nation. We continually strive as community minded consumer advocates to seek out any and all forms and methods of assistance, and welcome all who wish to join us in our quest to stop foreclosure.

I, Manny Romero, having been in foreclosure myself, hope and pray that you explore all your options and seek help even if you feel that you are not in danger or risk. Denial and procrastination are the most recurring symptoms as well as the leading causes in making catastrophic decisions.

"A Christ Centered Foundation"

Know all your options and legal rights. We are a Non-Profit Organization with programs and solutions to practically any financial problem. We are a one stop solution for any and all pre-foreclosure and foreclosure needs. We have a Real Estate Attorney on hand, and even have educational assistance for consumer protection, scam control, and predatory lending practices.

We have the necessary experience and resources that can make a difference. Don't wait until it is too late! Denial is your worst enemy! Call at the first sign of trouble for:

Foreclosure Help
Money Sources
Grants
Fresh Start Programs
Loans
Credit Restoration and Counseling
Mediation
Job and Career Placement
Stress and Depression Therapy
Family Counseling
More

Foreclosure Help Center, Inc.
A Non-Profit Organization (Fl. Doc. No. N05000011512)
8359 Beacon Blvd Suite 601 Ft Myers, Fl 33907

239-645-3932 Hotline - 239-425-2690 Office
866-862-7163 Toll Free

State Farm Insurance - Christy Michalec

Blog Author — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:06:38 GMT

Christy began her career in 1991 at State Farm's Home Office in Bloomington, IL. Over the last 17 years, Christy honed her skills in both property/casualty insurance and financial services through various roles within the State Farm organization. Christy opened her agency in Cape Coral on June 1, 2007 and achieved the nation's "Top 100" status for all new State Farm agents during her first year. As the number one insurer of autos and homes in the US and Florida, State Farm is known as a leader in property and casualty insurance. Christy has expanded the services she provides to her clients by specializing in estate, education and retirement planning.

Christy is thrilled to be a resident of Cape Coral and is honored to currently serve more than 1,300 families in Cape Coral and SouthwestFlorida.

Her mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. She accomplishes this mission by meeting one-on-one with her clients, discovering their priorities and developing a plan to meet their individual needs.

**********************

We have many products which can be categorized into six main lines:

Auto Insurance

Home Insurance

Life Insurance

Health Insurance (including Long Term Care) Bank Products (loans and deposit products) Mutual Funds

Christy Michalec, FLMI - Agent
State Farm Insurance
1242 SW Pine Island Road
Suite 46
Cape Coral, FL 33991

BUS TEL: (239) 541-4800
CELL: (239) 834-9074
FAX: (239) 772-9396

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Paying for College

Blog Author — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:34:16 GMT

Paying for College

Abstract: College is expensive but there are many ways to finance your children’s education.

While there is no denying that four years of college can cost a fortune, there is plenty you can do to make sure that your children get the best possible education. Here are some guidelines, based on the age of your children.

For children under 14

Start putting money aside now! The earlier you start, the greater the potential for long-term growth.
Investigate Section 529 plans. These plans allow tax-free growth of your college savings and Federal tax-free withdrawal of the proceeds for qualified educational expenses when your children enter college.[1] Some states also allow tax deductions for a limited amount of contributions by in-state residents and tax-free qualified withdrawals.
In addition to Section 529 Plans, you can also put the maximum annual amount ($2000 per child) into a Coverdell Education Savings Account if your income meets eligibility requirements. Like 529 Plans, earnings may be distributed tax-free if used for educational expenses.² In addition, Coverdell Accounts may be used for pre-college educational expenses, such as elementary or secondary educational costs.
Direct your investments in an age appropriate manner, whether you are investing in a 529 Plan, Coverdell Account, or other investment. Your financial professional can help you determine an appropriate mix of assets in your college accounts based on your time horizon and risk tolerance. As a rule of thumb, the further your children are from college, the more aggressive your investments can be. Because stocks are subject to relatively wide price swings and lots of day-to-day volatility, it may be advisable to switch to less volatile investments, such as bonds, as your children get nearer to college. Many 529 Plans offer a choice of investments, including funds that automatically change the asset mix as your child gets closer to college age. If you direct your investments, under Federal law you are permitted to re-allocate Section 529 Plan investments once a year.
After other options have been exhausted, investigate variable annuities. Variable annuities offer tax-deferred growth potential and often have a wide range of investment options. Withdrawals are taxable, regardless of what they are used for and when they are taken. Withdrawals are also generally subject to a surrender charge in the contract’s early years. There is also a 10% penalty tax imposed on the taxable portion of withdrawals if taken before age 59 ½. Annuities have limitations and also contain an expense structure that may be higher than other college funding options. Your financial professional can provide you with information on annuities, including costs, so that you can determine if it is a suitable product based on your needs.

For children nearing college age

Before investing in an account in the child’s name, you should be aware that colleges expect the student to contribute approximately 35% of his or her assets to pay for college costs, while the percentage expected of the parent is far lower (around 5%).3 If you’ve put assets into an account in the child’s name, you may increase the amount that the college expects the child to pay and reduce your child’s chance of receiving financial aid. Section 529 Accounts are not affected, because they are considered parental assets.
Investigate Federal tax credits, including the Lifetime Learning Credit and the Hope Scholarship Credit. There are income limitations on these credits, so speak to your tax advisor to determine if you qualify.
Look into financial aid, even if your income seems too high. No matter what your income, do not assume your child is ineligible for financial aid. In addition to need-based aid, some colleges offer scholarships to outstanding students regardless of need. In addition, there are private scholarships, sponsored by employers, clubs and religious groups. Most high school guidance counselors have access to data bases that can give you a full listing. The financial aid office at the college may also put together a package based on the programs for which your children are eligible, including grants, loans and work/study programs.
Borrow as inexpensively as possible. There are numerous Federal and state loan programs that charge below market rate interest to qualified college borrowers. Other lower-cost sources of loans for college expenses include home equity loans, loans against your 401(k) plan, and policy loans on cash value life insurance.

Paying for college is not easy, but planning is the key to making it happen. Taking the time to plan now is the first step toward making sure your children get the education they deserve.

AXA Advisors, LLC does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your individual situation.

Curtis E. O’Brien, Financial Consultant, 9530 Marketplace Road, Suite 101, Fort Myers, FL 33912, 239-225-6560 Ext. 311, offers securities and investments advisory services through AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC. Annuity and insurance products through an insurance brokerage affiliate, AXA Network, LLC and its subsidiaries.

GE-36501 (07/06) (Exp. 07/08)

1 Under “sunset” provisions, current Section 529 tax rules are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010, unless renewed by Congress. Before 2001, these plans generally provided tax deferral, not tax-free college savings.

²With both Section 529 Plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, you can withdraw money for any reason, although you will pay taxes and may also be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty if withdrawals are made for non-educational reasons

3 “Top Ten Financial Tips for Parents,”—Thomson Peterson’s. http://www.petersons.com/common/article.asp?id=1069&path=ug.pfs.advice&sponsor=1

THE 7 SECRETS OF NEGOTIATING

Blog Author — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:55:52 GMT

NEGOTIATE:

“The ability to communicate information that creates a climate of goodwill and favor instead of fear in the changing of opinions, circumstances and agreements”

In the sales process, negotiating is much more effective if done after the buyer has made a heart decision to purchase from you. If you begin to negotiate terms, price, delivery etc, before the buyer has made that decision, you will find yourself in a weaker bargaining position. You only have a certain, limited number of “chips” you can bargain with. Why give them all up before the buyer has settled on the rightness of your product or service offering? Certainly, some concessions up front can make the buyer more interested in your offer, but it also creates an expectation of more concessions from you with little effort on their part.

SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR WIN / WIN NEGOTIATIONS

1) Appeal to the heart (emotion).

ü 90% of the decision is made in the heart ( the battleground).

ü 10% of the decision is made in the mind ( the negotiating table ).

ü People buy into a “position” based on emotion, then justify with logic

2) Reduce conflict by stressing common goals.

ü Focus on things in common versus what divides.

ü What are the common goals you share with the other party?

ü Emphasizing common goals, reduces conflict & creates conducive environment.

3) Include others to increase the impact of the decision.

ü Identify all who will be impacted by this decision.

ü Others will be watching for your decision.

ü Include the others in the decision process where appropriate.

4) Express value for the relationship.

ü People need to feel valued.

ü People need to feel significant.

ü The need for significance is the #1 addiction in America.

ü When people feel insignificant they withdraw emotionally and hinder negotiations.

ü If you honor the other party, they are more likely to respond favorably.

ü Express value for the people at all levels not just the “ decision maker”

ü Value the people, and they will value doing business with you.

5) Invest in the relationship.

ü People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!

ü How have you invested in the relationship so far? How can you now?

ü Are you only looking at this transaction for what you can get out of it?

ü Send them relevant business articles from current publications.

ü Send other information relevant to their business that could help them.

ü Send them some referrals.

ü At the very least, pray for them!

6) Involve their good reputation.

ü Recognize their past achievements.

ü Attach their reputation to the outcome.

ü People want to protect their reputation.

7) Build on past gains.

ü Don’t re-invent the wheel.

ü Don’t lay again the same foundation.

ü Reiterate progress made thus far.

ü Keep in the forefront the gains or progress you have already made together.

ü “You’ve been a customer a long time now” or “We’ve worked together before”

A Quantum Leap For Business

Strategic Resource Institute/

Sarasota Florida

Jacob Mermin CHI/CMI
Co- Founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor
www.mermininspecions.com
239-243-7322

INSPECTOR'S CORNER:MAINTAIN YOUR A/C

Blog Author — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:09:28 GMT

THE INSPECTOR'S CORNER:MAINTAIN YOUR A/C

DO YOU WANT TO SAVE UP TO 30% ON YOUR YEARLY COOLING COSTS? I AM SURE WE ALL DO. THE KEY TO SAVING MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL IS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SERVICED TWICE PER YEAR. AN ADDED BENEFIT OF THIS SERVICE ,IT WILL HELP PROTECT YOUR SYSTEM FROM EARLY FAILURE,PREVENT MOLD FROM GROWING IN THE SYSTEM, AND HELP IT PERFORM AT IT'S HIGHEST EFFICIENCY. IT WILL ALSO KEEP YOU FROM FEELING THE HIGH HUMIDITY. LOW HUMIDITY+COLD AIR= COMFORT.

ONE REQUIREMENT WE MUST DO FOR OUR SELVES IS TAKE CARE OF THE FILTER. EITHER CLEAN IT OR REPLACE IT EVERY MONTH. A DIRTY FILTER RESTRICTS AIR FLOW. THIS CAN BE VERY BAD FOR YOUR EQUIPMENT AND THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSE. PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME, HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE THE FILTER IN MY HOME? I TELL THEM THAT IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF FILTER, HOW OFTEN THEY ARE USING THEIR SYSTEM,AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR INDOOR AIR. THERE ARE ALL TYPES OF FILTERS AVAILABLE. I TELL MY CUSTOMERS THAT THEY SHOULD GET THE BEST FILTER THAT THEY CAN AFFORD. GOOD INDOOR AIR QUALITY IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR FAMILY. WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND A GIFT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING,BUY THAT PERSON A GOOD QUALITY FILTER. THE TYPE OF FILTER YOU CAN USE DEPENDS ON THE APPLICATION. IF YOU HAVE ROOM AT THE AIR HANDLER YOU CAN INSTALL A 5 INCH PLEATED BOX TYPE FILTER. THIS IS THE BEST FLOW THROUGH FILTER YOU CAN BUY. THESE 5 INCH PLEATED FILTERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ONCE OR TWICE PER YEAR. ANOTHER FINE FILTER IS A METAL FRAMED ELECTROSTATIC FILTER. IT IS USUALLY CUSTOM MADE TO FIT YOUR RETURN GRILL. THERE ARE SOME THAT YOU CAN SIZE AND ADJUST THE FRAME YOUR SELF. WITH THIS TYPE OF FILTER YOU NEED TO CUT THE MEDIA TO SIZE TO FIT THE ADJUSTABLE FRAME. IT IS ALLOT OF WORK TO GET IT SIZED FOR YOUR FILTER RETURN GRILL.THESE HAVE TO BE WASHED EVERY MONTH OR AS THEY BECOME DIRTY, FINALLY THERE ARE ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANERS. THESE HAVE ELECTRONIC PLATES THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN OUT AND CLEANED MONTHLY. THEY CAN BE PUT IN THE DISHWASHER TO BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED. THE WORST FILTER YOU CAN BUY IS THE FILTER I SEEM TO SEE EVERY DAY. YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THEM. THEY HAVE A CARDBOARD FRAME A BLUE SPUN FIBER GLASS. HERE IS AN EASY TEST TO PROVE TO YOUR SELF THAT FOR EVEN A DOLLAR THEY ARE A WAIST OF MONEY. LAY THE FILTER FLAT ABOVE YOUR SINK AND TAKE A HAND FULL OF SALT AND DROP THE SALT ON THE FILTER. WATCH THE SALT PASS THROUGH THE FILTER INTO THE SINK. THE AVERAGE SIZE OF ONE SALT PARTICLE IS 10 MICRONS. IF A SALT PARTICLE IS GOING TO GO THROUGH THE FILTER I GUESS A POLLEN SPORE, OR MOLD SPORE,AND A PIECE OF DUST SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM GETTING THROUGH TO YOUR EVAPORATOR. DON'T BE AFRAID TO CALL A CERTIFIED MOLD INSPECTOR LIKE ME AND ASK FOR HELP. GOOD INDOOR AIR QUALITY IS MY PASSION. I WILL HELP ANYONE PICK OUT A FILTER FOR THEIR FAMILY.

THE REASON THE FILTER IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE IT IS PROTECTING THE EVAPORATOR COIL INSIDE THE AIR HANDLER. THE AIR HANDLER IS THE PART OF YOUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THAT IS ON THE INSIDE. USUALLY IN A CLOSET, YOUR ATTIC, OR IN YOUR GARAGE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THIS INSIDE COIL CLEAN. A DIRTY COIL IN THE AIR HANDLER CAN EFFECT YOUR HEALTH, WASTE ENERGY, AND CUT THE CAPACITY OF YOUR COOLING EQUIPMENT. A DIRTY COIL CAN REDUCE AIRFLOW THROUGH THE EQUIPMENT. FOR EACH 10% REDUCTION IN AIRFLOW, THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EQUIPMENT DROPS ABOUT 5%. IN REALITY REDUCED AIRFLOW MEANS LESS COOLING. EVERY THING IN THE INSIDE UNIT CAN CAUSE POOR AIRFLOW AND AIR QUALITY. THE EVAPORATOR COIL IS COLD FROM THE FREON. THE HOT DAMP AIR IN YOUR HOME PASSES THROUGH THE FILTER TO THE EVAPORATOR COIL. THAT COIL IS WET. THIS WET COIL IS A CATCHER OF DUST, DIRT, POLLEN, MOLD, PET DANDER,AND EVEN DUST MITES AND OTHER BUG PARTS. THE BLOWER FINS ALSO GET CLOGGED FROM THESE SAME CONTAMINANTS. MOLD AND OTHER MICROBIAL MATTER CAN GROW INSIDE OF THE AIR HANDLER, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA. THE INDOOR UNIT SHOULD BE CHECKED AT LEAST ONCE PER YEAR, MAYBE TWICE A YEAR IF YOU HAVE BREATHING PROBLEMS. THE INSIDE UNIT CAN BE CLEANED, ESPECIALLY THE EVAPORATOR COIL AND BLOWER WHEEL. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE BY A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THE HOMEOWNER SHOULD TRY AND DO THEMSELVES. CALL A CERTIFIED MOLD INSPECTOR THAT IS ALSO A CERTIFIED HVAC TECHNICIAN LIKE ME. THE COST OF CLEANING OR OVERHAULING AN INDOOR UNIT WITH THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS VERY FROM UNIT TO UNIT. IT DEPENDS WHERE THE UNIT IS AND HOW ACCESSIBLE IT IS. THE COST DEPENDS ON IF IT CAN BE CLEANED IN PLACE OR IF IT HAS TO BE REMOVED AND TAKEN OUT SIDE. IF THATS THE CASE, FREON HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT AND STORED UNTIL RE-FILLED. TYPICALLY IT RUNS FROM THE EASIEST IN PLACE JOB OF $100.00 TO THE MOST DIFFICULT REMOVAL JOB OF $500.00 OR MORE. IT CAN TAKE FROM ONE HOUR TO A HALF A DAY. THE BEST THING TO DO IS FIND SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST AND GET THEIR ADVICE.

STAY TUNED UNTIL NEXT TIME WHEN I WILL TALK ABOUT THE OUTSIDE CONDENSER UNIT AND THE DUCT WORK IN YOUR ATTIC. I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW YOU CAN SAVE MONEY THIS SUMMER ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL. AND HOW WE CAN GET YOU BETTER AIRFLOW AND BETTER INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Jacob Mermin Co-Founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor

www.mermininspections.com

239-243-7322

Why you need to be on the "NET"

Blog Author — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:49:38 GMT

This information was borrowed from Justin Smith, a leading internet commerce instructor and blogger:

Blogging Statistics

28% of all visits to blogs in 2007 resulted in some kind of action (email signup, contact form, etc.)
There are currently about 15.5 million active blogs (blogs updated within 90 days)
Total blogs tracked by technorati: 74 million
There are 120,000 new blogs being created every day
3,000-7,000 new spam blogs (splogs) created per day
Total blog posts created per day: 1.5 million
36% of those blog posts were written in English
The Japanese language now boasts more blogs than another language (37%)

Search Engine Statistics

75% of Americans use search engines on a regular basis
56% of Americans use Search Engines every day
40% of all search engine searches are for local businesses and services
54% of Americans regularly use the internet instead of the phone book to find local services
92% of all local searches will eventually convert into a sale
Roughly 10 billion search queries made per day
Google’s share of search queries: 59.2%

Yahoo’s share of search queries: 22.2%

Short Sale & Foreclosure Aid- Felix Amabile & Dale Perrigo

Blog Author — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:44:33 GMT

FL Coast Realty Group- Felix Amabile & Dale Perrigo

FL Coast Realty Group is a unique business that helps the clients of other real estate and mortgage businesses that may be facing foreclosure on their residence. FL Coast Realty group has teamed with a large group of professional negotiators that work directly with banks to streamline the short sale process as well as take away much of the stress involved with this complicated and frustrating procedure.

They do not compete with other Realtors or mortgage companies but act on behalf of their clients. Realtors are guaranteed commissions and both Realtors and mortgage brokers get future business when these clients are ready to buy again.

FL Coast Realty Group is also an outlet for many investment and bank owned properties. Large and small investors alike will find properties suited to their investment portfolio.

Future development includes a rental and home placement division, property management division and investment club groups. Presently, they affiliations with credit repair groups, contractors, mold & home inspectors and a wellness/stress management center.

For anyone interested in learning more about learning how FL Coast Realty Group can help your clients, they can attend an informational meeting every Wednesday at 11:00am at the Pinebrook Suites at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave in Ft. Myers. Seating is limited so please call for reservation. They are also available for one-on-one meetings with an appointment.

Contact information:

Ft. Myers: (941) 952-7050
Fax: (941) 952-7060
Located at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. Pinebrook Suites #45 (behind Outback Steakhouse near Bell Tower)

Fire, Water & Mold Damage Specialists - Paul Auger

Blog Author — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:17:29 GMT

Nu-Image Claims Insurance Reconstruction -Paul Auger, President

Nu-Image Claims, Inc. is a full service State Certified General contractor serving the residential and commercial communities. They provide fire, water & storm damage reconstruction. They also provide a 24 hour Emergency fire & vandalism board ups, roof tarps & temporary patches and Lightning strike services.

Nu-Image is fully staffed with experienced Estimators, Sales personnel, Production Coordinators, Skilled Technicians, administrative assistants and Sub-contractors. They service Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Sarasota and Desoto counties.

Their services include:

Additions
Remodeling
Insurance restoration
Storefront Updating
Tenant Renovations
Tenant Build-ons

Contact information:

Fort Myers: (239) 337-4177 Fax: (239) 337-4487
Naples: (239) 592-9995
Port Charlotte: (941) 766-1414
Toll Free: 1-866-337-4177
Web site: www.nu-imageclaims.com