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Tuesday, October 31, 2017
10 second reading: the wrong gift
A friend of mine, Miie T. decided to abandon everything she knew “” she was an economist “” in order to dedicate herself to painting. For years she sought an adequate master until she met a woman who lived in Tibet and specialized in miniatures. Miie left Japan and went to the Tibetan mountains and […]
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from Paulo Coelho http://ift.tt/2gQtUp6
Opendoor Looking to Reach iBuyers on ESPN
I came across the following advertisement on ESPN while checking to see when Game 7 (if necessary) of the World Series was…
As you know, there’s no more free lunch…how are those without hundreds of millions in funding getting distribution leading into 2018?
News flash: If you’ve NOT been watching the Houston-LA World Series, you are missing one of the best October classics in history. Game time 5:20 tonight, on FOX.
The post Opendoor Looking to Reach iBuyers on ESPN appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
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A First Hand Perspective on BoomTown
One option is BoomTown.
I had a chance to ask Tom Lipinski in Macomb County (a former client while I worked at Virtual Results) his thoughts on his time with BoomTown as his online marketing partner (website + SEM). He runs a Keller Williams team.
How long have you been with BoomTown, and why did you choose them over their competitors?
Almost 4 years. I did not compare them to any other product. I heard about Boom Town from a source I no longer recall and checked it out. At the time, I was using Virtual Results and felt that Boom Town was far superior in what the public viewed (buyer experience) and the CRM.
What do you like most about their product and service?
The ability to communicate with buyers, watch their activity, and team up with a lender partner on conversion.
What do you spend monthly, and what results are you seeing?
$1,500 for the service, plus $1,000 for ad purchases, in which they keep $150 (15%) for their fee. Total $2,500 per month. I get about 180 – 200 leads monthly at this rate.
What can BoomTown still improve upon?
If they would connect Showing Time to listings on the agent side, I could eliminate using the local Multiple Listing Service altogether. It is a PITA to transition people to the MLS and/or when making showing appointments to have to leave Boom Town and open the MLS. I spoke to the CEO and President about this at an event and they seemed to like the idea, however, nothing has happened yet. Their product would be way more valuable if I could schedule showings directly from it.
Thanks for sharing, Tom.
What website platform are you using? Do they do your search engine marketing as well? Are you satisfied with their product and results?
The post A First Hand Perspective on BoomTown appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
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Mont Bleu by Newgen at Coquitlam
Located at the corner of Lougheed and Blue Mountain in the historical French Canadian neighbourhood of Maillardville, comes Mont Bleu. This will be Maillardville’s first high rise in the neighbourhood with easy access to Skytrain and a bundle of local amenities. Commercial units will be on the ground floor facing a public art piece as well as exposure from Lougheed. Mont Bleu will be featuring a 21-storey, 147 units with a mixture of studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes. The 19th floor of the tower will have a large, south-facing rooftop amenity space for residents. On the 3rd floor, a developer is planning on having a lounge, kitchen and fitness centre.
Mont Bleu will be revealing the gift of Une Belle Vie, ʻA Beautiful Lifeʼ soon.
The post Mont Bleu by Newgen at Coquitlam appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.
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Flavelle Mill – Port Moody
Flavelle OceanFront Development
The city of Port Moody is planning a major upscaling of its livability with the creation of an oceanfront community that supports a mix of uses, including a range of housing options, along with commercial, light industrial and recreational uses for the benefit of local residents and visitors. As currently envisioned by city planners and developers, the 34-acre Flavelle Lumber Mill will be transformed into a modern urban village that supports a population of about 7,000 residents and adds a wealth of economic, recreational, social, natural and entertainment benefits to Port Moody.
A variety of housing options are being considered for the development, with condominium buildings, street-oriented townhouses, rental housing, and the potential for house boats estimated to lead to the creation of almost 3,400 residential units. The expansive waterfront area will be revitalized and enhanced by the building of about 1.3 kilometres of new recreational trails, a boardwalk along the water’s edge connecting to Rocky Point Park, and the development of four park areas totalling 4.9 acres, and a 1.9-acre public plaza.
The Flavelle Oceanfront Development could lead to the creation of more than 1,000 on-site jobs upon completion, which could generate up to $57 million in annual employment income. Plans call for 99,000 square-feet of office space; 72,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store, restaurants and cafes; 103,000 square feet of light-industrial space; a 106,000 square-foot campus of care facility; and 75,000 square feet of live/work space designed for artistry and other creative ventures.
Developers and planners plan to utilize a sustainable approach in the development to ensure energy efficiency and environmental health. By using LEED Principles of design and construction, planners aim to make the development a model for sustainable communities. The site’s location will help in this regard, as it is in walking distance of both the nearby Sky Train Evergreen Line and West Coast Express, which provide easy connections to the rest of Metro Vancouver.
Public consultation has been an integral part of the planning process thus far, and is expected to continue as the planning stage moves through the ongoing permitting process. I will be keeping a close watch on this project going forward, and will provide updates when appropriate. If you have any questions about the Flavelle OceanFront Development project, or any other questions about real estate in Metro Vancouver, register with us today.
E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act
The post Flavelle Mill – Port Moody appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.
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Edgestone by Bold Developments – Port Moody
Edgestone is a new townhouse development by Bold Properties located at 2131 Spring Street in Port Moody. Once Completed in 2019, Edgestone will consist of 38 2, 3 and 4 Bedroom townhomes ranging in size from 1308 to 1658 square feet.
The expected breakdown of the homes is:
- 2 Two bedroom + Den residences ranging between 1318 to 1327 square feet
- 13 Three bedroom residences ranging from 1319 to 1381 square feet
- 23 Three bedroom + Den residences ranging from 1540 to 1706 square feet
Each of the townhomes will be built Certified Green Gold, with Smart living solution including Ring Video Doorbells, Bluetooth enabled Schlage Deadbolt, and USB charging ports throughout the home, plus some more traditional family convenience such as laundry on the upper floor, private garages with overhead storage, and family sized outdoor patios, and a great children’s playground.
Located at 2131 Spring Street, Edgestone is centrally located with an easy access to Vancouver via the Barnett and Hastings by car, or if Skytrain is your choice, the Port Moody Centre station is a short walk away. Other amenities in the neighbourhood include Suterbrook Village with all the shop and services it provides. For nature lovers and dog walkers, Edgestone is convenient located right off the Shoreline trail , which leads to Rocky Point and Pajos!
Edgestone pricing is expected to start in low 900s with sales to begin by Mid November. If you’re looking for more information on Edgestone and would like to receive additional information such as floor plans, pricing, features and finishes when they are available, please register with us today!
E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act
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Sneak Peek: 5 Home Design Trends You'll Be Seeing in 2018
Twice a year, true interior design magic happens when the industry gathers in North Carolina for High Point Market. This massive trade show gives the design world an opportunity to show off the newest styles in furnishings, lighting and accessories.
We left the event with a wellspring of inspiration after spotting these exciting new trends.
Charcoal and honey
Deep, dark walls painted in rich charcoal and matte black, accented by lush honey tones and cream accents, created a dramatic look.
High Point Market featured plenty of furnishings and decor items that repeated the trend on a smaller scale, with glossy black elements and golden hardware and textiles.
Flouncy florals
Florals are always on point, but the market was flooded with heavily saturated, big-blossomed flourishes with lots of contrast.
Dramatic florals were everywhere, but most notably in large billowing fabrics. From drapery and wallcovering to club chairs and pillows, this look was a show front-runner.
If you're looking to make a bold statement, consider a sofa with a colorful floral print on a dark background, or even a large art piece. For a more modest look, try incorporating smaller items, like a vase or toss pillow.
Velvety vibrants
We always see jewel tones in design, but this season we’re seeing heavily textured pieces with vibrant gemstone coloration. Think fuchsia velvet ottomans and multitoned boucle fabric on accent chairs - even a rich emerald-green tufted couch.
These intense hues can be a lot to take on, so start small with a throw blanket or chair to start.
This is a great color choice for any palette, and it ties into that jewel-tone trend we mentioned earlier.
Continuing the jewel-tone trend, deep teal is a shade you’ll be seeing more of. Sherwin Williams’ Oceanside, its 2018 color of the year, is a perfect representation of this hot hue. Mix metals with this color choice, and watch them sparkle. Consider painting a single statement credenza this enticing shade, and make it pop with hammered brass hardware. Or, paint your entire living room this rich color, and mix in shades of green and fuchsia. If subtle’s more your style, tone it down with cream or charcoal.
Blushing twilight
The high-contrast sophisticated combination of navy blue and a soft blush pink is easy to pull off and surprisingly timeless.
This soft pale-pink rug, paired with the artwork’s rich navy accents, pulls the look together, while mixed metals and cream accents finish off the aesthetic.
Marvelous marbling
One of the most prominent trends from the market was the use of marbling. We found chairs, pillows and art sporting this noteworthy pattern.
Artist Jill Seale handcrafted the art for this gallery wall - paired with a rich organic olive and soft gray blues - and it was quite a showstopper.
The trend was so popular at the market that they offered classes on how to create the striking effect. Try it yourself, and build your own art collection.
Whether you’re just refreshing your home for the season or planning a full decor makeover, let these styles from the fall 2017 High Point Market inspire you.
Photos courtesy of Kerrie Kelly.
Related:
- 2017 Home Design Trends With Staying Power
- How to Brighten a Dark Home
- 4 Ways to Cozy Up Your Kitchen for Fall
from Zillow Porchlight http://ift.tt/2gR9U5O
8 Places in America That Will Pay You to Move There
If you're willing to make a move and fit the qualifications, many rural American towns - and whole states - are offering attractive incentives aimed at attracting new residents and reviving their communities. Ranging from cash grants to free lots of land, these enticing incentives are luring many city dwellers to rural America.
At the beginning of the 20th century, rural America housed more than half the country's entire population. While the total number of Americans living in rural areas has been roughly stable over the past century-as urban and suburban America have boomed-its share of the total population has declined, falling from 54 percent in 1910 to just 19 percent in 2010. This is due in part to outmigration to urban cores, especially by younger generations and the middle class.
This decline in population - and the accompanying social and economic challenges - is forcing rural America to come up with inventive incentives to attract new residents back to rural communities.
Tribune, Kansas is one such town with one such program. "If you move here, we will pay down your student debt," explains Christy Hopkins, community development director for Kansas' least populated county, Greeley (in which Tribune sits). This program, called the Rural Opportunity Zone program, incentivizes post-grads from big cities to move to under-populated towns in one of 77 participating Kansas counties. One of the incentives? They'll help you pay off your student loans - up to $15,000 over the course of five years.
And it seems to be working, for both the town and its new residents. "We knew we needed young people in our community, and so we were looking for opportunities to bring them back," explains Hopkins. “Since beginning the ROZ program, Greeley's population has increased by 55 people-25 of them being direct program participants benefiting from the student loan incentives.”
Here are five towns and three states that offer a robust set of loans, programs, and/or assistance for those seeking to become homeowners:
Curtis, Nebraska
Population: 896
Median home value: $79,000
Dream of building your own home from the ground up? Curtis, Nebraska has a sweet deal for you: Construct a single-family home within a specified time period and receive the lot of land it sits on for free.
Marne, Iowa
Population: 114
Median home value: $75,300
Just 45 minutes east of Omaha, the town of Marne will give you a lot of land for free - all you have to do is build the house (conventional construction or modular) and meet program requirements. Houses must be a minimum of 12000 square feet, and the average lot size is approximately 80 feet x 120 feet.
Harmony, Minnesota
Population: 1,013
Median home value: $93,900
Dreaming of a peaceful life in a newly-built home in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Good news: Your dream comes with a cash rebate. The Harmony Economic Development Authority offers a cash rebate program to incentivize new home construction in Harmony. Based on the final estimated market value of the new home, rebates range from $5,000 to $12,000 and there are no restrictions on the applicant's age, income level, or current residency.
Baltimore, Maryland
Population: 621,849
Median home value: $123,000
Definitively not a rural town, Baltimore's homeowner incentives were just too appealing and inventive to live off this list. Baltimore has not one but two programs offering robust incentives towards buying a home in the city. Buying Into Baltimore offers a $5,000 forgivable loan (forgiven by 20 percent each year, so that by the end of five years you no longer have a balance) if you meet certain qualifications. The second solution offered by the city is a brilliant one: the Vacants to Value Booster program offers $10,000 toward downpayment and closing costs of buyers to Vacants to Value (distressed or formerly distressed) properties.
New Haven, Connecticut
Population: 129,964
Median home value: $157,900
Also not a rural area, but offering an incredibly generous package of homeowner incentives: The city of New Haven, CT has a suite of programs totaling up to $80,000 for new homeowners, including a $10,000 forgivable five-year loan to first-time home buyers, $30,000 renovation assistance, and/or up to $40,000 for college tuition.
Alaska
Population: 741,894
Median home value: $268,800
Chances are, if you're moving to Alaska, the state has a program for you. The state offers an interest rate-reduction program for those financing new or existing energy-efficient homes or improvements. Alaska also offers incentives for veterans and live-in caretakers of physically- or mentally-disabled residents. They even have a manufactured home program and a rural owner-occupied loan program. See the full list of programs here.
Colorado
Population: 5,540,545
Median home value: $337,900
Like most states, Colorado offers traditional programs that assist with down payments and low interest rates, but the state also has a disability program that helps first-time buyers who have a permanent disability finance their home. The state also has a down payment assistance grant that provides recipients with funds up to 4 percent of their first mortgage, which doesn't require repayment.
Wyoming
Population: 585,501
Median Home Value: $195,400
Interested in buying a home with history (and maybe some wear and tear)? Wyoming just might be the place for you. The state offers programs like the Wyoming Rehabilitation & Acquisition Program, which takes homes that have been foreclosed on or abandoned and puts them back on the market for households with low incomes after they've been rehabbed. Wyoming offers another rehab program that allows for older homes to be "spruced up" if they need more than $15,000 worth of repairs.
Related:
- Do You Qualify for Treasury Down Payment Assistance?
- Pre-Wedding Bashes Can Put a Dent in Saving for a Home Down Payment
- The Down Payment Quandary: Trying to Save 20 Percent
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Launching a Website: Your Complete Content Checklist
Most developers have multiple processes in place when it comes to launching a website. It starts with the technical considerations, like where the website will be hosted and what...
The post Launching a Website: Your Complete Content Checklist appeared first on Onextrapixel.
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Monday, October 30, 2017
World Series 2017 Game 5: The Greatest Baseball Game These Eyes will Ever See
I’ll be honest, I am having a hard time with this one. But it’s either I write about this now, or it never gets documented in the history of the greatest World Series ever played. This heartbreaker never gets told through my words and won’t be on this blog someday for my son to read about. He deserves to know what I thought about this game, because in my life in baseball; it was the greatest game of all time.
They will speak of this game after I am long gone. The Dodgers last night showed me that they were every bit the Haley’s Comet type team; the once in a century type team that I thought they were. Otherwise, we don’t get the Hollywood script that last night’s masterpiece ended up resulting in.
I realize – or at least I think that the Dodgers season likely ended last night with Justin Verlander coming out on Halloween night in game six. Yasiel Puig and others say there will be a game six. They’re playing the part of John Wayne still as they have so many damn times this season. As they did until the bitter end last night.
“We’re going to have the game of our lives,” Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig promised in Spanish. “Verlander had better be prepared.”
“It’s not going to finish Tuesday,” he said of the World Series. “There’s going to be a Game 7.”
It’s nice to hear these things. Maybe these guys have one more rabbit left in the hat. Maybe the joke is on me for doubting them. Maybe they’re champions after all. Maybe they’re saving their greatest act and greatest comeback; in a season that has had so many of them and has succeeded in getting me so attached to this bunch, for the very last scene.
“They’re celebrating right now,” Jansen said of the Astros. “Guess what? They’ve still got to beat us one more time. And the fact that we’re going to go home, we’ve just got to continue to grind.
“They’ve got to beat us again. They’ve got to beat all 25 of us to win.”
If you take the Dodgers at their word, they still believe. Just like they did when I thought they were done during the dreadful losing streak.
“We’re determined,” said Bellinger, who had a home run and triple in Game 5. “This thing isn’t over yet.”
I just can’t get over the heroics of some of these guys. Even in a losing effort. I can’t get past what I saw last night from the likes of Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, I mean you go on down the line. Puig, Logan Forsythe, Austin Barnes. They just kept coming back, and coming back, and coming back after most teams would have folded like a cheap tent. That’s what made last night so hard. Knowing that the hero would meet the tragic ending. Knowing that in the end, the hero dies.
I’ve probably never been as attached to a team as I have grown to be to the 2017 Dodgers. In my heart, I know that what is once to be will never be again. Other teams get better. Guys get older. There isn’t this five or eight year window where they’re just going to go to the World Series every year. The 104-win regular seasons don’t come along that often. When they do, you can still get caught by a hot team in the playoffs.
It was all in front of them at one point. They were so close to delivering what they came to do, and you could tell by the way they played, and battled, and fought until the bitter end with desperation; that they knew what was at stake. It’s like they didn’t lose this game, they just got beat. The Astros just took it. It’s the first time in a losing effort that I ever remember feeling like the losing team had shown they had the mark of a champion.
This was a 12 round heavyweight fight from both sides. That’s the best way to describe it. The world is talking about what went down in this game. And it’s recapped elsewhere on the internet. I don’t want to do it here. So I won’t talk about how I woke up today upset with Clayton Kershaw, or Dave Roberts hanging Brandon Morrow out to dry, or umpire Bill Miller, or Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig, and Cody Bellinger heroics. I won’t talk about all the inches that this game could have went different. It’s just too painful.
It’s like I am recovering from a death. The death of a dream. The season I ventured all the way to Los Angeles and fell in love with a city and a team.
The sun rises one more time. It rises at least one more time. And I’ve doubted my own initial gut feeling on the Dodgers before and been wrong. They seem to think they’re going to pull off a miracle to pull the summer sun up into the sky one more time before it sets on this season. I’m quoting Vin Scully.
I need the magic of Dodger Stadium that I’ve felt within my very bones to show up just one more time. I’m not ready to say goodbye yet. They’re not going out this way. They can’t be. Simply can’t be. Don’t let summer be done yet Dodgers. It’s been too magical of a ride. Find a way. Find a way or die trying.
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3 Common Winter Pests in Central PA
Winter may not be a time of year that people equate to dealing with pests in their home. But the truth is, your home has everything you and pests need to survive and thrive: shelter, food, and water. As temperatures start to descend through the fall and into the winter, pests are planning ahead and seeking out a place to overwinter and endure the long, cold season. Let’s learn about a few of these unwanted winter house guests.
3 Common Winter Pests
Mice
Centipedes
Ongoing centipede problems should first be addressed by eliminating harborage areas such as piles of rocks, trash, boards, or other debris that is close to the exterior foundation. Exclusion, or the sealing up of cracks or voids providing access can often be effective to lessen or eliminate centipedes finding their way in. Residual insecticides can be applied in cracks and crevices or as spot treatments in areas where centipedes may hide.
Silverfish
Silverfish can eat a variety of foods including oats, flour, paper, starch, glue, paste, textiles, and dead insects. They can do considerable damage to some natural and synthetic fibers, books, magazines, and other paper products. Control is attained through application of residual insecticides labeled for control of silverfish. Treatment can be applied in basements, attics, closets, behind baseboards, under bathroom fixtures, and around water pipes.
Contact A Pest Control Professional Today
About the Author — Barry Bradley
Barry Bradley is a Master Pest Control Technician for Tomlinson Bomberger and has been caring for pest control needs on residential and commercial properties since 1993. He is licensed through the State of PA and also holds an Associate Certified Entomologist accreditation.
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Meet the RE Tech Founder: James Davis from Upad
Without further ado…
What do you do?
I run Upad, the UK’s largest online letting agent and winner of Best Online Agent 2017. We provide landlords with the same services as a high-street agent but use technology to offer a quicker, more efficient solution at a fraction of the cost. We’re essentially part of the new trend of PropTech – offering technology based solutions so landlords can find tenants in the digital age. We still focus on that service element, it’s really important to me because I don’t think lettings can be a complete e-commerce platform- you need that human interaction and it’s why we have ARLA qualified advisors for landlords to speak to.
What problem does your product/service solve?
Landlords are being hammered by rafts of legislation and more recently, and perhaps with the biggest impact, the reduction of mortgage interest relief- which will make huge dents in landlord’s profits. We offer landlords a cost-effective solution but still give them support and opportunities to build their knowledge with articles, guides and webinars. Landlords need an easy-to- use service to take the hassle out of letting- it’s our main focus when developing our services.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m most excited about some big projects we’re about to launch at Upad. Through our research we know that landlords want to learn more and make sure they’re compliant in their course of business. Most notably, tax and legal advice are the main areas landlords want and need help with – we’re going to address that with tech solutions and ongoing support.
What’s next for you?
I think we’re going to see an even bigger shift towards PropTech in the next few years. 92% of tenants search online for their next property and this is going to drive Upad forward as we offer more solutions to landlords to manage their buy-to- let businesses. We’re also looking to expand even further; with services, advice and a bigger team to reach out to UK landlords.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I recently went through a tribunal case contesting an educational healthcare plan for my youngest daughter, who has down syndrome. The help we received from experts in the field and SEN charities, plus the information available with the Down Syndrome Association, was invaluable. We did have to do a lot of fact-finding and research ourselves, but we had the outcome we wanted in the end.
Thanks to James for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
The post Meet the RE Tech Founder: James Davis from Upad appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
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The Best Houseplants for Low-Light Spaces
No houseplant truly prefers to live in the dark, but the bulletproof indoor plants listed below come pretty darn close.
All you need to grow these gorgeous houseplants is natural light - enough to comfortably read without turning on the lights.
ZZ plant
Looking more like the back of a stegosaurus than an actual plant, the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) will survive extinction-level neglect without missing a single beat.
The leathery green “fronds” make it look like a cross between a cycad and a philodendron. And you can rest assured they’ll continue to look like that, even if you miss a month of watering or keep it in an absurdly low amount of natural light.
Make new ZZ plants by dividing the root ball or by planting leaf cuttings.
Cast iron plant
Understated yet elegant, the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) has been popular since the Victorian age for its wide straps of deep, emerald-green foliage.
Variegated types have patterns like cream bands and specks, but they may lose their markings if kept in low light for too long. Cast iron plants can survive considerable neglect, but keep the potting mix lightly moist for luxuriant foliage.
Snake plant
You can call it snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue or even Sansevieria, just as long as you don't call it boring.
Sansevieria trifasciata “Laurentii” is the variety normally encountered, but there are many other varieties with an assortment of foliage markings and shapes. S. cylindrica, for example, has cylindrical, sage-green leaves that are spread out flat like a fan.
The worst thing you can do to a snake plant is give it too much water, so let the potting mix dry out between waterings.
Lady palm
This is the most luxurious houseplant around, with fans of deep-green, glossy fronds on a compact clump of bamboo-like stems.
They're slow-growing and often expensive, but a lady palm can live an entire lifetime indoors with care and occasional repotting. To get the healthiest plant for your buck, keep the potting mix moist, and feed annually with a palm fertilizer.
If the plant becomes root-bound, divide the root ball with a sharp knife, and pot up the divisions.
Peace lily
Getting a peace lily (Spathiphyllum) to live in low light is easy. Getting one to bloom, on the other hand, is not.
That's OK, though, because its fountain of glossy, blue-green leaves is more than attractive enough in its own right - especially if you clean the leaves and periodically change the potting mix to prevent browned leaf tips.
Pothos
Thanks to its apathetic nature and tolerance to just about anything, that blotchy-looking, golden pothos vine (Epipremnum aureum “Aureum”) has become so common that it's downright boring.
Luckily, interesting cultivars abound, such as the chartreuse-green “Neon” and the appropriately named “Silver Satin,” with its velvety, sage-green leaves.
Pothos isn't picky, but if your plant gets a little leggy, prune it back and root the cuttings in new flowerpots.
Chamaedorea palm
When it comes to palms, the Chamaedorea genus is chock-full of shade-tolerant species that can thrive indoors.
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is the most popular of them all for its bamboo-like fronds on narrow trunks, and the bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is practically the same thing, only larger.
For a true conversation piece, however, grow metallic palm (Chamaedorea metallica). It has nearly iridescent, metallic, blue-green leaves, each bearing the shape of a mermaid's tail. What could be cooler?
Mistletoe cactus
Mistletoe is probably the very last thing you'd think of upon hearing the word “cactus.” Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis) grows in the shady rainforest, perched upon tree branches with other epiphytes, like orchids and bromeliads. Best of all, most members of the genus have long, leafless stems that drape down like wet spaghetti.
One thing they do have in common with other cacti is their drought tolerance. Still, they do best with potting mix that isn't allowed to dry out for long.
Philodendron
The common heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) that we all know and love is only the tip of the iceberg.
For an even more exotic look, grow self-heading varieties like “Moonlight,” with its crown of lime-green foliage, or the huge divided leaves of the split leaf philodendron (P. selloum). Better yet, grow the three of them together in a single pot.
To keep your philodendron healthy, keep the potting mix moist, and remove any yellowed leaves. Periodically check between the leaves and stems for pests.
Related:
- A Simple 3-Step Program for Houseplant Care
- 7 Reasons to Give Houseplants Another Chance
- What Your Houseplants Need to Make It Through Winter
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Umpire Bill Miller’s Bullshit
I can't update this montage of examples fast enough bill miller the home plate ump for game 5 is calling the worst strike zone this is crazy http://pic.twitter.com/Yor1XJSeaU
— Horrible Stats (@horriblestats) October 30, 2017
Google yourself so you can see what a fucking joke you are.
Never seen a worse zone (both ways) than this guy. Go through the archives. You won’t see me mentioning umpires much, if ever.
But Bill Miller wanted to inject himself into this game and show up hitters all night long. You’ll remember game five for it’s greatness but if you really took it in, you’ll remember what an absolute crook this guy was all night long. How does baseball not make a quick call and remove this guy form umpiring big league games immediately? Was he on the take with Vegas gamblers (I saw that late Houston line move before the game, and now I understand why). Dodgers’ patient approach + Bill Miller’s zone = payday.
Fuck this guy for life.
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FlyHomes Offers Sellers Guaranteed Closing
FlyHomes is guaranteeing the financing for their buyers to give them an edge in a bidding war (via GeekWire). If a seller agrees to an offer and the deal falls through for any reason, Flyhomes will purchase the home no matter what. That certainly makes it more likely sellers would choose a FlyHomes offer, even if it’s not the highest. That’s a win for buyers in a competitive market like Seattle — and hence a strategic advantage for FlyHomes to attract more buyers.
It’s true, this is only a big deal in competitive buyers markets (like Seattle). It’s true, there is a trend toward selling homes quicker (OfferPad, Instant Offers, Redfin Now, etc). Brokers are smart to offer consumer friendly solutions rather than let the portals do all the innovating (see here). I will say this. Maybe it’s not now and maybe it’s not FlyHomes / their lending partner, but at some point, someone is going to end up with a bunch of homes in the red when the market takes a turn & homes are depreciating rather than appreciating. If history means anything, a downturn is inevitable in most markets sometime in the next few years.
That said — to the brokers / agents reading, I’d love to know if you’ve contemplated offering your buyers the same sort of financing guarantee (assuming you could pull off the financing, of course)?
The post FlyHomes Offers Sellers Guaranteed Closing appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
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Sunday, October 29, 2017
World Series Game Four: Cody Bellinger from Goat to Hero
Cody Bellinger saved the Dodgers. Alex Wood saved the Dodgers. Corey Seager saved the Dodgers. Logan Forsythe saved the Dodgers.
The Dodgers season looked like it was over, until it wasn’t. They got off the mat. They responded. They won game four in Houston against all odds.
Cody Bellinger busted out of a huge slump to become the first rookie ever to have two doubles in a World Series game. The first put him on base so Forsythe could get one of the biggest knocks of the series, a two-out single that scored him to tie the game at 1-1 after a George Springer home run that gave Houston a 1-0 lead.
The next double Bellinger would get, was undoubtedly one of the biggest swings of his life.
It all started when Corey Seager hit a first-pitch center cut fastball through the shift for a single. Then Justin Turner walked, and Cody Bellinger ripped a double to score him. From there, the wheels came off. Joc Pederson’s three run homer made a 3-1 lead a 6-1 lead. Alex Bregman homered in the bottom of the inning off Kenley Jansen, but it will be remembered with little fanfare by anyone not named Alex Bregman’s mom.
You just have to give the Dodgers so much credit for how they have battled in this series. I’ve watched baseball a long time, and most teams would have folded at that point down 1-0 and having to face the likes of Chris Devenski and Ken Giles. Charlie Morton was throwing absolute smoke. But the Dodgers simply found a way and won ugly.
I was inspired by the way that Alex Wood threw the ball last night. he carried a no hitter into the middle innings of the ballgame and allowed just one hit all night. He gave the Dodgers the chance to win this game, unexpectedly.
The Dodgers try to take a series lead on Sunday night in the Houston finale with Clayton Kershaw on the mound.
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Saturday, October 28, 2017
Incompetence behind authority
Jean was walking with his grandfather through a public square in Paris. At a certain point, he saw a shoemaker being mistreated by a client, whose footwear showed a flaw. The shoemaker listened calmly to the complaint and apologized, promising to correct the error. Jean and his grandfather stopped to have coffee at a bistro. […]
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Your Saturday Baseball Post
Alright, so the Dodgers aren’t going to sweep. They’re not going to win this in five. They actually might even face an elimination game. But they’re not dead yet, damnit.
They have to beat Charlie Morton today, and then they have Clayton Kershaw going tomorrow night with things possibly evened up 2-2. This isn’t how it was drawn up. But the whole season has been crazy. The Dodgers have always gotten off the mat, and responded, and shown us that they never deserved to be doubted. So we still believe. The Dodgers are the best team I’ve seen in 35 years. I don’t think they’re going out this way.
The last time they played in a World Series, I was five and eating boxes of this:
Your 80’s song of the week that should be unquestioned and played on a ballpark loudspeaker nearest you:
It’s from Bloodsport. Van Damme and shit.
Thank you for your continued support of Diamond Hoggers. It’s time to rally the troops. Go Dodgers.
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Rezi, and iRenters
I saw Rezi pitch at the NYC Real Estate Tech meetup a couple weeks ago. If you look at their home page, you’ll see their value proposition is as follows:
Rezi is the rental equivalent of Opendoor. Cash is delivered almost instantly. Landlords are paying for peace of mind, security, and speed.
It begs the question — are “iRenters” the future of the rental industry?
The post Rezi, and iRenters appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
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Friday, October 27, 2017
The Geek Estate Community. What Exactly is It?
You can read about the vision here.
The focus of the community is two fold:
- Curate the most incredible and diverse membership of the real estate creatives, doers, and creators in the world.
- Make our members wildly successful in their careers building real estate companies.
In terms of logistics, what can community members expect?
Forum: Membership includes membership in a private Facebook group where members can post questions, make connections, and seek advice. Though the “forum” is on Facebook now, the plan is to migrate to a standalone platform such as Mighty Networks once we have more members (50+).
Email Newsletter: On a weekly or bi-weekly basis, I curate news and deliver strategic industry and product insights via a private newsletter. Over time, more and more of my content will be shared privately with the community rather than publicly on this blog.
Ad Inventory: Some ad inventory on the blog is reserved for founding members’ companies. Geek Estate Blog reaches 10,000-15,000 visits per month, but there’s no guarantee of reach for an individual member. A couple 180 x 150 slots are devoted to paid members, all members’ ads are placed into a “group”, and the system rotates through all the ads in the group. Obviously, the more members we attract, the less ad inventory each member will receive (which favors early adopters who sign up early). If you want 100% share of voice, you can sponsor at $500 per month. If you’re okay being put into the founding member rotation without any guarantees, then become a member.
Consulting: I’ve stopped taking all small consulting projects. Therefore, anyone who wants my time/help/attention going forward will be directed to join the community. I’ll do whatever I can to help members, but won’t be spending time with non-member entrepreneurs anymore. If you’re not serious enough to spend $97 for a 3 month membership (less for founding members), the chances you’ll implement any advice I’d give you are fairly minimal. And if you’re not going to implement (or at a minimum seriously consider) my advice, you’re wasting my time as well as your own. Keep in mind $97 is less than one hour of my time on a short term consulting basis. Worst case, as a member you’ll receive my time and advice. Best case, you receive advice from an entire community of knowledgeable & diverse advisers.
Interested in joining? Discounted pricing is available for 24 more founding members — then pricing will go to regular price of $32.33 per month.
The post The Geek Estate Community. What Exactly is It? appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
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9 Updates Your Home Needs Every 10 Years
No matter how much you love and care for your home, things are bound to wear out and need fixing - especially when you hit the 10-year mark.
To keep your house in tiptop condition, consider making these updates every 10 years or so.
Get new carpet
The average medium-grade carpet has a life expectancy of approximately 10 years. Of course, that depends on several factors, including the number of people and pets.
Signs that you need to replace your carpet: rips, tears or stains, and odors that remain even after a good cleaning. And even without any of those, you carpet might just look old and worn out. An update wouldn’t hurt.
Replace hot water tank
A water heater may not show many symptoms before it leaks or fails, so it’s important to know its age. If the manufacture date isn't shown, then it may be embedded in the serial number on the tank.
A good rule of thumb: Any tank that’s been around for 10 years or more is a candidate for replacement.
Update ceiling fans
A midrange ceiling fan should last about 10 years, if it’s running frequently. A common sign that it might be time for a new one: the lightbulbs seem to burn out more quickly than usual.
And since a ceiling fan is about style as well as function, you may just want a more modern model.
Buy a new dishwasher
Like your water heater, consider replacing your dishwasher if it’s 10 years old. You’ll likely get a more energy-efficient model that’ll pay for itself over time.
Signs that you should replace your dishwasher sooner rather than later are an unresponsive control board, poorly cleaned dishes and cracks in the tub.
Replace garbage disposal
You’ll know you need a new garbage disposal when it doesn't work as well as it used to. This is because the blades dull over time.
The average garbage disposal should last about 10-12 years with regular use, so if yours is around that age, consider replacing it.
Replace washer and dryer
The average lifespan of both appliances is about eight years. So, if your set is 10+ years old and running without any issues, consider yourself fortunate! That said, think about replacing them before you have any real problems or leaks.
Repaint inside and outside
There’s no hard and fast rule about when to repaint your home. It depends on where you live, humidity and many other factors.
People often repaint certain areas, such as a heavily used living room, every three to five years. But if some areas of the home haven’t been repainted in 10 years or more, now’s definitely the time to do it.
Re-caulk showers, bathtubs and sinks
Few jobs offer as much bang for your buck as re-caulking. Whether you just haven’t gotten around to it yet or you’re moving into a 10-year-old home, go ahead and re-caulk the tub, shower and sinks. You can easily do this yourself, and it makes everything look so much brighter.
Re-glaze windows
Re-glazing old windows is easier and more cost-effective than replacing them. And generally speaking, re-glazing should be done about every 10 years or so.
But check your windows every year before the cold weather arrives to make sure you don't have any leaks or cracks.
Related:
- 12 Easy Steps to Prepare Your Home For Fall
- Setting Up a Successful Home Repair Budget
- DIY: Fixing 3 Common Household Problems
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