7 Exceptional Installations And Feature You Should Never Ignore When Looking For A House

We are living in challenging times. As people migrate from the crowded cities to suburban to avoid getting Covid-19, the term affordable housing is becoming irrelevant. The cost of owning a home is increasing. On the same time, loss of jobs is diminishing potential buyers’ inventories. 

When you see a seller offering a better price, the next thing you would want to grab the house. A little delay can make you lose a golden opportunity. But before you take a step and pay your deposit, consider performing an inspection. You can hire an expert like Same Day Trades to work with you on this phase. 

Remember, looks can be deceiving. Without proper inspection, you can find yourself in regrets after moving in. Here are 7 exceptional installation and features should inspect before saying yes to the deal:

Looking For A House

The roofing

Roofing is a crucial aspect to assess in the new house. A quality and maintained roofing can serve you for 30+ years. A shoddy roofing will mean that you must replace it after some time. You need to ensure the roofing material used is of the right quality. 

Also, assess the gutters to ensure they can drain the rain water properly. Improper gutter installation can lead to flooding issues in your house. If the seller claims to have performed the inspection, you have the right to request for a review. 

You can also get a disclosure for if the state requires the sellers to do so. This way, you will avoid making a wrong decision and lose your money.

A presence of flooding zone

You are lucky. The house you are buying is not near a river or water body. Flooding will not be an issue. While that might be the case, house location does not mean you will never experience flooding issues. Modern weather are unpredictable and flooding can become a common thing in the area.

With flooding, you will need to increase your insurance premium. The insurance companies charge extra coins to people owning property in high risk flood areas. For this reason, it is important to do due diligence. 

Assess the possibility of flooding cases in your area. You can visit the local authority offices for information about the areas flood risks. With this information, you will know whether to close the deal or not.      

Data points

Remote working is the new normal. People are working and holding meeting virtually. When buying a home, internet connection need to be a priority. You need to assess whether the house is internet-ready or not. Check the data point installation to ensure you can extend your internet connectivity across the rooms.

If there are no such features, you can request the seller to install data point. Or else, you can hire reputable companies like Same Day Trades to do the work and request for deduction of the cost from the house price. Remember, without such features it will be hard for you to perform your office assignments or suffer from poor…

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Do you Need a License to Drive a Boat?

Most people experience a slight degree of nervousness before getting behind the wheel of a houseboat for the first time. However, if you’re familiar with driving a car, then you will have no problem maneuvering a houseboat.

Rest assured that our knowledgeable team at Forever Houseboats will train and answer any questions you may have before you leave the dock.

One of the most common questions we get asked is if a license is needed to drive a boat. We will discuss this as well as answer other frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your first houseboating vacation.

Q: Do you need a license to drive a boat?

A: Yes, you will need to provide a valid driver’s license to drive a houseboat. Additionally, some states require a boating license or safety certification. You can check your state’s boating license rules and requirements here.

Q: Is there a minimum age requirement to drive a Forever Houseboat?

A: Yes, you must be at least 21 years of age.

Q: Are there any safety courses I can take?

A: Yes, in fact if you complete a state approved, NASBLA certified boating safety course, we will offer you a $50 discount on any Forever Resorts houseboat rental! Learn more here.

Q: How can I prepare for my trip?

A: We’ve created a few short video clips to help you prepare for your first houseboating trip. Also, there are several pages on our website with useful information. You’ll learn about safety, the boat’s water system, and how to anchor properly.

Q: Will there be in-person training when I get there? 

A: Absolutely. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible when you rent a Forever Houseboat for the first time. One of our friendly team members will instruct you on everything you need to know about safely…

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EPIC Student Privacy Project Featured in Kennedy School Casebook

student privacy

EPIC Student Privacy Project Featured in Kennedy School Casebook

EPIC’s Student Privacy Project has been selected for inclusion in the spring 2021 Tech Spotlight Casebook, a publication of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. The casebook “recognizes projects and initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to public purpose in the areas of digital, biotech, and future of work.” The book highlights EPIC’s recent efforts to halt the use of unfair, unreliable, and invasive remote proctoring tools and the D.C. consumer protection complaint EPIC filed against online proctoring firms. “Through meticulous research, the Student Privacy Project revealed the extent to which these companies collect and process student personal and biometric data,” the casebook explains. “The complaint attempts to hold the five companies accountable for their practices by demonstrating how the data collection and processing practices may violate existing law.” The casebook also recognizes recent work around census privacy protections, community control over police surveillance, racially biased speech recognition tools, and the use of “garbage” facial recognition to identify criminal suspects. A ceremony will be held Thursday, May 20 at 1 p.m. ET.

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4 Indoor Homestead Hacks Everyone Should Know

From using old sweaters for storage to use egg cartons for organizing jewelry, here are some top Indoor Homestead Hacks Everyone Should Know.

Why Homestead Hacks?

Hacks make our life easy and reliable; We often use them from a small scale to a big scale in daily life because hacks save time, energy, and money. Indoor homestead hacks everyone should know for the simple solutions to get organized, and they help you in household improvements.

Further Reading: New Uses For household items

Top 4 indoor homestead hacks

1 Ziplock Bag Hack

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Organize your chargers and wires by keeping them in a ziplock bag instead of keeping them in a big box unorganized. You can also use a ziplock bag for battery storage and sorting. You can put different batteries in different bags and write on bags about the batteries, like charged batteries and uncharged batteries.

2 Mailer Box Hack

Photo by rizki rama28 on Unsplash

Mailer box is super helpful, especially in the case of seeds; mailer box helps store out seeds because you can write upon them about seeds. You can also paint them, make images of the contents, and write the seed description outside the box.

3 Old Sweater Hack

Photo by Sam Lion from Pexels

We can easily use an old sweater for multiple purposes, from storage of veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions to make beautiful covers for chairs and pillows. This one is one of the money-saving homestead hacks!

4 Egg Carton Hack

Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava from Pexels

Egg cardboard cartons are handy for holding tempera paints, especially for children. Because it has multiple cups, you can pour different colors into fresh cups. We can also use it for jewelry storage; you can store different jewelry in different compartments because of multiple compartments.

Read More: Homesteading House hacks self-sufficiency list.

Homestead Hacks-Signing Off!

These indoor homestead hacks everyone should know because these make your daily life easy and organized. Be creative and use hacks. And share this article and don’t forget to let me know about your valuable opinion.

 

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Quiz: What’s the Best Small Houseboat for me?

For first-time houseboaters, or small families looking to spend a few days on the lake, renting a small houseboat is the way to go. They’re easier to maneuver, park, and control in windy conditions. Not to mention they are also the most budget-friendly option.   

If you’re looking to rent a small houseboat on Lake Powell, Lake Mead, or Lake Mohave, take the short quiz below to figure out which is right for you.

 

#1. When looking at prices…

a. I tend to stick to the cheapest option. 

b. I don’t mind spending a little extra for additional amenities.

c. I’m not too concerned.

 

#2. I need at least ____ bedrooms.

a. 2 total

b. 4 total

c. 4 private

 

#3. Width of the houseboat is important to me.

a. Disagree 

b. Somewhat agree

c. Agree! Give me extra space, please

 

#4. Additional amenities are a must.

a. Disagree

b. I’m fine with a little something extra 

c. Yes! DirecTV access and a wet bar would be a nice addition to my stay.

 

#5. Are you planning on having a party?

a. No, wasn’t planning on inviting anyone else.

b. Yes, I’m inviting a few friends to join (up to 12 allowed while the boat is in motion)

c. Yes, I’m inviting a whole bunch of people! (Although only up to 12 people are allowed while the boat is in motion)

 

Answers:

If you answered mostly a’s you should rent: The 50’ Forever or 50’ XT

If you answered mostly b’s you should rent: The 56’ Getaway or 59’ Deluxe

If you answered mostly c’s you should rent: The 60’ Eagle
 

To see a full list of houseboats we offer by marina, visit this webpage. Before you book, make sure to check out our special offers page, too! To start your small houseboat reservation, visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-255-5561. Our friendly staff will be…

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Top Human Rights Court Rules UK Mass Surveillance Program Violated Privacy Rights

European Court of Human Rights NSA PRISM

Top Human Rights Court Rules UK Mass Surveillance Program Violated Privacy Rights

This week, the grand chamber of the European Court of Human Rights issued a final judgement in Big Brother Watch v. UK confirming that the UK’s intelligence agency violated the right to privacy by systematically intercepting online communications without first applying necessary safeguards. The agency’s mass surveillance program was “not in accordance with [EU] law,” which only allows governments to retain data in an effort to combat “serious crime” and requires a court or administrative body to sign off on data collection. The UK law at issue was not limited to serious crime, nor did it require independent authorization; these “fundamental deficiencies” impermissibly increased the “risk of the bulk interception power being abused.” Nevertheless, the grand chamber found that the agency’s decision to operate a bulk interception program did not itself violate human rights, and the agency’s sharing of sensitive digital intelligence with foreign counterparts–including with the NSA–was legal. Several chamber judges believed this ruling did not go far enough to condemn the sharing of wrongfully collected communications with other countries, noting the chamber “missed an excellent opportunity to fully uphold the importance of private life … when faced with interference in the form of mass surveillance.” EPIC has a strong interest in protecting the human right to privacy and has continuously opposed suspicionless mass collection of personal communications by domestic and foreign governments. EPIC participated in this case as a third-party intervenor and filed a brief describing U.S. intelligence authorities that allow the NSA to access the private communications of non-U.S. persons in violation of their rights. EPIC was also chosen by the Irish High Court to make amicus submissions in a case involving the international transfer of data from European servers to the U.S. in violation of E.U. law.

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8 HVAC Ashburn Tips For Cleaner Air And A Healthy Home

It’s common for people to step out of their homes to get some fresh air. This is understandable because, in a confined area, it can feel claustrophobic. Sometimes it can even be dusty or humid, making it hard to breathe inside. Even when you’re exercising, you’ll notice that it’s more refreshing to do your workout routines or meditation at home.

Professional technician speaking with woman about air conditioner indoors. 

But going out to get fresh air isn’t possible all the time. Besides, it would be better to breathe clean and healthy air even when you’re indoors. Why step outside if you can make the air in your home cleaner for you and your family?

There are so many ways to maintain the healthiness of the air in your home. It’s all about air circulation and making sure that each corner of your home gets refreshed. To do this, you’ll need to have the proper HVAC installed in your home so it can help regulate the temperature and circulate clean air throughout your whole house.

But there are still many other ways to keep the air in your home cool, heated, and clean. And everyone wants to be comfortable in their homes. But having a healthy home doesn’t just happen at a snap of a finger. You’ll need to put in some effort, so make sure that you try out these tips below.

1. Open Your Windows

This one is probably the most common way people refresh the air in their homes. Cracking a window open allows air to circulate. You can notice that it starts to get musty and uncomfortable if you keep your windows closed for too long. It’s advised to open windows at least once a day, even if you have an HVAC system. The indoor air quality or IAQ can affect your physical health, especially if you have allergies. To improve it, you’ll need to open the windows to help improve the air quality, but it’s best to do it in the morning when there aren’t too many pollutants around.

 

2. Install and Repair Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

As mentioned, it’s necessary to have HVAC installed in your home to help with circulation and keeping the temperature pleasant. But having it installed isn’t as easy as you think because you’ll need to ensure that it’s done right. Thankfully, you can find many outstanding companies who can offer you excellent services such as the heating and air conditioning – DM Select Services Ashburn VA can provide.

 

3. Start Growing Houseplants

Everyone knows that plants help produce oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. This is why the outdoors has more fresh air than indoors. Adding some indoor plants is a great way to improve the air quality of your home. They also look like unique pieces that you can add to decorate any room. There are so many options to choose from especially if you’re very specific about the look of the plants. But the best…

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Lake-Mohave-Your-Low-Key-Vacation-Destination-Blog

Just an hour’s drive north of Laughlin, NV sits a 67 mile stretch of the Colorado River called Lake Mohave. A family friendly destination with some of the best recreational opportunities around.

Three of America’s four desert ecosystems converge here: the Mohave, Great Basin, and Sonoran Deserts meet in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As a result, the seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals. Big horn sheep and wild mules can be seen roaming the shoreline; hawks and owls can be spotted soaring above. Explore the upper part of the lake where you might be able to spot nesting sites of Bald Eagles.

Park your houseboat on one of the countless white sandy beaches that you’ll call home during your stay. Lake Mohave is a year round destination. The water will get up to 80 degrees in the summertime, great for any water sports you can imagine: boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, jetskiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming. Windsurfing and kite boarding are also popular in this area.

We recommend bringing or renting a smaller boat such as a powerboat to be able to explore narrower areas of the lake. Black Canyon on the northern end of the lake is not to be missed and a prime location for kayaking.

 

Fishing:

The bass are plentiful, with Largemouth, Smallmouth and Stripers. Prime time for catching Stripers is in April/May and again in September-November. They average at about 8-9 lbs, but can reach up to a record 60 lbs! Rainbow Trout, Crappie, and Catfish can also be found in cooler waters at the northern end of the lake. Rainbow Trout are released…

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