Unlicensed Contractors Hit the Streets
Many of us still need to repair the damage from this winter’s devastating storms and unscrupulous or unlicensed contractors are ready and willing to take advantage of the high demand. Pam Mares, spokeswoman for the Contractors State License Board says her office is doing stings every week and arresting lots of unlicensed contractors. It’s a felony to operate without a license in any place that’s been declared a state or federal disaster area. Contractors who perform more than $500 worth of work in these areas without proper licensing can be fined up to $10,000.

The Contractors Board is urging us not to hire the first contractor who comes along or one that “just happens to be in the neighborhood.” After you get the license number, verify it at www.cslb.ca.gov or 1-800-321-CSLB. Be sure you don’t pay more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment on any job.

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Keeping Your Carpets “Healthy”
Your carpets should be cleaned every 6 to 12 months, depending on the number of people and pets in the home, the foot traffic and where your home is located. John Stewart, owner of Healthy Choice Carpet Cleaners, a Diamond Certified company, recommends using a hot water extraction procedure, and safe, natural products for the best results.

It’s a good idea to vacuum your rugs slowly and thoroughly before you clean it yourself or hire a professional. To help the carpeting dry quickly, close the windows, turn on the fans and crank up the heat if it’s cold outside. If it’s 69 degrees or more, open the windows and turn on the fans. To keep the rugs healthy between cleanings, take your shoes off at the door, and do not go barefoot or wear slippers in the garage. You could be tracking heavy metals and contaminants onto the carpets.

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Here are some guidelines. 1) See if any chiropractors in your area have earned Diamond Certified. 2) Call a chiropractors office. Do they answer quickly? Is the receptionist helpful? Ask how they handle insurance and about payment options. 3) Visit the office and meet the doctor. Some offer complimentary consultations. Ask about treatment plans and goals. 4) Is the facility clean and neat? Does it appear well organized? From the moment you drive up to the office, you should be doing a “gut check.” Then, it’s up to your instincts.

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Be Careful to Avoid An Outrageous Airline Charge!
A friend booked a trip to Europe on-line. When she later checked to see if she could upgrade, the airline told her the ticket she had purchased was not "upgradeable." She understood, but while discussing this with the agent, she mentioned that she had booked her reservation using her first initial only and her last name. The agent warned her that this could cause trouble for her at the airport because the name on the ticket would not EXACTLY match the name on her passport.

Could they reissue her ticket using her full first and last name, same itinerary? They said,"Yes," but it would cost $100! Travel expert Ed Perkins has heard of outrageous fees to change a name for ANY reason, even to fix a stupid mistake. Don’t bother to ask why – the reason is that they can get away with it. My friend complained so much a supervisor waived the fee!

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Tips For Taking Care of Teak Furniture

Teak’s beauty is more than skin deep. It's naturally resistant to the ravages of northern California weather, according to Tom Haid, owner of Tom's Teak Outdoor Furniture, the Diamond Certified store in Menlo Park. "I leave my teak outdoors year-round. Simply hose the dirt and debris off. In its natural state, teak weathers to a beautiful silvery grey, which doesn’t affect its durability."

If your teak has been oiled and you want to maintain that golden glow, Mr. Haid recommends a simple treatment, using Thompson’s Water Seal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector with the green and white label, readily available at Home Depot or OSH. Apply a light coat to clean, dry teak, using a spray bottle. Allow it to "soak in", then wipe any excess off with a clean rag or shop towel. Resist the urge to cover teak when the weather is bad. If you do, mildew may develop.

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Deferring Taxes With a Private Annuity Trust
People are reluctant to sell appreciated assets (Real Estate, Stocks, etc.) due to tax consequences. Taxes can be deferred via a 1031 exchange, or installment sales, but may not be appealing options. One lesser known strategy is using a Private Annuity Trust, according to professionals at Davis & Company, a Diamond Certified CPA and Financial Planning firm.

The process begins with the transfer of the property to a previously established Private Annuity Trust. The Trust pays the owner for the property, not in cash, but with a special payment contract called a private annuity that stipulates that payments from the sale go to the owner for the rest of his or her life, essentially in installments. The Trust then sells the property and invests the proceeds to make the annuity payments. Professionals with expertise in this area should be retained to set up such arrangements, as any mistake may have serious legal and tax consequences.

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Considering Cremation Options
Most people do not realize all the options they have when it comes to cremation services and products. Patsy Daniels, President of Daniels Chapel of Roses Funeral Home and Crematory, a Diamond Certified company, emphasizes that when a family chooses cremation, they can celebrate someone’s life in a number of different ways.

One option is to use a rental casket, which contains the cremation container inside, for a traditional service. Another choice is having a memorial service without the body present. Remains may be taken to a cemetery and buried or inurned in a niche, scattered at sea or on private property, or returned to the family to keep at home. The best idea is to discuss all the options with your loved ones ahead of time, so your desires are known and can be carried out according to your wishes.

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Prevent Sun Damage to Your Boat’s Upholstery

If you spend time out on a boat, you know that wind, water and especially the sun, cause a lot of wear and tear on upholstery. Seats, usually made of vinyl, will start fading and become discolored. Once brittle, the vinyl will start cracking and be ruined in a couple of years. Brad Kearney, Manager of Le Upholstery Shoppe, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, says not cleaning the upholstery after use to remove body oils and suntan lotion will decrease the life of the vinyl.

The best way to protect your investment is to use a boat cover. Today’s custom designs allow you to use the covers on the bow while you’re out in the water. When the boat is stored, you add another piece, which snaps on over the cockpit. A cover will also keep out feral cats, which have been known to stow away in boats and completely destroy upholstery with their claws.

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Why Not Add a Wine Cellar to Your Home?

Most people who love fine wine know that you should store the bottles on their side in a cool place. But there’s more to it than that, if you start getting serious about collecting wine. Market Engineering, a Diamond Certified company, says the ideal storage temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 70%.

You can get creative with your home wine cellar. And, they can be built in all sizes to fit a closet, a bedroom, the garage or even an attic space. According to Market Engineering, all the walls, floors and ceilings need to have a vapor barrier and rigid urethane or fiberglass insulation. The door needs to be an exterior grade door that is weather stripped on all sides. When tightly sealed, the room is then ready to have the cooling system and wine racks installed. Wine collectors install cellars for the love of properly aged wine and because the improvement adds value to the home.

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Rust Is Your Car’s #1 Enemy
Can a car that’s starting to rust be saved? Herman Jew, Manager of Bryant Auto Body, a Diamond Certified company, says surface rust, which is oxidation, can sometimes be polished out. For larger spots, you have to cut out the rusted area and weld a new piece into its place, which is expensive. Rust on the underside of a car is not dangerous if it’s not structural. However, if for example, the rust is under where the seat is bolted down, the floor will be compromised. That’s serious because in a crash, you and the seat could be thrown out of the car! It’s best to prevent rust from starting by: 1) washing and waxing your car often; 2) cleaning off bird droppings right away because they eat into the paint or clear coat; 3) washing off any salt from the ocean air or from icy roads and 4) keeping the car covered as much as you can.

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Have You Considered Bamboo Flooring?
Bamboo is a prodigiously growing grass, which is being converted into beautiful, durable flooring. David Kurland, General Manager of Mill Valley Bamboo, a Diamond Certified company, feels that many people choose bamboo because it benefits the environment by saving trees.

There is likely to be significant cost savings to bamboo flooring although there are at least 40 varieties and "looks" of "fully matured" bamboo. You should avoid inexpensive, immature bamboo, which warps, cups and may contain formaldehyde. You can select natural, caramelized, horizontal or vertical versions and install it yourself or hire a professional. Kitchens are the number one room, but bathrooms, in fact, most rooms, may look better with a bamboo floor. It is easy to clean with a damp mop. If damaged, repairs are easy, quick and inexpensive. Warranties are 5 years for commercial applications and lifetime for residential.

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How to Compare Lenders and Closing Costs
When purchasing or refinancing a home, everyone wants the best rates. But how do you even begin to shop around? You can’t only look at interest rates when comparing lenders, according to Mark Ardakanian, Broker/Owner of Half Point Mortgage, a Diamond Certified company. You have to compare the lender/investor fees in connection with the rate.

Lenders prepare what is called a "good faith estimate" of the closing costs. They are required to mail it to you within 3 business days of receiving your application. You may want to shop rates by comparing the following: processing fees, administrative fees, underwriting fee, application fee, credit report fee, rate lock fee, etc. and points charged in connection to the loan. Prices can and do vary widely. With this information you can make a more informed choice, and don’t forget, some fees are negotiable.

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A Pitfall With Automatically Paid Bills
Did you ever stop to think about what would happen if you became incapacitated or died, and no one in the family knew which of your bills were automatically deducted from credit cards and checking accounts? Melissa Cullen, author of Get It Together – Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To, by Nolo, says she’s heard of cases where family members have put someone’s health insurance or even a mortgage in jeopardy simply because they didn’t know about the electronic automatic deductions.

Ms. Cullen is recommending that people use a planner to list all those bills deducted automatically from your bank account or by credit card. Include the name of the payee, how much is paid, the account numbers and how you’re notified. Some companies send statements by mail or e-mail every month, while others list the regular charges in a loan document. Explain in your planner exactly where that is too.

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How Long Will Your Hardwood Floors Last?
The answer to that question all depends on the type of hardwood floors you have. According to Pete Visalli, owner of Visalli Floors, a Diamond Certified company, recent developments in wood technology and wood flooring installations have led to widespread use of "engineered" or "laminated" flooring. This type of flooring has a very thin layer of hardwood laminated onto a plywood base. It is easier to install and because no sanding or finishing is required, you pay less for it.

What homeowners considering their options should know is that these newer products will never last as long as real hardwood floors. Many find out years later that their "engineered" flooring cannot be refinished. You can easily sand through the thin layer of hardwood down to the plywood, ruining the entire floor. If you plan to stay put for at least 15 years, real hardwood floors will pay off in the long run.

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