Month: February 2020

What Is Included in Condo Prices?

Having a condominium unit may provide the additional benefits of maintenance and many conveniences to all the benefits of standard home ownership. Condominium may apply to many different home types including free-standing houses, and is a form of possession, not an architectural style. Anyone purchasing a condo unit automatically becomes part of a homeowners association, subject to its own rules, regulations and fees, and should investigate how much the condo fees are and what they pay.

Establishing Condo Fees

Condo owners share ownership of these common elements as roads and recreation facilities. Membership fees, or dues, are established based on a budget that the HOA board of directors sets. The budget is based on expenses, and fees are generally prorated according to the percentage of ownership of each unit. California condo developments are all regulated under the Davis-Stirling Act, which specifies homeowners institutions are”responsible for repairing, replacing, or maintaining the common areas, and owners are responsible for maintaining their distinct interests.” Unit, or Another interest, is the distance bound floor by walls, ceilings, doors and windows.

Recurring Charges

Condo fees fluctuate widely according to the structure of each development. Based on the character of the condominium, the monthly fees may cover sewer and water fees, garbage and recycling collection, insurance for shared places, vendor services, condo management services, recreational services such as pool maintenance, common area lighting, legal fees, and contributions to a reserve account to cover unanticipated expenses.

Regular Care

Condo fees may also be employed to grass cutting and seasonal landscaping, snow plowing and walkway shoveling, exterior painting, roof and chimney inspection and repair, hallway and elevator maintenance and laundry room service.

What the Fees Do Not Cover

Unit owners are responsible for the repair and replacement such as appliances and wallpaper; toilets, tubs and showers; and carpeting. Liability insurance covering the elements is carried by an HOA, and a portion of membership fees go toward the cost of that insurance. However, individual unit owners should carry their condo policy covering loss in case of burglary, fire or other damage; a few HOAs require annual proof of such insurance.

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Can You Eat Daikon Radish Greens?

You can eat all portions of the yearly Daikon radish (Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus) and they are delicious. Although many Americans are accustomed to eating just the origins of smaller radishes in salads or as garnish, Asians eat Daikon leaves, commonly referred to as greens, in soups and pickled as in the Korean favorite, kimchi.

The White Daikon

The white, cylindrical Daikon cultivar usually found in American supermarkets is also referred to as the Chinese radish, Japanese radish, Oriental radish and winter radish. Although the word “Daikon” means “great root” in Japanese, the mild, white cultivar originated in continental Asia. It grows up to 20 inches long and 4 inches wide at maturity, weighing from 1 to 2 lbs. You can eat its greens, however, some other Daikon cultivars have more leaves and smaller roots.

Other Daikon Cultivars

Many Daikon radish cultivars grow from 10 to 20 lbs at maturity, though they are typically harvested at 1 to 5 lbs. Some specimens have weighed around 100 lbs. Daikon cultivars might be round, and have black, black, pink, purple or red flesh. Some varieties are grown for their edible greens as opposed to their origins. You might find seeds for soluble varieties in seed catalogs.

Eating The Leaves

Daikon leaves grow in rosettes in addition to the roots. Should you remove the leaves from the plant, the roots will die so you have to harvest them in precisely the same moment. Young leaves are more tender and mild than mature leaves. Many grocers don’t understand Daikon greens are edible and remove them prior to displaying the roots. Some grocers shop the greens in back for people who request them. If they are available, start looking for bright green, fresh leaves and avoid the ones that are wilted or starting to yellow.

Growing Good Leaves

Daikons are winter annuals. Should you plant them in September through October, then they will be prepared to eat in 60 to 70 days. You can plant them in early spring to get a early summer crop, but the leaves will taste hotter. Store both the leaves and roots in the refrigerator over the short term. For periods up to several month, store them in a root cellar or other cool location.

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What Appliances Can Be Connected to your Portable Generator?

If your appliance has a plug, then it is possible to connect it to a portable generator, so long as the generator supplies enough power to power it. You can even plug in several appliances simultaneously, but collectively, they shouldn’t pull more power than the generator can supply. If they do, the appliances will likely do poorly, and you may damage the generator. In addition, the power cords can overheat and start a fire.

Generator Operation

A generator works much like the alternator in your car. A motor that burns a fuel like gasoline or propane spins a rotor wound with a running coil, along with the movement of the coil inside a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets induces an electric current in the coil. Manufacturers design the number of turns in the coil and its period of rotation to supply either 120- or 240-volt power with a frequency of 60 Hz, that is the same power available from conventional receptacles in almost any commercial or residential construction. This electricity is available at one or more receptacles attached to the generator casing. Some generators supply both 120 and 240 volts in distinct outlets.

Generator Rating

The size and efficiency of the engine determines the amount of electricity, measured in watts, so a given generator supplies, and the generator will run any appliance that has a power pull less than its own score. You’ll locate the power pull of an appliance clearly marked on a tag on its casing, usually near the point at which the power cord connects. Adding the power ratings of the appliances that you would like to work with should produce a number smaller than the generator rating. If the number is greater, you can still plug them in as long as you don’t use them in precisely the same time.

Plan for Power Surges

Some appliances, like refrigerators, air conditioners and pumps, draw more power when they start up, and also this power surge can overload a generator. To avoid this, you should double the typical wattage rating for large appliances with motors when deciding the sized generator you want to run them. As an instance, you will need a 5,000-watt generator to run an 800-watt refrigerator along with a 1,500-watt well pump in precisely the same time, despite the fact that they use less than 3,000 watts when running. If the generator is undersized, start-up surges can overload and damage it, and the appliances won’t operate correctly.

Safe Practices

It is better to plug appliances directly to your generator than it is to use extension cords. Cords can overheat and get in the way, and the voltage at the end of a very long cord is less than the voltage at the generator plug. That voltage drop can affect the operation of the appliance you are using. Additionally, because generators have fuel-powered engines and emit toxic fumes, they require proper ventilation; you should never work one at an enclosed area. Finally, remember to ground your generator, then following the instructions in the manual that comes with it. Failure to do so can result in injury.

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"Evaluation Booster" Projects for Home Remodeling

When it comes to increasing your home’s appraisal value, your selection of remodeling jobs ranges from weekend DIY jobs to major overhauls. While no one project acts as a magical ticket — the sum of additional value ranges significantly dependent on the project, quality of work, preferences of your buyers and several market conditions — many property professionals concur that certain jobs add value to your house nearly universally.

Cosmetic Projects

In 2011, Prudential Locations LLC recorded repairing damaged flooring and painting walls as the best renovation projects for increasing home value, estimating an average price of $700 to $750 per project and returns that range from 200 to 250 percent. In an MSN Real Estate article, Timothy Dahl of the Charles and Hudson bureau recommends painting or refinishing your kitchen cabinets and refitting them with brand new hardware to make the most of your appraisal. Dahl predicts the kitchen “the main room in the house to get right.”

Utility Boosters

Rather than adding cosmetic appeal, some appraisal-boosting house renovation projects concentrate on improving utilitarian aspects of the house. Prudential reports a new roof offers an average yield of over 60 percent of the investment — even more with the addition of a skylight — while replacing doors and windows often generates about a 55 percent yield. The National Association of Realtors recommends repairing all the home’s lighting fixtures, electrical elements and pipes for a potential return on investment ranging from about 300 to 400 percent.

Going Green

Based on Old House Web and The Appraisal Journal, energy efficiency — that is both in trend and great for the environment — equals large returns for appraisal value and house equity. Examples of effective, appraisal-boosting “greening” projects include the setup of energy-efficient appliances, eco-friendly insulation, energy-efficient windows and the addition of solar panels. If you wish to take your green renovations outdoors, the NAR advises renovated landscaping — especially mulching along with the addition of plants for maximum curb appeal — for returns of about 215 percent.

Additional Projects

Prudential also lists toilet renovations and new siding as appraisal boosters, citing yield percentages in the upper 60s. Although they may cost thousands of dollars, complete kitchen renovations can result in returns of 70 to 80 percent, according to the same source. For a virtually cost-free project, simply deep clean and declutter your house prior to the appraiser arrives to add thousands of dollars into your home’s sale price. Talking to MSN Real Estate, Brian Trow of Foundations Investment Group notes that this simple project gives the illusion of space, an integral factor for appraisers who place maximum value on square footage.

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Vegetable Planting Guide for Plant & Row Spacing

Properly spacing your lawn plants and rows prevents your plants from competing for nutrients and water. The ideal spacing to use on your garden is based on the size of the lawn and the varieties of plants you’re growing. Each species of vegetable has a minimum quantity of space it must sustain healthful growth. Although you can develop your vegetables at closer intervals, supplying adequate spacing between the plants allows them to develop larger and reduces their vulnerability to competition and disease.

Row Spacing

The ideal spacing between the rows in your garden provides ample space for the plants to develop and also for you to work in. In most cases it is a fantastic idea to leave at least 18 to 36 inches of space between each row of plants. Large garden plants, such as cucumbers, melons and pumpkins, have sprawling growth habits that develop best with rows spaced 60 to 72 inches apart. Spacing your rows slightly farther apart than the minimal spacing for the plants you’re using can provide you with a more comfortable working area, and also the increased growing area for your plants encourages larger, healthier plants. Leaving breaks 2 feet in the middle of long rows supplies simple access to the middle of large gardens.

Garden Layouts

The most frequent garden layout is a series of parallel rows spaced at regular periods that offer space for your plants to distribute and room to work in. Gardeners that are looking to acquire the most of a limited space can use a block layout. The block layout employs exactly the identical spacing between rows and plants to create a grid of plants. Although this type of row spacing lets you plant vegetables, the tighter spacing of the plants may make them more susceptible to drought and competition from weeds. This type of spacing is most effective in fertile soils with good drainage where competition from weeds is minimal.

Small Plants

Smaller garden vegetable plants, such as beets, carrots, mustard plants, onions, pea plants and radishes, require approximately a few inches of space between plants in a row. Somewhat bigger plants, such as lima beans, bush beans, leeks, leaf lettuce, rutabaga, spinach and turnip plants, develop best with roughly four to six inches of space between the middle of each plant. Pole beans require roughly six to 12 inches of spacing, and mustard, Swiss chard and kohlrabi perform best with a spacing of six to nine inches between plants. Heads of lettuce, potato plants and Oriental cabbage need approximately 10 to 12 inches of space between each plant.

Large Plants

Plants with broad foliage or root processes, such as broccoli, cucumber and okra, require between 12 and 18 inches of space between each plant. Providing 15 to 18 inches of space between your asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, endive, cauliflower, corn and kale plants helps decrease competition and also promotes healthy growth. Large plants that need significant quantities of water require more room to develop. Supplying a spacing of 18 to 24 ins for your eggplant, summer squash and tomatoes ensures they can find the water they require. Winter squash, pumpkins and watermelons perform best when they are planted with a minimum spacing of 36 inches.

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The way to Sand Raised Designs on Coffee Tables

So you’re ready to kick up a little dust — actually — by sanding the raised designs on a coffee table you intend to either paint or paint. Just like sanding jobs, it is better to begin by exerting a mild touch with a fine sandpaper because you could always update your tools and your own efforts. In any case, you do not wish to risk gouging the wood by starting your job with a coarse sandpaper. Sanding is often a repetitive process, so be patient and your table will shortly be smooth as glass and prepared to refinish.

Set the table to a drop cloth or old blanket at your garage. Keep the door open so the area stays ventilated.

Insert the fine sandpaper inserted into a hand sander. Sand the raised designs on the coffee table, using gentle, circular motions. Work from the outside edge to the interior of the plan.

Upgrade your efforts with medium-grit sandpaper for more or much more durable raised designs. Work in a circular motion.

Wipe the layouts from time to time, employing a microfiber fabric. Expand your hand along the surface to ensure you aren’t gouging the timber or creating indentations or gullies in the raised design.

Sand little, ornate designs by wrap a small piece of sandpaper around an old toothbrush so you have maximum control over your sanding efforts. Use cotton swabs to remove dust from tight spots.

Vacuum the layouts with a hose attachment to eliminate as much dust as you can from the table. Wipe the table with a damp rag. Let the table dry.

Run your hand over the raised design in your coffee table to ensure it is smooth. Lightly run the fine seams above the surface to get a finishing touch.

Dust the coffee table, then rub it with a damp rag. Let the table dry thoroughly before you prime, paint or stain it.

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