5 Reasons To Buy A Home Now

By Marc Rasmussen

Owning your own home is part of the American Dream. It is a status symbol as well as a security. It is an investment into your future as well as a comfort. There are several reasons that you should consider for making your home purchase now.

1. Interest rates. Interest rates are very low right now. In fact, we have not seen these rates for decades. Purchasing a home now will allow you to obtain a mortgage with low monthly payments saving you thousands of dollars in interest over the course of the loan. Interest rates are bound to rise again as the economy stabilizes. The time is now to take advantage of historically low interest rates.

2. Home prices might be at the bottom. There is no way to know for sure. Some believe priced will continue to fall while others think prices are going to rise because of a shortage of properties for sale. Regardless of who is right, the facts are that home prices are much lower than they were 5 years ago. You should only be buying a home if you are planning on owning for a number of years. Don't plan on buying if you need to sell a year from now.

3. Do you really want to be a renter forever. Forget all of the financial aspects of owning a home for a minute. Isn't it just nice to live in a home or condo that you own? You can decide what colors to pain the walls. You can decide if you want to change out the carpet. You get to decide if you want to remodel the bathroom. None of these things requires the approval of your landlord. Doesn't that just feel good?

4. Create wealth. Despite what has happened in the real estate market the last 5 years people will start making money again in real estate. We will eventually see appreciation again. Markets move in cycles and we may be at the end of this one. When you buy a home you are paying off your mortgage. If your home appreciates it is a double whammy. Suppose you have a 15 year mortgage and your home appreciates modestly for the next 15 years. At the end of your mortgage you will have a home free and clean and worth a pretty penny. If you buy rental properties and hang on to them for awhile it could make for a nice retirement plan.

5. Leverage. Right now it is a buyers market. As the inventory of homes decreases this leverage will eventually go away. Most real estate markets are moving towards equilibrium. Home buyers did not have the same leverage that they had a year ago. I imagine a year from now home buyers will have even less control. It is best to buy when the seller needs you more than you need the seller.

There may never be another time like this where prices and interest rates are low. This window of opportunity may disappear. I don't see rampant speculation anytime soon that will make homes unaffordable again however interest could and probably will rise. Consider making a home purchase today.

About the Author:

Marc Rasmussen sells fabulous Siesta Key Neighborhoods

Surveillance Camera Options And How They Can Help Secure Your Home

By Avram Bonner

Surveillance camera solutions can be installed by house owners and businesspeople to help protect their homes or places of business. They function by deterring would-be criminals in and around the neighbourhood, and documenting any such cases for future reference or watching through a central recording system. DVR security selections utilize gear, like recording cameras, and screens for viewing the recorded data, in addition to other peripherals and storage units. Security cam alternatives may also be retrofitted, or be compatible with, IP-based support like remote computer access. The latter product allows a remote user to view the recorded video files for administration or viewing. In addition, it permits the person to transmit and receive control signals to communicate with users inside the physical range of the on-site video display units and recording devices.

Perhaps the most extraordinary types of security products supported by DVR technologies, the remote access security system powered by Internet Protocol or some other comparable systems can even allow this kind of features such as file sharing for all security cam systems inside a specific network. It permits any authenticated users to log on to the computer system, share video or picture files, or speak with other users inside the surveillance camera computer network. On the site itself where the security system is situated, network cameras, wireless IP cameras, along with other gadgets may render the system built around security cams much more adaptable.

A number of advantages exist for hosting a complex form of recording system like the DVR security with likewise sophisticated peripherals and systems. One can work with a DVR security system with an HDTV closed-circuit security system, which allows the user to access control signals, while allowing the saving and viewing of high-resolution image or video data. IP video products or Wi-Fi-related technologies may then enable remote managers or users gain access to the system, and the concurrent high-resolution information, from faraway regions such as another office in the state, country, or place of business overseas. This remote entry to the security cams in a security system might be achieved with a PC, laptop, or netbook with incorporated compatible system computer software, or a cellular phone with 3G features.

As previously stated, usage of these recording products for the management of digital video is made a lot more thorough with the back-and-forth audio communication that may be allowed with a DVR device linked to other systems or computers via Internet Protocol. The DVR recording apparatus might also store data files in various image or data formats, as well as videos taken by devices such as infrared cameras or recording tools with high frames-per-second or FPS rates.

The cross-compatibility of the many modern digital video recording units with technology that enables the saving of images in low-to-no-light scenarios, in addition to ones which could display data by linked video display units and viewing units in streaming video makes the product much more popular with several security companies and in-house security divisions for big and small businesses alike.

About the Author:

Want to find out more about surveillance camera, then visit Avram Bonner's site on how to choose the best DVR security for your needs.

EPAct 2005 Tax Deductions - Time Is Running Out

By Robert Holdsworth

Many businesses have implemented energy efficiency measures in their facilities over the past several years to help decrease operating expenses and aid the local and global environment. What a lot of these companies do not know is that sizeable federal tax deductions are available to them and also that time may be running out.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) provides generous, immediate tax deductions to businesses for making energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. The federal tax incentives center mainly on efficiency improvements to lighting, HVAC and building envelopes and can be as large as $1.80 per square foot.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended Section 179D and EPAct 2005 so the act will not expire until December 31, 2013. However, that does not mean that time may not be running out for some companies.

For businesses that implemented energy efficiency projects in 2006 it is probable they filed their tax returns before April 15, 2007. If they were unaware of the deductions at that time, they are now at risk of losing those tax deductions forever since the IRS only allows a three year period to amend tax returns.

That means if you have not yet amended your 2006 tax return you have only a few months left to do so!

As an electrical contractor working with commercial and industrial customers you certainly have been thinking about ways to increase your sales and likely how to better utilize your current book of business to that end. You have also most likely been approached by your current customers asking what they can do to reduce their energy costs.

Have you thought about a strategic partnership with an experienced engineering firm that specializes solely in turnkey, energy cost reduction projects on a national level? One that can bring whole facility energy solutions to the table for you and your customers? A company that can provide a fast payback and increase cash flow for your customer?

Bringing in such a company will grow your business as you will be the one who is sub-contracted by the engineering firm to provide the installation services under their management and direction. You can use this approach over and over again with all of your customers and doing so will not only increase your revenues exponentially, it will also transform your customers' impression of you from simply another vendor to that of a valued consultant.

About the Author:

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Barry, South Wales: Ancient History: Part 1

By Owen Jones

Most of what we know or have guessed about Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales has come from observing the buildings situated there, the majority of which have been sadly neglected for far too long. There are historical tales, such as the one about Joseph of Arimathea, who traded tin in Glastonbury, just across the water and was one of the first missionaries to go to this area.

Tradition has it that the father of Caractacus took his son on a journey to Rome, where they were converted to Christianity. Later, they returned to the Vale of Glamorgan with Bran The Blessed, the missionary. It is a fact that Christianity was a popular belief there early in the Fourth Century and that south Wales sent several bishops to the Council of Rome.

One of the oldest shrines in the vicinity is St. Baruch's Church on Barry Island, but it is also in very poor condition. Barry Island was one of the most important monastic retreats of the period in south Wales. Steep and Flat Holm islands in the Bristol Channel were also highly significant in this regard. Another very important part of the puzzle was St. Illtyd's Seminary in Llantwit Major which had 2,200 students.

A castle was constructed on the site of an old Roman fort and naval shipyard, which had been on Porthkerry Point, although it protruded further out to sea then than it does now. Furthermore, many wolf and deer bones have been found between Barry and Sully, proving these animals' existence there in vast numbers Arrowheads, flints, needles and coins show that people inhabited the area with them.

'The Island', as it is known locally, was first named Baruch's Island after St. Baruch, who was found washed up on one its beaches dead in 700 AD. He had been drowned on his return from Flat Holm, where it was common practice for religious students to spend Lent.

He and Gwelches were disciples of Saint Cadoc at that time and on their return to the island, they realized that they had forgotten their enchiridion or religious manual. St. Cadoc made them do back to fetch it. Neither men returned alive. St. Baruch's most acclaimed student, St. Illtyd was educated there.

The island at Barry has had several names including "Island of the Saints" and "Insular of Peiros". St. Peiro was St. Illtyd's successor as leader of the seminary and St. Samson's mentor. St. Doeninas was the leader of another abbey on the island at nearby Friars' Point.

About the Author:

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Is A Gasifyer The Ultimate Alternative Energy Source

By Bob Leverett

A gasifyer is used to heat wood or other organic matter to a temperature great enough to liberate the volatile elements inside. These gasses when liberated can be burned for heating, or used in an internal combustion engine to make energy. The fundamental structure of the gasifier may be a container perhaps the size of an oil drum which needs to be well insulated to retain the heat.

A small layer of burning fuel is held within a container inside the drum. Outside air is allowed through to the bed of fuel creating a controlled burn, and starting the creation of gas.

Being self contained has a number of advantages.

This small-scale controlled fire is exactly what is needed to allow the gasses to be released uniformly. The heat produced is also used to dry and heat the wood chips, so that as they fall into the grating they are in the ideal condition to replace the burnt-out mass. Temperatures of the order of 1200 degrees F should be aimed for. The red-hot unburned gasses are allowed to escape from the top of the container. They then need to be cooled and filtered, in part to scrub the gas, especially if it is to be burned in an engine, and cooled to produce a denser mixture which is more thermally efficient.

A particular advantage is a gasifyer is it is self contained yet small enough to be transportable by pallet or trailer. The approximate size of an oil drum can be made to run a four cylinder engine, but if you are burning something which is essentially a waste product, wood chips or saw dust, the gas made from that is just as good quality as the gas from an expensive fuel.

Any combination of chipped wood and or branches, rice or maize husks, shells, pits, animal droppings, in truth any waste natural material, may be used. Even rapid growing willow might be planted as a fuel harvest.

Could this be a fresh source of fuel? Commercial farming needs to expend money disposing of large amounts of waste to landfill. And not to forget the char produced by the gasifier is a good soil conditioner and fertiliser, a environmentally-friendly bonus?



Using a gasifier will seriously cut house hold expanses, even provide off grid living.

The gasses, regularly called syngas or producer gas, can be especially clean burning with little or no pollution.

Many claim that 1 gallon of petrol is equivalent to 20lbs of dry chipped wood. A gasifier of suitable size will furnish all the gas to run a selected engine, the bigger the gasifier the bigger the engine. A gasifyer does not necessarily call for any external power although this will help to start the machine, someone will however have to fuel the machine. With an internal combustion engine the induction will draw air through the hearth creating a self sustaining cycle.

As a green alternative energy source a gasifyer and petrol generator offers a solid solution.

About the Author:

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How George St Peirre Started His MMA Career

By William Stone

Georges St-Pierre was born May 19, 1981 in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, to Jim and Louise St-Pierre. St-Pierre had a difficult childhood, attending a school where others would steal his clothes and money. He started learning Kyokushin karate at age seven by his father and later by a Kyokushin Karate Master to defend himself against a school bully, Nikolas Mavrikos.

He took up wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after his karate teacher died and also trained in boxing. Before turning pro as a mixed-martial artist, St-Pierre worked as a bouncer at a Montreal night club in the South Shore called Fuzzy Brossard and as a garbageman for six months to pay for his school fees.

St-Pierre has trained with a number of groups in a large variety of gyms throughout his fighting career. Prior to his fight with B.J. Penn at UFC 58, he trained at the Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York City. St-Pierre received his brown belt in BJJ from Renzo Gracie on July 21, 2006. In September 2008, St-Pierre earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Bruno Fernandes.

St-Pierre began training with Rashad Evans, Nathan Marquardt, Keith Jardine, Donald Cerrone, and other skilled MMA fighters at Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting Gaidojutsu school in New Mexico. Some of Jackson's students accompanied St-Pierre to Montreal to help prepare him for his fight at UFC 94 against B.J. Penn at the Tristar Gym, including Keith Jardine, Nathan Marquardt, Donald Cerrone and Rashad Evans. Georges' strength and conditioning coach is Jonathan Chaimberg of Adrenaline Performance Centre in Montral. Georges' Head Trainer is Firas Zahabi of Zahabi MMA, out of the Tristar gym. The two have cornered all of St-Pierre's most recent bouts and remain as his close friends. Currently, St-Pierre trains in Muay Thai under Phil Nurse at the Wat in New York City.

St-Pierre had dreamed of becoming a UFC champion since watching Royce Gracie fight in 1993 at UFC 1. St-Pierre had his first amateur bout when he was only 16 years old. He said, "When I won my first amateur (MMA) fight, I was 16 years old and I beat a guy that was 25. I was only a Kyokushin karate fighter and the guy I fought was a boxer. At the time my ground skills were very poor, I didn't know anything on the ground." St-Pierre won his fight by knockout, going low with several leg kicks and then going high with a kick to the head.

St-Pierre's pro debut was against Branden Macfadden and the fight ended in a first round to-knockout win by St-Pierre. In only his second fight, St-Pierre's challenge for the UCC belt against Justin Bruckmann. He won by an arm bar in the first round. He then went on to defend his title twice. The UCC aka Universal Combat Challenge was then converted to TKO Major League MMA and he was named the champion. He fought on November 29, 2003 against Pete Spratt in a non-title bout at TKO 14. St-Pierre defeated Spratt with a rear naked choke in the first round. Following his second win in the UFC, he faced Matt Hughes at UFC 50 for the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship. Despite a competitive performance against the much more experienced fighter, St-Pierre tapped out to an armbar with only 1 second remaining in the first round. The loss was the first of St-Pierre's career and he has since admitted that he was in awe of Hughes going into the title bout.

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German Shepherd Puppy Training - Is It Important To Train My Puppy Now?

By Destin Davis

I love German Shepherds and if you are a first time dog owner, it is important for you to know having (and raising) a puppy is a long term commitment. If you decide a shepherd would be a great addition to your family, you will truly be getting a great dog. Not only are they, loyal and protective, but highly intelligent dogs as well. If you have a German Shepherd puppy, it is important to get him involved in training now.

Training helps your puppy make that smooth transition into adulthood, and have the best possible relationship with your family as possible. I have seen plenty of dog owners cry over shoes and irreplaceable items that have been torn to shreds because in their puppy's mind, no rules or boundaries were established. Training not only helps your puppy understand what is and is not acceptable behavior, but the time you spend bonding with your puppy helps prepare him to become a better family member and companion.

It is important to make sure your puppy has lots of contact with people and other dogs. Keep in mind, as an intelligent as this breed is, it is important to keep your German Shepherd mentally and physically sharp, they can't stand laying around all day being bored.

Remember your puppy will soon grow up to be a big strong dog, so you want to make sure he is obedient and you are able to control him. If can you do this you will see a loyal and compliant dog.

If you have enough money to take your puppy to a trainer, I think it is a good idea you do so. However, with the economy today, a professional trainer can be out of most people's budget. If you don't have the money to spend and want to train your puppy from the comfort of your home, it can be successfully done.

One of the best methods to use (in addition to positive reinforcement) is clicker training. The clicker is the device used (that sounds kind of like snapping your fingers) while you train your dog. When your puppy successfully performs the action you want him to, you click the clicker and follow that with praise and a treat. Soon, your puppy with be easily following the new commands and learn to associate the click with a job well done.

It doesn't matter if you have a German Shepherd puppy, or adult dog, at any age they seem to do well with the clicker training method and the clicker training course is one of the best training programs you can buy.

About the Author:

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