Category: General Article

Real estate development, especially redevelopment, is an ever-changing landscape. In addition, every developer goes about it slightly differently, from larger corporations to family-owned businesses like Steven Taylor. How can you stay sharp in this market?

Focus on Location

Do not allow trends to guide your acquisition decisions, because those come and go. What’s most important is location. You can change all else- construction, zoning, permits, and building systems- but you cannot change where the property sits.

Be Well Read

It’s a good idea to stay on top of what’s currently happening in the redevelopment sector. Try to read all of the local trades, as well as larger journals like the Wall Street Journal. Keep tabs on what successful firms like Taylor Equities are doing. When possible, keep in touch with fellow developers and share what works.

Constantly Assess

It’s easier to evolve a property if you know exactly what you’re working with. Take the time to lay it all out, including the current price per square foot, amenities, maintenance costs, demographics of the area, etc. From there you can work out where you should prioritize your renovation efforts and can adjust pricing based on nearby, comparable property values and… Read the rest

When it comes to issues with your engine’s power output because of issues with the cylinder’s compression, customers have recommended various compression kits to save you time and money to fix and repair your engine’s power. Another reason why customers highly recommend buying a kit is because these kits are the most useful forms or energy available to customers with a wide spectrum of uses. Customers have used these kits on any jobs that include hobbies, repairs on vehicles as well as any maintenance and construction jobs and work. Compression kits also allow you to have the ability to keep track of your tire pressure to ensure you’ll never be stuck on the side of the road without anything to help you air your tire up. As well as being able to complete all of your job requirements without any hassle or using too much time and effort to complete them.

These kits come in two different types of compressors such as portable and stationary, portable is highly recommended and used for any type of automotive repairs even if your stuck on the side of the road, without the hassle and fear of being stranded on the side of the … Read the rest

A fireplace is a functional and cozy addition to any home. To keep a wood-burning fireplace operating smoothly and efficiently you need to stay on top of maintenance a bit more than you would a gas fireplace. What should you be looking out for?

Chimney

The chimney exists to remove byproduct gasses from inside the home. It should be inspected at least once a year to make sure that creosote isn’t building up and that cracks aren’t forming. You should take action if you see creosote built up higher than 1/8 inches in between inspections. You can protect your chimney and extend its life by installing a lining. The lining should also be inspected once a year, and sometimes requires Maryland chimney relining.

Ash

Some ash in your fireplace is a good thing. About an inch of ash in the firebox facilitates a longer-lasting fire. However, it should be cleaned out if it gets too high or reaches the grate. If you have an ash door, dump or chute you should be using that. Removed ash can be sprinkled in your garden as nutrients. To avoid inefficient fires that cause soot and creosote be sure to burn hardwoods, not … Read the rest

Is your property uneven or rocky, or does it slope off dramatically from the house? If so, you’ve probably never considered building a deck. However, decks don’t have to be at ground level. There are many designs for elevated decks that can work on a variety of properties. Here are three reasons you may want to consider building an elevated deck.

1. Uneven Ground

Uneven ground is one of the most common reasons to build an elevated deck. Perhaps the ground slopes down sharply. Maybe it’s rocky and not conducive to having a deck at ground level. This is when an elevated deck may be perfect. To help combat the uneven ground, there are special pedestals for the base of elevated decks. Then support beams can be attached at varying lengths to assure the finished deck will be level.

2. Below Deck Storage

A ground-level deck is nice, but the area below may go unused and is potentially wasted space. With an elevated deck, you can turn the space beneath the deck into a cohesive and very usable storage space. With a few additional boards and some PVC paneling, you can have a waterproof space for outdoor tools … Read the rest

Although it may seem simple, remodeling your kitchen involves several household systems and costly materials. In some cases, it may not be cost-effective to remodel a kitchen on your own, especially if you are inexperienced. It is often better to hire a professional.

Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops

Even seemingly simple installations in the kitchen, like cabinets, may be an issue. For example, some older home’s kitchen cabinets in Milwaukee WI are attached to studs that are not the standard width apart. Modern kitchen cabinets have anchor points that meet modern building codes, which might not match the studs in older homes. Improper anchoring can cause them to fall, which may result in damage to your flooring, items, countertops and cabinets.

The same goes for kitchen countertops. Most counters are heavy, unwieldy and not easily attached. Specialists have extra help and the knowledge to handle this aspect without damaging the materials in the process.

Electrical Sockets and Gas Appliances

A kitchen with several outlets is an excellent addition to your home. Wiring those sockets may prove more difficult and expensive than expected. Many refrigerators and stoves require 220-volt sockets. These sockets carry at least a 10-amp current. It only takes around … Read the rest

Asphalt pavements last more than a decade or a decade and a half. The material requires little maintenance, which explains why several people opt for asphalt for their sidewalks. Unfortunately, as soon as the asphalt is laid in your home or business premises, it gets exposed to conditions that start to degrade it. It would be great to understand some enemies of asphalt paving so that you know how to maintain it and extend its lifespan. While some factors that degrade asphalt paving are natural elements, you can take control over the other factors. Here are some common asphalt enemies.

Standing Water

If water, from a well, rain or sprinkler comes into contact with your asphalt surface and it sits for a long time, it damages it. Divots or cracks in asphalt create a place for standing water, and the water weakens your asphalt. Once the surface is weakened, it makes the cracks worse than before and encourages potholes. That is why you need asphalt resurfacing pittsburgh pa to repair cracks before they develop into potholes.

Oil Stains

Oil stains coming from parked vehicles can slowly degrade your asphalt paving. You should address any oil stains on an asphalt parking … Read the rest