Negotiations are currently underway in regards to a national compensation fund for bank foreclosure victims. The negotiations are taking place between all 50 of the state attorney generals, bank regulators, and several of the country’s biggest lenders.  These lenders include J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and Ally Financial (formerly known as GMAC Mortgage).

The fund is supposed to compensate homeowners who may have been illegally foreclosed upon by banks and other lenders.   This solution is also designed to help the lenders to avoid lengthy and costly court cases.  Additionally, it’s supposed to help stabilize the housing industry by removing the current foreclosure freeze.  Moreover, it’s supposed to help clear up the congestion of court cases clogging the judicial system in all 50 states and downscale any future lawsuits involving foreclosure fraud.  The current judicial system isn’t set up to properly adjudicate the massive amount of foreclosures that are occurring nationwide.

Details still need to be worked out

The state officials and mortgage lending industry representatives agree that a financial remedy is essential to preventing further homeowner turmoil.  However, it may take  several months to reach an agreement and work out all the details.  Each side has a different viewpoint as to how the fund should be administered, who should benefit from it, and what proof they’ll need.  The two sides also have differing views as to how much each lender should contribute to the fund and what size the fund should be.   Moreover, they have varying ideas of how much time should be allowed for filing claims and the payment of claims.

Both sides want to end the housing crisis as soon as possible.  Both sides also want to see improvements made to the foreclosure and mortgage servicing processes.   However, this also leads to more unresolved issues.  For instance, reduction of principle for homeowners who are now “under water” is one of the unresolved issues.  Additionally, many officials would like to see bankruptcy judges be permitted to order loan modifications.  Basically, the main differences arise from the state officials wanting the lenders to reform their loan and foreclosure processes to be more fair to homeowners, while the banks want the legal end of the processes to be modified in order to expedite foreclosures.  Expediting the legal process of foreclosure could cover up vast amounts of fraudulent and illegal banking activities, as well as make it even easier for banks to foreclose on property they may not even own a lien to.

Numerous state officials think these types of issues should be addressed by the fund along with several other mortgage fraud issues that have led to the massive amount of foreclosures. Another unresolved issue is how all the foreclosure cases that involve sloppy or fraudulent paperwork should be dealt with on a legal basis.  Yet another unresolved issue is how the loan modification process will work in conjunction with foreclosure processing.   Currently, many lenders initiate both procedures simultaneously, rather than waiting to see if a loan modification will make foreclosing unnecessary.  Moreover, the state officials want lenders to address the issue of servicing fees during the loan modification process.

Why big banks are agreeing to create a compensation fund

One of the major reasons big banks are working to create a compensation fund is that they hope this will deter major lawsuits from homeowners.   Following foreclosure investigations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the big banks have determined it would be less costly and much quicker to just create a fund like BP did for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.   That way, they can eliminate lots of time and court costs, without actually admitting to any guilt of fraudulent crimes.   It has been discovered that many of the foreclosures in the past few years have been conducted in an illegal manner, using fraudulent documentation, robo-signers, and illegal foreclosure procedures.

Due to the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) and mortgage securitization, about 80% of all existing homes may have murky titles, without the homeowners’ knowledge. MERS doesn’t maintain any physical paperwork, which provides the necessary supporting proof of title ownership.   Also, due to the mortgage securitization practices, the loan note is often transferred without the accompanying title, so more than one lien holder can be involved.  One top Bank of America executive acknowledged that it would have to replace at least 102,000 affidavits used to file pending foreclosure cases due to not having the original documentation needed to provide proof of their lien rights.

Banks and bank regulators are also facing major criticism and investigation by the Senate Banking Committee. At the foreclosure crisis hearing, Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT), stated the current widespread banking practices were threatening all homeowners.  However, banks have been avidly attempting to downplay the paperwork mess, claiming they have been “materially accurate” even if not properly filed or supported with original paperwork.  The lenders want Americans to think these thousands of illegal foreclosures were just the result of mere clerical errors in routine paperwork rather than intentional criminal acts of fraud.

The lenders have also been working with their investors to cope with having to repurchase the bad loans.  The last thing the banks need is to be fighting lawsuits from homeowners and investors simultaneously.  Many of the bank executives could also be facing criminal charges of fraud.   Moreover, most of the banks and other mortgage lenders could go completely bankrupt if they lost the lawsuits filed by both homeowners and investors, as well as had to repurchase the fraudulent loans.

Will the fund be adequate to soothe American outrage?

Will this new buyoff fund be enough to soothe the American outrage at Wall Street’s flippant attitude towards the average citizen?   Will our politicians and judicial system let big financial institutions get off with just a token payment of atonement and a slap on the hand for outright defrauding and harming the general American public for the past few decades? They probably will, in the hopes of saving the housing industry and stabilizing our country’s economic situation.   These state officials actually think they’re going to force the Wall Street financial giants into changing their harmful, illegal behavior by creating this fund.

However, all the banks representatives have already stated the banks would continue with the 900,000+ foreclosures already filed this year, and would resume initiating more as soon as this mess has been put behind them.  Even after 18 months of the federal government trying to get banks to change their loan modification and foreclosures procedures, the lenders continue to use the same dysfunctional processes.  These lenders knowingly harm and defraud the American public for self-serving purposes, yet have no intention of changing their actions.   Why should they, if they can continue to profit more by harming the American citizens rather than contributing to their well-being?  With the creation of this fund, it would become up to the homeowners to provide proof of whom does or doesn’t own the right to take their home away from them.   The lenders, who can’t prove they own that right, will get out of paying anything for fraudulent foreclosure practices, since the homeowners most likely won’t be able to prove ownership/lien rights either.

Meatballs come in a wide variety of flavors, and so have many different names.  The various recipes present numerous ways of cooking meatballs.  Meatballs are very versatile and can be served as a main course or as a warm snack.  Meatballs are great for at home entertainment or for taking to parties away from home.

You can easily find recipes for Swedish, Italian, Mediterranean, Grandma’s homemade meatballs, and many other types of meatballs online.  Nowadays, many of the recipes call for pre-packaged, frozen meatballs.  Although this may do in a pinch, most people still prefer the taste of fresh, homemade meatballs.

Here is one of the numerous recipes I found online for homemade cocktail party meatballs.  It’s originally from Betty’s Kitchen, which uploads many wonderful recipes and videos to YouTube for those who like to cook.  In this case, Betty gives a recipe for small meatballs covered with a tangy sauce.  They are cooked in a slow cooker, and can be served at diverse types of parties.  They can also be used for other home-styled meals.

Required materials:

A broiler pan or a shallow baking pan

A medium sized skillet

A slow cooker

A stove with an oven

A large mixing bowl

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 well-beaten egg

10 ¾ oz. can tomato soup

1 c. finely chopped green onion

1 c. finely chopped green pepper

4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 ½ tbsp. fine, dry bread crumbs

2 tbsp. melted butter or margarine

2 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. prepared mustard

1 tbsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Place all of the ground beef, dry bread crumbs, egg, and salt into a large bowl, and mix them together well.
2. Take the mixture and shape it into approximately 48 small meatballs, placing the meatballs on a broiler pan or shallow baking pan.
3. Broil the meatballs at 400 degrees until they’re well-browned, turning them over once.
4. Remove the meatballs from the oven and drain off any excess fat.
5. Using a medium skillet, sauté the chopped green onion and green pepper in the melted butter, cooking the mixture until the onion and pepper is tender.
6. Stir in the tomato soup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, prepared mustard, and white vinegar.
7. Put the meatballs in a slow cooker and then thoroughly coat them with the sauce mixture.
8. Cook the meatballs and sauce on high for approximately 2 hours.  Alternative Option 1: You can bake the meatballs in the sauce in an oven set at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Alternative Option 2: You can cook the meatballs and sauce in a saucepan on top the stove, on low heat for 20 minutes.
9. Use the slow cooker to keep the meatballs and sauce warm until ready to serve.  May be served directly from the slow cooker or placed in a serving dish.

These tasty meatballs can be served with assorted crackers, breads, or pastas.  They are also excellent for making meatball submarine sandwiches.  People of all ages will most likely enjoy these tangy homemade cocktail party meatballs.

People are currently discovering staycations. Staycations are similar to the old-fashioned poor man’s style of vacationing. Only now, instead of being the poor man’s style, it’s the in-crowd’s style of trendy vacationing. There are a few differences between the old and new trends though, besides the new name. For instance, the new trend involves converting backyards into luxurious staycation resorts. The new trend also involves staying home by choice rather than through necessity.

There have always been several reasons why people stayed home during their vacations otherwise than simply being poor. Many more have been added to the list in recent years. Some of the past common reasons for staycations were conflicting work schedules, high fuel prices, lack of affordable transportation for large families, and lack of vacation funding. More modern reasons include these past reasons with the addition of conflicting social engagements, such as the children’s involvement with local summer programs and sporting activities.

The fear of terrorist activities and the hassles of flying have also been added to the growing list of reasons why staycations are chosen. The recession has had a major affect on vacations, as well. Not only because the recession affects whether or not a person can finance a vacation, but also because it has forced many resorts to close due to bankruptcy. The most recently added reasons have been pollution, natural disasters, and inclement weather ruining favorite vacation spots.

The recession also makes staycations a wiser choice because it involves investing in home and backyard improvements. The whole idea behind staycations is to adopt a vacation theme, and then convert an area of your backyard or home into a resort that matches the theme. These improvements help to create the vacation atmosphere, while increasing the value of the property. The best part is that you can enjoy the vacation repeatedly any time you choose throughout the year, since you own the resort. Moreover, you can adapt the staycation resort to host a wide variety of themed vacations and social events simply by altering a few elements, such as patio furniture styles and plants.

Numerous chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus are also encouraging people to stay home for vacations, hoping to keep the spent vacation funds circulating within the community. They suggest using the time for taking day trips to local state and city parks, museums, and other local attractions. The tourism agencies also recommend immersing yourself and your family in the local cultural activities and special events occurring in the area.

Many national store chains are encouraging people to use staycations too, hoping to make a profit by selling the materials for the conversion processes. Wal-Mart and Target push patio furnishings and outdoor activity equipment, while home improvement stores sell kits, materials, and tools for do-it-yourself staycation projects. Lowe’s and Home Depot will even help you choose a staycation theme. Then they will sell you the kits or materials and project blueprints you need for converting your backyard or home into that staycation resort.

Lowe’s offers a kit for creating a Caribbean Island retreat, complete with hammocks, tiki hut, misting fans, tiki torches, and bar. They also offer two other themed kits, which are named Call to All Campers and Garden Oasis. The Call to All Campers theme features an easy to build sundeck, an infrared grill, and a fire pit, while the Garden Oasis kit features a canopy, outdoor shower, pergola, and bamboo. Lowe’s also suggests suitable meals and provides some recipes to fit the various themes.

Home Depot provides kits and plans for such projects as outdoor theaters, games, and other outdoor activities. This emphasizes some of the primary elements of staycations, such as spending quality family time, and remembering to act as if you’re in a faraway vacation resort, away from home. When you’re planning your staycation, be sure to plan theme related meals, entertainment, and other tourist activities. Make certain to include time and activities for self-nurturing as well.

Don’t let anything distract you from enjoying your family time during the staycation. If you set the time for certain activities, use that time for the set purpose, or for some impulsive alternative relaxation activity. Don’t take or make business calls or do any other type of work, such as house repairs or routine household errands during the hours set aside for vacation time.

Moreover, don’t stick to your daily routine schedules. Stock up on whatever groceries and supplies you’ll need ahead of time, so you won’t have to do routine shopping while vacationing. Eat meals at more random times, stay up later, and sleep in later. If you start thinking about what work needs to be done, then it’s time to go for a fun outing, visit somewhere you’ve never been to, or do something you’ve never done before.

References:

Lowe’s Creative Ideas for Home and Garden
MassLive.com
MediaPost News

The PACE programs seemed to be an ideal solution to several major problems. The programs helped homeowners to invest in ways to reduce their energy consumption while saving on the cost of their utilities. The installation of the solar panels and wind turbines, as well as other home retrofitting projects provided much needed employment, and helped stabilize local and state economies. However, the PACE financing programs are now being blocked by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two federal government-sponsored mortgage companies. Or more accurately, PACE is being counteracted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees the two mortgage giants, as well as the twelve federal home loan banks. So on one hand, the government is promoting renewable energy and on the other hand, is seemly discouraging its use.

In reality, The FHFA isn’t trying to discourage the promotion of renewable energy sources. The FHFA is only protesting the method used to finance the PACE programs. The FHFA is responsible for getting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of the financial mess they are in due to the housing crisis. With these two companies securing the largest percentage of home mortgages in the United States, the FHFA has to consider what happens if the homeowners default on their mortgages and/or the PACE loans.

Under the current system, annual property tax surcharges are created by the PACE loans, which can cause liens to be placed on the property for up to twenty years. These liens would give PACE lenders first priority to the property rather than giving it to the mortgage lenders. With the housing industry still being so fragile, the FHFA is concerned that even more defaults and foreclosures are imminent, and that the mortgage lenders will have even lesser chances to recoup their losses.

Thus, the debate comes down to which has higher priority for the federal government and Americans. Which offers the greater rewards in the long term, with the least amount of risks? The PACE program offers an increase in clean, renewable energy sources, and helps to reduce the rapid depletion of high priced fossil-based energy sources. It offers an unemployment reduction, especially for the construction and renewable energy industries. This in turn helps to stabilize local and state economies, which helps to stabilize the national economy. The PACE programs offers hope for a better future, as well as more immediate socio-economic relief.

However, the FHFA also has some valid concerns. The housing industry is still highly dependent on first-time home buyer tax credits, refinancing programs, and loan modifications for its recovery. With the slow economic recovery and high rates of unemployment in most of the nation’s industries, it’s quite likely that even more homeowners will default on their mortgages and loans. This defaulting would lead to more foreclosures, short sales, and bankruptcies, which would contribute to the housing crisis cycle repeating itself, with even worse consequences. A repeated housing crisis cycle creates more poverty, homelessness, and socio-economical castrophies.

The FHFA considers the PACE programs to be a high risk to the mortgage lenders, servicers, and security investors. The FHFA is also concerned about the underwriting, consumer protection and energy retrofitting standards, and whether PACE programs will actually reduce energy consumption on a meaningful level. FHFA regulators are also concerned about the departure from traditional mortgage lending standards that rely on mortgage-backed securities rather than the collateral –based lending PACE programs utilize to secure home retrofitting funds.

Whether the FHFA is right or wrong about the possible future danger the PACE programs pose to American taxpayers, there are a few certainties that are occurring now that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac aren’t supporting PACE programs. Since the FHFA has put a freeze on PACE loans, several thousands of jobs have been lost. Many homeowners have been left in a lurch, trying to find other ways to finance the energy retrofitting their homes need. While the debate between government agencies, politicians, and other authorities continue, the prices and depletion of fossil-based energy and unemployment rates keep increasing, while the housing industry and socio-economical stability keep growing weaker due to a lack of consumers being able to afford housing. Americans cannot afford the government’s hesitation and indecision.

References:

The Euromoney Institutional Investor Online
Federal Housing Finance Agency
The Housing Watch
Los Angeles Times
The Wall Street Journal

However, at least 60 residents in Carbondale, Pennsylvania got reminded of this niceness during the past week. On June 28th, more than 400 adult and teenaged volunteers converged on Carbondale to carry out various small home repairs and improvement projects for the residents. All the work was done cost-free to the homeowners.

The volunteers and homeowners were taking part in the Carbondale NeighborWorks Week, which was sponsored by the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Lackawanna County. Believe it or not, the majority of volunteers came in from out of state just to help the Carbondale residents. The volunteers came from various areas of the northeastern United States. They provided services to residents who were elderly, living on low-incomes, or who were disabled. The projects included weatherization, painting, porch/deck installation or repair, and wheelchair ramp construction, as well as other minor home repairs.

Carbondale NeighborWorks Week came about due to the NHS’s desire to directly connect homeowners who needed help with those who wanted to provide help. They wanted to do a large scale service project that would have an immediate positive impact, and knew that Carbondale had an older housing stock that needed attention. The recipient homeowners were chosen after a review of the applications they submitted to NHS earlier in the year.

According to NHS executive director Jesse Ergott, NHS is a private, non-profit organization that has been around for about 30 years. NHS helps people to buy their first home, finance major home repairs, and to work with their lender in order to avoid foreclosure. They hope doing so will strengthen the financial stability of the families involved, thus improving the community at large.

Since the Group WorkCamps Foundation (GWF) was set up specifically with this type of volunteer work in mind, NHS asked GWF to join in carrying out the large scale service project. Once GWF agreed to provide volunteers, NHS approached the City of Carbondale with the idea. The NHS expected to spend at least $25,000 on construction materials alone. NHS estimated the volunteer labor was worth about $80,000.

GWF is also a non-profit organization that has been around for over 30 years. It was founded in Loveland, Colorado, after a major flood hit the area in 1977. The faith-based organization provides volunteers for various community sponsored projects on an international level. So far, GWF has organized over a quarter of a million volunteers and have provided about 6 million hours of volunteer services. They have completed over 210,000 projects in Canada, Central America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, as well as in various areas of the United States.

Many of GWF’s young volunteers actually pay to participate in a GWF youth summer camp that puts them to work in a community project. They claim the work is very rewarding and a great way to spend a summer vacation. GWF will be hosting 64 more similar community work camps this summer. The camps will be located ranging from Wisconsin to Carbondale. An estimated 30,000 youth and adult volunteers are expected to participate in these group workcamp projects.

The local communities that are being helped are usually responsible for hosting the GWF volunteers. Usually this is done by providing a local school’s gymnasium, cafeteria, and classrooms for a lockdown styled camp out. After the volunteers have spent all day working on a community project, they spend the evening preparing and serving meals to each other, and worshiping together. They also participate in fun events during the evening hours, such as listening to musical concerts or watching drama or comedy performances, and making friends with other volunteers. The volunteers often participate in sports too.

NHS also invited local residents to participate in the Carbondale NeighborWorks Week events. Anyone who wanted to volunteer was assigned to one of the many crews, regardless of their construction skill levels. Each crew was assigned to work on one of the 60 homes, and the local volunteers worked right along with the GWF volunteers. The citizens of Carbondale were also invited to show up at Memorial Park on Monday and Tuesday to welcome and thank the out-of-town visitors.

If you’re interested in bringing a Workcamp to your community, you can contact GWF by phoning toll free 1-800-385-4545, or visit their web site for more information. You’ll need to do a few things when cosponsoring a Workcamp, but it’s well-worth the effort. GWF staff members will gladly assist you with the entire process, from beginning to end.

References:

Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna, PA
The Times Tribune

Fannie Mae defines a strategic defaulter as:

1. Someone who is capable of making payments but skips making a mortgage payment for six consecutive months, and
2. Who doesn’t try to work out a solution with the lender, and
3. Who has paid all other debts during the same six months the mortgage payment was skipped.

Simply put, strategic mortgage defaulting is where a person purposely places the home into foreclosure or short sale, hoping to force a loan modification. However, some people argue the aforementioned definition is faulty. They argue that the person may not be able to repay all his or her debts, and so chose to repay the ones with the highest consequences first, and deal with the lowest consequential default later. There are several studies which show both circumstances to be true, but they can’t seem to determine if the trend is rising, sporadic, or declining.

In most states, residential property is purchased under recourse terms. This means there are clauses placed in the contract which allow the lender to recoup any losses due to loan default. The lender can take legal actions, such as having deficiency judgments issued, having wages garnished, and taking possession of personal property.

In past decades, homeowners seldom worried about the recourse clauses. The homeowners simply didn’t plan to ever default on the loan. Numerous people bought homes because they were great financial assets and provided a sense of security. The purchasers planned on staying a long time, and were willing to contribute to the community’s development and well-being in order to raise the value of their property.

However, strategic mortgage defaulting has become more rampant in the past few years, as more homes are becoming worth 10%-62% less than the amount owed. This is especially true in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, which have also been the epicenter of the housing industry crisis and highest fraud rates for the past few years.
As the economy started slumping, people lost their jobs and couldn’t pay their mortgage payments. So Lenders started foreclosing on residential and commercial properties, which frequently involved several properties located in the same neighborhood. The numerous foreclosures eventually destroyed the property value and caused even a bigger economic crisis.

To ease the pressure on homeowners, the federal government set up loan modification and debt reduction programs, hoping to end the high rate of foreclosures and short sales. However, to qualify for most of the programs, the borrower had to be in default on the loans for at least 3-6 months. No one expected people who were able to repay their loans to default on purpose, just to qualify for the programs.

Yet that is exactly what started to occur, especially where the lenders had no or few legal recourses. Numerous homeowners saw these programs as an excellent way to modify their mortgages to make the debt and value of the home more evenly matched. They purposely defaulted, with the hope the lender would modify the loan rather than foreclose on the house.

Now over 15 million homeowners have property that has submerged equity. So the question becomes how many of these 15+ million homeowners will default on their mortgages within the next few years. If they do default, how many will do so merely because they have no desire to repay their debts at the agreed price, and how many legitimately can’t repay their debts do to financial circumstances?

When a borrower defaults on a loan, it becomes harder and more expensive for everyone to attain new loans. This further depresses the economy and deters recovery. If the trend of strategic defaulting continues rising, then the entire U.S. socio-economical system could possibly fail. This collapse may even lead to the collapse of the global socio-economical systems. The economical effects wouldn’t be so bad on a national or global level if the trend is on the decline or only sporadic, although it would still be quite damaging on local levels.

It’s highly important for struggling homeowners to find alternatives to strategic mortgage defaulting, such as a deed in-lieu solution. Although the deed in-lieu solution doesn’t work well for everyone, it does provide a win-win solution to quite a few homeowners with submerged equity. There are numerous advantages to deed in-lieu of foreclosure, including less financial hardships for all involved. Pursuing other alternatives certainly is better for the homeowner than being penalized for seven years and sued by Fannie Mae or other lenders.

References:

ABC News: Fannie Mae Issues Penalties
Affordable Housing Institute (U.S.): Static Mortgage Default
Wall Street Journal: 1 in 5 Mortgage Defaults are Strategic
The Washington Post: Foreclosure Alternative Gaining Favor

One of the major home improvements involved in this patriotic trend is the installation of flagpoles. In most cases, it’s simply a matter of installing mounting brackets or placing 10% of the flagpole into a sleeve you’ve placed into a hole in the ground and cementing the sleeve into place. After the brackets or sleeve is in place, you simply hoist the flag.

You may want to make some patriotic home improvements for your 4th of July celebration. If you’re going to install a flagpole, you’ll need to consider the cost, desired appearance, size/dimensions, necessary flagpole strength, and what installation materials will be needed. The most common types of residential flagpoles are wall-mounted, classical in-ground, and telescopic. The taller and the bigger the pole and flag are, then the higher the price becomes. Moreover, accessorizing the flagpole with plants or ornaments will increase the price.

Also, you should be aware of the proper way to display your flag. Just as there are proper etiquette protocols for social behavior and internet usage, so there are proper flag protocols as well. There are also numerous federal, state, and city ordinances and regulations that give guidance on how to show respect for the American flag and its representations.

Basically, the flag code states:

1. The flag should only be displayed from sunrise to sunset when on buildings and on stationary flagpoles in the open, unless the flag is properly illuminated.
2. The flag is supposed to be briskly raised and ceremoniously lowered.
3. Unless the flag is weatherproof, it shouldn’t be flown in inclement weather.
4. It’s improper to place any other flag of pennant above or on the right of the U.S. flag, if flown at the same level as the American flag. The only exceptions to this rule are for Navy chaplains when they’re conducting church services, and the flag display at the United Nations headquarters. International protocol calls for all national flags to be flown at the same height, with the same size flag during peace time, and the United Nations flag is given the place of honor at the U.N. headquarters. When there’s a group of flags, the U.S. flag should be raised first, and be the last one to be lowered.
5. If you’re displaying the U.S. flag with another flag against a wall, using crossed staffs, then the U.S. flag should be on the viewer’s left (the flag’s right), and its staff should be in front of the other flag’s staff.
6. The U.S. flag should be displayed at the center and highest point of any group of non-national flags, such as state, local, or societal pennants and flags, if they’re on staffs.
7. The flag should be hung from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, with the union (blue field with stars) being places at the top of the staff. When the flag is hung over a sidewalk from a rope stretching from the house to a pole, the flag should be hoisted out from the building, with the union first.
8. The flag should never be flown at half-staff unless it’s been officially proclaimed by the President of the United States or the state governor as a day of mourning. When flying a flag at half-staff, hoist it to the top first, and then lower it half way. Before retiring the half-masted flag for the night, raise it to the peak and then lower it.
9. Never display the U.S. flag with the union down, unless using it as a dire distress signal in cases of extreme danger to life or property.
10. Never let the flag touch anything below it, such as the ground or floor.
11. Never display, fasten, use, or store the flag is any manner which allows it to be easily soiled, torn, or damaged, and never use the flag for advertising purposes in any manner. Never place or attach any mark, picture, design, words, or anything else to the U.S. flag.
12. Never use the flag as a ceiling cover, or as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
13. Never display a soiled, tattered, or otherwise badly damaged flag. Properly dispose of the old flag by burning it, and replace it with a new flag.
14. When hanging a flag on the wall or window, always place the union where it’s to the left of the viewer. For the window, this means the viewer who is standing outside the building, looking in.

References:

Do It Yourself: 9 Different Flagpole Types
Home Fixated: Flagpoles Pros & Cons
Popular Mechanics: How To Setup a Flagpole
This Old House: How to Install a Flagpole
United States Flag Store: Flagpole Evolution
USA Today: Dynamic US Flag 200 Years of Change
U.S. History: Flag Code

Most adults dream of owning their own home, so they industriously work for years towards attaining that dream. Some finally achieve their dreams, only to have them stolen by mortgage fraud schemes. Others never achieve their dreams because these mortgage fraud schemes make it impossible to do. They keep the economy, the lending industry, and the housing industry in a state of escalating crisis. Basically, everyone who isn’t a fraudster is a victim of mortgage fraud.

In a press conference held June 17, 2010, Attorney General Eric Holder stated that “mortgage fraud ruins lives, destroys families, and devastates whole communities.” The press conference was being held to announce the results of “Operation Stolen Dreams.” This takedown operation was launched on March 1, 2010, by multiple agencies and was coordinated by President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. Some of the other federal agencies involved are: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Trade Commission, Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Justice. Additionally, the task force is working with numerous local and state agencies nationwide.

Although Operations Stolen Dreams is a nationwide sweep, certain states with high mortgage fraud rates are being concentrated on. These states include California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Texas. The primary focus of the operation is to end the escalating mortgage fraud crime spree, and to recapture billions of dollars lost by the victims of these crimes.

There have been several task forces organized to fight mortgage fraud in the past few years. However, Operation Stolen Dreams was the first one to include civil enforcement and restitution to victims as well as criminal fraud cases. It’s also the largest mortgage fraud takedown to date. According to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller, the FBI is currently investigating more than 3,000 cases. The FBI has received over 5,000 reports of possible fraud cases since 2006.

Attorney General Holder noted how the mortgage frauds were taking all shapes and sizes. The schemes have involved industry insiders, such as lending institutions, loan officers, and realtors. They’ve also included attorneys, straw buyers, home builders, land developers, and fake mortgage rescue corporations, as well as individuals lying on loan applications. According to the FBI’s 2009 Mortgage Fraud report, the emerging mortgage fraud trends included schemes associated with economic stimulus plans/programs, commercial real estate loan fraud, short sale flops, condo conversion, property theft/fraudulent leasing of foreclosed properties, and tax-related fraud. Numerous fraud schemes were targeting the elderly, the subprime borrowers, and the immigrant populations.

To date, Operation Stolen Dreams has reported 1,215 people were being charged with mortgage fraud. Approximately $196.7 million from civil cases and $10.7 million from criminal cases has been recovered since March 1, from the estimated $2.3 billion in losses. There have been 485 arrests, with 330 convictions so far.
The task force is continuing to crack down on suspected fraudsters. They are focusing their attention on those cases that involve more complex levels of scheming rather than on the small homebuyers who falsified information just to get a house. In most of the current case investigations, a loss of a million dollars or more is involved, and the fraud is being perpetrated by industry insiders.

Various members of the Operation Stolen Dreams task force suggest people should protect themselves by taking the following precautions:

• Use extreme caution when dealing with unsolicited contacts for any type of loan, debt, or housing assistance.
• Be cautious of high-pressure sales techniques, especially if the person is trying to get you to buy something you cannot easily afford. Don’t falsify information, or allow anyone else to falsify information of the application.
• Remember to apply the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Avoid anyone who promises to help you quickly and easily make extraordinary profits or promises to completely rescue you from all your problems if you just pay them an upfront fee. If you need assistance, seek out government approved agencies.
• Get credible referrals for lending and housing industrial professionals, and verify their credentials with state, county, or city regulatory agencies.
• Carefully examine all written information for accuracy, including the names on the application, the recent comparable sales in the area, and tax assessments. Also be sure to verify the property’s value. Avoid purchasing property that’s been sold numerous times within a short period, as it may indicate an inflated property value.
• Carefully read all the fine print, and don’t leave anything blank, and know exactly what you are agreeing to before signing. If necessary, get an attorney or another qualified person whom you trust to go over the documentation with you, to ensure you fully understand all the terms.

References: CNN Money, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Financial Times

Grace Golden Clayton of Fairmount, West Virginia, is also accredited with the founding of Father’s Day. However, she campaigned for it on a more local rather than national level. Even though Mother’s Day caught on quickly, Father’s Day was slow to be accepted as a national holiday. Mother’s Day was designated a holiday in 1914, but Father’s Day didn’t become a permanent national holiday until 1972.

In the past hundred years, social perspectives of fathers have drastically changed. Before 1910, fathers were usually profiled as being tough, practical, strict disciplinarians, and unsentimental. Fathers fulfilled the role of being the family’s hard working financial backbone and generally went un-noticed as human beings by other family members.

Later, in the early 1900s, fathers started earning the reputation of being sleazy, drunk, and lazy, especially as single mother household rates rose higher. Either perspective projected images of fathers who seldom spent time with their children. Thus, Father’s Day gifts were mostly impersonal type items, possibly with a monogram added to the item to make it more personal.

Now that modern technology and social gender roles have changed, fathers have been able to participate more in family life. Fathers are now usually profiled as fun-loving and caring, as well as hard working and strict disciplinarians. A change in the types of gifts given to dads has occurred due this altered perception. Family members now realize that Dad may want a gift that has nothing to do with what he needs. Dad may have hobbies and other interests besides work. These hobbies, interests, and emotions create a much wider range of possible gifts for Father’s Day.

This year’s popular gift ideas are very diverse. They range from giving Dad a roll of duct tape to creating a special “man-cave” for him. Although tools are still included as popular gifts, the recommended tools are now tools used for hobbies rather than work related. Or they are tools that can be used for both pleasure and work. Paul Bianchina, writing for Inman News and NewsOK, suggests getting the following tools as gifts: Final Cut 7¼-inch saw blade, Craftsman cordless pruner (Model 74431), Tek4 Audio plus noise suppression headphones (Model RP4530), Dremel 8200 cordless rotary tool (Model 8200), Black & Decker 24 Volt cordless trimmer/edger (Model NST1024), and a Bosch Pocket Driver (Model PS21-2S).

The ideal gift will depend on the individual dad. Customized apparel is considered suitable, especially if it relates to hobbies or favorite sports. Glenn Haege, a columnist for the Detroit News, prefers gifts like foam, rubber soled covers for work boots and shoes, form-fitting work gloves with gripping capabilities, a tool for cleaning grooves and crevices, a fire pit/grill mat, or a snow melting mat for the porch and sidewalk. Yet, Tim Spiro, who has collected sports and celebrity memorabilia for more than 40 years, would like more space for his “Spiro Hall of Fame” man-cave.

Broadcaster and show host Kevin Rolston prefers spending a day with his kids without them complaining, doing the things he did as a kid. He would also like an art kit so he can create rudimentary paintings for his kids, as a returned favor for all the elementary school artwork they gifted him to display. Most of all, Mr. Rolston simply wants a hug from his kids for Father’s Day.

Robert Weil, a small business owner from Boynton Beach, Florida, agrees with Kevin Rolston about spending time with his kids. For his Father’s Day gifts, Mr. Weil wants a private yacht charter for a dive trip on the Great Barrier Reef, or a special lunch date at his favorite restaurant in Boynton Beach. Most of all, Robert Weil wants to spend the day with his kids so he can enjoy getting to know them better.

Bill Adams, a radio personality at 107.9 WIRK, also agrees with Kevin Rolston and Robert Weil. His dream gift is a trip to see a game at every Major League Baseball park, with his second choice being a beer making kit. However, he thinks the most priceless Father’s Day gift is any gift made by his children, even if he can’t figure out what it’s supposed to be.

So this year, do something memorable with your dad for Father’s Day. Take lots of photos and collect souvenirs of the time together. Then as a final gift, help Dad to remodel a space so he can proudly display the photos and souvenirs.

References:  The Detroit News, NewsOK, The Palm Beach Post, Traverse City Record Eagle

If you participated in NOAA’s activities, then you may be more prepared than many of your neighbors. However, even if you didn’t get a head start, it’s still not too late to retrofit your home to withstand the hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 until November 30, 2010.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), an average of eleven tropical storms develops each year. Although most will never impact U.S. coastlines, six of the tropical storms are likely to become hurricanes. Approximately five hurricanes impact U.S. coastlines in a 3-year period, with two of them being major or intense hurricanes. However, a lower category storm, including tropical storms, can produce significant damage and loss of life too, depending what hazards accompany the storm.

A hurricane is considered major or intense once it reaches a category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Approximately 50 to 100 people are killed during the five hurricanes that hit the U.S. coastline during the average 3-year cycle. It used to be a much higher rate, but the better warning systems now help to reduce the fatalities. NOAA estimates that an average of $5+ billion of damage results from hurricanes annually.

Hurricanes can produce storm surge, flooding, high winds, and tornadoes. Therefore, homeowners who reside in hurricane prone areas must renovate their homes to the latest building and safety codes designed to withstand these dangers. Although damages cannot totally be avoided, the risks can be reduced by taking certain precautions. Here’s a list of home remodeling projects the Institute for Business and Home Safety recommend for June (starting with the least expensive):

1. Do a visual inspection of the entire property, or have a professional builder or engineer with specific knowledge of hurricane building codes, inspect your property for safety hazards, and conduct any needed maintenance.
2. Remove any gravel/rock landscaping material and replace it with shredded bark.
3. Trim all trees, roses, vines, and shrubbery and remove any weak branches and trees. If possible, create a channel through the foliage to the center of the tree to allow air flow.
4. Ensure screened porches and any similar areas are properly attached.
5. Ensure the double-entry doors are reinforced with heavy duty foot and head bolts, and a security dead bolt lock that has a 1” minimum bolt throw length.
6. Ensure the double garage doors and tracks are reinforced properly, or replace the double garage door with a hurricane wind load tested garage door.
7. Ensure the roof sheathing is adequately attached. If it’s not, then attach it, using adhesive to attach the sheathing to the rafters, and use extra 8d (8 penny) nails or #8 screws if you have to reroof the house.
8. Ensure the gable end walls and roof trusses are braced properly.
9. Ensure all large windows and patio doors can quickly and easily be securely fastened and covered with plywood storm shutters, or install tested manufactured hurricane shutters.
10. Ensure the roof rafters and trusses are connected to the side walls with hurricane clips/straps.
11. Ensure all exterior walls are properly connected to the foundation. You may need professional assistance with this task, if you have a masonry-type construction.
12. If necessary, reroof, using adequate underlayment and other hurricane tested roofing materials.
13. Install a security room.

Other steps you should take to prepare for a hurricane are to:

• Make a family emergency plan, including evacuation routes, and methods of contacting and accounting for each other, as well as who’s responsible for what, and rehearse it frequently. Be sure to include plans for evacuating any animals, rescuing family heirlooms, and retrieving any important documentation.
• Prepare an emergency kit, containing at least a 3-day supply (for each family member and pet) of bottled water, non-perishable food (preferably none that needs to be cooked), blankets, clothing, personal items, flashlights, extra batteries, a weather monitor or AM/FM battery operated radio, first aid materials, and tools you may need. Additionally, keep a supply of extra plywood, and any other materials you may need to secure your property, since many stores will quickly run out of supplies once the storm alert is given.
• Once you have been alerted to an approaching storm, gather all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, potential debris, and other loose items, and then place them inside. Also help your neighbors to do the same.
• Leave any low lying areas, and if asked to evacuate, do so as quickly as possible, without panicking.

Since 2008, the CPSC has received complaints from more than 3,300 homeowners residing in 37 states. Most of these complaints came from Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia, where hurricane-damaged buildings were rebuilt with the defective drywall. Laboratory testing has proven the defective drywall emits high levels of hydrogen sulfide, which is associated with metal corrosion.

On May 24-25, 2010, U.S. officials met with Chinese officials at the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings in Beijing. The U.S. officials attempted to press the Chinese government into facilitating a meeting between CPSC and the Chinese companies who manufactured the defective drywall. Moreover, on May 25, 2010, CPSC released the names of the Chinese drywall manufacturers whose products emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide.

Along with the names, CPSC released Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) test results of various drywall samples. According to LBNL’s results, some of the Chinese drywall had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese and other Chinese drywall samples.

According to the CPSC and LBNL, these ten samples (all made in China) held the greatest amounts, in the order of highest to lowest rates of hydrogen sulfide:

• Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., made in 2005
• Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd., made in 2006
• Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co., made in 2005
• Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., made in 2006
• Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd., made in 2006
• Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd., made in 2006
• Shandong Chenxiang GBM Co. Ltd. (C&K Gypsum Board), made in 2006
• Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM), made in 2009
• Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd., made in 2009
• Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co., made in 2009

Other samples of both, Chinese and domestically manufactured, drywall tested as having low or no detectable hydrogen sulfide emissions. These samples include:

• Tiger ***ShiGao JianCai***liangpianzhuang, made in China in 2006
• Dragon Brand, Beijing New Building Materials Co. Ltd., made in China in 2006
• Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin and Knauf Plasterboard (Wuhu) Co. Ltd made in China in 2009
• USG Corporation:, made in the U.S. in 2009
• Guangdong Knauf New Building Material Products Co. Ltd., made in China in 2009
• CertainTeed Corp., made in the U.S. in 2009
• Georgia Pacific Corp, made in the U.S. in 2009
• Pingyi Baier Building Materials Co. Ltd., made in China in 2009
• Panel Rey S.A., made in Mexico in 2009
• Lafarge North America, made in the U.S. in 2009.
• National Gypsum Company, made in the U.S. in 2009
• Pabco Gypsum, made in the U.S. in 2009
• Temple-Inland Inc., made in the U.S. in 2009

Two other samples, both made in China also tested with low or no emissions. One sample was 3/8” drywall, with an uncertain manufacturer and manufacture date, the other was made by an unknown manufacturer in 2009.

In order to deal with the drywall problem more effectively, an Intergovernmental Task Force on Problem Drywall was formed. It currently consists of representatives of CPSC, HUD, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CPSC and HUD recommend homeowners hire a certified contractor to inspect any drywall installed in2001-2008, and take proper remediation action if it’s defective.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also issued a Consumer Alert in December 2009, warning consumers to be extremely cautious when hiring contractors for testing and removal of drywall. The FTC advised homeowners to confirm the contractors’ references, qualifications, and background before hiring them.
In light of the demand for qualified, certified contractors and drywall inspectors, the Building Envelope Science Institute (BESI) is offering a new certification class in New Orleans, Louisiana. The class will be held July 19-20, 2010 at the Astor Crowne Plaza. BESI has held several conferences throughout Florida since October 2009, and is now receiving numerous requests to conduct seminars outside of Florida.

BESI provides training and certification to licensed and state approved contractors who are interested in performing inspections and remediation on structures with defective drywall. The BESI system of remediation has been considered to be the most comprehensive remediation process available, and meets CPSC and HUD interim guidelines, as well as court alignments. The BESI system deals with the major factors of corrosion, cross-contamination of other building materials, personal belongings, as well as several other factors that CPSC considers necessary.

References:

Herald de Paris, News Blaze, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Washing Machine

If your 2006-2010 home remodeling or special occasion gift-giving included adding a new dishwasher or front-load washer, then you may have to make sure it hasn’t been recalled recently. Although GE and Maytag appliances are usually very reliable products, they both have had voluntary recalls announced in June, 2010. On June 3rd, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Maytag Corporation announced the recall of approximately 1.7 million dishwashers. CPSC and GE Appliances & Lighting, of Louisville, Kentucky announced the recall of approximately 181,000 GE Front-Load washing machines on June 10th.

According to CPSC, the Maytag Corporation in Newton, Iowa and Benton Harbor, Michigan manufactured the defected dishwashers. Although no injuries have been reported, Maytag has received at least 12 reports of heating element failures. The defective heating elements caused fires and dishwasher damage, with one causing extensive kitchen damages due to the fire.

Maytag Corporation sold the dishwasher through department and appliance stores, as well as by homebuilders nationwide. The dishwashers were sold February 2006 through April 2010. They were priced from $250 to $900, and were made with black, bisque, white, silver, and stainless steel front panels, and have plastic tubs. The brand names, which are printed on the front of the dishwasher, include:

• Maytag®
• Amana ®
• Jenn-Air®
• Admiral®
• Magic Chef®
• Performa by Maytag® and Crosley®

Only certain models and serial numbers are affected. You can find the model and serial number printed on a label that’s located on a tag near the left side of the door opening, inside the plastic tub. Maytag and CPSC advise consumers to immediately stop using the dishwashers. Additionally, disconnect the electrical power supply to the unit, by shutting off the circuit breaker or fuse. Moreover, you should inform everyone that uses the machine of the possible risk, and contact Maytag if you think you might have a defective dishwasher.

These are the serial numbers involved:

• Starting with: NW39 through NW52; NY01 through NY19
• Or ending with: JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, NR

Maytag Corporation is offering consumers with defective machines the choice of scheduling a free in-home repair or receiving a rebate on the purchase of certain new stainless-steel tub models. Maytag asks consumers not to return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where they were purchased. For more information about the recall and your options, contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513, or visit their website at www.repair.maytag.com.

GE Appliances & Lighting reported to CPSC that they have received reports of seven incidents which involved flames escaping from the recalled front-load washing machines. Apparently, there’s a wire that can make contact with a metal part on the washtub when it breaks in the machine, if the machine is operating. This poses fire and shock hazards. So far, the only harm caused by the defect has been minor smoke damage. There haven’t been any injuries reported to GE or CPSC.

GE and CPSC reported that the defective washing machines were manufactured in China between December 2006 and February 2010. The description of the recalled units given in the reports is simply GE front-load washing machines without auxiliary water heating. These units were sold in various department and retail stores nationwide, from December 2006 through May 2010. The washers were priced around $700.

To check the model and serial number, look on the bottom right side and on the bottom door frame of the washers. The model number begins with WBVH5. The serial number begins with:

• AM, AR, AS, AT
• DM, DR, DS
• FM, FR
• GM, GS
• HM, HR, HS
• LM, LR, LS
• MM, MR, MS
• RM, RR, RS
• SM, SR, SS
• TM, TR, TS
• VM, VR, VS
• ZL, ZM, ZR, ZS

GE and CPSC are telling consumers to immediately cease using the recalled washers. The defective washer should be unplugged from its electrical outlet, and shouldn’t be operated until it’s been repaired. If you have a defective model, you can contact GE for more information regarding the recall. You can visit GE’s website at www.geappliances.com, or call toll-free at (888) 345-4124 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. GE is offering to remedy the situation by providing free repairs.

CPSC is continuing to collect any reports of incidents or injuries that are related to either of these products. If you have had any problems with the defective models for these or for any other reasons, then contact CPSC. You can visit Consumer Product Safety Commission to report your experiences. CPSC also reminded consumers that it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell any recalled product.

References:

CNN, CPSC, GE Appliances, Maytag Corp, WSLS 10 (Roanoke, VA)

This frequently applied to numerous disabled individuals as well. For centuries, most buildings, including residential ones, were designed with healthy, active young people in mind. Even today, despite increased social awareness and technological advances, most buildings are still designed without any consideration given to the needs of the elderly and disabled.

Countless offices, stores, and other places of business, including medical centers, still don’t provide easy access to the disabled or feeble elderly citizens. There’s nothing so frustrating to someone in a wheelchair/electric scooter than to arrive at a heavy door that swings outwardly, after fighting all the sharp turns of a poorly planned ramp. It’s just as frustrating for those who use a walker or crutches, after they have struggled to climb a full flight of steps.

Fortunately, the trend nowadays is to use what is known as a universal design when building or modifying homes. This design is meant to allow people to live comfortably in the same home throughout the various stages of their lives without having to constantly remodel their homes. As the ‘Baby boomer” generation turns 55+ years old, more emphasis is being placed on making home modifications that allow aging-in-place living.

Both, young and older homeowners want a lifetime home that provides safety, independence, and comfort no matter what age, income, or disability they may have. This trend has created one of the fastest growing segments of the home remodeling industry. With many war veterans currently returning home wounded or disabled, this demand for modified homes increases even more rapidly. Not to mention all the people who’ll need home modifications due to becoming disabled through various accidents and illnesses that occur on a daily basis.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are now urging professionals in the home remodeling and home building industries to become Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) in order to meet the rising demands. In order to become CAPS, individuals must complete a three-day CAPS program provided by the NAHB through state and local building associations. The course is also offered through various trade shows, such as NAHB’s International Builders’ Show and the Remodeler’s Show. The program teaches marketing strategies and techniques, designing and constructing aesthetic barrier-free living environments, and business management specific to building a competitive, sustainable remodeling business.

However, anyone who already has a certified designation with a business component is exempt from taking the third day’s training, which is Business Management for Building Professionals. This exemption applies to those with the designation of CGR, GMR, CGA, CGB, CGP, GMB, CGA, CR, CKD, CBD, AIA, ASID, GRI, or CCIM. Anyone with a Masters of Business Administration degree that has been attained from an accredited university within ten years of the CAPS application submission date may also be exempted. The NAHB highly recommends everyone to take the management course even if they are eligible for exemption.

Once the course has been completed, the candidate must submit a graduation application to the NAHB
Education board and pay certain fees. The fees are set by the Home Builders Association, and are currently set as follows:

• National course fees: $220 for NAHB members, $270 for non-members
• Graduation fees: $145 for NAHB members, $245 for non-members
• Annual renewal fees: $55 for NAHB members, $80 for non-members

A continuing education requirement of 12 hours every three years from a building industry related educational activity must also be fulfilled. However, a maximum of two hours can be earned through participation in community services that includes projects done for the public good without compensation.

Whether completed as a certified professional, or as a do-it-yourself remodeler, every home should undergo universal design modifications. This design is beneficial to all adults and children, no matter what their physical limitations may be. Basically, when creating a universal living space, the major emphasis is on integrating products that will aid balance, dexterity, mobility, and stability. The design should help maintain safety, and add beauty, as well as increase comfort for people of all ages and physical abilities.

For instance, all doors should be at least 36” wide, with zero thresholds. The shower should have a zero threshold; grab bars, and a shower bench. All rooms, especially the kitchen and bathrooms, should easily accommodate usage of a wheel chair, electric scooter, and walker. All furniture, countertops, and appliances should also be readily accommodating to people of all ages and physical abilities.

Sources: American Association of Retired Persons, National Association of Home Builders, Qualified Remodeler, WOAI News 4

Memorial Day will soon be arriving, and summer will soon follow. Schools are starting to let the children out for summer break already. The desire to do new or more adventurous activities frequently accompanies summer. So how can people make their summer more fun or adventurous while still being constructive?

One way is to carry out various remodeling or home improvement projects. These projects can be done either as individuals, as a family, as a group of friends, or as a community. No matter what age you are, or what your skill level is, there are fun projects you can complete. However, if you can’t figure out what project to do or what products to use, there is a perfect solution.

Simply visit one of the numerous trade shows that are being hosted in various areas of the United States from May through August, 2010. Most of these trade shows are held on weekends, and last at least two days each. Although some are geared more for professional renovators and remodelers, many are suitable for people of all levels of experience and curiosity.

For instance, take these three shows that were held May 21-May23, 2010. The Minneapolis , Minnesota Home Building & Remodeling Expo was set up to let homeowners attain professional advice in the areas of heating and air conditioning, landscaping, windows, siding, roofing, insulation, and energy efficiency home improvement.

The Orange County, California Home Improvement Show was set up to showcase hundreds of home decorating and remodeling products, to both professionals and amateurs alike. In the meantime, the Coral Gables, Florida Home Show was an international exhibition of home related products and service providers designed to inspire Florida homeowners to carry out home remodeling using professional services. It included demonstrations of products and services for kitchen & bath remodeling, landscaping & gardening, and numerous other remodeling products.

On the other hand, several of the trade shows to be held in June are geared strictly for house building, housing maintenance, and remodeling construction industry professionals. These shows not only provide product demonstrations, they also provide educational sessions and distribute the latest industrial related information. It’s very easy to locate the various trade shows being held all around the world, just by looking up trade shows on the internet.

Whether you go as an individual or as a family, trade shows can be very entertaining as well as very educational. Trade shows can be attended just for pleasure or for business reasons, or as a combination of business and pleasure. People of all ages enjoy the fair-like atmosphere, and getting free samples of various products. Trade shows are also great places to meet new people and exchange ideas.

There is always the opportunity of attending trade shows held during the fall and winter months too. If you and your family are really adventurous, you can plan your entire vacation around a trade show that’s being hosted in another country or in another part of the United States. Or if you’ve already used up your vacation time, and can’t find a local show, j you can make plans for attending one next year. Most of the trade shows are held on an annual basis.

However, there may not be trade shows in your local area and you may not be able to travel for various reasons. Don’t despair! You can still find help figuring out what project to do or what products to use. Numerous sources are available to provide you with inspiration, product information, and guidance for every type of project imaginable.

For example, you can read books, magazines, and trade journals. Another option is to watch television shows, such as “This Old House” or “Curb Appeal” or look for ideas on the internet. You and your family can also attend do-it-yourself workshops. Many local Vo-tech schools offer reasonably priced courses during the summer.

Some local and national home improvement store chains can be helpful too. For example, Home Depot stores frequently offer Saturday workshops that are free or low-cost, and suitable to people of various ages and skill levels. These workshops can be an ideal way to spend quality time with a child, with both parent and child learning something new together.

Lowe’s also offers Build and Grow clinics to provide children with the opportunity to learn how to complete a wooden project with confidence. Lowe’s even gives the child a free apron, goggles, a patch, and a certification of merit when the project is complete.

Once you and your family have gained knowledge and skills from attending do-it-yourself classes, you can apply them. Volunteering work for various community non-profit organizations, neighbors, or relatives can be a very rewarding way of improving your home environment. It’s also an excellent way to increase everyone’s self-esteem and gain useful labor skills.

Sources: Biz Trade Shows, Home Depot, Lowe’s

It really isn’t as hard as some people make it sound. For some people, it’s just a matter of making a few minor lifestyle adjustments. For others, it may mean making some much larger changes in lifestyles. Even if you aren’t ready or willing to totally change your life, you can still live a “green” lifestyle.

After all is said and done, the term, “living green,” simply means you’re consciously willing to be held accountable for how all your actions and reactions impact other people’s lives, as well as the planet itself, whether for good or bad. The idea is to live your life in a way that has more positive impact than bad effects.

One of the best ways to go green is to do “green remodeling.” Don’t panic! This just means that you’ve incorporated considerations for energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, indoor air quality, and have used sustainable or recycled products when building or renovating your home. These are average, every day living goals for most homeowners and renters anyway, whether they are trying to go green or not.

Most homeowners and renters attempt to keep their living spaces energy efficient, and to save the water and other resources. Doing this lowers the monthly expenses, thus providing more money for other priorities. Most people also prefer clean, breathable air to polluted, toxic air. Most people also prefer to use products that are easily replaceable or that can be recycled or re-used for something else later. Everyone lives green to some degree on an unconscious level already. The trick is to bring that living up to a conscious level, and then take responsibility for all your own actions and reactions.

To encourage green living, many countries now offer their citizens tax credits, rebates, and in some places, lenders even offer energy efficient mortgages. Many places offer special programs to help consumers attain energy efficient and conservational housing materials and appliances, such as more efficient windows, refrigerators, washers, and water heaters. The best way to find out about any of the 60+ state and local programs available in the United States is to contact your state or local home builders association. Many builders, remodelers and housing industrial professionals are being specially trained and certified in green remodeling, and may also be able to advise you on what’s available.

Steve Holcomb’s 1,100-square-foot 1974 ranch home, which had to be renovated after a flood damaged the basement and part of the first floor, is a wonderful example of green remodeling. The home, which is located in Munster, Indiana, was the first home remodeling project to earn certification under the National Green Building Standard on May 21, 2009. Lyng Builders, a Frankfort, Illinois, custom home building and remodeling company, completed the renovations. The company earned the rating by:

• Upgrading the HVAC system, equipping the home with a programmable thermostat, power-vented attic fan, and a programmed exhaust mechanism, and ensuring it was the right size for the home
• Installing Energy Star-rated appliances
• Installing a high-efficiency water heater
• Adding wall and pipe insulation
• Sealing the home against air and energy leaks, thus decreasing the energy consumption by an estimated 49%
• Replaced all faucets and toilets with low-flow fixtures to reduce the water consumption by approximately 20%

For other ideas, you can use the warehouse home in Chicago that Frances Whitehead and Jim Elniski renovated as a perfect demonstration of green remodeling. This artistic couple integrated almost every type of alternative energy technology available. They used the following alternative energy sources:

• Geothermal heat
• Solar panels and solar photovoltaic arrays
• Wind turbines and wind turbine inverter
• Compact fluorescent lighting, skylights, and dimmable incandescent passive lighting
• Radiant flooring
• Energy Star appliances
• Formaldehyde-free recycled cellulose insulation
• Recycled brick and lumber, and other recycled materials
• Rainwater harvesting and on-site storm management
• Low-flow showerheads, dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, and under-sink water filters
• Multi-functioning landscaping, with trees, edible plants, and fruit trees, and using recycled pavers and natural fertilizers.
• Green roof and green house gardening
• Zoned climate control

Another fine idea is to use the newer, slimmer ceramic tile for kitchen and bathroom remodeling, whenever possible. These tiles can add décor while retaining heat, are bacteria resistant, and can easily be cleaned without harsh solutions.

Sources: KGAN CBS 2 Lifestyles, National Association of home Builders, Natural Home, Planet Green