You recently lost your job and have been applying all over town for weeks or months trying to find a job even better than your last. Slowly reality kicks in and you start looking for any job, even one you hate, with the sole intention of finding something that will help you pay the bills. As the situation becomes more and more frustrating, you slowly start looking for creative ways to earn money from home. Start by looking for something with ease of entry and great advantage. Consider moving house and selling items on eBay. You do some research and soon discover that you are not alone. Literally thousands of people are in the same place looking at companies they have seen or heard success stories about. You know, the old lady who made thousands selling hats he found at a garage sale or the 18 year old who made 150k selling his first house. The reality, however, is that the vast majority of eBay sellers or house flippers don’t make the money they thought possible. In fact, most of them earn very little, if anything because the competition is fierce and the experts take the lion’s share of the profit pie. That brings you to this article!

In an economy like the one we currently live in, creativity is essential. Get-rich-quick schemes that actually work are rare at best. Getting ahead in today’s economy requires creativity, a good business plan, and the will to make it work. Our answer… LIP BALM! You hear names like Chapstick and Burts Bees and your mind immediately focuses on the little stick that moisturizes your lips and fits conveniently in your pocket. The average person never considers the huge profits that can be made from such a small item, but in this article we aim to open your eyes. We intend to outline a number of basic ideas that can turn that little stick into big wins. Please note that all of the ideas below are based on purchasing custom or bulk lip balms from a company like Bulk Apothecary or any of the other dozens of lip balm manufacturers in the US.

1. A great way to make it in the lip market is to create your own custom lip balm line and market it the same way as Burts Bees or Chapstick. Burts Bees is the classic example of how someone turned a small idea into a big profit. They started off slow with the simple mint balm you know and love. They started selling it all over the city. Slowly, they built a loyal following, and eventually, with a few SKUs added, they had a business worth over $900 million (based on Clorox’s purchase price a couple of years ago). Not bad for something that gained momentum with a lip balm stick. Now, while this is the dream scenario, there are thousands of companies doing the same thing on a smaller scale and making a fantastic living out of it. All you need is a good idea, a nice label and you’re in business. Target smaller retailers and try to get them to pick up your newly formed product line. After all, this is how thousands of people start their own line of products and it’s a simple recipe for success.

2. Another great way is to buy an unlabeled lip balm on the web and start your own party/wedding favors business. Currently you can buy unlabeled products from companies like Bulk Apothecary for .28 per unit. You pick up a small amount of inventory, get a nice printer and some printable labels from an office supply store, and you’re open for business. Most custom lip balms are sold online from 0.60 to 2.00 per unit. A huge win for something with such a low initial cost and ease of entry. Not to mention, advertising on Facebook or other social networking sites is all you need to really build a successful business. Also, since most people will buy 100-500 pieces at a time, the volumes can really add up quickly. So can earnings!

3. The last way may seem the craziest of all. Market yourself online as a lip balm distributor or manufacturer and sell it to other businesses looking to make money selling your product. Companies like Bulk Apothecary sell their unlabeled lip balm for as low as .19 per unit in very large quantities. There are thousands of customers who use lip balm for all sorts of reasons. Whether they run their own brand, have a small custom lip balm website, or even if they are a private label manufacturer themselves, but don’t have the equipment to make their own lip balm. Whatever the case, at .19 per unit there is plenty of room to buy in bulk and market yourself as a great distributor/manufacturer of these tiny money making sticks.

The ideas listed above are just a few ideas to spark your creativity. There are countless ways to make money with something as small and inexpensive as a Chap Stick and all it takes is a little ingenuity and hard work. With a little luck, you could be the next big lip balm winner. The only thing to keep in mind is trying to do something that most people don’t think of. Switching houses might sound more glamorous, but believe me, there is more money to be made from lip balm if you find your niche.

Danny Pellegrino is the vice president of Bulk Apothecary and a long-time veteran of the custom lip balm industry. We currently market private label lip balms for some of the biggest names in the industry and pride ourselves on offering the best quality and best prices anywhere.

Buying a property is a truly unique experience. Not only is it the most expensive purchase most of us will ever make, but the process involved is more complicated than you might think. Many people believe that it is simply a matter of perusing what houses are for sale, finding the one that best suits your needs, and organizing the financial side of things; But there are more pieces to the puzzle that need to be solved before you can move into your dream home: understanding the conveyance process will help make your property purchase go smoothly.

Before a sale can take place, the transfer process must first be completed. Simply put, conveyance is an area of ​​law related to the transfer of property from the seller to the buyer. When property changes hands, the services of a lawyer are required to ensure that title effectively passes between the parties, vesting all rights associated with the property in the buyer. Wherever you choose to buy a property, the transfer is the sum of all the elements necessary to complete the transaction.

You might ask, ‘Isn’t conveyance something I can do without the help of a lawyer?’ Well yes and no. Transfer is more than a one-step process; it is made up of a series of tasks that are much easier with the help of legal advice. A transfer agent will, among other things, review the current purchase and sale agreement, perform a title search that outlines any potential restrictions on the property, and obtain a guaranteed title search, which protects property buyers from third-party claims. immediately before and after the agreement. . They will also handle other important paperwork, such as preparing the mortgage materials, carrying out the transfer of ownership, and finalizing the settlement. Throughout this surprisingly detailed and highly complicated process, your carrier will be on hand to provide helpful advice as needed.

As with any transaction, there are two parties to consider, with the transferor playing an equally important role on behalf of whoever is selling the property. They will make sure all charges are current and see to it that the outstanding mortgage is paid off and released after the sale. In the meantime, they will inform the seller of any developments that arise and provide legal advice in a timely manner.

More complicated than looking at what houses are for sale in the newspaper, right? Consignment, while often a complicated process, can still be easy for both buyer and seller. The Internet age has seen the rise of the online transmitter, which can perform the same functions as a lawyer, at a fraction of the price. If you can find a reputable online conveyancing service with experienced legal professionals on staff, you will be able to outsource the technical aspects of buying and selling property without the costs associated with directly hiring a lawyer. Transmission is important, essential and inevitable; but it doesn’t have to be a bother.

The quick answer is “no,” it’s a completely different type of mortgage than the traditional one that almost everyone is familiar with if they’ve ever bought a home or done a refinance.

They are not underwritten using “debt-to-income” ratios, FICO scores, or “loan-to-value” calculations, but instead use the net cash flow of potential borrowers after all housing expenses have been deducted along with any debt credit card, installment loans and utilities. .

Included in this overview is a 24-month history of property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and any HOA fees to verify they were paid on time.

A credit report is run to determine if there have been any late payments on credit cards or installment loans during the last 24 months.

If there have been any late payments during that time period, the Lender will request a letter of explanation and may require that some of the reverse loan funds be set aside in an escrow account to pay for ongoing housing expenses.

I am often asked how long a loan will take to complete and that depends on the borrower’s cooperation when asked to provide all the documents needed at the time of application.

And due to the fact that more paperwork is required from the borrower, it usually takes around 45 days to complete the loan and have the borrower sign the loan documents.

What should a person look for in a reverse loan?

They cannot be compared to traditional financing because they are very different and the loan amount is calculated based on the age of the youngest borrower and also depends on whether there is an existing mortgage to pay and the value of the property.

• There are no “Points”, but sometimes there is an origination fee that is determined by the amount of the loan and the interest rate.

• No lender “junk” fees can be charged and no matter who the company is offering the FHA HECM program, they all have the exact same interest rates and fees.

• All rates are regulated by the federal government.

• This is a mortgage offered by the FHA and is insured by the federal government.

The choice of company to represent you comes down to whether they will meet with you in person at your home or expect you to fill out a loan application and submit all your paperwork without helping you through what can be a confusing experience.

Ultimately, a reverse loan is still a mortgage and is recorded against the property in question as a lien, but there are no mortgage payments and the comparison to traditional financing ends there.

There is no doubt that we are in incredible times to make quick profits when selling houses. The 3 magic ingredients needed to be a successful property wholesaler are, of course, getting your hands on loads of quality products, easy access to instant financing to finance your business, and building a large database of actual end-buyers. So what can you do to improve these 3 key factors so you can turn more homes, faster?

Find real buyers

Yes, you can find some retail buyers to trade your properties to for great spreads. However, it can take a lot of work and investment to consistently generate these types of buyers. It’s much easier to cultivate a strong group of investors who either have the cash to buy and will put in the effort to rehab and sell these properties themselves or who want to keep and rent them out.

These investors were not born yesterday. They know how to source their own components, check the MLS, and assess repairs. So don’t burn potentially great partners by throwing garbage at them. They are also getting quite tired of running into more landing pages that require them to enter their details only to find more junk.

Instead, start with some really great deals. If you’re going to put them on the web, post them and let serious buyers contact you and make a deposit right away, don’t pass them by. Contact those who attend local investment groups and those who have made recent cash purchases or ask your title company representative for referrals.

Access to flash financing

Access to flash financing is essential to ensure you can take advantage of the best opportunities in distressed properties. Even if you’re cash rich now, at some point your money will be tied up just when you hit that really good deal. So make sure you have a transactional lender at least as a backup to provide fast 100% instant financing for the big guns that come along.

Quality product

Be realistic about what you can move houses quickly. Everyone knows what kind of discount homes they are looking for today. Listing houses for 75 and even 60 cents on the dollar is not going to inundate you with offers. Smart investors know that properties are easily bought for 40-60 cents on the dollar anywhere and REO mass buyers even pick up portfolios for 20-40 cents on the dollar. If you want to make a lot of money quickly, think about volume. For low, sell low. There is plenty of inventory available and with access to flash financing you can pick it up around the clock. If you can make $2,500-$5,000 quickly per deal, go for it.

Yes, sometimes real estate agents can be an asset, but you need to offer properties that can’t be found anywhere else. The exceptions might be if you can find a really tasty short sale or win an incredibly low offer on a HUD home. Although you will find much success even sending handwritten letters to struggling homeowners and through leads from bankruptcy and divorce attorneys.

Curious about this new real estate phenomenon known as real estate investing? I am one of these investors and I would love to give you a little overview of what I do and how I help people with quick home sales. Not only can we move quickly as investors, but we are a legal way to buy or sell real estate.

I have been the type of person who wanted to help others. I wanted some kind of career where I could achieve this, but I didn’t have the funds to go through the medical school field. I’m also not in the right physical shape to be a firefighter or paramedic, so I was limited in what I could do. I found the investment in real estate and with that I was able to offer real help to my friends, family and neighbors. As a real estate investor, I can help my clients succeed, but I can also help good people get good homes while following my passion.

I was close to foreclosure, so I know how you feel. I was in that same place not long ago. I had some properties that sat vacant for a long time without anyone renting them out. I had no other way to pay for them without a tenant and no prospects in the pipeline. I was stuck paying for it and at the same time trying to make my personal residence payments. I ended up losing my property, but I was determined not to lose my own home and be forced to uproot my family. It was a very scary time for my family, but I was lucky to close a big sale, so we were able to get by, but I knew a lot of people who weren’t so lucky.

They lost their homes and their families went through a difficult time. Not only did it affect their credit and their future, but it basically made them start their lives all over again. I know they would have been happy to find a buyer, even if it meant paying the difference between the closing price and the mortgage owed. They would have gladly moved and paid off the mortgage instead of seeing their future so negatively affected. The ability to avoid foreclosure would have been almost invaluable to me. You could make up the price difference between the quick sale of the house and the purchase price and avoid foreclosure; my credit would not have taken such a big hit.

If you can find someone to buy houses, even if you end up owing the difference, you’ll be better off facing foreclosure. Use all your resources to avoid foreclosure when possible. Smaller payments are better than having your credit destroyed and ruining your ability to buy a home in the future. I am here to help you. I’ll take a look at your house, compare it to the area comps and figures, and make you an all-cash offer. You won’t need to do any remodeling or prepare the property for showings. I just make you a reasonable offer, we close it and you move on. I am a local to your area so I know your neighborhood, county, and even the school districts.

I can make a reasonable offer and we can close quickly. Not only do I have the funds to back my offer, but we can close with your title company or attorney if you prefer. I know a lot of people who have friends who work in title offices and you want to give them your business, you still can! I buy houses and I want to buy yours. There’s really no need to live in fear that the mortgage company will leave nasty notes on your doors and embarrass your family. You can sell your house fast and even sell your house as is. I’m here to help!

Coping with recovery can be a very emotional time in our lives. At the end of the day, as emotional as it is, it needs to be dealt with in the early stages. It is obvious that a situation as dire as this will not simply disappear into thin air if ignored. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to have this attitude, as they don’t know how to deal with the current situation and it’s much easier to run away from the problem. It is natural to think that we are doomed either way when the bank informs us that they are about to step in and repossess our property. Times like this can put a lot of pressure on the owners’ personal lives and can even be detrimental to their health. However, it does not necessarily have to be this way, the good news is that recovery can be avoided.

It is important to remember that there is no reason to be ashamed of your situation if you are facing a recovery. These things tend to happen in life and are often not our fault. Instead of burying ourselves in our own self-pity, the best thing we can do in a situation like this is to take action and take action immediately.

It’s natural for most homeowners to want to give up and just hand the keys over to their bank; however, this can have extremely negative repercussions down the road, such as getting bad credit. This usually means that the name of the home owner will be blacklisted. Once a homeowner gets bad credit, they will typically be banned from the lending industry for the next 5-10 years. Having a bad credit history would also mean that something as basic as renting a property in the future can prove difficult, as most landlords run credit checks before hiring a tenant. They will also be turned down for basically any type of credit application they apply for. This would include applications for credit cards, shopping accounts, cell phone contracts, etc.

Fortunately the news is not all bad and there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are actions one can take that could help prevent recovery and drastically improve the situation.

All homeowners facing a recovery should take the following steps:

– Contact your bank as soon as possible and let them know your dilemma, they will usually be understanding and respect you for being open and honest. This will also tend to make the bank take a more lenient and understanding approach when discussing the situation with you.

– Arrange a longer-term bond. If your bond is currently for a 20-year term, you can request to change the term to 30 years, this will lower your monthly payments by a small amount. Although it will not be a large amount, everything helps.

– Try to organize a ‘holiday’ period. This is typically a 3-6 month period in which you do not have to make any bond payments. This will give you time to fix your financial situation with the goal of being back on your feet by the end of this grace period.

Then, as an absolute last resort, luckily there are people who specialize in helping struggling homeowners out of their situation. These repossession services are typically staffed by a group of real estate investors who specialize in buying homes for cash and, as a result, provide homeowners with a guaranteed, instant sale before the bank steps in and proceeds to repossess the property. These repossession services may not offer the full market value of the property, but will offer up to around 70-80% of the market value for a quick and hassle-free sale. This can solve the problem for homeowners quite quickly, since these services generally understand how banks work.

Ultimately, the idea is to create a situation where the homeowner is helped out of an extremely stressful and troublesome situation, the homeowner’s bond is paid off, and their credit history is kept intact. As compensation for providing this solution to the homeowner, the real estate investor can buy the property at a slight discount and everyone is happy. These services will even allow the homeowner to stay in their home after the sale by renting it back to the repossession company, which can be very helpful if the homeowner intends to stay in their home.

It seems clear that using the services of a repossession company that can buy houses for cash far outweighs sitting back and simply ignoring the issue at hand only for the bank to step in and claim everything the owner owns, ultimately leaving them with nothing but a bad credit history. It is extremely important that the homeowner obtain such service while there is still time to avoid recovery.

Buying a home is likely to be the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. And if you’ve waited a long time for this day to arrive, you’ve no doubt thought about the features you want: perhaps you’re longing for a massive master bedroom with walk-in closets, or perhaps a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops?

While you don’t want to skimp on the amenities you love, adding too many can add to the cost and drain your budget. Instead of thinking about right now, start thinking about your long-term financial goals and assess your budget before you buy, you can get the home you want without experiencing buyer’s remorse. The one thing to remember is that you can add all the things you love to your home and reap the benefits when the price appreciates more.

When you are pre-approved for a rent to own, we will determine how much we think you can afford to spend on a home without it being a situation where you have to do multiple jobs just to make your payments. As in many cases, we’ll provide a maximum budget limit, but don’t assume the maximum number provided is the amount you should spend. The upper end of the budget is based on the assumption that you will have paid off or reduced many of your debts and that your current employment situation will remain the same, if not better.

1. Confirm your quote online

Do you want to know how much you can afford on your own? Go online and use a mortgage calculator: After you enter a sales price, loan term, and interest rate, the calculator estimates your monthly payment, including homeowners insurance, property taxes, and mortgage insurance private. This can give you a good estimate of how much you can afford based on the asking price, but don’t stop there. Find out if there are any other expenses you’ll need to include in your budget after buying a home.

For example, will you have to pay the monthly fee for the community of owners? Will you need to hire a gardening or pest service? Are your utilities likely to increase after you move? These costs can really add up and affect your monthly budget, and if you’re not willing to sacrifice your current lifestyle for the sake of a new home, you’d be wise to choose a less expensive home with a lower price tag that will result in lower monthly payments. . I suggest creating a priority list for the “must haves” you would like to have in a house. Make a list of the top 5-10 things in order of priority that you can’t do without, down to those items that would be nice to have, but aren’t necessary. By doing this, you’ll be able to focus on the type of home you want faster, and you’ll be in a better position to stay within your budget when you start looking for homes.

2. Check in with your real estate agent

I’ve only had positive experiences with the real estate agents we’ve worked with, but not everyone is as lucky. By working with a real estate agent, we establish what the budget is for you and the real estate agent. It is important that you commit the real estate agent to stay within the established budget. Good agents respect your finances and only show you houses you can afford.

That being said, some agents may try to go the extra mile and recommend properties outside of their price point. We will be a check and balance and not let this happen, but you also need to be firm and stick to your guns.

3. Avoid being like the neighbors

It is very easy to fall into the “compare and despair” cycle. If you’re working on a $250,000 budget and her best friend just bought a $300,000 home, you may find yourself comparing your home options and amenities to his or hers.

This is an unpleasant cycle to fall into, especially when it comes to buying a home. A house is not a pair of shoes or an expensive bag: if you overspend when buying a house, it is not easy to recover from the mistake.

Instead of obsessing over the fact that your friend bought a house with an outdoor kitchen, congratulate them and then get excited about what your $250,000 budget can do for you. Maybe you’ll have four bedrooms instead of two, or you’ll have a gas oven instead of an electric one. Then think about the ways you’ll benefit from staying within your budget, such as maintaining a healthy vacation or retirement fund, or starting a college education fund for your children.

4. Avoid bidding wars

Imagine this scenario: You find the perfect home, make a solid offer…and then your real estate agent calls to let you know that the seller has several offers to choose from. Competing with other buyers is not easy, and to win a bidding war, you often have to increase your offer. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as you can stay within budget; however, bidding wars can quickly get out of hand. As a general rule of thumb, we will NOT normally get into a bidding war, especially if you are going to artificially inflate the price of the home above what the market value actually is. Why? In a rent-to-own, an appreciation is added to the price of the home for each year you are in the program. That appreciation is usually built on the market value or list price. If this is artificially higher than it should be, it could cause you problems when you qualify for the mortgage on that home at the end of the rent-to-own term. The lender’s appraised value might not be there due to the inflated price set during the bidding war.

5. Offer for houses that are not sold

Some buyers walk away from homes that have been on the market for a long time, assuming there must be some hidden flaw. But sometimes, the inability to sell a house is much simpler. For example, maybe it just has bad appeal or there is too much inventory in a particular market.

So it’s important that you don’t automatically write off a house just because it’s been sitting around for a long time. In any case, look for these houses. The seller is likely motivated and willing to drop the asking price to move the property. This is especially good news if you fall in love with a house that is a little higher than your budget, since you could negotiate a lower purchase price and it could fall within your budget.

Even if the seller isn’t willing to lower the price, there are still more bargaining opportunities when a home has been on the market for months. For example, you can request contingencies to replace old carpet or paint the exterior of the house. If you can identify the reason the property did not sell, then you can ask the seller to reduce the sale price of the home or provide a cash allowance for repairs.

If you’re still concerned about potential hidden defects, indicate in your offer that the offer is subject to a satisfactory home inspection, which is a good idea no matter what. If the home inspection reveals problems, such as problems with the plumbing, electrical system, roof, appliances, or windows, you can ask the buyer to make the necessary repairs, or you can withdraw your offer.

Finally

Staying on budget when buying a home requires discipline, so you need to approach the buying process carefully. Know what you are willing to spend and refuse to look for homes that are over your budget. If you can’t find a suitable property after a few weeks or months, check your budget to see if you have leeway. If not, wait – it’s only a matter of time before the right house shows up.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is a blue-collar American, down to his sneakers and jeans, an American businessman. So when he was asked to join Shark Tank Season Two, he jumped at the chance. He is having a lot of fun with the program and finds it rewarding to help someone achieve his dreams. He wants you to know that despite the economy, the American dream is alive and well. Seven years ago, Mark had his own Apprentice-style show called The Benefactor on ABC, but negotiating and interacting with his fellow sharks shows the amazing tactics of him as a strong strategic partner and negotiator.

Initially, Cuban founded MicroSolutions, Inc., a software distributor, and later sold it to CompuServe in 1990 for $6 million. As a millionaire he wanted to take his passion for basketball and business to another level. He believes that a smart, focused and successful salesperson will prepare and do the necessary homework to find his next client. And that is exactly what he did. He became a billionaire because he took small ideas and made them big.

Mark Cuban and his partner Todd Wagner founded Broadcast.com in 1995 because they wanted to listen to Indiana University basketball games in Dallas. Four years later, they sold the company to Yahoo in a deal valued at $5.7 billion. He is also the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and his all-star NBA team is his most prized possession. Best known for his antics on and off the court, he knows that losing is not an option.

Mark Cuban on the launch: “I try to sell good products and services and come up with ideas that I hope will succeed.” If the person doesn’t want to buy it, he wants to know why. “Would you mind sharing with me what you didn’t like about the product or why you like the product you think?” he asks. If he responds well to his objections, he’ll let it fly and see what happens. If they say no, move on. “The last person didn’t get it. That’s his problem. Not yours.” says Cuban. That’s why when it comes to attracting potential investors, he knows exactly what to look for. He has pitched ideas himself and has heard presentations from budding entrepreneurs every day. ABC’s Shark Tank, like CBC’s Dragon’s Den, is the reality series in which small business entrepreneurs try to persuade a group of high-profile entrepreneurs to invest in their companies in hopes of turning them into bigger businesses. large.

Cuban is the sixth shark to alternate with comedian Jeff Foxworthy and joins forces with regulars Barbara Corcoran, a New York real estate mogul; Kevin Harrington, president of the infomercial company TVGoods; Robert Herjavec, cybersecurity provider of the Herjavec Group; Daymond John, founder of the sportswear company FUBU; and Kevin O’Leary, who developed Softkey Software Products and eventually sold it to Mattel for $3.7 billion. He is currently the founder of O’Leary Funds, a mutual fund company.

Cuban believes in entrepreneurs: “This is the dream of your life, this is something you have put your heart and soul into, you told all your friends, all your family, you probably asked them for money to invest in you. You’re going to do whatever it takes to be successful, and you’ll have a chance, in the face of these sharks, to make it happen.”

He believes that the key for entrepreneurs to land the deal is to have enough confidence in their business to make that presentation. Those who are successful have a great idea, are fully committed to their business, and have the numbers to back it up.

Most of us use the words art and painting interchangeably. When we think of these creations, usually what comes to mind is the gallery or where we can place these paintings inside our houses. For outdoor areas what comes to mind are sculptures or plaques. Outdoor wall art offers the same opportunities to decorate outdoors as you would indoors. You can have beautifully designed replicas of famous paintings right in your own backyard.

These outdoor wall paintings can be safely hung outdoors for year-round enjoyment. They have a stretched canvas look and have UV inks that are printed directly onto the aluminum. The artwork wraps around the sides giving the image an amazing three dimensional quality. The reproduction quality is so accurate that it is almost impossible to tell that it is not a real canvas. The surface coating has been scientifically tested to withstand the harshest weather conditions. The canvas can be smooth textured or with a faux finish. Aluminum is a lightweight metal with a brilliant silver sheen. It is strong and resistant to the elements which make it perfect for outdoor use.

Now you can be sure to decorate your terraces, patios, pool areas and garden walls with outdoor wall art. It is resistant to fading, moisture, oxidation, peeling, sub-zero temperatures, and UV rays. This is the perfect way to add character and color to your garden walls. It will add fine art elegance and prestige to any outdoor setting.

One nice feature is that it requires very little maintenance. If dirt or dust accumulates, simply wash with a mild soap and rinse with water. Most paintings come with mounting brackets and fasteners. Attaches to virtually any exterior surface including brick, stucco, wood, stone, or siding.

Outdoor wall art allows you to create as large an outdoor gallery as your imagination allows, while adding another dimension to your garden area. This decoration returns the gift of wonder to your life and your environment.

Finding the right piece of art can be a daunting task. Here are some examples to look for to complete your decorating style. If the rest of your decor is old-fashioned, look for romanticism or impressionism. For more traditional outdoor wall art, try vintage or retro art. For contemporary or modern, you can select art deco, pop art, or abstract. Whatever the style, you’re sure to find a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes to suit your needs.

In my pool area I have hung an artwork of a beachfront scene on the walls. There are seagulls flying around with the sight of rushing waves. Every time I look at it I seem to be transported into total relaxation. Around my fence I have outdoor wall art of hummingbirds feeding, cardinals bathing, and blue jays in flight. Last week I added a small image of an angry mother and a baby squirrel climbing up a tree with an acorn in the mother’s mouth.

If you are looking for that special gift, this may also be your answer. I have a good friend who moved away and I made her a custom piece of art. From a photograph, a company was able to replicate her family standing around her old home. To this day, whenever we talk, there is always a comment about that painting and how much it meant to her.

As you can see, your only limitation for this decoration is your imagination. Get creative, get carried away, and you’ll be inspired to keep adding more as your landscape becomes more unique and inspiring.

Many customers ask what is the difference between copper, PEX and epoxy coating when considering re-piping in the home. How to know which one is the best? After more than 40 years in the construction and remodeling business, this is what I learned:

Copper, PEX and Epoxy Coating:

All pipeline restoration projects, regardless of type, require the Client to do the following before work can begin:

1. Purchase boxes, tape, wrapping paper, and permanent marker.
2. Pack all items under all sinks and move away from the work area.
3. Move and relocate all refrigerators that have water service outside the work area. Replace when done.
4. Move the washer and dryer away from the work area. Replace when done.
5. Clear the area around the water heater.
6. Trim or remove all plants around the water service and hose bibbs.
7. Remove all items within 2 feet of all access panels.
8. A minimum of one-half of the garage floor space is required for the storage and security of tools, equipment, and materials.
9. 3′ wide clear, unobstructed path to all locations and 5’Lx5’D work space in front of all fixtures.

These are the most significant differences between copper, PEX and epoxy lining:

Days to complete (typical)

Copper: 2-3

EXP: 2-3

Epoxy: 2-3

Note: Pipe restoration only; wall repairs increase time

Warranty (materials/labor)

Copper: 50/50

EXP: 25/25

Epoxy: 10/10

Note: Materials are a direct manufacturer’s warranty.

Can I live in the house?¹

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy:?

Warranty (materials/labor)

Copper: 50/50

EXP: 25/25

Epoxy: 10/10

Note: Materials are a direct manufacturer’s warranty.

Are permits required?

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Fire Code Approved?

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Will the house run out of water?2

copper: yes

PEX: No

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: without water for 2-3 days

Will the house have water at night?

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – buckets are filled with water to flush toilets

Water company purification damage

Copper:?

PEX:?

Epoxy:?

Note: Possible with all; voids all warranties

Open drywall in washer box

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Open drywall in refrigerator water box

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Open drywall for bathtub valves

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Open drywall for shower valves.

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Remove tile for valve replacement

Copper:?

PEX:?

Epoxy:?

Note: Possible, depends on location

Replace all hose bibs

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace refrigerator box and valve

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: Replaces valve with angled stop only

Change washing machine hoses

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with steel braided hoses

Replace the dryer vent

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with 1 Piece Aluminum Flexible Conduit

Replace dryer gas valve

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace the dryer vent

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with 1 Piece Aluminum Flexible Conduit

Replace Dryer Flex Gas Line

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace/treat all water lines³

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace all angle stops

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with chrome 1/4 turn ball valves

Replace all angle stop shields

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace fixture water supply hoses

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with steel braided hoses

Replace shower valves

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy:?

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Replace bathtub valves (tub/shower)

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy:?

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Replace the flexible connections of the water heater

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace the ball valve of the water heater

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace pressure regulator

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace the water supply ball valve

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

hot water restrictions

copper: yes

PEX: No

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: water temperature. cannot exceed 145°F

Inspection of contractor’s schedules

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: Customer responsible for programming

Contractor present for inspection⁴

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – customer must be present

Repair the wall after work*

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: More with copper and PEX

Painting required after work*

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: More with copper and PEX

* Usually requires another 2-4 days to complete.

1Epoxy: Considering the multitude of hoses running throughout the house and garage, equipment, and protective mats on the floor, living in the house during the epoxy restoration process would be a chore at best. big challenge. This is especially true for people with disabilities, movement or vision problems, young children, and four-legged pets.

2With the reinstallation of Cooper and PEX piping, typically only the day of the transition from the old system to the new system is the water turned off for the business day.

3Epoxy: Not all water pipes are treated. Piping that supplies water to body sprays from diverter valves in showers; bathtub deck hand showers and the like do not receive epoxy. Therefore, these can develop leaks.

4Epoxy: The customer is responsible for scheduling the inspection required by the Building Department and must be present for the inspection. This requires the client to physically remain at home until the inspector completes their work (usually 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). The customer is also responsible for answering all of the inspector’s questions about working with epoxy.

(For a side-by-side comparison chart of the above information, visit our website at https://www.dadsconstruction.com/articles/repipe-vs-epoxy.html)

Resume

At the end of the day, for the average home, it’s best to run a new PEX pipe. Why? Mainly because it is a new, almost continuous pipe system with fewer connections compared to the old one. alter an existing older system that normally contains weakened and damaged materials. When new PEX tubing replaces all valves and fittings, your entire water system is fresh and clean, free of lead, and free of mineral corrosion and contamination. PEX also appears to be more resistant to chemicals and fumes from water companies used during the water purification process.