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Keeping the value of your home or even adding to the value of your home may not require a gigantic effort on your part. Simple things such as a tidy yard and garage, freshly painted exterior, building a car port or installing a modern kitchen are all ways to keep the value where you want it to be. After all, buying your property is a large investment of time and money. Financially, if you rent out your property and are commanding more rent because of the improvements, this is reflected in the overall value of the place. You may also save money with tax deductions for your expenses related to improving the property. Larger equity from an improved home that will enable you to comfortably borrow more money for other investments. Some factors which affect the value of your property over time, and may not be obvious are: Safety – homes in cul-de-sacs and areas safer for children. Location close to desirable schools. Limited availability – in a nice neighborhood, limited c…

Tired of being cooped up in your house and want a safe but wonderful daytrip? Here are 10 amazing destinations you can go to that can renew your energy, spirit, and life! Amazing Animals 4235 Rambler Avenue, St. Cloud 34772 (407) 719-6269 Home to over 100 exotic animals this animal preserve gives private tours…just you and your group! There are many photo opportunities and hands-on encounters during this tour. Everglades National Park Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show 24050 SW 8th Street, Miami 33194 (305)242-7700 Take an airboat through the Everglades and adventure with the alligators, birds, and turtles. This trip includes a wildlife show where guests see alligator wrestling techniques that were used by Native Americans. It even gives visitors a chance to hold a baby alligator! Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy 32667 (352) 466-3397 Florida’s first State Preserve, this wonderful park features herds of wild horses and bison. Nearly 300 species of bird…

If your vehicle’s AC has has lost its ability to keep you cool, it may simply need a recharge of refrigerant. With a few items from any auto parts store, you should be able to do it yourself. You will need gloves, eye protection, AC recharge service hose with a pressure gauge, and a can of refrigerant. And maybe a paperclip. DIY Vehicle AC Recharge Connect the recharge service hose with pressure gauge and valve to the can of refrigerant. Twist valve counter clockwise until puncture tip is retracted. Screw onto the can of refrigerant. Twist valve clockwise until it punctures the can’s top. Attach nozzle to the low pressure service fitting on the A/C system. It should only match one fitting. Turn on the vehicle and set the AC to MAX inside cooling. You should see and hear the compressor engage. If the compressor does not engage, you may have too little refrigerant in the system which suggests a leak. If after adding refrigerant, the compressor still does not…

School supply shopping is an experience for you and your youngster, but on the other hand it can be quite a chore. New is fun—fresh starts, new teachers, new friends, new clothes, new shoes, new school supplies, new lunch boxes, and new backpacks. Be that as it may, it can be overwhelming. (Your child is growing up way too fast—and is presently sulking in aisle two.) Don’t panic! Here’s a guide to what you will need to get. Before starting, you should check with your school to see if they provide a supply list. Compare it to what we have here to see what else you might want to get. Your child’s backpack might be worn out from last year, for example. Some schools have the teacher buy the majority of the school supplies to guarantee every kid has similar things—and to make sure they have exactly what is needed. In these cases, a donation to the teacher is never a bad idea, to help cover the cost of these supplies. There might also be organizations that help obtain supplies fo…

What are the world’s most expensive golf carts? Golf carts used to be little vehicles that served a simple purpose — getting you around the golf course comfortably. With the advent of these new luxurious models, you are no longer confined to the course and can make a lasting impression everywhere you go! Garia LSV – $62,000 This most expensive of golf carts is actually allowed on the street and comes equipped with seat belts, mirrors, hydraulic brakes and speeds up to 25mph. You can also install a stereo, digital instruments and a dashboard refrigerator as well as other extras. The Garia LSV is customizable with over 100 colors for the body, roof and dashboard; 3 different colors of upholstery and 10” and 12” aluminum wheels. Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit Golf Car- $52,000 This cute little cart comes from the Porsche factory in Finland. Looking more like a golf cart than the Hummer model available for $19,999, it is a limited edition version of the standard Garia golf car. It…

Redesigning your patio can be as simple as adding a few pieces of outdoor furniture to your backyard. Or it can be as elaborate as installing an adjoining concrete slab with an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Visualize the Design with a Quick Mock-up A bench and a potted plant transform this bare patch. As you begin a design project for a backyard patio, always check whether you need permits to make your ideas a reality. Once that is done, you can actually start the project. You may have chosen a designer to do it for you, or more probably you have decided to do it yourself to save money and because you generally like home improvement projects. Decide where your patio is best situated. Most patios lead off from a living area or kitchen to make entertaining guests easier. Check the space you have available and size your patio accordingly. Lay out a rope or garden hose to visualize the footprint of your patio. Set a few chairs in the space to ensure it is not to small. Decide…

By law it is mandatory for child passengers in a car to be properly secured in an infant seat, car seat or booster seat. Making sure your car seat is secured properly could save your child’s life in the event of an accident. Get the Seat that Matches Your Child The car seat is one item you can't spend too much on. There are various seats available on the market, depending on your child’s age and height. Checking out a good guide will give you a good idea of what to look for and what to expect. Since your child will grow quickly, but will need a seat until they are about twelve years old, you may want to buy seats which convert and grow with your child. There will be some difference in installation depending on your chosen car seat, so for up to date information always refer to the manual that comes with the seat (or search online for manufacturer’s instructions), as well as your car manual. The first and most important factor is to make sure you have the right seat for your …

Refresh Your Bedroom Giving a fresh look to the bedroom can be done quite quickly by giving the walls a new look and updating the soft furnishings. Not every home improvement project has to be a complete renovation.   A new headboard for the bed can be created out of a variety of items, even reclaimed doors or windows. Remove the glass and cover the backs with foam board or fiber board. Dress up the pieces with any fabric or leftover wallpaper you have lying around. Another idea to try is a symmetrical arrangement of mirrors on the wall, in the same way you would hang pictures. The mirror effect can brighten up a bedroom and make it seem larger. Cover the walls with oversize pattern wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint for a sophisticated look. If someone in the family is handy with a sewing machine, update your curtains and soft furnishings with some interesting matching fabrics. Bedding can also receive an upgrade with a new quilt cover or bed sheets. Add some moder…