New Movers Advice

Most people think it will never happen to them – an intruder, someone breaking into their home, trying to steal everything that is valuable and may not be replaceable – and even more importantly, someone invading YOUR privacy possibly looking to harm you and your loved ones.

Sounds far fetched…..it cannot happen to me…..not in my neighborhood……..anyway, I have a DOG!

Home invasions is a horrific and growing type of crime that few people ever expect to happen to them and are often times ill prepared for it if this unfortunate incidence does strikes them.

Everyone has recently heard of a home invasion or a burglary, maybe someone you even know – just watch the 11 o’clock news, pick up a paper (do people actually read newspapers anymore?) or turn on the radio and you cannot avoid hearing of such unfortunate stories. We all are shocked and disgusted by this violent and disturbing invasion of one’s ultimate safety zone- their home.

But we STILL believe it can’t happen to me!

Maybe it’s just human nature wanting to believe bad things like this won’t happen to me – sort of living in some type of ‘bubble’.

But it does happen….and way too often.

And it’s no longer a crime that simply happens just in the ‘big cities’. Stories in hometown, local newspapers, TV and radio (and yes even read about on the internet) are commonplace. People shouldn’t live in fear but everyone should be wise enough and know how to prepare and hopefully prevent such attacks to occur within their homes.

FACT: A residence is broken into somewhere in the United States
every 10 seconds according to “Uniform Crime reports” U.S. Department of Justice.

FACT: Houses without alarms are 3 times more likely to have a burglar break-in.

FACT: The chances of a burglar break-in are highest when you move into a new home.

FACT: Insurance companies provide on average a 10 – 24% discount off of their homeowner insurance premiums for those for those with monitored security systems (not the main reason to better protect your home but does have a positive financial upside).

FACT: Contrary to popular belief, a burglar doesn’t only work at night. They are lazy and prefer to do their ‘work’ between
9:30 A.M. and 4 P.M. when most people are working and you are aren’t there to protect your home and children.

FACT: Homes using security systems are less burglarized than homes with dogs (exactly my point!), exterior lights, deadbolts, window bars and cars in the driveway.

Burglaries and home invasions are among the most ‘personal’ of crimes, shattering any feeling of safety and security families for many years even after the crime. With the rise in these types of crimes it’s important to learn what you can do to best safeguard your home and family.

What can you do to better protect your home and family from such an attack?

Specific actions you can take that can reduce your risk:
• Fortifying your home against a home invasion (more a this later)
• Creating an emergency plan in the event of an incident like this occurring
• Don’t be naive or complacent – it happens and can happen to you
• Take advantage of New Products and Technologies for safeguarding your home

And regards to new products and technologies to best protect your home, there is no better service to do just that then installing an ADT Home Security System……and you can have one installed simply, cost-effectively and quickly by visiting www.onlinemovingcenter.com or by calling 1-877-811-3616 and use promo code A31241……. I guarantee you it WILL be one the best investments you’ll ever make.

And you can still adopt or buy that dog, just don’t expect him or her to protect your family and your home like ADT can!

If you are like me, I think everyone can appreciate the enjoyment of having a freshly painted kitchen or bedroom in their home, whether it is existing or new, as well as the enhanced street appeal of new coat paint on the exterior of your house.  Fresh paint gives that sense of a new look – not unlike having a new hairstyle or a new wardrobe- it’s simply that ‘change’ or ‘sense of improvement’ added to our daily lives.

But what is the best way to paint your home and gain this sense of change or improvement?

Well, one easy way is hire a professional- a painting service or contractor to do it all for you.  You pick the colors and they do the rest.

Simple –right?

Yes, in some ways but no in others.  Hiring a ‘pro’ to do your painting can be not only very expensive in many cases but the finish job often times seems to not meet your exact expectations.  A few drops of paint here, a wall that is not as well covered as another ( some call this “bleeding” – somebody should come up with better phrase for this) or having painters in your house for days disturbing your normal daily routine- all this can be one big hassle.

The other alternative is the old fashion way but probably in many ways the best way- just do it yourself!  That might sound a bit adventurous for us types that are not skilled with a brush or tool in our hands, but sometimes the sheer challenge of doing something that you haven’t done before  (or done it poorly before) is worth the effort.

Now you may find a million reasons why this is not a good idea – from my schedule is too hectic, time is limited to take on a ‘project’ like painting, I have never painted a house or room before, the kids will get in the way, I don’t have a clue how to do this, etc.

But these are mostly just excuses- some may be valid, but many are not.

Personally, I have used all the excuses above at one time or another and have come up with even more to avoid painting my house- at least initially.

Then when I did take the ‘plunge’ and tried painting just one room, I found it was not that hard, time consuming, overwhelming, etc. .  In a society where many of us spend most days it seems chasing our own tail with our heads spinning, I found a great deal of ‘satisfaction’ in doing a job well done that not only improved the image and enjoyment of my home but actually gave me a sense or personal satisfaction- experiencing one of those ‘I can actually do this’ moments.

But there are few basic things you do need to know before you take on this personal quest:

1)     Usually, the first issue in painting your home is the individual behind the roller or brush. The majority of the problems of painting are lack of know-how or simply human error. Especially first time painters often will not think of the need to sandpaper a wall or apply multiple coats if needed, using an appropriate primer, using the correct paint brushes, latex or oil based, etc. – try to learn a little about painting BEFORE starting (see the BEST way to learn below- this is not a tease)

2)     Check for any peeling and flaking of the old paint– this is probably one of the biggest hurdles for a painter that often times require a complete stripping of the old paint- a tedious job but better than paying a pro the big bucks to do this!  You will need to remove all loose old paint materials with a paint stripping knife. If the old paint flaking is widespread a total stripping may be required.  After removing much of the flaking as possible by scraping, the remainder can be removed usually with minimum of effort of light sandpaper.

3)     Now what should I do- where to begin painting (this is the fun part)?  Like most things, usually starting at the top works best- if painting an interior room, start at the ceiling working across the room while overlapping your brushes or roller.  Remember to paint one small area at a time- painting too large of area at once will cause inconsistencies and simply look bad.  Move your ladder frequently (this will also replace your need for a daily workout by walking up and down the ladder so often).

4)     When finished with the ceiling move on to painting the walls – once again start at the top this time in an upper corner and work your way down.  Use a brush in the corners then go wild with a roller for the rest of the wall.  When you get to the bottom of the wall (also known as the ‘floor’), then break out the brush again for those tight areas.

5)     Do you feel that sense of ‘improvement’ and personal satisfaction yet?

Now I can go on with some more helpful hints, but I think it is best I stop here- otherwise you may decide NOT to try painting.

However, the best way to learn and become good at the old art of painting is to just try it- but first I would strongly recommend visiting a local Sherwin-Williams Paint Store not only to purchase your paint and supplies but also to consult with an ‘expert’ (unlike me) that can provide a number of helpful hints and best ways to accomplish your ‘personal quest’ and enjoy the intrinsic value of a job ‘WELL DONE’!

Visit www.onlinemovingcenter.com for discount offers from Sherwin-Williams Paints, Home Depot and over 100 other home improvement or moving-related discounts and savings.

After seeing all this web site has to offer, you will then be ready for another venture to take on………..or not!

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