Test your soil to determine the ph level. Lawns along with plants need adequate nutrients in the soil in order to grow. Testing your soil can let you know of any issues you may have and allow you time to apply the needed nutrients to promote healthy growth come spring. If you need to raise your soil pH, lime should be applied. Lime requires a few months to completely absorb into the soil and applying in warmer climates can cause damage to plants. A fall soil test should show a mid-range result in key nutrients, letting you know you supplied an adequate amount of fertilizer and nutrients throughout the growing season, too low of reading means you ran out of nutrients before the end of the season, and too high means too much fertilizer was used. Fall readings are perfect for gauging the success of your previous growing season.

While you want to test your soil, fall is also the time to fertilize your lawn before heading into the winter months. As fall approaches, plants and grasses begin to “prepare” for winter. The change in temperature and the shorter days trigger the plants to start slowing growth and shift their food storage to their roots. Fertilizer that is applied in the fall is giving the grass the nutrients it needs to store for the winter and use it as fuel for the spring. When spring arrives, the grass greens up quickly and grows thick and lush blocking out weeds.

Fertilizing your lawn provides the nutrients needed for the winter months, however, you do not want to be providing nutrients for the plants/grasses you don’t want. Remove weeds prior to winter. These pesky plants will compete for the nutrients throughout the winter months and take away what is needed for your grass to be healthy come springtime. Also, you will want to remove your annual plants. These plants have to be replaced every year and leaving the dead plants discourages spring growth and can also be home to many lawn and garden killing insects.

Once you have removed all the unwanted weeds, you will want to make sure to cut the grass. As fall approaches, the grass starts to slow down growth so mowing will not be necessary as often. Climate plays a role in how often you should cut your grass through the winter months. For warmer climates, cut your grass as you normally would just about half as many times. So if you are used to cutting it every week, switch to a bi-weekly schedule. Be sure not to cut the grass too short, cutting it short can damage your lawn and impact spring growth. In colder climates, shorter grass is the key. Grass in cooler areas has to regrow in spring and cutting it short during the winter months helps keep it from being matted down and inhibits new growth. If you are concerned about length and how many times to cut your grass as you prepare for winter, your local landscape firms can provide winterizing services to ensure a healthy lawn in spring.

Fall months are a great time to over-seed your yard. This is basically applying grass seeds over the existing turf. You will want to make sure you do this before the temperatures get too cold. The ideal temperatures for seed growth are between 60 and 70 degrees. Just like with mowing your grass, what seeds to use on your lawn and when to apply will vary depending on where you live. In colder areas, overseeding is used to help prevent weeds so waiting until late autumn is not optimal. Seeds need time to establish roots in order to prevent weeds from filling in those thinner areas of your lawn. Northern areas should over-seed in early fall. In warmer areas, overseeding with cooler season grasses helps keep your lawn looking green all year long. By overseeding with cooler season grasses, when your warm-season grasses are dying out or going dormant the other varieties are ready to take over.

Not to be overlooked during this process are your trees and shrubs. Make sure you are pruning and cutting back trees and shrubs. Fall is the perfect time to do this. Once spring arrives, your yard will be starved for sunlight. Removing those overgrown limbs will allow complete exposure to the warm spring sun your lawn has been missing.

All of these steps outlined above are important to the upkeep and maintenance of your lawn and getting it ready for the winter months. However, one of the most important things you can do to ensure your lawn is lawn of the month come spring is to make sure you rake the leaves and keep them raked throughout the season. Nothing is harder on a lawn than a thick carpet of wet leaves. If these are not removed it can leave you with a dirt patch to deal with come spring. Raked leaves also serve as a great compost, so be sure to rake them up and save them for later. If you are lucky enough to have a small amount of leaves accumulated, consider mowing them instead of raking, this will provide a thin compost layer over your grass providing nutrients for the winter months.

Caring for and preparing your lawn and garden for the winter is not a step you want to forget. While most people are more concerned with the upkeep during the warm growing season, it is also important to make sure your lawn is prepared for the winter months. Following these simple tasks outlined will help to ensure that your lawn is ready to thrive come spring.

The post Tips For Winterizing Your Lawn appeared first on Koshka.

Historically, home ownership has been the most lucrative way to accrue a passive income or at least a sound investment. For decades, one could purchase a home, enjoy and maintain it, then sell it within a few years for a major profit. Due to the economic downturn of 2008, that well-travel route vanished over the last few years. Today many home sellers are finding that their home has a negative equity. That is it is worth less now than what they paid for it 15 years ago including any updates they may have made in the interim. Another hurdle to home ownership is money.

Take the example of Silicon Valley. Thirty-five years ago it did not exist. Slowly this region, that includes San Francisco and the surrounding area, attracted more high-tech and internet companies such as Microsoft and Google. Each business has their percentage of high-salaried workers, but these enterprises are kept humming by office staff who do not command six-figure salaries. Yet the need for programmers, software developers, and other professionals drove houses prices out of reach for the majority of workers.

This led to lengthy commutes for some office staffers, while others elected to live in RVs, constantly moving within the city limits to avoid being fined. San Francisco officials’ recent crackdown on where RVs could park overnight led to Google’s taking charge of the problem and offering a solution: provide affordable housing for their workers and encourage other tech and internet businesses to do the same.

While San Francisco enjoys a high standard of living, almost 30% of its citizens are working poor. That’s because even with a salary in excess of 6-figures, one cannot afford Bay-area housing costs. In fact, a recent study revealed that San Francisco has the third largest homeless population in the United States. Here’s the kicker: of these most are college-educated, skilled labor who are employed full-time. So while a lack of affordable housing is not exclusive to the West Coast, Google set about to find a solution. Here’s what this industry giant plans to do:

Build Housing Not Offices

Over the next decade, almost a billion dollars of Google-owned land, currently earmarked for office and commercial expansion, will be repurposed instead to provide residential housing. It is expected that this initiative will yield about 15,000 residences at all income levels. It is not clear, however, if this housing is exclusively for Google employees, or the general population. Next, another $250,000 million will be invested in developing some 5,000 affordable housing units. Again, for whose benefit has not been made apparent.

What Google is proposing to do is nothing new; as economic growth moved westward in the 19th century, industrialists in mining and coal operations in particular created entire towns with housing for their workers and their families. The workers lived rent-free but were paid in scrip that could be used only at Company-run stores thereby ensuring their corporate loyalty: they simply had nowhere else to go. Google’s present day attempts to alleviate the housing shortage in their region is honorable, as well as duplicatable.

Duplication is Google’s point. They are alleviating some of the housing crunch in the region and hopefully setting the precedent as well as providing an incentive for other industry giants to follow. This way, not only will housing be available to all, but also meaningful employment. Google has created a blueprint that can be followed elsewhere in the nation to remediate the nationwide housing shortage as well as to create and sustain relevant employment opportunities.

Across the board this concept is a win-win. When families find meaningful work and affordable housing, the demand for schools, household goods, shopping, dining, hospitals and medical practices, and entertainment venues, is created. The need for https://www.6pm.com/clothing, http://big5sportinggoods.com/, groceries, vitamin and nutrition shops, computers, TVs, cellphones, services such as dry cleaning and landscaping, fitness and gyms, swimming pools, movie theaters, cars, trucks and auto parts, gas stations, construction materials, etc. etc. increases also. In short, the economy improves overall. If Google’s concept works, then over the next couple decades the U.S. could experience an unprecedented yet sustainable economic boom. And it all started by recognizing a need to treat people right…

The post The Future of Affordable Housing appeared first on Koshka.

After a sluggish first quarter, construction and building starts in 2019 began to pick up. That’s to be expected since most of the country was under a deep freeze until April. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, urban development in the non-building (public works and utilities) and non-residential construction sectors led the climb in building starts which surged 16% at the end of the first quarter, 2019. Here are some of the current major projects.

Utilities

In terms of billions of dollars in construction costs, this sector peaked in 2015. However if viewed by the number of projects, it is a healthy category. In March ground was broken on the $4.4 B natural gas export terminal in Louisiana. This region was especially hard hit by hurricanes over the past decade and was not an economically stable region to begin with. Construction will not likely bring employment opportunities to the surrounding counties since the project requires highly skilled labor and staffing. However, the region should prosper via tax relief and secondary services to support plant workers, etc. once the project is completed.

Highway and Bridge

In recent years the state of our aging highways and bridges has made headlines nationwide. The top five states with the highest project allocation costs this year are: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida. In case anyone was wondering, the infamous border wall (don’t you dare ask ‘what wall?’) falls under this category and received $312M towards its construction.
Non-Residential Projects:

The long-awaited Toyota-Mazda alliance will cost $1.6B and bring welcome jobs and support services opportunities to the Huntsville, AL region. Additional growth is expected through housing starts, lodging, entertainment, dining, gas stations, and other venues. Also slated for Huntsville: a $200M rocket engine manufacturing plant to be completed in 2020.

Possibly the Big Apple’s greatest revenue source is tourism. Currently the theatre district and Times Square are benefitting from a $1.1B cash influx for its redevelopment. Key to the project is the repurposing of a theatre building from Gotham’s Golden Age. The neoclassical Times Square Theatre, which stood vacant for over three decades is receiving a much-needed facelift, and total revitalization

Built in 1920, the historic structure is being converted into a 52,000 upscale retail space. Every possible historic detail that can be salvaged will be re-introduced into the space, although perhaps not in its original position nor function. These include its limestone facade, plaster ceiling dome, and a cast iron gate.

This renovation is the last in a series of Time Square theaters to be saved from demolition and repurposed by the New 42nd Street Coalition, which began the project back in 1990 and has restored six area treasures for future generations to enjoy.

Across the country, sports fans are rejoicing. Key Arena, in Seattle, is undergoing a $850M refresh that includes a new interior, and entrance. Once completed, It will be known as the New Arena at Seattle Center and will host Storm and Redhawks games as well as other sporting events and live concerts for up to 19,200 persons.

Other headline-worthy projects include Facebook’s comparatively small data center project for $750M in Virginia, and CloudHQ’s data center, also in Virginia, at $300M.

Mixed Use

Possibly influenced by restoration, renovation, and repurposing projects in major cities, a number of non-residential site builds actually are multi-use. What we mean is that while hotel starts declined, office/hotel. office/entertainment, and office/housing complexes flourished. Two of the largest construction projects are in Atlanta and include Norfolk Southern’s new headquarters, a $700M project with $470M allocated for mixed-use development.

Residential Building

This metric has essentially flatlined with privately-owned housing units, and multi-family housing units posting slight declines in the number of building starts. With so many options available to homeowners, such as expansion to existing premises, it does not necessarily signal a decline in consumer interest in home ownership, Rather, realtors tell us, homeowners are improving their homes and yards with pools, outdoor kitchens, patios, decks, walkways, water features and more. So while housing starts may be down, building permits, notable for expansion, are up.

In conclusion, urban areas have always been condensed and densely populated. Therefore when commercial and residential buildings are constructed, these population-centric locales attract new businesses to support them. For every new office building there is a need for dry cleaners, parking lots, flower shops, restaurants and caterers, office supplies, HVAC mechanics, emergency plumbers, retailers including grocers, housing, etc. etc. With these construction starts, that same dynamic is evolving in regions that are less populated.

Non-residential projects in economically hard-hit regions can mean improved living conditions regardless if the local citizens work at the new plant/warehouse/office/hotel/data center or not. They can find or create jobs for themselves in support of the new enterprise. That is the long term benefit to every region when a major project is underway. Most who live in parts of the country without a major employer or with many job opportunities will gladly trade temporary construction noise and congestion for an improved quality of life. Who wouldn’t?

The post Going Up! Urban Construction Starts and the Economy appeared first on Koshka.

The first consideration is who all is going. Is this a solo trip? Couples getaway? Or a family sojourn? Since there is a lot of ink that enables families to save, we’ll leave that segment alone. Another major consideration, is time off. You can get more bang for your buck and see more places if you break up your vacation time into extended weekends. Employers are also more amenable to granting time off if it is taken in bite-sized pieces and not a two-week stretch. This way your long-suffering co-workers do not have to try and fill in for you when you’re away. Also you do not run the risk of being discovered to be expendable.

If you have not been harboring a desire to see a particular place at a particular time (like Washington D.C. during the cherry blossom festival) then let your fingers do the walking on your computer keyboard and search for the top places to visit. Depending on your location and interests, compile a list. Next, whittle it down to a short list based on your next line of online inquiry: airline and hotel sites. Since I do not have the benefit of being you and do not know your interests, for example only, we’ll use mine.

Asheville

The time to find a real estate bargain in this hip Southern burb was the late 1980s. For the next twenty years this town was a thriving center for artists and free spirits. What has it become today? Only the biggest beer hall in the United States per capita with more breweries, brands of craft beers, and bars in which to enjoy a draft than anywhere else. And that interest draws a completely different crowd. Unique ABNB-type places to stay and eat make Asheville a mecca for all. Gift shops that feature locally sourced wares such as pottery, stained glass, mosaics, and handcrafted furniture tempt the walk-in trade. In addition to the commercial downtown, one can quickly escape for a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, consider a picnic. Forage online for discounted tickets to the area’s biggest attraction, Biltmore, or a ticket to this Vanderbilt mansion (the largest in the U.S.) will set you back over $60. Either way it is worth the spend.

Brooklyn/New York City

There is no chance that you will be able to take in all the sights and sounds of this region, so extend your stay, hop around to an assortment of B and Bs and.or short term rentals and make like a local. Whatever your focus, music, art, theatre, architecture, sports, it is all here and there is something to do 24/7/365. Did I forget food? OMG you will not know where to chow down next! For every 4-star restaurant you could not afford even if you could get in, there are legions of food trucks whose cuisine is just as magnificent and as varied. For this about to be former New Yorker, I know that it is when you are tired of New York and its environs that you are tired of life. So prepare to be exhausted when you leave. In a good way!

Seattle/Portland

Like Asheville, affordable housing went out with the 80s as the bumper sticker slogan, ‘“Don’t Californicate Washington/Oregon” began to proliferate. With its bustling seaside tourism (the fish market) and stellar coffee (Starbucks’ birthplace), Seattle is hard to beat. If you’re left of center, the offbeat charm of Portland will be more to your liking. Sweet toothed or not, a stop at VooDoo Donut with its unique fried offerings is an absolute must. Some folks have even taken their wedding vows there! Try the creme-filled maple bacon doughnut that originated on the premises. Nirvana on a plate!

Chicago

Think of Chicago as a smaller Manhattan minus Gotham’s elitism. People actually smile at you when you walk down the street. Crime is lower, too. Chi-town’s architecture is stunning, the winds off the lake-front bracing, the neighborhoods welcoming, and the food scene ever evolving. Not to be missed are the sweeping views of the skyline from a wide selection of dining establishments like Cindy’s or the Signature Room at the 95th (floor). There is art and culture here, too. Mass transit is decent, and with discounts, the grand hotels are more affordable. Just come.

Charleston

If you found New Orleans too raucous for your liking, come experience the bygone refinement and gentility that is Charleston. Much of the city’s pre-Civil war-era grandeur and charm has been preserved, as if in a time capsule. There is no sense of hustle in Charleston, it is as authentic as it ever was. Languid plantations with exquisite gardens, groves of towering swamp maples festooned with Spanish moss, art galleries, entertainment venues, and cultural centers- go explore! When the pace becomes too relaxed, get your blood going with some fishing, golf on a world-class course, or try a distillery tour, sing along at a piano bar, or join a pub crawl. All this, horse-drawn carriages, and Fort Sumter, too!

What to bring should not pose a problem. To pack for these quick getaways, just throw your weekend wardrobe into your suitcase. Don’t forget to pack any prescriptions- if you already use those daily pill packs then you’re set. Should you forget something major, remember that big box retailers will have everything you need from sunglasses,vitamins , flip flops, and swimsuits, so there’s no need to stress. If you have not been anywhere but your backyard in ages, even years, you owe it to yourself and to the economy to have some away time this year. Afterall, many of these urban areas derive a huge percentage of their revenue from the tourist economy. So do your part and get out there!

The post Top 5 Best Places to Visit in the U.S. on a Budget appeared first on Koshka.

Spending less is not a new concept. The fervently religious Victorians extended their concept of ‘Godliness’ by exercising thrift and value. Religion aside, these are great themes to live by. Today we can apply these concepts to our personal expenses. First, a solid piece of advice from someone who has ‘been there’: target what is a need versus what is a want. Then try to locate a viable substitute. Now here’s that list. You may marvel at how you’ve been overspending all these years:

1. Drive Up and Deli Food and Beverages

Sure it is hard to get up in time to make a sandwich and pack a lunch. So do it the night before and before you go spending $$$ at the deli counter, see what you can rustle up from your own fridge. Leftovers make a great scramble, or just roll into a burrito or tortilla wrapper and reheat in the office microwave.

And here is another nugget: I call it the ‘Goeszinta Factor’: that breakfast burrito and small coffee will cost you $4-5 a day. Stop spending that money at least 3 x a week and you’ll save about $800 a year. Don’t believe me, do the math!

Now let’s extrapolate this equation further (yes, I come from a financial background). Invest this $800 for 20-25 years at an average interest rate of 7% and, given unforeseen market fluctuations, you’ll reap about $35K in savings plus interest. And half the time that fast food burrito is stone cold, so chew on this concept instead. Not a bad trade off, no?!

2. Make Your Own Java, Dammit!

Invest in a good coffee maker and thermos and start brewing and bringing your own java. Not enough time in the morning? Buy a brewer that stores ground coffee and water and brews it automatically to the time you set. Not only will it taste better, but few aromas are nicer to wake up to than fresh coffee perking!

3. Buy Second Hand

Also not every occasion merits a new dress. If you must see and be seen, try any of the online thrift shops for current, well-curated outfits at a fraction of the original cost. And if you balk at pre-owned clothing- remember that in a retail store, others will have tried on, and rejected the same garment on the rack. So get over yourself! Recommended online secondary market retailers include: ThredUp, Ebay, Poshmark, The Real Real, Rue La La, and so many more! BTW: most have policies that cover issues such as the seller not sending the goods so there is no buyer risk involved.

4. Paper Goods

While we advocate buying the best toilet tissue on sale, forgo buying paper towels and napkins. Use cloth napkins instead, and recycle old natural fiber clothing as rags. No one is going to see them anyway. The environment and your wallet will thank you.

5. Female Versions of Products

Shaving cream and razors for women are a rip-off. Period. Learn to like blue, black, silver, and green disposable razors and unscented shaving cream. You’ll save about 40%. Seriously. Deodorant and soaps, too.

6. Convenience Foods at the Grocery

Everything you use from bags of shredded salad (which are almost always turning brown or soon do in your fridge), to cut up fruit, to juice boxes, to single servings of yogurt are costing you big time. Okay, it may be hard to part with all of them, but again, invest in decent quality, washable food storage containers and portion out these foods at home into individual servings for great savings. Manage your time and you’ll soon be thanking yourself when you pay your monthly bills!

7. Sell One Family Car

Whoa! We all love our freedom machines. And those of us who responsibly traded sports cars for SUV or vans to transport our families have been longing to buy their next ride and drive something we’d be proud to call our own. But stop and think about it. Have you or your spouse become remote workers, that is, not commuting to an office anymore? Then why are you paying for two cars? Two car loans? Maintenance for two vehicles? Two insurance policies? Filling two gas tanks? Etc. This is a tough decision as we are very possessive about our vehicles. Spouses and partners need to have a serious discussion because this is one change that can reap long-term savings as well as an immediate influx of cash.

8. Downsize Your Home

You might consider this a drastic move. (Figuratively and literally.) After all, both spouses are working. Shouldn’t you cut back on say, another big expense such as vacation trips instead? Look at it this way. Your kids are young only once and many family memories are made on vacation. So this is may not be a good line item to trim family fun your household budget. But do your need that 5-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom house when your children will be off to college in a few short years? Bunk beds, and a smaller, 2-bath house will pay dividends in cheaper upkeep and lower taxes. It is worth considering.

9. Know When Not to Cheap Out

There are just some things that you should not cheap out on. Seeing a doctor when you are sick rather than self-medicate with OTC items from the local chain drug store is one. Buying quality vitamins and supplements rather than whatever is on sale and near its expiration date is another. Putting off the roofing or chimney repair are two others. You can see where we are going with this. It is the old ‘ounce of prevention’ axiom and it is still valid. Besides, for the last two items, there is always Groupon!

Well there you have it. For those who were expecting a list that included, “cancel cable, cancel subscriptions, stop dining out…” we assume you’ve already gone down that road. The purpose of this article has been to point out other overlooked areas, some easy to make a new habit and others that might require some emotional surgery. Whatever you decide, remember to consider the long term.

Before you leap and put your house on the market, or sell one of your rides, however, consult a financial planner, a realtor, and anyone who can advise you about taking your next steps to financial freedom. These professionals can assist you to understand how to make your current economic situation more bearable, and your long-term financial outlook brighter. It might be that your earning power over the next five-10 years will increase. Or that, in lieu of drastic changes to your family life, that simply starting a part-time, at-home business will alleviate most of your money worries. We do not expect that you’ll employ all these suggestions, and only advise that the time to start thinking about your financial future is now.

The post Ways to Downsize Household Spending and Save Money appeared first on Koshka.

1. Clean, clean, clean. Before you contact a local cleaning franchise consider that you may have to continuously clean your home every couple of days. Having a cleaning service perform this chore for you will have you in the poor house in short order. Instead, rent a rug shampooer or buy a name brand that cleans and dries in one step. If you have hardwoods and/or tile, a floor steamer is a must. Happily, these tools can be used for years in this and your next home and are well-worth the modest investment. Buy gallon-size refills of window cleaner and wash windows inside and out at least once a week. Why? Buyers find light, airy homes more appealing.
2. Banish odors. Happily, few of us smoke anymore, but just about everyone has pets. Be vigilant about keeping litter boxes clean and pets well-groomed. Use electro-static dusters to capture stray strands of fur and do not forget to dust recessed lighting! Buy aerosol fabric fresheners by the case at the big box store and spray couches, cushions, drapes, carpeting, bedding, and even your clothes closets. When selling your home, perception is reality, and the buyer’s nose knows!
3. Let there be light: preferably in dark places. Did you know that one of the most popular buyer requests is for lights in their closets? No need to call an electrician- this is a simple fix. Buy battery operated LED puck lights from the big box store and either screw them into the doorframe or use the self-adhesive pads that come with the set. Now think about it, where else would throwing a little light on the subject be helpful? Your. Kitchen Cabinets. That’s where. Especially the one under the sink. Ditto your basement storage room. Got enough light in the furnace room? We thought so. Buy a few sets and go to town with them around your house. While we are on the subject, a burned out bulb is a bummer so stock up and have replacements at the ready should one burn out on your watch. Don’t forget to dust any bare bulbs in the house- these are dust magnets and make your home look rundown.
4. Especially if your home has one full bath, it must be updated, impress, and sparkle. Big hint: Twin sinks sell homes. Also Carrara marble. Ditto multiple showerheads. And of course, spotless shower doors. Ever notice those cars with the showroom-clean windshields that wick away moisture quickly? Once you clean the soap scum off your shower doors (this author personally recommends using a razor blade followed by a window cleaner spray), be sure to seal the deal by treating this newly pristine surface with a slick coating used for vehicle windshields. Be sure to use a squeegee after you shower. Oh and stock up on those erasers that claim to work by magic. They do, especially on grout. Trust me on this one.
5. Is your house on the small side but offers great potential? How about drawing up a schematic as to how your home could be upgraded? This is a great idea to allow buyers to ‘see’ how your home can grow along with their need for more space. If drafting is not your thing, write how easily your attic can be dormered to create a new and spacious master suite including a walk-in closet. Are you blessed with low taxes? Research and list programs in your state that may provide additional tax savings.
6. Comparative analysis: in your neighborhood, what makes your home a standout? Is it secluded and offers more privacy than surrounding homes? Does it have a well-manicured lawn and lush landscape? Is it an entertainer’s backyard with a pool and outdoor kitchen? Deck or patio? What about a pergola? Mature trees? Wait! You have the only two-car detached garage on the street? Well, give it a shout out!
7. Not all upgrades can be seen. Refer to your credit card statements for the years that you have owned your home and draw up a list of upgrades that you have made during your tenure. It is very important to note mechanicals such as a new roof, heating/cooling systems and a hot water heater as well as the year that they were installed. Not only will it demonstrate that your home has been well-maintained, but also allows buyers to see when a system may be at the end of its service life and to plan for its replacement. Don’t forget windows and doors- include upgraded hardware, locks, and automatic garage door openers!
8. Remember, just because your home is listed does not mean that you should stop upgrading and improving it. Very often prospects will return to your home for a second look. If they see upgrades even small ones such as new switchplates, they’ll assume the owner has great pride of ownership and attention to even the smallest of details.
9. Generally, the first offer will be the highest that you receive. Before you cave in and agree to it, be prepared to negotiate, even if you find this task distasteful. Conversely, if the home selling gods have smiled upon you and your home has initiated a bidding war, consider all offers and do not immediately accept the highest bid. That’s because many offers come with contingencies that include an inspection (no problem), having to sell their home first (may not dovetail with your timeline), want to rent with option to buy, or are going for mortgage products that will take months for a response such as a Fannie, or Sallie, Mae, an FHA, or a VA among others. Some potential buyers may require a co-signer such as a relative, and each of these scenarios benefits the buyer, not the seller. In a seller’s market why would you be willing to make such an accommodation?
10. Capital Gains Taxes: Real estate’s dirty little secret. If your home sells for more than you paid for it, you’ll either have to use your one-time get out of jail free pass (for real) or expect to be taxed on the amount of appreciation you’ve realized over the years. One way to take the sting out of the latter is to deduct every upgrade you have made to the home during your tenure. Since most of us use our credit cards for purchases, it should not take too long to compile a list with accompanying receipts. Your attorney or accountant can advise on how to submit your deductions.

We hope these tips place you on solid ground, poised to get through the selling process and on to the next chapter of your life!

The post Top 10 Updates Before You List Your Home and a Few Tips When It’s On the Market appeared first on Koshka.

1. Orlando FLA/USA: Nope, exciting new attractions associated with the Disney enterprise are not the reason that Orlando tops our list for economic growth. Once a hotbed for aerospace and technology firms, this region has seen almost 24% industrial job growth since 2012. This surge can be traced to both multinationals like Mitsubishi and Siemens Energy, as well as Lockheed Martin and a wide number of small sub-contractors.
2. What is it with cities that start with the letter O? From Orlando we travel across the nation to Oakland, north of L.A. where factory workers have increased by 22% since 2012 in this smokin’ hot tech center.
3. Dear to Carl Sandburg, the heartland places third overall with the greater Grand Rapids region in Michigan posting a leap of almost 21% in industrial employment due to almost 2,500 manufacturing firms within its footprint. Here the leading employer is metals and plastics, followed by biopharmaceuticals and medical devices, production technology, food processing and lastly, automotive. As in Florida, the big employers such as General Motors, Cargill, Kellogg’s, Bissell, and Amway are reinforced by their much smaller subcontractors leading to an economic boost across firms of every size. Tied for number three is Reno Nevada, which on the strength of one industry, Tesla’s battery manufacturing plant, has seen an increase of 30% employment growth since the plant opened last year.
4. It’s back down to Florida for the 4th and 5th spots on this survey. Miami has posted an almost 23% growth in industrial employment over the past six years.
5. At number 5. West Palm Beach/Boca Raton/Delray Beach is generally associated with an upscale, recreational lifestyle, luxurious homes, boutiques, and dining destinations. Yet this region has posted an almost 28% increase in industrial jobs since 2012 due to a marked increase in executive positions within the aerospace and technology sectors.

Skilled workforces, low cost to work and to live, business-friendly regions that offer lower or no income taxes (which translates to higher wages), reasonable housing prices, and pro-development, low-restriction building policies are among the many reasons these urban areas have seen exponential industrial growth over the past 6 years. However, there are numerous urban areas, once known for their manufacturing companies, that have fallen down the charts. Some have morphed into sectors for other types of businesses such as educational, research, or recreational. Others have been supplanted by areas that offer milder climates, better education systems, and a lower cost of living overall. These tarnished regions include:

1. Los Angeles/Glendale/Long Beach: The garment industry, aerospace, and technology jobs in what was once the nation’s largest industrial center, have left at a rate of 20% over the last decade. It is believed that given an economic retrofit and a major reboot, this once thriving region will again diversify its economy and attract new industries to its cities.
2. Sadly, in recent years, the “city of the broad shoulders”, Sandburg’s Chicago, has not been pulling its weight economically. It has posted less than 1% employment gains since 2012. This means that jobs have been leaving in droves, most likely to the Grand Rapids area where the climate for business has been made as enticing as possible.
3. Another region that has been hemorrhaging jobs is the greater Houston area which includes the upscale semi-suburban towns of Woodlands and Sugar Land. Exponential grown in the early 2000s ended abruptly at the end of that decade, thereby encouraging economic expats. The nationwide energy industry decline caused regions that depended on this sector for its economic welfare post job losses of 12% since 2012. The aerospace industry was also hard hit contributing to this decline.
4. While New Orleans can fall back on its tourism, the state of Oklahoma is not a vacation destination. For decades refining energy from petrochemicals and natural gas had made this industry the state’s top employer. Currently, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City in particular, is turning to wind power, geothermal, and solar development hoping for a job resurgence via the state’s new diverse energy plan.
5. While New Orleans can fall back on its tourism, the state of Oklahoma is not a vacation destination. For decades refining energy from petrochemicals and natural gas had made this industry the state’s top employer. Currently, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City in particular, is turning to wind power, geothermal, and solar development hoping for a job resurgence via the state’s new diverse energy plan.

What is called America’s ‘great job resurgence’ is taking place primarily in smaller cities. Thanks to a number of factors it has become increasing possible for these more rural areas to compete for skilled workers with large urban areas. There are many reasons for this. As mentioned above, many municipalities tempt industries and workers to their regions with higher wages, lower taxes, low crime, and generally, an improved quality of life. These are factors that matter to families, and industries seeking the best and brightest workforces are taking heed. Other regions, like the Midwestern “rust belt”, have seen their economies suffer for decades, as older industries lacked the skilled workers or money for technology upgrades to keep pace with more prosperous regions. Here, the government has stepped in, providing incentives for businesses to employ and train local workers, thereby improving their economy and reducing both crime and poverty rates.

Our nation’s industries, long the backbone of our economy, are rallying after what for most, has been a very trying decade. Slow but steady growth is being seen and acceptable employment, taxation, and housing solutions are being implemented. Things are looking good, America. Here’s to continued our economic growth!

The post Is America on the Grow Again? Top 5 Industrial Cities in the U.S. appeared first on Koshka.