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	<title>PORTERSHREVE.NET &#187; real estate</title>
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		<title>Introduction To Tax Deeds</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/introduction-to-tax-deeds/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/introduction-to-tax-deeds/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:04:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steve Flags</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foreclosures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[general]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax deed sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax lien certificates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.portershreve.net/introduction-to-tax-deeds/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tax Deeds come about because Counties have specific budgets that have been determined according to the property taxes in their area. These budgets allow the County to function and their programs to continue. When property owners fail to pay their taxes this creates a deficit that counties must find a way to decrease, so they sell Tax Liens or Tax Deeds. This is a great opportunity for investor who might be interested in buying real estate to learn about the market. Real estate an exciting investment venture and Tax Deeds a great starting spot for new investors.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tax Deeds come about because Counties have specific budgets that have been determined according to the property taxes in their area. These budgets allow the County to function and their programs to continue. When property owners fail to pay their taxes this creates a deficit that counties must find a way to decrease, so they sell Tax Liens or Tax Deeds. This is a great opportunity for investor who might be interested in buying real estate to learn about the market. Real estate an exciting investment venture and Tax Deeds a great starting spot for new investors.  </p>
<p>Some counties give the original property owner time to come current on their taxes while others do not. Investors can buy the tax deed, which is an actual deed to the property and gives them the right to purchase the property. The deeds can be purchased at a fraction of the value giving the opportunity for a huge return on investment.   </p>
<p>If decided to take advantage of the opportunity to buy it you will be able to decide what to do from that point. Real estate investment can be sold as is for a pretty good profit since you&#8217;ll probably buy it way under value. You can also a little more money on your investment and fix it up before you sell it which will increase you profit. You may want to hang onto the property for a while, rent it out and then sell it later after the property value has increased even more.</p>
<p>You county Office will have a lot of the information you need to get started, such as, a list of properties that are behind on taxes that have Tax Deeds available to purchase, when are where the auctions take place, and other information pertaining to the purchase. After you get all the information they have for you, it&#8217;s a good idea to go check out the property and do some research on your own, so you have the full scoop before you buy.   </p>
<p>This is a flexible investing opportunity as far as capital is concerned. You can start putting in a lot right away or you start with as little as 450 to try it out and see if it would work for you.  If you do your research and put in a little time, you can be successful at any level.   </p>
<p>You&#8217;ll need to spend some time upfront to learn about the best practices for this type of investing and talk to some experts for advice. Then once you get rolling you can spend just a few hours a week keeping up on things. Tax Deed investing is a great opportunity for you to look into if you are serious about letting your money make money for you.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re looking to find the best strategies on <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com'>Tax Deed</a> investing, then visit www.noriskinvestor.com to find the best advice on <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com/tax-lien-tax-deed-sales-investing-marketplace/properties-for-sale'>Tax Lien Foreclosure Properties</a> and other real estate investment opportunities.</p>
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		<title>Opportunities With Tax Foreclosure Properties</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/opportunities-with-tax-foreclosure-properties/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/opportunities-with-tax-foreclosure-properties/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:33:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Robert Bruce</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[general]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax deed sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax foreclosure properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax lien certificates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.portershreve.net/opportunities-with-tax-foreclosure-properties/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When a person can no longer make payments on their mortgage loan, their houses become what is known as tax foreclosure properties. The process after that is fairly simple. First of all, a court order is obtained to lock out the mortgage owner's rights to the house and to stop the mortgage. After this, the property is sold off at auction, or at a fraction of the original price. When someone purchases homes that were foreclosed, it is known as foreclosure investment. Usually, these properties are purchased at around half their market value.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When a person can no longer make payments on their mortgage loan, their houses become what is known as tax foreclosure properties. The process after that is fairly simple. First of all, a court order is obtained to lock out the mortgage owner&#8217;s rights to the house and to stop the mortgage. After this, the property is sold off at auction, or at a fraction of the original price. When someone purchases homes that were foreclosed, it is known as foreclosure investment. Usually, these properties are purchased at around half their market value.</p>
<p>After an investor has purchased a property, they then resell it to a new buyer for the full market value. To make these kinds of purchases, investors need to have a lot of up-front working capital or an investor backing them. Before any of this is done, it is necessary to become well acquainted with the statutes of real estate in their area.</p>
<p>When a person decides to become a Foreclosure Investor, it is important for them to gather as much information as possible before making their first investment. Proper research before hand will save both time and money in the long run. Make sure that your source of information is reliable; never stop learning by using anything from books to pamphlets, or even websites and other print resources.</p>
<p>Use as many free resources as you can, including the internet and library. Research any material before spending any money on it. Attend as many open houses as you can; open houses are usually held on the weekend. It may seem like a waste of time and gas, but you will learn more about property values than any amount of reading can provide.</p>
<p>Look into attending a real estate course before investing in any foreclosed properties. Most of the time, a Real Estate Licensing School will subsidize the course for you. Though there will be an upfront cost, the information gained usually worth anything you pay for it. Before hand, check to make sure that there are no hidden fees charged to an individual who chooses not to get a license and work for the company that is providing the course.</p>
<p>When choosing to become a tax foreclosure properties investor, doing the proper research before hand will help you to avoid scams. Watch out for people who want to charge you thousands of dollars for information or tools that are readily available, and oftentimes free. Seminars teaching real estate tactics tend to be expensive and are often not necessary.</p>
<p>There are some companies that charge a reasonable monthly fee to send information about tax foreclosure properties in designated areas. These businesses are fine but stay away from the companies that charge high up-front fees because these can disappear quickly.</p>
<p>By choosing to buy and sell tax foreclosure properties, investors can profit quite a bit. As always, it is important to become both knowledgeable and educated about real estate while spending as little as possible. Before spending any money, you should investigate thoroughly any real estate program that costs money and be absolutely certain that the source is accredited. Be sure to, whenever possible, take advantage of all free information that you can from libraries and open houses.</p>
<p>If you want to find out more about <a href="http://www.noriskinvestor.com">Tax Foreclosure Properties</a>, then visit No Risk Investor and see how to choose from among the best <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com/tax-lien-tax-deed-sales-investing-marketplace/properties-for-sale'>Tax Lien Foreclosure Properties.</a></p>
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		<title>Property Tax Sales For Pennies.</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/property-tax-sales-for-pennies/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/property-tax-sales-for-pennies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:06:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>William Stone</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[home based business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investing opportunities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property tax sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax lien foreclosures]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.portershreve.net/property-tax-sales-for-pennies/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are many people who would like to invest in property but don't have the money to do so. Even in a tough housing market, where homes are selling for thousands of dollars less than market value, purchasing property can still be expensive.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are many people who would like to invest in property but don&#8217;t have the money to do so. Even in a tough housing market, where homes are selling for thousands of dollars less than market value, purchasing property can still be expensive.</p>
<p>However, there is another option that many people fail to utilize and that is purchasing property through property tax sales. This is an excellent way to purchase property, sometime for literally pennies on the dollar, and purchasing the place of your dreams.</p>
<p>So, how does a home get into the position of being sold as a tax sale? Well, it is actually very simple. Someone purchase a piece of property. Sometimes they build a home on it or sometimes they use it for raising animals, or simply to appreciate in value. However, something happens and they cannot pay the taxes that they own on their property (there are property taxes in every state and anyone who owns property must pay those taxes). The local government then contacts those individuals and gives them the opportunity to pay.</p>
<p>During this process, the local government gives the individuals plenty of opportunities to pay. The government wants their money so they will allow payments to be made while they put a lien on the property (so the owners can&#8217;t sell it without paying off their debt first). Once the property enters into property tax sales, then that is a sure sign that the owner is extremely delinquent in their payments and the local government sees no other recourse for getting paid.</p>
<p>Most of these properties are put into property tax sales auctions. These auctions are open to the public; however, it is not always easy for a typical person to find these auctions, they have to know where to look. Additionally, the auction of the property will start at the amount owed on the property and then increase from their, so there is no guarantee that you are going to get a piece of property for an insanely low amount of money, but it does happen a lot.</p>
<p>Once you pay the taxes owed on the property (or the amount that the auction comes to), you receive the deed for the property and you owe it free and clear. Just don&#8217;t forget that you too will have to pay taxes on the property you buy or your will end up in the same situation as the previous owners.</p>
<p>If you want to find out more about <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com'>property tax sales</a>, then visit No Risk Investor and see how to choose from among the best <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com/tax-lien-tax-deed-sales-investing-marketplace/properties-for-sale'>tax lien foreclosure properties.</a></p>
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		<title>Investing In Tax Foreclosure Properties That Bring Huge Returns</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/investing-in-tax-foreclosure-properties-that-bring-huge-returns/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/investing-in-tax-foreclosure-properties-that-bring-huge-returns/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:47:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>William York</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creative real estate investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[general]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lien tax foreclosure properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax deed sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.portershreve.net/investing-in-tax-foreclosure-properties-that-bring-huge-returns/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tax foreclosure properties constitute a form of real estate investment referred to as Foreclosure Investment. When a borrower defaults on his mortgage loan payments, his property becomes a tax foreclosure property, and a court order is issued to close the mortgage and end his right to redeem it. The property is then auctioned or sold at a discount, sometimes as much as 50% below market value.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tax foreclosure properties constitute a form of real estate investment referred to as Foreclosure Investment. When a borrower defaults on his mortgage loan payments, his property becomes a tax foreclosure property, and a court order is issued to close the mortgage and end his right to redeem it. The property is then auctioned or sold at a discount, sometimes as much as 50% below market value.</p>
<p>The tax foreclosure properties can then be resold by their new buyers at full market value. Foreclosure investing requires either a great deal of money upfront or the backing of investors; and such investors must be knowledgeable enough to make sure that all legal state requirements are met.</p>
<p>Those who choose to purchase tax investment properties need to search local sources for information and for resources. They need to locate sources that are reliable, and also be aware of the diverse avenues of locally available information such as websites, maps, and brochures.</p>
<p>In order to determine the values of properties in an area, one can visit the weekend open houses. Use the local library&#8217;s free resources and evaluate the materials gathered. It will take time and gas, but is easily the best method of determining local property values.</p>
<p>Before investing in tax foreclosure properties, it may be of use to take a real estate course, often subsidized by a Real Estate Licensing School. A higher fee may be charged for the course if one does not choose to get one&#8217;s license or to work for the sponsoring company; nevertheless, the information gained is often well worth the cost of the course.</p>
<p>A prospective tax foreclosure properties investor must be alert to avoid possible scams. Real Estate seminars are seldom needed and can be very costly, and there are people willing to sell information at a high cost that is actually easily available at little cost &#8211; or no cost at all.</p>
<p>There are companies who will charge a reasonable fee and provide information about tax foreclosure properties in specific areas. But beware: there are also companies that will charge high up-front fees and then simply disappear.</p>
<p>Investors can make good profits from choosing to buy and sell tax foreclosure properties. It is important to become knowledgeable and educated about real estate without spending a lot of cash. Thoroughly investigate any real estate program that costs money and make sure the source is legitimate. Take advantage of free information available at the library and open houses.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re looking to find the best strategies on <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com/'>Tax Foreclosure Properties</a>, then visit www.noriskinvestor.com to find the best advice on <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com/tax-lien-tax-deed-sales-investing-marketplace/properties-for-sale'>Tax Lien Foreclosure Properties</a> and other real estate investment opportunities.</p>
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		<title>Creative Real Estate Investing For Anyone</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/creative-real-estate-investing-for-anyone/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/creative-real-estate-investing-for-anyone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:17:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>William Stone</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[general]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home based business]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[real estate investing]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.portershreve.net/creative-real-estate-investing-for-anyone/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ever hear of "Creative Real Estate Investing?" The most typical way of purchasing property is by combining personal funds, such as a down payment, and borrowed funds. Most Americans must find some way of arranging finances in order to buy a home but because they can not be afford to pay with their own money, they must find some other way of getting enough money to purchase the house, such as a lending institution. Some ways of investing in property having nothing to do with traditional real estate investing ventures and so they are termed creative real estate investing.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever hear of &#8220;Creative Real Estate Investing?&#8221; The most typical way of purchasing property is by combining personal funds, such as a down payment, and borrowed funds. Most Americans must find some way of arranging finances in order to buy a home but because they can not be afford to pay with their own money, they must find some other way of getting enough money to purchase the house, such as a lending institution. Some ways of investing in property having nothing to do with traditional real estate investing ventures and so they are termed creative real estate investing.</p>
<p>The first route one can try is called an option, or a contract between a buyer and seller that gives the buyer the right to buy or sell a particular asset on or before the option&#8217;s expiration time. The price that the asset is sold for is an agreed price, or strike price. The seller would then collect money for granting the option. The value of each option is determined by certain standards that have been developed by groups of qualified thinkers.</p>
<p>Begin as a bird-dog. A bird-dog is a person that is just beginning in their investing career; they find good deals for other investors and usually get paid when a deal closes. Creative real estate investing can also fall under flipping, which is buying a highly under priced piece of property and quickly reselling it at market price. These low priced properties are usually sold by those in distress, such as those effected by the loss of a job or some other crisis.</p>
<p>One of the best ways to receive land is by using a land trust. They have been used to own properties in foreclosure allowing homeowners to save their homes and investors to see outstanding returns. When the a borrower is and remains a beneficiary of a trust and is not related to transferring rights of occupancy of the property, a land trust can also bring the benefit of not causing &#8220;due-on-sale&#8221; clauses to force the refinancing of the subject property.</p>
<p>Wholesalers will typically buy large many of homes, often 50 or more at a time, from the band, and then resell them at a small markup to move them quickly. Those in creative real estate investing will more commonly secure properties with no money down and do a &#8220;quick flip,&#8221; a process that gives huge returns. Wholesalers will usually work on some sort of distress, such as the owner or the property.</p>
<p>If you want to find out more about <a href='http://www.noriskinvestor.com'>creative real estate investing</a>, then visit No Risk Investor and see how to choose from among the best <a href='http://noriskinvestor.com/tax-lien-tax-deed-sales-investing-marketplace/properties-for-sale'>tax lien foreclosure properties.</a></p>
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		<title>Gas Lanterns</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/gas-lanterns/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/gas-lanterns/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Apr 2010 11:12:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Owen Jones</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[other]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[patios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recreation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relaxation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self help]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.portershreve.net/gas-lanterns/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are several types of gas lantern. They are chiefly used to produce light when you do not have a battery light or access to an electrical socket. In fact, they are most often used for emergency situations, when the power goes out at home, when you are camping or sitting in the garden later in the evening. They offer much more light than most torches and they are handy because you can stand them on a table, carry them, or hang them up.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are several types of gas lantern. They are chiefly used to produce light when you do not have a battery light or access to an electrical socket. In fact, they are most often used for emergency situations, when the power goes out at home, when you are camping or sitting in the garden later in the evening. They offer much more light than most torches and they are handy because you can stand them on a table, carry them, or hang them up.</p>
<p>There are several types of gas lantern. However, they differ not only in design, but also in the type of fuel they burn. Some people like the old fashioned style kerosene or paraffin lanterns. They like the design, the historical aspect and maybe even the smell.</p>
<p>Their advantages are that the fuel is low-priced and easy to find. However, their disadvantages are that they smell and are very dangerous if tipped over. The storage of surplus paraffin or kerosene is also a grave risk, should a fire break out.</p>
<p>If you want one of these old style kerosene lanterns, they are widely available at camping, army surplus and hardware suppliers. If you are going to use them for emergency lighting, it is best to have four or five on hand, clean and ready to fill.</p>
<p>The wicks should be trimmed and the glass clean. Keep them in plastic bags to stop dust building up on them. Keep one already filled with kerosene so that you can fill the others by its light. It is safer and less wasteful this way.</p>
<p>However, the modern equivalent of the kerosene lantern is the propane gas lantern. Propane gas lanterns burn with a very clean flame, which is also quite hot, so it does warm up its immediate surroundings, maybe to a distance of a foot or two. Therefore, it can keep faces warm on a cool evening in the garden.</p>
<p>Propane gas lanterns are fueled by gas canisters. They come in various sizes from quite small to large, but the gas does burn for a long while. The small canisters are best for emergency use and the larger ones for use on camping trips or in the garden. They are relatively inexpensive, are clean to burn, provide some heat, are light weight and are very safe.</p>
<p>On the safety side of things, it is obviously very important that you follow the manufacturer&#8217;s directions when using any kind of gas lantern, because they are all a potential fire hazard, especially when camping in a wood.</p>
<p>Make yourself acquainted with the operation of the lantern you make your mind up to use before you need to use it. The gas lantern may get hot so be careful with it and get used to lighting it in the daylight so that you know what you are doing, when you need the gas lantern for real. One last tip, if you are taking a propane gas lantern on a camping holiday, take enough canisters with you. The merchant should be able to tell you how many hours they will last for the use you are going to put them to.</p>
<p>Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org/propane-outdoor-heater.html">propane outdoor heater</a>. If you are interested in patio heaters too, please click through to <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org">Residential Patio Heaters</a>.</p>
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		<title>Patio Decks And Accessories</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/patio-decks-and-accessories/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/patio-decks-and-accessories/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:04:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Owen Jones</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[decks]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[happiness]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Would it not be lovely, at the end of a hard day's work or on your day off, to relax outdoors on your patio deck? It is a daydream that many people have. But it does not have to be only a dream.You could be actually doing it within a few of weeks. You can either make the deck or patio yourself, if you are useful with your hands or you can hire someone in.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Would it not be lovely, at the end of a hard day&#8217;s work or on your day off, to relax outdoors on your patio deck? It is a daydream that many people have. But it does not have to be only a dream.You could be actually doing it within a few of weeks. You can either make the deck or patio yourself, if you are useful with your hands or you can hire someone in.</p>
<p>The best thing to do is talk with your contractor about your plans about size and materials. If you want to have a go at making it yourself, take the dimensions to your local builders&#8217; merchant and get them to give you a price. If you need it, they can normally recommend a contractor to you. This can be a good idea, even if it is only to get an idea about price.</p>
<p>There are also plenty of &#8217;standard&#8217; designs available too. You could get a few gardening magazines, you will be able to tell the ones you want by their titles. You could also look on the Internet. There is also designing software for this kind of project, it just depends what you want your input to be.</p>
<p>You could just hand the whole task over to your builder, if that is what you want. However, I would go for a drink with my wife and take paper and pens. Over a drink or two, I would encourage us both to make a few rough plans of what we would like. Then you can discuss and amalgamate the plans.</p>
<p>You also have to decide whether you want a raised deck or one at ground level. A raised, wooden deck might help keep the snakes at bay, but a stone patio places you right in the middle of your garden and flowers.</p>
<p>A consideration, depending on where you live, could be the use of patio heaters. If you think that you may have to use patio heating at certain times of the year because of the weather, you might not want your patio deck made of timber. After spending time and money on your new patio deck, you will want to make use of it whether it is a bit chilly or not, which is where the heaters come in.</p>
<p>Furthermore, patio heaters are not that pricey any more and not that expensive to run. If you add a mosquito trap and some lighting, you will have a pleasure to enjoy for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org/commercial-patio-heaters.html">commercial patio heaters</a>. If you are interested in patio heaters too, please click through to <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org">Residential Patio Heaters</a>.</p>
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		<title>Oak Garden Furniture</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/oak-garden-furniture/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:26:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Owen Jones</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Oak is one of the best timbers to use for patio garden furniture. It is local to most Western countries and, being a hardwood, can endure the weather, if treated correctly. It is very hard-wearing and, so long as you maintain it, it will give you pleasure and comfort on your garden patio for decades to come.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oak is one of the best woods to use for patio garden furniture. It is local to most Western countries and, being a hardwood, can endure the weather, if treated properly. It is very durable and, so long as you maintain it, it will give you enjoyment and comfort on your garden patio for decades to come.</p>
<p>Oak is certainly not inexpensive, but if you consider that it will last for ten to twenty years, whereas plastic and metal may last two to four years, it does not work out a bad deal over the long term and during that period, you will have been sitting on garden furniture that is the bee&#8217;s knees in every way.</p>
<p>Just a point of interest here that will give you more range when you are buying your hardwood garden furniture, oak and cherry wood share many of the same characteristics as far as garden patio furniture is concerned.</p>
<p>The patterns of whorls and rings in the timber is really beautiful, so in order to maintain the stocks of these trees, please make sure that your patio furniture comes from a replenishable source.</p>
<p>Make sure you follow the maker&#8217;s recommendations as far as maintenance is concerned. This will prolong the life of your hardwood furniture, ensuring that you will get extra life &#8211; up to twice as much &#8211; life out of your hardwood garden furniture.</p>
<p>The manufacturer or craftsman will probably deliver your furniture primed and stained and maybe varnished too. If you get raw timber furniture, the maker is probably leaving your options open. The least you should do is rub an oil into it.</p>
<p>Ask at your decorators&#8217; merchants or timber merchants which is the best. You could also stain it and varnish it. Ask to see examples before you go ahead, but it has to be done at least once a year anyway, so you can change approach when it wears off.</p>
<p>This category of furniture will be seen often at commercial venues, because it is so hard wearing and long lasting, if properly looked after. You should let commercial sense guide you and follow suit, if you can afford it. If you cannot afford a full suite of hardwood garden patio furniture all in one go, why not buy one or two pieces of furniture a year?</p>
<p>Once you have your furniture in place, you can start thinking about accessories. The most common accessories are lighting, power points, mosquito zappers, sun shades and patio heaters. You will perceive that restaurants and pubs with a patio will use patio heaters when the weather gets cooler.They have to do this, otherwise customers would vanish.</p>
<p>You can learn from this for your back garden. Get yourself a patio heater so that you can get pleasure from your garden patio in comfort every month of the year. Add a few extra plants and a few nocturnal blossoming plants. Put in a small pond with a fountain and some fish. Complete the whole picture with a few spotlights pointing at your favourite features and hang up a mosquito trap. This way you will get the utmost out of your oak or cherry wood garden patio furniture.</p>
<p>Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org/commercial-patio-heaters.html">commercial patio heaters</a>. If you are interested in patio heaters too, please click through to <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org">Residential Patio Heaters</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Need For Patio Heaters In Business</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/the-need-for-patio-heaters-in-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/the-need-for-patio-heaters-in-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:46:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Owen Jones</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[If you own a restaurant, pub or any business using outdoor amenities in a temperate climate zone, then you will know that custom is likely to drop off when the weather gets cooler. You know that you would not sit outside shivering yourself, so you do not count on anyone else to do it. The only answer is to modify the outdoor ambient temperature to an acceptable level.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you own a restaurant, pub or any business using outdoor amenities in a temperate climate zone, then you will know that custom is likely to drop off when the weather gets cooler. You know that you would not sit outside shivering yourself, so you do not count on anyone else to do it. The only answer is to modify the outdoor ambient temperature to an acceptable level.</p>
<p>I have seen this done to stunning effect in Prague in October when there were heavy snow storms. People wanted to sit outside and get pleasure from the snow storm as long as they were fairly warm. A person&#8217;s primary heat comes from the body and is retained with decent clothing, but it is nice to have a patio heater near-by just to add a glow to your face and hands.</p>
<p>If you have a business that only opens when it is warm enough, then you have an expensive business and these days expensive businesses do not last long. You need to wring every last cent out of your business real estate and if that means putting patio heaters in, then that is what you ought to do.</p>
<p>Patio heaters come in a range of forms, but they are not that expensive to buy. Sometimes you can hire them too. Most of these outdoor heaters run on canisters of propane or butane gas, but there are mains gas models too. There are also electric ones, but they tend to be dear to run, unless you can generate your own electricity.</p>
<p>I think that the best two types are the box type where the gas cylinder goes inside the apparatus and the heat is directed at foot to knee height and the street lantern style, where the heat comes down from about seven or eight feet in height. The gas container also fits inside these models lowering their centre of gravity and making them more difficult to unintentionally knock over.</p>
<p>These heaters are very safe although patrons should be advised to exercise caution if they have young children with them. A standard heater will keep up to two tables and eight people warm enough to enjoy themselves even while it is snowing.</p>
<p>The hire of a few of these patio heaters or even their purchase will soon be off-set by your increased custom, particularly if your competitors are not using them. My wife and I will never forget our time in Prague, when it was snowing, drinking coffee and eating cake outside, watching people go by while we were as warm as toast thanks to the restaurateur&#8217;s prudence in providing patio heaters.</p>
<p>Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org/propane-outdoor-heater.html">propane outdoor heater</a>. If you are interested in patio heaters too, please click through to <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org">Residential Patio Heaters</a>.</p>
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		<title>Have You Ever Had A The Birthday Barbecue Party?</title>
		<link>http://www.portershreve.net/have-you-ever-had-a-the-birthday-barbecue-party/</link>
		<comments>http://www.portershreve.net/have-you-ever-had-a-the-birthday-barbecue-party/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:32:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Owen Jones</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[A lot of people over the age of twenty have a sort of love-hate relationship with birthdays. They love to have a party and be the centre of attention and a lot of fun, but they hate getting older. But I believe that people should celebrate their birthdays. After all, you enjoy going to someone else's birthday party and so you are morally obliged to put one on for others too.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A lot of people over the age of twenty have a sort of love-hate relationship with birthdays. They love to have a party and be the centre of attention and a lot of fun, but they hate getting older. But I believe that people should celebrate their birthdays. After all, you enjoy going to someone else&#8217;s birthday party and so you are morally obliged to put one on for others too.</p>
<p>And birthday parties ought to be a lot of fun. It does not have to be a children&#8217;s type party, of course, but you could still dress up and play games.</p>
<p>You could have a barbecue for all your friends and family and do it cowboy style. Have a barn dance that would make &#8216;JR&#8217; proud. The food for this is straightforward enough. Begin by providing plenty of Texas sized spare ribs, half-pounder hamburgers, T-bone steaks, and jumbo size hot dogs with loads of bread and salad.</p>
<p>For music, it has to be country and everybody has to put on cowboy clothing, although it would probably be better to leave the sidearms at home. Annie Oakley style costume for the ladies and Buffalo Bill style for the gents. If it is going to be a big party, ask everyone to bring their own favourite dish, in true Southern style. That would be a great way to celebrate an adult&#8217;s birthday for the family.</p>
<p>If you do not go much on the macho cowboy idea, you could try a Caribbean style barbecue. Wear flash short sleeved shirts and bright colours or swimming costumes. The music could be reggae and calypso and the food would be grilled fish and chicken with salad and plenty of fresh fruit. Offer hot and not so hot chilli dips and barbecue sauces. You could have a go at limbo dancing too, that is always good for a laugh.</p>
<p>Or perhaps you would rather a humorous barbecue party and all dress up like the hillbilly family &#8216;The Clamperts&#8217;! That would be fun. The men could wear old velvet hats and old clothes tied up with string like Jed and Jethro and the women could come as Ellie May or Granny. I think that the authentic food like possum and bullfrog might be difficult to get hold of in some areas, but you could just supply what you want for this one. Steaks, hamburgers and fried fish; bread and salad with cake to finish.</p>
<p>Another favourite form of barbecue for a birthday do is the Luau. An Hawaiian barbecue is really something else. You will need bright colours and plenty of tropical Hawaiian decorations. You could provide half coconut shells for drinking out of and lots of coconut and pineapple based drinks. You should ask your guests to wear loud Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts, provide plenty of leis and hula music and a &#8216;loudest Hawaiian shirt&#8217; contest is compulsory.</p>
<p>If none of those tickles your fancy, how about a &#8216;Vicars and Tarts&#8217; barbecue? You can use your own imagination on that one though. Any more tea and crumpet, vicar?</p>
<p>If your barbecue party is to last into the evening and it might get nippy, you could hire or borrow some patio heaters, just so as to give you a few additional hours in the garden.</p>
<p>Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org/electric-outdoor-heater.html">electric outdoor heater</a>. If you are interested in patio heaters too, please click through to <a href="http://residentialpatioheaters.org">Residential Patio Heaters</a>.</p>
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