Kharee Shorter\’s Home Resource Blog

Isn™t it humiliating?   You™re sitting in your car at a busy intersection during rush hour.   You™re at the front of a long line of cars all eager to get going, and you can feel the tension.

As you sit there, you™re thinking of all the things you need to do as soon as you get home.   Then it happens.   Sputter, chug¦stop!   Your engine quits.   Your dash is lit up with glaring red and yellow lights.

Quickly you turn the key¦but nothing happens.   Right then, the traffic light turns green.   Cars on all sides of you start rushing by.   You can feel your hands sweating as you fumble around your controls, trying to get your car going.

The car behind you surges forward.   He starts to holler obscenities at you, as if you could control what™s happening.   Through the glaring of horns, the pressure of people cursing you¦you wonder why this happened.

Most people don™t think about their cars much — until there™s a problem.   And they usually surface at the most inappropriate time.   Short of filling up the gas tank¦perhaps only when it drops below œempty¦some people don™t give their cars a second thought.

But cars are like any other mechanical device.   To keep them in good shape, experts offer some tips on making sure your ride is dependable.

Here™s a list of 10 check-ups you can do to avoid those stressful, embarrassing moments when your car decides to die at the most inappropriate time.

Tip #1:   First, change your oil frequently and regularly.   Experts say the most important thing you can do to extend the life of your car is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three months.   A quick stop at a Fast-Lube shop can extend the life of your car by years, and save thousands of dollars in the process.

Tip #2:   Once a month, look under the hood.   This 15-minute investment can prevent 70 percent of the problems that lead to highway breakdowns.   Check the fluid levels of oil, coolant, automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid, break fluid and windshield washer fluid.

If you don™t know where to find these items, learn more about them by buying a how-to book or look up car maintenance on a website such as www.ehow.com.   If you don™t have time, ask a gas station attendant.

Tip #3:   Never let your gas tank go to almost empty before filling up.   The bottom of your fuel tank is loaded with deposits, dirt, and residue that™s not good for your engine, fuel injectors, or carburetor.

Tip #4:   Check tire inflation weekly, and alignment every six months.   Properly inflated and aligned tires last longer, save money, and are safer.

Tip #5:   Change your vehicle™s filters.   Changing the air, fuel, and oil filters extends the life of your car, and makes it operate more efficiently.

Tip #6:   Change your engine coolant at least once a year, preferably every six months.   But be careful, coolant can be toxic and harmful if ingested by children or pets.

Tip #7:   Lubricate moving and rubber parts.   This includes windshield wipers, door rubber, and exposed gaskets.

Tip #8:   Get rid of rust immediately.   Rust will eat away your car, causing a premature demise.   If you find a rusty spot, scrape it away and sand the area.   Then protect the bare metal with primer and paint.

Tip #9:   Wash your car frequently and keep it out of the sun.   Driving a clean car (with clean windshield) improves visibility and enhances your safety.   Plus, ultraviolet rays can harm paint, especially metallic paints.

Tip #10: Most important! Schedule regular maintenance every 12,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.   Scheduled maintenance will keep warranties valid and maximize the value of your warranty.   Plus, it prolongs the life of your vehicle, and will increase the value of your automobile when you decide to sell it.

Frequent auto maintenance can save you thousands, increase your car™s value¦and most certainly remove the risk of sudden, embarrassing moments in traffic!

You love to travel, but you know flying can also be a source of health problems.   Commonly known ailments include colds and respiratory infections, joint aches and jet lag.   If you have certain risk factors and you take very long flights, you may also be subject to deep vein thrombosis.

Try these tips to make your next trip a healthy one:

Avoid The Common Cold:   The air on most airplanes is 50 percent re-circulated “ including airborne germs.   Worse yet, humidity on airplanes are usually 10 percent or lower “ which makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to attach to the mucous membranes lining your nose and mouth.   To protect yourself, try this: swallow one-half of a dropper of echinacea along with two grams of vitamin C the day before, the day of, and the day after your flight.   Drink 16 ounces of water before your flight and at least 12 ounces during your flight.   And remember to wash your hands often.

Stop Backache and Neck Pain:   Place a rolled blanket behind your lower back.   Consider using a U-shaped neck pillow.   And try these two exercises during your flight:   1) Head circles: tilt your head gently in a circular motion to the front (chin down), then to the right, then back, then to the left, and front again.   2) Shoulder circles: shrug your shoulders in a circular motion up, back, and down.

Lower Your Risk Of Deep Vein Thrombosis:   To keep blood from pooling in your legs and lower body, take periodic walks during your flight.   As you walk, stand on your toes and rock back and forth on your heels.   (OK, you may get some funny looks.)   Do heel rocks while in your seat “ lifting your heels and rocking them back and forth to your toes.   You might also try leg lifts and straight leg exercises.

Beating Jet Lag:   Try taking melatonin, a natural supplement, to reset your biological clock after your arrival (check with your physician first).   Before your new bedtime, take one to three mg. of melatonin.   Continue each night for two days if you™re still having trouble adjusting.   In flight, avoid alcohol, caffeine and sleeping pills.   None of these will help you restore the natural cycle of day and night and, in fact, they might slow your adjustment down even more.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 30, 2010) ”According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Home Buyer/Seller Study^SM, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the third largest real estate company in the United States, has received the highest overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms for the third year in a row. The company also ranked second among home sellers in the study for the second year in a row.

œWe are incredibly proud of our associates for earning this distinction and want to thank them for their commitment to their clients and communities,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. œWe see this honor as demonstration of our company philosophy that it is the agent™s brand that matters most and no amount of money spent on advertising can replace the influence and reputations our agents have in their local communities. Our associates have earned this on their own, by building relationships in their communities.”

The study was produced by J.D. Power and Associates to measure home buyers and sellers customer satisfaction. The results of the home-buying experience were determined by three factors including the buyer™s experience with their agent, the real estate office and a variety of additional services. Keller Williams Realty performed particularly well in the agent and office factors. And, overall satisfaction of buyers for the industry was up over last year.

Additionally, the study noted that the importance of real estate agents has increased substantially in the past year, with buyers and sellers relying on the negotiating skills of their chosen agent and help in navigating the market.

œIt is thrilling to see our firm, once again, get public recognition for its incredible focus on customer satisfaction from such a prestigious group. Our associates continually demonstrate that it is possible to deliver the highest level of customer service in one of the toughest real estate markets on record,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty. œWe feel incredibly fortunate to be in business with them, and want to congratulate them on their hard work and dedication.”

In the past year, Keller Williams Realty has continued to grow despite the well-publicized turmoil in the real estate industry. In addition to becoming the 3^rd largest real estate company in the U.S., surpassing RE/MAX ®, Keller Williams Realty was ranked as the No. 1 real estate franchise on the 31^st Annual Franchise 500 list by Entrepreneur magazine and was voted the Most Recognizable Brand of Real Estate Franchises and the Trendsetter of the year for 2009 in an industry-wide survey for the Swanepoel TRENDS Report.

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 681 offices and more than 79,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (or CTS) occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve that travels through the tunnel formed by the wrist™s carpal bones.   The tunnel also houses tendons.   When the membrane covering the tendons swells, the compressed median nerve causes pain and other symptoms.

Ergonomic changes in offices and factories have reduced the number of carpal tunnel syndrome cases diagnosed each year.   Still, it™s a painful, frustrating condition if you get it.   Here are a few suggestions for dealing with CTS:

1. Minimize activities that make symptoms worse.     Wear a forearm splint at night to keep your wrist from bending.   Swollen membranes can shrink, relieving pressure and discomfort for people with mild to moderate CTS.
2. If this isn™t effective, a doctor can inject a small amount of cortisone into the tunnel.   Usually the condition improves in a few days, but no more than three injections per year should be given.
3. Surgery is considered if splints and shots haven™t reduced the pain.   Doctors writing in Health News say the surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the nerve.   Up to 90 percent of patients report that the operation is successful and pain is gone.   It may take several months to regain hand strength.

Indemnification is the principle of restoring or reimbursing one to the full extent of their loss. The principle of indemnity is used exclusively in the property and casualty fields. Your insurance policy is a contract. This contract is personal, aleatory and a conditional contract of adhesion that is legally enforceable between you and your insurance company. Mediation, arbitration and appraisals are some of the forms of dispute resolution a public adjuster may leverage on your behalf.

Ambiguities if found in a contract of adhesion are interpreted against the party that wrote the contract and therefore any unclear language or policy provision is interpreted against the insurance company and in the insured™s favor. Having a polished professional who understands contracts and this principle on your side of the fence will level the playing field between you and your insurance company.

Having your own personal claims adjuster will ensure the utmost good faith would be adhered to in your insurance investigation. He or she will contact the insurance company for you and schedule the investigation and our team will take on all communications throughout the life of your claim. Our goal is to move this claim through their system as quickly as possible.

Initially an investigation conducted by the insurance company adjuster, responsible to his employer, is designed to identify fraudulent claims, moral hazards, third parties with insurable interests and opportunities to minimize your settlement. Many of these concerns and questions have already been addressed during Metro™s initial scope that is scheduled within 48 hours of your meeting with our representative. Our team will secure all documentation, damage repair and replacement estimates and organize a properly prepared œProof of Loss. Every claim and insurance company is different and therefore difficult to estimate how long it will take to process your claim.

We ask for your patience throughout the process. You will be kept current of all aspects. Internally we are negotiating the best settlement for you and you will be copied on all written correspondence used to expedite your settlement.

When damage to property or a personal casualty event occurs due to crime like vandalism, theft or accidental damage occurs from negligence of old plumbing, bathtub overflow, leaking toilet or shower; First things first when filing your property claim. If a crime has been committed, call the police. Be as cooperative as possible with local authorities such as police, rescue, or the fire department. Be sure to get a police report and document all the names of the officials that you come into contact with. Next step is to mitigate any future loss or damage. This may require temporary repairs from a plumber if you are not handy with leaky pipes. At this point, it is always best to keep calm when considering your next steps. Good documentation, damage estimates, determining actual cash value and photographs are the homeowner™s responsibility and mandatory when filing a property insurance claim. Now would be a good time to call your public adjuster, prior to your first phone call to your insurance company, at least to understand your policy coverage™s.  

• Are you covered for this loss?
• Is there a personal property inventory form?
• Do you know where your policy is located
• Did your insurance provider provide you with a claims kit?

Good record keeping will speed up settlement of your claim and helps reduce your risk of a denied claim. Compile a room-by-room inventory of damaged goods, and include manufacturer’s names, dates and places of purchases, and prices. Try to locate receipts or proofs of purchase, especially for major appliances, and note manufacturers’ names, serial numbers, prices, and dates of purchase. Separate the damaged from the undamaged property and put it in the best possible order for the insurance adjuster’s examination. When working with Metro, you will first meet with a professional representative that will spend quality time reviewing your policy with you using an experienced eye to identify coverage limitations, policy exclusions and legal language that your insurance company may use as leverage to deny your claim. Your Metro claim advocate will conduct an inspection of the damage using a checklist and detailing damage you may have missed without a trained eye for consequential damage caused by your direct peril. With this information, together we can determine if you have a claim worth investigating and you may choose to engage our services at this time.Call 215-909-4928 for 24/7 Emergency Service!!!

It always happens.   You™re looking for the perfect retort to a dim-witted co-worker, and it comes to you.   Problem is, it™s long after the opportunity has gone.   Here are a few phrases that might help you make your point at the office:

• I don™t work here “ I™m a consultant.
• Thank you.   We™re refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
• I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
• The fact that no one understands you doesn™t mean you™re an artist.
• I™m out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.
• I don™t know what your problem is, but I™ll bet it™s hard to pronounce.
• Some day, we™ll look back on this, laugh nervously, and change the subject.

Going on vacation and leaving your trusted pet companion behind can be a traumatic experience “ for both of you.     And who can bear the sight of sad eyes as your pet watches you walk away from the kennel where you left them.

Well, that doesn™t need to be the case.   There™s a new resource for making your vacation as fun for your pet as it is for you.   A listing of 25,000 hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, ski resorts, and campgrounds that welcome pets can be found at the www.petswelcome.com website.   So there™s no need to leave Fido at home during your vacation.

The site also offers information on kennels, vets, and medical facilities for your pet when you are on the road.   Also available are travel and moving tips, and other helpful information to pet owners on the road.

Make sure to test your garage door openers monthly to ensure the safety features are working properly.   To run the test, simply place a 2 x 4 board on the floor of the garage in the door™s path.   If the door does not properly reverse when it strikes the board, you will want to have the door serviced as soon as possible.And, make sure the wall switch for the door is at least five-feet from the ground.   You don™t want young children playing with the door and becoming injured.

Finally, keep your automatic door openers safely locked in your automobile away from children or would-be thieves who could use the opener to enter your home.