4 Essential Things to Look for When Buying Your First Home

Searching for your first home is a very exciting and rewarding experience.  You’re at the point where you’re done having to rent from a community or private landlord and can finally say you officially own where you live.  With all that excitement, however, also comes a lot of planning, research, and often times, some unwanted stress due to unforeseen issues. The best way to avoid any potential issues when buying your first home is to know what to look for.

Foundational Issues

Your home’s foundation is one of the most important factors that you need to focus on fro the beginning of your potential purchase.  Structural and foundational issues can cause many problems for a new homeowner down the road and can increase costs significantly.  Make sure you have good knowledge on the structure and foundation of the home, and if you are made aware of any foundational cracks, uneven floors, or even cracked window frames, see what it would take to address them before moving forward.

Unwanted Smells

Walking into a home for the first time can be exciting, and sometimes deceiving.  Sellers can use different tools and tactics to mask any offensive smells that may steer a buyer away from moving forward.  Be aware of what you smell in each room. Smoke? Pet odors? Sewage or gas? These can all cause issues for you after you purchase the home, so be aware before buying…

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A Health & Lifestyle Q&A for Men Over 50

As the figure on your age increases, so does the level of care you ought to practice. Men who are 50 and over should watch what they consume and the number of exercises that they practice. In case you are in this golden age and would like to live to the fullest, read on for practical tips.

What are the major healthy lifestyle rules for men age 50 and over?

The guidelines apply to mean and women of any age. They include:

• Maintain physical activity
• Eat healthy meals
• Avoid smoking
• Retain a healthy weight
• Go for regular screening
• If you use alcohol, never take more than two drinks in a day

The rules not only help older men to age in excellent health but also decrease their susceptibility to certain illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.

What should men over age 50 eat and what are the benefits?

Eating healthy meals lowers the possibility of getting type-2 diabetes, heart disease, some kinds of cancer and obesity. A registered nutritionist can help you develop a healthy meal plan. If you want to manage your weight and cardiovascular health, eat meals with low Trans-fat levels, added sugars, saturated fats, and cholesterol…

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How to Choose the Right Tenant for Your Rental Property

As a landlord, there are multiple responsibilities that you carry every day.  Maintaining your property, addressing tenant issues, keeping things in order when it comes to rent payments and leases; the list goes on.  One of the most important responsibilities you can have as a landlord is choosing the right tenants to move into your property. With the right tenants, you can maintain steady payments, and have a peace of mind that your property will be well taken care of.  If you’re looking for new renters, here are some useful tips to consider:

Be Ethical

The first thing to remember when meeting any potential renters is to always remain professional and ethical.  As a successful landlord, it is your responsibility to treat all potential tenants equally and with respect. Regardless of gender, race, sex, etc. all tenants should always have a fair opportunity to apply and become a renter within your property.  

Credit Check

When you have a new applicant, one of the first steps after meeting them is to run a credit check.  Though you’re not doing this to place any judgment, a credit check is essential in knowing the potential tenant’s ability to pay bills on time and be financially responsible.  With a credit check, it will likely verify the tenant’s income and give you a report on their credit history. If their credit history and income are in line with your expectations and show the tenant can afford the rental without an issue, this is a great sign.  Additionally, you’ll want to consider the fee of running a credit check.  Some landlords charge the potential tenant, while others don’t; this will be up to your discretion…

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Prostate Cancer: Risks and Prevention

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. It affects over three million men in the US annually. Prostate cancer is most often seen in men aged over 50. Symptoms can include difficulty with urination. Some prostate cancers grow slowly, while others are aggressive.

There are some groups of men who are more at risk than others. Age is a big factor. Over three-quarters of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65. Ethnic background is also a contributor to risk. African American and Caribbean men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men. White men are more likely to develop this disorder than Asians or Latinos.

It’s not entirely clear why this is. Researchers do know that there is a genetic risk factor for prostate cancer. Often, men with first-degree relatives who’ve had this cancer are at an elevated risk. So, for example, if a man’s father or brother had prostate cancer, that man is two or three times more likely to develop it himself.

Even geography can play a part in risk. Prostate cancer is very common in North America, Australia, and Europe. It’s uncommon in places like Central and South America. While there isn’t a known reason as to why, it’s possible that lifestyle factors that vary with culture, like diet, play a part. For example, men who consume a lot of red meat and dairy seem to have an elevated risk of prostate cancer…

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Real Estate Breakdown: A Buyer’s Market

More than likely you’ve heard the term “buyer’s” or “sellers” market when talking to someone about real estate.  It’s no secret that the real estate market fluctuates, regardless of your current location. Prices of homes can rise, and fall, frequently, and depending on if you’re a buyer or a seller, they may either work for you or against you.  Luckily, if you closely follow the patterns within the real estate market, you have a good chance of making the most informed decisions; however, the fluctuation can sometimes be unpredictable no matter how prepared you are. If you’re in the market for a new home and you’re ready to buy, you may want to know what actually makes a buyer’s market:

Determining where the real estate market stands is generally based on the concept of supply and demand.  When the supply exceeds the demand, meaning when there are more properties for sale, than there are buyers, this is what makes the market favorable for those looking to buy; in other words, creating a “buyer’s market”.  One of the main reasons why this would be an ideal time to purchase a new home is due to the potential for purchasing at a lower cost. A buyers market is generally the best time to take advantage of lower housing prices.  Those that are deciding to sell their home in a buyers market, may find their home remains on the market longer, due to an increase in other available properties. Additionally, sellers may be forced to lower their listing price in order to compete with the market and secure a buyer; this essentially means the buyer has the advantage.

There are multiple factors that play a role in where the real estate market is ranking; the local area, demographics, economy, number of homes for sale, and even the time of year or season can have an impact on the current market.  For example, the summer months are usually known for having more homes for sale…

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Diet Tips for Men Over 50

As we begin to age, our health becomes our top priority. To stay in tip top shape, it’s important to always watch what you eat. Everything you eat can affect your body, mind and overall health. For men over the age of 50, there are important foods to always include in your diet and others to stay away from. For some helpful advice, take a look at these diet tips for men over 50:

Beans

A food often overlooked when trying to build a healthier lifestyle are beans. Beans are packed with nutrients and have major health benefits. Studies have found that consuming a daily serving of beans or lentils, which is about ¾ cup, can help to lower LDL cholesterol by 5 percent. It has also been shown that individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes have shown a lowered hemoglobin A1c, which is a marker of blood sugar control, by 0.5% when eating a healthy diet that included a daily serving of bean or lentils.

Brazil Nuts

Another food often overlooked is the brazil nut. When trying to eat healthier, many people opt for cashews or almonds. Brazilin nuts have lots of nutrients, but most importantly it contains selenium.  Selenium helps with a man’s hormones and reproductive health. Many studies have shown that Brazilian nuts and the selenium that its packed with have improved men’s chances of conception and testosterone deficiency. It also has been shown to help with weight control….

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Why You Want a Positive Landlord-Tenant Relationship

For a first-time property manager, managing tenants can be a bit of a challenge to navigate. However, regardless of the type of tenant one has, it is very important for landlords to establish a positive relationship with their tenants.

The Tenant-Landlord Relationship

Landlords and their tenants don’t need to become lifelong friends, but they do need to be able to have an amicable relationship. Read on for four reasons landlords should consider establishing a positive relationship with their tenants.

Better Understand Tenant Needs

Landlords have to establish how involved they will be in their tenants’ lives from the start of their relationship. Regardless of whatever style of relationship, a landlord is aiming for, having the right protocols in place and a team of on-call workers is essential for a working relationship with tenants. In order to properly manage a tenant’s needs, every landlord needs to have the following on-call: a handyman, a plumber, an exterminator, and anyone else that can tackle any problems a tenant might have.

Easy Communication

One of the most important things in a landlord-tenant relationship is communication. While landlords don’t have to be present 24/7, it is important for them to very open and easy to communicate with. At the beginning of a relationship with a new tenant, a landlord should let their tenants know what their preferred form of communication will be. Whether it’s sending a text or writing an email, tenants need to be able to reach their landlord whenever and wherever.

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Essential Diet Tips for a Healthy Prostate

Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men in the U.S.  Generally speaking, men without a family history of prostate cancer should start preventative screenings around age 50, as the risk of developing the disease increases with age.  Men with a family history of prostate cancer should start their screenings a little earlier, between age 40 and 45. While there is no way of fully preventing the disease, research has shown that an overall healthy diet and lifestyle plays a significant role in prevention, along with the obvious early detection.  Here are a few diet tips that can contribute to maintaining a healthy prostate.

Increase Intake of Fruits & Vegetables

The first step in adopting healthy eating habits, is the increase of natural foods such as fruits and vegetables.  Many fruits and vegetables, such as berries and dark leafy greens, provide us with an incredible amount of vitamins, nutrients, and disease-fighting antioxidants. Research has even shown that some of these powerful superfoods have actual cancer-fighting properties.  You’ll want to incorporate greens like kale and spinach (often the darker the green, the more powerful), and different berries (blueberries or strawberries to mention a few). Additionally, similar to “the darker the green, the better”, be sure to add other options that are bright in red color, like tomatoes, watermelon, or grapefruit.  Foods such as these get their deep red color from an antioxidant known as lycopene.  Recent studies have shown men who consume lycopene enriched foods have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer over those who do not.

Limit Red Meat Consumption

Though we may love the taste, red meat isn’t the best option when considering prostate health.  While you don’t need to eliminate it completely, you’ll surely want to cut down on your consumption.  If you’re concerned about ways to get enough protein, beans, and other plant proteins, are a fantastic substitute.  You can find plant protein in other items such as chia and hemp seeds. These red meat alternatives are packed with protein, fiber, and other vital nutrients.

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5 of the Best Neighborhoods to Live in NYC

New York City is home to more than 8 million people across the 5 boroughs.  Families, college students, single’s and young couples from all over the country (and world) have made their way to The Big Apple to find culture, new experiences, and some of the most popular areas on the East Coast.  If you’re considering a move to NYC, here are 5 of the city’s best neighborhoods to live in:

Tribeca (TriBeCa)

Part of the Manhattan Borough with a population over 17,000, Tribeca is known for its upscale residencies and historic industrial architecture.  Similar to neighborhoods like SoHo and Dumbo, Tribeca is actually an acronym that stands for “triangle below Canal Street. What was once a booming industrial area, now is a home to families, couples, and celebrities.  Over time, industrial buildings have been transformed into modern lofts and living spaces that offer residents stunning city views and the ultimate luxurious living experience.

Nolita

As its name suggests, Nolita is located just “north of Little Italy” in the NYC borough of Manhattan.  For a considerable amount of time, Nolita was fully regarded as part of Little Italy; however, as years went on and rent charges increased, the culture of Nolita began to shift.  Today, Nolita is its own charming section of NYC; its trendy culture has made a home for many independent shops, boutiques, and a popular bar-restaurant scene.

Battery Park City

Located along the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan, Battery Park City is an upscale, family driven area, that was originally built with the plan to create a landfill during construction of the World Trade Center.  By the 1980’s Battery Park City’s first residencies were under construction and the neighborhood was quickly being developed. Today, Battery Park City is home to many upper-class families that pay prime costs for their luxurious locations.  

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5 Essential Health Tips for Men

We’re only provided one body in our lifetime.  It’s important to practice the necessary steps required to take care of your body and maintain good health.  Follow a few of these helpful tips to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Find a Doctor

The days of going to the doctor only when you’re sick, or until you’re so sick you’re barely functioning, are coming to an end.  We aren’t getting any younger, and preventative healthcare is the first step to ensuring that we live a healthy and fulfilled life.  Start by finding a doctor that you’re comfortable with, and schedule routine visits for check-ups. Age often brings along ailments that you may not have had concerns about in your younger years.  Ease your mind and any stress by expressing any concerns or issues to your doctor; this will help you take precautions and preventative strides towards your overall wellbeing.

Eat to Live

Simply said, it’s time to cut out the fast food, and start adopting healthier eating habits.  What we put into our bodies directly affects our health and overall function. Natural foods provide our bodies with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients; these components contribute to our energy levels, weight, and improves the health of organs such as skin, heart, and kidneys (to mention a few).  Cut out foods high in sugars, fats, and preservatives, and consume more natural, healthy options…

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