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Extended holidays may be off the cards this year-end due to the
tough economic climate, but innovative gifts can also lift the spirits.
Indeed, if you box clever with the presents you choose for your
family, your home and yourself, you will find more time to relax
and really enjoy the festive season. Here are a few ideas to get
you started:
* With all the extra foot traffic in your home during the holiday
break, a robotic vacuum cleaner may be a boon. There are several
models available, but all work on the principle that you can switch
in on and leave it to its own devices to clean floors and carpets
while you soak up the sun or do a spot of gardening. The models
are rechargeable and have super sensitive detection systems to prevent
them from bumping into walls or furniture.
* Robotic lawnmowers essentially do the same for your lawn. Solar
powered models by Husqvarna are available locally and once "trained"
to stay away from flowerbeds, trees and swimming pools will cut
the grass without supervision. The clever devices also sense when
it is time to return to docking stations to be recharged and they
run quietly compared to more conventional petrol or electrical mowers.
* If you still want to get into shape while your gizmos are mowing
lawns and cleaning floors, you may want to take a look at the latest
home gym equipment. Top of the range treadmills now incorporate
such luxuries such an iPod dock, touchscreen, television, radio,
and software capable of automatically determining a workout regimen
- but at a price. Cheaper models without all the bells and whistles
will still help you to stick to those New Year's resolutions and
you can always turn up the volume on your trusty old sound system.
* If blood, sweat and tears are not your idea of fun, you may want
to consider installing a home spa. Apart from hours of relaxation,
this addition will also enhance the value of your home. Spa's range
from the simply functional to state-of the-art inventions with silent
air induction systems, adjustable directional jets, underwater mood
lighting - and even flat screen TV's complete with DVD and CD players,
surround sound and, for good measure, a floating remote control.
* And finally, improved home security can bestow the gift of peace
of mind. Wireless systems are quick and easy to install and can
enhance existing security measures. Some models are ideal for perimeter
security and activate alarms, flashing lights or floodlights when
an intruder breaches your boundaries.
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Sweltering summer weather makes men's thoughts turn to installing
swimming pools - but careful planning is vital before you take the
plunge.
They can look inviting, afford hours of splashing fun and be a
great addition to summer entertaining - but pools do require maintenance.
You should make sure you have the time and inclination to keep up
a regular regimen or that you can afford the services of a maintenance
service.
In addition, pool plans must be passed by local authorities so
you need to find out what the requirements are in your area - and
check the regulations relating to pool safety measures such as fences
and child restraints.
And if the subsoil is unstable or your area is prone to rock strata,
you should consider a geotechnical survey to pinpoint potential
problems and prevent costly mistakes.
Once you have cleared these hurdles, consider the purpose of the
pool and discuss expectations with family members, who may have
widely diverging opinions. Consensus is important so you can choose
the right size and design of pool and derive maximum enjoyment once
the pool is installed.
When choosing a design, you should also make sure that it will
complement your garden - a tropical rock pool may, for instance,
look out of place in a formal garden.
Then get at least three quotes from reputable pool construction
firms and make sure that quotes are based on the same criteria to
make comparison easier. Only consider contractors who can give recent
references - and be sure to check these.
Hard landscaping, such as pool surrounds, will usually be included
in the construction contract, but you may want to plan for additional
features such as walkways or poolside patios and sundecks. Include
such costs in your overall budget.
Also provide for soft landscaping once construction is completed
and make sure that plants will complement and enhance the design
of the new pool.
And finally, although pool safety is paramount, especially if your
family is young, investigate options that will enhance the appeal
of your pool as well as provide the required safeguards.
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| Protect your asset by making your mark |
Most homeowners realise they have to look after
their property to protect the value of their asset - and it is no
different for those who own homes in gated developments such as
lifestyle estates or cluster complexes.
These are of course full title properties and require
the same attention as stand-alone suburban homes, with one important
addition - involvement in the Homeowners' Association (HOA), which
is responsible for the upkeep of the surrounding grounds and communal
facilities.
It is important to understand that HOAs are essentially
co-operative bodies that not only represent all owners but also
require their involvement in order to be effective. Apathy among
owners can quickly lead to disinterest by the willing few, or discord
in the community, especially in cases where individual homeowners
vehemently disagree after the fact with decisions taken by the HOA
directors.
Lack of co-operation is also an easy recipe for
poor planning and poor financial management - which will inevitably
lead to a declining "neighbourhood" and deteriorating
property values.
So if you live in an estate or a cluster complex and you want to
ensure that your property investment will grow, get involved and
become an active member of your HOA.
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South Africa has limited water resources so even
during the rainy season, homeowners need to be thinking about ways
to save water. And it's easy enough to do so just by making a few
small lchanges that will also keep your water bills down, such as
the following:
*If you have a leaky tap, replace the washer immediately.
A tap leaking at the rate of one drop per second will waste around
10 000L of water every year.
* Fit bathroom and kitchen taps with inexpensive
aerators or flow restrictors. A showerhead fitted with a flow restrictor
will use only about 7L of water per minute compared to 20L a minute
for an old-style showerhead.
* Use a timer and try to restrict your shower time
to less than five minutes.
* If you have an old-style toilet put a bottle
filled with water or a brick into the cistern to reduce the amount
of water used with each flush. The new-style toilets with flat cisterns
only use about 3 to 6L per flush.
* In the kitchen, start by keeping cold drinking
water in the fridge rather than running the tap until the water
gets cool and thaw frozen food in the fridge or microwave instead
of under running water.
*Also don't rinse hand-washed dishes under a running
tap. If you have a dual sink, fill one side with soapy water and
the other with rinsing water, or use a basin for rinsing.
* Don't use water-hungry kitchen-sink disposal
units. Rather try composting which is an environmentally friendly
alternative. Wash fresh fruit or vegetables in a laundy basin, not
under running water.
* And in the laundry, try always to wait until
you've got a full load before you use the washing machine. If you
do a half load, adjust the water level accordingly.
* If you're going really "green", why
not buy a water tank to catch the runoff from your roof and use
rainwater in your washing machine? Alternatively, channel grey water
from the washing machine rinse cycle to be re-used in your garden.
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