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        <title>Boca Raton Real Estate News</title>
        <link>http://www.bocahome.com/blog/home-repairs/</link>
        <description>Visit our Boca Raton real estate blog for up-to-date events and current home buying or selling advice. Boca Raton, Florida is a hot spot in today real estate markets.</description>
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            <guid>http://www.bocahome.com/blog/looking-to-renovate-your-boca-raton-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.bocahome.com/blog/looking-to-renovate-your-boca-raton-home.html</link>
            <author> ( )</author>
            <title>Considerations before renovating your home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Are you interested in renovating your Home?


Estimating Rehabbing Costs


With so many great foreclosure and short sale opportunities available right now, many investors and buyers are taking advantage of Boca Raton distressed properties that need rehabbing. If you can do the work yourself, you will save a bundle of dollars. Not every foreclosure needs a total extreme makeover because there are some luxury Boca Raton REO’s that just needs cosmetic repairs such as painting, changing flooring and lighting.


The Best Ways to Use Rehab Dollars 


Follow the 1:3 rule. For every dollar you spend, you get $3.00 back. Certain repairs will net you a higher rate of return such as rehabbing kitchens and baths. If you cannot do the work yourself, ask your Boca Raton Realtor for contractor recommendations. Realtors have established relationships with all different types of vendors and contractors such as plumbers, heating and air conditioning repair companies and electricians. Get three estimates to compare services. If you have can purchase the materials yourself, you will save some money. Look for close outs on flooring and buy from discount places or companies that are going out of business. When you are purchasing a handyman special, the property will probably need systems such as the roof, electrical, plumbing, and the home may have structural damage so be sure you have a thorough home inspection before making a commitment to redo the entire home.


To get started with estimating your rehab costs, try using a rehab calculator. You can find them online. If you are purchasing the home to live in, then you will probably want to use more expensive and better quality materials unless you are buying a luxury property that you intend to rent out as a vacation home. Once you have rehabbed a few properties, you will get more comfortable with the process. The biggest reason investors lose money on their rehab projects is they fail to estimate their repairs accurately, and end up going way over their budgets. Take your time and do it right so you don’t regret your investment and end up paying for it years later. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:28:14 -0400</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.bocahome.com/blog/innovative-pump-unclogs-air-conditioning-drain-lines.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.bocahome.com/blog/innovative-pump-unclogs-air-conditioning-drain-lines.html</link>
            <author> ( )</author>
            <title>Innovative Pump Unclogs Air Conditioning Drain Lines</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Mighty A/C Drain Pump Invented By Local Boca Raton Resident

This past March we received an online comment about a product called Mighty Pump, which is a hand pump thats specifically designed for clearing clogs from A/C condensation lines.
I had never heard of Mighty Pump, so I called and spoke with the companys president and found out that the product was introduced just a few weeks earlier.&nbsp;The owner&nbsp;had been a licensed air conditioning contractor in Boca Raton, Florida for over 30 years and knew firsthand how much water damage can be caused by a clogged condensate line. So, the Mighty 
Pump was invented, which&nbsp;now sells online for about $70.

As an interesting side note, about 90% of&nbsp;central-air service calls&nbsp;are related to water leaks.&#8232;Here are the three main reasons why a leak occurs: 1) theres a crack or hole in overflow drain pan, 2) theres a clogged condensate line and water backs up and floods the overflow pan, or 3) the air filter is clogged with dirt, which causes the evaporator coil to ice up and then drip water.
So, you can easily eliminate two of the three causes of water leaks by keeping the condensate line clear of clogs, and by regularly changing the air filter. Heres another valid reason to keep the condensate line clear: Most modern A/C units are equipped with a water-overflow cutoff switch, which automatically shuts down the A/C unit if it detects a clogged condensate line. The switch helps prevent water damage, which is good, but most homeowners dont know why their air conditioner suddenly stops, and they end up calling a service technician.
Mighty Pump is the first readily available tool that homeowners can use to keep condensate lines flowing freely. It looks similar to a bicycle pump, except that it has two hoses. The hose on the inlet side is used to suck clogs from the very end of the condensate line. The other hose is on the exhaust side of the pump, and is used to blow out clogs from the upper end of the line, near the air handler.

With its ability to deliver a one-two punch to clogs, Mighty Pump is a must-have tool for every central-air homeowner. And now, thanks to our smart and vocal fan base, I, too, know about this indispensable new tool.&nbsp; More information is available at their website at www.ACDrainPump.com ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2011 12:25:05 -0400</pubDate>
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