Best Cities to Rent In the US

According to Forbes.com Charlotte is one of the top 10 cities to rent in, in the US. 

Best Cities, No. 10: Charlotte, N.C.

Average Monthly Rent: $697
Change in Rent year-over-year: 2.8% increase
First Quarter Vacancy Rate: 7.5%
Mortgage Payment v. Rent Payment: $665 cheaper to rent

The number 1 city to rent in is Tuscon, AZ, other top cities include: Jacksonville, FL, Phoenix, AZ, Columbus, OH, Kansas City, MO, Las Vagas, NV, St. Louis, MO, Houston, TX, & San Antonio, TX. 

Still I think that Charlotte placing in the top 10 is a big deal, it gives promise to a rebounding economy. 

How to Become A Community Leader

Becoming a community leader can be a rewarding and important role that can change a whole area for the better. It takes a special person to step up and take action to make their community a better place.  Do you see small changes that could be made to better your neighbors and area? Do you think a new playground should be added? Or maybe a food bank should be started? Are you annoyed with people not taking action to solve problems?  If this rings true to you, then why not do something about it?

Take it upon yourself to make a change, and get involved. It doesn't have to be life altering or changing a law, but if you think it's important then fight for your cause. Even if you don't think you are a leader, all you need is the passion and determination to get things done or changed.

Becoming a community leader can be socially rewarding too, since you will have to talk to people and ask their opinions on the issues close to your heart.  Other people will become more involved if you show them that their opinions matter. You will make new friends and inspire change. You will be able to help your community grow closer together.

All you need is the drive to make something happen; by deciding to stand up for what you think is right you might be able to change your community. So do you have any ideas on how to change your neighborhood?

Passed Bills

On June 15, I blogged about the pending bills that would affect HOAs. There have been some decisions about Bill 165 and 183, while 373 is still in discussion.

House Bill 165, which states foreclosures of HOA liens may only be filed when the unpaid HOA assessments are at least 90 days past due, and only when the foreclosure is authorized by the HOA's board has passed, and will take effect on October 1st. The NC Real Estate Commission has been directed to develop a disclosure form to be provided by the seller to the buyer stating information about the HOA, descriptions of the services it provides, information on unpaid assessments owed on the lot, information on any unsatisfied judgments or pending suits, and any fees charged by the HOA or management company in connection with the sale of the lot.

House Bill 183, as proposed would have barred HOAs from using the foreclosure process to collect delinquent assessments. This would be detrimental to NC, so the legislature rewrote the bill to call for a legislative committee to study foreclosures by HOAs of liens for unpaid assessments.

No action has happened on the Senate Bill 373, known as the "Community Associations Managers Licensing Act," that would require professional community association managers be licensed by the state.

Water Safety Tips

Summer is upon us and with temperatures in the 90’s we all want to find a way to beat the heat.  Swimming pools, water parks, and oceans are all options that people choose to keep cool, but with these come the importance of water safety.  In many states, drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths in young 

children, so it’s important to teach your children how to swim.

Swimming lessons can save your child’s life, and can be taught from the age of one.  Even if your child or teen knows how to swim encourage them to go out with a buddy just in case something happens. It’s also important to make sure that the swimming pool has a life guard on duty. When on the open water such as a lake or the ocean, life jackets can mean the difference between life or death.

Supervision of your children is an important duty of parents or siblings. Make sure young children always have someone watching them when they are swimming. Don’t always rely on a life guard to do their job. You are their first line of defense if they get to tired or roughhouse with friends.

Wear sunscreen!!! This isn’t a water safety tip, but it is a critical one for anyone spending extended time in the sun. Using sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 45 will help prevent burns from a day in the sun. It’s important to reapply the sunscreen at least ever hour to stay protected; fair skinned people should reapply every 30 minutes. Keep some aloe vera in the refrigerator just in case some burns do happen, it will sooth the tender burnt skin. Your children will thank you for the cool gel.

Remember to hydrate when you are out at a pool or outside event. It’s important to bring some water and snacks to keep both you and your children happy in the sun. Sodas and caffeine drinks aren’t good for hot sunny days, as they contribute to dehydration. 

Keep these tips in mind when you are out with your family this summer. 

New E-Waste Ban in NC

Today July 1st, North Carolina becomes the latest state to fight back against the growing amount of e-waste in landfills. E-waste includes televisions, laptops, desktop computers, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, key boards, and mice. The ban is designed to keep harmful chemicals and materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium out of the ground and water. It also encourages people to recycle safely.

Many counties in North Carolina offer collection programs for electronics and white goods- large household appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, and wasting machines.  All computer manufacturers are required to offer a free mail-back for their own equipment, and some offer additional kinds of recycling. Goodwill is another place to take your waste. They will either resell it or give it to the proper recycling centers. The NCDENR offers a comprehensive list of recycling options in the state, click here to find out more.

You might think this ban is harmful and inconvenient, but it's not; the ban will benefit the environment and the economy of North Carolina. The state is home to about a half-dozen major electronic recycling companies, which is more than most other states. “By capturing valuable materials for reuse and reducing our dependence on landfills, electronics recycling can help us achieve both our environmental and economic development goals,” said Secretary Dee Freeman of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “I encourage all North Carolinians to join in this effort to make the electronics disposal ban a success.”

So think twice when you want to throw away an old piece of electronic equipment.  

Emergency Kit

Hurricane season is upon us once again, and with it comes the threat of storm damage and panic. The most common types of natural disasters in North Carolina are: hurricanes, tornadoes, nor'easters, drought, and flooding. It's good to have a plan of action just in case some type of storm or natural disasters occurs around you.

First off, it’s important to have an emergency kit around the house just in case the worst does happen. Your kit should have enough supplier to last everyone at least three days, although longer is better. All of your supplies should be in the same place, and be able to move and be portable if that time comes. Rubbermaid containers work really well, since they are plastic, come in different sizes, have lids and easy carrying handles. Clean garbage cans also work well.

The kit should have:

·        

A    Minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day.

o   Refresh your supply every 6 months

o   It’s also helpful to keep more for non-drinking purposes

·         Canned foods are a good choice to have.

o   Canned or boxed juices, milk, soup, & powdered milk.

o   Peanut butter is a good source of protein

o   Instant Coffee and tea

o   A manual can opener!

o   Date everything & refresh every 6 months

·         First Aid kit

o   First aid manual, scissors, sterile bandages, gauze pads, cotton balls, safety pins, gloves

o   Antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide or other cleansing agents, moistened toweletts

o   Needles, thread, tweezers , thermometer

o   Aspirin, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, vitamins, ipecac

·         Essential Tools and Supplies

o   Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

o   Flashlight/lantern with extra batteries

o   Matches in a waterproof container

o   Candles

o   Wrench, pliers, shovel, hammer, other tools

o   Duct tape & plastic sheeting

o   Fire extinguisher

o   Paper, pens, pencils

o   Disposable plates, cups, and utensils

o   Plastic trash bags

o   Hand sanitizer, liquid detergent, soap, toilet paper, paper towels

o   Bleach & other disinfectant cleaners

o   Household documents, contact numbers, copies of important documents

o   Blankets, bedding, sleeping bags

o   Extra clothes and shoes

o   Supplies for pets

o   Things to kill time: games, toys, books

·         Car Supplies

o   Emergency backpack of clothes, food, first aid

o   Store food and water in the car

o   Keep you car supplied with car items: jumper cables, flares, salt, chains, other seasonal items

o   Keep your tank filled.

It’s an easy thing to do with things around your house, and it will help you out in case of an emergency.

Saftey Tips for Your Home

You never think it's going to happen to you, but crime is unavoidable in this day and age. We like to think that our homes and communities are safe from this, but sometimes they are not, so it's good to have basic safety and security in your home. Here are some easy tips to help make your home less of a target. 

• ·         Make sure all of your doors and windows are locked when you leave or go to sleep.

• ·         Leave the porch lights on at night or if this gets too expensive install a motion sensor light.

• ·         Keep a light or lamp on when you are not home at night, so it looks like someone is inside.

• ·         Install a peep hole, or always ask who is at the door before you open it.

• ·         Make friends with your neighbors and ask them to report suspicious behavior if they see it.

• ·         Curtains help keep your things hidden from wandering eyes and potential burglars.

• ·         Use your security alarm whenever you leave your home or go to sleep.

• ·         Take pictures of your valuables just in case something happens. This will help with insurance claims.

• ·         Keep your car keys by you when you sleep, you can use your car alarm to alert neighbors if someone does break in at night.

• ·         Talk to your roommates about safety and security. It only takes one person to leave everyone else vulnerable.

If you make these things routine and are aware of your surroundings then you will lead safer life and be more protected.