Philadelphia Getting Free Wireless?

My Facebook Shout Out

Even though Philadelphia has been the site of a lot of "phirsts" (yes, I know that's not how it's spelled, it's just a thing we do in Philly)we are not often thought of as the tech forward place we actually are.

So I was a little surprised by a shout out on Facebook that caused me to look at BambooWifi, a company that is trying to create mesh networking along our Third Street tech corridor in Northern Liberties. You may not be familiar with what mesh networking is, but simply put, it is a series of access points (or transmitters) that relay the network from point to point, allowing a low cost way to establish a truly wireless network. You can read more about how it works here.

What interested me most was the idea that Bamboo was offering this free to consumers in exchange for a small slice of their attention. If you watch a short (20-30 second) commercial, you get an hour of WiFi free. Right out in the open. Without logging on or off someone else's network. Without running up your cellular bill. Seems like a pretty good trade in a world where you trade 20 minutes of commercials for every hour of television programming you get for "free" from the networks.

I just spent a couple days on a cruise and didn't have internet access for 2 whole days. It was truly traumatic. We have become reliant on internet access, and like street lights, there is no reason for us to fumble in the dark because we don't have a viable cost effective solution. I hope the guys at Bamboo Wifi hit this one out of the park, but if they don't, they will have at least paved the way to  a more accessible future

Winter Blues, 9 Easy Ways To Brighten Your Home And Your Spirit

These gray, dreary winter days can really sap your energy and dull your enjoyment of life. To survive the winter doldrums, brighten your home.

Use These Easy Tips:

1. Open your home's window treatments during the day to let the light brighten and warm your room. Close them again as soon as night falls to retain heat.
2. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
3. Add a mirror. Wherever a mirror reflects light in a room, it visually doubles that light.  Place a mirror opposite a window to immediately brighten your space. No window?  Hang a large mirror above a console table and place a pair of lamps in front of the mirror.
4. Install higher watt bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
5. Eliminate dark corners by adding recessed lighting.
6. Use full spectrum lighting in areas where you read, knit or do other up-close work.
7. Lighten living areas with colorful throws and pillows.
8. Lift the winter blues by adding flowers and plants to your decor. Colorful indoor blooming plants include the African violet, Cyclamen, Orchid and desert cactus.  Use tropical flowers to transport yourself mentally to climates where the sun always shines.
9. Do A Little Winter Cleaning:
   1. Wash the inside of your windows. Fireplace and candle soot coats windows with a dingy film that blocks the sun.
   2. Polish your furniture. Shiny furniture reflects ambient light.
   3. Wash ceiling light fixtures in soapy water. Light is muted when filtered through dirty light fixtures.

Lighting can change how you (and potential buyers) feel about your home. It's one of the easiest and least expensive ways to quickly improve the ambiance of your home.

If you'd like to sell your home, I can help. Contact your real estate professional today.

Winter Blues, 9 Easy Ways To Brighten Your Home And Your Spirit

These gray, dreary winter days can really sap your energy and dull your enjoyment of life. To survive the winter doldrums, brighten your home.

Use These Easy Tips:

1. Open your home's window treatments during the day to let the light brighten and warm your room. Close them again as soon as night falls to retain heat.
2. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
3. Add a mirror. Wherever a mirror reflects light in a room, it visually doubles that light.  Place a mirror opposite a window to immediately brighten your space. No window?  Hang a large mirror above a console table and place a pair of lamps in front of the mirror.
4. Install higher watt bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
5. Eliminate dark corners by adding recessed lighting.
6. Use full spectrum lighting in areas where you read, knit or do other up-close work.
7. Lighten living areas with colorful throws and pillows.
8. Lift the winter blues by adding flowers and plants to your decor. Colorful indoor blooming plants include the African violet, Cyclamen, Orchid and desert cactus.  Use tropical flowers to transport yourself mentally to climates where the sun always shines.
9. Do A Little Winter Cleaning:
   1. Wash the inside of your windows. Fireplace and candle soot coats windows with a dingy film that blocks the sun.
   2. Polish your furniture. Shiny furniture reflects ambient light.
   3. Wash ceiling light fixtures in soapy water. Light is muted when filtered through dirty light fixtures.

Lighting can change how you (and potential buyers) feel about your home. It's one of the easiest and least expensive ways to quickly improve the ambiance of your home.

If you'd like to sell your home, I can help. Contact your real estate professional today.

First-Aid Guide For Furniture

When furniture arrives in your home, it's factory-issued, perfect and clean. From that day forward, however, accidents can happen, causing damage to your pieces. Sometimes the damage is permanent.
Know how to react when the inevitable spill or scratch occurs and you can "save" your furniture and extend its useful life.
From Martha Stewart, these "first-aid for furniture" tips should come in handy.
Wood

• Moisture "rings" : Pour table salt on the white rings/haze and cover with a terry cloth. Apply hair dryer on low setting until rings are gone.
• Alcohol spills : Blot spills immediately, do not rub. Apply small amounts of ammonia to damage.
• Wax spills : Allow to cool and harden, then freeze the wax with an ice cube in a sandwich bag. Use a butter knife to gently scrape off wax.

Fabric

• Red wine stains : Cover wine with table salt and let sit until salt has wicked up the wine. Vacuum salt and repeat, as necessary. Blot remaining stains with damp cloth and dish soap.
• General spills : Repeatedly blot with a damp white cloth. Use white cloths to prevent dye transfer.
• Oil spills : Cover spill with baking soda and vacuum once absorbed. Blot remaining stains with rubbing alcohol

Leather

• General stains : Blot with all-purpose household cleaner. To prevent fading in the upholstery, avoid products with bleach or bleach alternatives.
• Scratches : Apply saddle soap to a damp cloth and rub the scratch to help it "blend in". It won't go away.

The tips on leather furniture also makes mention that you should never bother with touch-up kits or colored markers. It's nearly impossible to match leather colors and your repair work will only make the scratch more noticeable.

If You're A Landlord, You Need A Landlord Insurance Policy

The ranks of the landlords are growing. Along with an increasing number of "accidental landlords", real estate investors now account for close to 20 percent of all home resales, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
If you plan to buy a rental property in Bensalem , or to convert your current residence for long-term rental, make sure your home is properly insured.
A traditional homeowners insurance policy may be unsuitable for landlords.
A landlord insurance policy typically covers the home itself; the owner's possessions in the home; structures on the land including garages and sheds; and, minimal liability coverage in the event of injury or lawsuit.
It's common for landlords to increase that minimal liability coverage, adding an umbrella policy for $1,000,000 or more. Umbrella policies protect your home from an unfavorable lawsuit related to just about anything -- housing-related or not.
Optionally, a policy may includes provisions for "lost rental income".
Annual premiums for a landlord insurance policy are often 20% more costly than for a standard homeowners policy. This puts the average landlord insurance premium near $950 per year.
Premiums vary by state, too. The top 3 most expensive states in which to insure a rented home are:

• Texas : $1,752 per year
• Florida : $1,668 per year
• Louisiana : $1,386 per year

At $464 per year, Idaho is the least expensive state in which to hold a landlord insurance policy.
Talk with your insurance agent about your insurance options as a landlord. There are tens of choices and coverages from which you can choose. Let a professional help you pick the best choice.