Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens

(Source: Mortgage Capital Associates) written by Linda Ivanov

Outdoor kitchens are exploding in popularity throughout America. Paired with outdoor living rooms, these trendy open-air living spaces are an elegant upgrade for your home. Take the fun outside!

Expand the usable area of your home by incorporating built-in features that blur the line between indoor and outdoor space. No longer just for luxury properties, outdoor kitchens are becoming a standard expectation. A well-designed and outfitted outdoor kitchen can seal the deal in a real estate transaction. It will add value to your home and be an important selling feature down the road.

An outdoor kitchen creates the perfect setting for parties or family meals. Toss aside the old-fashioned grill, picnic table and patio concept. These modern living spaces are elegant, comfortable, and practical. More than just a place to cook, today’s outdoor kitchens are fully equipped for entertaining. 

When planning your ideal open-air space there are many options. Go for the best design and quality of equipment you can afford while focusing on year-round use. Sheltered kitchens and seating areas can be used rain or shine and extend the season for enjoying nature. Even if you live in a region with relatively short summers, an outdoor kitchen let’s you enjoy the season to its fullest.

The centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen is a built-in grill. Consider where you will bring in gas, power and water lines when planning the layout. Incorporate a refrigerator, wine cooler and a sink. No need to run back and forth to your indoor kitchen. Adequate counter space for preparation and serving will add to your outdoor cooking experience. Work with your vendor to select the best options for rust-free and low maintenance equipment.

Read full article here>>

Your outdoor space can be more than a kitchen. Expand the concept by creating an outdoor living room filled with comfortable seating and accent tables. Select furniture, fabrics and rugs that will resist weather-related damage while adding decorative pizazz.

Create privacy and define the space with columns, half-walls and a fireplace. Use landscaping, fountains, or decorative items to customize your space. Plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs all around your outdoor kitchen. They are not only decorative, but your guests will love the fresh ingredients.

Just like the center island in your indoor kitchen, create one outdoors.  Tie the kitchen and living areas together with a raised table with high chairs for casual dining. Add a separate large table for traditional seating.

There are many options for your hardscape ranging from stone, brick, granite, tile, and stucco. Use stressed lumber for decorative shelving or a fireplace mantel. Bamboo and redwood are great options for weather-resistant woods.

Lighting is important for using your new space after dark. Incorporate traditional wired fixtures for basic lighting. Supplement with solar-power accent lights, candles or lamps. Your fireplace, or fire pit, will create natural lighting and a romantic atmosphere, not to mention warmth after the sun sets. You can also create warmth by adding propane-fired heaters at night, and a cooling breeze during the day with outdoor-rated ceiling fans.

Orient your new space to factor in heavy shade, overwhelming sun or windy conditions. Your goal is to spend time outdoors in your new living area, not be driven back inside by the elements. Durability and function of all items in your living space are important considerations.

Keep in mind that your local officials will require a building permit for your project, so be prepared. If you are making this a DIY project, find out what is necessary to streamline the permit and inspection process to avoid delays. Bring in the pros for electrical, plumbing and other critical utilities.

The most exciting trend in outdoor kitchen construction is the wood-fired pizza oven. Nothing compares to the taste of a pizza baked the time-honored way. 

Creative design can transform your outdoors into a comfortable and fun area for open-air entertaining. You may never want to go back to cooking inside!

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Design a Luxury Garage for Your Exotic Cars

(Source: Mortgage Capital Associates) written by Linda Ivanov

Insane, over-the-top, themed luxury garages are trending! You’ve been cruising around in your exotic car or heading home from a classic car show with your latest trophy.

You can’t just park your rolling work of art in a standard garage, drop the old-fashioned door and walk away. Tisk, tisk, no way! You and your special car deserve a luxury garage where it can be showcased, be the center of attention.

Whether you own one, or dozens, of these beauties get creative in designing a space that is unique. After all, half the fun is driving your car; the other half is admiring your car. Only a dream garage offers the proper showcase for your high-octane treasures.

Read full article here>>

For lots of fun photos, click here, 

or query your browser for luxury garage.

http://www.luxury4play.com/automotive/36568-worlds-most-beautiful-garages-exotics-insane-garage-picture-thread-50-pics.html

Organizations see social media as threat rather than asset

Interesting, my last post shared a survey conducted by Burson-Marsteller indicating strong growth in the adoption of social media by Fortune 100 global companies, and a view that it helped grow their business. HBR's assessment shows organizations view social media as a threat. ~ Linda

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(Source: Harvard Business Review) 

Most Organizations Still Fear Social Media

[Excerpt] In just a few years, social media has come to dominate many of our personal communications. We collaborate daily, sometimes productively, sometimes not. Most organizations, however, still view social media as a threat to productivity, intellectual capital, security, privacy, management authority, or regulatory compliance. In fact, this is the most common attitude among the more than 250 organizations that have taken our Social Readiness Assessment. 

Read full article and poll here>>

Add Google author tags to generate traffic for your blog

Thanks Social Media Examiner for your great article about adding Google author tags and  "Contributing to" link to my blog urls in Google+ profile. Just tried it, now I'll sit back and see what new traffic it generates. Heck, I'm going to just share the entire article. So many great details and instructions here to help us to better understand social media.  

Read full article here>> http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/google-author-tags/

Facebook's Airtime Lets You Video Chat On Any Platform

Love it. Two gals in their closet video chatting, perhaps comparing what to wear? Check out this adorable promo video. I like the idea of an app that can be used on any platform without a download. Simply login with Facebook, link to the Airtime app, and you are ready to chatter, giggle, and wave to your friends directly from your browser, from inside your own closet :)

http://vimeo.com/43359572

LinkedIn Becomes More Social

LinkedIn is delivering news content to professionals through its LinkedIn Today product. This week they adopted new social features that allow commenting on news articles.  You can use their new tab filter "Trending in Your Network" to deliver news that the most relevant to your professional network. Read the article here.

While they were tweeking the site, LinkedIn rolled out an easier way to navigate the homepage. With these new features perhaps this casual user, will be tempted to use my LinkedIn account more often. Read the article here.

(Source: LinkedIn)

Burson-Marsteller's #SocialMedia Study Packed With Content

Do you have clients who need a little persuasion to convince them of the merits of a social media campaign? They ask, why go to all this trouble? A newly released study by Burson-Marsteller answers that question. It tracks adoption of social media by Fortune 100 global businesses. It shows steady growth in the use of social media and adapting to new features and platforms. The largest growth was the use of video to promote business through YouTube by creating branded channels. These global businesses also use Facebook and Twitter to drive engagement through multiple accounts that can be targeted to different demographics and geographic regions. Click here for study results and a presentation.

(Source: Burson-Marsteller)

Wells Fargo Loses Mortgage Loan Discrimination Suit: Pay Up!

(Source: Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wells Fargo Bank will pay at least $175 million to settle accusations that it discriminated against African-American and Hispanic borrowers in violation of fair-lending laws, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

Wells Fargo, the nation's largest residential home mortgage originator, allegedly engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers from 2004 through 2009.

At a news conference, Deputy Attorney General James Cole said the bank's discriminatory lending practices resulted in more than 34,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers in 36 states and the District of Columbia paying higher rates for loans solely because of the color of their skin.

Cole said that with the settlement, the second largest of its kind in history, the government will ensure that borrowers hit hard by the housing crisis will have an opportunity to access homeownership.

Read full article here>>

The part of the settlement for $125 million deals with mortgages that were priced and sold by independent mortgage brokers through Wells Fargo's wholesale channel. The financial institution said that it is discontinuing financing mortgages that are originated, priced and sold by independent mortgage brokers through the mortgage wholesale channel.

"Through our separate decision to no longer fund mortgages through independent mortgage brokers, we can control how that commitment" to serving home ownership needs "is met on every mortgage that Wells Fargo makes," said Mike Heid, president of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

#Facebook Groups and Facebook Messenger Get Read Receipt Capability

I like the feature in my MS Outlook at the office, but is it appropriate or useful for Facebook Group users? Read full article here>>

(Source: Mashable.com)

Worried that a message you posted to your Facebook Group went unread? Worry no longer.

Members will soon be able to see exactly who has viewed each update posted to a Group, Facebook announced Wednesday. Below each post appears “Seen by” followed by a number; users can hover over the text to see who read each message and when they read it. The feature, which Facebooks calls “read receipts,” also work on mobile.

Facebook introduced read receipts into another of its applications, Facebook Messenger, in early May. The feature appears in both one-on-one messages and in group chats.

Read receipts are undoubtedly useful in the context of Groups, but are already raising privacy concerns. Rubina Madan Fillion, social media editor at SmartMoney and The Wall Street Journal, immediately dubbed it “creepy.”

What do you think of the new functionality? How would you feel if read receipts were integrated into other parts of Facebook, like personal or brand status updates?

Social Media Provokes More Plastic Surgery?

(Source: Mashable.com)

Doctors say Facebook and video-chatting tools like Skype and FaceTime have partly fueled this decade’s boom in plastic surgery.

 

“People will come in and say, ‘I saw myself in the mirror, but I didn’t really notice it until I saw myself on Facebook or on my iPhone or iPad,’” says Dr. Adam Schaffner, a New York plastic surgeon. “When you look in the mirror you’re seeing the mirror image of yourself. But when you see yourself on social media, you’re seeing yourself the way the world sees you.”

This new, social-media-derived vanity is driving plastic surgeons to cater to the growing market. Schaffner performs a surgery called the “Lifestyle Lift,” a minimally invasive procedure to tighten up the face. 

Read full article here>>

 

Watch Your Words! #Facebook Monitors Your Chats for Criminal Activity

(Source: Mashable.com)

#Facebook and other social platforms are watching users’ chats for criminal activity and notifying police if any suspicious behavior is detected, according to a report.

The screening process begins with scanning software that monitors chats for words or phrases that signal something might be amiss, such as an exchange of personal information or vulgar language. 

The software pays more attention to chats between users who don’t already have a well-established connection on the site and whose profile data indicate something may be wrong, such as a wide age gap. The scanning program is also “smart” — it’s taught to keep an eye out for certain phrases found in the previously obtained chat records from criminals including sexual predators.

Read full article here>>

Improve your #SocialMedia videos with these handy tips and gear

As a professional videographer, hauling around the typical heavy camera and gear, I find this article particularly interesting. While the smartphone camera's can't compete with professional quality settings and capabilities, they are fun and easy to use for social media sites. ~~Linda

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(Source: USA Today)

With more than 365 million Apple mobile devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch) and 350 million Android devices in consumers' hands, it's easy to say that more folks have access to a video camera than ever before.

But how to take advantage of the surprisingly robust video features offered by the mobile devices? It's a question many are grappling with, as they produce shaky videos with poor sound that don't look as polished as some of the best work on YouTube and Facebook.

There are easy solutions.

In a nutshell, steady the image and improve the sound, and you're halfway home. The good news: You don't need a big video camera anymore to get great videos.

The cameras in smartphones have so improved that with a little thought and some tools, you can make great-looking work.

Read full article and watch video >>

Realtors! New Facebook app displays MLS-approved IDX listings

Realtors building a social media presence? This new Facebook app sounds like a great idea. Check out details here >>

California's High Speed Rail Funded: Watch Your Wallet!

Well, the nutty boondoggle high speed rail project got funded today. Watch your wallet, California taxpayers are about to be soaked for the next 30 years on this pipe dream project that will benefit the consultants, rail designers and construction crews. Anyone remember why the government took over Amtrak? And it still loses money.

I would rather see light rail in the middle of every freeway instead of car pools and this really stupid HSR. Can't imagine getting on the train to go from Los Angeles to San Francisco when there are plenty of airplanes and I would still need a rental car. I love trains, but this idea is just not the right way to go. Even the HSR in major European routes are struggling to stay solvent.Yet, California's nutty government officials press forward.

Read full article here >>

Facebook Tabs Engagement Has Striking Decline

Mashable reports a huge drop in tab engagement since Facebook launched its new timeline format. I miss many of the tabs and functions that used to be on my page. Don't like the way I'm limited to a few boxes that can show under the cover photo.

Read full article here >>

 

Top 30 Social Media Bloggers: Get the list now

I'll be checking out this great resource. watch out, getting ready to hit the "following" button on Twitter, for sure!

Get the list here, read full article from Promotion World >>

Handy Guide Explains Facebook Promoted Posts

Great article by the Social Media Examiner. Lots of confusion over this issue, especially in the non-profit world, plenty of folks are outraged they have to pay to reach their fans.

Full article here >> http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-promoted-posts/

SCORE Workshop WordPress & Social Media

About SCORE: http://www.score.org/

Article link:  http://bit.ly/NAPW6u 

Registration link: http://conta.cc/MVRUTj

Where & When

Date: Saturday July 14, 2012

Time: Part 1 8:00 Am to 10:00 AM

Time: Part 2 10:00 Am to 1:45 PM  

Location:

National University

3390 Harbor Blvd.

Costa Mesa,, CA 92626

Cost:

Part 1 No-charge

Part 2 $139 Online only

If you have never taken advantage of SCORE services, now might be a great time to consider. They have jumped on the Social Media bandwagon and offer a wide variety of seminars, most of them free! I highly recommend. They have excellent speakers and do a great job covering the topic.

~~ blogger Linda Ivanov

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SCORE Workshop

Supercharge Your WordPress Marketing

Plus Bonus

Social Media Marketing Made Simple

Click here to pre-register 

Join Us For A 2-Part Session Focusing on a WordPress Bootcamp  plus Bonus Social Media Marketing Made Simple

Plan on arriving early, 8;00 - 8:30 am for Registration & Networking.   Part 1 starts promptly at 8:30 am and starts the day with Social Media Marketing Made Simple (No-charge) that will cover strategies and best practices to get the most out of your social media activities, including: What social media marketing really is and why use it Introduction to social media channels and how to evaluate what's right for your business or organization How small businesses are using these low-cost tools to gain visibility, develop relationships and drive sales and response How to create good content for your social media marketing campaigns and time management How to balance social media marketing with email marketing and your other marketing efforts

Part 2 will begin at 10:00 am  Roll up your sleeves and dive into WordPress.During this bootcamp experts will demonstrate how to manage and maintain a blog or website with WordPress. Plus you'll walk away knowing the latest, greatest & coolest tools designed to save you time and money.  What you will learn: Why WordPress is so popular for business websites & blogs How to leverage the power & flexibility of WordPress to increase sales How to choose the right theme How to update & manage your blog or website Top 10 Must Have Plugins Learn the difference between Plugins and Widgets Helpful WordPress Resources & Tips 12 Keys to Successful Blogs How to measure & track results with Analytics During the later half of the WordPress bootcamp you will have hands-on assistance from the experts.  Who is this seminar designed for? Businesses that are... Using WordPress for their blog Using WordPress for their website Considering making the switch to WordPress We strongly recommend that you have the latest version of WordPress 3.4 installed and have access to it via your web hosting company. If you do not already have WordPress installed, you will be provided with access to a "practice" WordPress site where you will gain hands-on experience. Please note that access to the "practice" site will only be made available on July 14th. We strongly advise you to have a current backup of your website or blog prior to attending the event. We are happy to assist you but not responsible for any issues if you do not have a back up. The hands-on portion of the bootcamp will NOT be covering the following: styling, custom programming, plug-in conflicts and theme conflicts. Refund policy: Attendance to Session/Part 2 is by paid admission only and is specifically associated with this event, date and venue.    Registration/payment for Part 2 cannot be transferred, traded, substituted or refunded. Registrants for Part2 that cannot attend the paid event, for what ever reason, will simply forfeit the cost of admission. Cost for Part 2 - $139.00

Space is limited, sign up today!  Please Click Here to pre-register

SCORE services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, gender, national origin, or disability

Become a Social Media Manager

http://socialmediamanagerschool.com/landing/freeclass-2/

Sharing a great video (1 hr) that takes you through the process of becoming an effective social media manager. How to attract clients and what to charge for your services. 

Health Care Reform: Should It Stay or Should It Go?

With the Supreme Court’s long-anticipated decision now behind us, the news has sparked another frenzy of debate. Pundits and concerned citizens are busy reanalyzing and reinterpreting the pros and cons of the health care reform legislation as it now stands.

Keying off a popular song, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” public debate will be dominated by the health care issue from now until the general election in November. Supporters and opposition are cranking up the rhetoric to drive the polls to their favor.

The “It Should Stay” side points to the landmark legislation as the most significant reform of our health care system since Medicare that finally will bring services and coverage to all Americans. They vow to press forward to implement the provisions of the legislation.

On the “It Should Go” side, the opposition derides the legislation as the largest government power grab, ever, accompanied by the largest tax increase in U.S. history. They agree that the country needs health care reform, but want to scrap the legislation and start over to craft a plan that does not involve a government take over of this significant sector of our economy.

 Now that we have a decision on the constitutionality of the legislation we are forced to face the reality of what health care reform will mean for our business and our personal life. For most people, absolutely nothing will change. A majority of U.S. citizens receive health care benefits connected with their employment. These private sector programs will remain essentially intact.

As the implementation milestones start to roll out, Americans without health coverage must make choices that will significantly impact their budget. States will be setting up and structuring health benefit exchanges. Businesses will be analyzing whether to keep their current benefits package or move into the exchange. Individuals working for small companies, self-employed workers, unemployed and those without insurance will turn to the new exchanges to purchase affordable policies.

How will these exchanges work? Perhaps a typical individual policy costs $500 per month at an HMO. That individual will now be able to purchase the policy through the exchange. Based upon level of income, he or she will receive a subsidy from the government exchange to pay a portion or all of the monthly cost.

How will health care reform affect your ability to pay your mortgage? For many who join the exchange there will be more room in their monthly budget. For others, the intent of the reform is to keep health care costs under control. A catastrophic illness, chronic condition or long term care will no longer bankrupt Americans or hijack all of the hard earned equity in their home.

With the debate still in progress, and the outcome uncertain, Americans still have the opportunity to add their voice and answer the question, “Should It Stay or Should It Go?”

Market Mixed for First-Time Buyers

(Source: Mortgage Capital Associates)

Market conditions are mixed for first time buyers who traditionally purchase nearly half of the homes for sale. They are not stymied by lost equity of an existing home that keeps others sitting on the sidelines. Yet they face stiff competition from cash flushed investors and bidders with bigger down payments who are scooping up available inventory.

There is plenty of incentive to press forward for the first-time buyer. The inventory of foreclosures and stressed properties is still significant. New construction is picking up in some regions of the country. Rents are on a steady incline. According to a recent study, it is cheaper to own in 98 of 100 top metro areas. For a buyer determined to make the transition from renter to owner their dream can become a reality in today’s market.

Best advise, get prequalified before you head out to make an offer. Rates are low right now and holding steady, but getting a loan can be difficult. It is well worth the time and effort to optimize your creditworthiness by paying down unsecured debt, delay purchasing a new car and forego impulse buys. Aggressively save toward your down payment. Do your research. Study your loan application to reveal any unforeseen issues.

Now you are ready to secure the best rates, lowest points, and most affordable closing costs. It may take longer and require more effort to find the best mortgage loan in today’s market. Considering a FHA loan option? You might face the toughest challenge. In today’s market FHA buyers with low down payments are being pushed aside. On the seller’s side, FHA loans often require more home repairs before closing, making these offers less attractive. Look at your options to secure a conventional loan to strengthen your offer.

Getting prequalified will significantly boost your ability to make a strong offer on that new home. Your goal is to make your offer as streamlined as possible for the seller. Capture the deal you want by being prepared.

The market is ripe for first time buyers despite tight credit and an uncertain economy. Ask yourself, “Is it the right time for me to buy a home?” If the answer is yes, visit our website to learn the requirements for completing your loan application. Mortgage Capital Associates can help you make informed decisions about your home loan options.

Social Media Humor: Post It Maze