"Your home is your castle." "There's no place like home." "Home is where the heart is." "Make a house into a home." We have all heard these and countless other adages about the bond between an individual and their dwelling. It doesn't matter if we are describing a mobile home or a mansion, a quaint cottage or sprawling estate. For most people, their home is among their largest investments. Even in a tough economy with rampant foreclosures, a house is also one of the best ways to build wealth over time. Equity comes from paying down debt, as well as increasing the value of the property. And just as a high tide raises all boats (that are in the water), an improving market elevates the vast majority of housing values. Of course, a poorly maintained, leaking boat will struggle to stay above the tides and the same can be said of a poorly maintained house.

This blog will delve into some off the many systems that comprise a house (roofing, ventilation, HVAC, insulation, windows, entry systems, flooring, kitchen and bath). We will discuss what it takes to keep these systems functioning properly, how to maintain them, and what to look for when replacing or upgrading them.

Home improvement is a scary business. Cutting corners to save a few bucks may end up costing you dearly in aggravation, legal entanglements, premature system failure and subsequent replacement. Unpaid subcontractors can place a lien on your home, even if you paid the entire amount of the contract. Does the contractor carry insurance? The Yellow Pages ad may say so, but those claims are never verified. A worker getting injured on the job potentially places the home-owner at risk of liability. "Lifetime" warranties are only as strong as the company that backs them up. With nearly 70% of contractors going under within 7 years, who do you go after if/when something goes wrong? Buried deep in the fine print, it is all-too common to find clauses nullifying warranty protection if installation is not in accordance with manufacturer specifications. How does an unsuspecting homeowner know if the installation is done properly and in accordance with those specifications?

This blog will help to expose the issues that can turn a home improvement project into a nightmare. Knowing how to protect yourself should provide some much needed peace of mind.






Thursday, May 7, 2015

Career Fair in Brookfield draws hundreds of applicants

http://www.scrippsmedia.com/tmj4/news/Career-Fair-to-be-held-in-Brookfield-Wednesday-302753851.html  

 Video by tmj4.com

 By Bridget Shanahan. CREATED May 6, 2015 - UPDATED: May 6, 2015
BROOKFIELD -- The summer hiring season is upon us, and a job fair in Brookfield is expected to draw hundreds.
"A lot of jobs pick up during the summer time, a lot of companies hire just for the next few months," said Sarah Ibarra with Hire Live.
This job fair at this hotel in Brookfield offers more one on one time than most -- companies have their own suite and more privacy.
"You're not going to be coming in and just dropping off your resume," Ibarra said. "You get to sit down speak with a lot of these hiring managers, head recruiters, district managers who will get the time to speak with you about the opportunity not just collect resumes."
So that means more interview time, anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
"Are they smiling. Are they happy to be here? Are they looking for a future and a career not just a job?" said Bill Cherette with Sears.
The guys at Sears are looking for sales reps for their home improvement division -- things really pick up this time of year and they say job fairs are one of the best ways to find new hires.
"We're looking for three to four [people], however with the right candidate we may bring on as many as six," Cherette said.
If you couldn't make it out today and are looking for something -- you can also...
"Go on to a lot of the job boards. We do post our jobs on monster, career builder, indeed. Zip recruiter. Reaching out to the local colleges, as well," Ibarra said.
Hire Live will be  hosting job fairs in the Milwaukee area every other month. Their next one is in July.


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