How To Lay A Brick Pathway

Prepare to Lay a Paver Path

Lay out pegs and string lines along the edges of the path. Dig out the path area to a depth of paver height plus a 2-inch (5-cm) sand bed.

Create a Form for the Path

Put treated wood edging into the excavated area. Drive in wooden pegs on the external side of the board to keep it in place.

Lay the Sand Base for the Pavers

Compact the soil with a rammer. Pour sharp sand into the excavated area and use a wooden furring strip notched out at each end to level off the sand surface to the depth required for the pavers.

Prepare to Cut Paver Blocks

Position the paver between the jaws of the block splitter. Align the point you wish to cut.

Cut the Pavers

Lower the handle of the splitter to break the paver in two.

Laying a Paver Path

Lay blocks in your chosen design. Butt each end up against the next.


This #FoldingTechnique Will Change The Way You Pack Forever

With airline baggage fees constantly creeping up, people are doing anything to pack as much into their carry-on bag as possible. Interestingly, Homeland Security is now blaming the long security lines on this major increase in carry-on luggage.

Personally, I’m not the best at keeping things nice and straight when packing.  I typically just stuff as much as possible into the suitcase which leaves me with a wrinkly mess when I get to my destination.

If you want to try a very different approach to packing your suitcase in the most efficient way possible, look no further than this “bundle packing” technique. With this method, all of your clothes are wrapped together instead of folded, which makes them less prone to wrinkling. Check out the technique in action below:

One part of me is pretty amazed by this approach, and it definitely seems like a great way to pack as much stuff as possible. But on the other hand, it doesn’t appear to be very practical. If I need a pair of socks or undies, I have to unwrap everything.

What do you think?…


Buying This Spring Be Prepared For Bidding Wars

Traditionally, spring is the busiest season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on buyer activity. This year will be no different!

Buyers have already been out in force looking for their dream homes and more are on their way, but the challenge is that the inventory of homes for sale has not kept up with demand, which has lead to A LOT of competition for the homes that are available.

A recent Bloomberg article touched on the current market conditions:

“It’s the 2017 U.S. spring home-selling season, and listings are scarcer than they’ve ever been. Bidding wars common in perennially hot markets like the San Francisco Bay area, Denver and Boston are now also prevalent in the once slow-and-steady heartland, sending prices higher and sparking desperation among buyers across the country.”

Sam Khater, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic went on to explain why buyers are flocking to the market in big numbers:

“In today’s market, many buyers think the trough in [interest] rates is over. If you don’t get in now, it’s just going to be worse later. Rates will be higher, prices will be higher, and maybe inventory selection will be lower.”

In some markets, “thirty-five percent of properties are selling within the first week or two of hitting the market.” Homes are selling at a rapid clip in places like:

  • Denver, CO
  • Seattle, WA
  • Oakland, CA
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Boise, ID
  • Madison, WI
  • Omaha, NE

Bottom Line

In today’s competitive atmosphere, you need a professional on your side who knows your exact market conditions and can help you take the steps you need to be able to secure your new home!