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(BPT) - Solid hardwood floors are beautiful and timeless, adding value to any property. However, there's a misconception that real hardwood floors are difficult to maintain. The truth is that they can last for decades, as long you follow a few simple steps on a regular schedule. In fact, the time that goes into maintaining hardwood floors isn’t much more extensive than any other flooring material. The key is to practice regular care and cleaning for your hardwood to keep grit and dirt from scratching the wood. “Hardwood floors are special, and if properly taken care of, you can have a living, organic, premium floor that lasts for generations,” said Jen Meska, director of Merchandising for LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators). “But to keep them in top shape, it’s essential to have a regular cleaning schedule and be extra-mindful of any conditions in your home that could damage your floors.” Tools, tips, and tricks Meska says to start with the fundamental tools for caring … [Read more...] about Want your hardwood floors to last for generations? Use these expert tips

(BPT) - While women make up approximately half of the U.S. workforce, they are underrepresented in the technology sector, making up 28% of the industry . These numbers are even lower for women of color seeking opportunities in the field, with 3% of computing-related jobs being filled by African American women, 6% by Asian women and 2% by Hispanic women. Over the course of February and March, Black History Month and Women’s History Month respectively, conversations often focus on empowering diverse voices to ensure they are represented in society. While these conversations raise awareness, they may not result in action and shifting the narrative surrounding diverse hiring practices. Diversity becomes a guide for program development to ensure diverse and female students feel supported in their pursuit of tech-related jobs, helping to address the gender gap in the industry. To address the gender and diversity disparities, women must have access to resources and learning … [Read more...] about Why access, education and support are vital to close the gender gap in tech careers

(BPT) - Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana has been vocal about the importance of getting vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia — a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks and, in severe cases, put you in the hospital and even be life-threatening. He thinks about it like how he would prepare for games, so here are his top tips for protecting your own health: 1. Preparation is key — on or off the field. Like anyone else 65 or older, Joe is at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia — but he knows that getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to help defend his health. And helping protect himself against pneumococcal pneumonia is a lot like preparing for a big game. For his gameday preparation, he always reviewed the playbook and watched game film so he could handle whatever was thrown at him. Now, he stays prepared by prioritizing his health — which is why he got vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. 2. Understanding … [Read more...] about Championing health: Why a football legend is talking about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination

(BPT) - Evictions have been front-page news during the pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It’s a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through widespread eviction moratoriums around the country. But there is another side to the eviction crisis: Criminals actively trying to get into apartments they have no ability (nor intention) to pay for. Their modus operandi is to submit fake pay stubs and bank statements to convince landlords they have the means required to afford the rent. One in eight paystubs or bank statements submitted to apartment owners are fake today. Fraudsters submitted more than 10 million fake financial documents last year. It is called application fraud, and experts estimate that this crime accounts for one in four of all evictions. Snappt, a business with expertise in spotting fake … [Read more...] about Where is application fraud on the rise? Check out the ‘Treacherous 20’ cities

(BPT) - Whether you’re buying or selling a home, a real estate transaction can be a stressful process. There are, of course, the expected stressors of finances, moving costs and repairs, but buying and selling is also an emotionally stressful process. Opendoor, an e-commerce platform for residential real estate, recently conducted its first-ever financial wellness study that surveyed current and prospective homeowners. The results shed light on three lesser-known stressors of homeownership. 1. Peer pressure and expectations For some, the idea of homeownership is a stressor all on its own. Of course, understanding mortgages and planning to finance a home can be challenging. But beyond that, many current and prospective homeowners feel pressured by others’ expectations, making an already stressful process more difficult. According to the study, 31% of millennials said they feel societal, internal and familial pressure to own a home. Owning a home is a major life milestone and … [Read more...] about 3 little-known stressors of buying and selling your home

(BPT) - More veterans are taking advantage of an important benefit for service members: A Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs , more than 1.4 million VA loans were taken out in 2021, a 15.6% increase from the previous year. However, there are still many veterans who are not using this important earned benefit for their service and sacrifice for the country. VA home loans allow veterans and active-duty service members to obtain home mortgages with more favorable terms than other loans on the market. A VA loan is a mortgage supported by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and serviced by authorized lenders, like loanDepot , one of the nation's largest non-bank retail mortgage lenders. Why aren't more veterans and active-duty service members using this benefit? Many are unaware of how to qualify for a VA loan or its benefits. Eligibility and benefits You may be eligible for a VA loan if you are an active duty … [Read more...] about 5 myths about Veteran Affairs loans