Those hours in which Sunday afternoon dissolves into Sunday night are the black hole of the American weekend. Sure, that time should be as much your own as Friday night or Saturday afternoon, but the reality of that looming Monday can’t help but cast a shadow. It might be no more than an echo of childhood memories of having to trade fun for school, but there’s no denying that the Sunday blues can be very real for some people.

Sunday p.m., however, doesn’t just have to be about coming to grips with the inevitable. Indeed, that time can be an essential part of your weekend if you just make a few plans. Here are some tips for taking back Sunday.

Hit the Stores: Is there a plasma-screen television or other special household product on your shopping list? Wait until Sunday evening. Not only do stores tend to be less crowded but you have the advantage of introducing a note of excitement into your Sunday routine.

Meal Time: Sunday evening is an ideal time to interact with friends and neighbors. Once a month, get together at someone’s house for a very informal dinner party. The idea is to make it as low-impact as possible – we’re talking potluck, BYOB and nothing dressier than shorts or sweats.

Head to the Cineplex: Nothing breaks the tired Sunday mold better than taking in a movie. But timing is essential – make sure you hit that last discount matinee. Also bear in mind that the most popular restaurants are often packed from Thursday to Saturday. Sundays, however, tend to be quieter. What better time to check out that new eatery everyone’s talking about?

Higher Power: A number of religious denominations hold Sunday evening services. These carry the benefit of letting you sleep in – a not unimportant consideration, depending on how you spent Saturday night – and also tend to be more intimate and less formal than their morning counterparts. Sunday evening also more readily lends itself to reflecting on the weekend’s events and the blessings of life.

Family Hour: Sunday evening is perfect for family fun. Whether it’s going out for dinner or simply a walk, gathering around a board game or dealing cards at the kitchen table, the mellow vibe enables families to talk and connect before the start of another hectic work and school week.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post How To Lose the Sunday Blues appeared first on Other CMS.

Slide to Safety: Sliding doors and windows can present a special security challenge, as thieves have become adept at bypassing a dowel or pipe in the slider track by simply lifting the doors or windows out of their slide channels. You can help prevent this by tightening adjustment screws to eliminate “play” in a door or window or, better yet, buying a bolt lock.

Key to Theft Prevention: It seems odd to have to note this in the 21^st century, but some homeowners still leave a spare key outside their unit for convenience’s sake. They suffer under the delusion the key is “hidden” – truth is, thieves know all the places to look. The solution? Leave a duplicate set of keys with a trusted neighbor or friend.

Let There Be Light: Knowing that thieves prefer to operate under the cloak of darkness, it is essential homeowners keep all entryways, pathways, stairwells, porches, yards and parking areas well lit. Mount lights up high on your unit so thieves can’t easily unscrew lightbulbs. You also can enhance your security and cut your electric bill by installing a motion detector on outside lights. Finally, keep tree branches and shrubs trimmed away from your manufactured home to eliminate potential hiding places.

Use Your Illusion: There are things you can do to make your unit look lived in even in your absence. You can have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers; arrange for someone to cut the grass or shovel the snow; or ask a neighbor to park a car in your driveway. Use timed switches on your lights, TV and stereo so that they turn on and off randomly, rather than on a set schedule. Turn your telephone ringer down or off; this way a burglar is less likely to hear the ringing of unanswered calls and realize no one is home.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post How to Secure Your Manufactured Home from Theft appeared first on Other CMS.

As the tail end of the baby boom generation reaches retirement, Americans are putting more emphasis than ever before on access and mobility. From ADA-mandated elevators and ramps in public buildings to wider, automatic doors at the supermarket, the nation over the past three decades has substantially stepped up its efforts to serve its growing population of seniors with mobility challenges.

Those initiatives’ impact can be seen in the manufactured home industry, as leading design firms, builders and mobile home communities themselves have developed new strategies with an eye toward meeting the needs of this aging demographic. That said, there are also plenty of steps manufactured home owners can take to ensure their mobility and comfort for years to come.

Out in the Open: No matter whether they rely on a cane or a wheelchair, prospective buyers should consider units with open floor plans to eliminate as many mobility challenges as possible. While no two are identical, open floor plans often include bedrooms in separate areas of the home, thus eliminating or minimizing hallways. Also look for large bathrooms with ample wheelchair access to toilet, bath/shower, sink and linen; and unobstructed exit and passage doors with a width of at least 36 inches.

Low Rider: Typically a manufactured home is installed three feet above grade, necessitating steps at each entry and exit door. When a handicap ramp is used to displace the steps, it will — due to federal government regulations — take up a lot of space. The good news is that there are alternatives, including decreasing the height of your manufactured home. This will enable you to use a shorter ramp and potentially enhance your unit’s curb appeal.

Step Inside: There are also several basic improvements manufactured home owners can make to increase mobility and comfort. In the bathroom, for example, grab bars are an easy way to create stability around slippery surfaces. Also consider replacing traditional door knobs that turn with easier-to-grip lever handles. Keyless-entry smart locks make it easier for you to enter your unit while carrying groceries and other items.

Light Up the Night: Another way to enhance your in-home safety is to upgrade your lighting scheme. The first step is to update your old light bulbs with smart LED bulbs that burn both brighter and more efficiently. Also look into replacing traditional toggle switches with large, easy-to-grasp knobs or a digital dimmer switch.

Seat Upgrade: No one wants to think about it, but now might be the time to replace that favorite coach or recliner after many years of loyal service. A new power lift recliner, for example, has seat-raising options that make it easier for seniors to get in and out of it. Such chairs also offer a few health benefits, such as improved circulation and reduction in sleep apnea. A power lift recliner in addition reduces the potential for falls while trying to get out of that old chair.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Ways Seniors Can Maximize Their Mobility in Manufactured Homes appeared first on Other CMS.

Ring My Bell: Safety concerns in recent years have led more Americans to swap their old doorbells for a new ones complete with a camera. While not a foolproof porch-pirate remedy, these devices are proven deterrents. A photo from your doorbell camera confirms the package was delivered and that someone other than you took it; companies generally will send a replacement if you have such proof of theft. The images also can help police find the perpetrator.

Other Strategies: Here are a handful of other strategies with the potential to deter porch pirates. The first is to adopt the old school approach of requesting a signature upon delivery. This might not be the most convenient approach but you needing to sign for packages makes it far less likely they will sit at your front door for hours at a time. You also should consider the “delivery pick up” or “ship to store” options so you can retrieve your package yourself. If shopping on Amazon, consider having the package delivered to one of its many locker facilities, which are springing up at supermarkets and other retailers across the country. And once you receive your packages, do not place clearly marked boxes out in front of your home – you do not want to advertise your recent purchases. Be sure to break boxes down and place them in the trash.
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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Valuable Tips to Deter Porch Pirates appeared first on Other CMS.

Steps to Take to Strengthen Your Mental Health

Three years after COVID-19’s arrival, public health authorities agree that Americans’ growing focus on mental health is among the few silver linings the once-in-a-century pandemic left behind. While the COVID crisis has all but passed, there remains plenty of reasons for people to strengthen their mental health as we move through an era of invasive technology, bitter partisan politics, economic uncertainty and accelerating climate change.

Federal, state and local governments, as well as private employers, as a result are channeling unprecedented resources toward mental health services. While those initiatives are both overdue and admirable, here are some steps you as an individual can take to support your own emotional well-being.

Get Some Sleep: Sound physical and emotional health is directly related to the quality of your sleep, so the first step is to establish an effective sleep routine. This will help you take on the day with energy while reducing irritability and brain fog and increasing your capacity to work efficiently and communicate well with friends and family. The best sleep routines involve waking up at the same time each day; avoiding large amounts of substances right before bed, including alcohol and caffeine; and exposing yourself to light immediately upon waking.

Time for Yourself: This might sound like a no-brainer but we all know how difficult it can be to carve out quality me-time given the persistent demands of family life and the workplace. How best to build meaningful self-care into your schedule? One strategy is to keep reminding yourself that you will not be able to meet the needs of others if you have not first addressed your own.

The Company You Keep: In this increasingly virtual world, it’s easy to lose touch with people, be they old friends or even family members. This can pose a real challenge to your sense of well-being, as studies show that regular contact with loved ones has a vital role to play in enhancing an individual’s overall mental health. The answer is to make time for those connections, whether it’s a 10-minute FaceTime call or an afternoon excursion to the park with the grandchildren. The result will be a much-need jolt of positivity you might not otherwise experience.

Prioritize Gratitude: We all have so much to be grateful for and, unfortunately, just as much we take for granted. You can break that cycle by simply writing down one or two things each day that you are grateful for, the more specific the better. Research reveals this one activity significantly eases feelings of depression and anxiety while bolstering productivity and personal resilience. Try starting a gratitude journal or just keeping a list on your phone.

Free Time: Modern life is nothing less than hectic for many of us, with in some cases every hour of every day scheduled well in advance. That’s all the more reason to embrace the rare unscheduled days. It might feel like your playing hooky but in truth there’s nothing wrong with taking a day to do nothing but calming self-care. Read a book, take a long walk, draw a hot bath or binge-watch a show.
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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Steps to Take to Strengthen Your Mental Health appeared first on Other CMS.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Factors to Consider When Selecting a Site for Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

Change Things Up: A major part of having an after-work plan that you look forward to is scheduling activities that feel special. It helps to incorporate some newness into your weeknights, and it doesn’t have to be something big, either. You can have a make-your-own pizza night with your partner or invite a neighbor over for a glass of wine. This adds some excitement to your work week.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Tips to Make the Most of Your After-Work Hours appeared first on Other CMS.

The most recent federal data indicates a marked upswing in the U.S. economy since the start of the year, with the government reporting robust hiring figures, the rate of inflation slackening and unemployment at its lowest level since 1969. These developments have already led the Federal Reserve Board to rethink its strategy of dramatically hiking interest rates to ward off the threat of recession.

This last is particularly welcome to anyone considering jumping into the housing market this spring, and that includes potential manufactured home buyers. It’s worth noting, however, that no matter the state of the American economy, there are several concrete steps anyone looking to purchase a manufactured home can take to ensure they get the most for their money.

Know What You Want: A crucial first step is to sit down and determine just what you are seeking from a manufactured home and how much money are you comfortable spending. Take the time to research a wide range of manufacturers to determine what they have to offer and to identify the floor plan and features that work best for you.

Go For the Upgrades: While upgrades certainly will increase your prospective unit’s price, it’s worth noting that smart upgrades pay for themselves very quickly. These include shingled roofs rather than flat ones, upgraded insulation, exterior wall studs 16 inches apart (as opposed to 24 inches) and virgin vinyl siding rather than metal or hardboard.

Study the Market: Once you’ve determined what you’re looking for in a manufactured home, it’s time to cross-reference that information with what similar units are going for in the area you want to live. This research also will give you a pretty good idea of the stock available at local dealers and enable you to identify truly competitive quotes more readily.

Call an Escrow Company: Hiring an escrow company that specializes in manufactured housing will make it easier for you to navigate the entire buying process. Manufactured home escrows are vastly different from standard escrows and the company’s experience and expertise could prove invaluable. In addition, an experienced firm has inside knowledge regarding the range of dealers, private property sales and Realtors in your area. This insight might save you thousands.Apprise an Appraiser: It always smart to know what you’re buying for you buy it and manufactured homes are no different. Once you have identified the unit you want, hire an independent firm to appraise its true market value. You can also check the “blue book” value for similar makes and models.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Ready to Buy? How to Save Money on Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

The post New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mobile Home appeared first on Other CMS.

Limitations: Even communities that welcome pets might have specific limitations regarding types, breeds, size and number of animals. Again, to ensure you are accessing the latest information regarding these regulations, a phone call is warranted.

Licensed and Tagged: Some communities might not require you to make sure your pet is fully licensed, tagged and vaccinated but as the owner you should want to do this anyway. It’s a small step you can take to help bolster the community’s sense of security plus it will be extremely useful if you pet should wander off and get lost.

Keep Them on Leash: Suffice it to say, if you live in a pet-friendly community, it is always good practice to keep your dog or cat restrained and safe. Most manufactured homes lack standard fences between lots and this can become problematic if your pet develops a habit of going AWOL. Leash training is a must for pets, since it keeps them calm and relaxed around other people while also preventing them from escaping or losing their way home.

Spay or Neuter: As any animal control officer can tell you, each spring brings a new wave of stray puppies and kittens with no home and few prospects. Spaying and neutering your pets at the appropriate age is both responsible citizenship and a way to assure the successful co-existence of your pets and human friends. Remember to check community policies regarding spaying and neutering.

Don’t Leave Them Unattended: You may love your pets but others might find them a nuisance, particularly if they are prone to barking at neighbors or tearing up flower beds. And then there’s the fact that many people are allergic to cat dander. You get the idea —  giving your pets free roam of the community is one sure way to antagonize your neighbors. The answer is to know where your pet is at all times. Also be aware that some communities require a pet deposit as insurance against accidental damages brought about by your four-legged friend.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post It’s Not Necessarily A Dog’s (or Cat’s) Life in a Manufactured Home Community appeared first on Other CMS.