In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Secured loans are type of loan that uses a high-value piece of property (most commonly a house, but sometimes a car or another valuable piece of property) as collateral. In other words, if the loan can't be repaid, the lender is allowed to sell your property to raise money to repay the loan. Because the loan is attached to the value of the property, secured loans are a "safer bet" for the lender, which means they typically have relatively low interest rates compared to other types of loans. To see if you qualify for a secured loan, contact local lending institutions and the credit holders who hold the loans on your house, car, etc. Don't overlook credit unions, as these can sometimes offer better rates than banks and other lending institutions. Equity is the difference between the market value of a piece of property and the cost of all outstanding balances associated with the property. In a secured loan, the lender uses the equity of your property to insure the loan. Thus, to get a secured loan, your property must have a sufficient level of equity. The equity of your home, car, etc. increases as you make payments against the outstanding balance of the property or as the property appreciates. The greater your equity, the larger your secured loan can be and the more debt you can consolidate. Determining any value that your home has gained through appreciation may require the services of a certified appraiser. Though there are usually certain approval requirements for secured loans, these can be easier to meet than the requirements for other types of loans because your property serves as insurance for the loan. Don't let these low entry requirements entice you into a secured loan you can't reasonably expect to pay off, as the consequences for failing to pay back a secured loan can be dire - you may be left without a home or car. Be sure to make all payments on a secured loan on-time to avoid the loss of important or cherished property. Many secured loans have a fixed period - for instance, ten years - for repayment of the loan. Some loans may offer extensions, while others may not.
Summary: Contact a bank, credit union, or lender. Assess the equity of your property. Make all payments on the secured loan.

If you cannot get away from a noise, such as a radio playing at work, consider raising the matter politely with everyone involved. It is important that everyone in a workplace or study environment feels comfortable. You may find out that you are not the only one who has an issue! If your colleagues refuse to keep the noise level to a minimum, consider talking with the HR department. If you have to deal with noisy neighbors, always stay calm and polite. Disputes between neighbors can become ugly quickly. This is a short-term strategy to isolate the room you are working in. Make sure that your windows and your doors are closed. Sounds usually penetrate through holes and gaps. The following ideas can help you reduce the level of background noise: Various barriers can mute distracting sounds. Place a few pillows against the wall to absorb the sound from the other side of the wall when in bed. Buy thermal drapes for your windows. They stop outside sounds as well as the flow of heat. Place a carpet on the floor to block the sound from downstairs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1663883-v4-728px-Concentrate-While-There-Are-Background-Noises-Step-6Bullet3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
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<\/p><\/div>"} If you work at home and own the place, you can call a professional to soundproof your room. This solution will be expensive but will also give you more freedom and long-term satisfaction. There are several ways to soundproof your house. Soundstop panels can be installed on the walls and rubber mats placed on the floor. Always ask for a quote and call a few professionals to compare. Don't pick the first one and try to bargain. Moving out of your rented house or flat might seem like a drastic solution but if you are poisoned by background noises and are working at home, this might be the simplest long-term option. You need to take care of your health and your stress level. Plan your move correctly. Ideally, you should research different area and investigate the noise level. You don't want to move in another noisy place! If you find a place you like, visit it at different times to be sure that the noise level is acceptable. Identify potential problems. Do not move next to a football stadium or a nightclub. Avoid bars and places where there are high concentrations of students.
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One-sentence summary -- Address the problem. Arrange the room to block external sounds. Call a professional. Move out.

Problem: Article: Because JK Rowling gets so much fan mail, anything that stands out is going to be more likely to get a response. Try decorating your envelop a little with colors and artwork. Handwriting your letter will also stand out, as most letters are typed. Just make sure you write very clearly and legibly if you choose to handwrite. This is your fan mail, so don't forget to put a little of yourself in it. Start by introducing yourself. Then write a little bit about yourself. Just don't make it a novel! Write about what her books (like Harry Potter) means to you and how much you enjoy it. Mention a few specific parts or details in Harry Potter that you liked in particular and explain why. You're much more likely to get a response if you give Rowling a question or two to answer. At this point she's likely heard pretty much every question imaginable about Harry Potter. But regardless, try to think of something somewhat original to ask. Something vague and unoriginal like "What inspired you to write Harry Potter?" isn't going to pique much interest. If you have any creative interests, like writing or drawing, put them to use to make your letter to JK Rowling unique. Add a drawing or a poem along with your letter. It can be inspired by Harry Potter but it doesn't have to be. Don't go on and on in your letter. Keep in mind how many of these Rowling has to read on a regular basis. It might be wise to go back through your letter after writing it and edit it, cutting it down until it's concise.
Summary:
Make your letter stand out. Make your letter personal. Ask questions. Add something creative to your mail. Keep it short.