It's All Worth It!

5 Sunny Real Estate Markets To Watch in 2011

2010-12-31T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here are five markets to watch in the coming year. Given that they were among the hardest hit, they could see quicker recoveries that also build steam in the next couple of years. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/12/28/investopedia49306.DTL#ixzz19juJdWLg

Ideas For Your Home and Health

2010-12-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

Olives Can Help Cure Nausea
Whenever you have that unpleaseant nauseated feeling, reach for olives, any variety will work. The compounds in these little Mediterranean favorites help ward off nausea by decreasing the amount of saliva in the mouth, which is what triggers the queasiness in the first place. Just eat three to five olives as soon as you experience nausea, and you should feel relief in minutes.

Make Fruits and Veggies Last Longer
Moisture in the fridge can make produce wilt and spoil. To prevent this from happening, just line your vegetable bins with paper towels. They will absorb the moisture that makes the produce rot.

Speedy Shoveling
To make shoveling easier in wet and icy snow, just rub both sides of your shovel with a light coating of petroleum jelly before using it. Wet and icy snow will slide right off and make the job a whole lot easier!

Wrinkle-Proof Your Pants/Trousers
After you take your pants out of the dryer, immediately hang them by the bottom seams. The weight of the pants will stretch out most wrinkles in no time. That way they will only require little or no ironing.

Smooth a Zipper
Have a stubborn zipper that won't glide easily? Rub some lip balm on the teeth of the zipper and then zip open and closed a few times to lubricate the zipper. Now you have a smooth working zipper!

Stop Your Glasses From Spotting
Soapy film in the dishwasher can make cloudy spots on glasses. So here is an easy solution to get rid of them. Place one cup white vinegar in a bowl and position on the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Run through the full cycle. The acid in the vinegar will cut through any soapy scum and make the glasses sparkle.

Banish Cooking Odors
If you are cooking something like sauerkraut or fish and you want to avoid the odor throughout the house, then try this trick. Fill a bowl with vinegar and sit in or near the kitchen. It will attract the odors so they won't permeate the entire house.

Freshen Your Fridge
Most of us use baking soda for this one but it doesn't always work. So try this trick instead. Use those wet coffee grounds that you would normally toss out by putting them in a bowl and placing them in the fridge. They will absorb offending odors just as well if not better than baking soda and will keep working until they're totally dried out.

Scent Any Room Easily
Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the top of your light bulbs. When the bulb is on and heats up, it will emit the pleasant smell throughout the room.

For The Love of Grandchildren

2010-09-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

For most people, the birth of their child is the greatest joy in life. It is a blissful, heavenly event full of unconditional love and endearment. It is also a life changing event, as it creates the role of parents and grandparents in its wake. As a parent, you can’t imagine that kind of love being any greater. But, when you assume the dual role of a parent and a grandparent, you find out just how much that love really intensifies. It is a deep and gratifying love beyond any other that one can experience. The role of a parent can be much harder than the role of a grandparent, but both are unique with their own rewarding experiences. I have been very fortunate to experience both of these roles in my life and I would not trade them for anything. They truly are the greatest joys and roles in my life.

Grandchildren are fun to spoil, within reason. They are also fun to teach, to read and sing to, play with, experience nature with and help learn about life's lessons and experiences too. Grandchildren seem to have more patience with their grandparents, perhaps because they see us as being old. They know how to tug at our heart strings and in ways they don’t even realize they are doing it. I am overcome by emotion and amazement with their actions, their likes, dislikes and characteristics. For example: When I see a smile or facial expression on my grandchild that is identical to that of their parent as a child. Or like how they can adopt a hobby or special liking for something that their grandparent had as a child, and without ever even knowing about it. Or like how they look at you for the answers and guidance that only a grandparent’s love can give them. Grandchildren have dancing eyes and sunshine smiles that make us happy every time we see them.

To me all children are a joy, but grandchildren provide us with the joy and unexpected gift of life transformed. It is a blessed transformation which creates a legacy, and all for the love of grandchildren.

Thank you to my grandchildren....Deion, Alexis and Gemini

Tips to Help Save Money and Make Your Life Easier

2010-07-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

You can save time and money and make your life easier with these helpful websites and general life tips:

If you are looking for a specific item and you want to save time by finding out who is cheaper, ebay.com or Amazon.com, then go to: Q-Compare.com. It is a dual search engine so it will check both out for you.

Want to remove stains from your summer whites? Then go to: Web.Extension.Illinois.edu/stain/index.cfm Here you will find step by step instruction for removing hundereds of stains from all types of fabrics.

Planning on traveling by air this summer? Check out this site for airline coupon codes for travel booking sites: RetailMeNot.com/coupons/airlines

Do you hate waiting until the movie trailers or ads are over before your DVD movie starts? Well here is a tip that may help. If the DVD blocks you from using the fast forward button, then as soon as the trailers start, press the stop button twice, then press play. In most cases, this will take you right to your movie.

Sleeping less makes you hungry, while sleeping at least 7 to 8 hours a night can help you lose weight. A report from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, states that people who only get four hours of sleep eat 22% more calories the next day than they do after sleeping eight hours.

To save time and money at the grocery store, go to: MyGroceryDeals.com before you leave to see exactly what's on sale and where in local stores. All you have to do is enter the zip code.

If you have a rusty kitchen utensil that you don't want to get rid of, then try this trick to remove the rust. Grab an onion and move the utensil in and out of it a few times. The sulfenic acid within the onion breaks down the rust so it flakes away, leaving your utensil rust free.

No time or money for those expensive teeth whiteners? Then try this trick to get similar results. Brush your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Most stain removing toothpastes are formulated with hydrogen peroxide.

Cut your ironing time in half by placing a piece of aluminum foil shiny side up under the garment your're ironing. The heat will reflect upward so you can iron both sides simultaneously.

Do you keep a box of baking soda in your refrigerator to keep it fresh? Well here's a tip to save space and still soak up odors...soak a cottonball in vanilla extract and place in your refrigerator. It will take up less space and still remove odors.

To listen to a downloadable audio book for free go to: TheMoth.org/podcast

To find free events and classes all summer go to: PublicLibraries.com

Free Faxing at: faxzero.com

Free online appointment scheduling software for your small business at: genbook.com

Free Food Diary to track everything about your food consumption at: MedHelp.org/land/fooddiary

Free online language courses from the world's largest language learning community at: livemocha.com

Free download for Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans and more with this safe and very effective program at: superantispyware.com

Yummy 4th of July Dessert

2010-06-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

Now here's a yummy dessert for the 4th of July celebration!

Red, White & Blueberry S'Mores

You will need:

Graham Cracker(s)

Milk Chocolate Bar(s)

Marshmallow(s)

Strawberries

Blueberries

Arrange 1/2 of milk chocolate bar on 1 graham cracker square. Set bluberries atop chocolate and melt (place in frying pan on the grate of the grill over low hear or flames until chocolate melts), being careful not to lose blueberries in transport. Roast 1 marshmallow on a metal skewer over heat away from flames. Once chocolate has melted, remove graham cracker from heat; lightly tap blueberries to secure. Top with 2-3 strawberry slices and marshmallow. Graham cracker square topped with chocolate, topped with blueberries, topped with roasted marshmallow and finally topped with strawberries. This serves 1 so repeat individually as needed to serve more.

Tip - You can roast marshmallows and melt ingredients in a microwave on high for 7-10 seconds for faster s'mores

Source: Woman's World Magazine

Mother's Day Celebrated

2010-05-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

The origin of Mother’s Day dates back many, many years ago to the annual spring festival of the Greek's dedication to Rhea, the mother of many deities, to the offerings of ancient Romans made to their mothers of gods and to the Christians honoring Mary, mother of Jesus.

In the United States Mother’s Day started more than 150 years ago by an Appalachian homemaker. There were many other events by other mother's such as Anna Jarvis that occured thereafter also. However, in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday.

May 9, 1914 - "Now, Therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the said Joint Resolution, do hereby direct the government officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings and do invite the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."

Later it was decided that Mother's Day would be celebrated on the second Sunday of May, although many countries celebrate it on differents days at different times throughout the year. In some countries the celebration lasts for two days. The occasion is now celebrated not so much with flags as with flowers, gifts, cards, hugs, thank you's and other tokens of affection.

To this day Mother's Day continues to be one of the most commercially successful U.S. occasions. According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother's Day is the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant in the United States. It is the day when you acknowledge your mother's contribution in your life, her love and you pay a tribute to her, often with cards, flowers and gifts. The traditional flowers for Mother's Day are white carnations, as they are said to typify the virtues of motherhood. Mother's Day also complements Father's Day the celebration honoring fathers.

A mother is the truest friend. A mother's love is unconditional and she always understands what her child did not say.

*An old Irish Proverb says... A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.

"Happy Mother's Day" to all the wonderful and loving mother's of the world!

Victorian Architecture

2010-03-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

Victorian architecture the style that emerged from the period between 1830 and 1910, under the reign of Queen Victoria, has always been my favorite style of home. Victorian homes are really elaborate pieces of art and full of history from the era of a long period of peace. As you approach a Victorian home, you can clearly see the detailed art work and intricate design all around it. A fine and timeless craftsmanship. When you stand inside a Victorian home, you can almost feel its strong history, wealth and the serenity of the era. The style is about romance, grace, beauty and excess rather than practicality, so they don't fit the needs of the modern family of today. Victorian homes are wonderfully large and ornate with wrap around porches, lots of color, beauty and a elegant combination of style. However, the rooms and closets within them are usually small, which doesn't make them very practical by today's standards. Although they are no longer in fashion, you can still find many of these wonderful pieces of art around the country, usually in historic communities. Many owners of these fine pieces of architecture have updated them and still use them as their primary homes. Others have turned them into a comfy and cozy Bed and Breakfast, conversational Tea Rooms, Museums or elegant Restaurants. Since I am in real estate, I enjoy and appreciate many different styles of homes and architectural designs but my first love is Victorian Architecture.

White Chocolate Strawberry Parfaits

2010-03-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Now here is a "Light" dessert that tastes heavenly!

It's made of lucious layers of white chocolate mousse, juicy strawberries and yummy vanilla wafers. These decadent treats are only 198 calories and only 3 grams of fat.

To serve 4, you will need:

1/2 cup low-sugar strawberry preserves

1 1/4 cups of sliced fresh strawberries

1 pkg. (1 oz.) of sugar-free, fat free white chocolate instant pudding mix

1 1/4 cups (1%) low-fat milk

1 1/4 cups thawed frozen fat-free whipped topping from 8 oz. cont.

24 mini vanilla wafer cookies from 12 oz. pkg.

A few whole strawberries, optional

In microwave-safe bowl, microwave preserves on High in 15-second intervals until melted. Add sliced strawberries; toss to coat. In separate bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until blended, 1 minute; let stand until thickened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup topping. In each of 4 (8oz.) dessert glasses, layer 1/3 cup pudding mixture., 2 Tbs. sliced strawberry mixture, 6 cookies and 1/4 cup pudding mixture. Top with remaining sliced strawberry mixture. Cover; refrigerate 4 hours. Just before serving, top with remaining topping. If desired, garnish with whole strawberries. Delicious!

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

2010-03-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Who would have ever thought that Porsche would embrace the green concept? As a long time huge fan of the Porsche, I was excited to see this new 2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Concept was green and still a supercar! Porsche says that, when driven accordingly, the plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder Concept gets an outstanding 78 mpg, with an emissions level of just 70 grams of C02 per kilometer. Great mileage, fast and beautiful! I don't think it has gone into production yet, so a price hasn't been firmly established. You can bet it won't be cheap though. Check out these links on this awesome fast supercar!

http://autos.yahoo.com/auto-shows/geneva_auto_show_2010/1320/Porsche-918-Spyder-Concept

http://www.automobilemag.com/green/news/1003_2011_porsche_918_spyder_hybrid_concept/index.html

More Ideas For Your Home

2010-03-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

We can all use some helpful hints to make our lives easier around the house and I wanted to share a few that I have tried.

Unstick a Rusty Screw
A screw and a nut that have rusted into place can be difficult to remove but here is way that might make it a bit easier. Soak a soft cloth with cola and wrap it around the rusty pair. Leave it on for a couple of hours. It is the phosohoric acid in the cola that will wear away the rust allowing them to come apart easily.

Fast Way to Find Something Small
So you have dropped your contact lens or small earring on the carpet and can't find it. Now here is an easy solution to finding those tiny missing items. Cover the end of a vacuum hose attachment with a cut-off piece of pantyhose and secure it with a few rubber bands. Then hold the hose about an inch above the carpet and run it over the area. The suction will pull up the missing item, but won't let it go into the tube. It will be right there on the pantyhose for you to retrieve.

Good Way to Clean a Lampshade
Instead of using a cloth that can leave streaks behind, try using a lint roller. Just lightly run the lint roller up and down the outside of the shade. The sticky surface will pick up all the dirt and prevent it from floating to other surfaces.

Keep a Shower Curtain Clean
One of the best ways to keep a shower curtain clean is to rub it with the juice of one lemon. Lemon's natual disinfectant stops mildew growth and eliminates odors too!

Lift Floor Gunk Naturally
Just add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water and use your favorite mop on the floor. The vinegar will cut through grease buildup and gunk to restore your tiles' sparkle. (If you have marble tile do not use this vinegar solution)

Helpful Ways to Find Things You Lose

2010-02-26T17:40:00.000-08:00

We all get busy with so many things in our everyday lives. Many times we misplace the items that we need or use the most. There are several ways that we can increase the odds of finding items that we have lost or misplaced. There are easy no cost ways to prevent losing items or finding them and there are low cost gizmos available to help us out. Try a few of these:

Keys - If you tend lose or misplace your keys (we have all done this at least once) then perhaps a Key Finder would work for you. They contain a transmitter and receiver that send out a beacon directing you straight to its location. So check out the KeyRinger device at KeyRinger.com. It costs a small fee. You attach the locating device to your keys, and when they are lost, all you have to do is press a button on the locater, and your keys will beep and flash from up to 300 feet away. Another one to try is FindOneFindAll.com. You can also use these to find other objects like your remote!

Cellphone - How many times have you lost your cellphone around the house, garage or yard? If you don't have another phone handy to call it and hear it ring, then go to WheresMyCellphone.com or PhoneMyPhone.com and enter your cell number and your phone will ring! Then you can follow the sound right to its nearby location. Here is another helpful hint...Put your contact information on your cellphone wallpaper along with the words "Please return this phone to... just in case you leave it in a public place like a restaurant.

Car - How many times have you lost your car in a parking lot because you forgot where you parked? Well now there is a little gizmo available to help you with that issue too. Check out the C-Car Finding Keychain at: X-tremeGeek.com. It costs about $4 and uses a compass to lock in your car's location and then direct you back to your car. How about a free method to help you find your car...With your cellphone, take a picture of your car and any other identifiable landmarks or parking aisle numbers. When it is time to go to your car, then look at the picture you took on your cellphone and your car is found!

Wallet - Experts say that the best way to ensure your wallet is returned when lost, is to make sure you have a lot of family pictures in your wallet. Apparently wallets with baby photos are returned to their owners 88% of the time and those with family photos returned 50% of the time but those without any photos, were only returned 15% of the time. So make sure you have a cute baby photo in your wallet to increase the odds of it being returned if lost!
You can also use one of the locating devices mentioned here for your wallet.

Lost your Mind - You are so busy that sometimes you feel like you lost your mind and you can't remember what you are suppose to do next? Well don't fret because there is something available to help you find that too! Now you can set a reminder for yourself with the help of a free service at: textmemos.com. Register for a free account and then set your schedule of reminders for the day, month or year. You will receive a text message reminding you of what to do next and you will never forget an important occasion or feel like you lost your mind. You can even have your remindes emailed to you or posted on your Twitter account. You can also send your reminder messages to a friend. If you have a Yahoo Calendar or Google Calendar you can do the same thing with those.

Get the Help You Need Without Spending a Lot of Money or Leaving Home!

2010-01-15T08:40:00.000-08:00

Now you can get the important help you need for your small matters without leaving home or spending a lot of money! There are so many helpful websites with free or low cost advice from professionals who are willing to share their expertise and assist in a pinch. For Example: Do you have a quick legal question but don't know any lawyers? Do you have a question about depression but don't want to see a therapist? Not sure if you need a mechanic for a car problem?

Well you don't have to waste a lot of time hunting for answers or spend a lot of money. You can get the answers you need at home online. Just take a look at some of these great websites!

Get a Lawyer's response without the big fee!

You can get free legal advice at: FreeAdvice.com or LawGuru.com. You can send an email and get a response within a few minutes or up to a day. If you need an even more detailed answer you can go to WorldLawDirect.com and have an attorney contact you within 24 hours for just $9.95.

Talk to a therapist without leaving home!

If you don't want to see a therapist face to face to get an answer or advice on a problem, then go to Psychology.com or eTherapistsOnline.com and converse over email or instant messaging. For a half hour session fees are only around $30.

Get assistance from a mechanic!

Having car trouble and just want to ask a question or two without a big fee? Go to 2CarPros.com and get an answer from a certified auto mechanic. Response time could take awhile since it is free but if you want to make a small donation you could get a response quicker...say within 24 hrs. You can also go to JustAnswer.com and list how much you are willing to pay for their advice and you will get a quick response many times within minutes, from a certified mechanic.

Need one on one tutoring without the big fee?

Do you or your child have a math problem or reading problem and need some homework help? Many cities offer free online tutoring to any child or person that has a public library card. Ask your local library if they participate or look on your local library's website. If they do, then enter your public library card number for immediate help. Some that do are: Clark County Library, San Jose public library, Ohio public library, Alabama public library and Burbank Central library. You can also download for free the best selling audio digital titles to your mp3 player, pc or PDA with your public library card and PIN.

Want a virtual doctor house call?

Do you have a symptom that you need help with or not sure if you should see a doctor? Go to FreeMD.com. Tell the virtual doctor what your symptoms are or what you need help with. You will also have to give the doctor a little medical history and will be asked a few quesions. The doctor will provide you with a possible diagnosis and treatment, based on your answers to the questions and medical history. If the virtual doctor thinks you need to visit a doctor's office, the virtual doctor will tell you that too.

Not sure if your pet needs to see a vet?

Sometimes it is difficult to tell if your pet needs to see the vet. You may not want to make that trip for the office consultation for $40 or more. Now you can get advice online by going to AskAVetQuestion.com. A board certified vet will give you up-to-the-minute advice for just $5. Just type in your question or pet's symptoms and you will get a response within a few minutes or up to a few hours. You can also get same day online consultations and personalized diagnosis at OnlineVetClinic.com for just $4.95!

4 Steps Towards Improving Credit

2010-01-11T17:54:00.001-08:00

It seems as if 2010 will be the year when everyone finally focuses on improving their credit. With the current economic situation, it is more important now than ever to become more educated about credit card companies, credit and credit scores. In December 2008, Congress passed new credit card laws to change many practices of the credit card industry which had been seen as unfair to cardholders. For more detailed information on this new law go to: http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/obama-signs-credit-card-law-1282.php or www.bankrate.com

Step 1 – get your current credit snapshot. If you were beginning a diet you wouldn't guess at your weight right? It's the same with credit; it's important to know your starting point. So get a credit snapshot by obtaining a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit agencies at: www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also purchase your FICO score for a small fee from one of the three credit agencies from the same website.

Step 2 – get smart. Unless you are a dietitian, you probably wouldn't create a diet that you knew would guarantee success. So, unless you are a credit expert, don't go about trying to improve your credit blindly. Start by understanding the basic do's and don'ts of credit management. myFICO.com has a wealth of credit education that can help you become knowledgeable about managing your credit.

Step 3 – build your plan. After you've become knowledgeable, then you can really attack your credit problems. You will have your credit report, score and history length and payment to build your plan. Your payment history is one of the biggest components of your FICO score so you really need to focus on keeping current with all of your bills. Understanding how to deal with each credit problem starts with education and continues with a well conceived plan.

Step 4 – check your status. You'd be surprised to know how many people only check on their credit when making a major purchase. If there's a problem, finding out just before a purchase doesn't leave much time to fix the problem. You'd likely step on the scale every couple of days to see if your diet is working, right? Do the same with your credit, especially if you've created an improvement plan. It is recommended to check your credit twice a year and at least 6 months before making a major purchase.

Source:http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/Improve-Credit-Score.aspx?LPID=FICO337&cm_mmc=yesmail-_-newsletter-_-January2010-_-FAQ1

Want Free Stuff?

2009-12-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

In this challenging economy, now more than ever it is very important that we all get the best deal for our dollar. Getting something of value for FREE is an even better deal right? If you think freebies are too good to be true, then think again! There are so many no-strings-attached, no-cost goodies to be found online. I personally have taken advantage of so many of the freebie deals available online. Many of them are not advertised, so I wanted to share a list of them here on my blog. If you want free stuff, then here is a list of deal-finding sites that provide items of value or services for FREE:

Free Shipping.org - A list of free shipping codes for major retailers

Amazon.com, Walmart.com and mp3.com - All these sites have free music downloads on all kinds of music. Just search for free music downloads

HeyItsFree.net - All kinds of free items

FreeStuff.com - All kinds of free items

Buxr.com - All kinds of free items

Mysavings.com - Free samples, free stuff from A-Z and coupons

Sephora.com - Offers free weekly specials with free cosmetic gifts with each order

Origins.com - Every first time customer is treated to a free facial. Plus Origins will give you a free week's supply of any product before you buy

MyKidsEatFree.com, KidsEatFree.com and MommySavers.com - Free restaurant meal offers for kids... by area

FreeBirthdayTreats.com - Birthday giveaways, free birthday meals, free birthday desserts

SilverJewelryClub.com or MyFreeSilverJewelry.com - They offer earrings, rings and more at not charge

ShopDi.com - Search for free jewelry

HouseParty.com - Lots of free goodies and all you have to do is host a product party and invite friends to check out the merchandise

WalMart.com - Free samples weekly

CoverGirl.com - Free offers for cosmetics

WildGames.com - Find software that lets you search for video games online and play them for free

FreewareGames.net - Play the hottest online games for free

MomsView.com - Deals and online coupons

Tropicalbreezefragrance.com - Free men's fragrance sample

Moodflow.com - Free wallpaper and music for your computer

Petmassage.com - Free 26 minutes of audio download on the benefits of pet massage

AnnualCreditReport.com - Only true free credit report site

This list consists of only a few of the free and online deal sites that are available. There are many more that are not advertised but these are a good start. So check these sites out and get your share of the free stuff today!

Three Essentials to Happiness

2009-11-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there really are only three essentials to happiness? They are pretty simple when you think about it.

1. Something to do....such as a job, sport or hobby you enjoy
2. Something to love.... such as your family, friend, pet or home
3. Something to hope for....such as whatever your dream is

We all have the ability to do something, love something and hope for something. So think about what you have to do, to love and to hope for and you will realize that you have so much happiness to give and to live. One smile can brighten someone's spirits. One word can improve someone's whole outlook. And, one act of kindness can provide happiness to both of you in a way you didn't see coming. Your time and energy are too precious to spend on anything but happiness. Your life will be much easier to endure when you let out your inner joy.

Remember that the really happy person, is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour!

Have a happy day!

State of Nevada Releases Names of Legal Loan Modification Companies

2009-11-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

Here in Nevada as well as all across the country, many people are using loan modification companies to help them stay in their home. A legal loan modification company will mediate between borrows and lenders regarding a mortgage loan and will not charge upfront fees. These companies are also referred to as debt settlement companies or debt consolidation companies. A loan modification will do one or a combination of the following: decrease monthly payments, lower interest rate or extend the term of the loan, to ultimately avoid foreclosure and save the home. Unfortunately, there a too many illegal loan modification companies and scams taking advantage of desparate homeowners. Therefore, consumers need to be aware of this situation and make sure they are protected.

The state of Nevada has released a list of 28 companies they say are legally conducting loan modification businesses. A new state law forces those companies to carry a $75,000 surety bond which is meant to protect consumers. The Nevada Division of Mortgage Lending warned they would close any loan modification business that did not carry the bond.

Struggling homeowners can see the list of companies that are authorized to provide loan modifications. Consumers are also able to file a complaint using this form.

For a list of the companies who failed to meet the extended deadline, which was last Friday, please click here: http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11435476

Source of portions of this information: www.lasvegsnow.com

State of Nevada Business and Industry- http://business.nv.gov/PressReleases/PR-2009-11-02MLDBondingDeadline.pdf

4 Interior Painting Tips

2009-10-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Painting is a quick and easy way to liven up a listing. But some smart prep work can make a huge difference in the quality of the results. Here are some tips to help you get your home ready to list.

1.Get the surface ready.
You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you start painting. Remove any handprints, dirt, or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaks.

2. Select a paint sheen and color.
Ah, the choices! Many paint stores are making it easier to narrow down your choices by offering small trial sizes so that you can test the color at home and look for any variations in daylight and night. Lighting has a big effect on the way color appears. Remember: Higher sheen paints tend to offer more durability than flat paints, so use them in high-traffic areas. Stain or low-lustre finishes offer more warmth and depth than a flat paint. Consider a high sheen paint on the ceiling, which offers good reflection in the room.

3. Don’t go cheap on the paint.
It’s always tempting to save a buck, but it might not be worth it on paint. Painting is a big job, so you want the expense and quality to show. The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, a national painting education group, recommends purchasing top-quality acrylic latex interior paint, which will go on smoothly and allow for easy soap and water cleanups.

4. Choose the right paint tools.
If you’re using a roller to paint, select the right length of roller nap cover for proper paint coverage. The smoother your painting surface, the shorter the nap should be. Use synthetic materials, which are made from nylon or polyester, when applying latex or water-based paints.

Source: The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

How To Buy An Energy Efficient Home Appliance

2009-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

You go shopping for a new refrigerator, and you’re on a budget. The best buy is the ’fridge with the lowest sales price, right? Not necessarily. If you buy the lowest-priced refrigerator, you may end up spending more than if you buy a more expensive one. The reason? The cost of owning a home appliance has three components: the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate it.

To figure out how much you’ll spend over the lifetime of the appliance, you have to look at all these costs. The appliance with the lowest initial purchase price, or even the one with the best repair record, isn’t necessarily the one that costs the least to operate. Here’s an example of how an appliance’s energy consumption can affect your out-of-pocket costs.

Suppose you’re in the market for a new refrigerator-freezer. Different models of refrigerators with the same capacity can vary dramatically in the amount of electricity they use. For one popular size and configuration, for example, the annual electricity consumption varies across models from a low of about 600 kilowatt-hours a year to a high of more than 800 kilowatt-hours a year. Based on national average electricity prices, that means the annual cost to operate this refrigerator can range from about $50 to $70, depending on which model you buy. A $20 difference in annual operating costs might not sound like much, but remember that you will enjoy these savings year after year for the life of the appliance, while you must pay any difference in purchase price only once. As a result, you may actually save money by buying the more expensive, more energy-efficient model.

You can learn about the energy efficiency of an appliance that you’re thinking about buying through the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label it displays. The Federal Trade Commission’s Appliance Labeling Rule requires appliance manufacturers to put these labels on:
• Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers
• Water heaters, furnaces, boilers
• Central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps
• Pool heaters
When you shop for one of these appliances in a dealer’s showroom, you should find the labels hanging on the inside of an appliance or secured to the outside. The law requires that the labels specify:
• The capacity of the particular model
• For refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters, the estimated annual energy consumption of the model
• For air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and pool heaters, the energy efficiency rating
• The range of estimated annual energy consumption, or energy efficiency ratings, of comparable appliances.

Some appliances also may feature the EnergyStar logo, which means that the appliance is significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model. For more information on the EnergyStar program, operated by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, visit the EnergyStar website at www.energystar.gov

Source: Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Division of Consumer and Business Education

Tips to Lower Your Monthly Energy Bill

2009-10-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Being an energy-smart consumer means getting the most from the energy you use. Here’s how you can cut energy waste without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

• Move your refrigerator if it’s near the stove, dishwasher or heat vents. Vacuum the coils every three months to eliminate dirt buildup that reduces efficiency. Check the door gaskets for air leaks. Defrost the freezer when more than a quarter-inch of ice builds up.

• Scrape but don’t pre-rinse dishes by hand if you have a dishwasher that automatically pre-rinses or has a rinse/hold cycle. Use the “energy saver” option found on many machines.

• Use pots that fit the size of your stove-top burners. Use lids on your pots and pans so you can cook at a lower burner setting.

• Match the water level and temperature settings on your clothes washer to the size of your load. Don’t fill the whole tub for a few small items.

• Clean your clothes dryer filters after each use or as necessary.

• Ensure that the temperature on your water heater is set to 120 degrees. Some thermostats are preset at the factory to 140 degrees.

Source: Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Division of Consumer and Business Education

Lighting Energy Saving Tips

2009-10-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

We should all be concerned about saving energy as it benefits everyone in many ways. So start saving your share of energy by utilizing these great lighting tips.

Making improvements to your lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. An average household dedicates 10% of its energy budget to lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50% to 75%. Advances in lighting controls offer further energy savings by reducing the amount of time lights are on but not being used.

Indoor Lighting
Use linear fluorescent tubes and energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in fixtures throughout your home to provide high-quality and high-efficiency lighting. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent (standard) bulbs and last about 6 to 12 times longer. Today’s CFLs offer brightness and color rendition that is comparable to incandescent bulbs. Although linear fluorescent and CFLs cost a bit more than incandescent bulbs initially, over their lifetime they are cheaper because of how little electricity they use. CFL lighting fixtures are now available that are compatible with dimmers and operate like incandescent fixtures.
Indoor Lighting Tips
• Be sure to buy ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs.
- They will save you about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime.
- Producing about 75% less heat, they are safer to operate and can cut home cooling costs.
- Visit www.energystar.gov to find the right light bulbs for your fixtures. They are available in sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture.
- They provide the greatest savings in fixtures that are on for a long time each day. The best fixtures to use qualified CFLs in are usually found in your family and living rooms, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and outdoors.
• Consider purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures. They are available in many styles including table, desk and floor lamps — and hard-wired options for front porches, dining rooms, bathroom vanity fixtures, and more.
• ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures and they deliver convenient features such as dimming on some indoor models. • Controls such as timers and photo cells save electricity by turning lights off when not in use. Dimmers save electricity when used to lower light levels. Be sure to select products that are compatible with CFL bulbs; not all products work with CFLs.
• When remodeling, look for recessed downlights, or “cans”, that are rated for contact with insulation (IC rated).
• Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.
• If you have torchiere fixtures with halogen lamps, consider replacing them with compact fluorescent torchieres. Compact fluorescent torchieres use 60% to 80% less energy and do not get as hot as halogen torchieres.

Outdoor Lighting
Many homeowners use outdoor lighting for decoration and security. When shopping for outdoor lights, you will find a variety of products, from low-voltage pathway lighting to motion-detector floodlights. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, thrive in outdoor environments because of their durability and performance in cold weather. Look for ENERGY STAR LED products such as pathway lights, step lights, and porch lights for outdoor use.
Outdoor Lighting Tips
• Because outdoor lights are usually left on a long time, using CFLs in these fixtures will save a lot of energy. Most bare spiral CFLs can be used in enclosed fixtures that protect them from the weather.
• CFLs are also available as flood lights. These models have been tested to withstand the rain and snow so they can be used in exposed fixtures. Most though, cannot be used with motion detectors.
• Look for ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures that are designed for outdoor use and come with features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors.

LED – A New Kind of Light
Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, offer better light quality than incandescent bulbs, last 25 times as long, and use even less energy than CFLs. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified LED products at home improvement centers and lighting showrooms.

Source: NAR Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home

Some Simple Tips to Help Build Your Confidence

2009-09-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

1. Stop worrying and take action on the things you have control over and the confidence will come.

2. Find a mentor who is already a confident person and model them.

3. Act “as if” you already were confident and before long it will become a habit.

4. To get want you want, many times you have to ask for it. So believe in yourself and that people truly do want to help you with your goals and your confidence will grow.

5. When doing something for the first time, just imagine that you have already done it by thinking it, feeling it and seeing it happen in your mind’s eye. Your confidence will increase.

6. Get rid of that negative internal voice of fear with help through meditation. Tell yourself to allow only positive thoughts to enter and form a positive internal voice. Your confidence level will soar.

Las Vegas Economy: When Will It Bounce Back?

2009-09-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas Economy: When Will It Bounce Back? This is the big question that everyone who lives, works, does business or invests in Las Vegas wants a difinitive answer to. Many different experts have many different opinions as to the future of Las Vegas. We have to look for the good in every situation. So, I tend to lean on the more positive side and agree with the expert in this article, that we will see it bounce back sooner rather than later.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- The recent spike in homeowners foreclosing on their properties, businesses closing their doors, and people losing their jobs has us all wondering when things will turn around. One expert thinks it will be sooner rather than later.

Don Burnham flies around the country buying up bargain properties. He lives in Florida and has his sights set on Las Vegas. He says our market has reached bottom and believes it will bounce up by the beginning of next year. When Burnham looks at Las Vegas, he sees a sure bet.
"When do you want to get involved, you want to get involved when it hits the bottom and comes up," Burnham said. He says there is no question Las Vegas housing and the economy has hit the bottom. In fact, he feels so strongly that he says if you buy real estate in Las Vegas right now, you cannot lose.

The demand for homes is a big reason why he says home values will shoot up at the beginning of next year. He also feels the Las Vegas economy will surge too. "Remember you had a pent up demand, there were a ton of people in Vegas who rented because they could not afford it during the boom. Now they can afford it," Burnham.

Applied Analysis Principal Jeremy Aguero looks at the local economy for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority. He's a little more cautious. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that we have a 13% unemployment rate. How many people are near foreclosure in this valley? We estimate that at about 100,000 people," Aguero said. Aguero admits some positive financial signs are starting to show like the number of home sales increasing each of the last three months. "Right now what is encouraging is that we have two offsetting factors, where six months ago we had one factor, down," Aguero added. Aguero says in the second half of 2010 we will start to see increases in home values as well as the economy. Both Aguero and Burnham agree it will happen; it's a matter of when.

So, the real estate investor says home prices and our economy will significantly increase in the beginning of next year. The analyst says the end of next year. In this case the million dollar question is -- who do you believe?

Source: http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11145179

All Homes Aren't Created Equal - What's Your Architectural Style?

2009-09-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

There are many different kinds of architectural home styles. Like people, architectural styles have a personality all their own. So if possible and depending the stage of life and affordability we are in, we are more likely to pick a style home that either compliments or is much like our personality style. There are so many styles of homes to suit the needs and wants of everyone in every country. For example: Some architectural style homes are more popular then others and some styles are only found in one country or a specific part or region of a country. Certain architectural style homes require more maintenance then others, while other styles are more suited for children and families. Some styles are flat, plain or curved and some have ornate designs. Although I have lived in several different architectural style homes, the style that most compliments my personality is more Victorian, French Provincial or Neo-Classical. Here are just a few of the more common architectural home styles. Which one do you think is most suited to your personality?

Colonial (1700-1850) This period style features a rectangular, symmetrical design and a simple formality.

Contemporary (1965-present) "Contemporary architecture" refers to today's diverse building types.

Cape Cod (1600's - 1930-1950) Early American settlers developed this northeastern U.S. style, which is known for its gabled roof and plain front.

Victorian (1840-1910) "Victorian" refers to several ornate architectural styles that developed during the Victorian era.

Art Deco (1925-1940) A mix of smooth swirls, curves and high-gloss finishes, Art Deco style evokes 1930s movie-star glamour.

Spanish Colonial (1890-1930) This style shows strong Latin influences and fosters a connection to nature.

Modern (1905-1965) The broad term "modern" includes several mid-20th-century architectural styles.

Neo-Classical (1885-1925) Recalling the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, Neoclassical homes are formal and timeless.

Tudor Revival (1890-1950) Half-timbered exteriors, steep roofs and gables mark the Tudor Revival style.

Ranch (1930-1980) Single-story, open ranch homes are modeled after the casual style of true Western homes.

Picture above is from www.frontdoor.com and is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Virginia, the most famous neo-classical architectural style home. You can find more information on the different architectual style homes on www.frontdoor.com

The Future is Looking Grand in the Desert

2009-09-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

The City Center project, specifically Aria Resort & Casino is due to be revealed in December 2009. In the midst of all the negative publicity, this is very positive news for the future of Las Vegas as it brings revenue, jobs and investors. So, I thought that it was necessary to share the following more positive Las Vegas article:

Gambling casino’s are loosing money from Atlantic City to Vegas and every where in between. Gaming Centers Nationwide are tightening up on their budgets to get through the next year or so of tough economic times. It’s no surprise with the economy in the state that it is in; budget tightening is hurting not only the gambling industry but also in the towns where they are located.

Leave it up to MGM to bring not only revenue to Vegas but also jobs. MGM is spending around $9.1 billion for the massive City Center project which is due to go live by the end of 2009. This city within a city has anything and everything do whether it is shopping, gambling, lodging, golf, sports, dining, you name it, and the City Center has it, a city with in a city that sustains itself with no help from the outside.

Analysts are predicting that the economical recession will more than likely subside in 2010 and right in that time frame city center will have brought at least 12,000 new jobs into Las Vegas, bringing the city back on track and enjoying the economic booms that it had before the recession happened.

Some say that, believe it or not, this is the time to be investing into Las Vegas. Las Vegas homes are very cheap at this time and realtors can’t even give the houses away. The new project will more than likely bring more upscale gamblers and visitors back into Las Vegas. The future is looking just grand in the desert.

Source - EarlyVegas.com/citycenter

http://www.earlyvegas.com/news/citycenter-las-vegas-coming-in-december-09/

Buyers Rush to Beat the Tax Credit Deadline

2009-09-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Update on the federal goverment's $8,000 tax credit as the deadline approaches:

Buyers Rush to Beat Tax Credit Deadline

Real estate professionals report that first-time home buyers are flooding the sale market, pressed to finalize a deal before the federal government's $8,000 tax credit offer expires on Nov. 30. Because mortgage approvals, residential inspections, and other steps in the buying process typically take about two months, buyers hoping to take advantage of the incentive will need to have a contract by the end of September. The new flurry of activity now as house-hunters try to meet the deadline is triggering bidding wars and energizing the property market, which historically is slow at the end of summer. As a result, more homes are getting their full asking price.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Kathleen Lynn (08/14/09)