Archives

June 2007

Stay cool, man!

PSE&G is offering customers tips on some simple things they can do to stay cool, save energy and keep their electric bills under control.

- Turn off everything you're not using; lights, TVs, computers, etc. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
- Set a programmable thermostat to your daily and weekend schedule. Raising your thermostat from 73 to 78 degrees can save you as much as 15% in cooling costs during the summer.
- Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to keep the sun's heat out and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.
- Check the weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows. Eliminate air leaks between window air conditioners and windows with foam insulation or weather-stripping.
- Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. With central air, close off vents to unused rooms.
- Use fans to draw cooler air inside during the night and circulate air during the day. Ceiling fan blades should be rotating clockwise during the summer months. Even if you have air conditioning, ceiling and other fans provide additional cooling and better circulation so you can raise the thermostat and contain air conditioning costs.
- Delay heat-producing tasks such as washing and drying laundry or dishes until later in the day, and wait until load is full.
- Refrain from using nonessential appliances. Unplug or use only when necessary an extra refrigerator in your garage. A refrigerator in an uncooled space such as a garage uses more energy on hot summer days than it does during the winter.
- Replace your four most used 100-watt incandescent bulbs with four comparable 23-watt compact fluorescent bulbs. ENERGY STAR(R)-labeled compact fluorescents work well almost anywhere incandescent bulbs are in use, and can save you a significant amount of money over their lifetime.
- Plant shade trees close to the house on the south and west sides.

11:31 AM - Jun. 29, 2007 - comments {1} - post comment

Watch your pet around water

Owners should never throw their pets into the water, as some animals have a hard time swimming or don't know how to swim at all. Owners should get in the water first and call to their pets. If the animal likes the water, it will come in and start to swim toward the owner. Let the animal move at its own pace.

"Americans love the water; we have many beaches, lakes and pools to enjoy this summer. Just remember to take care of your pet's safety when having fun," says Ron Faoro, DVM, president of theCalifornia Veterinary Medical Association. "Taking a few extra precautions can make all the difference."

Exiting water areas can be dangerous for a pet. Climbing up ladders can be difficult for animals because they often don't know how to use them to exit a water area. Dogs have a hard time exiting swimming pools because their paws cannot grip ladder rungs. The same caution should be considered when taking your pet out on a boat. Owners can teach their pets to use a ladder by showing them, either physically or by example, how to climb up
and out of the water.  Consider purchasing animal exit devices for your pool and putting a life jacket on your pet when you take it to a lake, river or the ocean. Rivers and oceans present the additional danger of strong currents, which can sweep an animal away.

"Flotation devices are a great alternative for pets new to the water or that are getting old. Pets may not be strong enough to swim on their own, so a little help would allow them to escape the heat without being in danger," Faoro added. "Of course pets, like children, should never be left alone in the water-even if they are wearing floatation devices."

Pools may pose chemical dangers to animals. You should rinse all animals exposed to chlorine with fresh water after swimming in pools. Be sure your dog knows how to get out of your pool-teach him or her where the steps are, starting when he or she is a puppy.

Ocean water also poses a danger to your pet while you're at the beach. Drinking the salt water can be dangerous to your pet's health. Bring fresh water to the beach for your animal to drink when it's thirsty.

"Pets can play safely around open water if pet owners act responsibly," Dr. Faoro says. "Pets and their owners can both have fun if the owners follow these few precautions."

2:55 PM - Jun. 27, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Curb appeal is key

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This adage certainly holds true when it comes to the curb appeal of the home you're selling. Buyers these days make decisions quickly and might not even take the time to go inside your home if at first glance, they don't like what they see on the outside.

"The homeowners themselves aren't always in the best position to judge their own curb appeal given that they see the property everyday," said Holly Slaughter, editor-in-chief of RealEstate.com Tips and Tools. "This is why I always recommend that homeowners invite a real estate agent or a friend over to give an honest assessment of a home's curb appeal before putting it on the market."

If prospective buyers pull up to what might be their new home, only to be turned off by chipped paint and a shaggy lawn, chances are they'll move on quickly to the next listing.  So what can you do to increase a home's curb appeal? Here are some easy projects to include on your to-do list:

- Maintain the lawn. Seed the bare patches in your lawn and keep the rest mowed and nicely edged. If you don't have time to do this, hire a service as the lawn is the first thing prospective buyers will notice.
- Consider whether your house could use a good power washing. This doesn't cost much and will quickly take away the years of dust and grime that has collected on your home.
- Make sure the doorbell works and that the front door opens and shuts smoothly without creaking. Creaking can indicate aging or disrepair - things no prospective buyer wants to be greeted with.
- Keep clutter to a minimum, meaning no bikes or toys on the lawn and no garbage containers in sight of the street.
- Repaint any areas where paint may be flaking.

A home's curb appeal is the "face" that everyone sees. Prospective buyers will be certain to stop and take a peak if a home is clean and welcoming so make sure you do what you can to make the home shine through great curb appeal.

2:39 PM - Jun. 25, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Before you buy into an active adult community

Most active adults either stay in their own homes or move to a smaller place when it comes time for retirement. But for the hundreds of thousands who move to an active adult community each year, a mistake can be expensive and draining. The Topretirements questions were developed as a guideline to help boomers improve their chances of making a good community fit, along with minimizing any financial risk.

The Topretirements' questions assume that the new retiree has already researched the area in which the active adult community is located for climate, economics, recreational and cultural opportunities, and political compatibility.

10 Questions to ask before buying into an active adult community

1. Who owns the land your home sits on?
2. How solid is the financial situation of your developer or association?
3. Is there a sinking fund for maintenance?
4. What type of assessments have there been?
5. What is the reputation of the builder/developer?
6. What is going to happen with adjacent property?
7. Can the community handle future growth?
8. What kind of rules (and how many) will you have to follow?
9. What is the political atmosphere of the community association?
10. What are your new neighbors like?

12:28 PM - Jun. 23, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

It's tick season again

The blacklegged tick transmits Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease most often occurs in the Northeastern states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey; in the upper mid-western states of Wisconsin and Minnesota; and in the Western states of California and Oregon. However, last year the CDC showed confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 45 states

Other, less common, tick-borne illnesses include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI).

According to National Pest Management Association (NPMA) Senior Scientist Greg Baumann, ticks are often associated with deep woods but many thrive in habitats near homes and businesses, especially where tall grass, weeds, and brush might be present.

"Ticks usually do not prefer neatly trimmed lawns but will populate gardens or overgrown areas including woods," says Baumann. "Pest control technicians can treat grass/vegetation near homes or businesses where people may come in contact with ticks to help protect people from illnesses like Lyme disease."

The NPMA offers the following five tips to help protect homeowners from tick encounters this summer:

1. Avoid tick habitats, if possible, such as low-growing brushy vegetation along the edge of the woods or a trail.
2. Wear light-colored clothing, and tuck your pant legs into your socks and your shirt bottoms into your pants, to make ticks more readily visible.
3. Apply repellents with DEET (n, n-diethyl-m-toluamide) to clothing and any exposed skin.
4. Check yourself thoroughly after you have been in known or potential tick-infested areas.
5. Ticks must be attached for more than 24 hours before they can transmit any pathogen, therefore finding and removing all ticks in a timely manner is critical to preventing disease.

12:26 PM - Jun. 21, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Where should I retire?

1- Visit the community during both the busy season and off-season. Many towns have different ‘feels' to them depending on the time of year. Some people make the mistake of buying a home in a town that they have only visited on vacations or during the peak summer period.
2- Find out where medical care is located. According to AARP, more than 60% of Americans ages 50-64 have at least one of six chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Once seniors reach the age of 65, more than 80% are affected by these chronic diseases. Close proximity to hospitals, doctors and medical facilities should be considered when retiring.
3- Think about gas prices. If your new home is far from family and friends, and there is no public transportation, you may be spending a lot of money on gas and tolls. Twenty percent of people over 65 do not have a driver's license. Many who do drive prefer not to drive at night or in inclement weather. Cost of living should be factored in as well.
4- Determine how much living space you will need. Without a family at home, your space needs will diminish. Pay attention to stairs, basements, garages, and attics when looking for a home. The average size of a home for people over the age of 55 is 1,800 square feet.
5- Look into social aspects of the area. If you like people, dining out and shows, you may not want to opt for a remote location. Think about the activities you enjoy, both during the day and at night. Many active-adult communities offer entertainment, bus trips to tourist attractions, and on-site shows and programs.

12:15 PM - Jun. 19, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Get your house ready for your vacation

According to McMurtrie, a few simple precautions made before you leave the house can ensure a much happier return. "The best way to ruin an enjoyable vacation is to come home to preventable problems," McMurtrie says.

Before an extended getaway, McMurtrie advises to:

- Give a trip itinerary and emergency numbers to a trusted friend or neighbor.
- Remove all "hidden" exterior house keys.
- Let your security company know you will be out of town.
- Stop your newspaper, mail and package deliveries through the U.S. Postal Service.
- Turn off the water and gas supply to prevent leaks or water damage while you're away.
- Make arrangements for a friend, family member or neighbor to take care of your home, including maintenance of your lawn and care of the family pet.
- Put lights, radios and televisions on timers to give the impression that your home is being lived in while you're gone.
- Make sure that valuables are not in plain sight from exterior windows.
- Consider engraving identification information on larger items such as stereos and televisions.
- Check all doors and windows to ensure locks are working properly.

"It may seem like a lot to get done before a trip, but the peace of mind is far more important than anything while you're away," McMurtrie says.

Before hitting the road, have your car thoroughly serviced and filled with gas, and inspect your car safety kit to make sure it has all the necessities: water, jumper cables, flares, flashlights, equipment to change a tire and a first aid kit. It's also a great idea to pack non-perishable snacks, food and juice. Now you're ready to buckle up and go!

"These few simple precautions can make all the difference between coming back to a secure home or returning to a mess of troubles," McMurtrie says. "So head to that open road and return home safely."

1:14 PM - Jun. 17, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homeowner's insurance - more expensive and less available

The following article by John Voket outlines the issues all of us face with the rise of insurance companies refusing to write policies in certain areas.

A storm is brewing, and it may strike real estate markets nationwide in the months and years to come, especially in more disaster-prone coastal areas of the United States. But this storm is more about the cost and accessibility to homeowners insurance coverage than it is about the weather.  Earlier this year, while many parts of the country were gearing up for winter snowstorms, the New Jersey Association of Realtors (NJAR) was looking towards the warmer hurricane season, and lobbying its Statehouse about insurance companies discontinuing homeowner's insurance to New Jersey residents. The Association's members fear this escalating trend could have a detrimental impact on the availability and affordability of homeowner's policies, and its affect the housing market.

"NJAR understands that insurance companies are trying to protect themselves in the event of a catastrophe, therefore we are calling upon the Legislature to address this issue before it becomes a crisis," said NJAR Vice President of Government Affairs Jarrod Grasso. "If insurance companies are not adequately protected, taxpayers could be forced to pay for millions of dollars worth of damages. The Legislature must take action to keep insurance companies in our state, entice new ones to join our market, increase competition and keep costs down for homeowners."

That is exactly what is happening one state away, where on April 22, The Buffalo News reported that insurers are cutting rates in Western New York and elsewhere to capture new business, after the nation's property and casualty carriers posted their best underwriting results in nearly 50 years.  The industry recently reported that its earnings soared to more than $60 billion in 2006, after it raised premiums to cover its risk, but then didn't suffer big losses. That means companies don't have to focus on restoring their reserves, which were depleted in recent years, first by the terrorist attacks in 2001 and then by devastating storms.  So instead of retrenching, industry officials and brokers say, they are again aggressively seeking to grow their market share, which means businesses in Western New York could be paying 10 percent to 20 percent less for commercial insurance policies this year The News report stated.

It is certainly the kind of news homeowners have been waiting to hear about in storm-prone states like Texas. Four years after lawmakers there reworked laws and predicted big drops in homeowner insurance rates, Texas still ranks as the nation's most expensive state to insure a home.

The Austin American-Statesman reported April 23, that historically homeowner's insurance in Texas has been more expensive than in other states because of the size of the state and its exposure to severe weather conditions - specifically, hail storms and coastal wind storms. Wind and hail losses account for 84 percent of the difference in premiums paid by Texans and those paid by others around the United States, according to Jerry Hagins, spokesman for the Texas Department of Insurance.  Other factors affecting rates include the impact of Hurricane Rita on windstorm policy coverage along the Gulf Coast and the increasing costs of reinsurance. Reinsurance is the coverage insurance companies buy to protect against large or unexpected catastrophes.

Traditionally, premium costs increases also mirror escalating property values.

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance statistics show nearly 67% of homeowner's coverage in the Garden State was sold by the top ten insurers in 2005. Recent downgrades in homeowner's insurance services offered by top providers will force some homeowners to find another carrier in a market with fewer options.

Without sufficient competition among insurance providers, the cost of homeowner's insurance will rise, which may contribute to a drop in the housing market.  "Homeowner's insurance is a necessary component in securing a mortgage and buying and selling a home," said Grasso.

Up the coast in Connecticut, concerns that residents are getting battered by insurers after damaging storms hit there has raised the ire of state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. He has proposed legislation to the state's General Assembly that would prohibit insurers from requiring consumers install hurricane shutters as a condition of insurance.  The legislation would also require an insurer to notify existing policyholders when the company applies to the Insurance Commissioner for approval of new underwriting requirements that could cost homeowners more than $1,000.

Blumenthal's proposed legislation responds to a trend by insurers to impose onerous, expensive conditions - or cease writing policies altogether - in Connecticut and other coastal regions. Blumenthal's office is continuing an antitrust investigation involving several companies at various levels in the insurance industry, including carriers, reinsurers, modelers and rating agencies.

"Insurers are reaping record-breaking profits, but still shifting costs to consumers," Blumenthal said in a release. "They shirk risk by imposing expensive, extreme, and egregious conditions on homeowners. Policyholders deserve advance notice so they can act - at a minimum protest against approval by the insurance commissioner. This legislation would simply require insurers to do the reasonable and responsible thing: keep loyal customers informed. Policy changes that exact unexpected and unrealistic burdens must be made unacceptable."

The type of activities Blumenthal described are affecting thousands of loyal homeowners in Florida. Since the end of last hurricane season, customers of companies like Allstate and Safeco have dropped hundreds of thousands of Floridians, some of whom have been loyally paying their premiums without a claim for up to 20 years.  Many of these policies have been canceled or transferred to another company after the eight hurricanes of 2004-05, as insurance companies try to more evenly spread out their risk exposure The Gainsville Sun reported. Many other insurers have stopped writing new policies in Florida, making the search more difficult as owners are forced to turn to the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp., originally established to be the insurer of last resort.

Adam Shores, spokesman for Allstate Floridian, said in The Sun recently, that the damage in inland Central Florida in 2004 shows there are no low-risk parts of Florida. Florida insurers paid out $25.1 billion pretax from 2004 hurricanes and another $10.8 billion in 2005.  The storms of 2004 alone wiped out the claims-paying capacity that Allstate Floridian had built up over 10 years, the company said. To rebuild reserves, insurers responded by raising rates, canceling policies and either halting or drastically reducing writing new policies.  Since 2002, the state's top insurers have raised rates ranging from 53.8 percent for Universal Property and Casualty to 131.3 percent for State Farm.

In neighboring Louisiana, however, Allstate recently backed off the cancellation of 4,000 homeowner policies in Hurricane Katrina-damaged parishes, agreeing to reinstate them if policyholders can prove they are rebuilding or living in the properties.  The company said in mid-March that it would consider reinstating those policies as part of an agreement with state insurance commissioner Jim Donelon, who had threatened fines if Allstate refused.  Donelon's office received hundreds of complaints from homeowners who said the company canceled their coverage after Allstate Insurance Co. inspectors wrongly concluded their properties had been abandoned. Donelon ordered his own inspections and concluded Allstate was using a flawed, "drive-by" inspection process. He ordered the company to reinstate the policies.

By working with lawmakers in New Jersey, the association of Realtors hopes to help clients there avoid the types of problems homeowners in these other states are experiencing.  "Rising insurance costs could derail home purchases, delay transactions and make homeownership increasingly costly, especially for young families and first-time buyers," said Grasso. "This could have serious repercussions on the real estate marketplace in our state."

Members of the NJAR are supporting a bill to establish a New Jersey Catastrophe Fund to help pay covered residential property damage insurance claims in the event of a catastrophe that would affect New Jersey homeowners and their property insurers. Under the bill, insurance companies in the state would pay annual fees into the fund.  If damages from a catastrophic disaster exceed $2 billion, insurers could dip into the fund after they deplete their normal reserves. In addition to providing security for the insurance market, such a bill would help fund efforts of emergency responders, improve preparedness and establish comprehensive mitigation, education and prevention programs, all of which would help speed up a costly recovery from a major disaster, and save lives.

1:01 PM - Jun. 15, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Garage Sales - a great way to declutter

Amy Hoak of MarketWatch gives us all a reminder that garage sales may still be the best way to get that spring cleaning done.

The dirty and tarnished bracelet sold for 50 cents, but cleaned up to reveal a sterling silver and 18-carat gold piece of jewelry worth several hundred dollars. It's one of Jenn Callum's best garage-sale finds, and an example of why — even in the age of the online auction — many treasure hunters still seek out traditional rummage sales.

Call it a garage sale, a yard sale, a tag sale or a boot sale, but don't call it a relic that online auctions have rendered obsolete.  In fact, the Internet is increasingly complementing traditional garage sales, making it easier to connect buyers and sellers who once relied solely on newspaper advertisements and roadside signs. Many newspapers post sale listings online and other Web sites try to help sellers ramp up foot traffic by allowing them to post information about their events.

A greater amount of pricing information on the Web via online auction sites also is creating more savvy "garagers," said Callum, whose Web site, www.garagesale-guru.com, offers information for buyers and sellers. Some shoppers search the residential sales specifically to find items that will fetch a much more attractive selling price online. Many municipalities charge a nominal fee for a permit to hold a garage sale. But there is no national database that tracks the number of sales or the amount of money that clutter-clearing homeowners reap from them. Judging by the growth of online sites that focus on the sales, business is booming.

Searching for sales

On many Saturday mornings, Callum heads out with a clipboard of garage sale addresses found on the Internet, arranged geographically to make the most of her time. The 39-year-old from Toronto can hit dozens of sales in a day, deciding with a glance if they're worth a stroll through.  "The online garage-sale-listings sites are slow to catch on, although they are certainly gaining in popularity," Callum said. Online newspaper ads are usually her sources of choice.

But newspapers are not the only sources for information on garage-sale whereabouts. Garage-sale specific sites like Garage Sale Hunter.com also offer free listings to visitors.  Diana Matheou, a 33-year-old from Cleveland, created Garage Sale Hunter with her brother in 1999 as a pilot project for their information-technology firm, E-ffective Services Ltd. Details on more than 1,000 garage sales are viewable on any given day during the peak season of June through September, Matheou said. At the time the site launched, classified ad Web sites had been created to help sell cars and homes, but the pair didn't know of one that helped advertise garage sales.  "There wasn't anything targeting this market," Matheou said.

The site allows visitors to search not only by a sale's location but also by what will be sold there. Visitors can have e-mails sent to them when sales come up that meet their criteria. Next up on the development list: a tool that will map out a garage-sale circuit for shoppers.

Listings of garage sales have also grown substantially at Craigslist.org in recent years, said Susan MacTavish Best, a Craigslist spokeswoman. In April 2002, a couple of months after the listings first started appearing on the site, 2,447 notices were posted there; in April 2006, 46,129 garage sales were advertised on Craigslist. By April 2007, notices for about 120,000 garage sales were posted during the month.

"The Craigslist community is really about people connecting with other people in their 'hood, usually in person," Best said. More than 90% of Craigslist sales and transactions take place within the same community, she added. "With that in mind, it's really an obvious choice for people to advertise for free their garage sales on the site, as they know locals will see the ad, read the ad and come to the sale."

Priced to profit

At the same time, online sites like eBay are assisting in the pricing of specific items.

"I had an old plate from the early 1900s I got from a garage sale, paid $1 for it, and got all the info I needed on the Internet to find out the entire background of the plate," one buyer said. In the end, he estimated that the plate was worth $65.  Looking around online can help sellers be smarter when deciding asking prices for their merchandise. Savvy buyers will move quickly on items that are greatly underpriced — and can turn around a hefty profit in some instances.

Callum, for example, once spied a Hummel figurine priced at 50 cents at a garage sale. Another shopper got to it before she did, and knew it was a steal — the collectibles fetch handsome resale prices, and at least one Web site, www.hummelexchange.com, has a corner that connects buyers and sellers looking for specific pieces.  But the extra information available to sellers can have a downside, Callum said. She has been to sales that seem more like roadside shops than garage sales, with noticeably higher prices.

When to have a garage sale, when to sell online

When to sell online:

- When you have an item that requires a national prospects rather than local. It may be a specialized collectible that needs a wide audience to sell.
- If the item is small and easy to ship.
- If the item does not have any flaws or imperfections that prospects would need to see.
- Sell online if you can offer sharp and multiple view photos of what you are selling.
- If you want maximum money. You usually don't get into bidding wars at garage sales.
- If you have some time to wait and let a buyer find your item. Online buying can require patience for seller and buyer to find each other.

When to sell at a garage sale

- When the item is common and does not justify a national ad to find a buyer. Examples are CD players, toasters, books and videos.
- When the item is large, heavy or common and would be a pain to ship to someone. Examples are a nice sofa, or a kitchen table and chairs.
- When you want to get rid of clutter and money is a secondary factor.
- When the item has imperfections that a potential buyer would want to see before buying. This includes electrical items that buyers can plug in and see it work.
- When you enjoy the interaction of meeting new people and selling.
- When you want to get rid of clutter quickly.
- If you have the time and energy to organize and hold a one-day sale.
- If you have lots of items you want to get rid of all at once.

12:46 PM - Jun. 13, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

You think you got troubles...

Joe Cooke is an author, speaker and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in marketing and management.  Here are his ideas for reducing that everyday stress.

A little stress can be a good thing. Pick up a rubber band and hold it loosely between your thumbs. Let your left thumb be you, where you are right now, and let your right thumb be you, achieving your goals. Now, take your thumbs and pull them as far apart as you can. You should feel some tension in that rubber band - tension that can pull you toward your goals and dreams. That kind of tension is useful because it creates movement. However, you know if you stretch that band too tight, it will break.

There are several studies out now that tie stress in with heart disease, aging and even cancer. Stress can make you grumpy, it can give you headaches and muscle aches and generally saps your effectiveness. So, what can you do? The following are eight tools for relieving stress, starting with two of the most basic, followed by three advanced tools and finishing with three power tools.

Basic Tools

1. Take a Hike
Taking a walk will clear your mind. It will also oxygenate your blood, which in turn will help clarify your thoughts. Walk alone and turn off your cell phone. We tend to live with our cell phone-when it rings, we want to drop everything to answer it. While we're talking, we get two voice mails. By the time you finish listening to your voice mails, the phone rings again. Or, we're waiting for an important call back and the darn thing isn't ringing. So, turn it off and walk in peace. If back, foot or other physical limitations prevent you from walking, try rocking in a chair or just find a quiet place and imagine a walk.

2. Control Your Input
When problems crop up, you can't afford to be loaded up on sugar, caffeine, simple carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup or other non-nutritional substances (including alcohol.) The time to develop good eating habits is when things are going well. Even so, in a crisis, get tough with your inner child. Refuse to immerse your troubles in junk food and junk drinks. Keep apples and a bottle of water on hand. When stress hits, take the initiative and grab your healthy food.

Advanced Tools

1. Redecorate
Look at your office space. Clutter and disorganization can make you feel overwhelmed and unsettled. Find a place for everything. If you're having trouble getting started, hire a temp or even a professional organizer. Put up some relaxing pictures, add a favorite lamp and a live plant or bring in your guitar and a pot of potpourri. You might even try some simple Feng Shui. Do whatever you can to make your place of work more relaxing and you'll find your whole day going better.

2. Stay in the Moment
Two major contributors to stress are (a) worrying about the future and (b) regret for the past. Every real estate transaction is fraught with problems. And yet, any possible scenario you can think of for the future probably won't happen. Whatever does come your way will most likely be something unexpected. Remember, you can't change the past, but you can mess up the present by worrying about the future.

3. Refill the Well
There is a wellspring of creativity and energy within you, but you have to give as well as take. Stressful transactions, stressful clients and stressful meetings all deplete your well of enthusiasm. Make sure you are doing something every day to fill it back up again. Take yourself on a date. Go to a movie, a party or fun art exhibit. Don't take your work with you-just go for fun. Or, try something creative-sing, dance, laugh, draw or write. Creativity heals pain. It is a way to process your feelings. You'll be surprised at how much you learn just by doing something creative for yourself. You never have to show it to anyone.

Power Tools

1. Remember to Laugh
Weird stuff happens to all of us. You are not terminally unique. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh. For instance, several years ago I was showing homes to a prominent executive and his wife (call them Larry and Rose) and I accidentally locked my keys (including my electronic lockbox key) in the house. Fortunately the owner had left the automatic garage door open just a crack to let her cats in and out. Rose insisted that she could slide under the garage door to retrieve the keys. She got down on the pavement, on her back, and wormed under the door, but she only made it to her hips. She was stuck there with her legs sticking out. I was mortified, but Larry stayed calm and we decided that together, they might be able to lift the door just enough to get Rose unstuck. We slipped our fingers under the door, bent our knees, counted slowly to three and then heaved upward. The funny thing was, the door wasn't secured at all. It actually flew right up light as a feather. Rose could have pushed it up at any time. No one laughed harder than she did.

2. Mind Your Attitude
Learn to control your own thoughts. If your mind is like a jumping monkey, when problems arise, your thoughts will be all over the cage, rattling the bars and screaming. Focused breathing, learning a mantra, meditating on a phrase or passage and walking meditations are all good stress-fighters. If that is too new age for you, try keeping a journal. Writing can both process and focus your thoughts.

3. Seek the Gift
The universe will never give you more than you can handle. Every transaction takes you up a notch-treat each problem as a opportunity. For example, a young agent sold an upscale, new home to a couple and forgot to write in the refrigerator and stove. The day before the sale closed, the builder took the fridge and stove out. The agent ended up buying replacements. By keeping a good attitude and by doing the right thing without complaining, the agent got referrals from both the clients and the builder. The universe will never give you more than you can handle. Every transaction takes you up a notch-treat each problem as an opportunity.

Imagine your rubber band again. There's power in the tension between what you really want and your current reality. If you don't take care of yourself, that tension can tug at your dreams until all you can see are days and days of drudgery ahead. Worse yet, if your band became brittle and hard, it will break and you will find yourself sick, tired and on the verge of a breakdown. However, if you keep that band supple and flexible, and if you have energy and enthusiasm, the tension will pull you to your goals.

12:41 PM - Jun. 11, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

At the car wash yeah...

"Well those cars never seem to stop coming, keep those rags and machines humming...working at the car wash..." ~ Rose Royce

With summer fast approaching, most people want to have their car looking good. Driving a nice clean car just feels good - and it can also help to preserve its appearance and resale value.

So what's the best way to clean your car? Is it better to take the car to the car wash or wash it by hand at home?

Believe it or not, an automatic car wash is not only more convenient, but it can also be much safer for your car than washing the car at home. Why? If your car is washed by hand in direct sunlight, the drops of water turn into mini magnifying glasses, which can cause the sun's rays to burn spots into the paint - and this could cost you big when going to resell the vehicle. Additionally, many use harsh household soap products which remove protective wax and leave a chalky residue on the surface. Taking this into consideration makes the $10 to $15 automatic car wash fee look pretty reasonable.

But at the car wash, there's all the "extras", which can add up fast and quickly double the cost of a quick car wash! Before you agree to the "works" package, find out what is included and decide if it is really worth the extra money to have a fresh scent sprayed in the interior, or a spray-on wax applied to the exterior.

Here are some tips: Undercarriage rust proofing and spray-on wax may be a couple of extras to pass on. Most new cars are rust proofed at the factory, and spray-on wax simply adds shine. A few to consider getting would be an undercarriage bath, a hand-applied wax, and tire dressings. An undercarriage bath could wash away crud from the winter months and prevents buildup, a hand-applied wax restores oils and provides a UV-protective film, and tire dressings remove dirt and brake dust.

And remember to always opt for a brushless car wash. Older car wash facilities may still be using brushes which tend to leave light scratches in the paint and can remove the clear coat that was applied by the factory to protect the paint. And don't ever agree to have the engine cleaned. High pressure water is used to perform the engine cleaning and can cause serious engine problems in new vehicles.

12:39 PM - Jun. 9, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Consider a Home Warranty

True, marketing is the first important step in securing prospects for a listing. But in a market where buyers are at a premium the question we need to ask is why should a buyer purchase your listing? The most obvious answer is price, and surely the listing should be priced at market. Assuming it is what can we offer a buyer to choose our listing over another?

Simple, offer the purchaser safety and security in choosing your listing over your competitors. Don't forget purchasing a home is a very expensive endeavor. And due to the run up in home prices over the last several years it is not uncommon for purchasers to be forced to invest nearly all of their available cash into their home purchase. Knowing this we are presented with a golden opportunity to differentiate our listing from the competition by offering to the buyer something as simple as a home warranty.

Home warranties protect against the normal wear and tear of major mechanical systems and appliances such as heating and air conditioning, plumbing, oven/ranges, refrigerators, washers/dryers, and more. When a problem occurs with a covered item, a service technician repairs or replaces it using brand-new, top-quality parts and appliances. A home warranty gives the buyer peace of mind when making that difficult decision to buy a home or condominium.

Studies show that buyers are more likely to purchase a home with a warranty than without. On average, a homeowner will make two claims during the first year with a home warranty. Those two claims can really save the homeowner who is probably on a tight budget after the purchase of the home in the first year.

Some home warranty companies provide free protection during the listing period - they cover items during the listing period at no additional cost. Contract payment is not made until closing and includes coverage for the buyer.

12:13 PM - Jun. 7, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

You CAN still sell in a slumping market

Ralph R. Roberts, official spokesperson for Guthy-Renker Home and author of Flipping Houses For Dummies has the following ideas if you need to sell your home in a less than ideal market.

When your local housing market is in a free fall and you have to sell, what do you do? You want top dollar, you may also need to sell in a hurry, especially if moving day is right around the corner.   In a tight housing market, remember that you are competing with all of the other homes for sale in your neighborhood. The key to success is to make your home and the deal itself more attractive than what the competition is offering without giving away too much. If you find yourself having to sell into a slow market, here are some tips to help you make your home more attractive and sweeten the deal to generate more interest in your home:

- Price it to the market, don't be greedy. Most sellers tend to set the price too high, thinking their home is worth more than it really is. Check the sales prices of comparable homes that recently sold the asking prices of comparable homes that are currently for sale in your neighborhood.
- Obtain an appraisal in advance, so you know what the house is officially worth (based on the appraiser's professional opinion).
- Use a seasoned Realtor, a veteran who has already experienced price wars in the housing market. According to the National Association of Realtors, a home sells on average for 16 percent more when the seller uses as certified Realtor.
- Have your home professionally inspected before showing it. Get everything repaired so lookers won't have an excuse not to buy.
- Have your home professionally staged. A professional stager can transform an empty or overly cluttered house into a warm and welcoming home.
- Don't move out before it sells, or if you have to move out, make sure you leave the home staged, so it looks lived-in. Vacant houses feel more like uninhabited caves than homes.
- Be willing to pay closing costs for the purchaser, up to 6%. A slow market is usually that way due to a slow economy. Buyers are strapped for cash and may need you to help in some way with the financing.
- Give your Realtor copies of all improvements to the home and any guarantees for anything like a new roof, furnace, or hot water tank.
- Make sure your Realtor is marketing your home on at least eight Internet sites, including Craig's List and Backpage.
- Realtor commissions are negotiable. Consider offering a higher commission to your Realtor as an added incentive.
- Keep your home in ready-to-show condition at all times. Do not require a 24-hour notice.
- Focus on curb appeal and making a good first impression. You do not get a second chance to make a good first impression.
- Be open to negotiating on things like leaving furniture or appliances behind.
- Although you may be tempted to take the first offer that comes along, be careful. Not all offers are created equal.

Here are some warning signs to watch out for:

- Someone tells you to take your house off the market for a period of time, and in exchange, the person will pay you more than the asking price later. This is usually a sign that the person plans on using your home as part of a mortgage fraud scheme in which he obtains a loan for more than the house is worth, pays you a little more than what you were asking, and pockets the excess proceeds.
- A cash back at closing deal in which the person offers you more than the home is worth if you agree to kick back the extra money at closing.
- The buyer is not pre-approved for a mortgage loan. This person can tie up your home, preventing you from considering better offers.
- The person is offering no or very little Earnest Money Deposit. The lower the EMD, the more likely the deal will fall through.
- The prospective buyers make the purchase agreement contingent upon their home selling, and for that to happen, several other transactions must occur first. This is known as the domino effect, and you should avoid it, if possible.

You can successfully sell a home into a declining market and even profit from the sale, if you set realistic goals and work a little harder at it than your competitors. Just remember to work hard, stick to it, and avoid some of the common pitfalls described in this article.

12:08 PM - Jun. 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Got a few days vacation coming?

2:14 PM - Jun. 3, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

What in the world is a HELOC?

2:11 PM - Jun. 1, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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