As we come upon the last of 2007, instead of the typical New Years resolutions, why not think in terms of real estate resolutions. Here are just a few ideas:Get and stay on a budget. Budgeting is something we should all be doing. Not only should you budget for present expenses, you should budget for your future. Set a goal to put aside a certain amount for a down payment on a real estate Continue Reading
Archives for December 2007
Week in review
"YOUTH IS WHEN YOU'RE ALLOWED TO STAY UP LATE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. MIDDLE AGE IS WHEN YOU'RE FORCED TO." Bill Vaughn And battle weary Traders may be looking to hang it up early for the night, after enduring days and weeks on end of extreme market volatility. And last week was no exception, as the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister and current opposition leader Benazir Bhutto brought on Continue Reading
Real Estate Outlook: Media Reporting Good Turns?
When the national housing market numbers bottom out and start to improve again, will anyone tell us?That's a sobering question to have to ask. But based on media coverage of last week's national report on new foreclosure filings, it's relevant. You may have seen the headlines or caught the news on network coverage: Foreclosures were up dramatically from year -- ago levels -- a scary 68 percent! Continue Reading
When Will Passports be Required for Re-Entering the US from Mexico?
This is where the confusion lies! The passport requirements are being applied at different dates for different types of travel. There are 3 different classifications for traveling into the US. 1: Air Travel - (By airplane): As of January 23, 2007, all travelers - including US and Canadian citizens are now required to have a passport when entering the US by airplane. 2: Sea Travel - (By Continue Reading
President Bush’s Rate Freeze Plan
President Bush announced a plan to freeze interest rates for five years for hundreds of thousands of strapped homeowners whose mortgages are scheduled to rise in the coming months."There is no perfect solution," he said. "The homeowners deserve our help. The steps I’ve outlined today are a sensible response to a serious challenge.""We should not bail out lenders, real estate speculators or those Continue Reading
Internet Real Estate Leaves Money On the Table
Friday's USA Today carried a story about how the internet is changing home selling methods. The seller, one Jim Blair in Redmond, WA, seemed so excited to have sold his home on Zillow. He originally placed the home on the site for a "Make Me Move" price of $699,000. Probably tired of no activity, offers or serious buyers, he later decided to list with an agent at $659,000, when he received an Continue Reading
Making Dreams a Reality
Shaping Your World by ThoughtThere's no end to the number of motivational speakers and self-help "gurus" who make a name for themselves by re-hashing old ideas. But there is truth to these ideas, and I especially wanted to share one of the ideas from the great-grandfather of self-help, James Allen.Allen's treatise, As A Man Thinketh, was first published at the turn of the twentieth century. His Continue Reading
What’s Dan Fogelberg Have To Do With Real Estate?
This past weekend, one of my favorite recording artists from the 70's, Dan Fogelberg, passed away with prostate cancer. His hits "Leader of the Band," "Part of the Plan" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era. He died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56. He is survived by his wife, Jean. The hook in "Part of the Plan" says, "Love when you can, Continue Reading
Top 11 Presents For Your Little Pets!
By Andrea ArdenPet ExpertTODAYA recent survey by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association found that 56 percent of dog owners and 42 percent of cat owners buy holiday presents for their pets. If you count yourself among this furry-friend-loving group, then pet expert and author of “Dog-Friendly Dog Training” Andrea Arden may have the perfect gift idea for you:1. The Panasonic PetCamThe Continue Reading
Holiday Travel at Sky Harbor, Phoenix AZ
If you plan to travel anytime during the upcoming winter holidays, keep in mind these are among the busiest times of year to travel. By being prepared, you can help minimize checkpoint delays.The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asks travelers to “become an active partner in your security experience by knowing the rules and carefully packing your carry-on bags.”To help you get through Continue Reading