Help Your Real Estate Listing Clients: How to Stage a Kitchen in the Age of Dining Out and Fast Food

Today the kitchen has lost its position as the ?heart of the home? that it enjoyed in generations past. According to a 2004 report on dining out, published by Restaurant.org, single professionals eat over 50% of their meals away from home. And, in recent trends data? the National Restaurant Association (NRA) reports that restaurant sales will rise nearly twelve-fold from the 1970 figure of $42.8 billion to a whopping $511.1 billion this year! So, where does this leave you when you are trying to show a home? It makes it essential that you outline the ideal kitchen and help your listing clients ensure that their kitchen shows well.

Yes, some people are gourmet cooks, some families still eat dinner together every night, and some individuals consider their kitchen the only real place to ?congregate with friends.? But many homeowners eat out more often than they cook at home. Add to that the number of meals that are ?delivered? and the number that are eaten ?en route? to work and school?and you may find that the kitchen has taken a back seat when you are showing a home.

According to the Meal Consumption Behavior report, ?Males between the ages of 25 and 34 eat commercially prepared meals most frequently ? an average of six times per week? and higher income earners are even less likely to prepare food at home.

Those with a household income of $75,000 and above dine out more often than lower income households. These higher income households spend 46.7% of their entire annual food budget on eating out.

Despite these figures, homebuyers still want a ?traditional home.? People who are buying a house often imagine themselves as ?settling down? ? and they want all the time-honored options ... including a nice, roomy, well-organized kitchen.

When you show a home, the kitchen must be inviting. Want to help your listing client create a show-friendly kitchen? Share the following information with them:

What are the top five ways to lose a potential buyer with this one room?

Cluttered counters and walls - The more ?stuff? on the counters, the less counter space your room will appear to have. The more bits and pieces plastered on the front of the fridge -- the more disorganized and cluttered the whole room will seem to be. The more ?decorative? items you have strewn on the walls, the less able your potential buyer will be to imagine their stuff on the walls. The idea is to make the buyer imagine living here? the less of YOU they see, the more of THEM they can project.

Grimy floors/sink/cabinet tops/appliances - In a matter of moments, a floor can become gritty. Add to that a few water spots in the sink, a slight coffee stain from this morning?s essential cup of java and a few crumbs perching on top of the toaster? and what do you get? A kitchen that seems dirty and uninviting.

Be sure you take a look at the kitchen with fresh eyes. Stand at the door and pretend you have never seen it before. (Imagine you are the grime police.) What do you see? If you were your mother-in-law (or maybe your mother) what ?tiny little comments? might you make? Fix those. Now.

Be so bold as to scrub the sink and SHINE it (pay special attention to behind the faucet and the rim around the sink ? use an old toothbrush). Sweep, mop AND wax the floor. Thoroughly clean all appliances ? even in the nooks and crannies. Make it simply spotless.

Unsavory smells/odors - Avoid cooking strong smelling food when your house is on the market. Day old fish, boiled cabbage, onions, etc., will turn off the most interested buyer. Avoid ?covering up? smells with strong sprays, over-scented candles and products. Your favorite ?gardenia? smell may send your potential buyer into sneezing fits.

Instead, consider leaving out a single appliance ? a bread machine, with the timer set to be mid-way through the baking process when the house is to be shown. How many people do you know that don?t like the smell of fresh bread? (Yeah, I can?t think of a single one either!)

Disorganized or insufficient storage space - If your cabinets are brimming with ?stuff? or (goodness forbid) things tend to tumble when you open them, you need to remove all but the most essential items while showing your home. Pack up all the extras in a box (or boxes) and put them in storage. Eliminate your ?junk drawer? and be sure that your plates, glasses and bowls are close together and are located close to where you will use them.

Organize your pantry area and be sure all food items are neatly stacked and appropriately organized and are not located in various cabinets throughout the kitchen. Consolidate them into one general area.

When you finish cleaning and packing away, make sure that what remains is neatly organized and that everything is located where you are most likely to use it. People WILL look in your cabinets. They will try to determine from your use of the area if there is enough storage space. If you can?t live in the space, why would they believe that they can? If you can?t keep it organized, how will they?

Dark and/or claustrophobic d?cor - Dark colors in the kitchen make it less inviting. It makes it harder to cook when you have to strain to see what you are doing. Ample light is a requirement. Natural light is best. If your kitchen doesn?t have quality lighting, you need to add it. Consider ?natural light? light bulbs, add additional light sources under upper cabinets, and make the room brim with warm, bright light. If your lights flicker or are dull ? replace them. In one kitchen I saw recently, there was no window to the outside, but the owner had added a mirror with ?window panel? framing over the sink and a light above it to add light, reflect it and give the impression of a window. It wasn?t perfect, but I was a vast improvement over facing a solid wall while doing dishes.

Claustrophobic decorating would include oversized decorative items in a small kitchen, anything that requires you to dodge, move or step around to do simple tasks. Heavy, low-hanging items that ?close in? the space in a kitchen are also ill advised. I recently saw a wrought-iron pan rack that was hung (too low) over an island in the center of a kitchen. It was covered in pans and it created a visual wall in the center of a modestly-sized kitchen. The cook continually had to ?bend down? to talk to people on the other side of the rack. This type of decorating was too ?claustrophobic? for that space. Replacing the rack with higher-hung lighting would have eliminated the ?squeeze? effect and would have lightened, brightened and expanded the entire room.

What do most people want in a kitchen? They want enough counter space to work and clean line of sight (so kill the do-dads and tuck away the cabinet-top appliances). They want modern, clean, easy-to-maintain appliances. They seek cheerful, well-lit areas (think ?natural light feel?) and enough easy-to-reach outlets (extension cords in a kitchen are both unsightly and unsafe). People looking at a home?s kitchen want to see a space that is inviting and easy-care. They want a kitchen that makes them WANT to stay in for meals -- a place to ?nest? that adds comfort, relaxation and other nourishing qualities to daily life.

? Copyright 2006 by Angela Allen Parker of WickedWordCraft.com

Angela Allen Parker is a freelance writer based in Dunnville, Kentucky. She's an Internet marketing specialist and web content writer, working with real estate clients and small business clients across the globe. She has provided offsite services since 2000. She offers marketing articles for small business owners, real estate agents, and outsourcing professionals at WickedWordCraft.com and writes regular columns and marketing articles for online and print publications for the real estate industry.

More Upper Body Exercises for Computer Users

Working on computers a lot can do our body a lot of damage by remaining seated for so long without extra activity. So get fit with some help for your upper muscle groups and get in shape fast.

Start with roughly five minutes of stretches and warming up. No hand weights are needed yet. Begin by slowly and easily pull leading your left arm grasped with your right hand over to the opposite side of your body. In a series of smooth movements, first pull your arm up towards the ceiling, then take it down to your toes, and then up and back, etc. until you make full range-of-motion actions ? all nice and easy. Change the exercise to work your other arm and side.

Five minutes is plenty for this. Then move on to get your hands weights. Remember, you don?t need to run to the store and buy hand weights. You can use soup cans or a fill a bottle with sand or water (just not candy!)

OK, with your weights in your hands, complete the following exercises. Repeat each one 10 or 12 times for one set, then repeat two sets after that. And adjust these repetitions and sets for your level of fitness and exercise experience, increasing repetitions, sets and weight amounts as you grow in strength.

Push-Ups with Chest and Arms

Drop down and do 10 push-ups, not the tough marine style ones, but easier ones where your knees, your toes and your palms are all on the floor. Your hands should be shoulder-width from each other. Then proceed with old-fashioned push-ups, keeping your back straight, and not ever reaching the floor, coming in contact with it with your nose ? but very close.

Chin-Ups to Work Out Your Back, Shoulders & Arms

Next come chin-ups, thought again, not marine-style, so good news! Start with weights in hand standing up, feet spaced apart just a little. Bring your arms hanging down in front of you so that your weights nearly touch each other. Then it?s chin-up time, pulling the weights to your chin, bending your elbows. Count to three, then pull back so elbows go back to your sides again. Count three. Then complete your repetitions and sets.

More Exercises

For many more exercise and helpful upper body tips, head to Amazon.com and eBay.com for new and used equipment, books, weights and other exercise aids and tools. Don?t neglect your public library, too, for videos, cassettes, books and more.

Download your free report entitled Powerful Weight Loss Strategies and discover how to lose weight naturally and easily. Also, be sure to download your bonus free report and discover how to get six pack abs quickly and easily.

Atlanta Corporate Apartments

Corporate apartments are temporary lodging facilities for corporate travelers. These are situated in usual apartment complexes or complexes owned by a lessor and structurally similar to other apartments regarding the number of bedrooms available and indoor or outdoor facilities. Atlanta, a world-class business center, has a number of renowned corporate apartments in its downtown and suburb areas.

Atlanta corporate apartments are excellent accommodation options for business travelers for temporary, interim stays. These are more comfortable and convenient than hotels. Atlanta corporate apartments are available in various sizes and with a full range of facilities and amenities. Many apartments are ready to be rented directly to corporations, which enable the relocating personnel to engage in their work without the usual delays involved in hunting for a suitable house.

Modern corporate apartments in Atlanta offer standard to luxury stays for every budget and lifestyle. Corporate apartments are generally sited close to public transports and next to services such as restaurants, Internet centers, and convenience stores. Furnished Atlanta corporate apartments are first-rate solutions for extended- and temporary-stay travelers, relocating employees and their families, home buyers, or any person seeking a weekly, monthly, or extended stay.

Fully furnished single-, double-, three-bedroom, or three-plus-bedroom apartments are available for short- and long-term leases. Corporate apartments are rented at a rate of a minimum of about $50.00 per day, but this rate may vary with additional facilities. Standard facilities such as a business center, swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, playground, clubhouse, and tanning bed are also available in some reputable apartments. One can select apartments with a fully functional kitchen including a refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, and icemaker, and with a washer and dryer. Some apartments allow pets.

Atlanta corporate apartments maintain competitive and flexible rental rates and terms, seasonal discounts and incentives, and master leases for corporate clients. The specialized property management companies in Atlanta will assist any corporate traveler with a number of furnished, cost-effective corporate apartment options and housing needs.

Atlanta Apartments provides detailed information on Atlanta Apartments, Loft Atlanta Apartments, Atlanta Apartment Rentals, Cheap Atlanta Apartments and more. Atlanta Apartments is affiliated with Apartments for Rent in Chicago.

Vermont Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Vermont

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Vermont, or perhaps you?re relocating to Vermont from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Vermont home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Vermont:

The median price of a home in Vermont is $111,500. Recently, homes in Vermont have been appreciating at rates above the national average. As a result, income levels in many parts of Vermont are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Vermont cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

The price of homes in Vermont varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Burlington, Vermont, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $338,000; however, in Montpelier, Vermont, the median price of a home was $294,000, and in Rutland, Vermont, it was $288,000. Average interest rates in Vermont are below the national average, and job growth rates are comparable to the national average.

Vermont state law prohibits the issuance of home equity lines of credit. Additionally, it requires that a defective mortgage be treated as though it had never been recorded.

Each year the Vermont Housing Finance Agency hosts a Home Buyer Fair where potential homeowners can meet and talk to mortgage lenders, realtors, attorneys, home energy specialists, among others. The Home Buyer Fair offers homebuyer education workshops, credit and budget counseling, post-purchase counseling, and post-purchase workshops.

Vermont?s Housing Finance Agency provides low interest financing to homeowners who meet certain income and purchase price limits. Information on these programs is also available at the Home Buyer Fair.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Vermont Mortgage Rates and Loans .

Why Do Successful Realtors Earn Money When They Sleep?

With the Internet penetrating every aspect of our life, it?s getting impossible to stay uninvolved. You can?t ignore the World Wide Web with its millions of users, or else it will ignore you. If you deal with vacation rentals business, but you haven't yet gone online, you are missing an opportunity to vastly increase your exposure to potential customers and increase your revenue.

?I wish I could work 24 hours a day as my web site does?, - said one of my friends. And here it is, the main secret of online presence: You can be in many right places at many right times. In fact, the time and place are always right on the Internet. Discover other secrets:

Full automation of your business
If your business is online, you can earn money round the clock. The property management software, which your rental portal is based on, automates guest-owner negotiations, accepts payments, tracks the statistics, shows property photos, and displays the available/ reserved dates for a property. The best thing about it is that it requires no involvement from your side.

Money Flow
You may charge property owners for being listed on your rental portal. This is more convenient than taking commission on every rent. A regular, stable income is better than one time commission ?jackpots? from rents; at least if you intend to be in the business for a long time. Still, no involvement from your side is needed. Owners can simply pay the membership fee via a built-in credit card processor. You may clean your teeth, sleep, eat, do whatever you want to do; the Internet means that you can accept payments from eager property owners to your online account at any time.

Word-of-mouth advertising
Those who offer rental property via your web site and see good results are likely to recommend you to their colleagues. Thus, more and more owners will want to be listed on your web site. The more owners you have, the more money you earn.

Likewise, those who rented a property via your web site and liked the ease and availability of the online service are likely to recommend you to their relatives or friends. Bringing them to your web site is better than to just giving your phone number. Via phone, you can not show property photos and very often can not check immediately the availability of the property within the specified period of time.

Affordability
To market your properties online you do not have to invest a lot of funds. You may purchase a turn-key solution and install it in a few clicks. It costs from $200 to $400 depending on the features. Other expenses you will have are customization costs (if needed), hosting fee, and advertising. But the online world charges for all this much less than an offline one does. All this can be done from your home computer, isn?t it a real honey?

Quick return on investment
The beauty of taking your business online is the speed you start returning your investment with. Most online realtors state that to become conspicuous in an Internet media is easier and quicker than in other media. Indeed, you may promote your rental web site all over the world. Anyone from any location can access your web site 24 hours a day. More visitors result in more customers. Would you mind being globally known?

Dear realtors, I urge you to take your business online. Do not lose precious time.

Stacey Daniels is an advertising copyrighter and a marketing consultant of iStateSoft LLC

Why Do You Need A Home Inspection

When considering buying a home you have to follow a check list of all the things you need to do in order to avoid any further issues. One line in your check list should be to have the home, you planned to purchase, inspected. Why is it so important? Buying a home will be one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you should be sure that the home you want to buy is in good condition. And it will reveal defects before you close the deal.

A home inspection is an evaluation of a home?s condition by a trained expert. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector is supposed to take an in-depth and impartial look at the property you plan to buy. The inspector will first evaluate the physical condition in terms of the structure, construction and mechanical systems; second identify items that should be repaired or replaced; and eventually estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure and finishes. After the completion of the inspection, you will receive a written report of the findings from the home inspector, usually within five to seven days.

But beware the home inspector will not estimate the value of the house. The report you will receive is not a property appraisal is a document that provides an estimate of a property?s market value. The appraisal of a property, required for lenders prior to loan approval to ensure that the mortgage loan amount is not more than the value of the property. Don?t mix up home inspection, which is meant for buyer, and home appraisal, for lenders.

If you are a homebuyer, it is your responsibility to carefully select a qualified inspector and pay for the inspection. Your real estate agent may recommend you some inspectors home inspectors or you can find licensed inspector towards professional or state organizations.

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Home buying and selling in Cardiff , buy moose home security systems nc , we buy homes fort worth

7 Ways That The Karate Kid Is More Successful In School

 



7 Ways That The Karate Kid Is More Successful In SchoolSubmitted By: Paul A. Walker   

You have probably seen or heard of the movie The Karate Kid. But, have you heard about the real world benefits of karate for kids? Did you know that the martial arts are helping literally thousands of kids around the country do better in school and also improve in all aspects of their
lives?

How are the martial arts creating positive change in the youth of today? This article will list the 7 most common ways that karate helps kids succeed in school. If your child needs help in any of these areas then it may be time to start paying attention to a growing trend.

1. Focus. With the increasingly greater numbers of children today who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or similar disorders, it can be no wonder that parents are looking for activities that will help their child focus on the task at hand. Martial arts bring together all of the different learning modalities such as visual, auditory, cognitive and experiential in every single practice session.

Students must watch the instructor model a technique or drill, listen to the command to begin, think about how to do the technique and then actually perform the technique to the best of their ability. It is no wonder that karate develops a laser-like focus in its practitioners!

2. Discipline. Unfortunately in our society today a major quality that is lacking in all segments of the population is discipline. This is most noticeable in school age children and teenagers. Karate training is very demanding and many instructors are excellent authority figures in terms of their high standards, clear expectations and strict discipline methods. If you feel that your child needs fine-tuning in this area, then karate is an ideal activity to accomplish this.

3. Respect As children get older and prepare for the future they begin to realize that it is important to show respect to others. This shouldn?t come as a surprise because if you?ve been doing your job right as a parent, then your children know the importance of this and have been reminded on numerous occasions.

Martial arts offer a great environment to not only understand the value of respect, but also to practice and truly understand its importance. As the saying goes, ?it takes a village to raise a child,? and in this case your local karate school could very well be the ideal complement to the
life lessons that you are already trying to teach your child at home.

4. Structure. Life can be incredibly demanding for parents. In between work responsibilities and life?s daily chores, parents are trying their best to raise their children. In order to do this it is essential to maintain order among the chaos of life. This order is called structure.

To help raise a calm and responsible individual, structure is vital, and any opportunity to expose your child to structure rather than outright distraction should be welcomed with open arms.

Karate as a whole is very structured right from the curriculum to the belt sequence and the required etiquette - structure shows up everywhere in a martial arts school. Take advantage of this and get your child enrolled in the martial arts as soon as you can.

5. Accountability. Did you just say accountability? You mean my child must actually take his actions seriously and be responsible? Absolutely, yes! The right martial arts school offers a perfect environment for accountability. If your child does his best he is rewarded with praise, a high five, maybe a stripe on his belt and hopefully every few months his next colored belt.

On the other hand, if he doesn?t do his best, then you can expect to see a consequence in the form of a verbal warning, a time-out, some push-ups or even a failure in his belt test. Accountability is crucial to a student?s success in the martial arts and consequently it should be easy to see in any reputable martial arts school.

6. Memorization. This is an interesting and relatively unknown benefit of karate training to anyone who is looking to get started in the martial arts. In many karate schools there is very often a type of training called ?Forms?. Forms are essentially sequences of movements that a student should learn and memorize in order to perform on their test or at a tournament, or simply because they are fun. What forms teach, however, are not simply set sequences or patterns of movements, they teach memorization skills and help students find and create links between required techniques.

The greater relevance of this is seen at school as students often find it easier to remember the important parts of their study. The jury is not yet in on this point but the evidence is growing that the martial arts do in fact stimulate our brains and help us to create links between information more easily than we were previously able to do.

7. Higher grades. It shouldn?t be too much of a stretch for you, the parent, to read through all of these benefits and conclude that the practice of martial arts can also lead to improved grades and test scores at school. There has been a lot of research done on the value of physical exercise for developing increased levels of cognitive skill. Martial arts are no different as they not only provide an excellent source of physical exercise, but they also demand high levels of focus, discipline, respect, structure, accountability and memorization.

How can these factors not lead to improved achievement at school and in all areas of your child?s life?

So come on, get your child into the martial arts. One day they will thank you for it, and maybe they?ll even inspire you to get started too, because after all the martial arts are one of the few activities out there today that families can get involved in together regardless of age or physical ability. The benefits are potentially huge and there is nothing to lose by giving it a go.

For more specific information on how karate can help your child succeed in school please read my Special Report, Karate For Newcomers: How to Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice. You'll find it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.

Finding Plus Size Clothing Online

Finding plus size clothing online is not only quick and easy, it is the only way to shop. Unless you personally know of a local store that stocks your plus size and where the environment is friendly and comfortable, don't even bother taking the chance to shop on impulse. You'll only be disappointed. It seems that fashion stores are stocking ever shrinking sizes in clothing; and that can get very depressing.

Search for plus size clothing online

So, log onto the Internet and search for your favorite retailers that stock plus size clothing. Sign up to receive email updates and specials. Sign up for the catalogues. Most plus size online stores have catalogues.

Top five plus size online stores

1. The Alectra collection at Kiyonna.com offers a stunning collection of lingerie in plus sizes. This online store shows how plus sizes can be completely feminine, sexy and sophisticated.

2. New York-based Daphne stocks classic clothing for the plus size career woman. Daphne clothing stocks everything from little black dresses to swimwear and can be easily purchased online. Body shapers are also sold.

3. Making It Big Online lives up to its name with a huge selection of pants, blouses, shirts, activewear, careerwear, intimates, dresses, coats, jackets, skirts, loungewear, sleepwear, tops, tees, sweaters, and sweatshirts.

4. Silhouettes.com also sells shoes and accessories. This online store also provides many hints and tips on style and fashion trends.

5. Biggerbras.com stocks everything you need in terms of lingerie: bras, hosiery, girdles, panties, and lots of accessories. This online store stocks all the top names in lingerie, including Angelie, Anita, Aubade, Chantelle, Freya, Goddess, Gossard, Lunaire, Playtex, Prima Donna, Vanity Fair, and Volage.

Dylan Miles, journalist, and website builder, lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.womenshome.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=DylanMiles

By Dylan Miles

10 Big Mistakes Novice Real Estate Investors Make

Buying real estate is as popular as ever, and it seems pretty straightforward at first glace. With mortgage interest rates at all time lows and plenty of real estate to buy, many investors truly believe that they can do a bit of cosmetic work, accessorize a bit, and then put up the for rent or for sale sign. Unfortunately, it is not quite that easy and there are some common mistakes that can be avoided if one plans ahead and truly understands what he or she is getting into before investing.

Don't Fall In Love

The first rule of thumb when you are investing in real estate is that you cannot fall in love with any one property. When you are looking at real estate to buy for investment purposes you can't think like a homeowner, you must think like a business owner. Don't think about what you like about a home or a piece of real estate, think about how well it will sell or rent in the current market.

Not Exercising Due Diligence

When you invest in real estate you can't simply invest if the property looks good at face value. A very thorough inspection of the structure needs to be done as well as research on the local market. One must also look into the vacancy rates and average rents for homes or structures that are comparable. A diligent business owner will also look into how the neighborhood is zoned as well as any regulations that will apply to the rental property. You will also want to check into how many other rental properties are in the area and if they are comparable to the property you are looking at.

Forgetting the Rule about Time and Money

Many new investors forget that all home improvements are not as cheap and as straightforward and they hoped that they would be. The rule that most investor's use is that it will take twice as long and three times the money than you would think to ready a unit for rent or sale. Real estate isn't transformed over night, so one must plan accordingly. Failing to plan ahead for this can leave you in a real bind where you lose money because you don't have the resources to complete a project.

Believing You'll Secure the Lowest Mortgage Rates

Television can be very deceiving for those that are in the real estate investment business. The low mortgage rates are not offered for just anyone, they are for owner occupied homes, which are considered much less of a risk than a unit that is rented out. Homes that will not be owner occupied will experience mortgage rates that are 1.5 to 2% higher, which can make for a huge difference in monthly payments for the investor and his or her tenants. You also need to be aware of your credit, if you have terrible credit you won't have much luck getting a loan, but the better your credit is the better your rate will be.

Failing to Pre-Screen Tenants

Many new landlords are so anxious to get their new tenants moved in that they forget all about screening them to be sure that they have a relatively clean credit history, they are gainfully employed, and that they have a good rental history. While screening tenants can take a bit longer than you might like to wait, it's easier to get this done than to try to evict a tenant. It's always better to pre-screen than deal with the headaches later.

Breaking Your Own Rules

New investors often set business rules for themselves, and then occasionally they get a bit soft. If you have established rules about what day the rent is due, pet policies, waterbeds, or lawn care, stick with those rules. The minute you stop obeying your own rules you set your self up for disaster. If you stick to your rules and you refuse to break them no matter the situation, you will find that you are much more successful in a business sense.

Investing in Obscure Areas

Generally, it is not a good idea to invest in properties that you cannot visit regularly. Long distance real estate investments leave you out in the cold and you may have no idea what is going on in or around your property. It is a good rule of thumb to only invest in areas that you live.

Paying More than the Property Is Worth

New investors often do not do the proper research and end up paying more for a property than it is worth. When you are investing you have to think about yourself, even if that means that you have to low-ball the seller at first. Investing in real estate is all about getting the right price for you. You need to know that you can cover your mortgage and your expenses from a rental payment, so really consider what the local market will allow.

Failing to Look into the Competition

It's a good idea to look at the competition, especially if they are successful. Lower payments, exciting features, and more will often help fill rental units. Pay attention to what works in your area and duplicate it if possible.

Not Acquiring Enough Insurance

Being under insured is a common mistake of new real estate investors. You need to know that your insurance company will cover accidents on the property as well as damage due to fires or natural disasters.

As you can see, there are a lot of mistakes that you can make. Luckily, if you plan ahead and do not rush into real estate investment you can avoid a lot of these pitfalls, saving you a lot of time and money. Avoiding mistakes will help you become a much more successful real estate investor.

Andrew owns a website that offers useful guide on real estate business. Vist his website at: http://www.buy-and-sell-house-fast.com/ for more tips.

Little Ideas To Increase Your Rents And Keep Your Tenants

Your tenant living in your investment property is really a business partner for you. The best way to ensure you have a good relationship with your tenant is look after them. Basically they are happy paying their rent and getting on living and enjoying their life. Most of the renters I have come across live from week to week. They have a mind set generally that locks them into long term renting. This is a benefit to you that you need to take full advantage of.

So what I find to be the best scenario is to keep them happy and make their life as comfortable as possible. When they are in this comfort zone they typically always pay their rent and just as importantly they will look after your real estate investment. These two keys are critical to putting each property on auto pilot. This makes your life easier and also your property manager?s job easier as well.

There are small repairs and fix ups you can do to the property that will make your tenant happier. A good example is installing a light, heater and fan unit to the bathroom. This will keep the people warm when using the bathroom. Also it will stop the room fogging up in winter time, which will stop the build up of mould on the walls and ceilings. The tenant is happy and you are looking after your investment property and by adding a time and labour saving piece of equipment. This also adds value to the property. And the tenant will be happy to pay you five dollars a week extra in rent when you explain the benefits to them.

Another good add on I like to use is, a garden shed. The men these days love to tinker around in their sheds. This is becoming popular with the ladies as well. With this one you are adding a lot of value to your investment property and you will have no trouble at all getting an increase in the rent. The tenants will love you. It gives better storage space and helps keep the place look neat and tidier. Another added bonus to both you and your tenant.

By using creative strategies like these, you are able to leverage yourself. It will only be a little bit on each example but every little bit helps. When you have multiple real estate investment properties, then you start to see the benefits of leveraging. It works the same as compounding interest.

To your investing success
Leo Love
www.therealestateinvester.com
PS If any of your family or friends is interested please pass this on to them.

http://www.therealestateinvester.com

I am an experienced and passionate investor. I buy typical mum and dad type houses that give me cash flow and capital growth. My website offers helpful tips and ideas for any type of investor to help you with your wealth creation. Using my site will help to prevent you falling into the traps the inexperienced investors do.

Empowerment For Women With Sexy Lingerie?

A couple of years ago I was an overweight and frumpy single parent with low self-esteem, and had no idea how to make the most of myself. Then I met a man online. We clicked, and spent the first weeks of our relationship corresponding by email. One day he told me his theory that in order to attract men, women should dress in sexy lingerie, wear high heels, have long hair and long painted nails. He also believed that doing these things would make a woman feel better about herself. This theory was based on both his personal preferences and conversations with female friends. I was somewhat confused by the premise as he was emotionally intelligent, yet this seemed to be at best an old-fashioned viewpoint, at worst chauvinistic. I wrote back completely dismissing the theory, declaring that I'd never wear a thong, long nails were totally impractical, I liked my hair short, and as for stilettos...get real!

However, as many of you know, when we enter a new relationship we often try out things to please our partner. So, when I received some presents including stiletto shoes, a push-up bra and a thong, I decided to give them a try. Surprisingly, I liked how they made me feel. The person in the mirror didn?t look silly or hideous. At that point something major occurred - my negative perceptions about myself began to change. I got more presents, enjoyed wearing them, then decided to take the plunge and buy myself something sexy. Up until then any self-bought underwear had been strictly functional and in either black or white. I bought a red satin basque. I still remember the first time I tried it on, how silky it felt against my skin, how well the shape suited my curves and how sexy and womanly it made me feel. I'd always thought that being womanly was somehow a bad thing, that it went against the feminist ideals of women being equal to men. That somehow it diminished us. However, I began to realise that in feeling more womanly, by altering my perceptions, I was gaining self-esteem and my inner confidence was growing. After a few months I had gained enough self-confidence to leave my old, hated job, and do something better.

Nowadays I have long hair and a lovely collection of sexy underwear, most of which I've bought for myself. I think I look better and happier. But the main difference is inside. I no longer feel inferior and invisible. I hold myself better. I can look people in the eyes when talking to them and express myself more clearly. Of course, all this isn't just down to the fact I wear nicer lingerie. Having someone in my life who is supportive and appreciative, yet challenges me to think through and express my inner thoughts, helps a lot. There are many days when I slob around in big knickers, jogpants and an old sweatshirt. My weight issues have still to be resolved.

I know that sexuality can and often is used in a negative way. But, ultimately, I've realised that in being womanly, I'm just being true to my sex. I feel empowered by the fact I'm a woman. I'm equal to anybody.

So ladies, when your guy gives you that little black item for Valentine's Day, don't dismiss the idea of wearing it. Give it a try. And revel in your womanliness. It's a powerful thing.

About the Author: The author lives in Scotland and works from home. Her primary job is a chatline operator, but she also runs a website for people looking for finance, http//:www.hotcreditcards.net

Internet Telephony over Peer to Peer Networks

Peer to Peer technology (P2P) first came into focus through companies like Napster and Kazza, who developed file sharing applications that would allow users to share their own files, as well as search for and download files of other users on the network. Instead of relying on a centralized client server relationship, a peer to peer network gets its strength from each individual node, adding bandwidth and processing power with each new member for the good of the many.

Much like the Borg of the later Star Trek episodes, peer to peer can scale indefinately without the use of expensive central servers, and from a cost standpoint -resistance is futile!

Peer to peer Internet Telephony is, like Napster, a software application that you download on to your computer from a peer to peer VoIP service provider. The softeware, or soft phone as it is called, is free to download and calls to or from anyone on the network are free. The only hardware you need is a headset, or a microphone and speakers. Internet telephony headsets are cheap and come in USB or can plug directly into your sound cards.

For those with web cams, many providers allow you to make video calls to others on the network for free. Services offered with this technology go above and beyond the Telcos, with conference calls, call forwarding, instant messaging and chat - peer to peer Internet telephony literaly turns your computer into a telephone/vidiophone communications center.

Like the traditional VoIP providers, calls within the network are free worldwide, but calls to a PSTN number will usualy cost you if it is an option. You can in some cases, have different numbers in other locations so that people can call you from a land line even from other counties toll free. Even if you do have to pay to get on the PSTN, the rates are so much cheaper than a telco.

Just like the other forms of VoIP, developers have had some technological hurdles to overcome. Quality of Service, NATed firewalls, and centralized directories of members using a dynamic IP address are just a few. Also, as calls and instant messages are routed through the public Internet, encryption is a must for any user.

Internet Telephony in Ecommerce

Probably the best known company and indeed a pioneer of peer-to peer Internet telephony is Skype. Originaly founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, two of the innovators behind the P2P network Kazaa, Skype was bought by eBay in late 2005 for 2.6 billion dollars. With over 100 million users according to eBay, its safe to say that Skype is the industry leader in peer to peer Internet telephony. Ebay would like Skype to evolve into a customer service application, allowing potential buyers to communicate directly to Ecommerce enabled web sites online and in real time.

Peer to Peer and the Gaming Comunity

Another area where the peer to peer idea has taken off is the online gaming community. PeerMe is a peer to peer internet telephony company that caters to gamers, offering PC-to-PC and PC-to handheld voice communications, instant messaging, and peer-to-peer file transfer over public Internet connections. They have recently partnered with game distributor Boonty, offering a broad selection of downloadable games in many languages. Gamers can form communities, evaluate and purchase games, and communicate with friends via voice and text online in real time.

P2P Internet Telephony for Small Businesses

The cost effectiveness of a decentalized peer to peer voip solution has not been overlooked in the business community. Market leader Avaya has developed the one-X Quick Edition line of SIP telephones that is a non server based IP PBX system. Connected to your LAN, each phone contains the software necessary maintain the PBX, and knows about every other phone on the network. An ideal solution for small businesses with many branch offices, the stay at home telecomuter, call centers and customer service centers.

Over at the Gizmo Project they have developed a business software solution that supports the open source Asterik PBX software, and has free calling to anyone on the Gizmo peer to peer network. Under the All Calls Free plan.employees make free calls to the landlines and mobile phones of co-workers in 60 countries.

The biggest advantage of a peer to peer internet telephony solution is the economical start up costs (usualy the price of a headset), and the ability to turn your computer into a world wide communications center. While a Soft Phone and a headset is the norm for most providers, hand helds and IP desk phones are rapidly gaining ground in P2P internet telephony. Peer to peer networking for online communication - a technology coming of age for web sites, gamers and the small business community.
About the Author

This Week in Riviera Maya Real Estate News from Playa del Carmen Mexico

A Weekly Update on What's Happening in our Riviera Maya Real Estate Community and Playa del Carmen Market Area

- TM Real Estate Group is inviting all brokers and agents to the launch of one of the most important real estate new projects on the Riviera Maya, the XCALACOCO BEACH RESORT just north of Playa del Carmen. The resort is offering a unique Private Residence Club plan for buyers. There are 265 new residences starting for sale next week. The event takes place on Thursday November 16th at 6pm at the Porto Real Hotel on Avenida Contituyentes in Playa del Carmen. All brokers and agents are invited. MLS 4 Riviera Maya will be there. For more information, contact Director of Sales Miguel Angel Rico at marico@tmrealestate.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

- Judi Shaw of Remax Playa is off to New Orleans to attend the National Association of Realtors conference for 3 days. There will be 65,000 attendees and 10,000 exhibitors on the expo floor demonstrating the latest in technology for our industry, new projects world wide developers and presentations for different countries. Its a great place to network says Judi. The conference is packed with educational classes such as marketing resort and luxury real estate world wide, training on ethics, business building techniques and much more than we can describe here. It is a great chance to improve, grow, and learn what buyers and sellers want in a realtor ....

- Shawn Bandick at One Stop Real Estate reports that his office is cramming to close and finish paperwork for all deals before Dec. 12th. The City Offices will be closing for the holidays and we must get stuff in before they shut down for the holidays. Its crazy busy here reports Shawn.

- One Stop Real Estate has sponsored the local Youth American Football League in Playa del Carmen. The Playa del Carmen Caballeros play teams from Cancun and Merida. With over 10 club teams in the leauge in several divisions, American Football is growing and with community support from our Real Estate Community, the sport keeps growing. The Midget team is undefeated in league play this year and has taken the more established teams by surprise. Ricardo Penkoff (14), son of Jorge Penkoff's, partner at One Stop Real Estate is the Quarterback for the team and Riley Bandick (13), plays fullback and defensive lineman as part of the # 1 rated defense in the league. Jorge Penkoff says The kids learn how to play within a team working for a goal while they have fun. It's great fun and we can instill values of cooperation, teamwork, and hard work by supporting youth sports

- Bill Morales at Cozumel Living reports I can't believe we're at a tourist resort. Its so peaceful! said Charles and Kate Green as we toured an oceanview lot, with a two floor, one bedroom studio, on a 650 sq meter land, with lush vegetation surrounding the perfectly trimmed lawn, located in downtown Cozumel just a block from the main avenue and the turqoise blue sea. They finally found what they had always wished. Home away from home. Only $ 190,000 usd! The Hartzog family are already packing and getting ready to come next summer when they will receive their brand new oceanfront, two bedroom condo just sold for $ 300,000. The day after we were told by the constructor prices had increased 15%. The Hartzogs realized they had not only bought a wonderful vacation home but also made the best investment ever. We are having busy and exiting days says Bill Morales - Sales Agent and MLS 4 Riviera Maya Member.

- Conficasa Playa reports that commercial loan activity has really increased over the last month. They have formed an alliance with several banks and private investors in the US and their clients are happy with the results. We now have outlets for Hotel Loans and Commercial Development Loans as well as short term Bridge Loans. We received term sheets for two clients this week and expect more in the near future. Our lenders will consider Commercial Loan requests as low as $1,000,000 says ManagerTom Martin

- This week, MLS 4 Riviera Maya welcomed new members Sally Wood Evans of Coldwell Banker, Pamela DiOrio of Luna Maya Real Estate in Akumal, Clark Kent Race of Remax Playa, and Ricardo Barton of Riviera Realtors to it's growing list of brokers and agents who post their listings on the web site engine. With over 300 listings already posted within the last 45 days and over 4000 links with over 4000 pages indexed (www.widexl.com), MLS 4 Riviera Maya and Riviera Maya Real Estate News are the fastest growing sites in the Riviera Maya.

MLS 4 Riviera Maya
http://www.mls4rivieramaya.com

Riviera Maya Real Estate News
http://www.rivieramayarealestatenews.com

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This Week in Riviera Maya Real Estate is posted every Friday Night. If you have news you want us to promote, you must email it to us no later than 5pm each Friday to jp@mls4rivieramaya. Articles and their links are posted on Riviera Maya Real Estate News and the MLS 4 Riviera Maya Blog. In addition, it is emailed to all on our newsletter list.
About the Author

J.P. Money is a syndicated writer for Riviera Maya Real Estate News and MLS 4 Riviera Maya. He is also host of Mexico's only Podcast for Real Estate Let's Talk Real Estate

How To Avoid Getting Lost While Backpacking

If you?ve decided to go backpacking, hiking, and camping somewhere fairly close to home but in the ?back country? (out in the wild), there are a few tips and guidelines you should follow in order to avoid getting lost. Getting lost may seem like a mere inconvenience, but you really can put yourself in a life-threatening situation.

First, while some avid backpackers prefer to go alone to just enjoy nature and solitude, it?s best to take somebody with you in case you run into trouble and need help?or if you do happen to get lost, you can work together to avoid panic, and keep warm, fed, safe, and sheltered.

Second, make sure somebody (a close relative or friend) back home knows where you?re going and for how long you?ll be gone. Even just a general guideline of the area in which you?ll be backpacking and your estimated time of return (?We should be back by the end of the weekend,? for example), will make a big difference for your rescuers in being able to locate you faster should you get lost.

Next, take along a detailed map of the area. An updated topographical map of the area in which you?ll be backpacking, and specifically the trails you?ll be hiking and the sites in which you may decide to camp, will make a big difference in ensuring you don?t get lost. However, make sure you can understand and properly read the map before you embark on your backpacking-in-the-wild adventure. If the area and trails are fairly established, you can easily find maps at park services, ranger stations, and likely on the trails themselves. Maps can also be located online, and use Google Earth to locate a particularly ?wild? patch of land.

Just as important as a detailed map of the area is a compass. You must make sure you know how to use one though. It will not be much good to you if you happen to get yourself lost out in the wild. However, make sure you use your compass right from the moment you enter the wild back country, as it will help you to stay on course and help you avoid getting lost in the first place. A GPS can also come in handy?if you can afford it, that is. However, like a compass, a GPS is only effective if you use it as you go, rather than just pulling it out as soon as you happen to think you might be lost. Don?t forget back-up batteries!

Finally, as you?re backpacking, take keen notice of your surroundings?watch for specific landmarks you can use as a guide if you happen to go off trail or get lost, and you need to backtrack.

Mark Hammond is the marketing manager for National Hotels - a UK Hotel Directory and Travel Resource

Keep Your Independence Check Out Storage Options

Human beings are a consumer society and over time most of us tend to become pack rats and have more things than we will ever need. Often we exceed our living or working spaces and then comes the dilemma, ?How do I handle clutter.? So, it is when we expand or move that we consider storage. Unlike many years ago today you have the option of retaining your independence by using a storage facility instead of requesting family or friends to store things for you.

There are many choices: you could opt for using a traditional storage warehouse or self-storage or mini storage facilities where you will be given the key to the facility or be the only one who can operate the unit. And, storage can be either long-term storage or storage in transit.

Storage in transit is used when you need to store your household or office furniture and other objects before moving into new premises. You must ensure that the ?storage-in-transit? is mentioned in your agreement with the mover. Find out where and by whom the goods will be stored and ensure that the documentation for storage-in-transit is in good order. The time frame for storage-in-transit is between 30-180 days.

If you are considering long term storage you must choose the unit with care.

?Choose a location that suits your needs. If you do not plan on using the storage unit often then it does not matter where the facility is located. But if you even think that you may need to access the unit often then you will need to choose a facility that is commutable from where you reside or work.

?Determine the size of the unit. You will need. According to experts it is best to choose a smaller unit and pack it from floor to ceiling. You will then pay only for the space used. If you need to store just a few things then ask for mini-storage units. Units generally are of size: 5x10;10x10;10x20; and 10x30. Ask how many things each size will hold. Size 10x20 is known to hold all the contents of a two bedroom house.

? When finding out details ask about climate control, pest control, security, and storage access. Some facilities have timings while others allow 24/7 access.

?Chose a unit that is suitable for the good you intend to store. If you are going to store antiques, carpets, books, or documents then you need climate controlled units.

Tips:

?Negotiate your cost. Many self-storage facilities offer discounts on pre-payment or long term lease.

?Ensure that Insurance is in operation and ask about insuring the goods in your unit. Many storage facilities either offer advice in this regard or have tie-ups with insurance companies.

?Verify the ownership of the units and their reputation. Find out how long they have been in business and if there are any complaints against them with the fair business bureau.

?When packing use weather proof packing. Protect breakables by providing sufficient padding and ensuring that the boxes containing breakables are clearly labeled as fragile and stored at the very top.

Select a storage space with care and you will be able to store your things without tensions and keep your independence.

Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for http://www.1888movingcompanies.com, the premier website to find help on Moving including topics on moving companies search, compare movers, moving insurance, auto transport, moving tips and more. His article profile can be found at the premier Article Submission Directory http://www.1888articles.com

Loan Officer Training: The Truth About Realtor Marketing

Why can't I get more loans from realtors? Why are realtors so difficult to work with? Nearly every loan officer has asked him/herself one of these questions at some point. Unfortunately, while there are plenty of companies that claim to offer solutions, many of these so called solutions turn out to be nothing more than the same information you have seen a thousand times before.

Thankfully, this article is not the same old information repackaged to look new. In fact, my goal in writing this article is to open up the eyes of as many originators as I can to the truth about marketing to realtors.

With this being such a broad topic, it is difficult to find a good starting point. I finally decided to begin with a discussion about why realtors act the way they do. I decided on this as a starting point because of the fact that so many loan officers seem to complain about the attitude they seem to encounter when marketing to realtors. Here are the most common complaints I hear in regards to agents:

*Realtors are too hard to work with

*Realtors already have loan officer relationships

*Realtors stick their nose in my business

*Realtors expect too much

*I can't deal with the condescending attitude

These are just a few of the many complaints I have heard from loan officers around the country. If you're reading this article then I'm sure you have some of these complaints as well. Perhaps you contacted a few realtors yourself only to be greeted with a negative tone and attitude? If so, then now it is time to find some answers.

Answers, We have some!

In order for us to understand why we are treated the way we are when attempting to build realtor relationships, we need to experience exactly what agents experience. We can do this by looking at the past few years.

In the last few years market conditions have been favorable enough to allow just about anyone with decent sales skills to enter the field and earn a very comfortable living. This continued long enough for mortgage companies to resign themselves to hiring just about anyone with a breath and a pulse just to keep up with the demand for refinances.

While this may have worked out well for those doing the hiring, it wreaked havoc on the reputation of those who are in this business for the long haul. Even under the best of conditions loan officer education tends to leave the student thirsty for proper education, so you can imagine the depth of training that is offered when speed is the primary focus.

Let's go a little deeper into this scenario and fast forward to our current market condition. As interest rates have moved upward and the easy deals have dried up, many of these loan officers who have survived on nothing more than refinances for the past year or two are now receiving a wake up call. With the easy business gown, many of these originators have either exited the business or attempted to replace the refinance income with purchase business.

It doesn't take much of an imagination for you to visualize the outcome of this scenario. Thousands of desperate loan officers who have never originated a purchase transaction before can easily create a negative image of our profession. In fact a recent survey was conducted to rate the level of consumer confidence in various professions. The results showed that consumer trust in loan officers was only slightly higher than the profession of used car salesman. What does that tell you?

Now imagine that you are a real estate agent and your paycheck depended on this group of individuals. Imagine how often these agents have been hit up for business by desperate loan officers.

In fact, you don't even have to imagine as we have some figures for you. After conducting a survey with over 100 local real estate agents (Midwest) we found that the average realtor is contacted for business by loan officers an average of 35 times per week! Think about that for a moment.

Whenever you begin to wonder why a realtor is somewhat short with you on the phone, remind yourself that this could be the 35th time this agent has been contacted this week. To be fair, I do need to clarify that this number of 35 contacts per week does include direct mail and email as well. However this does not include all of the other affiliates who are also looking for business such as title reps, real estate attorneys and appraisers.

If you were to stop and consider the implications of this information, you would realize that this means that each month, the average realtor is receiving around 140 messages that are intended to ask for business in one way or another.

That's a lot of marketing chatter to filter through! If this agent has been in business for even one year, this means that he/she has listened to thousands of messages from other loan officers and has probably heard just about every beat around the bush approach and promise you could imagine.

How long do you think it would take for you to build up a wall of sales resistance in a similar situation? Just think about the way we treat telemarketers if they call and interrupt dinner a few times in one night? Are we eager to hear their sales message, or do we blow them off? Perhaps we even join the Do Not Call list to actively protect ourselves from hearing these sales messages. Are you beginning to see how agents must feel?

One other thing to keep in mind is that throughout these thirty five contacts per week the number 1 most common pitch heard by these agents is I'm here to help you build your business. or I have leads to share with you. A close second is We have great service and great products.

If everyone else is using this approach, what do you think happens when you do too? You are brushed off as just another loan officer who over-promises and under-delivers just like everyone else.

This is definitely not the first impression we want to make with agents. As if this weren't bad enough we also cannot forget about the loan officers who are willing to do or say anything to get a loan. These are the people who are giving us a bad name in the industry and destroy our credibility. Just about every real estate agent has worked one time too many with a loan officer who caused major problems throughout the purchase process through lack of communication, and underhanded tactics.

With all of this going on, it's time for us to stand up and take responsibility for our current situation. If we are using techniques and scripts that make us appear to be just like every other loan officer out there, is it any wonder that we keep hearing the same objections over and over again?

Once we take responsibility for this situation, we are free to do something about it. The great thing about this process is that once we minimize this problem, we minimize others as well. For instance, have you ever worked hard to get an appointment with a real estate agent, work hard to impress him/her during the meeting, only to hang your head in frustration as the agent promises to give you business, but never delivers?

The solution to this problem is just about the same as the solution to the first problem. See, both of these attitude patterns are caused by either a lack of trust or a lack of credibility, or we simply have not demonstrated enough value to justify the agent taking the risk of using a new loan officer.

Whenever a real estate agent uses a new and untested loan officer you need to realize that not only are they risking an unpleasant process, but also their entire paycheck, credibility and potential for referrals. If an agent sends a client to you and things go wrong, the finger of blame is pointing at both you and the agent.

Now that we have seen some of the causes of the problems we face when working with realtors, we want to discuss the solution. In the name of keeping this article relatively short and free of fluff, I have created a second article dedicated to offering solutions to the problems discussed here.

You are only moments away from receiving part 2 of this series. To receive the solution to the problems discussed here, simply forward your request to averagejoelo@hotmail.com. You will receive part two shortly. Have you signed up to participate in my free marketing training calls? Why not sign up for our next call when requesting this article? Space is limited so RSVP early!

Average Joe L.O. provides marketing solutions that are designed with the 'average' loan officer in mind. If you are tired of the hype, and are looking for real world solutions to generating more business feel free to take advantage of our free articles,videos and audio downloads at http://www.averagejoelo.com

Home Staging Can Help You Sell Your House Quickly

Real estate prices have hit record levels in the United States during the last five years. In some parts of the country, prices have tripled. For those selling houses in the first half of the decade, business was very good, indeed. Rising interest rates and sticker shock have slowed the market down, however. In some parts of the country that used to be hot, sales have slowed to a crawl. In those markets, people who want to sell houses are now waiting months when homes used to sell in days or weeks. What can a homeowner who wishes to sell as quickly as possible do to accelerate the process?

A relatively new service called home staging may be the answer. Staging a home essentially means setting it up so that it makes its best possible presentation to the market. Professional home stagers will, for a fee, come to your house, examine your property, and make recommendations as to what you might do in order to make the house as sale-friendly as possible. In some cases, they will simply recommend a coat of paint, a bit of landscaping, or some new drapes. In other cases, more dramatic help may be needed.

It is often difficult to sell a home that has been vacant for a while. Buyers have a hard time imagining what their belongings might look like in an empty house. A good staging company will have in their inventory a selection of different types of furniture, lamps, decorative accessories and more so that a vacant home can look like a showcase. A fully and tastefully decorated home is much easier to sell than a vacant one.

The service isn?t necessarily inexpensive. Homeowners might expect to pay several hundred dollars for an initial consultation as well as a fee of several times that amount for the first month of a fully furnished, professionally decorated home. Rates for subsequent months tend to be lower than for the initial month, but many homes that have been professionally staged aren?t on the market much longer than a month. In fact, studies have shown that staged homes often sell in half of the time of other comparable properties.

Having your home professionally decorated in order to sell it isn?t something that everyone needs to do. But in markets with slowing real estate sales, staging a home may be the difference between selling the house this week and selling it three months from now. For many sellers, the investment is more than worthwhile.

?Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity loans, mortgages and lines of credit.

Celebrity Glamour Secrets Revealed

Celebrity Glamour Secrets are now available to anyone wanting to know, just how do I make myself look like a star. No, we're not talking nips and tucks here, we've found some very doable deals that can assist you in everything that it takes to slim, form, and shape your bodies into the shape you desire that will accent your body like the stars.

Celebrity Glamour Secrets are highly endorsed by such personalities as Oprah, Katherine Zeta Jones, Gwyenth Paltro, Teri Hatcher, and Jenny McCarthy. With names like that you know we've struck gold in these products.

Celebrities are no longer keeping their secrets. If you've longed for glamour or just want to look your absolute best, then you've got to see the whole range of products we offer.

One very unique product that's simply amazing is Spanx. You know those tell-tale panty lines, well no more. Our shapewear collections include bras, panties and hosiery that control and shape your figure in comfort and style. It doesn't matter if you are a size two women who just needs a little thigh smoothing, a full figure women looking for tummy control, or if you need special shapewear for maternity or post baby support. Everybody, and every figure, can benefit from our shapewear.

Celebrity Glamour Secrets offers shapewear, lip plumpers, waist cinchers, bra tops, strapless bras, undies, thongs, and much more. Visit our Galapagos boutique and start living like the stars. Accent your body and watch the world treat you like the star you are. Your Secrets to Instant Beauty!

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http://wealthsmith.com/celebrity-glamour-secrets.htm

About the Author

Jim Wilson is an avid announcer of the latest trends on and off the web. He is a trend-setter of ideas, information, and so much more. See just what all he can offer you today: http://wealthsmith.com

Active Adult Retirement Communities: Ten Things to Know

Baby boomers have turned 60. Some will choose to sell their homes for a variety of reasons: financial, to downsize, to be closer to children. As homebuilders are building more retirement communities and discovering what features boomers want making them more appealing, more boomers are considering retirement at active adult retirement communities.

Here are ten things you should know when you begin your research into active adult retirement communities:

1) Choose an Area: First thing decide where you would like to live by region, state and then city. A variety of websites now cover this subject thoroughly and are very helpful. My website also gives descriptions of the areas if you are wondering what it would be like to live in California, for instance. Find the communities listed under that area or city. The type of community we are talking about here will be categorized as Active Adult and sometimes Independent Living. Make a list of the active adult communities you want to consider further. There are many types of active-adult communities so notice what kind it is. For instance, some communities only have rental apartments. There are some that are manufactured homes only or RV. Some have assisted living available. The most common type is the outright purchase plus homeowners fee.

2) Make a list of your wants and needs: Is a golfcourse necessary? What are your hobbies and can you pursue them there. What other activities are there that you may wish to try in the future. Do you want a resort-type active adult community. Is having a college nearby important or your favorite medical facilities. How about scenery. Is a view important to you. Make a list putting your highest priorities first.

3) Decide on your budget: Do you wish to purchase or rent. What is the homeowner's fee and what does it cover. Are there any other fees. Make a list of your total expenses. What is the policy regarding raising fees. Are there other active adult community plans that you find more desirable than outright purchase. There are many types of financial plans, however, the most typical is purchase plus a fee. My fee covers property tax and insurance, utilities, basic cable TV, security services, Clubhouse, and amenities such as fitness center and tennis. My tai chi class is an additional small fee. Usually there is an extra fee for golf and outdoor pool. For the greatest security, make sure you can cover your monthly expenses for the rest of your life.

4) Make appointments to Visit: A good plan is to contact the community or homebuilder and let them know you are interested. I find the retirement community will then send a generous packet of information. Sometimes they may have a visitor's program offering a tour of the property and sometimes an overnight stay at reasonable rates. Visiting gives you more detailed information.

5) During your visit, be observant: Notice if the seniors appear happy and active and sometimes greeting you. Ask them if they like living there. Notice if the landscaping is well kept and beautiful. What amenities are offered. Where do you put out your trash and do your laundry. Seriously, both of these are conveniently right outside my door. My trash shute makes my life a lot easier. The building is cleaned every week. Sometimes, of course, you will have your own machines in your home. Make sure the floorplan makes your life easier. Are there any unique health programs for seniors such as restaurants serving a menu that is lower in fat, salt and sugar. Get the newspaper or activities calendar and ask if there are resales, check out the local real estate office. They can also give you an objective opinion on the community.

6) Is there transportation for residents? Is there a shuttle bus? This is wonderful if you take the one car to work and your spouse stays home all day. You may not want the expense of two cars anymore or any car at all. You don't want to be stuck in your home and no way to get around. How far is the shopping center. Can you walk?

7) Where are the grocery store and major shopping: Is there a shopping center located nearby and where is the major shopping mall. Ours is conveniently next to the community and we can walk if we want to.

8) Emergency Services and Hospitals: Fortunately, most active adult communities are located near these facilities since adult community homebuilders know it is important. However, some that are in more remote areas may not be near enough and you may have to weigh this in your decision.

9) Security Services: What does this consist of? Is it an electronic gate only, a 24-hour manned gate, or manned gate and patrol. The manned gate plus 24-hour patrol is best. Our security service also handles just about anything that may come up that we need assistance with or are concerned about. It is wonderful and gives so much peace of mind.

10) Now choose which communities you like best: Once you are in a community, you will only then know how important having all these conveniences will be to you. Get the names of persons you came in contact with for any questions you may have later. Narrow your list down to only one or two. Get more details on the community and maybe try to rent there first to try it out. Retirement communities usually have short-term rentals available. You may wish to do a follow-up visit.

Choosing which adult community you will reside in will be easier than you think. The people you come in contact with at retirement communities are very gracious and helpful. Soon you will enjoy the new sense of freedom and pleasure that only a great active adult retirement community can offer.

Carol Fena
www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com
8/2006

Carol Fena, http://www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com

Discount Board Games

Anyone out to find a cheap form of entertainment can always count on discount board games to the do the trick. These board games are perfect for those people who are living on a budget and trying to save money. A good game board, especially if bought at a discount, will not only give out hours of enjoyment for the whole family, it will also be available at just a small cost compared to taking the children out for a movie or the arcade.

There are now thousands of toys from which children can gain enjoyment from, aside from computers and video games. However, the allure of playing a board game is still one that children can not pass up. It is also among the activities that parents should encourage in their kids' lives. These games have a great number of benefits for kids. These board games will not only aid children in developing their counting and reading skills, these will also teach them the important values of fair play and sportsmanship. Playing a board game is also a perfect opportunity for parents and children to have those precious bonding moments.

Board games are also great sources of entertainment for adults. Getting discount board games is not only a way to save on entertainment expenses but also a change of pace from the usual evening routine at home watching television. There are even studies that show that the regular playing of these board games, which stimulate brain activity, reduces the risks of acquiring Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

There are many great board games now available that cater to every taste and preference. There are trivia games like Trivial Pursuit and word games like Boggle and Scrabble. Dungeons & Dragons is also a popular role playing board game while there are also party board games like Cranium and children's games like Operation and Candyland. Strategy games like Herascape as well as Battleship and Monopoly, which are classic board games, are also available. The good thing about these popular games is that on sale as discount board games.

There are now a lot of venues where discount board games can be bought, including a number of them on the Internet. There are a lot of sites now selling cheap board games, especially if people will take the time to comparison shop or use money-saving coupons. There are even sites that offer promotions for free shipping. Brick and mortar discount stores or toy stores are also great places where you can find board games at lower prices. The best time to get a number of these board games is during the Christmas season when shopping for gifts is the norm and sales are common.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about discount board games, please visit Fun Recreational Activities for current articles and discussions.

By Candis Reade

Real Estate Investing By Mail?

One of my favorite real estate investing stories is about a man in California who used to just send out offers on a hundred MLS listings at a time. He never looked at the properties. He just offered 25% less than the asking price on each one, trusting that the listing agents were pricing these homes somewhere near the actual value, and so assured that he had a good deal if the seller accepted.

Sometimes a seller would accept his lowball offer. This happens more often when you make hundreds of offers instead of just a few. Of course, he always included an inspection and approval clause in the offer. This is common, and it meant that if the home had real problems, he could back out of the deal later without forfeiting his deposit. In the meantime, he very efficiently found the truly motivated sellers.

My favorite part about this story, apart from it being true, is that it demonstrates that success in real estate investing, as in life, is often just a numbers game. Try enough times, and you are more likely to succeed.

The story also demonstrates that with a good clause or two in the contract, you don't have to worry about making an offer before you see a property. This is true with buy investment property or your next home. If you make the offer in the right way, and the property it isn't everything the seller says it is, you can reject the deal with little or no loss. However, why wouldn't you want to look at the property?

Real Estate Investing By The Numbers

You might skip looking at a property before making an offer because of time constraints, especially if the property is far away. If you can't get it for a price that makes sense, why spend your time traveling to look at it? A good price and terms that make sense - these are what is most important.

You'll probably want to look at the actual property eventually, but whether or not you see the property before you make an offer isn't nearly as important as making sure the numbers make sense. For example, investors value income property according to current cash flow, or at least they should if they want safe and viable real estate investments, so start by verifying income. Ask for actual income figures for the past 12 months. It's a good idea to think about the potential income if the rents are raised, or vending machines are added, but you should base your offer on the current income.

Fortunately, this can be done by phone and by mail. You can also verify all expenses this way, but if any expenses listed by the seller seem unusually low, they most likely are. Substitute your own best guess in place of any suspicious numbers.

Subtract the expenses from the gross income to determine the net operating income, then apply the appropriate capitalization rate to arrive at the value. Not sure how to do this? Learn how, don't just ask someone to do it for you. You really should understand the principle of how to figure value based on a cap rate. Real estate investing is all about the numbers.

Subtract your expected loan payments (talk to your banker), from the net operating income to see how much cash flow you'll have. Now you can figure your cash-on-cash return based on how much of your own money you put into the deal. Simply divide the annual cash flow by your investment.

Do the numbers work? Then you can safely make an offer. The various inspections will tell you if there are problems that will affect the cash flow, and you can always renegotiate if there are such problems (assuming you made your approval of all inspections a contingency of your offer). Of course you can go look at the property now, but real estate investing is about the numbers.

Steve Gillman writes on all real estate topics. Visit his website for:

1. A photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500.
2. A free book on how to save thousands buying your next home.
3. A free real estate investing course.

Visit
http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

5 Simple Ways To Win The Game Of Backgammon

The best way to play backgammon is similar to tennis: it should be played in games, points, sets, matches and tournaments. A player wins one or more points by winning a game, and wins a set by winning a predetermined number of points. The recommended set size is seven points. The first player who obtains seven or more points wins the set. This allows a match to consist of several sets, increase strategy and reduces the element of luck and impact of an unfortunate game. Whether played for money, glory, or love of the game, all of the elements and strategy of backgammon come into play and are important, including the doubling cube and roll over. If the game is played for a given amount of money for each point, most of the strategy will come into play.

There are a wide variety of strategies that you can use in a game of backgammon. Over here, I will provide 5 simple and effective ways for you to win your first game of backgammon.

Be able to play at a rapid pace, but do not rush

The game is most enjoyable when it's played at a steady pace. A typical game should take about 7 to 10 minutes. Games will be shorter or longer depending on whether and when a player is doubled out. A rapid pace allows a few sets to be played in a reasonable amount of time. Calculators should not be used to make calculations during a backgammon session or game. Calculations should be done manually and quickly to keep the game moving at a steady pace. Play with deliberate haste, but don't rush to the point that you make a mistake. You need to become fluent with the different strategies so that you can play at a rapid pace without making mistakes. You need to constantly assess the situation while your opponent is moving, so that you can make most moves quickly.

Become equally comfortable playing with either color pieces

You will have to learn to play your best from both sides of the board and with both colors of pieces. Though you are used to practicing with the white pieces with your inner board to your right, mix it up when you are playing so that it doesn't matter which combination you have in a given game, set or match.

Insist on not using any of the variants except the roll over

Familiarize yourself with the backgammon variants, because some players may suggest that one or more of the variants be used. Strongly encourage the use of the roll over, but be reluctant to use any other variant or optional rule. This is because the optional rules generally increase the element of luck and are not compatible with playing backgammon in sets and matches.

Do not let your opponent know he made a mistake; that is, do not help him adjust or improve his game

Don't let your expressions tell your opponent that he has made a good or bad roll, move, double or roll-over. Play with serious deliberation regardless of whether your decisions are easy or difficult.

Never give up, even if it appears that you are hopelessly behind

A player's fortune can change suddenly in backgammon, particularly when he uses the correct strategy. Never lose your concentration, get reckless or give up hope. Keep using the preferred strategy to the end. Though it doesn't happen often, players can and have come back to win from what happened to be a hopeless situation. The game is not over till it's over.

For more information on how to play backgammon, playing backgammon online, backgammon boards or backgammon tournaments, please visit the following website: http://backgammon.mygeneralknowledge.com/Articles/BackgammonDirections.php

About the Author

Infant Car Seat Covers

Traveling with infants requires extra caution and attention. Safety measures have to be taken into consideration you start your trip. To give extra protection infant car seat covers are a good idea. Not only does this extra cover give them ample guard, a cover also keeps the seats clean and tidy. Whenever a mess occurs due to food or otherwise, the infant car seat cover can be removed, cleaned easily in the laundry, and replaced into the car for the next mess. That way, your car stays nice.

Baby Snugger, Vermont One, Rittenhouse Industries, Goodnight Sleeptight, Shower Your Baby, Net Kids Wear, Snazzy Baby, 2littlemonkeys and Besigns are some companies that provide excellent quality seat covers especially suited for infants.

Car seat covers by Baby Snugger come in two colors. Lined with fleece, they are most suitable for cold climates. Baby Snugger offers complete satisfaction and refunds money if the product fails to match your expectations. Vermont One offers infant seat covers in several designs that are machine washable and easy to maintain. Goodnight Sleeptight and Besigns have beautiful covers as well. Both companies offer hoods with the covers for additional comfort. There covers are made from polar fleece to snuggle in the baby and keep he or she completely warm. Snazzy Baby offers covers made of cotton and silk. These covers are reversible and can have four different looks. Normally, delivery charges are included in the price of the products, or charged separately. However, some companies like Shower Your Baby and Net Kids Wear offer free shipping.

Car Covers provides detailed information on Buy Car Covers, Car Covers, Car Seat Covers, Cheap Car Covers and more. Car Covers is affiliated with Car Care Tips.

By Josh Riverside

Marketing to Realtors: Create a Power Position in Your Marketing Efforts

Every day a real estate agent receives several marketing attempts from loan officers. In fact, this information comes in a steady, unrelenting stream. It is no wonder agents have become adept at tuning out the static of these marketing attempts.

Your challenge is to find a way to differentiate yourself from all the buzz of other loan officers. You do so by establishing your marketing position.

Your marketing position is what defines your business. Take a moment to browse your competition websites. Does their marketing position look identical to yours? If it were not for their logo on the top of the page, could it basically be your website?

If the answer is yes, your marketing position is too close to that of your competition. You are competing with them for a place in your prospects mind, and chances are you are not winning the battle for first place.

Take a look at your business and what can you offer that nobody else is doing? If you feel stymied by how you could possible differentiate yourself from your competition, think about a couple of examples of businesses that have done a remarkable job of creating a marketing position.

Federal Express is a great example. They started a business with a position no other shipper occupied. They advertised was when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight, they were there to do it.

Dominoes Pizza started their business by emphasizing that they would delivery a pizza within 30 minutes of the order, or the pizza was free.

Southwest Airlines have marketed themselves as the low-fare airline.

What special skill or niche could you develop and use in your marketing materials and what can you use to set yourself apart from your competition? When your services are similar to another loan officer, real estate agents will look for ways to differentiate.

The more your services are scrutinized for differences, the more important it is to give details about how you are different. You need to accentuate those details.

Prices and rates are not necessarily the kind of difference that gets you noticed. In fact, most often it merely gets you into a bidding war. You should instead find an unexplored niche and specialize your services around it.

You can develop a unique niche within a product line like HUD, ARMs or Jumbo Loan expert.

You can develop a niche around details of the process for example, loan approvals within an hour (or less), loans that close 5 days ahead of COE, daily email updates to agents.

You can position yourself around gender, ethnicity, geography or another demographic, specializing in exclusively serving the Hispanic community, single professionals, Town & Country Ranch, etc.

Spend some time thinking about what makes you and your business unique and then market to that position.

Jeff Nelson helps loan officers increase loan originations by attracting quality relationships with real estate agents from the development of customized relationship-building strategies.

Click here to get a free copy of the Marketing Planning Guide, a 20-page workbook designed to help you outline a strategy to become an Agent Magnet.

Visit us at http://www.loan-officer-marketing.com

Consumer Reports Car Seats

A child car seat should be high on your to-buy list. You'll need one to bring your baby home from the hospital and for every car trip thereafter. In fact, hospitals and birthing centers generally won't let you leave by car with your newborn if you don't have one. Every state requires that kids up to 4 years of age ride in a car seat; many require booster seats for older children.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The major brands of car seats you're likely to encounter are, in alphabetical order: Baby Trend, Britax, Chicco, Combi, Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Peg Perego, and Safety 1st.

There are also car beds for preemies and other very small newborns if there's a concern that a car seat may not provide a secure fit or that it may exacerbate breathing problems. In addition, there are specially designed car seats for children with physical disabilities. Every model of car seat sold in the U.S. must meet federal safety standards. These are your basic choices:

Infant seats. These rear-facing seats are for babies up to 22 pounds. They allow infants to recline at an angle that doesn't interfere with breathing and protects them best in a crash. Many strollers are now designed to accommodate infant car seats. All infant car-seat models come with a handle, and nearly all have a base that secures to your vehicle with LATCH connections or a vehicle safety belt, a convenience that lets you remove the seat and use it as a carrier. You can strap most infant seats into a car without a base, using the vehicle safety belts, but most people don't use them that way.

Infant seats have either a three-point harness--two adjustable shoulder straps and a lock between the child's legs or--even better--an adjustable five-point system--two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap. The handle usually swings from a position behind the seat's shell when in the car to an upright position for carrying. Remember to swing the handle to the vehicle position before each trip. Slots underneath most seats help them attach to the frame of a shopping cart.

With an infant car seat, you also can move your baby from car to house or vice versa without waking him or her up--a plus for both of you. Note also that extra bases are available so you can keep a secured base in each of your vehicles. Your baby may outgrow an infant car seat quickly and become too heavy for you to use it as a carrier. As a result, you may find yourself having to buy a convertible car seat after your baby is 6 to 9 months old. However, our advice is still to start with an infant seat before moving up to a convertible seat.

Price range: $30 to $180.

Travel systems. Travel systems offer one-stop shopping: You get an infant car seat and a stroller all in one. Most car-seat manufacturers offer these combination strollers/infant car seats. And many stand-alone strollers are now designed to accommodate infant car seats. With these strollers, you create a carriage by snapping an infant car seat into a stroller. The car seats of travel systems also come with a base, which stays in the car. The snap-on car seat is generally positioned atop the strollers so the infant rides facing the person pushing. Your baby can also ride in the stroller seat alone when he or she is big enough.

Most travel-system strollers can be used only with a car seat from the same company. They can also be bulky, so if you're a city dweller who negotiates more subway stairs than highways or if the trunk of your car isn't too roomy, you may be better off with a separate car seat and a compact stroller that is appropriate for a newborn.

Price range: $40 (stroller frame only) to $400.

Convertible seats. With a convertible seat, the child faces rearward as an infant, then toward the front of the vehicle as a toddler. The seat can function as a rear-facing seat for infants up to 30 or 35 pounds, depending on the model, and as a front-facing seat for toddlers generally up to 40 pounds (a few have a 65-pound limit). Models typically have an adjustable five-point harness system--two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap between the legs. Some models have a tray shield that lowers over the baby's head and fastens with a buckle between the legs. However, our tests show that children, especially small ones, are better restrained with a five-point harness.

A convertible car seat can be a money saver, taking your child from infancy to kindergarten and beyond. We advise starting with an infant seat first, though, as mentioned earlier. Keep in mind that convertible seats are not compatible with strollers, so you will have to transfer your baby from the convertible car seat to a carriage or stroller when you're ready to set out on foot. Such jostling can wake a sleeping baby, a problem if you need to take your child on frequent shopping expeditions or other errands.

Price range: $50 to $290.

Toddler/booster seats. Looking like large versions of convertible seats, these front-facing seats are used with an internal harness for toddlers 20 to 40 pounds. They're either LATCH-attached or can be secured using the vehicle belts and tethers. When kids reach 40 pounds, the seat becomes a belt-positioned booster seat, which children can use until they're 80 or 100 pounds. With a belt-positioned booster seat, the child is restrained using the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt system.

Booster seats. These are generally for children weighing 40 to 80 pounds. (A very tall child may begin using a booster seat at 30 pounds.) Booster seats use the vehicle's own safety belts to restrain the child.

Built-in seats. Some U.S. and foreign automakers offer on select cars and minivans an integrated, forward-facing child seat that has a harness and accommodates toddlers weighing more than 20 pounds. There are also some booster-seat versions. Built-in seats must meet the same performance standards as add-on child seats. However, they offer little or no side protection and they're usually located next to a door, instead of in the center--the safer position. You may also need a regular car seat for when your child travels in other vehicles.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Since Sept.1, 2002, all child car seats with an internal harness and nearly all passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. have been required to include equipment designed for simpler buckling. This system, called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), consists of child car-seat connections that attach to anchor points in the vehicle, eliminating the need to use a vehicle's safety belts to install the seat. You can still use safety belts to install a LATCH-equipped child car seat--for example, in an older car that lacks LATCH anchors. You can also retrofit some non-LATCH car seats with LATCH features.

Today's car seats cater to every possible taste--plain colors, plaids, animal and paw-print motifs, and patriotic red, white, and blue. Remember that, style aside, babies tend to be messy, so washable fabric is a plus, especially if your car seat will be with you beyond the first year, when training cups and eating on the go can kick into high gear. Car seats from some leading brands, however, require hand washing and line drying. Make sure you're up for that; most coverings are rigged through the harness-strap system and are held in place with elastic so they can be removed for laundering. But in some cases extracting the fabric from the seat can require extensive dismantling. Check the seat's manual for how-to's.

Extras such as add-on seat covers (oots), thicker padding, additional reclining options, or adjustable head-support cushions may offer greater comfort. But buy them only if they are sold by the same maker as the seat and for that specific seat, since they were tested that way; mixing brands is very risky. Some models have elastic side pockets for toys, bottles, or snacks. As your baby grows, they can come in handy, but they're not absolutely necessary.

Some infant and convertible seats have a level indicator on the side to help you install them facing the rear at a safe angle. A top tether is a webbed strap that can be used with all front-facing seats for children up to 40 pounds and with some up to 65 pounds. It's located on the back of a convertible or toddler seat and hooks into an eye bolt in a vehicle's rear deck, floor, roof, or seatback. Passenger vehicles manufactured on or after Sept.1,1999 have the anchors in place in their rear seats, but older models may need to have the hardware added. Obviously, you can't use a tether with cars that lack a top-tether anchor or that have no provision for a retrofit.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Start with an infant seat for a newborn and pay close attention to the height and weight limits as your child grows. When your baby reaches the infant seat's limits for height and weight, or becomes too heavy for you to tote, use a convertible seat in the rear-facing orientation up to the seat's limits in that mode. Then use the convertible seat front-facing until your toddler reaches the next height and weight limits. After that, use a booster seat until your child is tall enough to use the car's safety belts, typically at least 57 inches. Buying three seats instead of two may cost more, but it can pay off in protection and peace of mind

Make sure the seat is compatible with your car. One of the first things you should do in choosing a seat for your child is to check the fit of any models you're considering in your own car. Even before that, though, we suggest placing similar-looking models side by side in the store to compare features. (If you've already had your baby, place your child in the seat, to get a sense of the ease of buckling and unbuckling.) Then, if possible, bring the floor model to your car for a mock installation. Be aware that some vehicle seats are too short, indented, or excessively sloped to allow a good fit of a child car seats.

If you're considering a convertible car seat, try the floor model in both the rear- and front-facing positions. Check out the harness release button in the rear-facing position; in some models it may be too low to reach comfortably. If you're thinking about an infant car-seat/stroller combination, also known as a travel system, check to be sure that it fits in your trunk or vehicle cargo area. If the store won't let you take the seat out to your car to try it, make sure you can return any car seat you buy--or go to another store.

Insist on new. Although there are many baby items you can borrow or buy secondhand, don't make a car seat one of them if you can avoid it. A used seat may have been in a crash or recalled. The manufacturer's instructions may be missing. If, for some reason, you must use a secondhand seat, avoid those with an unknown history or that are older than six years. In the world of car seats, a six-year-old model is a relic--and risky. You'll also want to avoid recalled models.

Send in the registration card. You should be notified by the manufacturer if the car seat is recalled. To play it extra safe, you can also sign up for the Consumer Product Safety Commission's e-mail subscription list at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Updated recall information will be sent directly to your e-mail in-box. Or check monthly issues of Consumer Reports or visit www.ConsumerReports.org. Other sources of information on car-seat recalls include NHTSA's Web site (www.nhtsa.gov) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission site, www.recalls.gov.

Check the store's return policy. If you're not happy with a particular car seat for whatever reason, it's important to know that you can return it and try again with another model. Be aware that a badly soiled or damaged seat may not be exchanged.

Copyright ? 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

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