The holidays are a time of giving, receiving - and remembering the priorities:   Once upon a time there was a man who punished his five-year-old daughter for using a roll of gold wrapping paper.  Money was tight, and he became angry when he saw the child put the wrapped box under the holiday tree.  "We barely have enough to get by," he said harshly, "and you used up the only wrapping paper we had in the house.  Go to your room and stop being so wasteful."   Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning, and said, "This is for you, Daddy."  The father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty.   "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside th... 09/11/2008

•If you have more than two cars in your driveway, park the extra vehicles at a neighbor's house.  This will give your driveway and yard a spacious look. •Oil and rust stains can be removed from concrete with commercial driveway cleaners that are available from automotive and home improvement stores. •The basement needn't be spotless, but change light bulbs and clear cobwebs before showing the house. •Change air conditioning and furnace filters so the units will run efficiently. •If your washer and dryer are in the basement, create a cozy laundry area by adding an area rug and shelves to store detergent bottles. •Check for termites by using a pocketknife to jab the support beams near the house foundation.  If the knife penetrates the wood easily, then there could be a termite problem. 09/10/2008

•Holiday displays, including Christmas cards, should be removed and stored by the first week in January.   •Use degreaser and a razor blade to make basement windows crystal-clear.   •Remember to put away valuables while showing your home.  Expensive jewelry belongs in a safe deposit box.   •Have long-stemmed artificial flowers to pack?  Ask your local florist for a couple of boxes wholesalers use to deliver fresh flowers to florists.   •Even if your entire house doesn't need to be painted, putting a fresh coat of paint in a new color on the door and trim may keep a couple thousand dollars on your sale price.   •Don't wait until the last minute to call professional painters because their schedules may be filled.  Hire them as soon as you make the decision to sell.   09/10/2008

What do you do when your Realtor calls and wants to show your home in say, half an hour?  Jump for joy first, since someone wants to look at YOUR home, right?  Then, panic.  As you hang up the phone, you notice that your teenagers have been at it again...your house is CLEAN, it's just not TIDY.  Now, what do you do?   Since we all know that the first impression is important, especially if you want to sell your home in the next decade, we have a few tips that will help you quickly hide away "stuff."  But first, you have to know where the buyers are going to look, and ensure that these places are constantly tidy.    Places that buyers will look include the oven, any closets, kitchen drawers, laundry room, and the kitchen pantry.  Think about it; these places give them an indication, essen... 09/09/2008

You must have heard about the about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and because it's important to me that you get the ‘ Straight Talk" I thought I would take a minute and interpret for you exactly what it means and how it will impact you personally.First a little history. A couple of month's ago the federal government took action to shore up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.For starters, the Federal Reserve opened the discount window to allow the two government sponsored enterprises to borrow lots of money, at 2.5% to cover there mounting losses.The Fed committed to making sure that these two companies who hold or guarantee 5.2 trillion dollars worth of mortgages didn't go belly up.So here's what's going on now:Freddie and Fannie have lost 3.1 billion dollars between April and June, and about 14 b... 09/09/2008

•If your stove has drip trays, replace them.  They're inexpensive, easy to install, and improve the look of the appliance.   •Clean all windowsills regularly.  A dirty windowsill will negate any benefits of a sparkling window.   •To create a feeling of space when showing the house, leave all interior doors open.   •Hard water deposits on sinks and tubs can be removed with the same type of fine pumice stone used to remove mineral deposits from the side of swimming pools.   •To remove old paint from ornate turnings, dip twine into paint remover, hold by both ends and pull back and forth between crevices.   •To banish odors from a room, remove the source of the smell, then use room deodorizer, potpourri, carpet freshener, deodorized cat litter or cedar chips to freshen the area. •If you ha... 09/05/2008

You've made the decision to sell your home and now your mind is quickly filling with a lengthy to-do list.  Before panic begins to set in, take heart and repeat a new mantra:  "Soap and paint are my friends."  While the home should be neat, clean and in good repair, major improvements are not necessary and cost more than usually can be recouped in the selling price.  So, give the house a thorough cleaning, a fresh painting and perhaps recarpet areas that have worn footpaths through them.  Rest assured that money spent on soap, paint and carpet will reappear in the selling price of the home.  And remember, if buyers can't see the money you spent, you won't recoup it...even if you tell them about it.  Resist the temptation to undertake major renovations or replacements - particularly thes... 09/05/2008

•Use the proper type of paint for each surface you need to cover.  Kitchen and bathrooms require paint that can withstand heat and moisture.  Consult a professional at a paint store for advice.   •Create an information booklet containing property tax statements; records of maintenance, service work, warranty work and improvements made to the house; utility bills; and warranties for the roof, pool, spa, electrical systems and major appliances.   •Immediately before showing the house, make the home inviting by cleaning windows, opening the drapes, turning on lights and playing soft music.   •Keep under-the-bed storage containers handy for last minute clean up.  Fill them with clutter and shove them out of sight.   •Light a couple of lightly scented candles to give a feeling of warmth and ... 09/05/2008

Have you ever been driving through a neighborhood and all of the sudden a Pepto Bismal pink house shocks you out of a daydream?  Did you notice anything other than the color - the lush green lawn or the squeaky clean entry way, perhaps?  Of course not.  You were probably too busy gawking at the color.  Color is a powerful thing.  Red is stimulating, which is why you don't see too many school rooms painted this color.  Dark blue is relaxing.  Yellow reminds us of sunlight, so it has a tendency to evoke cheerful feelings.  Green encourages peacefulness and stability.  Colors can remind us of certain people, specific places or times in our lives - some good, some bad.  When preparing your home to put it up for sale, one thing you don't want to do is evoke the wrong feelings.  It's best to ... 09/05/2008

•·         If basement stairs lack a handrail, then add one. It's safer and, in most states, required by law.   •·         Revitalize a tree or bush by trimming dead leaves and branches.   •·         Get rid of odors by cleaning drapes and carpets, scooping out the cat's litter box daily, and emptying ashtrays each day.   •·         Keep a log of all improvements made and appliances purchased so you can remember what to include in the real estate listing.   •·         Adding closet organizers, building shelves, and adding rooms are not cost effective and won't add to the sale price of the house.   •·         To save money, fix a leaking roof instead of replacing it.   •·         Professional window cleaners suggest donning rubber gloves then washing windows with a commercial window clea... 09/03/2008

When preparing your home for the real estate market, one needs a fresh and honest perspective about the total effect of the house - and not just your own.  Prospective buyers notice everything because walking through your house is a totally new experience for them.  They feel the air temperature, notice cleanliness and colors, hear noises and smell odors.  As a seller, you need to create a similar experience for yourself in order to locate all problem areas that need to be corrected.  So, you think your home is ready to show?  Give your house a sensory test by changing your perspective.  Walk through and analyze your house twice - once during the day and once at night.  You'll notice those dirty windows more during the day but may miss the debris clouding the overhead kitchen light that... 09/03/2008

•Use the proper type of paint for each surface you need to cover. Kitchen and bathrooms require paint  that can withstand heat and moisture.  Consult a professional at a paint store for advice.   •Create an information booklet containing property tax statements; records of maintenance, service work, warranty work and improvements made to the house; utility bills; and warranties for the roof, pool, spa, electrical systems and major appliances.   •Immediately before showing the house, make the home inviting by cleaning windows, opening the drapes, turning on lights and playing soft music.   •Keep under-the-bed storage containers handy for last minute clean up.  Fill them with clutter and shove them out of sight.   •Light a couple of lightly scented candles to give a feeling of warmth and ... 09/02/2008

Why on earth would you want to know more about who's looking at homes?  Simply put, to help you sell it!  The more you know about the types of buyers in the market, the better prepared you and your Realtor will be to package your house for sale.  In real estate there are some commonly used classifications that cover the bulk of home buyers. They are First-Time Home Buyers, Trade-Up Buyers, Trade-Down Buyers, and Empty Nesters.  First-Time Home Buyers: More than one-third of all home buyers fit into this category.  The homes they look for are modestly priced, often just enough to get them out of an apartment or other rental.  This first home will hold them until their family or finances begin to grow and stabilize.   Coming from a rental situation, their requirements are privacy and stor... 09/02/2008

The kitchen.  Yep, it's the room that holds the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and assorted smaller appliances.  But it's also the center around which the house revolves - a gathering place, communication center, and a warm and cozy room to receive nourishment.  As such it must be spotless, sparkling and spacious.  Potential homebuyers want to feel they can eat off the floor or the tops of appliances even though they would never do it.   While massive kitchen remodeling isn't a good idea when you're preparing to put your home on the market, replacing old, inefficient appliances may be a good idea.  Not only does this make the kitchen seem updated without a lot of work, but also "new appliances" looks good on the listing.   Make sure your garbage disposal is in good working order.  If i... 09/01/2008

Love those toy trains from your childhood?  Totally attached to your collection of moose stuff?  Dedicated to your college fraternity memorabilia?  Take a deep breath and a long gaze - then box ‘em up and ship them out to a storage facility or at least to a hidden spot under your bed.  For no matter how much sentiment these personal items hold for you, these little treasures are nothing but CLUTTER to prospective buyers.   Clearing clutter from your home accomplishes two things; it makes areas of the house easier to clean and it neutralizes the space so prospective buyers can picture their own treasured items there.  So, if you begin cringing as you read the following suggestions, repeat this mantra after me:  Space sells.   Many folks find it easier to begin with clearing out the garag... 09/01/2008

It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're getting ready to put your home on the real estate market.  After all, a plethora of books have been devoted to the subject, and each one has a to-do list that could intimidate even the most organized of sellers.  Take heart, though, because many experts agree on five relatively inexpensive repairs or renovations that won't blow your budget to bits or cause your stress level to skyrocket.  They will, however, enable you to sell your home more quickly and get top dollar for it.  Take a deep breath, relax, and know that these suggestions will make your experience a bit easier.   Before you pick up the first paint brush, carpet swatch, or bag of mulch, reach for the scrub brush and cleaning solution - or hire a cleaning service. The first order of bu... 08/30/2008

Before you list your home, think about the five questions that homebuyers will ask themselves about your house - and be prepared to answer them.  If your house measures up the best against others when these questions are asked, yours will be the quickest to sell.   Is this a good location? We've all heard the adage, "location, location, location."  There's a reason for that.  No one wants to live in a bad neighborhood.  They'll even drive a little further to get to work if they love the neighborhood and/or their kids can go to better schools.  Think about how many people live in Greenwich, Connecticut and commute into New York City.  Why would they do this?  The perception of better schools, cleaner air, more house for less money, more space, and people like themselves, among other thin... 08/29/2008

Professor Von Helsing approaches the house with trepidation - the lone light is from the moon and even that scarcely illuminates the entry way.  He wonders what horrors are hidden in the shadows...  A potential buyer for Count Dracula's castle might also question what is tucked in the dark corners andhallways of the eerie abode.  Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, and old Hollywood horror-movie directors understood the impact proper lighting has on a situation.  A multitude of horrible, dirty, dangerous, unsightly, disgusting surprises can be lurking about, waiting for the most opportune time to make their presence known.  But while Von Helsing overcame his fears and entered the castle despite them, potential homebuyers may not make it past the unlit foyer, no matter how attractive it... 08/28/2008

Thoughts Of Autumn   Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn - a mosaic of them all. - Stanley Horowitz    Be Kind To Your Eyes To lessen eye strain for computer users, the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists recommends increasing the text size on your screen at least three times the size of the smallest text you can read.  "If you have to lean forward or backward to read what's on the screen, the text is too small," says Dr. Paula Gaudet, president of the association.  "Increase the point size until you can read it easily while sitting back comfortably in your chair." How To Commune On Your Commute Career coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee recommends that people who have long commutes on public transportation regard that time as their own "me time" ... 08/28/2008

The risk factors associated with a greater likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke are large waist circumference, high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides, low amounts of HDL ("good" cholesterol), and high blood sugar.  Having three out of five of these factors gets you a "MetS diagnosis" - metabolic syndrome.  But you can change that just by walking.   In a recent Duke University Medical Center study, 41% of participants were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS) before walking for 30 minutes six days a week.  After eight months of walking on this schedule - without making any dietary changes - only 27% still met the criteria for MetS.   08/27/2008