We all want to have a piece of America, and for those who are thinking of buying real estate the question remains, is it a good time to buy? Never mind if the prices are going to get any lower, the real question to consider when buying real estate is, Should You Buy or Rent? While we watch the real estate market plummet there are different factors to consider before you can answer yourself if the time for you to buy is now, such as: How many years do you plan to live in your home? (Average is 4-5 years) Do you have good credit? (This will determine your interest rate and mortgage payment) Do you have extra funds saved? (Owning costs 30% more than renting) Renting gives you more freedom Owner's have more work to do (but can customize their home and have pride of ownership) Owner's build ... 07/23/2008

I was looking for blogs with recipes because of a school project on ‘forgotten fruits' and their health benefits and stumbled upon Sharon Simms blog ‘Why Don't Drinks Want Me'? Sharon's blog was short, sweet, and crisp. In essence, I thought the blog was so cute and decided to post a ‘healthy' comment.  It is also good to break away from blogging about business and once in a while write something different, even if it's about a healthy, forgotten fruit and its nutritive values. Here it goes...(especially for the health enthusiasts)...also known as the Pitaya, fire dragon fruit, pearl fruit, strawberry pear, hanetti kafruit, thanh long, (my goodness!).Its origin is Mexico, S. and N. America, and thrives in countries such as Asia, Israel, Australia, and China. It comes from the cactaceae ... 07/21/2008

Comments Made in the Year 1955! That's only 53 years ago! 'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.' 'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?  It won't be long before $2,000.00 will only buy a used one.' 'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit.  A quarter a pack is ridiculous. 'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?' 'If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.' 'When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon.  Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.' 'Kids today are impossible.  Those duck tail hair cuts make it ... 07/20/2008

I have to admit that I am not the text friendly type, especially after seeing a morbid image on the Internet of what happened to a person's body after being involved in a vehicle accident with an 18-wheeler; an accident apparently due to text messaging. But I am also weary about text messaging while driving, especially people who have taken ‘calling' off a personal level. To me, text messaging is impersonal and if you don't have the time to call me then don't text me at all. It also depends on the circumstances, sometimes a text message is better than a phone call. But not according to real estate technology and companies such as Cell Trust, a Secure Mobile Information Management company whose headquarters are located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Cell Trust incorporates mobile tools for real... 07/20/2008

Real estate woes may be offsetting the negativity around the real estate market slowdown in Florida, but ask a proud property owner and they will tell you that nothing beats its residents with a sense of community, a sense of belonging, hence, they will tell you a different story. The most emblematic buildings from South Beach to Palm Beach give each building a geometrical silhouette from horizontal lines to curves and undulations with a grade of velocity and movement. South Florida's society gives you class options when shopping, not to mention the nightlife with some of the most beautiful people to meet and socialize with. You cannot miss the irrefutable lifestyle of South Florida with its world class dining in crème de la crème restaurants. There are innumerous things to do in the st... 07/19/2008

The time for buying real estate is right here, right now. It's even better than the early 1980's, writes Kathleen Doler, Investor's Business Daily - 7/17/08. Today's real estate market is an avalanche comparing to the market in the 80's. And for investors who have the hard money and the credit to buy with zero down are the one's winning and at the top. I call these investors the Real Estate Kings, seizing real estate investment opportunities as a result of the real estate crash from the year 2005, when real estate prices went so high that buyers could not afford their homes and eventually are losing their homes because of the record number ARM loans for that year. Where there is trouble for some people, there is opportunity for others. Source: Daily Real Estate News - July 18, 2008   07/18/2008

How to Master the 10 Lessons of Fairy Tales to Transform Your Work Life Author:  Cary J. Broussard with Anita Bell, a freelance writer Wiley Books A must read for the career minded woman facing workplace challenges. In each chapter of "From Cinderella to CEO", author's Cary J. Broussard and Anita Bell bring to light the characters of each fairy tale while setting forth reality into our professional lives. Read and learn which character you portray, as many of us have a fairy tale story in the workplace. The book emphasizes in the subliminal messages hidden in every fairy tale from Cinderella to Beauty and The Beast. Read how each tale is relevant to today's workplace: A modern Snow White can thwart an evil queen or backstabbing competitor by working hard to win allies A Gretel thrust in... 07/18/2008

  Young's Vision: "...will be a city for everyone-from the opulent at the top of the industrial & social ladder to the most humble of working people". Nestled between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood was named "The City of The Future", a term coined after city founder Joseph Wesley Young who was proud of the cultural and racial diversity of a town to grow from one square mile to over 28.87 square miles from the year 1925 till today. Close to Interstate 95, the Florida Turnpike and the Tri-County Commuter Rail, the city of Hollywood, its residents and businesses have access to the global marketplace. Population: 139,357 2000 U.S. Census Data - Median Age: 39.2 - Household Income: Median - $36,714                                    «««««««««« Even before, during, and after Young's deat... 07/17/2008

In 2007, the city of Hollywood in Southeast Florida adapted the 'Think Green & Save' strategy, helping Businesses and Consumers take action with 'Green Ideas'. The Green Ideas are to promote and encourage best environmental actions for the City of Hollywood. These ideas include: Reduce: (Water conservation) Ways to reduce your water use Reuse: Green Ideas for Businesses and Consuemrs, & Recycle: Guidelines on helping to preserve the environment You can also help by clicking on the image for more information.   07/16/2008

Most people will think that the more photos the property has in an MLS listing or anywhere else in the real estate marketing websites such as Trulia or Zillow, the better. But overexposure to a property will probably do more harm than good. Instead of focusing on every detail, try opting for a more centralized idea of what you are trying to show and sell. With just about 6 - 10 good photos with a good digital camera such as the Olympus E-420 (retails for $599), with a 3X 28mm-84mm lens will provide wide angle photos for homes. Or if you are on a budget try the Canon Powershot A580 which includes an 8 megapixel image sensor and a 2.5 inch LCD. The Canon A580 (I love my Power Shot A590), with 8 megapixels has an image sensor, 4X optical zoom lens, and 2.5 inch LCD. The Canon gives you the... 07/14/2008

Miami was named the number one hot spot for retirees from the Six Most Promising Cities for Retirees, according to Fortune-CNN Money, followed by Las Vegas, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, and Phoenix. Among the cities where retirees do not have to cross international waters to enjoy a vacation lifestyle were Aventura, Bal Harbor and Sunny Isles Beach. Southeast Florida is one of the real estate regions that have been mostly impacted by the foreclosure pinnacle of existing home sales due to the overwhelming defaulting loans from the real estate boom in 2005. Real estate analysts speculate that the market will overturn between 2 to 3 years from a suffering market that has prevailed in the past but eventually will pick up again. At this time, buyers are encouraged  and should take advantage of ... 07/14/2008

Hollywood, Florida is minutes away from all that Miami and Fort Lauderdale have to offer. Minutes from world-class dining and shopping at Bal Harbour Shops and Las Olas Boulevard, to museums, theaters, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, and Port Everglades. The idyllic beachfront site also offers proximity to exciting city life. The vibrant Hollywood Broadwalk, Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa. Neighborhood of:Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, Mardi Gras Gaming, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and CasinoFor all Hollywood Real Estate needs please call:Goran JovanovicKeller Williams Elite Propertieshttp://www.goranflorida.com VIDEO enclosed. Bellow!Hollywood Beach, FL:BroadwalkNamed one of America's top ten nostalgic promenades by USA Today, the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is more tha... 07/06/2008

Work all day in front of your computer to get your job done at hours end and you may be causing more harm than good to your vision. Staring at your computer, writing reports, balancing numbers, researching, and chatting seems like fun or just plain out working but when it comes to our eyes, we must take good care of them. Our eyes are a very delicate organ. Misusing them can be wrec havoc to our health, especially if you wear eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. How and what you eat also has an effect on your eyes. For the real estate professional, researching listings can take hours on end. Blogging is another story. If you suffer from headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, discomfort, or have any other symptoms due to wearing eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, here are some articles that y... 06/17/2008

Ocean Palms is ocated on three and a half acres of beachfront just north of the new $800 million Westin-Diplomat Resort & Spa; Ocean Palms is the first new ultra-luxury condominium on Hollywood Beach in 25 years. All 38 stories of this ultra-modern tower affirm the renaissance of Hollywood Beach as one of South Florida’s most prestigious locations. Ocean Palms Hollywood <!-- img.imageThumb { height:192px; margin:10px 10px; -ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic; border:0; } div.imageText { width:275px; word-wrap:break-word; } --> OCEAN PALMS • HOLLYWOOD BEACH ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS 3BEDROOM 3 BATH CONDO AT PRESTIGIOUS OCEAN PALMS IN HOLLYWOOD BEACH. PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP IS REFLECTED EVERYWHERE. BEAUTIFULLY FURNISHED & EQUIPPED. AMAZING OCEAN & INTRACOASTAL VIEWS!! ENJOY BEING CLOSE TO SHOPPING, F... 06/11/2008

If you think that gas prices are single-handedly, think again. With gas prices at a staggering high, consumers can alleviate their anxiety by taking better care of their vehicles and squeezing the most out of their wallet. What causes gas prices to rise at record levels? We can blame inflation, the economy, crude oil prices going up, Wall Street, or supply vs. demand, or we can do something about it. How do we voice our anxiety with the petroleum dilemma? Where is our gas money  going to? Who profits from the excess prices of gas? Why is the United States not making an effort to boost its capacity to dig for petroleum? What will gas prices look like in the next six to twelve months? It took 25 years for gas prices to go from $1 to $2 per gallon while just two years ago we hit $3 per gal... 06/11/2008

  Two weeks ago, we received a call from a buyer in Wisconsin.The man was complaining how he had to endure a brutally cold winter and was tired of suffering.The guy seemed serious enough!We sent him emails of condominiums located at Hollywood, Beach.He was looking for a "Direct Ocean View".Currently, the inventory of condo`s in Hollywood are tremendous.There are bargains out there! I explained to him he could purchase a beautiful condo under current market value.His objective was to pay cash and attempt to "Low ball" an offer.In today`s market it`s perfectly acceptable.He received the email in which we attached 22 different condo`s.He was interested in only viewing 1!In the immortal words of 3 Dog Night " One is a lonely number"....Normally, at this point you say to the client "Great wh... 05/12/2008

See how and why the National Association of Realtors was founded. This video refers to how villages became towns, and how those towns became cities. Also, how the real estate profession became a part of America to protect the consumer. Topics also include on the beginning of the mortgage industry, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and many other related topics. Watch The Video Why Our History Matters Take A Quiz Take Another Quiz     05/09/2008

Just when you thought that you were sleeping alone or alone with your mate on your bed; you are not alone. Bed bugs are a nocturnal bug that thrives in, on, and around your bed to bite you. You can actually see them on white sheets late at night with the lights out. Turn on a flashlight and they are there. Okay, I have not personally done this but I was speaking to someone on the subject and told me that they actually saw the creepy crawlers.What concerns me the most is the amount of bed bugs in hotel rooms. Just when you thought that you were sleeping in 1500 threaded count sheets, these bugs are blood suckers and rely on your body heat for survival. Bed bugs survive from human blood for up to a year and even up to 18 months but can live up to a year without a feeding for up to a year.... 05/06/2008

"Great selling points...less is best! Delete, delete, delete, get rid of all the nick nacks, all the clutter, all the extras". For professional advise on how to stage your home go to the Active Rain home page and look for Home Staging Professionals in your local area. Watch the video below on staging your property for a successful sale.For Staging Professionals in the Hollywood, Florida area: Sandra Holmes - Home Staging Concepts   05/06/2008

Ever wonder who makes the real estate market? What makes prices go up and/or down? The real question is: When is a good time to buy? Buyers and sellers make the real estate market. But what if you saw a property that is overpriced? Even if the sellers are asking a bit over the market value you can still make offers. Every real estate deal is negotiable whether the sellers are firm with their price or not. Every real estate deal is different and unique. You never know, the sellers may, after all, realize that their property has been sitting for too long in the market and may reconsider their asking price. They may also get what they are asking for. Location, location, location! Many buyers are skeptical about the real estate market because prices are dropping to record low numbers antic... 05/06/2008