| A seaside theme is an inviting way to decorate a living room. A seaside theme works beautifully with calming wall colors like blue and green and neutral shades like sand with accents in white. An adaptable and versatile scheme, existing furniture and wall colors may already provide a perfect backdrop for a nautical theme. All that's left to do is add some ocean-inspired wall art décor, table top accents and other affordable accessories. Create a Focal Point A bare expanse of wall over a couch or above a low console may be an ideal spot for nautical inspired wall art that influences the accent colors and accessories of your room. Metal wall hangings of realistic fish, calming waves, and underwater plant life will add color and texture to the walls. Repeat the colors in the metal wall art elsewhere in the room; beautiful coral and white in the metal wall art can be repeated in throw pillows or an area rug used to define a conversation area. Add light and dimension to nautical wall décor by including a pair of candle lanterns reminiscent of those used by lighthouse keepers. Add Accents for a Designer Touch Keep a nautical theme flowing throughout the living room space by repeating colors, textures and thematic accents: Candle wall lanterns are a good start. Continue using candles to create ambiance and nautical atmosphere. Pillar candles in hurricanes on a mantle, coffee table or side tables can be nested in handfuls of seashells, beach glass, and gleaming stones polished by the sea. Set candles in place inside the cylinder or hurricane and arrange large shells, starfish or glass and stones around the candles. Create a table top centerpiece with a simple tray or charger in an accent color. Pour clean craft and on top of the tray or charger and swirl it as desired. Tuck in shells, glass, stones and faux sand dollars and starfish. Add fragrant tea light or votive candles in sparkling crystal cups in scents that capture the fragrance of sea spray or an ocean breeze. Gather a woven vase full of sea grasses and seed heads next to the candle arrangement, or choose a tall woven vase and set it on the floor. Bring the entire room together will throw pillows and floor cushions in your accent colors. Blue, greens, and coral look smashing against a neutral background of sand or light blue. Ticking stripes, bold checks in blue and white and accents of red provide a shipshape motif against a simple backdrop of light blue and white. Lamps in classic nautical brass, wall sculpture and decorative wall art with a nautical twist are ocean-inspired accents that may be used throughout the room. For more information about Real Estate - visit: http://www.dfwhomeforsale.com |
Jul 27, 2009
Accenting a Living Room with a Seaside Theme
Jul 26, 2009
Beyond the Barbeque
From a clever twist on the usual potluck to a summertime spread gone international, with a dash of imagination and a quick change of scenery, our alfresco dining ideas are sure to please the crowd.
- Make-Together Meal
Get collaborative with your guests in the kitchen, and then enjoy the homemade meal together beneath the stars. Decide on a menu and complete the basic prep at home, asking that your friends bring over specific ingredients you still need.Perhaps it's chicken kabobs seared to perfection on the grill-purchase the chicken and skewers yourself and let the meat marinate ahead of time. Suggest that your friends bring over their favorite vegetables, then assemble them together and grill them outdoors.
For even more bonding time in the kitchen, try making the entire meal from scratch with your friends. Ask each of your guests to bring the ingredients for one of your pre-determined dishes, then prepare the meal indoors and enjoy it outside. To avoid a crowded kitchen, try splitting up tasks, even sending some people outdoors to prep the grill or set the table. The food may taste delicious, but even more satisfying is knowing that you've prepared a wholesome, homemade meal together-with a lot of fun and laughter along the way.
...For Real Estate Ideas or to learn how to Buy, Sell or Invest in Real Estate - visit http://www.robertjrussell.com
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- Summertime Shrimp Boil
It's a savory, beach-inspired meal without the mess. In typical one-dish dinner fashion, our Frogmore Stew Recipe-a traditional Southern blend of seafood and vegetables-fills up stomachs and keeps clean up to a minimum. Simply spread a disposable tablecloth or newspaper on a picnic table and let everyone dig in using their hands. Just be sure to keep plenty of paper towels around! When the party's over, you can easily dispose of the paper and tote your stewpot home.To keep the fun, hands-on spirit alive at your outdoor gathering, set up a few summertime activities, like face painting with skin-friendly paints and tie-dying. To tie-dye your threads, purchase inexpensive white cotton t-shirts at your local retailer and twist into tight shapes with several rubber bands. Fill old buckets with an array of fabric dyes, and then let your guests dip to their desire. Lay the wet shirts in a sunny spot in the grass to let dry.
- Neighborhood Picnic Party
Running short on tables and chairs? Just because you can't provide everyone in your neighborhood with a place to sit shouldn't keep you from hosting a party with the feel of a street-wide picnic. On decorative paper, send out simple invitations asking each of your neighbors to gather on your lawn with blankets and one or two easy, portable dishes. Everyone can come together to enjoy homemade snacks, then lie down for summer stargazing after sunset.
- A Worldly Buffet
Hosting an intercontinental dinner party is always a fun feat, but by moving the bash outdoors, your guests can enjoy the warm weather, too. To get a taste of the world without ever leaving home, try setting up a potluck buffet in your backyard or patio that features exotic cuisine from various locales. Assign each of your guests to a different country-when you send out your invitations, try tailoring each invite's design to the nation's theme.
Take your summertime entertaining to new heights by moving delicious meals outdoors. Whether it's an impromptu picnic with neighbors or an exotic trip across the globe for your taste buds, getting creative with your cuisine and taking advantage of the summer air is always a recipe for success.
Jul 23, 2009
Luxury & International Resort Properties
Are you looking for Luxury or International Resort Properties ?
We offer properties all over the world - Call Robert J Russell, International Real Estate Specialist for more details - 972-679-9029
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Jul 19, 2009
Open the Door to the Home You Want
Purchasing a home can feel overwhelming for buyers no matter how many times they've been through the process. And today, your credit score is more important than ever when it comes to your ability to buy the home you really want. If you are looking to improve your credit score, now is the perfect time to get started. Here are some great strategies you can utilize right away to give your score a little boost. For Information about Credit Scores, Mortgage Loans, Home purchase visit http://www.robertjrussell.com.
Create Some Balance: While paying down installment debt (car, school, mortgage, etc.) will definitely boost your credit score, paying down or paying off revolving debt, such as credit cards, can cause a quick jump in your credit score. The trick is to get and keep your balances below 30% of your credit limit on each card. For faster results, attack those cards with balances closer to their respective credit limits first, as opposed to those cards with simply the highest debt. Remember, if you pay off any credit cards completely, do not close your accounts without discussing it with your mortgage professional first. Cancelling those cards may inadvertently undo all of your hard work.
Know Your Limits: Make sure that your credit card issuers are reporting the correct limits on your accounts to the three major credit bureaus. Without an available limit, your account will appear to be maxed out at its highest reported balance each month. This could cost you up to 80 points in certain instances. Some creditors, such as American Express® and certain cards issued by Capital One®, actually have a policy of not reporting available credit. However, most companies will report your credit limits if you ask them in writing.
Take Some Credit: If you have a credit card account in very good standing, make sure that all three credit bureaus know about it. Just like your credit limits, some creditors don't report your information to all three credit companies - this is why credit scores often vary between bureaus. If this is the case, give them a call to find out why. Correcting this oversight could provide a significant boost to your score. Also, if you're in very good standing, ask your creditor for a lower rate or higher credit limit. This will increase the gap in the debt you owe versus the credit you have available. Sometimes hinting about closing an account can suddenly bring out the generous spirit of certain card issuers. Give it a try. The worst they can say is no.
Protect Your Interests: Your credit is calculated based solely on the information available to your creditors. If you have a HELOC, make sure it's listed as a mortgage or an installment account on your credit reports and not a revolving debt. If you had a bankruptcy, be sure that all items associated with the bankruptcy are being reported correctly, that is with a zero balance. This action could increase your score by 50-100 points. Because simple mistakes like these can wreak havoc on your credit score, it's important to monitor your credit every four to six months.
Even the Score: If you find information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete, then you have the right to dispute it free of charge. For the fastest results, visit the appropriate credit bureau's website and file a complaint online. If supporting documents are necessary, you have to file your dispute by mail.
With just a little bit of effort, you could be well on your way to a higher credit score...and to owning the home of your dreams!
Jul 17, 2009
Luxury Bueonos Aires Apartments!
Luxury Buenos Aires Apartment For RentBAStay.com epitomizes the splendor and charm of Buenos Aires' Belle Epoch. Our luxury Buenos Aires apartments and five star services characterize both the opulence and grandeur of this golden and bygone age. BAStay luxury apartments offer elegance and colonial charm, or super modern and contemporary styling in Buenos Aires' landmark and safest locations. www.robertjrussell.com, your home in Buenos Aires Marca Reg. Luxury Buenos Aires Tours * Luxury Travel Argentina * Luxury Informational Guide |
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Jul 15, 2009
Want to Buy a House ?
Buy a Ticket
RISMEDIA, July 15, 2009-(MCT)-With a housing market sinking to lows seldom seen in this country's history, some people are resorting to seldom-used practices to sell their houses.
Don and Karen Carroll count themselves among that group. With plans to move to Painesville Township, the Eastlake couple is trying to sell their home of five years but to this point haven't had much luck.
"Our house has been on the market for almost a month and a half, but only one person has come to look at it," said Don, 40. "That being the case, we're kind of worried."
So, they've come up with a Plan B.
"I was sitting in the living room last week, and I said to my husband, 'What if we tried to raffle this house?' " said Karen, 50. "Somebody in this big world had to have done it before."
In fact, someone has. Last year, a Maryland couple raffled off their four-bedroom farmhouse - which was appraised at $390,000 when it was first put on the market - by selling 6,289 tickets at a price of $100 each.
The entire process took about two and a half months and the raffle even raised about $225,000 for a charity of that couple's choice.
The Carrolls first hoped to do exactly the same but have since learned that Ohio law prevents them from doing so, Don said.
However, another entity - like a nonprofit organization - can conduct such a raffle, Don said, explaining that led the Carrolls to approach the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland in hopes of working something out.
"My mother just passed away last month from diabetes," said Karen, explaining why the couple chose the Beachwood-based nonprofit.
However, such a raffle would have to be approved by the association's board of directors and there are still a number of legal questions that must be answered, said Lori Izeman, director of development and communication.
"We're interested in looking at new streams of revenue, and this may be an exciting opportunity," she said. "We're thrilled they're thinking locally, because the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland is the only local nonprofit dedicated to diabetes. We're not part of a national organization."
Should things not work with the association, Don said he and his wife would look for other nonprofits in hopes of arranging a raffle.
"In my heart, I think this could be a successful thing for whichever organization was willing to do it," he said.
In the meantime, the three-bedroom, one-bathroom raised-ranch house at 1259 E. 362nd St. is still up for sale. It's been appraised at $115,000, Don said.
Realtor Daryl Poe, who along with wife Georgia is the Keller Williams Realty agent for the house, said the couple would likely sell their home before any raffle if a buyer stepped forward.
Still, he gives the Carrolls credit for deciding to raffle the house.
"As a Realtor, it didn't bother me," Poe said. "You got people thinking outside the box."
Copyright (c) 2009, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Jul 14, 2009
United State Foreclosure Laws
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Are you Money Smart ? How about your Children ?
Money Smart for Young Adults The FDIC's Money Smart for Young Adults curriculum helps youth ages 12-20 learn the basics of handling their money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions. Equipping young people in their formative years with the basics of financial education can give them the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to manage their finances once they enter the real world. Money Smart for Young Adults consists of eight instructor-led modules. Each module includes a fully scripted instructor guide, participant guide, and overhead slides. The materials also include an optional computer-based scenario that allows students to complete realistic exercises based on each module. The curriculum is distributed on CD: click here to order it. Money Smart for Young Adults is:
Modules range from 90-110 minutes if taught in their entirety. However, the content is layered so that it can be taught in two (or more parts). To help an instructor tailor the modules to the needs of the audience, the front of each module includes a matrix or Layering Table to delineate the module's components. The matrix will assist an instructor in presenting material responsive to the needs of your target audience within the available time frame. A description of each of the eight modules follows:
Potential Uses of Money Smart for Young Adults
Additional Information on the Computer-Based Scenarios Need for Youth Financial Education The curriculum is distributed on CD: click here to order it. For Information about Real Estate & Insurance - visit http://www.robertjrussell.com |
Jul 13, 2009
3 Steps - Staying Motivated towards your Goals
It's not always easy to stay motivated when you're trying to achieve a goal. Some experts say that the "goal" itself should be enough to inspire unwavering diligence toward achieving it...and there is an element of truth in that. However, the reality is that the discomforts of striving for a particular goal can sometimes cause us to lose focus.
Want to get in shape, save for a large purchase, "make the grade" in your studies? Don't worry... whatever you're trying to accomplish, the following tips can help you stay motivated and on track.
Visualize the End Result
Can't you just see yourself pounds lighter and fitting into a nifty outfit? The key question is how do you imagine yourself "feeling"? Healthier? Sexier? More self-confident? When you develop the ability to visualize your goals and imagine what the end results will be, you are more likely to stay motivated.
Many people have found it helpful to compose a "dream board" which is an arrangement of images representative of the goal. For instance, if you were saving money for a tropical beach vacation, then you'd get some travel brochures or create a collage of pictures from a magazine of blue ocean, palm trees, exotic fruit drinks...you get the picture!
Set Intermediate Goals and Reward Yourself for Small Victories
It's human to want results now. However, some worthwhile goals may require a great deal of effort and time to accomplish. Don't let that deter you. By setting smaller goals, you can work on each step that will eventually add up to big results in the end.
And don't forget to reward yourself when you reach small milestones along the way. Knowing that there are little "treats" along the journey to your goal will keep you excited and motivated.
Draw Inspiration from Others
Sources of inspiration to stay motivated can come from success quotes, lyrics, movies that depict people who attained their dreams through hard work or even speaking with others who have achieved what you're working toward. If they could do it...so can you!
If your focus begins to fade or you skid on a patch of discouragement, you may find it helpful to identify an accountability partner who will encourage you to stay the course. And, in instances where your partner is also striving toward an accomplishment, you'll experience the magic of motivating each other toward success.
Visualizing the end result, celebrating small victories along the way and drawing inspiration and encouragement from others are three powerful, easy-to-implement methods of staying motivated toward reaching your goals. So, go for it!
To find out more about Robert J Russell - visit http://www.robertjrussell.com
Jul 12, 2009
Is Social Media a Double Edged Sword
We view social media as a critical aspect of our marketing strategy and focus a good deal of time and energy implementing our social media plan. This has generated new business for us, helped us make new friends, meet local business leaders, and is an enjoyable part of our day.
Social Media has become an inexpensive way to reach hundreds, thousands, and in some cases, even millions of people in an instant. This is great when you are broadcasting a new blog post to generate traffic to your website or announcing a new listing.
What happens when someone is dissatisfied or has a gripe about a business or service - or worse yet - about your business or service? It too, can spread quickly across the world wide web.
There have been several examples of this recently, including the disgusting Domino's Pizza video on how not to make pizza that was made as a joke by some employees and posted on YouTube and was broadcast across social media sites to a huge audience, causing quite a headache for the pizza franchise.
In social media, it is possible for a single individual to have a greater reach than even a large established news organization as demonstrated by Ashton Kucher in his race to a million followers on Twitter with CNN. In case you missed that story...Ashton won hitting a million Twitter followers before the CNN. One single person can have a big impact on the brand of a business or an individual - good or bad.
Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff's recent book Groundswell points out that in any social media situation 18% of the participants are creative and contributory while 25% are critical (thus, there will be more critics than contributors).*
So, what can you do to protect your brand and image on social media?
1.) Have a Plan and be prepared to respond quickly to criticism if it appears online.
2.) Monitor what is said about your name and your company name on social media sites. You can set up free alerts through Google and Twitter alerts and should monitor blog comments received to your posts on a regular basis.
3.) Be Transparent - if you are genuine it will come across in your social media efforts. No one likes a phony in real life, or in social media.
4.) Build Relationships - Social Media is about relationships and building them helps your business and provides you with credibility if you need support.
5.) Stay on the Battlefield * - If you receive a negative comment on Twitter, respond to it on Twitter.
Guy Kawasaki, a leader in technology recently said that, "Twitter is the best thing to happen to marketing since television, It's cheaper, it's fast and it's free." I believe this statement applies to all of social media, you just also have to be aware that there is another side to that sword.
*Resource: "When Social Media Turns Hostile: A Guide to Brokerage Self Defense" by Jeremy Conaway.
Presidential Facts - Did you know
Did you know that Barack Obama isn't actually be the 44th president? He is the 43rd person to hold the office. So why all the confusion?
It all goes back to Grover Cleveland, who was elected to two terms as president. However, because his terms were not consecutive, he was counted twice - Cleveland is listed as the 22nd and the 24th president. As a result, the number of people who held office is actually one less than the number of presidents the United States has had.
That's just one of many fun presidential facts behind the story of America's presidents. For even more oddball twists and tidbits, take the quiz below and share the answers with your family and friends this month!
Take the Presidential Tidbit Challenge...
1. Who was the first president to live in the White House?
A. George Washington
B. John Adams
C. Millard Fillmore
D. Theodore Roosevelt
ANSWER: This is a bit of a trick question. Officially, John Adams became the first president to live in the presidential residence that we know as the White House. However, when he moved into the residence during 1800, it wasn't called the White House. Instead, it was referred to as the President's Palace, the President's House, or the Executive Mansion. The first president to live in the "White House" was Theodore Roosevelt, who gave the residence its official name in 1901.
2. Who was the tallest president?
A. James Madison
B. Abraham Lincoln
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. Franklin Pierce
ANSWER: The tallest president of the United States was Abraham Lincoln, who stood 6 feet, 4 inches tall. Conversely, the shortest president was James Madison, who was only 5 feet, 4 inches tall - an entire foot shorter than Lincoln.
3. Although it seems like an odd question, who was the first president to be born as a US citizen?
A. Abraham Lincoln
B. Martin Van Buren
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Richard M. Nixon
ANSWER: Martin Van Buren was the first president to be born as a citizen of the newly created United States of America. The seven presidents prior to Van Buren (Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J.Q. Adams, and Jackson) were considered British subjects. Incidentally, William Henry Harrison, who took office immediately after Van Buren was also born as a British subject. The other names listed above also represent interesting facts about birthplaces of US presidents. Abraham Lincoln was the first president born outside of the original colonies. Herbert Hoover was the first president born west of the Mississippi River. And, finally, Richard Nixon was the first and only president born in California.
4. Who was the youngest president of the United States?
A. Theodore Roosevelt
B. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
C. John F. Kennedy
D. Ronald Reagan
ANSWER: This is another tricky one. Theodore Roosevelt was actually the youngest president of the United States. He was only 42 years old when he took office; however, he became president after William McKinley died in office. John F. Kennedy was the youngest president ever "elected" to office. He was only 43 years old when he was elected president in November of 1960. So depending on how you interpret the question, either answer could be correct. On the flip side, Ronald Reagan was the oldest president. He was 69 when he took office and 77 when he left.
5. Who was the first president to appear on television?
A. Warren G. Harding
B. Rutherford B. Hayes
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. John F. Kennedy
ANSWER: Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to appear on TV. The appearance took place during the opening ceremonies of the World's Fair in 1939. John F. Kennedy, however, was the first president to give a live television news conference. Warren G. Harding and Rutherford B. Hayes had famous firsts of their own. Harding was the first president to address the nation via radio, and Hayes was the first president to have a telephone in the White House.
6. Which president was born on July 4th?
A. John Adams
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe
D. (John) Calvin Coolidge
ANSWER: The only president to be born on the Fourth of July was Calvin Coolidge, who was born on July 4, 1872. However, three presidents died on this national holiday. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. And James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
7. Which president lost the popular vote, but still became president?
A. John Quincy Adams
B. Rutherford B. Hayes
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. George W. Bush
ANSWER: All of the above. John Quincy Adams was actually voted into office by the House in 1824 after the general election failed to produce a majority of the electoral votes. The other three presidents listed above also took office despite losing the popular vote: Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876; Benjamin Harrison in 1888; and most recently George W. Bush in 2000.
8. Which president graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis?
A. Ulysses S. Grant
B. Woodrow Wilson
C. Dwight D. Eisenhower
D. Jimmy Carter
ANSWER: The only president to graduate from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis was Jimmy Carter, who graduated in 1946 and then served in the nuclear submarine program. Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower both graduated from West Point. Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand, was the only president who had a Ph.D. He received a doctorate in political science from Johns Hopkins University in 1886.
9. Which president served in the US Congress after leaving office?
A. Andrew Johnson
B. John Quincy Adams
C. John Tyler
D. William Howard Taft
ANSWER: Andrew Johnson and John Quincy Adams were the only two former presidents to serve in the US Congress after leaving office. Johnson served in the Senate, and Adams served in the House. John Tyler did not serve in the US Congress, but he did serve as a delegate to the provisional Congress of the Confederacy after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the other hand, William Howard Taft is the only president to serve as chief justice of the US Supreme Court. After leaving the White House, he became a professor of constitutional law at Yale and was later appointed chief justice in 1921.
10. Who is the only person to become president without being elected as either president or vice president?
A. Millard Fillmore
B. Theodore Roosevelt
C. Gerald Ford
D. Lyndon Johnson
ANSWER: The only person ever to become president of the United States without being elected as either president or vice president is Gerald Ford. He was nominated to be Richard Nixon's vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned. Later, when Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, Ford became the 38th president.
Jul 11, 2009
Summer Activities
Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie...And Great Summertime Websites
Fun In the Sun Is Just a Click Away
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looking to relocate ? Click Here |
Summer is officially here, and there are plenty of ways your family can have fun in the sun, while also staying safe and healthy! Whatever plans your family has in store...in addition to enjoying the traditional baseball, hotdogs, and apple pie...here are some great websites that can help.
Hitting the Road...or Air...
Plan Your Road Route: There are a number of websites such as www.mapquest.com and maps.google.com that can help you plan your route. So make sure you take a few minutes to plan your drive and print out any directions that you may need.
Fly Smarter: For the latest information on prohibited items, acceptable IDs, and other security-related items, visit www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel.
Weather Watch: Whether you're travelling by road or air, you'll want to keep an eye on www.weather.com. Not only does this site help you discover the weather of your final destination, it also helps you keep an eye on how the weather is impacting airports across the country.
Work and Play...
Stay Connected: Learn where you can get free wireless Internet access while you're on the road this summer at www.wififreespot.com.
Stay Healthy...
Breathe Easier: Learn tips for fighting hay fever, asthma, and other summertime allergens at http://allergy.healthcommunities.com.
Camp Itch-Free: Visit www.poison-ivy.org to make sure you can identify poison ivy and poison oak before you plan any camping or hiking excursions.
The Great Outdoors...
Camping Across America: If you're planning a camping trip this summer-whether it's down the road or across state lines-take a few moments now to plan the trip and reserve your campsite. There are a number of online resources for specific campgrounds and state parks, but you can also reserve a spot at campsites across the country by visiting the following websites:
US National Parks: Find a National Park near you...or one that you may be near during your vacation in another state. It's as easy as visiting the government's official National Parks page at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm and clicking on the state of your choice! The site will display a map of the state to locate the parks, and you can scroll down to learn more about each park and even get directions.
Exciting Activities and Oddities...
Festival Fun: Visit www.festivals.com for information on over 40,000 community events, including air shows, cook-offs, craft shows, music festivals, and more.
See the Country: Find information on attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and more at http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel_Tourism/State_Tourism.shtml
Family Theme Parks: No matter where you're going or what your budget is, you'll find the perfect park to fit into your travel plans. Just visit http://www.familythemeparkvacations.com/attractions-search-by-state.html and scroll down to choose the state you're in or visiting. Once you're on the state page, simply scroll down to see a variety of family theme parks-from water parks to amusement parks.
Odd Attractions Along the Way: Looking for the largest ball of twine? Bonnie and Clyde's death car? A toy robot museum? Well...you've come to the right place. Just visit http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/ to find oddities and tourist attractions in every state-and even Canada! Simply click on either the map, the state links in the left sidebar, or type a city into the search at the top of the page. Then scroll down to view Featured Attractions or see the list of cities in the right-hand sidebar.
Sun and Sand...
Beach Vacations: Every state boasts about their beaches. Some have oceans while others have gulfs, bays, rivers, lakes or reservoirs. Whatever form the water takes, adventures and sports of all types can be found. Just click on the state of your choice in the map at the top of the page or choose from the alphabetical list below it. http://www.chiff.com/recreation/beaches/USA.htm
Sites for Kids...
Websites to Keep Kids Thinking: Sure...kids love summer because there's no school. But all that time away from the books can lead children to regress a little bit in what they know. Luckily, there are a variety of websites dedicated to providing fun online games that actually help kids activate their brains during their long summer vacation. For example, when you visit http://www.lac-k8.net/summer_websites_for_kids.htm you can find a list of websites dedicated to specific grades or even subjects such as math or science. So if your children keep asking you what they should do or if they want to play on the computer instead of outside, point them in the direction of a site that is good for their brains.
Regardless of whether you're traveling near or far this summer, take a few minutes to check out these sites and find activities and adventures in the sun, while also staying safe and healthy!
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Important Dates Home Buyers Need to Know About.....
The Clock Is Ticking...
Important Dates Home Buyers Need to Know About
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"There's no place like home," so the famous saying from The Wizard of Oz goes. And this year, that saying applies to many new home owners, as first-time home buyers (FTHBs) have accounted for 53% of total residential real estate purchases during parts of 2009. For those of you who have already bought a home, congratulations. For those of you still waiting, this is a call to action: It's time to get moving.
While it's true that the best environment home buyers have ever seen may have been from January to late May of this year, outstanding opportunities still exist for those who act soon. If you are planning to buy a home, there are important dates on the calendar that you need to take note of so you can act accordingly. These dates represent money-saving opportunities for consumers.
We May Never See Rates This Low Again
Beginning in late November last year, 30-year fixed rates plunged into the mid 4.0% range. So what prompted this precipitous decline? The Federal Reserve announced that they would start purchasing mortgage backed securities (MBS) issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. The Fed made this decision because there was a lack of liquidity and buyers in the fixed income securities market. By becoming a buyer for the securities that determine interest rates, the Fed helped lower rates to stimulate the economy by absorbing supply not picked up by others in the markets.
Following the announcement by the Federal Reserve, home loan rates immediately responded, falling a full percentage point. When the buying started, home loan rates fell even more, sparking a frenzy in refinancing and buyers seeking financing.
However...and here's what you need to note...this program implemented by the Federal Reserve has a deadline! That deadline is December 31, 2009. And as the Federal Reserve has been the primary buyer for MBS, purchasing up to 85% of all MBS since March, the impact to rates when the program ends could be as dramatic as when the program was announced. This means that interest rates could conceivably rise to well above 6.00%.
In the month leading up to the announcement, interest rates had been exceptionally volatile, peaking on some days near 7.00% for a 30-year fixed rate loan with no points and fees. This kind of volatility often happens when investors are reluctant to purchase MBS and trading volumes in securities are light, causing rates to rise quickly if investors demand a higher return for their investment.
While the final impact to interest rates will have to play itself out, one thing is certain: without the Federal Reserve as a primary buyer of MBS, home loan rates could be primed for a spike if other investors do not pick up the slack that could result in 2010.
It is unlikely that interest rates will return to the sub-5.0% range again this year. Why? The purchase and refinance mortgages that have already occurred this year were packaged into Mortgage Backed Securities after they closed and were sold on the secondary markets. This added supply to the markets and the new Bonds simply outweighed what the Fed had allocated to buy. Still, the Fed's program is helping slow down the rate increases we are seeing...but remember; their program is due to end on December 31. That's why now could mark the lowest rates that will be seen for some time to come.
Would You Like $8,000? Buy a Home. Soon!
To stimulate the economy, Washington juiced up the stimulus plan passed last year in February. Two benefits for FTHBs were that the amount of the tax credit was increased from up to $7,500 to $8,000. And, more importantly, the amount of the credit does not have to be repaid!
To qualify for the credit the individuals buying a home cannot have owned a home in the last three years. So, while the credit is discussed as a credit for first-time buyers, anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years is eligible.
There are income limitations to fully qualify but they are quite liberal. Single tax filers earning up to $75,000 and joint filers earning up to $150,000 based on modified adjusted gross income can earn the full credit. A partial credit is available for those earning up to $95,000 and $170,000 respectively.
The amount of the tax credit is based on a percentage of the price of the home, specifically 10% of the purchase price, up to $8,000. This means if someone purchases a home for $70,000 their credit would be $7,000 and if the amount of the home purchased is $100,000, the credit would max out at $8,000.
Note! The deadline to take advantage of this opportunity is November 30, 2009. Close in December, and you just lost $8,000.
Homes Have Never Been More Affordable
FTHBs are leading the way, taking advantage of one of the best home buying opportunities ever, providing support for the real estate market. As indicated earlier, FTHBs have accounted for as much as 53% of purchases for any month this year.
Who can blame them? In short, no one. Home prices have fallen to levels not seen in years and interest rates hit their lowest point ever. This combination led to the highest home affordability ever recorded.
The National Association of Realtors® tracks what is known as the Home Affordability Index. The Home Affordability Index is arrived at as a function of both median home prices, available interest rates, and median family income.
The index represents the amount of monthly income that is required to pay a mortgage payment. In 2005, approximately 23.3% of a family's monthly income was required to carry a mortgage payment. With falling home prices and interest rates, the percentage of monthly income required to pay a mortgage payment is now approximately 15%.
This means that for a family at the median income level purchasing a home priced at the median income level, the monthly mortgage payment has declined nearly 36%! This is great news for anyone shopping for a home today.
Get Busy, Time is Short!
In order to take advantage of both the available tax credit and low interest rates, anyone going into contract should strive to have their purchase agreement not later than mid-October. This will allow some time cushion in the event anything pops up in the purchase process and still allow for closing in time to take advantage of the available tax credit.
Home prices have fallen to levels not seen since the start of the decade in many parts of the country, interest rates are still near all time lows, and the availability of free money from the IRS all mean that the time to act is now. It is always easy to look back and identify times people should have acted, and this could well be one of those times people will look back and say, "Wow, I should have bought a home in 2009!"
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