Living in Colorado and being a gardener has been rather stressful in the past few years, as this state has been undergoing a rather severe drought. The city is imposing watering restrictions which are not giving enough water to lawns and plants. I’ve had to renovate my garden to make it more
water efficient. Now, because of the techniques I’ve employed, I’m the only one in my neighborhood with a garden that isn’t completely brown. So if you live in an area that is going through a drought or if you just want to save water, I suggest you use some of these techniques as well.
First, I took out all my plants. The soil I was using didn’t retain water very well, so I had to water about twice as much as necessary in order to get it to actually absorb into the roots. If you have this same problem, you can fix it by loading the soil up with lots of compost. This not only
prevents water from escaping, but encourages the plant’s roots to be healthy and able to survive more Konferenztisch Glas Rund.
Once I was done optimizing the soil for my new low water consumption plan, I was ready to replace all my plants. I decided that the placement of all my plants would reflect the amount of water necessary to keep them alive. All the plants that don’t require much water I placed in on one side of my garden, and then just progressed in the amount of required water to the other side of the garden. As a result of my new arrangement, I don’t have to waste water on plants that don’t need it as much.
The installation of a drip irrigation system was another move on my part that reduced the amount of water I needed to fully water my garden. The great thing about these systems is that they constantly drip into your plants, so that every single drop is absorbed. With traditional watering systems, usually the roots get too overwhelmed with the sheer amount of water in the soil. Thus, lots just seeps right past. This is all taken care of with the drip system.
If you still seem to need more water than you can supply to your garden, you might consider which plants you could replace with less water dependent plants. If you want a good shrub that doesn’t use up more than its share of water, look for Heavenly Bamboo. It is not only tolerant of droughts, but looks rather decorative in any garden. Herbs such as rosemary are useful in preparing meals, and are rarely thirsty.
If you’re trying to find flowers that will still be lush and beautiful despite the lower amounts of water, look for penstemon varieties like Garnet, Apple Blossom, Moonbeam, and Midnight. You can attract
hummingbirds and butterflies with varieties like Cosmos and Yarrow. The best part about all these plants is that they don’t look rugged and withstanding, but they sure are. Your neighbors wont be saying “Look at them, they downgraded their plants just to withstand the drought. What
chumps!” Instead they will be marveling over how you keep your flowers so beautiful in the midst of the watering regulations.
One of my favorite drought resistant plants is the Lavender plant. I could go on for pages about it. A large group of Lavender plants looks unbelievably gorgeous in your garden, and hardly requires any water to flourish. Pineapple sage is another personal favorite. It is a 2+ foot shrub that smells strangely of pineapple. It’s another major attracter of hummingbirds, and the leaves are also useful to add taste to drinks.
So if you are in the position I was, and you’re dealing with a drought and perhaps watering regulations, I suggest you try some of the things I’ve mentioned. Even if you’re just trying to conserve water or be generally more efficient with it, I think you’ll still be able to benefit.
Minggu, 05 Maret 2017
Microwave Cooking is the Wave of the Future
When it comes to cooking there are few tools that are more versatile in the kitchen than the microwave. This device offers so many functions when it comes to cooking that most people never bother to utilize. It's sad really. In most homes, the microwave has been relegated to doing duty as a meat defroster, popcorn popper, and coffee warmer rather than using is as the fabulous device for actual food preparation that it really is capable of being.
Before you set up to change your ways, you need to understand that when it comes to microwave cooking, not all microwaves were created equal. Wattage is vitally important as is the quality of your microwave. The average el cheapo microwave that you can find in discount stores will simply not stand up to the rigors of regular full meal preparation though they are perfectly acceptable for many wonderful dishes that can be prepared as side dishes. The correct microwave however, can actually brown and bake a full sized Thanksgiving turkey.
Microwave cooking is definitely not something that is meant for those who are afraid of trying something new or those that are afraid of making mistakes along the way. This is a process that is one part science and one part figuring it out. Research helps a great deal but even many of the recipes you will find for microwave cooking are written for microwaves of varying wattage so you will need to ferret out what times and temperatures would be appropriate for your microwave. This is to a large degree going to be a process of trial and error unless you are using the recipe book that came with your microwave.
Do not despair however, most that have tried microwave cooking find it to be a much better process for their meal preparation needs. While microwave cooking is great for big families it is an outstanding way to save money when cooking for and feeding one. It is also rather simple. In other words, even college students can benefit by learning microwave cooking for one or more as it will help them limit their expenses while still eating healthy fresh made meals.
Another great thing about microwave cooking that is often overlooked is that there are far less messes to be made than when cooking part of a meal stove top, part of a meal in the oven, and part of the meal elsewhere. By and large, microwave cooking keeps any spills and splatter isolated to your microwave. Most of these can be cleaned and controlled rather easily by using a removable plate in your microwave (that can be washed in the dishwasher) and covering your food whenever possible to avoid splatters.
Microwave cooking is gaining popularity despite the fact that is hasn't caught on as well as the inventors would have liked. The proof of this is in the many products that have been created to make microwave cooking a little bit easier. From omelet makers to special trays for cooking bacon in the microwave industrious people are working to make the easy way of cooking that much easier.
If you have a microwave in your home that is used mostly for melting butter and warming pizza, then you have a microwave in your home that is being terribly under utilized. It is time you hit the search engines for recipes that will be appropriate for your microwave and get busy trying something new and different that will have your family awed and amazed. Imagine having them toss accolades for your tireless devotion and standing over a hot stove for hours when in actuality you only checked on the microwave when the proper time approached.
Microwave cooking very well may be the wave of the future. Get a head start and begin building your collection of wonderful microwave recipes right away for the best selection. The day will arrive when you can make microwave cooking the rule rather than the exception.
Before you set up to change your ways, you need to understand that when it comes to microwave cooking, not all microwaves were created equal. Wattage is vitally important as is the quality of your microwave. The average el cheapo microwave that you can find in discount stores will simply not stand up to the rigors of regular full meal preparation though they are perfectly acceptable for many wonderful dishes that can be prepared as side dishes. The correct microwave however, can actually brown and bake a full sized Thanksgiving turkey.
Microwave cooking is definitely not something that is meant for those who are afraid of trying something new or those that are afraid of making mistakes along the way. This is a process that is one part science and one part figuring it out. Research helps a great deal but even many of the recipes you will find for microwave cooking are written for microwaves of varying wattage so you will need to ferret out what times and temperatures would be appropriate for your microwave. This is to a large degree going to be a process of trial and error unless you are using the recipe book that came with your microwave.
Do not despair however, most that have tried microwave cooking find it to be a much better process for their meal preparation needs. While microwave cooking is great for big families it is an outstanding way to save money when cooking for and feeding one. It is also rather simple. In other words, even college students can benefit by learning microwave cooking for one or more as it will help them limit their expenses while still eating healthy fresh made meals.
Another great thing about microwave cooking that is often overlooked is that there are far less messes to be made than when cooking part of a meal stove top, part of a meal in the oven, and part of the meal elsewhere. By and large, microwave cooking keeps any spills and splatter isolated to your microwave. Most of these can be cleaned and controlled rather easily by using a removable plate in your microwave (that can be washed in the dishwasher) and covering your food whenever possible to avoid splatters.
Microwave cooking is gaining popularity despite the fact that is hasn't caught on as well as the inventors would have liked. The proof of this is in the many products that have been created to make microwave cooking a little bit easier. From omelet makers to special trays for cooking bacon in the microwave industrious people are working to make the easy way of cooking that much easier.
If you have a microwave in your home that is used mostly for melting butter and warming pizza, then you have a microwave in your home that is being terribly under utilized. It is time you hit the search engines for recipes that will be appropriate for your microwave and get busy trying something new and different that will have your family awed and amazed. Imagine having them toss accolades for your tireless devotion and standing over a hot stove for hours when in actuality you only checked on the microwave when the proper time approached.
Microwave cooking very well may be the wave of the future. Get a head start and begin building your collection of wonderful microwave recipes right away for the best selection. The day will arrive when you can make microwave cooking the rule rather than the exception.
Jumat, 03 Maret 2017
A Take on Grasses - Appreciating the Lowly but Important Garden Element
When the subject of gardens and landscaping is brought to a conversation, the first things that pop into people’s minds are trees, shrubs, flowers. Rarely do people take notice of something very significant and crucial for the beauty of most landscapes – grasses. Humans step on them, children play on them, dogs roll over them, but most of the time people ignore these prominent figures of gardens and parks. Imagine how a landscape would be without grasses – it would be dull, dry, boring if not downright ugly. Without grasses, a scenery would usually not be complete.
Grasses are very useful not only for their aesthetic qualities but for some practical purposes as well. Grasses are very flexible as they can grow in almost any quality of soil more than other kinds of plants. Grasses do not need so much for them to thrive, just water is enough for most grasses to grow and make any landscape green. While many people have the notion that grasses are boring, their wide variety makes them interesting components of a landscape as they come in different colors, textures, and heights. Even when grasses die and get dry, they still have certain decorative and practical value. Grasses are very important for the environment as well as they serve as ground covering that can prevent soil erosion and maintain a good amount of water for other plants to grow.
There are many kinds of grasses each having their distinct qualities that make them worth planting in different kinds of landscapes. Here are some of them:
Bermuda grass – this is perhaps the most popular kind of grass which is extremely popular in places where the sun shines most of the time. This kind of grass is ideal for sunny areas because they are very resistant to heat and drought. This high tolerance makes it an ideal grass to cover vast tracts of lands. However, the hardiness of Bermuda also gives it the tendency to “invade” areas inhabited by other plants.
Blue grass – this is another popular type of grass that grows well during the summer being drought tolerant like the Bermuda. This is very common in the north because of its tolerance cold weather. However, blue grass can grow clumpy when not maintained well.
Bahia grass – this is very popular in the Southeastern parts as they are very easy to maintain. Bahia grass has coarse blades that are resistant to drought and shade as well as salty water and soils. However, this grass requires a lot of mowing because of its texture Konferenztisch Glas Oval.
Buffalo grass – this one is very much like the blue grace and is also rather common in the Northern parts. This grass is good for parts that there is little rainfall. The appearance is somewhat a cross between the blue and Bermuda grasses. Its blue-green tinge in summer turns straw brown during winter.
Kentucky bluegrass – this is the most popular kind of grass in the north, and it is sometimes planed in the south. It is characterized to have a soft texture and a dark green shade, it is quite resilient to cold.
Bent grass – this is a perennial type of grass with a fine texture. It is known to form soft turfs that are tightly knit. This characteristic makes it an ideal grass for golf course greens.
There are many other types of grass, each grow for appropriate purposes for appropriate regions and weather conditions. There are several books and magazines for landscaping that tackle everything about grasses. There are also many online resources about the subject.
Grasses are important parts of any landscape. They add life to any dull piece of land as they provide a sense of warmth and coziness.
Grasses are very useful not only for their aesthetic qualities but for some practical purposes as well. Grasses are very flexible as they can grow in almost any quality of soil more than other kinds of plants. Grasses do not need so much for them to thrive, just water is enough for most grasses to grow and make any landscape green. While many people have the notion that grasses are boring, their wide variety makes them interesting components of a landscape as they come in different colors, textures, and heights. Even when grasses die and get dry, they still have certain decorative and practical value. Grasses are very important for the environment as well as they serve as ground covering that can prevent soil erosion and maintain a good amount of water for other plants to grow.
There are many kinds of grasses each having their distinct qualities that make them worth planting in different kinds of landscapes. Here are some of them:
Bermuda grass – this is perhaps the most popular kind of grass which is extremely popular in places where the sun shines most of the time. This kind of grass is ideal for sunny areas because they are very resistant to heat and drought. This high tolerance makes it an ideal grass to cover vast tracts of lands. However, the hardiness of Bermuda also gives it the tendency to “invade” areas inhabited by other plants.
Blue grass – this is another popular type of grass that grows well during the summer being drought tolerant like the Bermuda. This is very common in the north because of its tolerance cold weather. However, blue grass can grow clumpy when not maintained well.
Bahia grass – this is very popular in the Southeastern parts as they are very easy to maintain. Bahia grass has coarse blades that are resistant to drought and shade as well as salty water and soils. However, this grass requires a lot of mowing because of its texture Konferenztisch Glas Oval.
Buffalo grass – this one is very much like the blue grace and is also rather common in the Northern parts. This grass is good for parts that there is little rainfall. The appearance is somewhat a cross between the blue and Bermuda grasses. Its blue-green tinge in summer turns straw brown during winter.
Kentucky bluegrass – this is the most popular kind of grass in the north, and it is sometimes planed in the south. It is characterized to have a soft texture and a dark green shade, it is quite resilient to cold.
Bent grass – this is a perennial type of grass with a fine texture. It is known to form soft turfs that are tightly knit. This characteristic makes it an ideal grass for golf course greens.
There are many other types of grass, each grow for appropriate purposes for appropriate regions and weather conditions. There are several books and magazines for landscaping that tackle everything about grasses. There are also many online resources about the subject.
Grasses are important parts of any landscape. They add life to any dull piece of land as they provide a sense of warmth and coziness.
Kamis, 02 Maret 2017
3 Sensational High Profit, Low Cost Internet Business Models That You Can Set-Up Today (And Start Seeing Profits Tomorrow)
If you would like an insightful and, dare I say it, profitable glance at the best internet based business models then you’re in for a bit of a treat. This article will investigate those proven high profit internet based models that require only minimal capital outlay but have the potential to generate profits very quickly (yes, within 24 hours).
It is far easier, cheaper and rewarding to start an online business than an offline one. The models we’ll look at in this article do not take a genius to start. Let’s get going:
**1. The Membership Site Internet Model – The internet has made accepting payment an automatic and hassle-free experience. When you set-up your own membership site you’re either offering premium information (ebooks, general content in a protected server, tutorials) or software on a particular theme or topic.
There is no shortage of potential topics for your membership site. It’s possible to charge anything from $10 to $500 per month depending on the quality and perceived value of your protected contents.
The benefits of setting up a membership site are huge. For instance your overheads are practically zero, you can deal with pure content that is delivered digitally and (the holy grail of earning online) you are assured regular residual income, month after month.
However, you do need to be very well organised – plan your publishing schedule for the entire month (and note down your long term objectives for the site too). You will also have to ensure you can provide quality content month after month and will need some degree of technical know-how in setting up a protected site (although these days you can purchase point and click software that will do all the work for you).
The possibilities for the membership site business model are endless – with several niches offering customer bases that run into the millions there is always space for a quality niche membership site.
**2. The SUPER AFFILIATE Model – You may have heard the term “super affiliate” or “super associate” before. What exactly do these terms mean? A super affiliate is someone who is extremely good at selling other people’s products or services.
The advantage of the super affiliate model is that you spend no time on creating the product or customer service issues. You simply have a method of getting traffic to quality sites and enjoying the sales commissions generated. The biggest challenge faced by affiliates is that for a good product they are competing against tens, hundreds and sometimes even thousands of other competitors.
So how do you get past the competition? You do two things – first create your own unique sales promotion tools (for example a viral special report), and you also offer customers special bonuses that they can only get when purchasing through your affiliate link. These two pointers will go a long way towards making you a super-affiliate.
Affiliate commissions vary in size – paying anywhere from just 5% to even 90%. As an affiliate you should determine which products to promote and create a plan for them. Here’s a very strong tip – promote as many products as you can that pay a monthly recurring commission. This way you get paid for months (or years) after the initial sale.
**3. The eBay Power-seller Model – eBay boasts monthly page views that numbers in the billions. Think about that for a second – it’s a HUGE base of targeted prospects and you can use this to set-up a thriving online business.
As always you need a plan of attack. What will you sell? Will you stock physical products or opt for a drop-ship solution. How will you accept payment?
One important consideration on eBay is developing a “unique selling point” – this is something that makes you different from your competition and can be the difference between luke-warm income and turbo-charged profits. It’s worth spending a considerable amount of time planning your USP.
If you’re selling a physical product can you combine that with a unique info-product about that niche? It’s really quite simple to produce an eBook or purchase the rights to one and offer it as a high value bonus to those who bid on your product. Do you notice that I said “bid” and not “buy”? Why? Because if you promise a copy of the info-product to all bidders you will generate more bids and (the best part) assuming your product is branded with your site/ebay store you will drive targeted traffic to it. Simple yet very effective.
So we’ve looked at three internet business models that you can implement quickly for surefire profits. Believe me, this is only scratching the surface – as you establish yourself online and learn more you will discover that there are many more simple methods of creating several powerful income streams online. Stay focused, have a quality blueprint to guide you and you will do far better than you ever imagined possible.
It is far easier, cheaper and rewarding to start an online business than an offline one. The models we’ll look at in this article do not take a genius to start. Let’s get going:
**1. The Membership Site Internet Model – The internet has made accepting payment an automatic and hassle-free experience. When you set-up your own membership site you’re either offering premium information (ebooks, general content in a protected server, tutorials) or software on a particular theme or topic.
There is no shortage of potential topics for your membership site. It’s possible to charge anything from $10 to $500 per month depending on the quality and perceived value of your protected contents.
The benefits of setting up a membership site are huge. For instance your overheads are practically zero, you can deal with pure content that is delivered digitally and (the holy grail of earning online) you are assured regular residual income, month after month.
However, you do need to be very well organised – plan your publishing schedule for the entire month (and note down your long term objectives for the site too). You will also have to ensure you can provide quality content month after month and will need some degree of technical know-how in setting up a protected site (although these days you can purchase point and click software that will do all the work for you).
The possibilities for the membership site business model are endless – with several niches offering customer bases that run into the millions there is always space for a quality niche membership site.
**2. The SUPER AFFILIATE Model – You may have heard the term “super affiliate” or “super associate” before. What exactly do these terms mean? A super affiliate is someone who is extremely good at selling other people’s products or services.
The advantage of the super affiliate model is that you spend no time on creating the product or customer service issues. You simply have a method of getting traffic to quality sites and enjoying the sales commissions generated. The biggest challenge faced by affiliates is that for a good product they are competing against tens, hundreds and sometimes even thousands of other competitors.
So how do you get past the competition? You do two things – first create your own unique sales promotion tools (for example a viral special report), and you also offer customers special bonuses that they can only get when purchasing through your affiliate link. These two pointers will go a long way towards making you a super-affiliate.
Affiliate commissions vary in size – paying anywhere from just 5% to even 90%. As an affiliate you should determine which products to promote and create a plan for them. Here’s a very strong tip – promote as many products as you can that pay a monthly recurring commission. This way you get paid for months (or years) after the initial sale.
**3. The eBay Power-seller Model – eBay boasts monthly page views that numbers in the billions. Think about that for a second – it’s a HUGE base of targeted prospects and you can use this to set-up a thriving online business.
As always you need a plan of attack. What will you sell? Will you stock physical products or opt for a drop-ship solution. How will you accept payment?
One important consideration on eBay is developing a “unique selling point” – this is something that makes you different from your competition and can be the difference between luke-warm income and turbo-charged profits. It’s worth spending a considerable amount of time planning your USP.
If you’re selling a physical product can you combine that with a unique info-product about that niche? It’s really quite simple to produce an eBook or purchase the rights to one and offer it as a high value bonus to those who bid on your product. Do you notice that I said “bid” and not “buy”? Why? Because if you promise a copy of the info-product to all bidders you will generate more bids and (the best part) assuming your product is branded with your site/ebay store you will drive targeted traffic to it. Simple yet very effective.
So we’ve looked at three internet business models that you can implement quickly for surefire profits. Believe me, this is only scratching the surface – as you establish yourself online and learn more you will discover that there are many more simple methods of creating several powerful income streams online. Stay focused, have a quality blueprint to guide you and you will do far better than you ever imagined possible.
3 High-Impact Fixes For Your Marketing Woes
How many times has your competitor gotten one over on you? The feeling of being left behind just eats away, until you do something about. The problem is that we often feel that we’ve got to come up with some grand plan in order to get our business skyrocketing again. Don’t be fooled! Getting back on top of the market isn’t as tough as it seems with these high-impact, easy-to-use fixes.
1. The Magic Number - 1
Implement a “advertise 1 item at a time” motto for your advertising strategy. Does that mean you can’t SELL more than one item at a time? No... but wait until AFTER the sale.
When a customer sees more than one of a product offered at unbelievably low prices, he’s confused. Which one is the better deal? Which one does he prefer? These questions encourage procrastination - one of marketing’s greatest thieves. Instead, offer the consumer a product that compliments his purchase in a nearby display... or even at the register. You’ll make extra profits instead of losing a sale.
2. Outsmart Your Competitors
Your competition is looking for you in all of the usual places. Don’t go there. Quietly look for new methods of advertising and new markets to target.
Niche markets provide the perfect sneak tactic for reaching new clients. Here’s they key... sub-divide your current market into smaller, more specific niche markets. Familiarize yourself with the needs and concerns of the niche, then present yourself as the pro in their corner. Leave your competition in the dust with the intensity of new prospects that will come your way.
Modernize an old marketing technique that still carries a wallop - postcards. Yeah, these small, inexpensive marketing tools still carry a personal message that is quick and easy to read, but with new high-impact colors and designs that capture the attention of readers. Your competition won’t even know that you’re using them!
3. Encourage Communication
Communication is crucial to understanding your consumers. Encourage questions before the sale, during the sale and after the sale. Make it easy and comfortable.
Provide convenient contact information on all of your sales materials, including Websites. If you find yourself overloaded with questions, create a frequently asked question page where clients can get the answers they need without claiming as much of your time.
Confused customers, tough competitors and communication mishaps won’t steal profits from your account when you fix things up with the 3 quick tips.
1. The Magic Number - 1
Implement a “advertise 1 item at a time” motto for your advertising strategy. Does that mean you can’t SELL more than one item at a time? No... but wait until AFTER the sale.
When a customer sees more than one of a product offered at unbelievably low prices, he’s confused. Which one is the better deal? Which one does he prefer? These questions encourage procrastination - one of marketing’s greatest thieves. Instead, offer the consumer a product that compliments his purchase in a nearby display... or even at the register. You’ll make extra profits instead of losing a sale.
2. Outsmart Your Competitors
Your competition is looking for you in all of the usual places. Don’t go there. Quietly look for new methods of advertising and new markets to target.
Niche markets provide the perfect sneak tactic for reaching new clients. Here’s they key... sub-divide your current market into smaller, more specific niche markets. Familiarize yourself with the needs and concerns of the niche, then present yourself as the pro in their corner. Leave your competition in the dust with the intensity of new prospects that will come your way.
Modernize an old marketing technique that still carries a wallop - postcards. Yeah, these small, inexpensive marketing tools still carry a personal message that is quick and easy to read, but with new high-impact colors and designs that capture the attention of readers. Your competition won’t even know that you’re using them!
3. Encourage Communication
Communication is crucial to understanding your consumers. Encourage questions before the sale, during the sale and after the sale. Make it easy and comfortable.
Provide convenient contact information on all of your sales materials, including Websites. If you find yourself overloaded with questions, create a frequently asked question page where clients can get the answers they need without claiming as much of your time.
Confused customers, tough competitors and communication mishaps won’t steal profits from your account when you fix things up with the 3 quick tips.
3 Important Tips for First Time Home Buyers
When looking at tips for first time home buyers, you've come to the right place.
Many people are looking all over the Internet for reliable information. There's over 761,940 websites (as of March 05) with information or online forms urging you to fill them out for more details.
While I certainly agree the Internet is a great place for obtaining tips for first time home buyers, it can also become a real information overload as well. So I want to give you some tips that can help in your search.
Tips for First Time Home Buyers #1
Don't be too quick!
Avoid giving out your personal information like Social Security number, date of birth etc. at every website that asks for it. This is the single biggest mistake I've seen made. Some first time home buyers in their zeal to get started do this.
The problem is this, many sites will require this information before they'll give you any details. They start out with a simple, name and address screen, then lead into screens that ask for more personal details.
At all costs, hold off giving out this private information. You will have to at some point in time. But, not until you've learned about the mortgage process should you do this. What happens when you fill in the forms online? Your e-mail box will be flooded with loan offers.
Many places tout they'll have 4 lenders or even more give you quotes. Guess what? Nearly every one of these lenders are going to run a credit report. If you have numerous inquires in your credit in one month, this can affect your credit score.
Another reason to be careful here is that most of these websites are just lead generators. The company or webmaster will sell your information to one or perhaps even more sources and then we have a BIG problem. It can costs you in your credit score. The lower your credit score, the higher your interest rate will be. The higher your credit score the lower your interest rate.
Let me tell you a quick little story. I once was dealing with a person who wanted to refinance. We had gone online and fill out several forms at different websites. By the time he got to me, when I was able to look at his credit score, he had over 100 inquiries in his credit in one month. His credit score was so low I couldn't help him. Save yourself this grief, be careful!
Tips for First Time Home Buyers #2
Work with someone you trust.
How can you determine if that person is honest and trustworthy? Listen to them closely. Are they trying to hurry you along to get your personal information? Or are they taking the time to explain things and help you to understand exactly what you're about to get into?
Buying a home is the single biggest investment most people make in their lifetime. Then afterwards, managing that debt is important also. You want to work with someone who will help you do this. They should be interested in a long term relationship with you.
Over your lifetime you'll get more than 1 mortgage. I know, it's hard to imagine that now, but statistic's show that on average people move or get a new home loan about every 7 years.
Having someone you trust, that has your best interest is what you need. I look at it this way, if I do a good job for you, you might tell 1-2 of your friends. If I did a bad job for you, you'll tell 100 of your friends.
I build my mortgage business 1 loan at a time. I love referrals so I take a personal interest in each and every borrower. My customers talk about me to their friends!!
Tips for First Time Home Buyers #3
Choose your Loan Officer wisely.
Now because of the Internet, home lending has become a big business. Mortgage Brokers and Lenders have popped up everywhere. Many have also fallen by the roadside at the same time.
The money business is HUGE! Did you know that over 1.3 TRILLION dollars changes hands around the globe everyday?? When you start to think about it, it staggers your mind.
Your First Time Home Buyers loan is just a very small part of daily business.
There's a big difference between a lender and a broker. Brokers are middle men between you and the lender. They get paid for brokering your loan. They also can help you get loan offers from many lenders. Since the mortgage broker gets wholesale pricing, this can be good if it's done without running your credit every time. That's why I say choose your Loan Officer wisely.
Many times when working with a broker, you may not know who your lender is until the day of closing. Again, this is still alright if your loan is locked, you know all the details of the loan product and so forth. What's important is that the Loan Officer has revealed all the correct information.
Is it a fixed rate loan? Is it an ARM? Is the interest rate what he quoted you in the beginning??
I can't tell you how many times I've heard horror story's about last minute changes. The buyer finds out that their closing costs are more, the interest rate is higher etc. When you're at the closing table, the buyer's there, the seller and the realtors. Emotions are running high! What are you going to do??
If you go ahead and close because the pressures on, it's going to cost you thousands of dollars over the years. Many ruthless loan officers have done this to first time home buyers and just don't care. They may never see your face anyway. You're just a paycheck to them.
Working with someone you trust can help avoid this problem and save you money. Dealing with a loan officer who is on your side will protect you. Nevertheless if you've been taken advantage of, this is a RESPA violation and they should be reported.
Many people are looking all over the Internet for reliable information. There's over 761,940 websites (as of March 05) with information or online forms urging you to fill them out for more details.
While I certainly agree the Internet is a great place for obtaining tips for first time home buyers, it can also become a real information overload as well. So I want to give you some tips that can help in your search.
Tips for First Time Home Buyers #1
Don't be too quick!
Avoid giving out your personal information like Social Security number, date of birth etc. at every website that asks for it. This is the single biggest mistake I've seen made. Some first time home buyers in their zeal to get started do this.
The problem is this, many sites will require this information before they'll give you any details. They start out with a simple, name and address screen, then lead into screens that ask for more personal details.
At all costs, hold off giving out this private information. You will have to at some point in time. But, not until you've learned about the mortgage process should you do this. What happens when you fill in the forms online? Your e-mail box will be flooded with loan offers.
Many places tout they'll have 4 lenders or even more give you quotes. Guess what? Nearly every one of these lenders are going to run a credit report. If you have numerous inquires in your credit in one month, this can affect your credit score.
Another reason to be careful here is that most of these websites are just lead generators. The company or webmaster will sell your information to one or perhaps even more sources and then we have a BIG problem. It can costs you in your credit score. The lower your credit score, the higher your interest rate will be. The higher your credit score the lower your interest rate.
Let me tell you a quick little story. I once was dealing with a person who wanted to refinance. We had gone online and fill out several forms at different websites. By the time he got to me, when I was able to look at his credit score, he had over 100 inquiries in his credit in one month. His credit score was so low I couldn't help him. Save yourself this grief, be careful!
Tips for First Time Home Buyers #2
Work with someone you trust.
How can you determine if that person is honest and trustworthy? Listen to them closely. Are they trying to hurry you along to get your personal information? Or are they taking the time to explain things and help you to understand exactly what you're about to get into?
Buying a home is the single biggest investment most people make in their lifetime. Then afterwards, managing that debt is important also. You want to work with someone who will help you do this. They should be interested in a long term relationship with you.
Over your lifetime you'll get more than 1 mortgage. I know, it's hard to imagine that now, but statistic's show that on average people move or get a new home loan about every 7 years.
Having someone you trust, that has your best interest is what you need. I look at it this way, if I do a good job for you, you might tell 1-2 of your friends. If I did a bad job for you, you'll tell 100 of your friends.
I build my mortgage business 1 loan at a time. I love referrals so I take a personal interest in each and every borrower. My customers talk about me to their friends!!
Tips for First Time Home Buyers #3
Choose your Loan Officer wisely.
Now because of the Internet, home lending has become a big business. Mortgage Brokers and Lenders have popped up everywhere. Many have also fallen by the roadside at the same time.
The money business is HUGE! Did you know that over 1.3 TRILLION dollars changes hands around the globe everyday?? When you start to think about it, it staggers your mind.
Your First Time Home Buyers loan is just a very small part of daily business.
There's a big difference between a lender and a broker. Brokers are middle men between you and the lender. They get paid for brokering your loan. They also can help you get loan offers from many lenders. Since the mortgage broker gets wholesale pricing, this can be good if it's done without running your credit every time. That's why I say choose your Loan Officer wisely.
Many times when working with a broker, you may not know who your lender is until the day of closing. Again, this is still alright if your loan is locked, you know all the details of the loan product and so forth. What's important is that the Loan Officer has revealed all the correct information.
Is it a fixed rate loan? Is it an ARM? Is the interest rate what he quoted you in the beginning??
I can't tell you how many times I've heard horror story's about last minute changes. The buyer finds out that their closing costs are more, the interest rate is higher etc. When you're at the closing table, the buyer's there, the seller and the realtors. Emotions are running high! What are you going to do??
If you go ahead and close because the pressures on, it's going to cost you thousands of dollars over the years. Many ruthless loan officers have done this to first time home buyers and just don't care. They may never see your face anyway. You're just a paycheck to them.
Working with someone you trust can help avoid this problem and save you money. Dealing with a loan officer who is on your side will protect you. Nevertheless if you've been taken advantage of, this is a RESPA violation and they should be reported.
Home Decorating Magazines
You know your house needs improvements. You know you need to redecorate. You can’t seem to come up with ideas for decorating your home. You need inspiration. Where do you go for help? One great source of home decorating ideas and inspiration is home decorating magazines. These publications provide a look into the world of home decorating and offer suggestions and tips to help you decorate your home. Home decorating magazines provide pictures of homes and rooms that were remodelled which may inspire you to recreate that space in your very own home.
There are many home decorating magazines available. Most of these magazines not only provide pictures and ideas but also offers the customer an opportunity to buy directly from them items you like in their magazine. Many magazines are advertised on the Internet. With websites displaying their ideas and pictures, you can browse these sites in your search for a decorating style. These online magazines will likely offer you a chance to buy directly from them via the Internet.
Home decorating magazines are constantly in circulation. Some of the popular home decorating magazines are listed here.
* Traditional Home – This magazine has its main focus on traditional décor and historical homes. Articles are written that allow you to visit historic places, gathering ideas and tips for decorating a traditional home. This home decorating magazine offers information on furniture, window treatments and color schemes.
* Country Living – This is a magazine which is published monthly and offers ideas about country décor, crafts, and antiques. It also provides tips for traditional cooking. This home decorating magazine provides details regarding furniture, window treatments, fireplaces and historic colors.
* Elle Décor – This home decorating magazine is published semi-monthly. It is a magazine dedicated to focusing on modern design with a French influence. Focusing on luxury living, furniture style and planning your room, this magazine intends to offer the average homeowner ideas and tips to achieve this terrific style for their homes.
* Better Homes & Gardens – This popular magazine provides the reader with information about various subjects relating to the homeowner and their family. This information includes ideas for home décor as well as garden decorating. Better Homes & Gardens also publishes a seasonal magazine which focuses on décor with a lot of information regarding specific projects.
* Metropolitan Home – Published six times a year, this home decorating magazine provides details about renovating and designing modern urban homes. This magazine focuses on contemporary design and current trends. It offers the reader information regarding transforming a traditional home or space into a modern, contemporary environment.
These home decorating magazines are great sources or inspiration if you are having difficulty coming up with ideas and techniques for your home. Providing detailed information and vivid photos, these home decorating magazines offer you instructions and often step-by-step directions to achieve the desired look. Each of these magazines also offers you, the customer an opportunity to buy directly from them. This can make your job so much easier if you see a room or space in the magazine that you like. Buying directly from them, you have a chance to recreate that beautiful space in your home.
There are many home decorating magazines available. Most of these magazines not only provide pictures and ideas but also offers the customer an opportunity to buy directly from them items you like in their magazine. Many magazines are advertised on the Internet. With websites displaying their ideas and pictures, you can browse these sites in your search for a decorating style. These online magazines will likely offer you a chance to buy directly from them via the Internet.
Home decorating magazines are constantly in circulation. Some of the popular home decorating magazines are listed here.
* Traditional Home – This magazine has its main focus on traditional décor and historical homes. Articles are written that allow you to visit historic places, gathering ideas and tips for decorating a traditional home. This home decorating magazine offers information on furniture, window treatments and color schemes.
* Country Living – This is a magazine which is published monthly and offers ideas about country décor, crafts, and antiques. It also provides tips for traditional cooking. This home decorating magazine provides details regarding furniture, window treatments, fireplaces and historic colors.
* Elle Décor – This home decorating magazine is published semi-monthly. It is a magazine dedicated to focusing on modern design with a French influence. Focusing on luxury living, furniture style and planning your room, this magazine intends to offer the average homeowner ideas and tips to achieve this terrific style for their homes.
* Better Homes & Gardens – This popular magazine provides the reader with information about various subjects relating to the homeowner and their family. This information includes ideas for home décor as well as garden decorating. Better Homes & Gardens also publishes a seasonal magazine which focuses on décor with a lot of information regarding specific projects.
* Metropolitan Home – Published six times a year, this home decorating magazine provides details about renovating and designing modern urban homes. This magazine focuses on contemporary design and current trends. It offers the reader information regarding transforming a traditional home or space into a modern, contemporary environment.
These home decorating magazines are great sources or inspiration if you are having difficulty coming up with ideas and techniques for your home. Providing detailed information and vivid photos, these home decorating magazines offer you instructions and often step-by-step directions to achieve the desired look. Each of these magazines also offers you, the customer an opportunity to buy directly from them. This can make your job so much easier if you see a room or space in the magazine that you like. Buying directly from them, you have a chance to recreate that beautiful space in your home.
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