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<title>Mark Nash - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mark_Nash</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:45:02 -0600</pubDate>
<image><title>Mark Nash - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mark_Nash</link>
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<copyright>Copyright 2012 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
<description><![CDATA[Mark Nash is a real estate author, broker and syndicated columnist based in Chicago. The author of five books, his latest Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home is available in December 2006. The Library of Congress has invited Mark to Washington, D.C. to present his fourth book 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home on March 21, 2007. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Bloomberg TV, Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTV.com, Smart Money Magazine, The New York Times, The Today Show and USA Today. Contact Mark at: Mark dot Nash at CBEXCHANGE ... ]]></description>
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<title>Get Media Airplay</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/535902</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/535902</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:49:24 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Rick Davis' new book contains a wealth of information for those looking to break into the music business. Mr. Davis is the master of press, public relations and music marketing. Long respected in the industry for finding airplay for independent and label artists, he cuts to the chase in his new A-Z book on going from zero to star. If you're looking to by-pass American Idol, this definitive new book is your road map. Not being in the music business myself, I found the book an easy read, chock full of sure-fire ways to learn the basics and a whole lot more.
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<title>Happy About Apartment Management</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/535897</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/535897</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:22:24 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you're looking for a no-nonsense, nuts and bolts book on building and tenant management, pick up a copy of Happy About Apartment Management. Written by an ensemble of experienced managers, the just-the-facts-please content is a quick study in the areas and technologies a new or experienced owner should keep their eyes on. While the book is filled with quick-tips and advice to keep your eye on the prize; the business of managing a building is the common thread. If you're looking to profit from apartment building ownership, this should be required reading.
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<title>Prefabulous -The House of Your Dreams Delivered Fresh from the Factory, By Sheri Koones</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/535892</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/535892</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:58:23 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sheri Koones latest book Prefabulous follows on the heels of her three previous shelter books, all considered home runs by those who are in the residential housing industry. Prefabricated homes of today offer features and benefits that place them on equal footing with stick or site built homes. Koones in her thorough and leave no stone unturned style, explores the options in rich from-the-trenches writing detail, coupled with relative photography.
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<title>Retire Rich With Your Self-Directed IRA By Nora Peterson</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/535904</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/535904</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:55:30 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Ms. Peterson's new book offers those frustrated with financial planners perspective of churning their IRA accounts to generate fees for themselves instead of truly exploring options to grow their clients financial base in a IRA. Going on your own in investments can be seen as risky by new investors, but the author lays out the principles to be successful in a variety of investments that many lay-people aren't aware of. rolled into this definitive book is the foundation of starting your own business to manage a menu of investments. A foreword by Christopher F. Meshginpoosh, C.P.A. lays out the benefits for readers to start their own self-directed IRA.
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<title>Your Successful Career as a Mortgage Broker By David Reed</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/534669</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/534669</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:38:46 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[David Reed's newest mortgage title; Your Successful Career as a Mortgage Broker rounds out a successful on-going mortgage banking career and his previous three mortgage-related books. Based in Austin, Texas, Mr. Reed writes mortgage columns for Realty Times and Mortgage Originator. For those considering a career as a mortgage broker, banker, processor, or underwriter, this book is chock-full of everything you need to know before taking the plunge into this exciting field of work.
]]></description>
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<title>Beyond Buzz - The Next Generation of Word-of-Mouth Marketing By Lois Kelly</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/534662</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/534662</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:25:45 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Lois Kelly's first book Beyond Buzz: The Next Generation of Word-of-Mouth Marketing drills deep into how marketers must move beyond talking at their customers and align themselves in their lives, to make the relationship connection, and thus the resulting sales.  Kelly has an impressive resume that includes time at Harvard and has contributed articles to Advertising Age, Brand Week, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Ms. Kelly understands the need to listen closely to consumers to find out as much about what turns them off and what turns them on, to drive sales. The bad news consumers share with service providers and manufacturer's in surveys or in discontinuing use, might not be what corporations want to hear, but Kelly's viewpoint has interested clients such as Dunkin' Donuts and Sun Microsystems.
]]></description>
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<title>Untold Secrets - How the Real Estate Market Really Works By Kerry D. Bodily</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/534676</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/534676</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:06:48 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Untold Secrets: How the Real Estate Market Really Works is Mr. Bodily's companion book to his software system that prices and values all forms of real estate. His value model features utilizing today's competition versus the existing model of using yesterday's sold comparable properties. Written in an easy-to-understand style, lay people outside the industry can gleam important strategies to implement when purchasing or selling a home. The author's trio of chapters on wearing a buyer's, seller's and agent's hat places the reader in all three modes, that often are down-played by tunnel vision real estate transaction participants, are especially relevant.
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<title>Visualizing Density By Julie Campoli and Alex S. MacLean</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/534656</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/534656</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:02:45 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Planner and designers must make room in their reference library for this engaging new book that explores land density in the United States. The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a think tank, in conjunction with the authors, Julie Campoli whose focus is landscape change, sprawl, and density and Alex MacLean, an aerial photographer, have produced an authoritative book for both professionals and the layperson. Green building and design is more than a trend and this in-depth book outlines the current density problem and as well as offers solutions to uninspired sprawl and urban housing concentrations that strain infrastructure and residents.
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<title>Celebrity Homestyles - Helen Mirren</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/527011</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/527011</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:55:50 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Their shotgun-style house in New Orleans' lower French Quarter is as polar opposite as Helen Mirren's palace digs in her Academy Award winning role portraying Queen Elizabeth ll in the 2006 blockbuster hit; "Queen". Mirren shares her home here with husband Taylor Hackford, director of many successful films. Unassuming from the street, the intimate side courtyard draws you into the open living, dining and kitchen space. One with high ceilings to marginalizes the steamy heat, broad, luxurious moldings and period antiques that say "stay and let's catch up with all that's new." 
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<title>Celebrity Homestyles - Candice Bergen</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/527013</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/527013</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:42:51 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Emmy award winning actress Candice Bergen easily transplanted her West Coast casualness into a home she shares with husband Marshall Rose in East Hampton. Transporting her easy interior design look into this handsome shingle-style home sited on lush ample grounds took some adaptation from both the architect and Mr. Rose who had a long history with the home.  When Bergen came into Rose's life, the bones of their country home were stark and the living spaces were divided into a formal plan. With help from a noted urban interior designer, Bergen accomplished her goal of lightening, harmonizing and relaxing, what is still a "statement house."
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<title>2007 Inverts Some Home Sellers Into Landlords</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/522877</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/522877</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:21:51 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[For many real estate opportunity seekers of 2006, the reality of a quick-flip at market-high prices is beyond a glimmer of hope. With mounting negative cash flow from holding an over-priced property for months on end, the hold and wait recipe has now transitioned to renting until the market bounces back to pre-2006 price levels. Applying a tourniquet to cash wounds is number one for home sellers who thought the market would return for over-priced properties with the spring market in 2007. 
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<title>Dog Parks Emerging &quot;Must Have&quot; For Pet Loving Home Buyers</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/512436</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/512436</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:00:03 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Home buyers across the country are adding in rising numbers a walk-to dog park to their new home search parameters. I first reported this trend in my annual survey- " What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers in 2006". Many first-time and repeat home buyers in suburban and urban communities want to include a nearby dog park as a day-to-day way to integrate their favored pooch into their next hood.
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<title>Invisible Home Buyers Impacting Housing Markets and Trends</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/512320</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/512320</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:39:21 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One story not portrayed in residential real estate market reports are the growing ranks of home buyers who can't afford to purchase a home, even if they wanted to. I predicted in mid-2004 that these invisible first-time buyers, whose presence is not reported in housing statistics could have a slowing effect on future home sales, at all levels.

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<title>Design Secrets For Creating A Must-Have Living Room</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446098</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446098</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:58:06 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Before you purchase anything for a living room re-do, consider some design basics as you formulate your look. These simple but time-tested tips work in contemporary or transitional settings. As a real estate broker and a syndicated columnist on d?cor for luxury home markets in Naples, Florida and Westchester County, New York, I've seen few d?cor home runs and many decorating disasters. My first piece of advice is to slow down your project, and consider some design basics that can help your new living room say, wow!

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<title>Sub-Prime Mortgages Shaking Out In 2007</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446128</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446128</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:54:18 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[All the rage in the real estate boom years, sub-prime mortgages could get any potential home buyer into a home, despite weak employment or credit history. No-money-down, interest-only and marginal credit-worthiness were the hallmarks of sub-prime mortgages. Add to the menu, option adjustable rate mortgages which feature negative amortization, no wonder defaults on these risky loans by borrowers are on the up tick. Mortgage underwriters are now growing leery of marginal borrowers with home price appreciation stagnating and weakening credit worthiness of borrowers.

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<title>Quality Construction Counts In Condo Purchase And Resale</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446116</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446116</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:26:14 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The new-construction boom has crated thousands of new condominiums. Some are well built and some utilize questionable building techniques. Before you sign a real estate purchase contract, be aware of some beyond the surface construction flaws that should make you run not walk from the development. 
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<title>Common Home Sale Negotiating Baits And Switch Tactics</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446109</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446109</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:22:11 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Buyers and sellers do a dance sometimes in negotiating a contract. But, both sides should be prepared for curve balls from an invisible third party or a nice-as-pie-but-inflexible principal. You can overcome these price and term bait and switches if you know how to respond to these no so obvious wheeler-dealers. The main tactic they use is to get you baited first, once significantly involved, they attempt to adjust terms in their favor.

 

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<title>Reverse Mortgage Proceeds Can Play Havoc With Medicaid Eligibility</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446123</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446123</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:18:17 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Seniors looking for a way to boost income often consider reverse mortgages. Before you make the leap into this attractive way to tap your homes equity, you should understand fully some of the pluses and minus' for this newer loan option. Reverse mortgages tap a homeowner's equity in their primary residence either through monthly payments, one-time payouts or as a line of credit. But, beware of lenders who rush you into the loan, without providing thorough counseling. 

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<title>What Every Homeowner Should Know About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446139</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446139</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:01:22 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Known in medical circles as the silent killer, because the gas carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Almost five hundred residents of the United States are killed from carbon monoxide poisoning. Many deaths and hospital visits could be eliminated if households knew what to or what not to do in their homes.

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<title>Are You And Your Pet Prepared For A Disaster?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/446087</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/446087</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:21:42 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Devoted pet owners in Katrina placed themselves in harms way when they realized they had no plan for their cat or dog in a life-threatening storm. Pro-active pet lovers escaped with their beloved pet and in some situations, thinking saved not just their life, but also Fido or Mickey.

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<title>&quot;Caving&quot; And &quot;My Spaces&quot; Emerging Trend At Home</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/444766</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/444766</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:09:01 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Partnered couples of all demographics are getting away from it all at home, in private dedicated personal spaces. Man and mom caves, my space, chill rooms, do-not-disturb getaways, and time-out hideaways are what these emerging places are called by devotees. It appears that after a couple of years deferring to the other half, some people need a place where they can go alone, close the door, not be bothered and return again and again to their unchanged, un-negotiated environment. 

]]></description>
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<title>Home Buyer Sweeteners Offer Givebacks But Cloud Values</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/444762</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/444762</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In 2006 with many residential real estate markets in the doldrums, real estate agents and home sellers decided giving buyers; flat-screen televisions, tropical vacations, automobiles both new and used, closing costs and a myriad of other freebies would perk up buyers interest in a competitive marketplace. 

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<title>Price Not Media Primary Driver Of Home Buyers Late 2006 Study Reports</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/444757</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/444757</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:45:57 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The residential real estate industry of late, has not been pleased with all the bubble headlines. They feel that the doom and gloom have influenced home buying decisions in the negative. But, a recent study conducted for The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) paints a different portrait of what drives or parks home buyers in today's marketplace.

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<title>Snoring Rooms Offer Alternative To The Couch</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/444738</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/444738</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:39:38 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Those who snore and their sleep-deprived partners make up a significant part of the U.S. population. No matter who retreats from the relationship bed, the often-utilized alternative is the family or living room sofa. Or, refusing the alternative, and twisting and turning all night with the "buzz saw" can strain a relationship, not to mention the deep circles sleepless nights create. A solution and trend in homes is to have an adjacent space to the master bedroom serve as a "snoring room". And surprisingly enough, the "buzz saw" is often the one delegated to the snoring room.]]></description>
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<title>Understanding Allowances-Standard Features And Upgrades In Construction Contracts</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/444734</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/444734</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:31:35 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Beware of allowances and pricey upgrades when looking at specifications by architects, designers and contractors when remodeling or considering a new construction home. Standard features and specifications should be included any construction contract. If you're considering a mid-priced home or remodel, mid-priced appliances, cabinets, flooring, lighting, plumbing, and windows should be standard, not an upgrade or an allowance. 

]]></description>
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<title>Residential Real Estate Economics 101</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/444743</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/444743</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:18:40 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Boom, bust or treading water, shout the headlines. Buyers and sellers sit on the sidelines, attempting to figure out if it's time to buy or to take profits. Has there really been a bust, or merely a slowdown? No, but we are seeing a return to the pre-frenzy days where buyers and sellers viewed residential real estate as housing and not a get-rich-quick investment. And, let's clear up one parallel that seems ever-present, the bubble. The real estate bubble talk was filled with hype comparing the red-hot housing market with the tech stock market boom and bust at the millennium. 
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<title>Total Monthly Costs Overview For New Homebuyers</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442925</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442925</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:50:12 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It's easy for new homebuyers to get caught up in the basic costs and perceived affordability of purchasing their first home. But, beyond the mortgage payment, to avoid budget shocks later, it's best to discover all the costs of home ownership. Costs will vary depending on the type of home (condo or single-family), location (urban, suburban or rural) and the type of mortgage loan you receive.

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<title>Replacing Not Remodeling Leads Resale Returns</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442929</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442929</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:39:14 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Makeover programs on television might be the rage, but a 2006 study by Remodeling Magazine and excerpted by The National Association of Realtors states that of the top ten home improvement projects researched, on cost recouped at resale, seven are replacement projects. Replacing faded or damaged siding, and upgrading to energy efficient vinyl or wood windows led the resale return list with vinyl siding returning on average nationally 87.2 % and wood windows returning 85.3%. In some markets such as California, returns were as high as 102.2% for windows and 101.8 % for fiber cement siding.

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<title>Today's Buyer And Seller Leads Merit More Than 60-Day Kick-Out Clause</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442916</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442916</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:07:08 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The transitioning market has been difficult for many real estate agents, add the annual third-quarter slowing, and it's time to rethink how you approach post-boom home buyer and seller leads. The first item you need to re-invent is how you handle and market to leads that you used to give sixty days to and then optioned your kick-out clause, much like home-sale kick-out contingencies in real estate contracts. Consumers today are looking for an agent that has more on their mind than the clients commission check in the bank in the next couple of months.

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<title>2006 Third-Quarter Housing Numbers Not Headlines Portray Reality</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442941</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442941</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:23:50 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Bubble this, dramatic decline that, and housing bust to boot. If you relied on headlines in 2006 to make residential real estate decisions, you were misled. The statistics tell the real story, yes, not a pretty one in all markets. Stripping away the hype will give you an accurate picture of what did and didn't happen. The National Association of Realtors released their numbers for the third quarter of 2006. Like it or not, the association's numbers are viewed by national economists and the federal government as reliable. 
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<title>Home Sellers Perspective Key To Housing Market Rebound</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442933</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442933</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:19:40 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sellers don't rule in 2007, and neither do buyers. It's that simple and if you're planning to sell your home in this new and vastly different market from the glory years you should be prepared with this mantra: reality. Buyers are very realistic and have more options than ever to find a home seller who offers them something that many others still refuse to put into their home sale vocabulary.

 

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<title>Flood Insurance Benefits Outweigh Costs</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442935</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442935</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:00:46 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Thousands of under-insured homeowners in the path of Hurricane Katrina learned first-hand the financial devastation of flooding. Every home in the United States has a one in four chance of experiencing some type of flood damage every three decades according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the increase in global warming, more intense storms with their severe flooding will alter the financial future of those with no or minimal insurance for rising waters.

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<title>Private Mortgage Insurance Deductibility Rules Murky</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442908</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442908</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:47:55 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Recent legislation signed into law allowing some tax deductions on Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premiums by homebuyers is filled with more questions than answers as of this writing. As with any tax questions, seek out an experienced tax professional. Many in the mortgage industry were caught off guard by this new tax law. Depending on many variables in the legislation, do not take for granted any advice on deductibility from those who do not have a thorough understanding of the short and long term implications of this legislation.

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<title>Bricks and Sticks: Firewood Facts</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442912</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442912</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:04:57 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you're ready to graduate from picking up the expensive per-use bundles of firewood from the local convenience store and have a load of firewood delivered, keep in mind some tips on purchasing firewood in bulk. Firewood comes in two versions, soft or hardwood. The most common hardwoods for burning are elm, hickory, maple and oak. Popular softwoods available are pine and popular. Hardwood is a more efficient heat source and burns at a slower rate than softwoods.

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<title>One-Third Of Condos Purchased By Single Women</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/442913</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/442913</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:00:58 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Who knew that single women are gaining important strength in home purchase decisions? One is The National Association of Realtors(R) (NAR) and the other is a Fannie Mae study from 2003. Fannie Mae projects that by 2010 thirty-one million households in the United States will be headed by women. That's an impressive number, one not lost on businesses like home improvement, furniture and other nesting-oriented corporations. 

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<title>Top Tips for Buying a Luxury Home</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/391395</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/391395</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:20:31 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Not all homebuyers are created equal. Luxury homebuyers are educated in the process of purchasing a second or third home, but not necessarily in the nuances of a second-home market. Today in 2007 with the myraid of details and new developments in the purchase transaction process, you should be aware of some suprises and how to address them.
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<title>Real Estate Consumers Have Changed, Have You?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/391424</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/391424</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:55:04 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The only constant is change, it's a saying that has been around a long time and it's never been truer than today in the residential real estate business. With over 75% of home buyers starting their home search on the Internet in 2005, up dramatically from 25% in 2003, consumers are changing faster than some real estate agents. Don't allow yourself be one of those left behind from all the change. Keep in mind that the "new age" real estate consumers believe it's about them, not you.
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<title>I've Heard it All and So Should You, Confessions of a Real Estate Columnist by Edith Lank</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/390428</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/390428</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:39:47 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Edith Lank's new book "I've Heard it All and So Should You" is based on years of seasoned advice to real estate agents and consumers across the United States based on her nationally syndicated column. Her column zooms in on the pleasures, pitfalls or perils involved in the  purchase or sales of residential housing. Lank's personal style contributes to the no-holds-barred questions from those involved in or contemplating a real estate transaction. Sifting and focusing her readers in a process that features a myriad of details, emotions and legal issues, but with a perspective that calms and orients. This timless new book is a handy reference guide for real estate agents of any length resume and home buyers or sellers.
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<title>Top Mistakes of Home Buyers and Sellers in 2006.</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/389136</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/389136</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:59:03 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[2006 was an unusal year for residential real estate. The much over-hyped real estate bubble didn't pop. But, home buyers and sellers did a slow dance to determine who was going to be driving the bus. Seller's continued to be stuck in the previous mold of "we rule". Buyers on the other hand saw loads of inventory and rising market times, both signals that they had more clout than ever before. Here are the top mistakes both sides made in 2006.
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<title>What's In - What's Out with Homebuyers in 2007</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/389139</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/389139</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 2006 10:40:38 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers in 2007 by Mark Nash is based on a survey of 923 real estate agents, managing brokers and association executives who responded to a survey request in Agent to Agent ezine, published by Mark Nash. Agent to Agent is distributed monthly to real estate professionals in all fifty states and Canada. ]]></description>
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<title>Decorating Do's and Don'ts for Home Sellers in 2007</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/386518</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/386518</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:05:13 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Home sellers contemplating placing there home on the market in the next year and want to prepare, should consider what trends home buyers are saying yes too. This tips are based on a survey of 923 real estate agents, managing brokers and association executives who responded to a survey request in Agent to Agent ezine. Agent to Agent is distributed monthly to real estate professionals in all fifty states and Canada. This article is a no-cost run-at-will with permission from the author. Contact Mark if you would like additional quotes for your article.

]]></description>
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<title>Bricks &amp; Sticks:Interior Lighting</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/373312</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/373312</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:41:26 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Lighting can make or break a home or a room. Designers use lighting to add drama to a space, provide for work surfaces, highlight style features or combine lighting with fixtures such as a chandelier to make a glimmering statement. Understanding how to use lighting effectively can increase the curb appeal, resale value and the marketability of a home.
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<title>Bricks &amp; Sticks: Ceiling Options</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/373308</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/373308</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:30:24 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Real estate ads and builders brochures often contain ceiling descriptions other than the standard eight-foot flat types that are found in many homes today. Understanding the options you have, especially when building a new home can create a unique space for your family to enjoy.
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<title>Bricks &amp; Sticks: Staircases</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/373290</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/373290</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:10:15 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Staircases offer style as well as functional appeal to a home. Many home owners and buyers don't always understand staircase options available. Knowing the parts of a staircase, configurations and basic code requirements can help you find the best staircase for your remodeling or new-construction project.
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<title>Celebrity HomeStyles: Giorgio Armani</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/363564</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/363564</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2006 06:30:15 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[World famous designer Giorgio Armani escapes the hustle and bustle of the epicenter of fashion to his Caribbean sun-palace on Antigua. Perched on a rocky hillside, the cluster of buildings consist of a main home and numerous villas for guests. Adopting the architectural footprint from previous owners, Armani tweaked and embellished it in his low-key palette of deep browns, taupe's, and light natural colors. With painting-perfect views of the most beautiful sun-drenched waters in the world, he wanted to create a soothing backdrop inside for the drop-dead world seen through expansive porches and terraces outside. Classic but sleek wide-slatted black shutters control the sun and filter light inside gracious contemporary rooms with wood peaked and planked ceilings. Parsons style tables, minimal but statement accessories, and bleached muslin paired with gray linen fabrics say cool in more ways than one.
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<title>Savvy Home Buying Tactics; Financing Exposed from the Inside by Thomas L. Dussault.</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/362435</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/362435</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 18 Nov 2006 06:45:33 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[First time or move-up home buyers and investors will find Thomas Dussault's new book a timely, worth while resource when considering the right mortgage option. The author brings a hefty twenty-five years of financial and investment management experience to the reader, but his writing style reflects a long history of boiling down mortgages to the average home buyer. Important information is bolded and chapters include several short essays on related topics, boxed tips, tables, related resources and a summary. The summaries might portray a textbook, but when you're new to very specific and new information, making sure you have the right take-away will save you time and money when managing your mortgage experience. 
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<title>Negotiating a Real Estate Contract</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/359029</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/359029</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:57:26 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Negotiating the purchase or sale of a home can be fraught with struggles, ill-will and nastiness. coming the three deal-killers is easy if you remember one thing. Keep your emotions out of real estate contract negotiations. It will reward you handsomely. Plus, if you exit successfully from a ugly negotiation you still have to endure several weeks or months with the other side. On top of that, you might need to go back to the buyer and seller and ask for a closing date extension or inspection repairs. If wear out the other side early, they'll be much more unlikely to agree to anything you ask for simply because they don't like you or your attitude.
]]></description>
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<title>Celebrity HomeStyles: Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/358158</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/358158</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:42:30 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Princess Marie-Chantal's title might communicate a life of leisure and tradition. Make no mistake, this is not your ordinary modern princess. With four young children plus a successful clothing line, she went looking for a new home with husband Prince Pavlos of Greece. The new home search also included  a Trans-Atlantic move to England following a stint in New York. Possessing a fresh new-century maturity, this cutting edge business woman and mother wanted a refuge from their whirlwind life when she finally arrived home from abroad or the office.
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<title>2007 Residential Real Estate Forecast</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/356551</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/356551</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 12 Nov 2006 17:52:23 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In many ways 2006 was the non-year for real estate. Many markets waited for spring market which was disappointing. Markets then believed buyers would re-group in summer,and buyers were a no-show. Fall and last market hopes were dashed when fall came and went, with plenty of traffic at open houses, but few contracts.
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<title>Covenants, Easements, Eminent Domain and Restrictions in Real Estate</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/355770</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/355770</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 11 Nov 2006 14:46:22 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Owning property and its legislated bundle of legal rights can become complex when you aren't aware when your rights are being violated. Once a property survey is done, it might include easements and encroachments which might affect the value of your property. Or, if you're purchasing a home in a Homeowners Association (HOA), you will be presented with the covenants and restrictions, and most deeds carry covenants on animals and other non-residential uses, make sure you read them carefully. Eminent domain has been a hot topic in 2006, as the Federal Courts have ruled in a new direction that has wide implications for homeowners across the nation.
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<title>Real Estate Transfer Taxes Overlooked Sale or Purchase Expense</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/355695</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/355695</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 11 Nov 2006 13:55:09 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A real estate transfer tax is a one-time tax paid at the closing of a property, and is considered a stream of revenue for state budgets. This transfer tax though, once collected is not generally used for housing-related purposes. The tax is based on the value of a property as agreed to by the parties in a real estate contract.
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<title>Celebrity Homestyles: Hannah Storm</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/355387</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/355387</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:55:00 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Hannah Storm is one of the warm, contemporary, personable faces that comes into our home every weekday morning on CBS' The Early Show. Ms. Storm's home offers her a relaxing environment that is filled with a transitional style, interior design wise. Transitional is the blending of contemporary and traditional decor in her vintage clapboard Connecticut home, filled with avant-garde art work and furniture from pre-war Europe. The real focus in her home though, is her need for functional style based on being a busy mother of three, partner to sportscaster Dan Hicks, and up-at-the-crack-of-dawn coanchor.
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<title>Celebrity Homestyles: Sofia Coppola</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/355393</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/355393</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:30:03 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Screenwriter and director Sofia Coppola has deep Hollywood roots, but forget the glam when it comes to this sensible nester who calls home a Manhattan loft complete with a newly-arrived baby. Basic art-gallery-white walls highlight a long passion for black and white photographs, line and oil artwork, complemented by mid-century European furniture. Fresh flowers have a everyday place in her home, much like everyday homes in Europe]]></description>
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<title>5 Minutes to Maximizing Real Estate Technology, A Desk Reference for Top-Selling Agents by John D. </title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/351218</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/351218</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:43:07 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[John Mayfield's latest title in his "5 minutes to" real estate agent-broker series is technology. Offering both new and experienced practitioners a functional overview of how technology and real estate consumers have merged to create a new and required skill-set for those looking to grow in the marketplace. Mayfield, a proficient techie, pens articles's for the Hewlett Packard's Web site. An added bonus is a ROM that offers sample information from the text version, to illustrate in a technology format, how top producing agents have embraced their clients call for them to be pro-active in blog-sphere, podasts, e-mail, virtual tours and computers.
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<title>FAQ #3 from Media - Real Estate </title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/320175</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/320175</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2006 14:01:16 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Real estate bubble talk seems to be the most prevalent question I'm asked by the national media, be it print, online, or TV. The problem is that the market national real estate is comprised of thousands of micro-markets and making a sweeping generalization about the status of residential real estate in the United States doesn't serve anyone. After all would these journalists want their own home price deflated based on some broad market hype? I don't think so. Here are some common questions with my response.
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<title>Drum Beat Of Realty Downturn Off Key</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/319502</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/319502</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:16:35 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One thing is for sure, real estate bubble headlines sell newspapers, not houses. Bubble this and bubble that, is your market one of the top over-priced ones? Comparisons to the dot-com crash, what's a home buyer to think? Exactly that, think, research and make educated decisions. Here is a reality check for those considering a home purchase.
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<title>New Semester Perfect Time for College Students to Adopt New Personal Finance Attitude</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/308351</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/308351</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 24 Sep 2006 12:31:44 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The beginning of a new year at college is filled with expectations of cool courses, new friends, catching up with old ones, and something that that never seems to change for freshman or seniors alike; a limited cash flow. How to successfully oversee your student loans, credit cards and cash-on-hand can ease some stress and allow you to concentrate more on acing your courses.
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<title>Transitioning Condo Associations from Developer to Owner Controlled</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/308094</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/308094</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 23 Sep 2006 13:47:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Purchasing a new construction home in a homeowners association can be time-consuming to manage just within your own four walls. But, take the time to learn and understand what your developer should and should not be doing during the crucial homeowners association turnover period. "Turnover is a process, not an event and it can take a few months or many years" stated Shirley Feldmann, founder of Association Advocates, Inc.,  which specializes in consultation and project management services for homeowner associations. A unique service they offer is in critical step of when a developer turns the association over to the homeowners and their management team, either professional or self-managed.
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<title>Biophilic Design Shy Relation of Green Building</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/308109</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/308109</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 23 Sep 2006 13:01:58 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Green building is more than just a trend. An often overlooked part of Green building is what is called Biophilic design. The goal of this sub-genre is to bring the outdoors into interior living spaces, either residential or commercial.  The introduction and interaction with natural elements for aesthetic and health purposes is beginning to receive wider acceptance as indoor air pollution becomes a growing concern for urban dwellers and suburban ones who live in air-tight energy efficient homes.
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<title>The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson. The Pretty Boys &amp; Dirty Deals of Henry Willson - By Robert Hofler.</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/304792</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/304792</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:41:43 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A recent paperback edition of the hardcover edition (2005) penned by someone who is in the know, Variety reporter Robert Hofler unlocks a gay closet door shut tighter than the 1960's television show Get Smart's famous series of vaulted ones. Hollywood manager and agent Henry Willson operated an Adonis mill in the 50's and 60's that fed his business and personal agendas, including his taste for beautiful men, access, and power. He preyed on no-name men who would exchange anything for success in movies and television. Willson's keen eye for stars-to-be was legendary, but the downside included a  controlling personality that willingly sacrificed Tab Hunter and others to Confidential Magazine exposes in order to protect his main event, Rock Hudson. He demanded a rigid gay closet etiquette of his stable of gay-identified actors, one that could have possibly contributed to the messy lives of those he touched, in more ways than one.]]></description>
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<title>Elizabeth: By J. Randy Taraborrelli</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/304698</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/304698</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:19:39 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A once-in-a-lifetime epic book on the epic person, Elizabeth Taylor. This reviewer is of a certain age to remember the drama of the 1960's movie stars, jet setters and celebrities. Only one power couple then as well as today could overshadow Jackie and Ari and that was Liz and Dick. Mr. Taraborrelli in one of many fresh pieces of information in his latest dynastic (the Kennedy women, Princess Grace et al.) biography reminds us that anyone who has a intimate relationship with Ms. Taylor calls her only Elizabeth, never Liz. Truly one of the last studio movie stars, whose enduring legacy has been incessantly reported and tinged with high highs and low lows, is brought to a human connection through her ongoing tireless philanthropy for AIDS in what is a definitive and highly researched book by one of the best page-turner biographers today.]]></description>
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<title>The Year of Magical Thinking - By Joan Didion</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/301352</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/301352</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:52:29 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In an exceptional writing style Joan Didion articulates the experience of losing a love-mate, one of the largest losses in life. And at the same time accounts the health crisis her daughter was experiencing. Painful, real, alive, and magical without being syrupy, make this book one of the authors best gifts to the human experience. Readers needing a quick dose of how-can-I-get-through-another-day of grieving or life should read this book. Didion's breakout recounting of her own experience of death, families, and relationships won the National Book Award.
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<title>The Importance of Being Barbra by Tom Santopietro</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/301322</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/301322</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 17 Sep 2006 16:20:16 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Can anything be still unsaid about Ms. Streisand? You bet and Tom Santopietro looks at the great savvy artist and business person in a new way, by breaking down her entertainment and non-personal life into ingredients of a recipe that consist of movies, recordings, television and theater stardom, philanthropy and politics that create the outcome of a one-of-kind person known to many as only Barbra, and way before another diva named Madonna came across our lips. Even if you've never been a follower, this book will make you appreciate the eclipse of a rare multi-dimensional human that can move Presidents and audiences alike.
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<title>Being Martha: The Inside Story of Martha Stewart and Her Amazing Life - By Lloyd Allen</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/301288</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/301288</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 17 Sep 2006 14:53:44 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ 
There are two sides to every media story, and Martha Stewart's friend Lloyd Allen tells the inside story of Ms. Stewart in a sharp contrast to the supposed reality offered by the tabloids. A clear-cut reflection of her history by family, friends and business associates makes it the best "about Martha" books available. Being a perfectionist as Stewart confesses she is, is not easy, but admission is half the battle of conquering a personality trait, albeit one that really isn't so bad considering the alternatives. Being derided and set up for years as the over-achieving woman, this book sets the public straight on one of our cultures truly remarkable business successes and an icon to millions who never stopped believing in her inexhaustible contribution to making the American home a better refuge for all of us.
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<title>The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and Mississippi Gulf Coast- By Douglas Brinkley</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/301259</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/301259</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:01:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One year after Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast, Douglas Brinkley pens a thorough no-holds-barred accounting of the story behind the headlines and sound bites. Anyone from first-responders to everyday citizens can learn from the multitude of mistakes and indecision in one of the centuries largest natural disasters that grew exponentially from human error. If you thought the visual images of corpses floating in flood waters in New Orleans was graphic, this book drills so deep into the indifference to human suffering, you pray for those lost, praise the Coast Guard and loose faith in some of our fellow Americans.
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<title>Real Estate Brokerage: A Guide to Success, By Dan Hamilton</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/291169</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/291169</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:42:24 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Owning a business of your own is the American dream. Real estate agents or those considering opening their own residential real estate brokerage should read Dan Hamilton's new soup-to-nuts book on establishing a successful brokerage.
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<title>Real Estate Client Holiday Gifts Reinvented</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/284955</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/284955</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:45:05 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Six years ago, with the Internet slowly creeping into our lives (and our business) I sensed change was in the air, as far as my clients annual holiday gifts were concerned. So I conducted a not so scientific study by sending out a postage-paid questionnaire to active and closed clients asking for their input about what they would like to receive from me as my year-end gift.]]></description>
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<title>Book Review: Refi-Bust: Mortgage Brokers Gone Wild! by David Lawrence</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/285003</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/285003</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:08:38 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many mortgage lenders and bankers are upstanding professionals, some though like any business are not. Finding your way to the right one is explained by short-hand in a new book by David Lawrence. Peeling back the facade of an industry in the fore-front of the real estate boom, a no-holds-barred perspective brings to light the growing mortgage refinancing hangover. 
]]></description>
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<title>Realty Agents and Clients:Fine Line of Personal Familiarity</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/283793</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/283793</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:26:07 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Working with home buyers and sellers in the sale or purchase of their home, falls on the personal side of their life. But maintaining a professional perspective on all the information that we know about the private side of their lives, can make it difficult when working with them or after you have closed a transaction, on how to respond to direct or indirect information concerning them. What to do, especially when some clients are referred by other clients of yours who might have a more intimate or familiar relationship with them and information comes to you second-hand related to important life changes about your clients. 
]]></description>
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<title>Dress Etiquette: What to Wear</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/283648</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/283648</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:41:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[People like to dress appropriately for an event, be it a dinner out with friends or an important wedding. But host and hostesses should be clear when issuing invitations what the desired dress is. I've received many ambiguous related invitations over the years and wanted to help others dicipher the vague dress-requests they might receive.
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<title>Real Estate Agents: Dress for Success</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/283618</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/283618</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:06:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It's important now more than ever for real estate agents to take the time to send the right impression when meeting home buyers or sellers. A slowing market means you're up against strong competition from other agents. Knowing what to wear can turn a first impression into a closed client. Here are some fashion dos and don'ts. 
]]></description>
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<title>Agent Marketing Minute: Let a Brag Book Tell Your Story</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/281552</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/281552</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:01:05 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In today's competitive real estate marketplace, I still amazed at how few agents know how to communicate their real estate business story to a home buyer and seller. First impressions count, and you need to be prepared verbally and visually to tell your story and why the consumer should use you and not the competition. Soon after I started in the business I developed for lack of a better name, my brag book, that take on all listing appointments and first meetings with buyers.
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<title>Agent Marketing Minute: The Traditional Press Release is Dead</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/281526</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/281526</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Aug 2006 08:25:56 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Like it or not the traditional press release is dead. Write short articles (300-600 words) about your specialty and email or fax to local journalists. Include a short bio about yourself at the end. Position yourself as a source for real estate related articles and television news segments. Find new and different angles on current headlines, journalists at times get brain dead too. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices going.
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<title>Agent Marketing Minute: Marketing is not Advertising</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/281512</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/281512</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Aug 2006 08:08:12 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Real estate agents wear many hats including one for marketing, advertising , merchandising, and publicity hat. Many agents think these are all one and the same. To be effective you need to know the difference and use all four to reach target real estate markets. Let's explore what each is and a brief example.
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<title>Agent Marketing Minute: Email Signatures</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/280724</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/280724</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:15:31 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Maximize your signature. Add a timely or seasonal message to your signature. Time to spring ahead, change your clocks on April 10th, Be extra alert it's back to school. Add a testimonial from a client,  Thank-you for all your help in the purchase of our new house, your experience and patience was invaluable. The Smiths, 123 Main Street, Anytown USA. Congratulate local sports teams on winning, go Wildcats on another winning the championship! Promote an upcoming non-profit benefit, Breast cancer walk on October 1st, if you want to donate or walk, contact me. ]]></description>
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<title>Agent Marketing Minute: Email Auto Responders</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/280702</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/280702</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:08:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many email users think that the use of auto-responders are only to be used when you are out of town. With the speed of the Internet, many people expect a quick response when you are in town. Often you're not in front of your email or can't respond quickly because you're with a client or in a meeting. This is when you need to have your auto-respond turned on, and many savvy agents have it on 24/7, just in case a lead or query comes in via email. It's easy to compose a standard reply, think about what your message says on voice mail and incorporate similar ideas. Keep in mind that the Internet user wants assurances that you'll get back to them promptly. ]]></description>
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<title>Themes Can Add Zip to your Entertaining</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/279950</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/279950</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2006 09:45:09 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[After entertaining at home for over thirty years, you get a little jaded by hosting and attending the standard dinner party. Oh course, if it's the right mix of people, you have nothing to worry about. But sometimes if you're mixing a group that you have never brought together before, a theme can set a tone, that takes the pressure off the guests and rests it on the shoulders of the Arabians, the French Masquerade, or the Toga clad. And who doesn't like to get dressed up and act out a bit? here are some ideas to get your creative juices moving.
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<title>Home Appeal for Today's Market</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/279767</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/279767</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2006 08:18:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sellers get today's market with pricing and longer market times, but understanding that the priced-right home needs to have an up-to-date appeal to home buyers can be a daunting next level. After years of hearing from successful sellers that they didn't have to do a thing, sellers need some rehabilitation to understand how they can stand out from their competition with rising inventories. Many sellers are open to a overhaul if the tips come from someone other than their agents mouth. Here is a handy list to help convince sellers that some features in their home might need some attention.
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<title>Celebrity HomeStyles: Meredith Vieira</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/279897</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/279897</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:10:10 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Home-as-a-refuge will never be more important to Meredith Viera while she completes the transition from ensemble member on the popular The View to the stratosphere of day time television as co-host of The Today Show. Tucked away in the Hudson River Valley, far enough away from Manhattan to provide a oriented home for her husband and three children, is a Italian style home that says yields a comfortable elegance.
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<title>Questions and Answers from New Real Estate Agents</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/279829</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/279829</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:28:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What a difference a year makes, especially in the real estate brokerage business. Everything was hot a year ago, but today we're back to a normal, read longer market times, market in most areas of the country. I spend time every week teaching new agents the day-to-day parts of the business and coach many other new and experienced agents. I have them fill out a survey about common take aways from the business. Here are some of the results, based on full-time agents with at least three closed transactions.
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<title>How to Lose 35 Pounds in Four Months</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/279809</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/279809</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:12:09 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Over the last couple of years, my weight started to creep up and up. Each year I had to buy new pants and belts as my waistline expanded. With my mid-century birthday approaching I thought I better get back to a more normal weight if I wanted to feel as good as I always had. Plus I love food and eating. For the record I'm six feet tall and now weigh one-hundred-ninety pounds. 
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<title>The Art of Starting a Conversation</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/270572</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/270572</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:41:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Meeting new people and feeling comfortable is a learned skill. I've found that the more people you meet the easier it becomes and you get better at asking interesting and occasionally provocative questions. And, you have to learn to be an active listener. No one likes someone who interrupts or is preoccupied with getting his or her point across. Conversations are not about winning or loosing, they're based on learning about another person.

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<title>Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/268222</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/268222</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 13:47:40 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Home buyers can be faced with paying Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI if they are putting less than a twenty-percent down payment on their new home. This monthly mortgage insurance remains in effect until the borrower has made principal payments to have twenty-percent equity or appreciation now vests them with at least twenty-percent equity. Some mortgage lenders now offer programs to eliminate PMI. These new programs offer borrowers a first mortgage for eight-percent, and a second mortgage for fifteen percent with a five percent down-payment. This loan is PMI-free. 
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<title>Where The Under Valued Real Estate Markets Are</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/268161</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/268161</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 13:33:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Real estate bargains? With all the talk about a bubble, come on. Yes, there are areas in the country that haven't experienced the large run-up in home prices the last couple of years. According to the real estate research service, Local Market Monitor, six towns qualify as under-valued according to their most recent survey. An interesting note is that two are in Texas and all in more southern areas of the U.S. 
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<title>Earnest Money and Real Estate Transactions</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/265164</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/265164</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2006 08:33:01 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[First-time homebuyers and those that haven't purchased a home for many years are often surprised at how important earnest money in negotiating the purchase or sale of a home. What changed is the prices of today's homes and the old saying give us a thousand dollars and see you at closing is really outdated. Would you take a home you've been actively marketing for ninety days off market for four hundred thousand dollars, for a thousand? No, and you shouldn't. Here are the ins and outs of earnest money and a couple of related experiences.
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<title>Indoor Gardeners Rediscover Terrariums</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/264361</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/264361</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:58:34 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Everything that is old is new, and the resurgence in the popularity of terrariums is proof. The rage in the the 1970's, time-stretched indoor plant lovers have begun to bring the terrarium back into home decor. Glass enclosed containers feature miniature plants and accents. Easy to take care of and perfect for the absent-minded homeowner, terrariums are a cinch to create and maintain. Here are some handy hints.
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<title>Decor Goes Green</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/264387</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/264387</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:31:42 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Green and sustainable building have gathered wide acceptance, but green is slowly moving into interior design. While green building means resource efficient and environmentally conscious, sustainable design is based on three areas; energy conservation, indoor air quality, and resource conservation. Sustainable renovation and earth-friendly materials make green decor a no-brainer. 
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<title>Real Estate Agent Costs for those New or Considering the Profession</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/262931</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/262931</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Aug 2006 19:17:01 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many wish they new before they took the plunge and started their pre-license education to become a real estate salesperson or broker. The first heads up is that your pre-license education is not about the day-to-day aspects of what you'll do in the business; it's about the real estate laws in your state and applicable national laws that effect real estate transaction in your state. And no one will talk about the costs that you'll be asked to pay shortly after you begin your career as a real estate agent. If I knew up-front all the costs involved, I would have more pro-active in saving additional money to spend on marketing instead of all these start-up costs. Which by-the-way recur on an annual basis. Other costs such as marketing and desk fees are additional. This list is just the basic get you started, so you can plan.
 
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<title>Homeowners Insurance</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/262739</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/262739</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Aug 2006 15:53:47 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Disaster strikes when we least expect it and having homeowners insurance gives us peace of mind from many forms of disasters, but not all. Katrina victims learned the hard way what is and what isn't covered under basic homeowners insurance. You can add additional coverage through broader policies and Federal Flood insurance. Most mortgage lenders require that you purchase coverage before closing or escrow on a property. Here are some handy tips on homeowners insurance. State laws vary on coverage and limits, be sure to talk with an experienced insurance agent in your state about specific laws and customs.
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<title>What Every Buyer And Seller Should Know About Fair Housing Laws</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/262738</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/262738</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Aug 2006 15:48:46 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Five major Acts of Congress have created protections for home buyers and sellers in the U.S.. These protections are known as Fair Housing Laws. Many states have enacted their own Acts which add additional protections. Locally cities and counties can add additional protections (or protected classes's. Be sure to check what state and local laws in your area cover in addition to Federal Fair Housing Laws. There are exceptions and variables to these laws, inquire at your local governmental office for complete details.]]></description>
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<title>What Occurs at a Real Estate Closing or Escrow</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/259779</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/259779</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Aug 2006 11:02:41 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Smooth closings or escrow don't just happen. Real estate agents, mortgage lenders, attorneys, title companies, surveyors, insurance agents, and the property buyer and seller can contribute or hinder a successful closing or escrow. Often, buyers and sellers reach this concluding occasion and do not know what they could have done to prevent delays or no closing at all. Here are some tips to move you along to accomplishing your goal; to buy or sell a home.
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<title>Make Your Powder Room Say Wow!</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/258943</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/258943</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:28:53 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As a full-time real estate broker, I've seen many bathrooms, including forgotten powder rooms. These little jewels of space are a great way to experiment with your wildest decorating dreams. Guests enjoy a playful theme, and costs can be contained when your doing a small space. Have fun and if you tire of a look, it's not that difficult to reinvent your powder room.
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<title>Sustainable Home Building</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/258923</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/258923</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2006 13:18:53 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sustainable design is the buzzword today along with green building. There is a difference between the two. While green building means resource efficient and environmentally conscious, sustainable design is based on three areas; energy conservation, indoor air quality, and resource conservation. Viewed as new-age in construction circles, sustainable design looks at homes holistically, and not just a bunch of unrelated systems thrown together. Natural forms of energy, such as wind, solar, and geo-thermal if available on-site are maximized.
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<title>Home Buyers And Sellers Have Agency Relationships With Realty Agents</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/258118</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/258118</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2006 13:09:10 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One of the most under-reported topics in real estate are the relationships real estate consumers have with real estate agents. Known as agency, the type of agency relationship you have with a real estate professional could impact the purchase or sale of a home. 
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<title>Types Of Liens On Real Estate</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/258070</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/258070</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:18:49 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Occasionally at the closing or escrow table the subject of liens against a piece of real estate comes as a surprise to either the buyer of seller. What they are and mean to either party is explained by Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. You should have a good understanding of the types of liens involved with real estate. Consult an experienced real estate attorney for lien information specific to your state.
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<title>The Sellers Even Took The Light Bulbs!</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/258091</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/258091</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:16:56 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[After being in residential real estate over ten years, you think you have heard or seen it all. Late this last winter I was at a party and some new first-time homeowners shared with me their recent experience at a final walk-through before closing. They met their real estate agent at the property filled with excitement for their last look before they took legal ownership and possession. The buyer thought the house looked strangely dark when they drove up. It was dark, very dark! The sellers had taken every light bulb inside and out. They reasoned since they weren't attached that they could take them along with the rest of their personal property. While this isn't typical, you should know the difference between personal property and a fixture.
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<title>Hardwood Floor Options for Your Home</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/255745</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/255745</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jul 2006 17:14:56 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Hardwood floors are all the rage with homebuyers and those looking to remodel rooms with other less durable, tough, or natural flooring materials. Many different looks and types of hardwood floors are available today. Depending on your budget, there is a hardwood floor product for you. Make a trip to your local home center store to see firsthand the different options available. If you're not the weekend handyman type ask for preferred installation contractors at the home center.Here are some handy tips and hints.
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<title>Types of Real Estate Deeds</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/255485</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/255485</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:18:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Real estate deeds are part of the process of taking title in a property. Title is the right to hold an ownership interest in a property,  the right is transferred through a deed. There are several common forms of deeds. Review the type of deed that you will receive from the seller of the property you are purchasing with an experienced real estate attorney.
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<title>Options to Hold Title on Real Estate</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/255282</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/255282</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:23:23 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Don't wait to the flurry of activity right before closing on your new home to decide how to hold title to the property you're purchasing. After you have an accepted contract on a home, consult with an experienced real estate attorney to determine which option is best for you and anyone else you are buying the property with. Title is the legal document that gives you ownership or evidence that you own a specific piece of land. Here are some common types of ways to hold title. Check with an attorney on variables in holding title by state.
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<title>10 Best Cities for Real Estate in 2006</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/254513</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/254513</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:09:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Buy, sell or hold seem to be the biggest worries of home buyers and real estate investors in the 2006 residential real estate market. After solid double-digit appreciation in many major markets the last five years, investors and home buyers alike see the brakes on growth in 2006. Where to go? Mark Nash real estate author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home lays out where investors and home buyers can make a go it in 2006.
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