Saving money at the grocery store is most likely your best bet when you are trying to budget especially for those with children. Do not go without coupons because it’s just too easy to use them and you save tons of money. Two websites that are full of coupons are coupons.com and another favorite is The Krazy Coupon Lady. She has a great blog as well as a huge database of coupons just about anything you are looking for. Another thing that is helpful is eating at home. You wouldn’t believe how much money you spend eating out. Try cooking every night to break it up and make it a little more fun. There are millions of websites that offer great recipes. Do a Google search and you will find so many and it will save you money each week.

If you do like to eat out, try these tips. Avoid alcohol beverages, they will increase your bill to a massive amount. Watch the appetizers and desserts as well. Ask your waitress before ordering about their specials. Go to lunch instead; the lunch menus are always cheaper. You get the same food for a lesser price. Check early bird specials or late night discounts. When you go with your children you can go places that offer free kids meals with a paying adult. Look for coupons for restaurants online as well.

Before buying clothes for your children check the internet for deals, coupon codes and sales. If you like shopping online there are coupons for everything. Join Ebates at it’s free to join and as a matter of fact you get a $10 gift card just for joining. Each month they send you a check for a percentage of what you spent. You can also save on clothes for your kids by going to consignment shops. They usually have great clothes that have hardly been worn.

Furniture is the same way. Go to Goodwill or hand me downs. If it looks rough put a coat of paint on it and it will look brand new again. You may like new furniture and you may feel like you are cheating your child out of new furniture. Your family and children won’t notice and friends and family members will be impressed by your craftiness and your thriftiness.

Go to discount stores for decorating your home or children’s rooms. Many times you can find great home decorations at the discount stores. Get ideas from department stores, websites or anyplace advertising decorations and recreate the look with items from thrift stores and discount stores.

Want to take the kids to a movie? Go to the matinée if there is one. Many times theaters have deals where if you buy certain size popcorn and drinks you can get free refills. Take baggies to put each child popcorn in and take the bucket back for refills. Drinks you can do the same thing. Some theaters offer courtesy cups for just this reason. Check with theater to make sure they don’t have a policy against it. Want discount tickets? Buy the Entertainer coupon books for your area. They always have great coupons. Search „entertainment coupon book.

Lots of tips and ideas, be sure to leave comments, questions or additions.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Kerry B Johnson

If you do NOT read this report you will almost certainly lose thousands of dollars when you sell your home…

Home sellers don’t know how to spot a good real estate agent

This is understandable when you consider that you will only buy and sell one or two properties in your lifetime. Your home is probably your biggest asset. So, be careful whom you choose to sell it; one slip-up from an agent will wipe thousands off your selling price.

Ask the right questions

Many home sellers ask the WRONG questions when they interview an agent. They ask questions such as „How much do you charge?“ or „What’s my house worth?“. While these questions are important, they should only be asked after the agent has told you what they’ll do for you and how they’ll get you the best price.

This report is your guide to hiring a real estate agent. I’m going to show you how to spot and select the best agent to sell your home. After all, I believe there’s no one better to sell your home than a highly skilled agent. The problem is that highly skilled agents are hard to find.

WARNING! Don’t settle for second best. Too many sellers make the mistake of picking the ‚best of a bad bunch‘. You could be better off without an agent

Check out your agent

It’s a sad fact, but many people don’t check-out their agent until after they have signed with them – by then it’s too late. After you sign you’re stuck; you could be locked into a ‚minimum 90 day‘ contract.

The questions and information in this report will give you the knowledge you need to keep the power when you’re selling a house. After you sign you lose your power.

Agents love to say they are all different but basic research will prove most are the same. It’s the ‚cookie cutter‘ approach when it comes to selling your home – every property is sold the same way.

What to look for when choosing an agent

In 2006 Neil Jenman (my Dad) was asked to provide a list of questions, comments, and hints to help home sellers choose an agent for a TV show he was hosting. He called his list of questions and comments, GUIDE TO GRILLING AGENTS. Over the last few years I have given the guide to many home sellers. This report contains many of the questions and comments in his original guide.

What does a good agent look like?

Most agents will be well dressed, on time, and prepared. But the best real estate agents will be the ones who put your interests first. They will offer solutions that suit you first, not them.

Agents who ask for money to advertise your home should rarely be hired. After all, if advertising was the only reason your home sold why do you need a real estate agent?

Questions are the answer

Sometimes the answer to one good question will give you the confidence you need to hire the best agent to sell your home. Good questions do the hard work for you. Before you jump in and start grilling real estate agents, take a step back.

Put your home buyer shoes on. And start with a mystery shop…

MYSTERY SHOP

Department stores do it, so why shouldn’t you? Use the ‚process of elimination‘ to weed out the poor agents. Why bother interviewing a real estate agent who doesn’t bother to return buyer’s calls? Start with an email. Approximately half of all buyer enquiry arrives via email.

If you send out 10 emails to 10 local real estate agents, I can almost guarantee that you will not receive 10 replies. If only 5 reply, then you have just saved yourself having to interview 5 agents. Include your phone number in your email. Do they call you back? Or do they just email a standard response? An agent who follows up with a call has a much better chance of ‚closing a sale‘ than an agent who sends a standard reply.

QUESTIONS ARE YOUR BEST WEAPON

If you don’t ‚test‘ your real estate agent before you hire them – one thing is for sure – the buyers for your home will do it for you.

What follows are questions that have proven to be a huge help to sellers.

REMEMBER: You are the owner of the property. You are considering employing an agent to sell your property. You are the boss. You have the power BEFORE you sign up. Make sure you keep that power at all times. Control the agents, do not let the agents control you.

Your home’s selling price is determined by your agent’s ability to negotiate

• HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE BEST PRICE FOR MY HOME?

When you ask this question many agents will start throwing around the word negotiation. You want to be certain that they are capable of negotiating a high price for your house, ask them to teach you something about negotiation.

Question their ability to negotiate.

Ask them what they know about negotiation. It’s a big point that most home sellers miss because they focus on what the agent says rather than on what they do.

Here’s one of my favorite questions to ask a real estate agent:

• WHEN/IF YOU BRING ME AN OFFER, HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN THAT IT’S THE ABSOLUTE BEST PRICE THAT THE BUYER CAN PAY?

Many real estate agents will have difficulty answering this question. It’s a question that’s rarely asked of agents. Ask it. The answer will tell you a lot about an agent.

Some more questions you can ask are:

• Are you a good negotiator?

• Can you tell me some of the main points you know about negotiation?

• Can you give me some examples of the results of your negotiating ability?

The Biggest Liar Gets the Job

When hiring a real estate agent, the biggest liar (the agent who quotes you the highest price) often gets the job. It’s an old (and very true) real estate saying.

Unfortunately many home sellers hire liars. This happens because people who hear what they want to hear don’t perceive the information as being a lie.

One of the best questions you can ask is:

• WHAT WILL YOU DO TO GET THE BEST PRICE FOR MY HOME?

Once you are satisfied with the answer then ask:

• WHAT PRICE DO YOU THINK YOU CAN SELL MY PROPERTY FOR?

Most agents will try hard to hedge around this question. They may be vague and say such things as „It depends on the market,“ or they may use the common ploy of answering a question with a question, such as, „How much do you want?“

Sellers should stand firm and press the agent on this point by making such comments as:

You are the agent, you sell lots of properties in this area, surely you know how much you can sell my property for – even if you have to give me a range. After all, you are the expert, aren’t you?

Once the agent has given a [verbal] quote, ask the following:

1. Will you give me that quote in writing?

2. Do you usually sell properties for the price that you quote the sellers?

Regardless of the answers, don’t dwell too long on any point at this stage. Just keep the questions rolling…

It’s not what you pay an agent, but what they cost you, that counts.

• How much commission do you charge?

Most agents will talk about ’standard rates‘ or they will say that the rate is recommended by the Real Estate Institute – this is to soften the shock. Sellers should make comments such as:

Is your fee negotiable?

Have you ever reduced your fee for anyone?

If you should ask me to accept a lower price than the price you have quoted me, will you also accept a lower fee?

NOTE: Be wary of agents who cut their commission to get your business.

These agents are often poor performers who rely on discounts to get you to sign with them.

• What is it about you and your agency that makes you better than other agents?

This is a great question. The agents all want to say that they are „the best“ but they will struggle to define what is meant by „best“. Of course, „best“ to a seller means the highest price with the lowest risk and the lowest cost.

The Issue of Advertising

With almost every agent, advertising will be a big point. Be careful, this is the most common way in which thousands of home-owners lose thousands of dollars without selling their homes!

The Golden Rule when selling a home: Never pay any money for any reason to any agent until your home is sold and you are satisfied.

The Silver Rule is this: Don’t sign anything that requires you to pay any money [in the future] for any reason if your home is NOT sold.

Some agents will say „you don’t have to pay for advertising until your house has sold“ but what they fail to mention (or make clear) is that if your home fails to sell you will still have to pay.

Here are some comments and questions that can be made to an agent which show the absurdity of the advertising policies in most real estate offices.

• Why do you expect me to pay for the advertising to find a buyer? Surely the commission should include advertising?

• Why should I pay twice – once for advertising and once for commission?

• If you put ads in the newspapers [and charge sellers for those ads] and the buyers are going to come via you, what are you doing that sellers can’t do for themselves?

• If you advertise my home and I pay for the ads and you get calls from buyers and those buyers buy a home other than mine, do you give me any money back? If not, why not?

• If I pay you [thousands of] dollars for advertising and you do not sell my property, what happens to the money I paid?

• I notice that your advertising has your name and the name of the agency prominently featured. Surely I don’t have to pay the cost of advertising you and your agency?

• Based on the length of time you have been in business and the number of people who contact your office, don’t you already have a list of buyers on your books?

• I am not going to be paying any money to any agent for any reason until my home is sold. Once my home is sold within the price range that you quoted me, I will be delighted to pay you a GENEROUS commission as a reward.

This is my firm policy as a seller. Do you accept my policy?

Random comments and questions… [or other ways to make the same major points] might include…

• I want an agent who will get me the highest price at the lowest cost with the lowest hassle and, of course, without any risk of loss if there is no sale. Are you comfortable with being able to meet these simple requests of mine?

• How many properties do you sell? (Let them ask you if you mean weekly, monthly or annually, to which you reply that the time frame doesn’t matter. You just want to know that they are capable of getting results).

• What provisions do you take to ensure the security and safety of my home when it is being shown to prospective buyers?

• If I find a buyer – such as a close friend or relative – will you want me to pay you any commission?

• Have you ever had any unhappy clients?

• What were they unhappy about?

• If I employ you and I am not happy with your performance, I want to be able to dismiss you without any penalty to me. Is this okay by you?

• The agent I choose will be given an initial time period of 30 days on the selling agreement between us. If my property is not sold in 30 days and if I’m happy with the performance of the agent, I will be happy to extend the term of the agent’s appointment. Is this okay by you?

SELLERS‘ TERMS & CONDITIONS

Get the agent to agree to your terms BEFORE you agree to the agent’s terms.

Finally, the biggest and most important point of all for home sellers – DO NOT SIGN the document that the real estate agent asks you to sign – at least NOT on the agent’s first visit.

Ask the agent the following questions:

• If I decide to employ your agency to handle the sale of my home, what document will you be asking me to sign?

• Can I have a copy of that document so that I can get some independent advice about it?

• The following is the start of your final words to the agent at the end of the agent’s first visit…

As I am the owner of the home and as I will be employing an agent, I will be preparing a list of my own terms and conditions under which I employ an agent. I will be asking the agent to sign my terms and conditions before I sign any terms and conditions prepared by the agent. Further, if any of my terms conflict with the agent’s terms, then, of course, my terms will take precedence.

• Are you okay with me, as the owner of the home, telling you, the agent, what I require you to do?

Thank the agent for coming and tell the agent that you will be in touch should you require the services of his/her agency. Stand up, shake hands, walk towards the exit or front gate. Wave goodbye.

Smile, you have done well. You are in control.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Lloyd Jenman

The leasing of a shopping mall is a specific strategy relative to the location, the property type, the customer demographic, and the landlord. All factors come together to contribute towards a successful leasing outcome and tenancy mix.

It should be said that a successful leasing strategy will contribute towards the greater the benefit of the property. More customers will be encouraged to visit the property and purchase goods or services. On that basis retail leasing is quite special.

Here are some tips to help you with leasing a retail mall in today’s property market:

1. Understand the vacancy factors that apply to the precinct or location. An excessive number of vacant tenancies will have an impact on market rentals and incentives. Check out the factors of supply and demand that apply within the region. Look for any new property developments that could have an impact on tenant movement and market rentals.
2. Understand the types of incentives that can be offered by the landlord to attract tenants. Also understand the requirements of tenants when it comes to incentives in today’s market. Any vacancy that you have available for lease needs to be matched to the prevailing market conditions. That will include the rental types, and the incentives offered. The landlord needs to adjust to the prevailing market conditions. Get some details of comparable rentals and other properties nearby to help the landlord understand the packaging of their vacant tenancy.
3. It should be said that a lease incentive cost should be recovered through the rental structure over the lease term. In other words, any money that is lost or offset in the incentive availability should be recovered by rental growth and escalation across the lease term. You can do this calculation through an assumption of market rentals and a discount cash flow calculation. The net present value of the deal can be compared across the duration of the lease.
4. Successful leasing executives usually have a substantial database of retail tenants to contact. Any new leasing opportunity can be offered through the database to targeted tenants, anchor tenants, retail specialists, franchise groups, and other industry professionals. Any vacancy can be directly marketed to these groups through cold calling, direct contact, e-mail marketing, and direct mail.
5. It is acceptable and normal to market a vacant tenancy through the generic media. That will involve newspaper advertising, and Internet listing. There are costs associated with that marketing activity and the landlord should contribute towards those costs.
6. Most successful leasing transactions occur through the involvement of the leasing executive and direct marketing to the right people. I go back to the point that the database for each broker or agent is quite important to converting more commissions and listings.

It should be noted that any quality property in a good location will create good inbound enquiries. If you are selective with your property appointments and vacant tenancies, you will create more churn and activity in property leasing.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by John Highman

When building customer-base for real estate, success is not an overnight feat. It will involve a lot of hard work. Letting other people know of your business or about the property you sell does not totally mean that you have to place lots of text-based ads all over. You have to be creative to excite your potential buyers. Here are some tips for your next real estate advertising goal.

1. Create a video walk through of the house. Take advantage of the technology offered by smartphones and drones. Using them plus your creativity, you can shoot at different parts of the house to present realistic view of what you are selling.
2. Build free offers to collect email addresses. If you are observant, you probably can see that a lot of websites and blogs have pop-ups offering free trials, free newsletters, pdf downloads of articles, and a lot more. By simply filling out the electronic forms, users can give you email addresses which you can later use to send out your offers of real estate properties being sold.
3. Be a resource person for local TV networks and radio stations. By being an expert person on real estate, you can actually gain the attention of local TV networks and radio stations. It’s like applying for a job but if you’re able to hook with them, you will have a great venue to advertise the properties in your portfolio. You can email them to send either a letter stating your endeavor or a short video presenting yourself as an expert and willing to be their resource person on subjects related to real estate.
4. Take advantage of the trending internet memes. Admit it or not, you are also among the bunch of internet users who are enthused with the trending memes we see. They carry a range of graphics ranging from animation characters, Hollywood stars, animals, and a lot more. Depending on the graphics and the texts that go with them, they become instruments to send-off messages to those who see them. With this said, then you can have memes that actually persuade people to buy the property you are selling or call them to action to avail your services as a real estate agent.
5. Have video testimonials done by previous clients. Go beyond the usual testimonials which are fully textual and placed on specific sections of the website or blog. Instead, ask for video testimonials from your past clients. Aside from presenting their real experiences, you present real people to potential customers.

Go unique. Go beyond the usual. Exhaust your creative juice to excite your clients. Real estate marketing is tasking and will need you to work your way to become a brand and an authority.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Desare A Kohn-Laski

To install or not to install?

This question is at the forefront of debates concerning the management of nursing homes. At present, the issue of whether or not to put security cameras in nursing homes and where these should be placed is extremely controversial and is far from resolved.

Merits of Installing Security Cameras in Nursing Homes

The most important argument in favor of security cameras is their deterrent value against abuse and substandard care. These security cameras have been given the moniker „granny cams“ and are said to be a positive step in reducing the potential for elderly abuse. Experts believe that granny cameras could singlehandedly restore public confidence in nursing homes because they give family members instant access to recently stored footage. They can, thus, closely monitor the well-being of their parents or grandparents.

Security cameras retail for at least $630 and may go up as high as $1,590. On top of this, there is a $20 monthly fee for accessing the server and another $10 monthly to upload images via a data-only line.

Drawbacks of Installing Security Cameras in Nursing Homes

Not surprisingly, the strongest opposition to the use of granny cams comes from the industry itself. Nursing-home operators and staff consider video surveillance a needless invasion of privacy. They fear that security cameras would make it so much harder to retain good staff and attract new ones. Moreover, they believe that use of security cameras will compromise a patient’s dignity, particularly when bathroom and bathing activities are filmed and then reviewed by security. Another argument used is the additional expense. After all, a nursing home would need not just one, but several, security cameras distributed in strategic places throughout the nursing home.

The Debate Continues

While not trifling, however, the costs of purchasing the equipment and the installation expense are comparable to the cost of updating housekeeping, food, or recreation services. This means that the purchase and installation of security cameras should be treated as necessary an overhead cost as staff salaries, for example.

Additionally, experts believe that security cameras help nursing home operators minimize their legal responsibility should an employee or a nursing home resident be found guilty of abusive behavior. By having digitally captured evidence on hand, nursing home owners can thereby reduce unnecessary and groundless litigation.

At present, a dozen state legislatures are actively considering passing the granny-cam legislation. Existing laws mandate that an operator must inform the staff ahead of time of the presence of cameras and their respective placements. Otherwise, video surveillance may be considered illegal. There are no law expressly prohibit the use of security cameras. What prevents their wide use, however, are practical barriers in the form of pricing and vehement opposition from the nursing-home industry.

So, to install or not to install security cameras?

Nursing-home operators vehemently answer „no“ while experts openly advocate their mandatory use. If you are a nursing-home owner, the added institutional cost would mostly likely make you cringe. If you are one of the many in search of a nursing home for a loved one, your answer to this question should dictate your choice of nursing homes. However, do not make it your only consideration. Check the facility’s history of deficiencies and citations from formal regulatory inspections.

It will be very difficult for this controversy to be resolved speedily because it is an issue that hits too close to home. It simply is not possible to put a price on safety, or negotiate dignity.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Nahshon Roberts

Long distance transport for the older horse

The details for preparing an older horse for a long trip are pretty much the same to move any horse long-distance, remembering that the recovery time for an older horse is longer than for a younger horse. Here are the steps to keep a horse safe and to make it a good experience. First let’s talk about the things that you should not do before setting off on a long trip. It is never a good idea to trim your horse’s feet or to vaccinate them a couple days before transport. How many times have we seen horses become footsore because of that trim. And of course, older horses have a higher chance of running a temperature after being vaccinated. If your horse requires a rabies certificate or requires new shoes, please do it several days prior to shipping.

The day of shipping, particularly when it is warm outside, to not grain your horse. Even with slight dehydration, a horse can impact colic from undigested grain in their system. Another note here, horses that are not great shippers have a higher incidence of ulcers. Transport can be highly stressful. Many horse vets recommend medications like Gastrogard to reduce the ulcer risk.

We’ll spend some time here talking about you transporting your horse. Later in the article I’ll have some thoughts about what to expect for your older horse by shipping with a commercial carrier. After you have successfully loaded your horse, one of the most important things you can do is to make their journey comfortable. You should not keep them tied. This prevents them from dropping their heads and keeping their sinuses clear, leading to congestion and possible pneumonia. Next, bring a sufficient supply of hay that they have been eating. Just as we are careful to slowly switch our horses from old hay to new hay at the barn, it is also important to be careful here, and not switch hay, if at all possible.

I recently transported a yearling filly The folks where I picked her up went out to the grain store and bought hay to go with her. It was not the hay that she was used to and she had loose poops as a result. It’s also important to have water available for your horse too. Most horses will not drink in the first 12 hours of transit. Particularly when it’s hot it is important to have water in front of them. We hang a Foraflex bucket and fill it half full while we are moving.

I recommend that you carry water that the horse is used to. It is not always possible but like hay it’s important to keep them eating and drinking the same things they used to at home. It’s also important carry water with you when it is hot weather, if for any reason you are delayed in transit. The last two things to consider when moving your horse cross country are blanketing in winter and rest. I encourage my clients to put a sweat sheet beneath the blanket. That way if the horse is a little upset and sweats up, the sweat has a chance to be wicked away from the body and not stay in the blanket and give them a chill. There are many thoughts about resting the horse in transit.

One is to stop for an hour every four hours to let the horse rest. Recently a study done at Texas A&M found that short periods of rest were not effective. Because I transport horses alone I need to stop each day for an eight hour rest period.

This gives the horses a chance to rest and recover and rehydrate. They come off the trailer fresh at the end of the journey. If time is not an issue and you want your horse off the trailer overnight, I recommend websites like HorseTrip.com that lists horse hotels across the country.

I wanted to take a moment to discuss commercial carriers and how they operate. Most commercial carriers have two drivers, and so equipment really never stops moving. Horses never get a chance to rest and recover. Also many carriers, never give horses their head, but keep them tied. Horses finish their trip often exhausted, dehydrated, and even sick. There are many trucking companies out there that the drivers are just that, drivers not horseman. They’re hauling freight, not horses. The other thing that happens with long-distance commercial carriers is that they don’t take the most direct route. Most recent example I can give you was a transport that I bid on and the person who bought the horse decided to have another hauler to the work, because he was cheaper. What the hauler did not tell him when he picked the horse up in Georgia to go to New York was that he was going via Texas.

Two things occurred here. First, the horse was coming from warmer climate to a winter climate and should have been blanketed for the second half of the trip. And second, the trucker did not tell the client that he was not taking the most direct route. The horse was on the trailer three days longer than necessary, exhausted and sick. So much for saving a couple hundred bucks for the transport. So when you need to use a commercial hauler there a couple of things that you should ask and get answered. First, is it the most direct route possible and second, you need at least three references. I What you horse reaches its destination. It is important to give them at least one day of no work to recover from the trip, and two days with no work is even better. I also suggest that y u give them a full day to rehydrate and not feed to any grain.

That’s it from here. Safe travel.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Tony Lepore

Are you interested in learning the Italian language right in your own hometown? There are several options that you can explore to find the Italian classes that are just perfect for you! First, you should consider whether you would you enjoy the interaction that takes place among students in group classes, or if you would prefer the one-on-one attention of a private instructor.

1. Group classes at community colleges: One way to learn Italian in your hometown is to find a community college that offers Italian classes in your area. The internet can be an invaluable resource and with a few clicks of the mouse you can identify exactly where there are Italian language courses available. For example, if you live in the U.S. you can go to http://www.community-college.org, where you will find a complete directory of all of the community colleges throughout the country. Many of them offer evening or even online classes! Simply pick the college or colleges that can be found near you and check out their curriculum.

2. Group classes at a private school or institution: Another approach would be to find an independent language school where you can take group lessons. Do you have a Berlitz near you? How about an Inlingua Center? A great way to find the best schools in your area is to talk with people in the Italian community where you live! Many Italian communities even have websites that link to valuable resources. For example, you can find out about the Italian community in Washington, DC at [http://www.italcultusa.org], in New York at http://www.italcultny.org, in Chicago at [http://www.iicch.org], in Los Angeles at http://www.iicusa.org or in San Francisco at http://www.sfiic.org. You can find an Italian community near you simply by going to http://www.google.com and typing in “Italian community in (Your Hometown).”

3. Private lessons: Not convinced that college classes or group lessons are for you? While group classes are more interactive and dynamic, you get less of the teacher’s attention. So, how about taking private classes? There are many ways to find a good instructor. For example, you could post a free “in search of Italian instructor” ad at Craigslist – http://www.craigslist.org – if you live in an area that the site serves. Or, you could place an ad for free in a local newspaper or journal.

Italians take great pride in teaching their native language to non-native speakers, so simply by reaching out and asking questions, you are sure to find plenty of good advice and helpful people. Buon divertimento!

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Mindy Prian

The Grand Opening party of the newly renovated Albion Hotel in Lake Eden, Minnesota, is the crime scene in the latest Hannah Swensen caper, „Red Velvet Cupcake Murder,“ by Joannne Fluke.

Townspeople gather in early June to celebrate in the Red Velvet Lounge. Hannah and her business partner, Lisa Herman Beeseman, own The Cookie Jar, the hamlet’s popular coffee shop. They cater desserts for the affair, including their delicious Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes.

Amidst the gala, Hannah’s sister, and town realtor, Andrea, promotes the hotel’s available condos, and opulent penthouse, featuring its own elevator, a spectacular view of Lake Eden; and a huge tropical garden and Jacuzzi.

The penthouse, under final renovations, awaits delivery and placement of its massive climate-controlled dome. Safety sawhorses prevent penthouse visitors from moving too close to the building’s edge.

Partygoer, Barbara Connelly, excitedly tours the penthouse to locate her residence from atop the hotel.

Soon, revelers see Barbara’s body whizz past the hotel lounge windows, ultimately landing face down in the rose bushes. Barbara is rushed to Lake Eden Memorial Hospital for care.

At 4 a.m. Hannah groggily receives a soon-to-be disconnected call from a woman believed to be Barbara shouting, „He tried to kill me!“ And Hannah’s off to solve another Lake Eden mystery.

Who wants Barbara Connelly dead? And why?

When Hannah questions Barbara in the hospital, she’s adamant that her brother is the culprit.

But how could he be when she’s an only child?

Complicating matters is Barbara’s request to see her father, who, along with her mother, died years ago.

Minneapolis moneyman, Roger Dalworth paid for the Albion Hotel’s renovations. He attends the grand opening with his new flame, dentist Doctor Bev. He’s also in town visiting his wealthy, terminally ill father, Warren Dalworth.

The town’s abuzz because Doctor Bev, a renowned gold digger, once lived in Lake Eden; and twice became a fiancée of Norman Rhodes, a current romantic interest of Hannah’s.

Doctor Bev brazenly brags about her latest conquest in Roger Dalworth; and haughtily displays his tokens of love, including a new red Maserati convertible.

On a subsequent drive to visit Hannah in the hospital, Hannah’s route takes her past Miller’s Pond. There she discovers a submerged car and instinctively swims to check for passengers.

Astonished, Hannah realizes it’s Doctor Bev’s sports car; and that she’s still behind the wheel. Hannah laboriously pulls Doctor Bev to land; yet her attempts to save her are unsuccessful.

Detective Mike Kingston, who also vies for Hannah’s affections, must confront her in an uncomfortable, official manner when he names Hannah as the prime suspect in Doctor Bev’s death.

Doctor Bev had ordered Hannah’s Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes to take to the viewing of the penthouse dome being placed that afternoon. Toxicology tests showed she died before crashing into the pond from a potent tranquilizer. Her stomach contents consisted only of coffee creamer, artificial sweetener, and Hannah’s cupcakes.

In tradition, crowds gather at The Cookie Jar to hear Lisa entertain them with exciting details of the latest crime Hannah’s determined to solve. It’s standing room only since Hannah’s the prime suspect.

Soon, Hannah confronts the person who attempted to kill Barbara; and the thrilling conclusion begins.

Fluke’s narrative includes small town chat that reflects worldwide wisdom, in lines like, “ When you get used to seeing something, you just take it for granted until it’s not there anymore;“ and her signature recipes too.

Her flawless writing allows new readers to quickly bond with Lake Eden’s residents; and piques interest in experiencing her previous murder mysteries. „Red Velvet Cupcake Murder“ is a treat for both your mind and mouth.

If you enjoy reading fictional, small town, murder mysteries, complemented with tasty recipes, check out the series of books by Ann B. Ross. Miss Julia is the main character living in Abbotsville, North Carolina. Visit: Http://www.MissJulia.com.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Timothy Zaun

There are several key members to any good real estate team. You often need an assessor, an attorney and sometimes even someone to stage and photograph your home. For a homeowner who’s considering selling their house, however, the listing agent is the most essential player.

In terms of residential real estate, the agent is the person who represents the homeowner. In some instances, an agent can also represent a home buyer as a dual agent. Most traditionally, though, it is the listing agent’s job to market the homeowner’s home. This is done by adding the property to the multiple listing service, also known more colloquially as MLS. The listing agent also represents the homeowner by presenting offers to them and essentially overseeing the entire real estate transaction from the first offer to the home’s closing date.

It is important to note the differences between a listing agent and a buyer’s agent. The buyer’s agent has responsibility for locating properties for a buyer to visit and consider during the purchasing process. This type of agent has loyalties only to the buyer. He or she is also paid by the buyer for services rendered.

An agent, on the other hand, is paid by the seller. This usually occurs after the sale of the home, since the listing agent will take a percentage of the money the seller receives after its sale. The actual percentage amount varies from state to state, averaging out around 3.5% of the total purchase price of the home. This amount is agreed upon by the seller and the agent in a contract. The contract is set for a specified time period. If the listing agent fails to find a buyer during that period and the seller opts not to renew the contract, the listing agent is owed no commission percentage.

Selling a home can be difficult process, but if you get the right help and directions you would end up being really pleased with the result. A listing agent is thus a good option to go with if you’re trying to sell your home and need some help with the ropes of the real estate market. While sometimes they can split their loyalties between a seller and a buyer, an agent’s primary responsibilities and duties are geared toward the home seller and obtaining the best opportunities to get a home sold quickly for the money it is worth.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Smith Greg

Having bad credit will greatly affect your credit applications, especially if you have filed bankruptcy. If you have previously owned a home, and maintained a good payment history, lenders may give you a loan following a bankruptcy. However, if you are a first time homebuyer, expect lenders to be leery.

Loan Options for First Time Homebuyers

First time home buyers have several loan options. There are loan programs that offer down payment assistance, closing costs assistance, and low interest rates. These amazing benefits are designed to help you obtain a loan. Of course, to qualify for most first time home buying loans, you must have good or fair credit. Mortgage companies have specific guidelines. If you have a recent or past bankruptcy, your loan options will differ from an individual with good credit.

Increase Your Chances of Getting a Home Loan after Bankruptcy

Attempt to open new credit accounts immediately following a bankruptcy. When applying for a mortgage, lenders need to see some signs of credit improvement. Thus, you should wait at least one year before applying for mortgage loans. While a wait time of two years is recommended, if your credit improves significantly within a year, lenders may give you a home loan with acceptable terms.

During the period of rebuilding and increasing your credit score, keep credit accounts current. Defaulting on loans or receiving charge-offs following a bankruptcy is bad. In this situation, getting a home loan is practically impossible. While sub prime and high risk lenders are dedicated to offering bad credit mortgages, they will not give you a loan if you continue to be irresponsible in regards to credit.

Purchase Your First Home with a Down Payment

Applying for a mortgage loan with a down payment is recommended for first time homebuyers with a bankruptcy on their credit report. Saving for a down payment is difficult. However, it will raise your chances of receiving a good deal. Establish a budget. Lenders do not require large down payments. The average down payment for a home is about 3%.

Traditional Mortgage Lenders vs. Sub Prime Lenders

Moreover, apply for loans through lenders that work with bad credit and bankrupt applications. Do not waste your time by submitting applications through banks or mortgage companies. While these lenders may offer non-conventional loans, the interest rate is extremely high.

Instead, apply for mortgage loans through sub prime lenders. Sub prime lenders offer loans to individuals with low credit scores, bankruptcies, and no credit. The rates and fees for these loans are affordable. Do your research and obtain quotes from three or four lenders. Compare their offers, and choose the mortgage lender with the most attractive terms.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Source by Carrie Reeder