What Is Networking and Why is it Important in Business?
When I began my networking journey, I attended any and all networking events as time permitted. Every event was fair game! Today I am much more strategic in my networking endeavors. I discovered which events and organizations gave me the best return on my investment of time as well as how to be ... more...

Getting a Home Inspection
If you are in the process of purchasing a new home, it will definitely be in your best interest to have a home inspection done.Not only will you want to have a home inspection done for your own sake, and peace of mind. But most lenders will require that you have a home inspection before they will ... more...

Rebuilding After Katrina: Smart Energy Choices
Energy efficiency has been part of the American lexicon since 1978 when the Energy Policy Act was first enacted. Since then, energy efficient homes and increased use of renewable energy resources have become the norm in states like New York and California. Policies and programs have supported these ... more...

How to Buy a Home When Your in Your Twenties
A Singles Game of Real Estate (Getting started in your twenties)Due to the fact that most of us grow up in either a rented apartment or our parents single family home, it stands to reason that most people, when beginning to ask themselves the question of purchasing their own dwelling, will come to ... more...

The US Dollar Is Not Weak
In 2004, The USD Was Falling, But the Dollar Was Never Weak!Germany's long term economic policy has been to cultivate a permanent trade surplus by saving more, and consuming less. But there is another side to their trade surplus/high savings rate story. Growth in Germany is 1/3rd that in the US, ... more...

Buying Country Acreage and Rural Properties, To Buy or Not To Buy
Almost anyone can become a rural property owner; if you are willing to set goals, establish what your purposes are, plan ahead and set targets that are all aligned toward the same result. And, if you can be patient instead of requiring instant gratification.There is no more $50-an-acre land; unless ... more...

Sell Your Home Without a Realtor and Save Thousand$$$
A typical real estate commission on a $234,000 home (national median price for all existing homes as of July 2005) is over $16,000. In many areas the cut a real estate broker gets is much higher. A home owner can easily save that money by selling on their own. All that is needed is a basic ... more...

A Log Home Story
Solving problems while maximizing valuesThis story has a few good lessons and observations that no doubt can be used by you to take advantage of hidden opportunities that often lie in plain view for all to see, however, most people have not been trained or instructed on how to recognize or find ... more...

Say "Bah, Humbug!" To Holiday Debt: Avoid the "Holiday Hangover"
Ah, the holiday season! Turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie, office parties, jingle bells, and lots and lots of eggnog make the season a delight. But all fun and reindeer games aside, you have to be careful to make sure you don't wind up as poor as Tiny Tim! Americans can spend as much as $1,000 a ... more...

Building Permits and Inspections
Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house is the permit process. Not only do the the requirements vary from township to township, but at times the decisions made seem so subjective that we find ourselves seething in frustration. However, permits and inspections are a ... more...