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Toledo, OH Real Estate News

By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Time Management Tips for Real Estate Agents   By Paige TeppingRISMEDIA, June 29, 2010--Successful real estate agents develop annual business plans which must have the flexibility to adjust to market conditions. Effective plans are based on completing tasks that will generate business opportunities that convert to transactions. The key to time management is performing your daily tasks quickly with proficiency. The following tips can help you effectively manage your time. 1. Use technology tools to organizeManaging your email properly is a huge time saver as you can automate many of the processes for more efficiency. If you use Outlook, learn how to use "rules" and folders. Once this structure is in place, create your "task list" and integrate it with your calendar.2. Answer or return ph...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Detaching on Vacation Getting Harder to Pull Off   By Cindy Krischer GoodmanRISMEDIA, June 30, 2010--(MCT)--As my husband and I plan a summer vacation, there are two items we definitely will bring - a laptop with a wireless card. Like most American workers, we cringe at the thought of leaving home without them, convinced that we must respond to e-mail from a cabin in the mountains or a hotel room in an oceanside resort.And so, as we plan on taking time off this summer, we have no real intention to cut ties with our offices. It should be no surprise that most American workers think as we do. With companies staffed lean, fear of job loss still an issue, and technology putting the Internet in our pockets, this likely will be the most difficult summer ever for workers to detach.Workplace ex...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Ten Ways for Small Businesses to Use LinkedIn  RISMEDIA, June 30, 2010--Many people use LinkedIn for many different things, but they all have something in common--the desire to connect. Nowadays, there are more than 12 million small-business people on LinkedIn, also trying to connect and build their businesses.From LinkedIn, here are 10 ways that small-business people can use the social networking platform to get ahead:* Acquire new customers through online recommendations and word of mouth. Satisfied customers are the best source of new customers. Increase your word of mouth referrals by asking your happy clients to write you a recommendation, which will be published on your LinkedIn profile and will be broadcast to their entire LinkedIn network.* Keep in touch with people who care mos...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
By Stephanie AndreRISMEDIA, June 25, 2010--Just in time for summer home improvement season, here are some simple tips, courtesy of Glidden, to help do-it-yourself enthusiasts liven up any space.1. Pick the appropriate lighting for your paint color. The trick is to create a harmonious balance between color and light. Make up for the lack of light by adding in some table lamps, wall sconces, a chandelier or a mirror and watch how it makes the room look so much bigger even if you've painted it charcoal gray.2. Don't forget about layering texture and pattern. It gives a room personality and stops the room from looking too flat. Silk curtains, a patterned pillow, or even a nice linen wallpaper are all things that can give the room dimension and make the room more interesting.3. Look for way...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
By Jean PattesonRISMEDIA, June 25, 2010--(MCT)--Home decor is undergoing a subtle change, thanks to the weakened economy and the trend toward smaller but better-quality homes.As houses are downsized, homeowners are forced to make do with less space and fewer possessions, said Jose J. Cabrera, of C&L Studio in Orlando, Fla. And in this uncertain economy, many homeowners are reluctant to spend lavishly on new furnishings."Our clients want fewer things, but really good things," he said. "It's a less-is-more approach."Another sign of tough economic times impacting interior-design trends: Homeowners are reluctant to throw out all their old furnishings and start from scratch when they build or remodel, they way they did a decade ago, said Cabrera."Old things are mixed with new and many styles...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
By Paige TeppingRISMEDIA, June 25, 2010--The whole point of using social media as a professional business tool is to better help you grow and spread your professional brand. While this can and should be done with a variety of social networking platforms, LinkedIn has become the most effective and far-reaching professional application.With over 43 million members in over 200 countries, LinkedIn represents 170 different industries and helps businesses accomplish their goals. Whether you're a job seeker, entrepreneur, consultant, or a business looking to create buzz, LinkedIn gives you an advantage in your career, and can be one of your most valuable assets.The key then, is knowing how to successfully use LinkedIn to create and market your professional brand. The major difference between ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
By Alan J. HeavensRISMEDIA, June 24, 2010--(MCT)--A government audit has found that thousands of taxpayers have fraudulently claimed the first-time home buyers' credit, and the Internal Revenue Service apparently missed them all.The fraudulent claims - some from prison inmates serving life sentences - totaled about $134 million, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.Some of the "questionable claims" for refunds were made by 87 IRS employees nationwide, according to Michael R. Phillips, the deputy inspector general for audit.IRS management said it agreed with all of the audit's recommendations to strengthen controls and will examine returns of prisoners and "scrutinize all other inappropriate claims."There were three sets of tax credits. The first, approved ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
By Maya Bailey, Ph.D.RISMEDIA, June 24, 2010--"Visualize your success" is something we hear a lot of these days. However, we don't always know how to make our visualizations powerful enough so that they become a reality.Myth: "I'll believe it when I see it"Fact: "You'll see it when you believe it"The first step in any visualization process is to believe that you can have it.As an example, let's consider success in your real estate career. Before beginning to visualize your success, you need to believe that it can happen.As Henry Ford once said," Whether you believe you can or you can't, either way, you are right."If you have trouble believing that it can happen, then most likely you are experiencing some self limiting beliefs that need to be cleared.Once they are cleared, begin visuali...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
By Alan J. HeavensRISMEDIA, June 24, 2010--(MCT)--A government audit has found that thousands of taxpayers have fraudulently claimed the first-time home buyers' credit, and the Internal Revenue Service apparently missed them all.The fraudulent claims - some from prison inmates serving life sentences - totaled about $134 million, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.Some of the "questionable claims" for refunds were made by 87 IRS employees nationwide, according to Michael R. Phillips, the deputy inspector general for audit.IRS management said it agreed with all of the audit's recommendations to strengthen controls and will examine returns of prisoners and "scrutinize all other inappropriate claims."There were three sets of tax credits. The first, approved ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
RISMEDIA, June 23, 2010--A strong resume and interview may place job seekers in the running for a position, but a new survey from OfficeTeam finds the results of a reference check can be the real deal maker -- or breaker. Managers interviewed said they remove more than one in five (21 percent) candidates from consideration after speaking to their professional contacts. When it comes to what hiring managers are looking for when speaking to references, more than a third (36 percent) said they are most interested in getting input on an applicant's past job duties and experience. Learning about the individual's strengths and weaknesses came in second, with 31 percent of the response.The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly s...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Tips to Keep Small Businesses Financially Healthy Under Health Care Reform   RISMEDIA, June 23, 2010--While it's still too early to know all the financial consequences the health care bill may have for business owners, they should start now to consider financial strategies to manage possible increased costs, taxes and borrowing rates, advises fee-only financial planner Rick Kahler, president of Kahler Financial Group.A recently released study found the Congressional Budget Office overstated projections that the health care bill will reduce the federal deficit and may actually increase it. That could affect the cost of business borrowing, warns Kahler."Higher government debt could put upward pressure on interest rates," Kahler says. "Business owners should consider refinancing loans now ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Existing Home Sales Down in May      Although economists expected May existing home sales to rise to an annualized level of 6.1 million, sales dipped by 2.2 percent to 5.66 million, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors on Tuesday. The drop is still 19.2 percent above May 2009 sales figures. Median prices continued a trend of steady growth. The May AP-RE/MAX Monthly Housing Report, containing data from 54 metro areas, showed a slight increased in sales at 1.45% from April, and larger growth from last year at 13.93%. Prices increased from 2.25% from April and 4.74% from May 2009. May 2010 Existing Home Sales               Annualized Sales 1 Mo Diff  1 Year Diff Median Price 1 Mo Diff 1 Yr Diff National 5.66M -2.2% +19.2% $179,600 +3.7% +2.7%               No...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
8 Tips for Creating a Farm HAPPY CLIENTS: Savard (far right) recently helped this family buy their home in his farm neighborhood. Savard has used farming to become the go-to real estate expert in his farm. By Deborah Ball Kearns, RE/MAX Times Online Associate Editor When Ed Savard moved into his subdivision more than a decade ago, he saw a prime opportunity to grow his business right in his own backyard. Now, people know Savard by name. He's the president of the HOA and his RE/MAX yard signs dot the lawns of dozens of homes in the 650-home subdivision of Fairway Estates in Daytona Beach, Fla. He has closed more than 200 transaction sides in the area alone in the past 10 years. His secret? Farming. "None of the agents had a dominant hold on this area, and I wanted to make sure that I cap...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
For Consumers: Prepare for the Hidden Costs of Homeownership  RISMEDIA, June 17, 2010-- June is National Homeownership Month. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recognizes this month as a time to celebrate the American dream of owning a home. While record low interest rates and recent tax credits for first-time homebuyers have enticed many families to turn their dream of homeownership into a reality, the hidden costs of homeownership can sometimes catch families off guard. Preparing for the hidden costs of homeownership, especially for first-time homebuyers, is a wise financial move.The financial experts at Money Management International (MMI) understand that knowledge is the key when investing in a home. It's more than a place to live; it's a financial asset, a ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Recession Alters Retirement Plans  By Tim BryantRISMEDIA, June 22, 2010--(MCT)--As a junior at St. Louis University, Jeff Duncan interviewed an investment banker at A.G. Edwards for a class paper.The project hooked him on managing financial assets. Over the years he worked at various financial institutions, helping to support financial planners, advisers and insurance agents."I learned from them how important a position they played in advising clients in creating and transferring wealth and how to perform these functions in a tax-efficient manner," Duncan said.Eventually, he realized that if he could share the information he had gathered, individual investors could build their wealth and, as he puts it, "better the lives of the people they care about."In 2005, he founded Duncan Financia...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Survey: Lack of Paid Sick Days Takes Significant Toll on Workers' Job Security, Public Health RISMEDIA, June 22, 2010--Nearly one in six people polled in a national survey (16 percent) say they have lost a job for taking time off from work to care for a sick child or family member, or to cope with their own illness. Just released, the survey was conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago this spring. It finds that the lack of paid sick days is harming our public health, and straining the nation's health care system, in measurable ways: • More than half of workers without paid sick days (55 percent) have gone to work with a contagious illness like the flu, compared to 37 percent of workers with paid sick days. • People without paid sick days are...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
CoreLogic Home Price Index Shows April Year-Over-Year and Month-Over-Month Increase  RISMEDIA, June 22, 2010--CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), a leading provider of information, analytics and business services, today released its Home Price Index (HPI) which shows that annual home prices in the U.S. increased in April, the second consecutive monthly increase.According to the CoreLogic HPI, national home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 2.6 percent in April 2010 compared to April 2009. This was an improvement over March's year-over-year price increase of 2.3 percent.* Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices increased in April 2010 by 2.2 percent; an improvement over the March non-distressed HPI which increased by 1.0 percent** year-over-year.On a month-over-month basis, ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Seven Ways To Cut Costs in the Home Office By Jeff Zbar, Onvia.com RISMEDIA, June 21, 2010-- Bootstrapping is a way of life for many in the home-office setting. With no corporate chief financial officer (CFO) to pay for the tools and hardware needed to run the business, cutting costs—without cutting corners—can help stretch the balance sheet. Between start-up and daily operations, launching and sustaining a small business can be a constant battle. Look for savings by looking at everyday items to nip and tuck. From procuring hardware to getting the best telephone services at the right price, slice fractions off existing bills and lower the monthly nut. Here's a few other ideas: 1. Used-office-furniture stores or office-equipment leasing companies often have quality desks to sell at reduc...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
Minorities Hurt More by Foreclosure Crisis, Study Says By Tony Pugh RISMEDIA, June 21, 2010--(MCT)-- Recent African-American and Latino home borrowers — regardless of their income — were much more likely to lose their homes to foreclosure than non-Hispanic whites during the ongoing housing crisis, according to a new study. In fact, as their incomes climbed, minority borrowers saw their likelihood of foreclosure grow even larger in comparison to non-Hispanic white borrowers in the same income bracket. That's the conclusion of "Foreclosures by Race and Ethnicity: The Demographics of a Crisis," a new report by the Center for Responsible Lending, which analyzed racial and ethnic data on more than 80 percent of the estimated 2.5 million home foreclosures completed between 2007 and 2009. The ...
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By LINDA SABO, Use my years of EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
(Re/Max Preferred Associates, Toledo, OH)
http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8904, June 18, 2010--The Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) is reporting an increase in home warranty or service contract sales in 2009. Growth was fueled by annual contract renewals, while sales by Realtors to home sellers and buyers held nearly steady.In a trend developing nationwide, many sellers are adding a home warranty to their property's amenities and many buyers are insisting on one before a sale.One of the largest home warranty providers nationwide, American Home Shield, saw renewals increase last year by almost 2.5 percent, with new sales increasing by more than 18,000. In California, where the great majority of homes sell with a warranty, sales rose by 8,000 (source: Home Warranty Association of California)."The positive home warranty sal...
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