Granny Flat or In-Law Suite? Which is More Prudent? - 08/21/11 10:13 AM
If you need to house aging parents or adult children, or if your family is multi-generational, what’s better — an in-law suite or a little granny cottage in the back yard?
Our data says you’ll spend less remodeling the basement or adding an in-law suite to your attic. But a USA Today feature suggests you consider building a small house or cottage in the back yard.
For instance, the article notes that in Vancouver, detached cottages or “laneway houses” have become popular: “[Architect James Tuer] … designed several, including one that cost $200,000 and rents for about $1,600 monthly. He says … (2 comments)

Acme Planimeter – measures map areas using Google maps - 08/17/11 07:33 AM
Okay this is really neat!  This website (http://acme.com/planimeter/) allows you to plot points on a map – using Google Maps – and it gives you area measurements back.  You can use it in “map” view so you can follow the streets, “satellite” so you can see the house you are looking at or “hybrid” and combine both.
Plot your points and the measurements appear underneath the map as you move the points.  Here is RE/MAX Professional Associates office in Spencer:

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Legitimate Website Resources for Foreclosure Help - 08/16/11 06:52 AM
Foreclosure is a hard fact in the current market and I speak with someone daily about it…a new client, someone looking for information, a seller who has to short sale to avoid it or a buyer who is looking for one thinking it’s the next great deal.  It’s a sad thing.
The latest estimate is that 2 in every 10 homes is facing foreclosure.  Part of my work is to help home owners avoid foreclosure by facilitating a short sale that will put them on a path to financial recovery.  It’s not the only solution though.  I want to share some … (1 comments)

Oh just put it in the garage - 08/13/11 07:56 AM
On average, a garage addition recoups about 60% of the investment, with the highest rates of return on a basic rather than an upscale job.  It’s been my experience that in our area because of the snowy winters – houses with garages have a much higher appeal to buyers.  I have several that won’t even look at a house without a garage.
A garage addition makes especially good economic sense in the south-central portion of the country, where home owners can expect to get back almost 66% of the cost of a midrange project, while spending about 13% less than the … (3 comments)

WOW! Just got an update from my most trusted mortgage broker - 08/10/11 12:33 PM
Yes it’s true…we have trusted partners in this industry that we can refer our clients to with confidence…one of them is Wes Oliver and his most recent status update is that due to some very recent changes he can do a 30 year fixed in the 3′s.
Interested?  Let me know and I will get you in touch with him!
 
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New listing! Open Sunday 1pm to 3pm - NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOME! - 08/09/11 09:05 AM
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BNI? It doesn’t involve bacon unless you are bringing it home - 08/04/11 09:32 PM
I am part of 7 Hills BNI – the largest global business networking organization in existence.  The purpose of the organization is to build relationships between professionals in order to pass business through referrals.  It’s a great concept, works very well and is fun!  This year to date, my chapter has passed $117,000 in business referrals and we’re still going!
It works because each profession is only allowed one person to represent it.  Currently we have several open spots in our Chapter for the following professions:
 
General contractor
 
Chiropractor
 
Massage Therapist
 
Payroll Company
 
Computer Repair
 
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New? Useful? How to spend your time on the web… - 08/02/11 06:21 PM
I was just going through my notes from CDPE class and thought I would share this.  The instructor was awesome and had a great trick for getting us all back into our seats on time – he offered up useful websites!  So here they are – maybe some are useful – maybe not – but if you need some surfing content when you have a few minutes to spare (or are waiting for your oil change) check them out.
unhearit.com :  site plays a song to get a song out of your head issue.com :  publish your ezine for free online-convert.com … (5 comments)