Victoria's Blog

How to Choose the Pefect Pooch!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:29:55 -0600

I saw this article in another publication and just had to include it in my blog. We spend lots of time and energy searching for and deliberating about which property to buy. But what about our decisions to bring a pet into our homes. With holidays fast approaching, this information and advice seems timely, whether we're a first time pet owner or an experienced one. Hope you enjoy!

In the market for a dog? It pays to look around in order to find the right dog that fits with your lifestyle. Picking the right dog to bring into your home take planning and work. Here's a game plan for someone seeking to bring a dog home.

Think it out
The worst mistake that people make, says Karen Okura, manager of behavior and training at The Anti-Cruelty Society (anticruelty.org), is impulse adoption.

Don't pick an animal because it reminds you of your old dog, she says, or because you pity the animal, or because you lost your job and need to feel loved, or because the kids want one, or to save a marriage or relationship.

There are plenty of good reasons to adopt. "The No. 1 objective is to save a life. People don't realize the number of amazing dogs being euthanized," says Rochelle Michalek, executive director of PAWS Chicago (pawschicago.org). "Dogs make great companions. They're great from a social perspective. Nothing breaks the ice like a dog when you're out meeting people." Once you have a good reason to adopt, use your head. "People should look at practical things," Okura says. "Does someone in the home have allergies? How prepared are you to do a minimal amount of grooming?" Also ask yourself: Do you have the time to feed, train and exercise a new dog? Okura figures a puppy needs two years of intensive training; older dogs, a year. Can you afford the financial investment? Even routine medical care isn't cheap. Does the entire family approve, not just one or two members? Everyone will need to pitch in. Will a new dog get along with other pets in the home?

If you're looking at a puppy, know how big it's going to get. If it's from a shelter or one of those "free-to-good-home" ads, take your best guess and be prepared for an adult dog that's 10 to 30 pounds plus or minus that estimate.

Choosing a breed
Figure out what you want: big, small, male, female, energetic, laid-back, etc. Every factor should be considered. Is there a purebred that appeals to you? Study up and learn more about that breed's dogs, from how big they get, to their temperament, to how much they shed. Talk to a rescue group that deals in that particular breed. They can tell you a breed's quirks, and they might even have an animal that would be a good fit.

If you have no particular breed in mind, consider a mutt. There are a lot more mixed-breed animals needing homes. They also tend to be less prone to breed-specific health problems and they're also going to cost a lot less, in most cases.

"And their personalities might tend to be a little more diverse," Michalek says.

Go for the perfect fit
Don't rush it. Okura says to do your homework and find the perfect fit. Not an OK fit, not a good fit. The perfect fit. "One of the things I tell people is to be picky. Lots of people feel guilty in a shelter, looking at homeless animals. ‘It's bigger than I wanted,' or ‘Look at all this hair.' We actively advise people who say, ‘He's just not right' to keep looking. Because somebody will take the dog you said no to."

Victoria Craig

Learning the Value of Money

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:53:19 -0500

I came across these tips recently, which were directed towards teaching children financial responsibility. If the current economic recession has taught us anything, it's that financial education and responsibility are critical in today's fast-paced, wired world. All too often, however, children grow up immune to the financial world around them. As a result, they're often ill equipped to manage their own finances when they become adults and leave home.

With the economy in the news almost daily, now seems like a perfect time to start educating our children about how to manage money more responsibly. The tips below can help:

1. Give an Allowance

If your children don't have money of their own, it's hard for them to really grasp the value of it. So if you don't pay your children allowance, consider starting. You don't need to pay a lot-a little goes a long way. The most important thing is that your children learn the value of completing even small chores around the house to earn their own money.

2. Make a Plan and Set Guidelines

Before you start giving your children an allowance, sit down with them and set some expectations. Discuss the specific chores and timelines for completing those chores, as well as the amount of money they'll earn for each chore and when they'll be paid. This helps instill a strong work ethic in children as well as drive home the message that money is earned, not given.

3. Save for the Future

As part of your financial discussion, consider implementing a savings rule for your children. For example, make a rule to save half or one-third of their allowance. You can go with them to the bank to establish a savings account in their name and then take them to make their deposits. Or, if your children are still young, you can set up a special savings bank. Let your children decorate a jar or can to give it some personality and then have them deposit a portion of their money in that special bank whenever they receive their allowance.

4. Educate on Interest

Talk to kids about savings accounts and the value of interest. If you start a savings bank at home, offer to pay your kids a small amount of interest on their savings. Once a month, sit down with your kids and count how much they have deposited, how much interest they have earned, and how much they have as a result. Compare the amounts each month, so your children can see the benefits not only of saving, but also the benefits of compounding interest.

5. Save for a Big Purchase

The next time your child shows you an expensive toy or big-ticket item that he or she wants, consider striking a deal where the child saves up for half of the cost. For instance, consider a "match plan" in which you match every dollar your child saves for the item. This will not only teach the value of saving, but also help your child learn to budget and plan for expenses-which is a lesson that can pay off in the future when your child becomes a credit-card-carrying adult.

6. Take Your Children Shopping

Take your children grocery shopping with you. As you go down your shopping list, have your children help you compare the prices of the different brands, sales, and quantities per package. You can also have your children try to keep a running tally and make a guess of what the total cost will be.

7. Set Them Free to Shop

Once your children have a sense of money matters, you may want to take the lesson up a notch. For instance, when your children need new school clothes, you try giving them the money and putting them in charge of what to buy. Then, as they shop, help them compare the prices and number of items they can purchase within their budget. You could even purchase a Visa gift card with a specific dollar value on it. That will help your children not only learn about the value of a dollar and making smart purchases, but it will also introduce them to the credit card system, in which money may not seem real because it's unseen. In today's electronic financial world, this lesson will become more and more important as your children get older.

8. Teach by Example

Remember, children are always watching. So if you educate them on saving for purchases and budgeting but make rash decisions on big-ticket items yourself, you may find them learning a different lesson than you intend. So make sure you follow your own rules when it comes to spending, saving, and fiscal responsibility. You may even want to consider discussing your donations to help your children understand the importance of supporting charities.

9. Be Consistent

Teaching children about money isn't something that can be done in a short period of time. Children are always re-experiencing their environments and testing their boundaries. So make sure that once you implement an allowance, savings, and budgeting plan that you stick with it. Over time, you may decide to raise your child's allowance or change the terms of their savings. But those shouldn't be quick decisions. Instead, if you and your child want to revisit the financial plans or to add a new element, take the time to sit down, write out what the changes will be, discuss how this will impact the child's level of responsibility, and make sure you end the conversation with agreement on what will happen going forward. Then, be consistent; don't waiver.

Even though there may be times that our children beg for an exception, hopefully, by being consistent, our children will be much better prepared to deal with the real financial world that they'll face when they grow up. And these tips seem like good advice for children of all ages!

Victoria Craig

Six Figure Jobs That Might Surprise You

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:25:01 -0500

I found this article from Forbes Magazine that I wanted to share. This data is rather fascinating!

Getting paid a six-figure income in today's job market is pretty tough, but maybe you're looking in the wrong fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, which are compiled from 2008 data, the six-figure salaries for the following careers just might surprise you.

Human Resources Manager - Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $163,220; Average Annual Income: $103,920 Top-Paying State: Delaware.

Astronomer - Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $156,720; Average Annual Income: $99,730; Top-Paying State: Maryland.

Art Director - Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $154,840; Average Annual Income: $88,510; Top-Paying State: New York.

Pharmacist - Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $131,440; Average Annual Income: $104,260; Top-Paying State: California.

Film or Video Editor - Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $112,410; Average Annual Income: $62,500; Top-Paying State: Massachusetts.

Forbes Magazine also recently listed more surprising six-figure income jobs that do not require a college degree, which include, Air Traffic Controller (income for the 90th percentile: $186,000; 75th percentile income: $156,000); Court Reporter (income for the 90th percentile: $104,000; 75th percentile income: $84,100); Hotel Executive Chef (income for the 90th percentile: $107,000; 75th percentile income: $86,500); and Ultrasound Technologist (income for the 90th percentile: $110,000; 75th percentile income: $82,500).

Victoria Craig

As Workplaces Shrink, Can We Afford to Take Time Off?

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:24:55 -0500

Here's an interesting article courtesy of Diane Stafford of the Kansas City Star, that really got me thinking. Having recently returned from a 9 day trip across country, during which I checked and responded to email and voice mail every single day, I wondered if the idea of a real "vacation" from one's job was no longer valid. The ability to stay in touch no matter where we are-and our obsession with doing that-has significantly changed our vacation habits. See if the following scenario rings some bells . . . .!

"Sunshine glowed on patches of mountain snow. An occasional trout broke the sparkling Maggie Pond. A gentle breeze stirred the fir tree outside our Breckenridge, Colo., window.

Inside, five laptops hummed. Welcome to summer vacation, 2009.

Thanks to a free WiFi connection, we were tethered to our jobs back in Kansas City and Dallas. Two CPAs, a lawyer, a geographic information systems specialist and me: We kept up.

Here's where rational thinkers say: Stop. The point of vacations is to get away, refresh, refuel. It's counterproductive to even think about work when you're supposed to be gone.

Here's also where rational thinkers say: Get away? In your dreams. In today's fast-paced, do-more-with-less workplaces, you can't cut ties. It's harder to get back in gear if you don't keep up while you're gone, and that's particularly true for the self-employed. Nobody worked more "on vacation" than the self-employed worker among us.

Of course, many workers this year couldn't take a vacation at all. No time. No money. And even the idea of a "staycation" was farfetched for the thousands of unemployed job hunters.

Workplace consultants have noted that even the safely employed - if there is such a thing - worry about taking time off. They fear falling victim to the next layoff round if they don't stay visible and productive.

As the United States wrestles with what to do with its health care and health insurance systems, analysts note that other developed nations, especially in Europe, take more time off from work than we do. And their middle-aged citizens are about half as likely to have heart disease, hypertension or diabetes. Many Americans eat unhealthy diets, don't get enough exercise and are overweight. Some smoke. All those factors contribute to poor health. More than three dozen developed countries now report longer average life spans than the American average.

These health factors are fueling a push for vacations - mandatory, paid vacations - because it's clear that time off for many workers isn't happening on its own.

There's a bill in the U.S. House, the Paid Vacation Act of 2009. Odds are that it won't get much traction this year with the larger economic and health-care issues on the table. An organization, Take Back Your Time, is backing the bill for all the stress-reduction reasons mentioned above. But critics of the bill abound. Many business owners are against any more government mandates and any more employee benefit expenses.

Meanwhile, it's unlikely that a week or two of summer vacation, paid or not, will be the stress detox needed for busy workers."

Victoria Craig

A Yachtsman's Delight on Key Biscayne

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:09:29 -0500

I saw this article recently and was really captivated. Not sure I'll ever get to have a waterfront home, but it's sure fun to dream . . . .

With open water views that astound and delight, along with deep, protected water dockage that accommodates boats of more than 100 feet or sailboats needing deep water anchorage, this striking contemporary home in Key Biscayne, Florida, provides the perfect setting from which one can truly enjoy the wonders of boating.

This six bedroom, eight and one half-bathroom home has been impeccably maintained and updated to reflect the amenities necessary for 21st century living: a walled and gated location covering more than 27,000 square feet on Key Biscayne's most prestigious, private street; 114-foot dock with 10-foot-plus water at dock and davits, impact windows and sliding doors; a 60KW generator that provides the security of knowing activities will continue regardless of the elements; expansive entertainment spaces, marble floors, soaring ceilings and teak finishes.

The kitchen setting is in the round with bay views that will delight any gourmet cook. Home has a four-car garage, billiard room, wine cellar, racquetball court with viewing area, gym, sauna, and steam shower. Pool overlooking the bay and outdoor dining area.

This is a home from which a serious yachtsman can enjoy luxurious living on one of South Florida's most prized water locations. Listed at $24,950,000.

Visit http://www.luxuryrealestate.com/1036872 for more information or the listing agent's site at http://www.miamirealestate.com/.

Victoria Craig

Developing Multi-Cultural Etiquette

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:43:58 -0500

Here's a really interesting and informative article by Goerge Smith and David Compton that has real meaning and value in today's world. Although the focus of this article is on business interactions, the suggestions presented certainly apply to our personal relationships as well. See what you think:

With the influx of foreign investors in today's market, it is important that you properly prepare to effectively interact with them. To pursue these investors, we suggest that you go to www.google.com and type in "Consular Offices, California," (or whichever state you are in) to advise them about the wonderful investment opportunities in American properties. We also suggest that you search under the category "Foreign Trade Offices" in your state.

Let's talk specifically about developing "multi-cultural" manners. When interacting with a person of another culture or ethnicity, it is important to apply the "Platinum Rule" as opposed to the "Golden Rule." The "Platinum Rule" says that you should treat the other person as THEY (not you) want to be treated. This means respecting the traits and traditions that have been infused into their behavior by their culture. While one can always apply the phrase "When In Rome...", the real estate profession and the N.A.R. have recognized the need to go the extra mile to create that zone of comfort essential for effective interaction.

The following "Norms" are, for the most part, universal in their application.

•· Learn at least a few phrases of their language if different from your own.

•· Show appreciation for the other's customs, music, and art; do not criticize them.

•· Be sensitive and non-judgmental on politics and religion; avoid discussing these if possible.

•· Build on the other's cultural heritage to enhance communication, rather than trying to impose your own.

•· Show good intentions and consideration and follow-up on promises.

•· Extend respect to those who the customer cares about - for instance, the elderly, children, family, religious affiliations, and whatever groups the customer identifies with.

•· Use common sense and credit the other person for having it as well.

•· Acknowledge mistakes and apologize when appropriate.

•· Minimize talk about the United States.

•· In general, try to listen more and talk less.

•· Do not tell the other what to do; you do not know what is appropriate.

•· Do not talk about family unless they are present or the other person mentions them.

•· Help the other see the "Big Picture" by sharing information.

•· Seek to share the other person's ceremonies and celebrations.

•· Recognize that you will need to be more formal and take more time in doing business than is your normal practice.

•· Be punctual, even if it does not seem to be customary for the culture you are dealing with; many cultures regard tardiness as a character flaw, and they know that in American culture we would be insulted if another person was late for a meeting.

•· Get names and contact information correct.

•· Take the blame for language barriers and difficulties.

•· Do not tell jokes; they have a very high probability of being misunderstood.

•· Show deference and respect to the elderly; stand when they enter, wait for them to speak or when they extend their hands in greeting.

•· Treat members of the opposite gender with respect. Always err on the side of formality.

•· Be patient and forgiving if a member of the opposite gender has trouble determining how to treat you; remember that other cultures differ on the roles of men and women in business relationships and may have difficulty adjusting to the expectations in the United States.

•· Skip the efforts to try to create an "instant friendship".

•· Respect the concept of "face" as in "saving face" - never do anything to embarrass another person, either in that person's eyes, in the eyes of others, or in your own eyes. In the same way, do not sacrifice your own "face" in front of others as well.

•· Try to fit in and be comfortable without making a fool of yourself.

While these are important behaviors to embrace, there are other behaviors that you will want to avoid. Just to be on the safe side, and until you learn better from your customer, avoid the following behaviors:

•· Standing with your hands in your pockets

•· Using first names

•· Asking personal questions

•· Asking about their family

•· Crossing your legs

•· Showing the soles of your shoes

•· Fleeing or invading the other's personal space

•· Seeking direct eye contact

•· Initiating any physical contact

•· Showing impatience

Putting positive attitudes, communication skills and multicultural manners into action with the varieties of people in your marketplace is certainly necessary on a personal level each and every day. Be aware that you may also need to make some changes in the way you and your office deal with specific business situations that involve multiple cultures.

George Smith and David Compton are the Sudden Success Team. David Compton is Vice-President and Director of Education. With 22 years as a real estate trainer/speaker, he has trained over 15,000 new real estate agents. Previously he was Director of Education for one of the nation's largest brokerages, Regional Trainer/Speaker, Senior G.R.I., A.B.R., and C.B.R. Instructor and developed over 200 real estate courses. George Smith is President and CEO, with more than 27 years of experience producing and promoting educational training programs. As General Manager, he was responsible for directing one of the nation's leading real estate training companies through a period of explosive growth in sales, membership enrollment and staff development, resulting in the company being recognized as one of the leading training institutions for real estate and lending professionals in North America. Practical Resources, 2588 El Camino Real, Suite F-197, Carlsbad, California 92008, Phone: 760-752-1709, Fax: 760-752-3192 For more information, go to www.practicalresources.net

Victoria Craig

The 50 Most Inspiring Travel Quotes Of All Time

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:34:33 -0500

Courtesy Brave New Traveler

Now is

Now is the time of year when many of us are thinking about escaping to a different place and removing ourselves from the daily grind. Even if the escape is to our backyard, patio, deck or balcony, it's nice to get away for some kind of "R and R" (rest and relaxation). I recently came across these quotes and even without taking a vacation myself right now, I instantly felt renewed and invigorated, just reading them. So here they are. Hope you enjoy . . . .

1. "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

2. "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

3. "There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." - Robert Louis Stevenson

4. "The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are." - Samuel Johnson

5. "All the pathos and irony of leaving one's youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time." - Paul Fussell

6. "Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

7. "He who does not travel does not know the value of men." - Moorish proverb

8. "People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home." - Dagobert D. Runes

9. "A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." - John Steinbeck

10. "No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." - Lin Yutang

11. "Your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty-his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

12. "All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it." - Samuel Johnson

13. "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." - Robert Louis Stevenson

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller

14. "Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things - air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky - all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it." - Cesare Pavese

15. "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller

16″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings." - Moslih Eddin Saadi

17. "When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don't know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in." - D. H. Lawrence

18. "To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world." - Freya Stark

19. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

20. "Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Miriam Beard

21. "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin Buber

22. "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharial Nehru

23. "Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going." - Paul Theroux

24. "To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted." - Bill Bryson

25. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

26. "Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by." - Robert Frost

27. "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." - Lao Tzu

28. "There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it." - Charles Dudley Warner

29. "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." - Lao Tzu

30. "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home." - James Michener

31. "The journey not the arrival matters." - T. S. Eliot

32. "A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." - Tim Cahill

33. "I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." - Mark Twain

34. "Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey." - Pat Conroy

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." - Lao Tzu

35. "Not all those who wander are lost." - J. R. R. Tolkien

36. "Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." - Benjamin Disraeli

37. "Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." - Maya Angelou

38. "Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation." - Elizabeth Drew

39. "Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe"......Anatole France

40. "Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." - Seneca

41. "What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road." - William Least Heat Moon

42. "I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within." - Lillian Smith

43. "To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." - Aldous Huxley

44. "Travel does what good novelists also do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear. Travel does this with the very stuff that everyday life is made of, giving to it the sharp contour and meaning of art." - Freya Stark

45. "The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it." - Rudyard Kipling

46. "Travel is glamorous only in retrospect." - Paul Theroux

47. "The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land." - G. K. Chesterton

48. "When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable." - Clifton Fadiman

49. "A wise traveler never despises his own country." - Carlo Goldoni

50. "Adventure is a path. Real adventure - self-determined, self-motivated, often risky - forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind - and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white." - Mark Jenkins

Victoria Craig

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:24:15 -0500

Victoria Craig

Get A College Education for Free!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:35:16 -0600

It's no big secret that a college education can cost you or your children years of debt. But guess what? More and more universities, and not just the US military academies, are now offering some students everything from free tuition to free room and board. Check out some of the sweet deals offered by these unique universities.

1. College of the Ozarks - Students pay no tuition in exchange for at least 15 hours a week at a campus work station at this top liberal arts school in the Midwest.
2. Deep Springs College - This two-year, all-male liberal arts college in California offers free tuition, room and board in exchange for at least 20 hours a week of hard work on its ranch.

3. Berea College - This Kentucky college provides a full-tuition scholarship to every student, in exchange for at least 10 hours a week in one of the school's 130 labor departments.

4. Olin College of Engineering - One of the top undergraduate engineering programs in the country, this school provides every admitted student free tuition for four years.

5. Cooper Union - Located in Manhattan, this school offers degree programs in art, architecture, and engineering, and every admitted student receives four years of free tuition.

Other more specialized schools with similar deals include: Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky, the City University of New York's Teacher Academy, and UC-Irvine School of Law (this year only) in California.

Victoria Craig

The FICO Breakdown

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:50:55 -0600

We all know what a major role one's credit history, commonly referred to as FICO scores, plays in real estate, so here are some basics, courtesy of a local lender, to enhance your FICO knowledge. Good borrower credit scores help make it possible for buyers to qualify at better rates. For those with lesser FICO scores, however, there are still loans available but different parameters may apply.

This is how FICO scores are weighted and structured:

35% by payment history

30% by balanced owed

15% by length of credit history

10% by new credit

10% by type of credit in use

And the overall calculated ranges:

720-850 Excellent, A-paper credit, the "good guy" rates available

680-719 Good, not much of a compromise on rates

620-679 OK or Fair, clearly in range for FHA consideration

580-619 Low, bottom of the range for FHA consideration, "alternate credit" comes heavily into play

500-579 Poor, truly nothing can be done without credit rehabilitation

Victoria Craig

Fun Facts About The Presidency

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:55:41 -0600

Hail to the chief! This month, everyone from your family and friends to your children's school will undoubtedly be talking about the historic inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. I came across this neat little quiz and found it quite illuminating - humbling! I didn't do very well. See how you do.

Did you know, for example, that Barack Obama won't actually be the 44th president? He'll only be the 43rd person to hold the office. So why all the confusion? It all goes back to Grover Cleveland, who was elected to two terms as president. However, because his terms were not consecutive, he was counted twice - Cleveland is listed as the 22nd and the 24th president. As a result, the number of people who held office is actually one less than the number of presidents the United States has had.

That's just one of many fun presidential facts behind the story of America's presidents. For even more oddball twists and tidbits, take the quiz below and share the answers with your family and friends this month!

Take the Presidential Tidbit Challenge...

1. Who was the first president to live in the White House?

A. George Washington
B. John Adams
C. Millard Fillmore
D. Theodore Roosevelt

ANSWER: This is a bit of a trick question. Officially, John Adams became the first president to live in the presidential residence that we know as the White House. However, when he moved into the residence during 1800, it wasn't called the White House. Instead, it was referred to as the President's Palace, the President's House, or the Executive Mansion. The first president to live in the "White House" was Theodore Roosevelt, who gave the residence its official name in 1901.

2. Who was the tallest president?

A. James Madison
B. Abraham Lincoln
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. Franklin Pierce

ANSWER: The tallest president of the United States was Abraham Lincoln, who stood 6 feet, 4 inches tall. Conversely, the shortest president was James Madison, who was only 5 feet, 4 inches tall - an entire foot shorter than Lincoln.

3. Although it seems like an odd question, who was the first president to be born as a US citizen?

A. Abraham Lincoln
B. Martin Van Buren
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Richard M. Nixon

ANSWER: Martin Van Buren was the first president to be born as a citizen of the newly created United States of America. The seven presidents prior to Van Buren (Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J.Q. Adams, and Jackson) were considered British subjects. Incidentally, William Henry Harrison, who took office immediately after Van Buren was also born as a British subject. The other names listed above also represent interesting facts about birthplaces of US presidents. Abraham Lincoln was the first president born outside of the original colonies. Herbert Hoover was the first president born west of the Mississippi River. And, finally, Richard Nixon was the first and only president born in California.

4. Who was the youngest president of the United States?

A. Theodore Roosevelt
B. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
C. John F. Kennedy
D. Ronald Reagan

ANSWER: This is another tricky one. Theodore Roosevelt was actually the youngest president of the United States. He was only 42 years old when he took office; however, he became president after William McKinley died in office. John F. Kennedy was the youngest president ever "elected" to office. He was only 43 years old when he was elected president in November of 1960. So depending on how you interpret the question, either answer could be correct. On the flip side, Ronald Reagan was the oldest president. He was 69 when he took office and 77 when he left.

5. Who was the first president to appear on television?

A. Warren G. Harding
B. Rutherford B. Hayes
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. John F. Kennedy

ANSWER: Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to appear on TV. The appearance took place during the opening ceremonies of the World's Fair in 1939. John F. Kennedy, however, was the first president to give a live television news conference. Warren G. Harding and Rutherford B. Hayes had famous firsts of their own. Harding was the first president to address the nation via radio, and Hayes was the first president to have a telephone in the White House.

6. Which president was born on July 4th?

A. John Adams
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe
D. (John) Calvin Coolidge

ANSWER: The only president to be born on the Fourth of July was Calvin Coolidge, who was born on July 4, 1872. However, three presidents died on this national holiday. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. And James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.

7. Which president lost the popular vote, but still became president?

A. John Quincy Adams
B. Rutherford B. Hayes
C. Benjamin Harrison
D. George W. Bush

ANSWER: All of the above. John Quincy Adams was actually voted into office by the House in 1824 after the general election failed to produce a majority of the electoral votes. The other three presidents listed above also took office despite losing the popular vote: Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876; Benjamin Harrison in 1888; and most recently George W. Bush in 2000.

8. Which president graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis?

A. Ulysses S. Grant
B. Woodrow Wilson
C. Dwight D. Eisenhower
D. Jimmy Carter

ANSWER: The only president to graduate from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis was Jimmy Carter, who graduated in 1946 and then served in the nuclear submarine program. Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower both graduated from West Point. Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand, was the only president who had a Ph.D. He received a doctorate in political science from Johns Hopkins University in 1886.

9. Which president served in the US Congress after leaving office?

A. Andrew Johnson
B. John Quincy Adams
C. John Tyler
D. William Howard Taft

ANSWER: Andrew Johnson and John Quincy Adams were the only two former presidents to serve in the US Congress after leaving office. Johnson served in the Senate, and Adams served in the House. John Tyler did not serve in the US Congress, but he did serve as a delegate to the provisional Congress of the Confederacy after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the other hand, William Howard Taft is the only president to serve as chief justice of the US Supreme Court. After leaving the White House, he became a professor of constitutional law at Yale and was later appointed chief justice in 1921.

10. Who is the only person to become president without being elected as either president or vice president?

A. Millard Fillmore
B. Theodore Roosevelt
C. Gerald Ford
D. Lyndon Johnson

ANSWER: The only person ever to become president of the United States without being elected as either president or vice president is Gerald Ford. He was nominated to be Richard Nixon's vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned. Later, when Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, Ford became the 38th president.

As the country celebrates its democracy this month with the inauguration of our new president, take some time to talk about the history of the presidency with your friends and family members by sharing these fun tips and learning more about our nation's leaders.

Victoria Craig

Happy Holidays!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:03:34 -0600

Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

The holidays are about gathering together with friends and family. It's also a time of reflection and gratitude. With this in mind, I wish you the happiest of holidays, and thank all of you for making this year a special one. Your friendship has been a true gift.

Victoria Craig

A Simple, But Very Good Idea!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:36:14 -0600

We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory. yet if we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there may be hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients but paramedics couldn't easily determine which number to call..
This savy paramedic therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for the purpose of who to call in an emergency.

In an emergency situation, emergency service personnel and hospital staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as 'ICE'. And for more than one contact name, simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc.

I thought this was a great idea when this message was sent to me, and if we all support this program, it won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

If you think think this program has merit, like I do, please feel free to forward this message to your friends and family, so in the event we're unable to personally make contact in an unforeseen situation, others on the scene can aid us in doing that - just by looking at our mobile phones.

Victoria Craig

Renovation Mistakes In A Buyers' Market

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:59:44 -0600

With home prices on the decline, some homeowners may be tempted to renovate their home to make it more desirable or valuable to potential buyers. But there are certain renovations that can actually decrease the value of your home - even in an up market.

If you're trying to sell your home in the next 6 to 18 months, be extremely discerning about your choices, get advice from an expert real estate agent and appraiser before you begin any major renovations, and avoid these costly projects in today's buyers' market:

An in-ground swimming pool or hot tub - In certain parts of the country, yes, a pool or hot tub can increase your home's value. But, for many potential buyers with young children, these items are a true liability and will only decrease your home's value - not to mention the built-in maintenance and energy expenses that come along with them. If you're looking to sell your home in today's tougher market, you simply can't afford to isolate a large number of potential buyers.

New additions - Of course, home additions add valuable square footage, but one false move and your addition can be an eyesore that could hurt your home's value, even when the market turns. A well-designed new addition is time-consuming and expensive and needs to be properly planned and executed. If you're looking to sell your home anytime soon, save yourself the hassle. With just a portion of what it would cost to add a new wing, you could upgrade your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and counter tops and get far more bang for your buck.

Conversions - Yes, with so much competition, it's important that your home stands out from the crowd, but following today's trends could cost you big tomorrow. Right now, space for a home office or a recreation room might be trendy, but converting a den or your garage into one can be a costly mistake. A good real estate agent can achieve the same effect by defining a space through staging. If you want to upgrade your garage, a new door is much cheaper and adds valuable curb appeal.

This excellent advice courtesy of Homes and Money Newsletter

Victoria Craig

Finding Joy: Simple Secrets to a Happy Life

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:37:12 -0600

In a perfect world, we would hear something once, record it in our brain, and never need to hear it again. We wouldn't need inspiration or motivation because we wouldn't have doubts, fears, and disappointments. In a perfect world, staying on track would be easy because we wouldn't need reminders of what matters most in life or what brings us joy.

With this in mind, take 3 minutes to watch Finding Joy, an inspiring video with memorable quotes, wonderful photography, and beautiful music. And while it probably won't change the world into a perfect place, we bet that it puts a smile on your face.

Click here to watch Finding Joy, a short film produced by Simple Truths, a consumer-direct publisher of motivational books and films. Visit www.simpletruths.com to learn more about this unique company.

Victoria Craig

Last Respects! - Authori Unknown

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:31:04 -0600

With all the events occurring in the news, and the impact the events have had on all of our lives, here's a story to ponder:

One day not too long ago the employees of a large company returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said: "Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the conference room."

Everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be. The anxiousness grew as the employees arrived at the conference room to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: "Who is this person who has been hindering my progress? Well, at least they're no longer here!"

One by one, the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. And slowly, each stepped away. When each looked inside the coffin, they saw their own reflection...a mirror had been placed within the coffin, and everyone who looked inside it could see only themselves. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU."

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

Victoria Craig

Hangin' In There!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:34:02 -0500

Victoria Craig

Happy Halloween!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:03:59 -0500

In real estate, we try our best to make buying and selling a pleasant and productive experience. No tricks-just treats. And no scary stuff either!

Victoria Craig

The Most Dangerous Cake in the World!

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:55:57 -0500

Here's the most dangerous cake recipe in the world! Why? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night. And when it comes to difficult situations, chocolate definitely helps!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the icrowave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Please note that the texture of this "cake" is a little strange, but the taste is good!

Victoria Craig

Topical Bailout Cartoons

Victoria Craig (Century 21 Select) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:41:26 -0500

Topical "Bailout" Cartoons Provide Smiles

Victoria Craig