Build Your Own Google Custom Search Engine - 10/31/06 01:09 AM
Google Co-op is Google's platform for customizing the Google search, and one of it's new features is the ability to creat your own "Custom Search Engine" According to Google, you can "Harness the power of Google search to create a free Custom Search Engine that reflects your knowledge and interests. Specify the websites that you want searched - and integrate the search box and results into your own website." This feature requires you to have a Google account to (if you don't already have one, it allows you to create an account), whereupon you login and click on "New search engine", which walks you … (2 comments)

Burlington County: Shredding and Computer Roundup Event - 10/28/06 03:30 PM
Recycle your computer equipment and shred your old confidential documents at the Burlington County Recycling Center.This is FREE to all residents of Burlington County.DATE/TIME: Saturday, November 4th, between 9 a.m and 2 p.m.  (Rain or Shine)LOCATION:Robert Shinn, Jr.Recycling Center130 Hancock Lane,Westampton
Click here for more details, including map and contact information    Burlington County will be distributing over $246,000, including a $53,507 state grant for township recycling efforts.  Click here for future Burlington County official events  Additional Wast Management / Recycling Resources:www.rbc.org/nj  - recycling rechargeable batteries (locations)http://www.anjr.com/ - State Recycling Associationwww.state.nj.us/dep - NJDEP information (NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection)http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/ - Burlington County information  Burlington County Recycling FAQs:Are Staples okay?Yes, you do not have to … (0 comments)

Microsoft Live's Search and Beta Ideas - 10/28/06 01:09 PM
I've been trying out Microsoft's Live search engine and have found it produces good results without all the "noise" that is often the case with the other search engines.  However, time will tell as to whether that is because the spamming sites have not yet fully focused on the search engine.  And they have a long uphill battle to reach the amount of traffic and corresponding market share that Google enjoys.  Microsoft is attempting to drive traffic through it's Live.com site and is going through some interesting paths to gain your attention.  For example, meet Ms. Dewey, an attractive woman they hope is a way to get … (0 comments)

Buyer's Home Inspection Basics - 10/27/06 11:32 PM
I consider a home inspection, performed by a certified and licensed professional, to be an integral part of the real estate home buying process.   Unless you have the proper construction knowledge and repair experience yourself, you should NEVER skip having a property inspected.  If the property has a private well and/or septic system you will also need those to be professionally inspected and certified.  In addition, always have a wood-boring insect (termite) inspection, which many mortgage companies will require as part of their loan conditions.  Even if you are buying the property with the understanding that you are buying it "as is" and … (0 comments)

Delaware Valley - Business and Real Estate News - 10/27/06 08:17 PM
The Delaware Valley has access to a wide variety of national, regional and local news resources ranging from national newspapers, magazines, radio and television to various Internet news sources.  In addition, the region has many local business and real estate news providers. I have listed some of them here for your convenience...   Printed (and Online) News Sources: Philadelphia Business Journal - available in print and online, serving the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area with business news.  (You can also access 41 other U.S. metropolitan business journals from this site.) NJPA Real Estate Journal - focuses on comprehensive real estate news in the Tri-State (NJ, PA, DE) … (1 comments)

TriState's Commercial Real Estate Show A Success - 10/27/06 12:42 AM
The TriState REALTORS® Commercial Alliance, of which I am a member, held their annual Annual Commercial Real Estate Show (ACRES) at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA on Thursday, 10/26/2006.  It consisted of exhibits, several informative panel discussions made up of major area real estate practitioners, service providers and major users of of real estate services; ending with a luncheon and keynote speaker. The panel discussions were informative and well run, with moderators feeding relevant questions to the panels.  Following are some of the panel topics and a few of the comments: Retailers' Site Requirements and Expansion Plans       Land … (0 comments)

Google's New Personalized Search Feature - 10/25/06 01:23 AM
Google, building on their search foundation, is developing a new personalized search enhancement that, though still in beta, is worth taking a look:
Google Personalized Search - for getting the results most relevant to you.   Basically, it maintains a history of your searches, ordering your results based on your accumulating history and improving over time.  You can control when you want searches to count in your history or when you want the results ignored (Pause/Resume). The image below is the initial (empty) history page you will see after you first log in (it requires a Google account).   After you set up your personalized search it will only be in effect when you are … (0 comments)

New Jersey Market Trends and Statistics - Resources - 10/23/06 11:03 PM
Within the blog category, "New Jersey Market Reports", you will find blogs proving individual "snapshots" of market conditions and trends to date.  There will tend to be more entries by county or even township level as that is the way our MLS's are organized.This article was created to point you to additional statewide and overlapping regional market information, which I have highlighted in prior blog articles,  that will give you a wealth of market data resources: New Jersey - New Home and Housing Statistics, Demographics - Provides South Jersey and Statewide sales reports, comparatives against prior year and year-to-date sales, demographics. For an updated extensive report of … (1 comments)

Cranberries Are Celebrated In The New Jersey Pinelands - 10/22/06 02:27 PM
Chatsworth (Woodland Township) considers itself part of the "heart" of the pinelands. It is located among the beautiful Pine Barrens of New Jersey, a region stretching from Brendan T. Byrne (formerly called Lebanon) State Forest to the Forked River Mountains area and out to Long Beach Island, Barnegat and Tuckerton along the shore. It is an area known for it's cranberry bogs which supply well-known processors and distributors of cranberry products such as Ocean Spray.  Cranberries are harvested in October and it is a fascinating and unique way of harvesting.  If you are driving in the area during that time you will … (0 comments)

Off-Roading In The Pine Barrens of New Jersey - 10/22/06 12:38 PM
Wharton State Forest, part of the Pine Barrens, is located largely in Burlington County in South Jersey. The park is the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System. It is also the site of Batsto Village, a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center from 1766 to 1867, that attempts to reflect some of the late 19th atmosphere.It has great trails for hiking and off-roading.  It's one of the nationally recognized stops for the annual Jeep Jamboree 4x4 off-roading adventure trips.Below are local resources that Jeep Jamboree has identified for those doing off-roading in the Pine Barrens.  Please … (1 comments)

Residential Market Report: Burlington - Camden - Gloucester Counties - 2006 - 10/21/06 11:14 PM
Note: This market report is based on information from TReND for the period 1/1 through 10/22 for 2006 and 2005.  (All calculations are approximate and rounded up.)Market Report - Burlington County - Residential Home Sales
Year-to-Date Residential Home Sales    Under $300's2006:  4346    83.5% of prior year         2693 (62% of total sold)       (511 rentals) 2005:  5205                                           3449 (66% of total sold)       (409 rentals)  Market Report - Camden County - Residential Home Sales
Year-to-Date Residential Home Sales    Under $300's2006:  4934   84% of prior year             4061  (82% of total sold)     (414 rentals)2005:  5864                                           4947  (84% of total sold)     (387 rentals)
Market Report - Gloucester County - … (0 comments)

Successful Exhibiting: General Checklist - 10/21/06 09:14 PM
I just came back from participating in a local 'Business Expo' in which I manned a booth representing my agency and of course promoting my services.  I'm sure many of you have exhibited at fairs, community events, expositions and trade shows yourself.   After doing a few of these, you realize that each event has it's own unique flavor, audience and what works and what doesn't work for you in those situations; and you find that there are basic requirements and procedures that are common to all. I decided that I would start a checklist of the basic exhibition requirements and actions … (2 comments)

Successful Exhibiting: Exhibit Inventory Management - 10/21/06 12:03 PM
Whether you are a frequent, seasoned exhibitor at local community events and fairs, or involved in larger venues such as commerce expositions and business trade shows, there are a standard set of materials and supplies you will want to have on hand and ready to bring.  Here is a basic Inventory List similar to what we use within our organization to make sure we have everything on hand ("in stock") and help insure nothing is forgotten on the day of the event. The list is continually updated as our experience, needs and objectives evolve.   The items in the General and Organization … (5 comments)

Impulse Control Disorders Not limited to ActiveRain members! - 10/20/06 02:14 PM
Stanford medical study showing that Internet related "Impulse Control Disorders" (or Internet "Addiction") are exhibited in a significant portion of the population.A press release, from the Stanford University School of Medicine, announced a published study which is helping answer the question, "Is spending too much time online a prevalent and damaging condition, or simply a bad habit among a select few?"  According to the release, the study's researchers have taken an important step toward resolving the debate over whether compulsive use of the Internet merits a medical diagnosis.
In a first-of-its-kind, telephone-based study of 2,513 adults, the researchers found that more than one … (0 comments)

Delaware Valley - Identity Theft Protection - 10/18/06 11:26 PM
Delaware Valley state governments are actively developing and implement laws to protect the local individual against identity threats.  Just as with the federal government, the state governments are focusing on making it harder to illegally obtain identity information by requiring users and holders of identity information to maintain proper protection procedures.  Delaware Valley states passed tougher laws which went into effect during 2006.   It is important that you become aware and more importantly, become compliant with the new information security requirements.NJAccording to New Jersey's Office of Attorney General, the "Identity Theft Prevention Act," which took effect on January 1, 2006, is the most comprehensive and … (0 comments)

Identify Theft - YOU Are Probably Personally Liable Under Federal Regulations - 10/17/06 11:44 PM
I recently attended a seminar, sponsored by a local commerce organization, on identify theft.  I believe I had a good understanding of what identify theft is and some of the precautions I have to take to minimize risks.  Those precautions included guarding my personal information and not giving it out unnecessarily, using secure communications and computer systems, and even shredding anything that contains contact and personal information when disposing of documents. What the speaker helped me realize as a real estate professional and a business person -- one who acquires, stores, uses or has access to any kind of identity information -- is the extent of my personal and … (0 comments)

Manufactured vs. Modular Homes - What's The Difference? - 10/16/06 11:45 PM
What is the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?A friend was recently using the term "manufactured home" during a conversation and I soon realized that he was actually talking about a "modular home".  Although a modular home IS manufactured, the federally recognized use of the term applies specifically to mobile or trailer homes.
"Manufactured homes" can be made to look similar to a modular home, but they are built at the factory (in whole) on a non-removable steel chassis according to Federal HUD guidelines called the HUD Code.  They are designed to be able to be relocated.  Although the terms "manufactured" and … (6 comments)

Baby Boomers: Changing Housing Needs, Uncertain Retirement According to NAR Study - 10/16/06 07:42 PM
"Baby boomers have a wide variety of housing needs in the future, depending on their retirement plans – or lack thereof," according to a recent study announced by the National Association of Realtors®(NAR). Most of the 78 million baby boomers are far from retirement, with diverse plans and timelines, resulting in different housing requirements and significant shifts from patterns established by earlier generations.  The comprehensive study is based on a survey of nearly 2,000 American baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 – the largest generation in U.S. history; the survey was conducted for NAR by Harris Interactive®."  (Source: NAR)Click here for the … (1 comments)

Consumer's Inspection Kit From Freddie Mac - 10/16/06 10:07 AM
Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored mortgage giant, offered a free "Consumer's Inspection Kit" booklet in PDF format which we are providing here as part of our service commitment to you.    Click here to download the free "Consumer's Inspection Kit". Additional inspection resources:ASHI - The American Society of Home Inspectors has a lot of good resources related to inspection. Check out the "Virtual Home Inspection Tour".Online Built: Home Inspection KitNOTE: These are not meant to take of place of a professional inspection but to help you prepare for selling a property, to check for needed maintinance and improvements if you are a homeowner and give you some … (0 comments)

BreakTime: World's Easiest Quiz - 10/15/06 11:55 PM
Here's a quick quiz to test your present mental acuity... (to see if you've been spending to much time blogging :-).  Note: This quiz was forwarded to me a while back via email. It had no information about who the originator was, but if you have any idea, let me know so I can give due credit.WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ(Passing requires 4 correct answers)1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?2) Which country makes Panama hats?3) From which animal do we get catgut?4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?6) The Canary … (2 comments)

New Home Building Resource Articles - 10/15/06 01:12 AM
Here are a few resource articles I've compiled dealing with home building.  I hope you find them of some use.  Please click on corresponding tags in the tag list on the right for related articles.  Getting Housing Built Today, home builders and developers can't just propose a project, walk into city hall and expect to get approved. In areas where people worried about a shortage of housing options, they're now concerned about quality of life issues related to growth. Any strategy for approval should include: research, the early involvement of local officials, ongoing neighborhood and more. (Source: NAHB/The Saint Consulting Group) Full … (0 comments)

Remodeling and Home Improvement Resources - 10/14/06 11:49 PM
Here are articles and sites for anyone interested in home improvement or remodeling.  I hope you find them useful. (For related articles, click on the corresponding tags from the tag list on the right.)Cut Costs In Remodeling If you are considering to buy a "fixer-upper," this site can provide tips for keeping costs down. (Source: MSN Real Estate)  Full Story . . .   Home Improvement Articles RenovationExperts.com has a series of short home improvement articles on a variety of topics, including Bath/Kitchen, Decks & Porches, Remodeling & Room Additions, Lanscaping, Roofing and others.Click here to view these free online articles.  Home Glossary and House Facts … (0 comments)

CLI: Assessing Commercial Real Estate's Market Behavior - 10/14/06 11:19 PM
Where is the commercial real estate market headed? To help answer the question, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) developed a Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) designed to provide early signals of turning points - peaks and troughs - between expansions and contractions (slowdowns) of commercial real estate activity.  The index incorporates 13 variables that reflect future commercial real estate activity. The methodology follows a well-known process of looking at changes in individual indicators and then weighting them appropriately in a process that results in a single indicator of future market activity. The index was developed to assist NAR’s members specializing in … (0 comments)

Estate Planning: The Importance of Title In Your Deed of Trust - 10/14/06 12:25 AM
The names on the title of your property and the form of that title can impact your ability to stay in your home.  How you hold title can cut out your intended heirs or reduce their tax consequences. From a new perspective, think of the title to your property as part of your estate planning. For most Americans, their home is their largest asset.   This SRES article discusses several example scenarios of what can happen if not actively planning. It goes on to discuss the different types of title and the implications, such as what can happen as a result of divorce, bankrupcy or … (2 comments)

Tips For Saving Money On Healthcare for Older Adults and People With Disabilities - 10/13/06 11:11 PM
The Medicare Rights Center has five basic tips to help older adults and people with disabilities save money on their health care. 1. Go Online. The internet is a good source of health care information, including prescription drug price comparison web sites. For example,  Medicare Interactive, your one-stop, interactive web site provides older adults and people with disabilities, their caregivers and professionals user-friendly consumer information about health care benefits, rights and options at no charge. 2. Prevention. Did you get your “Welcome to Medicare Physical,” tested for diabetes and screened for cardiovascular disease? All these services are fully covered by Medicare Part B. For … (0 comments)

Is Your Website Ready For IE 7? - 10/13/06 10:34 AM
Ready or not, Microsoft's new version of Internet Explorer (IE 7) is scheduled to soon to be installed on a computer near you, around the 1st of November.   It will be done automatically through the Windows Update facility, so millions will be suddenly using the version.IE 7 Gold (the official release version) is scheduled for public release on October 18.   Reports indicate it is stable and there are currently no major issues with the software, although there are issues with sites that have optimized their web pages for the non-standard Internet Explorer 6 (and previous).This is now a good time, if you or … (3 comments)

Beige Book Just Released By Federal Reserve - 10/12/06 02:10 PM
The Federal Reserve just published their latest issue of the Beige Book.  It is available online. The following is a brief list of it's overall (national) summary findings (using data as of October 2):1. Economic activity continued to expand overall since the last report. 2. Consumer spending increased more quickly in a number of Districts, with several reports continued to note that automobile and home-related sales were sluggish. 3. Tourism was generally strong.4. Activity in the service sector expanded in most Districts but with pockets of softness is some industries. 5. Manufacturing conditions generally held up well, with all but one district indicating growth. 6. Commercial … (0 comments)

Lumber Resources A Major Concern To Builders - 10/12/06 01:33 PM
According to recent press releases from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), their industry is actively engaged in increasing foreign sources of wood products for importing into the U.S.  This effort is "a result of environmental and regulatory policies that have greatly reduced timber harvests from public lands, America today does not have the domestic capacity to meet its demand for lumber. Last year, more than 38 percent of the lumber used in the U.S. was imported, with Canada supplying the bulk of that amount. However, a new softwood lumber accord between the U.S. and Canada that is scheduled to take effect on Nov. 1 will … (0 comments)

Men Taking Back Their Space At Home! - 10/11/06 11:45 PM
"A man's home is his castle!"...There!!!  I said it....  It's time for men to boldly start taking back what's there's!!!!According  an  MSN Real Estate article written earlier this year,  "A century ago, male-centered rooms were common household features among the well-to-do. Billiards rooms and so-called 'snuggeries' were a man's respite from domestic life. Since then, the male space has been absorbed into the rest of the home. However, more American males seem to be responding by making a concerted effort to reclaim their space." "Ninety-eight percent of men want a space of their own, and the other 2% lie about it," … (2 comments)

NAR Field Guides for Investing In Commercial Property and Land - 10/11/06 06:03 PM
The NAR provides a wide range and depth of resources and support for commercial real estate.  It has developed Field Guides (online information and resources) covering many of the areas of interest to commercial investors, owners and managers of commercial property and land.   There is information that is introductory and tutorial as well as new ideas and resources for the experienced practitioners.  There is also information specifically for real estate agents that is also worthwhile for anyone using or contemplating using a Realtor's services -- to better understand and appreciate the value that a Realtor brings to any transaction in helping minimize risks and costs. Investing in Real Estate … (1 comments)

The Beige Book's Primary Reader: The Federal Open Market Committe (FOMC) - 10/10/06 11:56 PM
The Federal Reserve (The Fed) will soon publish its latest "Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by Federal Reserve District" or "Beige Book".  It will give a snapshot of the current economic conditions in each of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts.  The report is published two weeks prior to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) which meets eight times a year.  The Beige Book is part of the information that the FOMC reviews, discusses and utilizes to decide monetary policy. The Federal Reserve controls the three tools of monetary policy:open market operations - the purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury and federal agency … (0 comments)

Including YouTube Links In Your Blog Or Web Site - 10/10/06 12:31 PM
With the official announcement yesterday that Google will be buying YouTube (see my previous blog article for details) there will be more interest by business industries (including real estate) to develop ways they can leverage the marketing momentum and technology to further enhance their own marketing positions.Up until now, many considered YouTube more of a way for the public, especially youth and young adults, to easily swap personnel videos and share them with the world.  But it is expanding beyond that if you look at the variety of content.I can't provide an example in this blog because of administrative restrictions, but I did a couple … (5 comments)

Google Purchases YouTube - Will That Impact Real Estate Marketing? - 10/10/06 10:15 AM
The official announcement by Google yesterday that they were purchasing YouTube for 1.65 Billion in stock should give some indication of where Google is headed and where they believe the the industry is headed.  They plan on keeping YouTube a separate organization and retain it's name.
YouTube has exploded in popularity because of it's free access, ease of uploading of video and allowing simple setup and access from any web site or blog without requiring special software.  Google is taping into the large YouTube market share, which also competes with 2nd place MySpace for online video.With the blessing and backing of Google this will encourage … (2 comments)

Floors Need Insulating Too! - 10/09/06 11:58 PM
We all know that hot air rises, but the heat that warms the air is energy that radiates in all directions (moving from a hot to a cold surface) and can escape  through the floors of buildings.  Although you may have adequate insulation in your walls and ceilings, if your floors are not adequatly insulated then you are loosing a significant amount ot heat to your cold crawlspace or basement -- the colder the climate the more heat you will loose."The accepted solution is to insulate the floor itself, directly below and in contact with the subfloor. In that manner, heat loss is stopped right at … (0 comments)

Brick - Uses In and Around Your Property - 10/09/06 11:44 PM
Brick has been and continues to be a popular building material in and around any property. The Brick Industry Association's (BIA) website provides a wealth of information about applications, industry standards and other pertinent building issues involving uses of brick.They report that a University of Michigan study found that the adoption of a masonry ordinance not only enhances the durability and aesthetic value of local properties, but it also increases the property value, tax base, and overall fiscal health of the community. In addition, the research indicates that the adoption of a masonry ordinance promotes population growth and does not significantly affect the affordability of … (1 comments)

Delaware Valley - Concerts - 10/09/06 11:07 PM
The Delaware Valley has a large number of venues to see and hear music of all varieties.  For popular (non-Classical) music, the venues range in size from the Wachovia Center arena in Philadelphia ("Philly") and Tweeter Center in Camden (NJ) to the more intimate theaters, such as the Keswick Theater in Glenside (PA).  Classical music has its on set of world reknown centers (or click here) dedicated to that genre.  There are also community and school performing arts centers, such as the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center in Marlton (NJ) that offers nationally and even internationally recognized artists (including singers, instrumentalists, musicals, plays and even comedians, such as Bill … (0 comments)

Ideas For Improving Your Home - 10/08/06 04:07 PM
Here are some home improvement ideas, from a variety of souces, for enchancing your usable space and at least adding value to your living experience if not the home itself. Affordable Room Solutions: Space LiftsHere are some handy and affordable room redo tips that might be of interest to buyer-clients looking to buy now and to recent clients who just moved into their new home. Featured are plans for the foyer, bathroom, family room and kitchen. (Source: Kiplinger's Personal Finance)     Kitchen Countertop Choices Kitchen countertops take a lot of abuse, so it's important to choose a material that is durable and looks good as part of your … (0 comments)

Waiting to Burst: Polybutylene Plumbing - 10/08/06 02:54 PM
Polybutylene pipe (a type of plastic formed into piping), was thought to be the "pipe of the future" in the late 1970s as substitutes for copper plumbing. It was cheap, flexible and easy to install. What was not anticipated was that chlorine in city water supplies attacks the pipe from the inside out. Bursting polybutylene pipe has caused extensive damage to homes across the country.  It is estimated that Polybutylene was used in one out of every four houses built between 1978 and 1995, as many as 10 million homes. It was also used in many commercial applications.  It had heavy usage … (4 comments)

NAR Field Guides For Community Land Use Issues - 10/08/06 12:11 PM
Stakeholders in local communities both directly impact and are impacted directly by land use decisions that are made daily.  Stakeholders include governments and their officials, residential and commercial owners, local businesses, buyers and tenants, builders, developers, property managers and real estate brokers.   To better understand some of the issues and for possible strategies for implementing and dealing with the impact of policies and regulations involving land use issues, the NAR has developed informative online "Field Guides" to several land use topics, providing introductory and tutorial material and links to additional references and resources...  Inclusionary ZoningInclusionary zoning is a land-use concept in which local … (0 comments)

Delaware Valley - Transportation - 10/07/06 11:55 PM
One of the big advantages about living in Delaware Valley and South Jersey area is that you are right in the middle of everything with interesting and fun places to visit and sightsee, events, shopping and dining.  It's all here or within driving distance.   Below are some transportation resources.
NJ Dept. of Transportation - NJ Dept of Transportation (NJ DOT): Links to everything related to NJ transportation, including state and county maps, license information, turnpike and tolls, bus lines and schedules, alternate fuel credits, cycling, vanpools; plus roadway diagrams, traffic counts and much more. (New Jersey Turnpike Authority Maps)
E-ZPass - NJ Tolls - … (0 comments)

Agency Disclosure: Consumer Information Notices - 10/07/06 11:40 PM
One of the first requests that a consumer should expect to receive from a licensed real estate agent is a request to view and sign a Consumer Information Statement (also called a Consumer Notice, depending on state).State laws in the Delaware Valley (NJ, PA, DE and MD) require that all agents present a Consumer Information Statement (CIS) (or Consumer Notice) upon first contact with a real estate consumer.  The purpose is to inform and explain to the consumer about the different forms of agency relationship and what real estate office the agent is licensed under and representing.  The real estate codes/statutes … (0 comments)

State, City and Local Government Websites - 10/07/06 09:26 PM
StateLocalGov.net is a directory site with over 11,000 links to the websites of state government offices, U.S. federal, state, city and local governments and auxiliary agencies and services.   It ranges from a state's homepage or governor's site to the websites of state government officers, state legislatures, state judiciaries and departments across ALL states. Information is categorized by state as well as additional categories for federal resources, multi-state sites, national organization and other links. The next time you need to find a governmental or related organizational or supporting web site, check out this directory:StateLocalGov.net   For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web … (0 comments)

Principles for Temporary Communities - 10/06/06 11:59 PM
ULI Booklet -- A Result of Lessons Learned in the Gulf Coast Hurricanes of 2005Preparing for a major disaster before it happens can lead to a quicker recovery and is critical in helping displaced residents find shelter, according to a recent booklet by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). But rather than temporary housing, ULI recommends building temporary communities. (Source: ULI)Full Story...   Visit my web site for additional services and support: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com  and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).     Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  … (0 comments)

Flood - Coping Before, During and After - 10/06/06 11:53 PM
One of the most important things that you can do before a flood for the financial protection of your home and family is to purchase a flood insurance policy.
You can obtain a flood insurance policy through your insurance company or agent. Flood insurance is guaranteed through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Your homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Don't wait until a flood is coming to purchase a policy. It normally takes 30 days after purchase for a flood insurance policy to go into effect.
Nobody can stop a flood. … (0 comments)

The Delaware Valley - 10/06/06 10:30 PM
IntroductionThe Delaware Valley is a region that borders both sides of The Delaware River as it flows between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and then on between Delaware and New Jersey into to the Delaware Bay (and eventually out to the Atlantic Ocean).    It includes counties from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and even the upper right corner of Maryland (Cecil County).  It is primarily seen as a Tri-State (PA-NJ-DE) region including Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, encompassing the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. While the region has the Delaware River as its anchor, the term "Delaware Valley" is loosely used to identify as few as … (0 comments)

Eldercare Resources For Caregivers - 10/06/06 01:33 AM
Here are resources for elder caregivers that we hope will be useful.  As Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES), we are committed to supporting you...Low-Calorie Diet Tops Exercise for Staying Young New research suggests that while exercise helps ward off chronic ailments such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease that can shorten a normal lifespan, only cutting calories appears to slow down the primary aging process.  Anxiety Common in Elderly, Yet Often Undiagnosed and Under-treatedAnxiety may be the most common mental disorder experienced by older adults, affecting one in ten people over the age of sixty. As many as seven percent of people in this age … (0 comments)

Adult Attention Surplus Condition - 10/04/06 11:58 PM
We all have friends or relatives, or maybe it's we ourselelves, who have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).   While many regard it in a negative manner, here is someone who, as an adult with ADD himself, takes a more positive approach, calling it: Attention Surplus Condition.Pete Quily, a Canadian blogger, writes a blog, AdultADDStrengths.com, for adults with ADD and related disorders. While I'm not necessarily advocating his philosophies or topics discussed, it is a positive and encouraging site and also provides links to other ADD resources. His formula is: "ADD Knowledge + Awareness + Coaching + Action = Adult ADD Strengths."This is for any one whose friend or family member, … (0 comments)

Market-by-Market Home Price Analysis Reports From NAR - 10/04/06 10:49 PM
The NAR Research Division collects a wealth of marketing data for which it is continually updating and providing analysis for those of us in the real estate industry. Those analysis results kept us informed and up to date on market trends, identify significant sources of influences on those trends and anticipate future directions -- enabling us to better service our clients.NAR's lastest analysis reports just became available:  "Market-by-Market Home Price Analysis", giving "insight into the fundamentals and direction of housing markets in 119 of the nation's largest metropolitan regions".   Each metropolitan market is discussed in an 11-page report (downloadable in PDF format), evaluating the factors that effect home prices in … (0 comments)

Google's Other Search Site - 10/04/06 03:22 PM
I came across an article by CNET's News.com which talks about the other Google search site...?!  You're probably having the same confused reaction that I had, as I thought at first it was just a play on words or about some other competitor or feature.   But Google does have a separate unpublicized search site (or more accurately a search interface) that has no Google branding and is called "SearchMash".    SearchMash has a very simple blue and white colored home page with a text box to enter your keywords and the instructions "type one or more search keywords to get started" which, upon any typing, changes to "hit enter to get … (8 comments)

New ACS Data Highlights Changes In Housing Values Through 2005 - 10/03/06 08:49 PM
The American Community Survey (ACS), conducted by the Census Bureau, provides timely and updated information about the nation’s changing and diverse population every year. Without the ACS, this type of information — historically gathered just once a decade — would not be available for communities until 2012.  (Click here for ACS Q&A) The 2005 ACS data released today includes housing characteristic information for almost 7000 areas in the United States.  Click here for the 2005 American Community Survey Data and Narrative Profile Highlights.As almost everyone is well aware, the prices of housing has risen dramatically over the past few years between 2000 and 2005.  … (0 comments)

New Jersey In The Fall - Plenty to See and Do - 10/03/06 01:39 AM
The fall is one of the best times of the year.  And New Jersey is a great place to experience it in all it's variety.Local school sports are back in full swing with everything from nationally ranked soccer to football -- it's all action packed.  Outdoors, New Jersey provides scenic beauty and chances to enjoy parks and historical sites in a cooler, yet comfortable, atmosphere.   The Jersey Shore is still a great place to go to enjoy the walks on the beach and the boardwalks.  Many of the shops and stands will still be open, especially on the weekends.  In the early part … (0 comments)

Energy Central - Global Power and Gas Industries - 10/03/06 01:17 AM
Energy Central is a comprehensive resource for the global power and gas industries. Tens of thousands of professionals rely on Energy Central for daily news, events, information, and more, every business day.   It provides news, job connections, information on events, EnergyBiz magazine articles and archives, conferences and trade shows.
It also provides directories for trade organizations and associations, a calendar of events, market intelligence and research reports.  Its CIS Reports, the result of a survey of over 100 executives at utilities of all sizes across the US and Canada, is a comprehensive view of this important marketplace. Utility executives will find it invaluable for its insightful market analysis … (0 comments)

Google Search Cheat Sheet - 10/02/06 11:57 PM
Here's Google's help "Cheat Sheet" page for customizing and getting better results from your Google searches. Click here for Google Search Cheat Sheat.Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com  and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).     Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  … (2 comments)

Blog Software Comparison Chart - 10/02/06 11:54 PM
Here is a link to a "Blog Software Comparison Chart" published online earlier this year by the USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review comparing some of the standard online blogging software currently available:Blog Software Comparison Chart    Visit my web site for additional services and support: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com  and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).     Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 
… (0 comments)

Backup Up Your Data -- Why Worry? - 10/02/06 11:48 PM
How important is backing up you computer data, how often should you do it, and what's the best procedure?Backing up is extremely important!!! I can't stress firmly enough how critical it is to have proper backup procedures at your place of business and at home. If I can make you paranoid about not backing up, I will feel satisfied in instilling the proper importance and urgency of backups.Backups should be done on a regular basis commensurate with the frequency that your data changes and its cost to reproduce.  (Note: We are focusing here on your critical data: documents, databases, business applications, custom files … (0 comments)

Burlington County Library - More Than Just Books - 10/02/06 09:24 PM
The Burlington County Library System is more than just a collection of books.  The Library has a variety of services and materials located throughout the county available at one of their many convenient library locations. You'll find books on many subjects for both serious and leisure reading, including books listed in the New York Times Best Sellers list.   They also have large print books, videos, CDs, books on CD, CD-ROMs and eBooks. And if the item you want is already out, you can place a reserve with their automated catalog. Through it's online website and connected services it's Research Center provides a wealth of resources for … (0 comments)

Emporis Buildings - Free Database About Buildings and Their Cities Worldwide - 10/01/06 09:45 PM
Emporis Buildings bills itself as the world's largest publicly available database on architectural and building data. Their goal is to index and provide the most comprehensive and reliable technical data on all buildings and structures in order to compare cities and regions instantly. "In short they want to gather and present everything in the world which is of public or commercial interest.  This place is fascinating and their collection of building photographs around the world is a must see before traveling."Through this site you can access statistical, geographic and demographic summaries for major cities, as well as news, city sights and highlights, districts and zones, local … (0 comments)

Business.gov Newly Remodeled For Small Business - 10/01/06 01:41 AM
Business.gov, which was discussed in a prior blog article, has been revamped and re-released to better serve small businesses and make it easier to maintain governmental compliances.  It's now re-opened for businesses and billing itself as "The Official Business Link To The U.S. Government", providing a one-stop source to compliance assistance resources from all Federal regulatory agencies.According to busines.gov news releases, "One of the greatest challenges businesses face in dealing with the federal government is the large number of different agencies they must work with, each with its own set of regulations. Each agency organizes compliance information on its Web site differently, which could … (1 comments)

 

Lawrence Yerkes - Broker Associate, Southern New Jersey Real Estate Services

Medford Township, NJ

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