Latest Articles by mbentz

The Average House To Sell For Less In 2008

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The housing market declined substantially in the last quarter of 2007. The average selling price of a single family home was down by 8.4 per cent. Analysts are predicting a weaker market for real estate in most areas of the country for at least the first half of this year also. Many sellers will have to settle for a lower price if they plan to sell a house in 2008.

Dream houses may be easier to afford for many people now. The interest rates on mortgages are still very low by conventional standards, and the recent cuts in the prime rate by the federal reserve board may help people buy better housing at a lower overall cost. Many new home buyers are getting the best of both worlds if they buy a house now. The waters have not been this good for a long time.

The average buyer in the housing market will be able to buy more house for the money if this trend continues. For example, if a house previously was priced at $210,000, the same property would sell for $181,860 if the housing market were to decline by another 5 per cent in the coming months.

If a sharp buyer was to keep posted on the many foreclosures that are coming up, they would be in a good position to make an excellent deal on a good property. Foreclosures have been on the rise during this period of market unrest. Now is a good time to be on the lookout for distressed properties to buy.

The options for a person looking to buy a house have not been this good for quite a while. This combination of factors makes it very lucrative for the purchase of a new home. Many mortgage companies will be competing fiercely for the home buyer's business in 2008. Be aware that every 1/4 point less that you pay on your mortgage does make a difference on the payment, and the overall cost of your new home. For a complete analysis, you must consult a mortgage calculator or an amortization table.

With new housing starts down also, lenders will be looking to fill the gap with loans on existing homes. It is a good idea to shop around for the best interest rate and terms on a mortgage in the near future because the market will be dynamic and the conditions will change daily. In this case, the early bird will be the one catching the best worm.

Keep a sharp eye for the mortgage deal that you want. With a house to sell for much less, and lower interest rates, the opportunities can come quickly. Stay focused on your goal of home ownership. This time may be the best yet for you to get the house you really want.

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Jon J. Howard is a recognized economics trend analyst and author. Visit the Low interest rate mortgage loan kiosk for powerful mortgage advice. What you know can save you money!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Listen To Free Online Music By April Wine

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

April Wine, one of rock's longest running acts, is hitting the road again this year in grand style. April Wine will take the stage for their season opening concert at South Burlington, VT. on February 9, 2008. Look for a new stage and sound show, but with all the kick-ass old favorites coming your way just as you remember them. The word is that some new material is going to be played in this tour. 22 shows have been set so far.

If you don't remember April Wine, don't feel bad, I didn't catch their great sound until I was 21 or so. The first album I heard was "Nature of the Beast", and the studio version of "Sign of the Gypsy Queen" blew me away! Its intensity and drive filled my senses with a feeling of acoustical power and mystery. The lyrics become one with your soul very quickly.

This is true of all April Wine's songs, they all seem to strike a chord with the listener on a personal level. "The Nature of the Beast" is a great album to start your April Wine collection with. It brings out the best of the band and you will enjoy every song.

If you like what you hear, you can catch the band in concert through next December. The show promises to be a good one. The sound of April Wine only gets better when played live. All the intensity of a 70's rock rock band shines through along with a great deal of artistic pride.

You will have to attend a concert to find out what is in store for you. The details of the play list probably have not been decided by the band yet either. But of course, it is always best to get advance seating. Believe me folks, this is a hell of a show. These guys are rockers from the word go. You can't miss by seeing April Wine in concert.

So, support your favorite rock bands, and they will be around to perform for a long time to come. Check out websites, join fan clubs, and by all means attend a concert for your enjoyment. Music is a great way to bring peace to the world, one song at a time.

April Wine is a 4 member band that dates back to the early 1970's. Their illustrious career has spanned 36 years. They released their 16th album in 2006. Their new album is called "Roughly Speaking". If you want to hear a sample of April Wine's newer stuff, you can listen to free online music tracks here: http://www.aprilwine.ca/songs/audio.htm

To see a list of all the concerts that have been set so far, visit http://www.aprilwine.ca/tourdates.php

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Jon is a recognized author. He writes articles for SavePress Publications on a variety of subjects. Visit http://www.savepress.com/ for more great articles.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

How To Buy Cool Cars At A Major Discount

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

There's an old saying... "Let the buyer beware". This is something all car buyers should remember when shopping for a new car or truck. Somebody has to pay for the car dealer's building payments, expenses, employee's salaries, etc. It costs a car dealer a certain amount of money to stay in business. I found the best way to avoid the high prices that the car dealers want you to pay. I call this the 'Smart Car Buyers Secret Weapon'.

Let's say you have your eye on a new orange 2007 model Ford Mustang. It really doesn't matter what the exact price of the Mustang is right now, but you can bet that if you tried to buy it off the dealer's showroom floor you would pay top dollar for that Mustang. Yea, maybe you could dicker with the salesman and get a better than sticker price and walk away with a great car. But compared to what I am going to show you, you would be wasting literally thousands of dollars just because you bought the car to soon.

See, the truth of the matter is that a new car depreciates (loses value) as soon as it is bought and driven off the lot. If you buy a new car or truck, the vehicle will lose 20 more the year after that. By the end of the 2nd year the car will have depreciated another 20 on your car purchase.

Another interesting fact for smart car buyers is that the standard dealer's markup for the cars they sell is 18-20 more than he paid for the car or truck. Then you can arrive at a fair price you will pay for the car you want and strike a better deal with the car salesman. By keeping these smart car buying facts in mind, you should be able to get the model of car you really want at a price you want to pay.

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Jon is a recognized author. He writes articles for SavePress Publications on a variety of subjects.
Visit Savepress.com for all types of tips for better living.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

4 Ways To Increase Your Company's Sales

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

When faced with diminishing sales or a shift in profitability, sometimes a company will seek opportunities to expand sales by using different marketing methods. These time-tested marketing principles are used by businesses to seek out new opportunities to satisfy the needs of the consumer.

There are 4 ways to increase sales and expand revenue for your company. It is not necessary to use more than one of these methods. The best choice of the 4 methods is the one that will meet the needs of the company and the consumer best. This will provide a win-win situation for all concerned.

To increase sales consider one of the following methods for seeking opportunities in your target market:

1. Market Penetration:

Increase the market share of your current products in your present market. By up scaling your marketing mix you can increase your sales. To do this you advertise your present products more frequently and promote your company's image to the public through institutional advertising and publicity.

2. Market Development

You can also try to sell your present products in new markets. You have to do some market research on the needs of the consumers in these markets first. Your product may have other demographic groups that need it as well. This is a recommended area to investigate for more profit. Often your present products are in demand in other locations, with other age groups, or professional groups. This is an opportunity for more sales many companies look for.

3. Product development

You can increase your sales by offering new and improved products to your present market. This will give you an edge over your competition. Your customers will view your company as being progressive and up to date. This is not only a great way to increase sales, but your customers will remember your company because of the unique product you sell.

4. Diversification

If you are well established in one line of business, you may wish to diversify into a totally new one. This means moving into a new market with a new product. This can keep your profits on the rise. Here again, market research and marketing plans have to be made first.

As you can see there are opportunities for gaining sales in all four areas. The best choice for your business depends on your goals and the resources you have. The best way to capitalize on these strategies is to start with your present strengths and look for market opportunities that complement them. Then do your market research and planning. The sky is the limit when you plan ahead using these proven marketing tactics.

This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.

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Marc Entz is the Editor of The SavePress Smart Money Directory, a new upbeat site for people who like valuable resources for saving money. You can read several articles with tips for business or pleasure, or catch up on a variety of related news at our website online now: SavePress Smart Money Articles

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

How Do Rich People Become Rich?

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Do you ever wonder how wealthy individuals became that way? There are some things that they have in common. The first thing that most rich people have in common is that they did not start out rich to begin with. In fact, most rich people today worked very long hours at their business to achieve the kind of success that the rest of us admire.

There are also some basic characteristics you will find in people who are successful. As they will tell you, motivation and perserverance are crucial to success in any venture. Other attributes of rich people that make them so successful are their commitment to the core values in their lives.

To summarize the characteristics a wealthy person, you must look for these things about them:

1. Strong self-confidence

Rich people are usually highly self confident in their actions. They maintain a positive mindset and convey it to others. This self confidence is what allows them to perservere through adversity.

2. Good money habits

A rich person looks at money differently than the average person would. The rich person treats money as an investment tool and not as something to merely save and spend. They invest their money prudently and wisely with the position of growing wealth as their primary goal.

3. Value time

When it come to time management, a rich person knows that time is money. Even though we need time to rest and relax, time management skills are used extensively by successful people to further their agendas.

4. Network with other individuals in high circles of influence

The people that a rich person works with and socializes with are important to their financial interests. A successful businessperson will always be around other successful people. This is how they keep moving in a positive direction financially.

5. Invest in themselves and their future

A strong characteristic of the ultra rich is the fact that they spend time and money educating themselves. A rich person will spend the necessary time and money to achieve their goals. They realize that you can never save enough money to become wealthy. Hard work and proper money management are key elements to the rich person's financial strategy.

It is one thing to read about how rich people act and become wealthy. The way every rich person started out was to take action on their own behalf though. If you have the mindset to work hard and invest your time and money in the right places, maybe you can rank in the company of the most wealthy someday. You can start building your own prosperity today with these principals in hand. The future is yours if you take action now.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Prepare a Car Emergency Survival Kit For Safe Summer Travel

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Road travel has changed, and cars break down less often these days. Yet unforeseen occurances do happen. For example, do you know the best way to escape from your car if you were trapped by a jammed seat belt? Could you break the window to escape the car if it was under water? This is why a knowledgable driver should prepare for the worst by putting together a smart car emergency survival kit before traveling.

Flat tires and dead batteries happen. If this happens to you in an remote area, could you get back on the road without hours of hassle? A word to the wise is to carry an emergency kit in your car at all times. The best emergency kit for your car is one you design yourself. However, there are basic tools and items you should include in your car's emergency kit.

Two of the basic tools every car should have in the trunk are jumper cables and a spare tire. You also need a good jack designed for stable and quick tire replacement. Remember to include some flares to alert other drivers to slow down and avoid hitting you while you change the car's tire.

There are also times that you will be unable to run the car's engine for heat. Carry a couple extra large blankets in case you are stranded in cold weather. This can save your life by stopping frostbite.

A cell phone is also a traveler's best friend in an emergency. Calling for help early may avoid disaster. Know the right emergency help numbers. Don't hesitate to call for help when it is necesssary.

It is also a good idea to keep a brand new first aid kit in every vehicle you travel in. This can be a big help for burns, cuts and abrasions. This is an important item that you will appreciate should something bad happen.

You will want to keep a sharp knife or cutting tool in the driver's door storage area to cut through a seat belt. Special tools are made specifically for this purpose. You can also use one of these tools to break the window of your car should you become trapped.

Finally, you need to keep a basic tool kit that includes screwdrivers, wrenches, and a socket set for minor emergency repairs. You should also have some different fuses in case one of them happens to burn out.

With an emergency survival kit in your car, your travels should be pleasant and enjoyable. The peace of mind you get from having an emergency kit like this in your car is worth every penny you spend putting it together.

This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Dating Advice For Men

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

You want to ask a lady to go on a date with you. Do you wonder what it takes to ask her out and have her say yes? The answer might surprise you because of its simplicity. Women like to be treated with respect and courtesy. Act kind, be gentle, and be honest about your feelings with her. Your lady will surely want to go out with you when you approach her this way. There are, however, some things to remember before you go out on that first date.

First be sure to ask her if she would like to go out with you when you are both alone. Do not ask her for a date when you are in front of others. This may embarrass her, and she might decline your invitation altogether.

It is best to request a minute with her alone and tell her how much you would like to spend a fun evening with her. Then just ask if she would like to join you on a specific night for a quiet dinner and a show. Let her know the day and time you want to go for dinner. This is important because she needs time to prepare for the date also. This is the best way to get her to agree to the first date.

You can use these simple tips to ensure your date will be a memorable one for both of you:

Look good, be neat. Put extra effort into the way you look. Take the time to be well groomed, smell nice and choose your clothes well. Make a good impression, so you can charm her and she can be proud of you.

Do not be late. Prepare for the big day ahead. Make the necessary reservations and plans for your date. She will be impressed that you put effort into planning your big night together. Be sure that during the 'big day' you have no unnecessary appointments so you will be there on time.

Be polite. Be sure to make her feel special by complimenting the way she looks. Add to the moment by asking her about herself or something you know she is interested in. This lets her know that you are truly interested in her. This helps the flow of conversation.

Say her name. Make it a point to say her name ever so often in your conversation. This will make her feel special and let her know you care about her. Smile and enjoy the moments you are sharing. One good feeling leads to another. This is true for the both of you.

Lighten the mood with laughter. When you both laugh, it means you are having fun. She is having a nice time, and the positive energy between you is growing. This will be an occasion she will remember! The best part is that she will remember you as the man she enjoyed this special time with.

Relax and enjoy the evening. Dating should be exciting and relaxing for both of you. Following these tips will give you more confidence and lead to a memorable date for you and your lady. Enjoy yourself!

This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Important Mexican Vacation Travel Tips

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

If you enjoy traveling to exotic places, you must know the basic customs of the country. Prepared travelers have more fun! Get yourself a planning guide and familiarize yourself with the area you want to visit first. If you are going to Mexico for a vacation in the Sun, here is a checklist of tips to make your trip go smoothly:

1. Make sure you have a photo Identification Card (such as a passport or a driver’s license), your tourist card (which is proof of your permission to visit Mexico), and your proof of citizenship.

2. Learn to speak Spanish.

Spanish is the main language spoken in Mexico. Although some residents can communicate in and understand English, Spanish is still the language spoken for trade and commerce. Spanish is easy to learn and once you have been familiarized with the sentence construction, you can easily converse with the locals using an English/Spanish dictionary.

3. Take note of the following items that are allowed to be brought into Mexico:

* Personal clothing, footwear and toiletries in practical quantities
* Magazines and books
* Personal medicines and prescriptions
* Used sporting equipment, fishing equipment or tennis rackets
* One portable TV and VCR and one typewriter
* Cassettes and records, not exceeding 20
* One still camera and movie camera, and no more than twelve rolls of film
* A musical instrument
* No more than three liters of alcohol-containing beverages, and 50 cigars or 400 cigarettes, provided the tourist is over eighteen years old

4. Before entering Mexico, there are two forms to be filled out. It is better to have a black pen for these. The first one is the temporary visa. The second form is for the Customs and Taxation called Hacienda. These are usually distributed at the airline ticket counter or while on the plane.

5. Although there are businesses that accept foreign currency, make sure that you still have some of your dollars exchanged for the Mexican peso. Credit cards with MasterCard, Visa and AmEx logo are also accepted. Bring traveler’s checks for safe access to more money.

6. Store photocopies of your tickets and a list of traveler’s checks in a location different than the original documents.

7. Drink bottled water or sufficiently boiled water. Never drink tap water under any circumstances. Before eating fruits and vegetables, wash these in a purifying solution, peel them and cook them.

Make your trip to Mexico a safe and enjoyable one. Follow these tips and your vacation will be pleasant and memorable!

This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.

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Marc Entz recommends that you visit the SavePress Resource Center for more great travel tips: http://www.savepress.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Fat Burning Foods Are A Tasty Way To Lose Weight Faster

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Nobody likes to diet. But what if you could make tasty meals yourself that would speed up the process of losing weight? By combining 'negative calorie' fruits and vegetables into salads and other dishes at mealtime, you can accelerate your weight loss in a delicious way.

Negative calorie foods are not new and have been discussed in weight loss circles for years. They are essentially fruits and vegetables that make your body use more calories (units of heat) to digest than they contain themselves. When you eat them as part of your diet, the net result is a negative calorie balance. This will help you lose weight faster.

Here is a short list of popular negative calorie fat burning foods:

* Asparagus
* Apples
* Beets
* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Carrots
* Cauliflower
* Celery
* Cucumbers
* Garlic
* Grapefruit
* Lettuce
* Oranges
* Papaya
* Pineapples
* Raspberries
* Spinach
* Strawberries
* Turnips
* Zucchini

As you can see there are many fat burning foods to choose from. The way to achieve faster weight loss with these foods is to eat more of them more often. Let's explore your options for the many ways to include them in your diet. First pick out the vegetables from the list that you like to eat. Write them down on a piece of paper. Then list your favorite fruits below them on the same piece of paper.

Your objective is to use as many of your favorite fat burning foods incorporated with the other foods you prepare. For example, when you eat your daily salad incorporate as many fat burning foods as you can to make a tasty salad for yourself. You can start with lettuce, add shredded carrots, a few cucumber slices, sliced or diced apples and maybe a little pineapple. On the side you might add a few strawberries and a couple pieces of celery.

For a snack you can make sugarless Jello with shredded carrots included. Another good snack is your own special fruit salad prepared ahead of time. You can top it with a sugarless whipped cream. Be creative. Find ways to use garlic in your cooking instead of salt. Use fat burning vegetables as the complementary ingredients when you cook your meals. You will soon become accustomed to using these foods first in your meals.

By their very nature, you can eat as many of them in your diet as you wish. The more of these foods you eat on a daily basis, the more weight you can lose and keep off. Remember to also eat other sensible low fat foods and protein to stay healthy. Never go on a crash negative food diet only. The idea is to increase your use of these foods, not to replace your total diet with them.

A well rounded lifestyle that includes the right foods and exercise will result in you reaching your goal weight faster. Fat burning foods can be your secret weapon in the battle of the bulge. It's a tasty way to lose those unwanted pounds.

This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.

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Marc recommends a sensible diet plan designed by a certified nutritionist.

Here is an accelerated weight loss plan that is guaranteed to be fast and effective:

http://www.slimdiet.savepress.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

How To Write A Killer Article In 5 Easy Steps

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

You may not know it, but you have an easy way to bring targeted traffic to your site. You can write articles for publication in ezines that will continue to bring you traffic to your site long after they appear online. Just think of this as an unstoppable traffic generator for your online business.

You do not have to be a Hemingway to be a great article writer. There are some basic rules to follow though. Here are 5 steps to writing a good article that will attract attention and result in more traffic and sales for your business.

ACTION STEP 1 - Create A Hot Title

You must grab the attention of the reader first. People scan everything before they commit to reading it. Let them know what the article is about in a way that makes them want to dig into it for more information. Two classic ways to make a good title are to use a "How to" format, such as, "How To Get A Base Hit 7 Times Out Of Ten", and the "Tips" format, which might go something like this: "5 Super Easy Tips To Relieve Stress".

ACTION STEP 2 - Get Your Reader's Attention With An Interesting Opening Sentence

The next most important part of writing your article is to grab the reader with a powerful first sentence. This will keep them interested and wanting more information. Two of the best ways to hook your reader is to ask a question or to state a fact.

A question should make the reader curious to find out the answer by finishing the article. If you state a fact, you must make it the basis for the rest of your article.

ACTION STEP 3 - Discuss The Main Points In The Body Of The Article

Here is where you provide the content of your article, and the solutions to the problem that you are solving for the reader. Your purpose here is to educate and inform. Address each problem and follow it with the solution. Or if you are giving tips to your reader, you can list each tip in the order that best solves their problem.

ACTION STEP 4 - Summary and Ask Your Reader To Take Action

Always include a brief summary for maximum results. Then tell your reader why it is important for them to take action now. Give a benefit or two as an incentive for them to respond now. This can be a link to your website or newsletter. After all, this was the primary purpose of your article.

ACTION STEP 5 - Include A Powerful Resource Box After Your Article

You absolutely need to make a resource box promoting your website, eBook, eCourse or affiliate program. The resource box gives the reader another way to get more information. This will spur the traffic to your promotion as your article is read by more people. Create a resource box that tells who you are and what you are offering to the reader. This should take no more than 3-6 lines of text.

These 5 steps will ensure that you have an article that people will want to read and then visit your website. Just use this easy 5 step format and simply fill in the details with your own information. Then distribute your articles to ezine and newsletter publishers in your business niche. The result will be more targeted traffic and increased visibility for your business.

This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.

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View other articles by Marc here:

http://www.savepress.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com