Document

Kate Jambors

Kate JamborOffice 417-241-6843

wwwkatejamborcom

Dear Friends

Out with the old and in with the new Parties galore last minute plans springing into action

and lots and lots of confetti Whatever could it be Goal setting resolution making and

willpower getting a major work out With all the change in the air it must be New Years

This month in Welcome Home magazine start the New Year off right Take a look at why the

right way of buying a house should always involve a realtor Is one of your New Year goals

flipping a house Let us help you reach that goal by giving you the tools you need to

successfully flip a house without becoming too attached Not quite sure if a house is for you

Take a gander at our top ten signs there is a better home out there for you And just a word

of caution if you see a house that shows any of these signs run away But only as far as

your Realtors office

Please enjoy this issue of the magazine Have a prosperous January and as always

Welcome Home

If you have comments or suggestions please email us at welcomehomeactiveezinecom

we love to hear from you Also if there is a subject that you would like to see covered let us

know We look forward to hearing from you

Kate Jamborwwwkatejamborcom

417-241-6843

4 Recipe And Design A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to

5 Wanna Flip A HouseWell do you Oh good Herersquos how

6 - 7 Finding The Best Contractor Make a remodel or flip go a lot smoother by hiring the right help

8 Oops Avoid These Common Mistakes When Buying PropertyA common sense guide to mistake free home buying

9 10 Things You Need To Know About Buying ForeclosuresThe need to know info on how to buy a foreclosure

10 - 11 Why Use A RealtorThings you need to know about why you need a Realtor

12 - 13 Donrsquot Touch That House10 things to watch out for when buying a house

14 - 15 Products To LoveHot trends technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more

16 City SpotlightCheck Out Lake Tahoe your all-season vacation destination

17 Businesses That Make A DifferenceTomrsquos Shoes changing the world one pair of shoes at a time

Table of Contents

Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only This magazine is not

intended to solicit other brokersʼ listings If you are currently working

with another broker please disregard this information

The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by US Cybertek Inc or any of its subsidiaries divisions affiliates agents representatives licensors licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety effectiveness or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions safety bulletins and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries divisions affiliates agents representatives licensors licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct indirect incidental consequential special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods andor products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein Publisher disclaims all warranties and any warranty or guarantee of safety merchantability or fitness for any part icular purpose l ies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended

Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor

All pictures courtesy of sxchu unless otherwise noted

Welcome Home

Mini Caprese Bites

Recipe and Design

Preparation

1 Thread 1 tomato half 1 piece of cheese and another tomato half onto each skewer Place skewers in a shallow serving dish

2 Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients Drizzle oil mixture over skewers sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste

1 (8-oz) package fresh mozzarella cut into 12-inch cubes may be substituted

Wooden picks may be substituted

Marci Parham Birmingham Alabama Southern Living MAY 2008

Ingredients

bull 1 pt grape tomatoes halvedbull 10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls cut into

thirdsbull 32 (4-inch) wooden skewersbull 14 cup extra virgin olive oilbull 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegarbull 14 teaspoon kosher saltbull 14 teaspoon pepperbull 6 thinly sliced fresh basil leavesbull Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Prep 20 min Grape tomatoes vary in size from week to week at the grocery store some pints we found had only 24 while others had more than 40 Good news you should still have enough mozzarella balls because they are generally sold in 8-oz containers that have more than enough

Yield Makes 8 appetizer servings

Instructions1 Sand the pears lightly to de-gloss the surfaces

2 Paint the pears with one to two coats of silver paint allowing the paint to dry between coats Paint the leaf stems and backs of the leaves silver

3 Add silver leaf Apply adhesive to the pears Let the adhesive set for about 30 minutes until tacky Apply silver leaf over the adhesive brush off the excess with a soft brush

4 Seal the pears with a clear protective sealer following the manufacturers directions

5 Add silver leaves Wrap the stem of a leaf around the stem of each pear

6 Arrange items in silver bowl Cut the stems of the artificial roses short Arrange the pears and roses in bowl as desired

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardenscom

What You Need

bull 7 plastic pears with stemsbull Fine sandpaperbull Acrylic paint in metallic silverbull Paintbrushbull Silver die-cut leavesbull 2 oz gold leaf adhesivebull Silver leaf in a 25-sheet packagebull Soft brushbull Spray sealerbull 7 white silk rosesbull Silver bowl

Silver Leaf Pears

These make a eye catching addition to any holiday table

If youre looking for a way that you can boost your investment portfolio you may want to think about real estate Many investors have found that flipping houses is one way that you can build up quite a bit of money However there are investors that have lost a lot of money when trying to flip houses as well The good news is that there are some top secrets that the professional house flippers use that you can use for success when flipping houses for profit

Secret 1 - Be an Expert in Your LocationIf you are going to flip houses it is best to just work in one location and become an expert in that location Learning important local data can help you to be successful as you flip houses for profit Some of the statistics you should know is the number of homes that have sold the month before the houses that are for sale in the area the average selling prices and whether or not home are sitting vacant while waiting to sell This local information can be invaluable and can help to save you from crashing and burning when you start investing in real estate

Secret 2 - Always Do the MathBefore you ever do a deal make sure that you do the math and your due diligence Take time to check comparable homes and ensure that they are accurate comps for what you are working with The last thing you want to do is purchase a home and then get stuck with it realizing that it isnt worth as much a you thought it would be This is why doing the due diligence before a deal is so important for your success

Secret 3 - Treat it Like a BusinessIf youre going to start flipping homes you must treat this as a business Its easy to get attached to a home but if you do youll start making mistakes If you avoid becoming emotionally involved with a home you will make the right decisions and save money Remember you need to do the numbers not think about how much you love about the home Stay detached if you want to make money

Secret 4 - Avoid Mistakes By Getting AdviceIn some cases you may end up making some repairs on home before you are able to resell them If this is the case avoid mistakes by getting some advice If you have some plans drawn up for construction on the home always have someone else take a look at them Having another pair of eyes to take a look at your plans can save you a lot of money since they can see mistakes and flaws that you may miss So make sure you get some advice to help you make the right decisions

Secret 5 - Only Work with Quality PeopleYoull be working with quite a few other professionals when you begin flipping homes Youll be working with real estate agents and some contractors as well You want to make sure that you only work with quality people If you surround yourself with top quality professionals it will make your job easier and help you succeed Ask around and check into the reputation of the people you work with to ensure theyll help you successfully flip homes for profit

Wanna Flip A HouseLearn From These 5 Secrets

Written by Joel McDonald Courtesy of Isnarecom

Its finally time to tackle that big home improvement project youve always wanted to do Or you might have waited so long now you need to do the project Which leads to your first question - Where do I start

Well the truth is some jobs are simply too big too complicated or require too much time to handle on your own Whether its remodeling a kitchen installing gutters or electrical rewiring for your business - youll likely need an expert

A contractor or subcontractor can be your knight in shining armor when it comes to completing your project But wait youve heard so many horror stories connected with shady contractors that youre starting to re-think this re-model But statistics show that the huge majority of contractors out there are honest hard-working professionals Most people are happy with any improvement project they undertake

Fine you say How can I protect myself and make sure I find a great contractor Im glad you asked Here are some standard tips you can follow to make sure your repair remodel or installation goes well

bullbull Got License Most states require that a contractor have a license to operate in that state Once you find a

contractor check to see if he or she has a local contracting license to do the job Check out our Resources Page for the State Licensing Board for your state requirements

bullbull Check References - get at least three references from satisfied clients And if you want to get really

fanatical go to the contractors current job site See if the site is messy Are the workers taking care of the property

bullbull Get Bids - if you have the luxury get multiple bids from several contractors Dont always assume that the

lowest bid is the best because that contractor may be desperate for work or might cut corners on the job But if you get contractors from several sources you could get a really great deal

bullbull Get it in Writing - the days of the handshake deal are far behind us Get a detailed contract together and

throw everything in (even if the project doesnt involve the kitchen sink) The more you clarify the fewer headaches youll have if things go wrong

bullbull Do You Take a Check Dont ever pay in cash Can you say Proof of payment I thought you could

Keep logs of all payments (for example - 10 down 20 by one date another 20 by another date final payment when work is complete) and pay with check or credit card only

bullWait a minute you protest That sounds like a lot of work Sure it does Because it is a lot of work If you think a renovation or remodeling job is expensive imagine having to pay for it twice Do your homework and youll avoid being a horror story

How to Find the Best Contractor

Okay Now that you know about the warning sign And here are some signs you may have found a really good contractor

bull The contractor has at least 4 to 5 years experience It shows they can manage their business and complete their projects

bull The contractor has insurance Liability and workers compensation are the most important types of coverage to make sure everyone is covered

bull The contractor has more than references - he or she may even carry a book of photos showing past work projects that have been completed

bull The contractor provides cost breakdowns for the job These breakdowns show specific details of what the project will cost to complete

bull The contractor is flexible Communicate all your requirements and specifications for the project Whether you two decide that you want to supervise the work or you want to let the contractor make all the decisions your contractor will be flexible enough to work with you

Okay am I ready Yes now youre ready to hire a professional to help get your home or business improvement project off the ground One of the best ways to protect yourself is the act of due diligence Websters defines due diligence as The care that a prudent person might be expected to exercise in the examination and evaluation of risks affecting a business transaction In simplified terms - Do your homework And youll do just fine

Have fun and make the most out of your experience Dont forget to return to wwwConstructionDealcom when its time for your next residential or commercial improvement repair or remodeling job And send us your Before and After pictures

Written by Tim Clark Courtesy of articlesbasecom

Are there any warning signs of a bad contractor you ask Boy you sure do ask a lot of questions And thats good Always ask a lot of questions The more you know the better prepared youll be to handle the unexpected

Okay these are signs a contractor might not be your best choice

bullbull If required by the state your contractor doesnt want to show you his or her license Or wont give you

references Or you two dont get along Keep in mind this person may be in your home working side-by-side with you for several months - youd better get along

bull Your contractor wants you to pay for the entire project up front Run for the hills

bull Your contractor has a friend in the financing business that can get you a good deal on a loan for your project Youll end up with a huge 2nd mortgage at a ridiculously high rate and your contractor just got a juicy commission on the deal

bull Your contractor doesnt have a business address a business card and it looks like the contractor sleeps in his or her pickup truck Run really fast for those hills

Most of the mistakes made when purchasing a home often results in problems that are hard to rectify To ensure that you dont have to life with the consequences of your own bad judgment look out for these common mistakes made when purchasing property

Mistake 1 Grabbing the First Loan You are Offered

Shop around until youve found the best deal and talk to professionals friends andor real estate agent for referrals Make sure you get all your quotes on the same day at around the same time as interest rates might differ from day to day

Mistake 2 Getting the Location Wrong

Location is everything and you dont want to go wrong here Once again consider all your needs such as the areas proximity to your place of work public transport schools etc and make sure you pick the area for the right reasons Also look at future development in the area to ensure that you investment is secure

Mistake 3 Not Using the Services of a Real Estate Agent

To refuse the services of an experienced agent is a mistake that a lot of buyers make They forget that an agent is used to handling transactions negotiating and has knowledge of property prices in the area Good agents have the ability to keep things in perspective and help you to be rational when things get too stressful

Mistake 4 Getting the Price Wrong

Your agent will assist you in getting the price right by among other things comparing the house prices in the area Again this shows the importance of using an agent

Mistake 5 Buying Beyond Your Limits

You will always find buyers purchasing a property which leaves them without any disposable income as they are unable to deal with the monthly down payment as well as other costs like insurance property tax etc Avoid this common mistake by

carefully calculating how much home you can afford Choose a maximum price and stick to it

Mistake 6 Being Overhasty

There are a lot of emotions involved in purchasing a home which can lead to buyers jumping into a deal prematurely Be prepared to spend a lot of time house hunting to avoid disappointment

Mistake 7 Passing on the Inspection

As a buyer you might feel that you are qualified enough to sniff out any problems Unfortunately this can cost you dearly Be smart and get a qualified property inspector to check the property before you buy it

Mistake 8 Over Spending Before Closing

Taking on debt before closing the deal might mean that you no longer qualify for the mortgage Rather wait till after the closing before you start buying new furniture and other essentials for the new home

Mistake 9 Not Reading the Contract

Property contracts can be confusing and hard to grasp but it is essential that you know what you are committing yourself to Make sure you understand all terms and conditions and ask for advice if you are unsure of anything Never just sign on the dotted line

Mistake 10 Not Budgeting for Closing Costs

Remember to budget for closing cost (attorney fees recording fees survey fees brokerage commission etc) and remember that you will always have hidden cost whether it is interest rate hikes or personal financial requirements

Buying a property has its fair share of ups and downs but can be a pleasant experience if you look out for the common mistakes made

Written by Elizabeth McLachlan Courtesy of articlesbasecom Photo by Scott Liddell

Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes When Buying Property

OOPS

When it comes to buying foreclosures every investor needs to be aware of certain aspects that can either make or break their bargain The appeal of a foreclosed property is often found in the hidden potential that a home is thought to possess but the fact that it can be purchased at a price that is often far less than the current market value is an equally attractive incentive to most buyers While foreclosed properties can and often do produce a profitable return for investors itrsquos important to keep the following in mind when perusing properties

- Not every foreclosure is open to inspection This means that you may or may not be able to view or evaluate the property and could be required to make a decision based on nothing more than a visual and any information provided in the foreclosure listing

- If a foreclosed property is open to inspection it will be up to potential buyers to hire an inspector for the purpose of evaluating any necessary repairs or improvements This will aid investors in the decision as to how much money they wish to pay for a property by giving them an indication of the work and cash needed to restore it

- If you plan on buying foreclosures while they are still inhabited either by the previous owners or renters you will be responsible for removing them In some cases eviction may even be necessary

- Buying foreclosures means purchasing a property lsquoas isrsquo with no guarantee as to its condition

- Investors who plan on buying foreclosures from HUD are permitted to enter the bidding process if no person(s) wish to bid as an owner-occupant The initial phase of a HUD foreclosure auction is open only to those who wish to live in the home

- Each state handles the process of buying foreclosures differently but nearly every one offers a redemption

period that would allow the former owner to regain control of the property by catching up on payments and interest Buying foreclosures means that you need to be aware of local laws and how they may affect the ownership of a property

- If you require financing itrsquos important to check with a lender to arrange for a mortgage before placing a bid on a foreclosure In at least one respect buying foreclosures is similar to the purchase of other real estate in that the failure to complete the transaction may result in the loss of any earnest money provided

- Prior to buying foreclosures or any other type of real estate investment do your homework Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint which is why itrsquos important to learn as much as possible about the homersquos age and condition along with other potentially concerning aspects of real estate before signing on the dotted line

- Successfully buying foreclosures as an investor means knowing the current market value for comparable properties in the area If you plan to restore the home you will need to figure in the cost of repairs and calculate a reasonable selling price in order to determine a feasible profit

- Investors considering buying foreclosures can find local listings through realtors lenders the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and various other public auctions

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only It should not be used as in place of or in conjunction with professional legal financial andor investment advice regarding buying foreclosures For additional information consult an attorney who specializes in real estate andor financial matters

Written by John Montgomery Courtesy of Isnarecom Graphic by Ivan Petrov

10 Things You Need To Know About Buying Foreclosures

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime Transactions today usually exceed $100000 If you had a $100000 income tax problem would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA If you had a $100000 legal question would you deal with it without the help of an attorney Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTORreg

But if youre still not convinced of the value of a REALTORreg here are a dozen more reasons to use one

1 Your REALTORreg can help you determine your buying power -- that is your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity If you give a REALTORreg some basic information about your available savings income and current debt he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies-- offer limited choices

2 Your REALTORreg has many resources to assist you in your home search Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties

3 Your REALTORreg can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property Agents who are REALTORSreg have access to a variety of informational resources REALTORSreg can

provide local community information on utilities zoning Schools etc There are two things youll want to know First will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment Second will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell

4 Your REALTORreg can help you negotiate There are myriad negotiating factors including but not limited to price financing terms date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required

5 Your REALTORreg provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property Depending on the area and property this could include inspections for termites dry rot asbestos faulty structure roof condition septic tank and well tests just to name a few Your REALTORreg can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access The title to most properties will have some limitations for example easements (access rights) for utilities Your REALTORreg Title Company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date

Why Use a

REALTORreg

Written by Andrew Stephens Courtesy of articlesbasecom Photographs courtesy of SXCHU

6 Your REALTORreg can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders

7 Your REALTORreg can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly

8 When selling your home your REALTORreg can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price financing terms and condition of competing properties These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price quickly and with minimum hassle

9 Your REALTORreg markets your property to other real estate agents and the public Often your REALTORreg can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property Your REALTORreg markets your property to other real estate agents and the public In many markets across the country over 50 of real estate sales are cooperative sales that is a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer Your REALTORreg acts as the marketing coordinator disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks open houses for agents etc The REALTORreg Code of Ethics requires REALTORSreg to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients

10 Your REALTORreg will know when where and how to advertise your property There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSreg studies show that 82 of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients referrals friends family and personal contacts When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTORreg you do not have to allow strangers into your home Your REALTORreg will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property

11 Your REALTORreg can help you objectively evaluate every buyers proposal without compromising your marketing position This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls Your REALTORreg can help you write a legally binding win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process

12 Your REALTORreg can help close the sale of your home Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement) questions may arise For example unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers Your REALTORreg is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement)

Donrsquot Touch That House10 Signs That There is A Better House Out There For You

Everyone dreams of the perfect house that one special place that you call home Or maybe you already have that and you were looking for a second home a house to flip or simply an investment property Now you think you have finally found it It may have been a long journey or it may have fallen into your lap right at the start But all that matters now is that at long last there it is your dream home Right

WRONG Put down the paint swatches and back away from that house One of the essential things you need to discover before purchasing a home is if there are any defects There are a million things that could be wrong with it as in bank balance vanishing savings sucking loan eating hair pullingly bankrupting scary foreclosure kind of things Also keep in mind that your Realtor probably has a entire neigborhoodʼs worth of houses that they have carefully selected to match your needs so donʼt settle on the first one So before you get all emotionally attached and financially involved letʼs take a long step back and take a look at some of the signs that your ldquodream houserdquo might actually be a nightmare

Now before swearing to rent forever or go live with your mother think about this Realtors are amazing in their ability to match houses to people the key to this is open and honest communication If you tell them you are looking for the Adams Family Mansion you are probably going to get it A good Realtor will carefully sift through all the possibilities out there to find the ones that are the best matches for your needs meaning that most of the 10 things we listed you will not have to worry about

However keep in mind that not all Realtors are created equal If you get one that you donʼt like or that does not meet your needs just like with the house there is a better one out there for you Get as many recommendations references and suggestions from people in the community as you can then go with who makes you feel the most confident about their abilities and whom you get along with well I would also advise that before putting an offer on any property you have it inspected throughly by an qualified Home Inspection Specialist They will be able to best tell you the condition of the home and property and if there are any major defects of any kind Home Inspectors are just like Realtors working with one is a must when buying a house but make sure to get references recommendations and to communicate as clearly as possible

One last thought before you go charging out into the world of real estate to find that totally fabulous house that is just waiting for you If you are reading this because you already bought ldquothat houserdquo do not despair Just repeat after me ldquoI will never again buy a house without working with a highly recommended Realtor and I will always get a home inspection from a qualified professional with referencesrdquo Now go find a Realtor and let them help out of your fix Did I mention that they are pretty handy at selling houses too Good Luck and happy house hunting or selling which ever the case may be

Written by Phly Jambor Editor in Chief of Welcome Home

1 Your Realtor keeps saying things like ldquoI think we REALLY should keep lookingrdquo or ldquoIʼm not sure that this house suits your needs please let me show you a different one PLEASErdquo or my favorite one ldquoBut I like you I canʼt sell you this houserdquo

2 There is nothing alive on the the property Nothing Not even weeds

3 When you open the front door it falls off Sorry guys duct tape will not fix that

4 There is an exceptionally unpleasant odor in the house leading you to suspect something has died there Either that or the cemetery next door needs to do a much better job

5 The floors mysteriously sag when you walk across the rooms and the walls look like they are slowly peelingflaking down Also if the roof leans to one side or the entire house for that matter itʼs not a good idea to buy it

6 You wonder if at one time the property was used as a setting for either a horror film or a skateboard movie Both are unusually damaging somewhat gory and the disaster left in their wake is amazing But not in a good way

7 Upon entering the neighborhood your Realtor locks their car doors and tells you that the mace they are carrying is ldquojust in caserdquo Further cause for concern would be if they put on any of the following garlic crosses holy water good luck and protection charms worry beads body armorriot gear gas masks or a HAZMAT suit My advice Run And quick

8 You notice more than 10 animals all inside the house

9 The house and lawn are beautiful but that inside is a disaster That usually means that the owners cleaned up outside for curb appeal and that the inside has been neglected something fierce And a massively messy house means household pests like mice rats fleas insects and much much more Can we say ewwww

10When talking to the neighbors about the house they keep using phrases like ldquounload that heaprdquo ldquoget rid of that money pitrdquo or ldquofoist on some suckerrdquo for reasons that the homeowners are selling and if they refer to it as ldquoa death traprdquo ldquoa bio-chemical warfare zonerdquo or ldquothat really ugly piece of junk on the cornerrdquo keep looking Talking to the neighbors is always a good idea because they normally tell the truth about things and that way you can find out in advance if they will annoy you to death or not

The Top 10 Signs To Look For

Products To Love In January

So you are out looking at the neatest house it has all the features you want and even the paint color is not bad It looks great But wait is your furniture going to fit You could spend thirty minutes hauling out your old retracting tape measure getting on your hands and knees and crawling around while trying vainly to hold the tape in place or you could just whip out the totally awesome Black amp Decker BDSM400 Sonic Distance Measurer and 3 in 1 Sensor just point it and click and have it done in oh two seconds Using sonic waves to measure lengths of up to 40 feet this nifty little gadget will make you want to kiss your old tape measure goodbye Its also a stud finder a calculator and laser pointer howʼs that for multitasking Please click here for more information

We like it we love it we want to see more of it Nothing feels quite as nice as a good old fashioned shopping spree except perhaps when it has the added bonus of helping others who really need it These comfy yet stylish shoes from Tomʼs Shoes are a real fashion find with an awesome perk For every pair bought Toms will give a pair of shoes to a child in need Thatʼs right I did say EVERY pair In that case Iʼll take two I mean honestly Who can possibly resist comfortable fashionable and charitable all in one Personally Iʼm not even going to try Please click here for more information

Love the idea of being able to take pictures of all the houses your Realtor shows you so you can pick ldquoThe Onerdquo but donʼt want to haul around your huge dinosaur of a camera that takes blurry messes anyway Check this out oh how we adore this Nikon CoolPix S220 Digital Camera It has 10 megapixels of glorious color an easy to see LCD screen and a super cute color to boot We field tested one of these darling techno wonders and have to say itʼs sleek lines and user friendly design have us saying ldquoBuy one todayrdquo Trust us your Realtor will thank you Please click here for more information

Products To Love In January

Ever had that nasty nagging feeling that you have forgotten something extremely important Only to discover later that your tiny mental lapse cost you way more than you ever expected Well when it comes to buying a home we have got you covered This Realtor recommended super handy book The Pocket Idiots Guide to Home Buying Checklists will help you to remember to check off everything on your list when it comes to checking out your potential new home A fun and innovative way to keep track of everything from what the different neighborhoods are like to all those very important questions you keep meaning to ask your Realtor but can never seem to remember when the time comes Do your self a favor and pick up a copy before see the next house Please click here for more information

Are you always forgetting things With all the stress today itʼs a wonder we remember our own names We have found a quirky but cute solution to your problem The Fred To-Do Tattoo It is a totally customizable temporary tattoo designed to be placed on the palm of your hand You will never lose a list again The gel pen included contains skin safe washable gel ink so there is nothing to worry about over permanent staining Perfect for short lists Please click here for more information

Oh what to do with all that lovely snow outside We know Welcome to 21st century style sledding no more splintery wood flimsy plastic or out of control careening The Hammerhead Pro X Snow Sled is made of super strong yet light-weight aluminum with a soft mesh seat Precision steering capabilities and changeable skis make it ideal for any type or snow And you can accessorize it to your hearts content with things like lights mirrors a backrest or cargo net and much much more Also did we mention that it weighs less than 10 pounds Great for kids and adults alike just make sure you actually give the kids a turn Please click here for more information

City Spotlight

More than just an exciting summer vacation destination Lake Tahoe is the perfect place for an all-season retreat filled to the brim with recreational pursuits Whether you want to hit the slopes at one of the spectacular ski resorts or spend your days cruising around a pristine majestic lake Lake Tahoe has everything you need for a summer or winter getaway

Summer in Lake Tahoe means spending numerous hours along the shores of this stunning body of water either soaking up the sun or participating in thrilling activities out on the lake Rent a boat for a day of swimming waterskiing and tubing hop aboard a jet ski for an entertaining afternoon of jumping waves and viewing the serene scenery or grab a kayak to create your own adventure during your vacation and explore the picturesque inlets No matter what kind of water-filled activity appeals to your senses Lake Tahoe is sure to be an accommodating host

While the lake is the most popular attraction around here the area surrounding this expansive beauty is an entertaining option for adventure-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts DL Bliss State Park offers an extensive trail system where visitors can catch breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay and Fannette Island and make their way past the granite mammoth the Balancing Rock as it rests upon a slender base Other popular nearby parks include Emerald Bay State Park whose abundant flora is unmatched and Donner Memorial State Park where fishing hiking and boating are always in style

When the days become shorter and snow begins to blanket the area ski and snowboarding enthusiasts flock to Lake Tahoe for the plentiful resorts and endless supply of excitement With eleven ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe region visitors of all skill levels will find an abundance of runs and trails that suit their abilities and allow for a memorable ski getaway Whether you

choose a massive resort like Squaw Valley which boasts 177 trails of pure exhilaration or a smaller less intimidating destination such as Soda Springs Mountain Resort everyone in your family is in for the ride of their life on Lake Tahoersquos soft powder and groomed terrain

In addition to the thrilling runs free riders can spend an afternoon learning new moves and catching some serious air at an exciting terrain park Many of the resorts including Sugar Bowl Heavenly Valley and Squaw Valley have terrain parks that are perfect for all levels of ability in addition to super pipes that overlook stunning Lake Tahoe Throw in the many other adventures you can find at these fully-loaded resorts including snow tubing sledding and snowshoeing and you have the makings of a truly invigorating vacation

With so many possibilities scattered across numerous resorts it would be easy to never venture outside the confines of your favorite ski area However there are several other outdoor pursuits that are worth noting if you want a well-rounded and scenically breathtaking getaway Snowmobiling to the top of Mount Watson complete with expansive views of all of Lake Tahoe is a popular activity while cross-country skiing at the Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area is perfect for those who want to combine physical exercise with a sightseeing adventure

Since your vacation will certainly be centered around all of the activities you plan to participate in stay close to everything you love about Lake Tahoe with a conveniently located vacation rental You can find Lake Tahoe vacation rentals that are just steps away from the ski lifts or ideally situated on the waters of Lake Tahoe for an exciting entertaining vacation in some of the most beautiful surroundings possible Begin your search for the perfect Lake Tahoe home rental today and experience an all-season retreat that extends miles beyond the ordinary

Lake Tahoe

Written by Jen W courtesy of Articlesbasecom

One for One Thatrsquos the way it works at TOMS Shoes For every

single pair of shoes purchased another pair of shoes will be given to a child that does not have any Amazing

and so completely simple This brilliant idea is the brain child

of American entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie While traveling in Argentina

in 2006 he noticed that the children he befriended did not have shoes

Not having shoes kept many children from receiving medical care food water and even shelter because they

could not walk the distance needed to obtain it and their ability to attend

school is also effected because shoes are a required part of many schoolrsquos uniform codes

Rather than starting a charity Mycoskie made the decision to start a

business because he believed more children could be helped that way To date TOMS has given away more than

150000 pairs of shoes to children in need all over the globe including the

US Their goal for this year is 300000 pairs shoes that TOMS volunteers in person put on a childrsquos feet

Businesses That Make A Difference

About Kate Jambor

Call Me For All Of Your Real Estate Needs 417-241-6843

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This months random fact introduces us to a familiar favorite legume in a fascinating new light Which one in

particular you ask Why the Black-eyed Pea what else And before we go any further with our facts lets set one

very important one straight The black eyed pea is not in fact a pea at all It is a BEAN Thats right not a pea a

bean Think Pinto or Lima

Where are they from you ask This tasty calcium and fiber packed bean was introduced to the Southern United

States sometime in the late 1600s and originally hails all the way from India We have an ancient babylonian

mistranslation to thank for the Jewish belief that they bring good luck when eaten Technically you would have to

eat fenugreek to become luckyya I did say fenugreek personally Im sticking with the bean The American

tradition dates back to the civil war era and we actually have a bunch of snobby Northern Soldiers to thank for it

During the civil war the northern side scavenged the south for food during the fighting taking everything they could

or anything they considered edible and destroying everything else They stuck their noses up at this paragon of

nutrition deciding that it was not even worth the trouble to destroy Then called field peas but the Northerners

they were deemed only usable for animal feed or humble food and therefore not worth their attention Southerners

consider them to be good luck because the North would not touch them and the practice of ingesting them for luck

got its start

So whether you eat them because you are Jewish and your ancestors translated it the wrong way or because it will

keep the Northerners from overrunning your home (though I seriously doubt that Canada has any real interest in

invading) having a serving of black eyed peas for good luck cant hurt anything and might even help at least a little

with that New Years Resolution to lose that last pesky ten pounds that you put back on over Christmas

Random Facts