Pickens

The purpose of this home buying tip is to explain some of the advantages new homes have over existing homes.

Before you begin your home buying process, it helps to identify the type of home you want. In fact, it's a necessary step if you want things to go smooth later on.

Why is this important? By having a clear picture of your ideal home, you'll be able to narrow down your search, which will save you time and energy.

One of the first questions that will come up is new home or resale home? Both have their pros and cons, but new homes have the following distinct advantages.

Advantages of a New Home

1. It's New!
A major advantage of buying a new home is that everything is ... well, new. In other words, the kinds of things that can cost a lot to repair -- like the roof, the major appliances, the heating and cooling -- shouldn't need any repairs for a long while. If they do need repairs, see the next item.

2. Warranties
Most new homes come with substantial warranties on critical areas like the roof, the foundation, etc. If you buy a resale home, you'll most likely have to purchase a warranty yourself (if you want one).

3. Design Input
If you have a home built to your specification, you'll be able to make a lot of choices. Depending on the builder, you'll have some say in the floor plan, the features, the design elements and more. You can truly put your personal touch on the home.

4. Negotiable Features
This benefit will largely depend on the kind of real estate market you're in. But in many cases, you'll be able to negotiate the price, the options and the closing costs. When you buy from a builder, you'll probably deal with a sales associate who represents the building company. The salesperson wants commissions, and the only way they get commissions is by selling homes. Typically, you'll find that a salesperson will "bend" as much as possible (within the limitations imposed on them) in order to make a sale.

Some builders will offer incentive packages as part of negotiations. For example, maybe they won't lower the price, but they'll be willing to upgrade the kitchen features or the flooring.

5. Thorough Inspection
Usually, a neutral third-party will inspect a new home before the buyers close on it. This could include a member of the city / county zoning and construction board, or a licensed inspector hired by you.

The builder will also walk through it with you, at various stages of construction. The point is, there are usually more people reviewing and inspecting a new home than a resale home.

* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article online provided you keep the byline, author's note, and active hyperlinks.

Learn more:
For more home buying tips, visit HomeBuyingInstitute.com -- the Internet's largest library of home buying articles and advice. Online at http://www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com.

# posted by sochalzqzsuh : 6:39 PM  0 comments

Saturn rules this state of unbalance, we call depression. Nowadays, depression is an illness that is manifesting itself all over the world. The planet, rules all types of material forms. This influence includes the mineral world as well as our planet Earth. Saturn's connection with the law of gravity and the principle of responsibility are well known to the astrologers.

Saturn gives us, blocks and delays and also makes us free: it is a paradox. These blocks must be seen as opportunities to grow and prove ourselves as maturing individuals. In this way we grow and in growing we get rid of past entanglements. Saturn represents time and karma. Time and karma, if rightly used, gives stability. Saturn is a severe spiritual teacher, as Saturn sends us the difficulties that we need to overcome to enlighten ourselves. We can come to terms with his energy, only if we are able to reach a spiritual level, otherwise we find ourselves in the quicksands. Like physical quicksands, the more the you move into the saturnial problem, the more you sink: it is only by using spiritual resources that you can escape from the problem. Depression is very much linked to the state of the mind, and Saturn has a mental vibration.

All the fears, emotional upsets, anxieties, and splinters from the collective DNA, etc., form what has been called in spiritual sciences the Dweller-on-the-Threshold. It is by facing the Dweller-on-the-Threshold that we progress. If we do not struggle with the Dweller-on-the-Threshold we will remain inert and lost. Everyone has to be reckon with it.

The Dweller-on-the-Threshold has the nature of a gigantic thought-form or factor, which must be faced and dissipated in order to further development. Its characteristics are big illusions-glamour-maya.

Illusions, glamour, and maya are states so frequent in our daily life are mental and emotional distortions of the true reality. At this point, to face this huge cloud meditation, study, and service to mankind are able to dissipate all this accumulated glamour of ages.

The mind with the omniscient help of the Soul, can break through, and clarify the dark spots. In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna had to face his despair which was caused by an overwhelming depression. Krishna, came to help him to overcome and win the Illusion which was real cause of his despair.

Krishna gave to him some simple rules to follow:

a- Know that you are Immortal
b- Control the mind, because this is the tool to know the Immortal
c- Know that the form veils and hides the divine reality
d- Realize that there is only one Life pervading all forms, so, death does not exist, nor does anxiety, nor does separation.
e- Detach yourself from the form and come to Me in the place of Light and Peace, so the Illusion disappears.

On a more scientific- spiritual angle, depression is a lack of good-will. When the quality of good in life, is not expressed, the negation of good turns itself against the owner, causing an attrition which can cause illness. Depression acts especially on people who has a predominance of the mental nature.

Saturn is a sever Teacher, but Saturn holds the keys to open your doors!

Leni provides a large variety of astrological services, workshops, readings and is an accomplished lecturer and writer, in both English and Italian. She has appear on television and radio, and is much in demand for the both traditional and soul centered astrology.

Leni Sibilio http://www.astrominds.com leni@astrominds.com

# posted by sochalzqzsuh : 6:15 AM  0 comments

Do you know who your donors are? Do you know how much they gave last time? Do you know how much they've given over the years?

If you've got good record-keeping practices in place, you do know - and you tailor your messages to them accordingly.

Unfortunately, some small non-profits are not keeping track. They aren't even taking names or sending thank you notes, and that's a huge mistake. After all, if you take hard-earned dollars out of your pocket and give them away, don't you want to know that someone appreciated the fact? Most of us do.

The basic politeness factor aside, tracking donors and encouraging them to participate in your work will raise your revenues. Everyone wants to feel important, and when you not only thank your donors, but offer them ways to participate beyond monetary giving, you cater to that desire.

What can you do to encourage your donors to participate? Can you ask them to send a letter to their Senator? Can you ask them to attend an event? Can you ask them to talk to their friends and neighbors about your cause? Can you ask them to forward an email?

Whatever it is, you can't do it at all if you don't know who they are. If a check comes in and you merely deposit it without recording information about the donor, that person will probably not donate again. So there you are, constantly searching for new donors.

If, on the other hand, you send an immediate thank you, and follow that up with a letter or newsletter letting them know the good their money did, you'll make a friend. The next time you write an appeal you can thank them for past support and explain why you need them again.

The second reason for keeping track of donors and their giving amounts is so you can send an appropriate request. You can sort your donors into giving categories and tailor your appeal to their capabilities.

For instance, if you have a group of lower-income people who give what they can - and that consists of $5 or $10 every 2 or 3 months, you would not send a letter with a giving string beginning at $50. Conversely, if you have donors who give $100, $500, or $1000, you surely wouldn't want to include a giving string of $5 - $10 - $25 - $50.

Unless you keep records, how will you know which donor should receive which letter? But then, if you don't keep records, you have no one to mail to, so it doesn't matter.

Marte Cliff is a Freelance Copywriter who specializes in making people feel good about buying products or services - or donating to worthy causes.

She has extensive experience in writing search engine optimized web copy, direct sales letters, postcards, space ad copy, press releases, and more. She is also available for marketing plan creation and editing services.

You can visit her at http://www.marte-cliff.com

While you're there, sign up for her marketing ezine - or just send a blank email to: martegale@getresponse.com

# posted by sochalzqzsuh : 12:38 AM  0 comments