The Beauty Of Playstation 2 Games

Can you remember the first videogames that introduced the world to the joys of videogames? I'm talking about the ones that were introduced in the 80s. We had the ever-popular Pac-Man, Asteroids, and Centipeed. Those outstanding innovations were the bomb! I remember how I used to play pitfall on my Atari and it was great fun.

It is really cool that it has gotten even better now. It amazingly just keeps getting better and better. Those amazing electronics and graphics always improve. It really is an endless source for fun and relaxation. For example, check out some of the more recent playstation 2 games. Wow, what a difference from the old-school Atari. I mean, the game depths alone are amazing. It is startling to think that there are people all over the world that love playing PlayStation 2 games. Do you have it too?

Are you a big PS2 fan? When the council first came out I was blown away. The big pitch didn't only concern the playstation 2 games, but also the DVD option. PS two was actually a flexible enough to use as a DVD player. Folks loved this convenient option. Suddenly they didn't need to purchase a DVD player. You could actually watch movies with the period It was an all-in-one deal. How cool is that?

I recall the first time I headed over to my brother's house to take a look at his new PS2 and his new playstation 2 games. Being out of the video game loop since the first Nintendo, I was utterly flabbergasted at the realistic graphics and sound effects. These new playstation 2 games are just so real. It is such a quantum improvement over the classic Atari games that it isn't even funny. No more stick men. There was anything from martial arts games to sports games to spy adventures. It looked incredibly lifelike. Who wouldn't love playstation 2 games?

Now people all over the world take great pleasure in playstation 2 games. They compete against friends and strangers alike, and battle the bad guys for as long as Mom and Dad allows it. One of the great benefits of the PS2 is the versatility. Regardless if you had a PS1, you could still play the games on your PS2 as well. How many other products can you do that with? If you're on the lookout for new playstation 2 games, you can always find a huge selection at your local Best Buy and Wal-Mart stores, or simply go online where you'll find the best deals. Buying used PlayStation 2 games really add up to considerable savings. With the world at your fingertips, you will surely find that playstation 2 game you're searching for.

About the Author:

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning games. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.xtraordinarysite.com/games/games/the-beauty-of-playstation-2-games.html

Licensed Real Estate Agents

Better government policies, increased salaries, and easily available mortgages have improved consumer purchase capacities despite inflation. People would rather pay for their own property rather than opt for rental properties. Many people have also been purchasing property as an investment. Such a situation has proved to be good for the real estate business. Clients could avail of services of licensed real estate agents when contemplating acquisition, sale, rentals or lease of property.

Licensed real estate agents are certified professionals who are experienced in real estate trading. Licensed mediators possess comprehensive knowledge about property they deal in and are well versed with the legalities of real estate deals. Licensed agents are qualified to answer queries associated with property overheads, assessments, and intention of trade. They are conversant about property sizes, repair costs, legal restrictions, and reconstruction of property, if any is necessary.

It is advisable to verify credibility, success rate, and charges of an agent when considering a particular licensed real estate agent. Comparisons between listed professionals help locate agents who are affordable and suit individual needs. Licensed real estate agent listings can be found in the yellow pages, at local estate firms, and online. Clients may also choose to hire professionals that have worked with family members, friends, or acquaintances. Licensed agents may work as salaried employees at real estate firms or may be self-employed as private brokers. Agents working within a larger organization may be salaried employees but are liable to receive additional commissions based upon the volume of business they bring in.

Potential clients may choose to communicate with licensed real estate agents prior to hiring them. It is advisable to clarify details regarding service charges, expenses, and time required for a deal in advance. Licensed real estate agents can provide valuable information regarding mortgage types to potential clients who may be in favor of outright purchases. In addition, they may suggest names of banks and financial institutions that could provide funds upon presentation of testimonials. Apart from operating as mediators between clients, they may also be empowered to negotiate on their behalf if one party is not present at the time of closing a deal.

Real Estate Agents provides detailed information on Real Estate Agents, Find A Real Estate Agent, Las Vegas Real Estate Agents, Commercial Real Estate Agents and more. Real Estate Agents is affiliated with How To Get A Real Estate License.

The Importance Of The Detroit Windsor Jobs Tunnel

By region, Canadians do the most business within the Great Lakes region by nearly four times over the Midwest region.

The Automotive Industry in Canada

With the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the automotive industry found Canada and Ontario in particular a welcome place to do business. Recently, automotive jobs in Ontario are on the increase while in Michigan they are on the decline. Last year, Ontario built more cars and trucks than any other location in North America.

Detroit/Windsor Rail Corridor Is Vital to the National Transportation Network

The Detroit River Tunnel Partnership (DRTP) owns and operates the 100-year-old rail corridor that runs from Highway 401 in Canada to I-75 in Detroit. All the land within the corridor is owned by the DRTP. The tunnel serves CPR and any other railroad operators that wish to use the tracks, making this a ?neutral tunnel.? The Detroit rail crossing run by the DRTP is an ongoing business and carries over 450,000 rail cars a year. This is equivalent to over 1,000,000 truckloads.

The DRTP/CPR corridor is an existing, 100-year-old transportation corridor through Windsor and Detroit. Much of this corridor is surrounded by vacant or industrial land.

Keeping Viable Rail Service in Detroit

This tunnel is challenged by its age. Next-generation rail cars are being put into service by the railroad industry now and will continue over the next several years. These taller rail cars are bigger than the inside diameter of the existing tunnel. In 1906 when this tunnel was built, no one could have imagined a rail car 21 feet, 10 inches tall!

Below is a recent article regarding American Honda Motor Company?s purchase of $100 million worth of the new, taller rail cars. These new cars will not fit through the existing Detroit/Windsor rail tunnel.

Honda is shipping cars by new Auto-Max railcars

The Greenbrier Companies announced today it has received the largest order ever for its Auto-Max railcar used for transporting new automotive vehicles. The $100 million order is from American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The extra-wide decks in Auto-Max railcars can be adjusted to adapt to changing consumer patterns. In addition to carrying passenger vehicles three high, Auto-Max is the only railcar that carries most sport utilities, cross-over vehicles, compact pickups, and minivans in a tri-level (three-high) configuration. The decks are also readily convertible to carry large SUVs and large pickup trucks in a two-high configuration due to Auto-Max's patented features.

[Posted Feb 14, 2006 at Inside Line, an Edmunds.com, Inc. blog The Solution

As discussed previously, the next-generation, high-capacity rail cars and double-stacked seatainers will not fit through the existing tunnel. A new, larger tunnel must be built. The new, larger tunnel will be built next to the existing tunnels.

How the New DRTP Rail Tunnel Will Be Built

The new DRTP rail tunnel will have an inside diameter of nearly 27 feet to accommodate the next-generation rail cars and double-stacked seatainers. The tunnelling will be through the soft clay layer, using a pressure-balanced, tunnel boring machine (TBM) shown in the middle left.

This unique machine is huge and is used to bore through the clay layer while building the tunnel behind it. Equalized pressure is maintained at the cutting head to prevent problems with the clay layers above the machine. Once the pre-cast, concrete tunnel segments are laid in place by the machine, the entire geological structure is stabilized. The tunnel is completed when the TBM breaks through on the opposite side from where it started tunnelling.

The DRTP Jobs Tunnel will be 1.6 miles long and can be completed in less than four years after the environmental assessment (EA) is completed and government permits are granted.

The new rail tunnel will be completed in five phases:

1. Environmental Assessment Phase

2. Engineering Design Phase

3. Funding Commitment Phase

4. Tunnel Construction Phase

i. Tunnel Boring Machine Commitment

ii. Tunnel Liner Commitment

5. Commissioning Phase

The New Detroit Windsor Jobs Tunnel Security

Security is an important part of CPR?s daily business. This is especially true in the Detroit/Windsor corridor.

CPR operates its own police force on both sides of the border to ensure security.

Also, all rail cars are run past a VACIS (Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System) device to Gama-Ray all rail cars before entering the United States. The government-monitored system, using trackside towers (such as the one shown at right) can detect stowaways, contraband, and explosive devices by generating an interior image of each railcar and its contents whether they be tank car, hopper car, container or boxcar, as it rolls by at 5-7 miles per hour.

Moreover, the new rail tunnel will have the most sophisticated sensor array of any tunnel on the North American border.

With all these security measures, this border crossing is safe.

It is clear that the CPR track system is a key element in delivering the products needed to keep millions of Americans working in the Midwest. And, it is also clear that this system is jeopardized by the restrictions of a 100-year-old tunnel in Detroit that is not adequate for the next-generation rail cars coming on line.

The Detroit River Tunnel Partnership (DRTP) is poised to build a new, high-capacity rail tunnel under the Detroit River to provide improved freight service between the United States and Canada. The DRTP is an equal partnership between Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and Borealis Infrastructure Trust.

Investigate Surrounding Vacant Land Before Buying

Homebuyers are always looking for an ideal situation with low prices. If you are looking in an area with open land around it, you absolutely must investigate the plans for the area.

You have been out shopping for a home for months and have not found that perfect specimen. One day you come upon a home that meets your needs and fits your price. The home is on a little dead-end street. You are happy with this aspect because you have kids and view the lack of traffic as a positive. You also happen to note there is a big, open field behind the house, but think little of it. Simply put, you are playing with fire.

Assume you go ahead and purchase the home. You move in, get the kids enrolled in school and basically get comfortable in your new home. After a month or so, you are laying in bed at six in the morning when there is suddenly an ungodly racket. You stagger out of bed and notice it coming from the backyard. Walking outside, you are met with an image of bulldozers grading the peaceful field behind you. Congratulations! You have just become a neighbor of a strip mall, Wal-Marts or some other monstrosity.

You may think this never happens, but the exact opposite occurs every day. If there are vacant lots of land around a property you are considering buying, you must investigate them. Are they zoned only for residential use or is commercial zoning available?

If they are approved for commercial use, you need to give some serious thought to whether the property is for you. How will you feel about living next to a business area? How much traffic will it add to your neighborhood? How much noise pollution will there be? What will the commercial development do to the value of the home? These are all questions you must consider and answer.

Finding a property in an area with plenty of open space sounds wonderful. If you investigate the area, you can avoid the situation turning into a nightmare.

Raynor James is with the site - FSBOAmerica.org - home buying information.

The Benefits of Obtaining the Services of a Flat Fee Realtor

Each year, a large number of Los Angeles residents make the decision to sell their home. If you are interested in becoming one of those individuals, you have a number of selling options. Those options include privately selling your home or using the services of a professional realtor.

As with any service, there are advantages and disadvantages of seeking professional assistance to sell your home. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, but in reality they often do not. The main disadvantage to using a professional to sell your home is amount of money they will charge. A large number of realtors charge a high fee for their services, but not all do.

If you are interested in finding a realtor that does not charge a high amount of money for their services, there are a number of ways that you can go about doing so. The first way involves familiarizing yourself with the most popular ways that real estate agents obtain their fees from their clients. The two most popular payment methods include a flat fee or a commission based fee.

One of the most preferred choices of payment by Los Angeles homeowners is a flat fee realtor listing. Los Angeles residents prefer this method for a number of different reasons. Perhaps, the greatest benefit of obtaining the services of a flat fee realtor is that their fee will be decided ahead of time. Individuals specializing in flat fee realtor listings often charge the same amount of money for their services, no matter what your home sells for.

If you have a home that is expect to sell for a large amount of money, you may want to consider using the services of an individual who has experience with a flat fee realtor listing. Los Angeles residents with expensive homes are often able to retain a profit from the sale of their home by using a flat fee realtor.

As the current owner of your home, you have the ability to choose which realtor you?d like to select. In addition to selecting a realtor based on their fees, you are encouraged to examine the services offered by each realtor. This should enable you to determine if the fees being charged are actually worth paying. There are many realtors who charge a high amount of fees, but offer a limited number of services. With these realtors you are not receiving a good value for you money.

By taking the time to contact a number of realtors, you could easily find an individual who is experienced with offering a flat fee realtor listing. Los Angeles residents typically want to see a profit from the sale of their home. With a low-cost flat fee realtor, you may be able to see a significant profit.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding Los Angeles Flat Fee Realtor

Baby Furniture Buyers Guide

Baby furniture is one of the most popular types of gifts given at a baby shower. Gift shopping for nursery furniture can be made easier if the new parents have a gift registry at some popular stores in your area. However, this is often not the case. Be sure to always enclose a gift receipt with your gift so it can be returned if the new parents get duplicates.

Baby furniture is one of the most popular types of gifts given at a baby shower. Gift shopping for nursery furniture can be made easier if the new parents have a gift registry at some popular stores in your area. However, this is often not the case. Be sure to always enclose a gift receipt with your gift so it can be returned if the new parents get duplicates.

Communication between the guests would be wise to prevent any duplicate gifts. The guests could also choose to get together on something more expensive such as a piece of nursery furniture. The parents need items that will hold up well for their newborn, so check to make certain the item you choose is sturdy and built for safety.

Purchasing an expensive gift such as a piece of furniture for the nursery would help the new parents tremendously as they are probably strapped for cash at this point. What with the pre-natel care and the upcoming hospital and doctor expenses that come with any childbirth.

Baby Cribs

Cribs will be the most important piece of furniture the new parent will need for the baby. They come in a wide variety of styles and finishes to match any nursery theme or color scheme the parents might have for the nursery. They come as standard cribs, canopy, convertible, sleigh and various other types. Some of the more common features available would be adjustable mattress heights, metal mattress supports, one of three different kinds of release mechanism, rolling casters and/or a teething rail. A baby can use the crib from birth until around the age of 3. A safe and sturdy crib will cost from $150 to over $1000 depending on the quality of the wood and the features provided.

Crib Mattresses

A crib mattress is a very important item for the baby as she/he will be spending over 50% of his time on the mattress until he/she is around 3 years of age. Mattresses come in basically two types: foam or innerspring/coil. Foam weighs less while the innerspring/coil will last a much longer time. Accessories include bedding, crib sheets, crib wedges and waterproof mattress pads. High quality foam mattresses will cost between $80 to $100, while an innerspring/coil mattress will cost from $75 to $200.

Bedding-Bumpers-Sheets-Quilts-Shams

Most standard, canopy and convertible cribs will use standard size crib bedding. A round crib, porta crib, cradle and bassinet will all need special bedding to fit the size of the particular item. A bumper is a necessary item that is needed to keep the baby safe by keeping the baby's arms and legs from getting stuck in the slats. A quilt or comforter should not be used in the crib, but rather as a play mat for the baby. A diaper stacker is used to store your diapers and to keep the nursery more organized. Pillows are a safety hazard for the baby and should never be used in the crib. Most bedding sets can cost from $50 to as high as $700 for a set with better quality fabrics etc.

Changing Tables

A changing table should be well padded, have guardrails and include safety straps for the baby. They come in several types such as the combination sytle, dresser drawer and one with open shelves. Accessories include changing pads, oraganizers and wipe warmers. A changing table can be used from birth until about two years of age. They range in price from $90 to $200 depending on the accessories and storage space they have.

Rocking Chairs

A rocking chair would be a welcome addition to the baby nursery or living room. The rocking chair would give the mom-to-be lots of quality time with her newborn baby.

Moses Baskets

Moses baskets are a rather unique piece of furniture. A moses basket would be an unexpected but welcome baby shower gift. Also something the mother could pass on for a heirloom. This is an item that could be passed from generation to generation.

Child's Rocking Chair

A children's rocking chair would make a great gift. One that most people wouldn't think of giving. You wouldn't need to worry about duplicating your gift with some other guest with this gift.

Playpen & Play Yard

Play yards come in 3 different types. The basic which can be used as a playpen or a crib. One that has a bassinet built in for the newborn. A canopy style to keep you infant shielded from the sun and to keep in cooler in the outdoors. Accessories you can purchase seperately include a changing station, netting for outdoor use and sheets. A play yard can be used from birth until about 2 years of age. Good quality play yards cost between $60 to more than $200.

Portable Travel Crib

A portable travel crib would be great for those over-night trips out of town or state to family or friends.

Cradles

A cradle is used from birth until 4 months or the baby is able to roll from side to side. Cradles usually include a padded bumper, fitted sheet and a quilt or comforter. One of the advantages of a cradle is that you can rock it and it is lower than a crib.

Baby Dresser

Every nursery needs a chest of drawers for the newborn. You can buy them with a theme, in different styles, shapes and colors. If you know how the new parents will be decorating the nursery, you can match the baby dresser to the theme.

High Chair

All new parents need this very essential piece of furniture. There are several types of high chairs: Adjustable, conventional, booster and wooden. The high chair should have an adjustable tray, locking mechanism, some kind of restraint system and possibly rolling casters which are allowed to be locked easily. Parents can use the high chair as soon as the baby is born for bottle feeding if it is capable of fully reclining.

Bassinets

A traditional piece of nursery furniture would be a bassinet. The baby can use the bassinet from birth until about 4 month of age. Bassinet sets usually include a hood cover, fitted sheet, plain sheet and a bumper.

Car Seats

A car seat is a necessity because every state requires the baby be restrained while in a car. Newborns must travel in the back seat in a car seat that faces the rear of the car. After the baby is a year old you change to a forward facing car seat. Car seats come in several different types. An infant car seat, convertible and booster seats. Infant and convertible car seats cost between $60 and $300.

Strollers

Strollers come as a standard stroller, single, umbrella, double strooler or as a travel system which is a combination stroller and car seat. Most strollers have a canopy, front bar, harness, reliner and a storage space. Accessories available include accessory bars, attachable toy and activity bars, infant headrests, rain sheilds and stroller connectors for attaching two strollers together. A stroller can be used from around 4 months of age until about 3 or 4 years old. Depending on the style and quality strollers can be purchased for as little as $15 to as much as $1,000.

Baby Monitor

A monitor may be a luxery item, but it can give the parents added reassurance that their baby is safe. There are several types: audio, audio/movement and audio/video monitors. Monitors can be used from newborn to toddler. Depending on the type of monitor, you can buy them for as little as $20 on up to $400, with the audio/video monitor being the most expensive.

Bouncer Seat

A very useful item is a bouncer seat. They can come with an accessory toy bar, canopy, restraint and variable speeds. A bouncer seat can be used from newborn until the baby is 9 months old. The standard non-battery operated bouncer seats cost between $40 and $75 while the battery operated seats tend to cost a bit more.

Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Randy is owner of Profitable Home Businesses, How to Plan a Baby Shower and Las Vegas Weddings.

The Exciting World Of Backgammon

 



The Exciting World Of BackgammonSubmitted By: Gene Marshall  

Internet backgammon has become this year's most popular online game and has even piqued the interest of thousands of poker fans. However, backgammon is anything but new and has been handed down through the centuries in various formats right up to the present day.

In fact, some historians believe that the backgammon board game was even played in ancient Egypt. The remains of boards bearing a striking resemblance to the backgammon board have been unearthed at several archaeological sites. Known as Senat, the game is thought to have been popular with the aristocracy in this ancient civilization.

Another earlier form of the backgammon game was known as Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum and held a popular place in Roman society. It gave way to an updated variation of backgammon in the 6th century which was when the use of dice became a popular addition to the game.

The Crusaders are most commonly credited with introducing the game of backgammon into the British Isles. It was first played in Britain in 1025, having been brought there by soldiers returning from the Crusades in Asia and the Middle East. Once backgammon arrived on England's shores, it was soon championed by the common man and gained popularity as a common tavern pastime. Early attempts to create backgammon gambling developed and were moderately successful but were quashed by the Elizabethans in the 16th century.

Modern backgammon as we know it today became a worldwide phenomenon in the 1970's. From that point on, the game was played steadily up until the late 1990's when the first online versions began to appear on the internet. Today, most reputable skill gaming sites offer some form of backgammon online, which has helped to breathe new life into one of the world's oldest board games. Along with standard versions, games offering variations on backgammon rules such as Acey-Deucey and Turkish backgammon or Tavla have become popular with backgammon fans.

Along with offering several advantages associated with online backgammon, internet gaming sites can be credited with raising the quality of the game around the world. A strong emphasis on learning backgammon strategy has developed and many websites have sprung up almost overnight, dedicated to offering tips, advice and encouragement for new players.

Amongst the advice on strategy commonly found on backgammon sites is the recommendation for players to obtain as much information as possible on their opponents' game plans. Once a new player gains an understanding of his opponent's strengths and weaknesses, along with the way in which he uses the board and the opening rolls of the die to his advantage, he is in a much better position to counteract his opponent's game plan.

Common tips that are easy to remember and simple to incorporate into a backgammon game can also be found online. An example of a useful backgammon tip is to ensure that checkers traverse the board in pairs. This makes them less vulnerable to the hits and obstructions an opponent can use to slow the pace of the game.

Learning And Teaching Social Skills: A RelationshipBased Approach

For those of us committed to helping children overcome learning challenges, the quest to teach social skills is particularly important. Social learning impairments are associated with a wide variety of learning disabilities, although they are especially problematic for people with nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD), noted to have underdeveloped right-hemisphere abilities, including deficits in:

? reading facial expressions
? perceiving emotions
? using nonverbal communication (body language)

The constellation of social skills deficits often encountered in school age children are perhaps best described as pragmatic communication deficits, which encompass challenges understanding social conventions and applying social cognitive skills. On the next page you will find some common examples of pragmatic communication skills. This information is taken from my book, Boys of Few Words: Raising Our Sons to Communicate and Connect, ? 2006.

Pragmatic (Practical) Communication Skills

**All these skills should be considered in an age-appropriate context. Many of these skills are developed in adolescence. Compare your child?s abilities relative to his peers.

PHYSICAL

? Maintaining appropriate conversational distance
Example: Other children may complain that ?he?s bothering me,? or say ?tell him to stop touching me? while playing together. Sometimes inserts himself physically into a group of children by pushing or nudging others out of the way in order to join the conversation.

? Eye contact
Example: Doesn?t look others in the eye; hides behind hair/hat/sunglasses; stares to the point of discomfort.

? Linking gestures with ideas and emotions
Example: Body language doesn?t match speech (thanks you for giving him a desired gift but slumps and stares off into space); waves too strongly or too unenthusiastically for the circumstances; forgets to reinforce emotion with body language.

? Using facial expression effectively
Example: Facial expressions don?t convey interest in other people; expression is not congruent with topic or situation; doesn?t nod to show he gets the point, looks furious at small disappointment; forgets to smile.

VERBAL

? Attending to time and place
Example: Talks too fast; doesn?t know when to interject a comment or let others speak, doesn?t know how much information to share (goes on and on about a subject to someone?s obvious irritation).

? Turn-taking
Example: Consistently interrupts; doesn?t perceive when it?s someone else?s turn to talk.

? Voice modulation
Example: Has trouble with prosody (pitch, tone, volume, inflection); speaks too softly or loudly without regard for physical proximity (you?re across the room but he doesn?t raise his voice to answer you).

? Giving compliments
Example: Doesn?t know how to give a compliment relevant to a person and circumstances; sometimes unintentionally insults people (?you?re a lot less fat than you were?).

? Greetings and Good-byes
Example: Doesn?t know how to introduce himself to individuals or groups; can?t initiate social contact (avoids parties and gatherings); doesn?t know how to close a conversation (just walks off when he?s done talking); doesn?t shake hands/share hugs with close friends or family members; forgets to say ?hello?.

THINKING

? Detecting emotions in other people
Example: Doesn?t consider other people?s emotional state before speaking (you?re in the middle of an argument with someone and he asks you to make him a snack); doesn?t realize when it?s time to ?back off?; doesn?t read signs about how you feel (thinks you?re mad when you?re not)

? Perceiving and expressing humor
Example: Takes jokes, sarcasm or irony literally; laughs at inappropriate times; doesn?t engage in word play or friendly teasing with peers.

? Knowing how to make conversational transitions
Example: Forgets to take his turn in conversations (calls you up on phone and then says nothing); discussions filled with uncomfortable ?dead space?; doesn?t pick up on ?leads? to continue conversation (So, you like baseball? Who?s your favorite team?)

? Anticipating other people?s reactions
Example: Neglects to consider the impact of his words before speaking; can?t easily imagine how his words or actions will be perceived by others (says he likes one present more than another at his birthday party without anticipating that someone?s feelings will be hurt).

Why Are Social Skills So Hard To Learn?
Most people use social skills quickly and automatically, and as a result, don?t have the benefit of time to analyze which skills will be used in particular situations, or how best to apply them. When our social reflexes are well-attuned and effective, we don?t need time to think - we just do and say what comes naturally.

Important to emphasize is that social skills are built on a foundation of interpersonal awareness. Without an appreciation of other people?s nonverbal behavior, including sensitivity to nuances of language rhythm and intonation (prosody), it is difficult to formulate appropriate and constructive verbal and behavioral responses. In addition to having a basic awareness of other people, having an empathetic orientation toward others is very helpful in bolstering one?s intuition about how to relate effectively. As some readers may be aware, a disproportionate number of children and adolescents with learning disabilities are observed to have low empathy.

To be in an empathic relationship with another person or group is the opposite of self-absorption. Empathy implies a departure from a state of self-centeredness, and immersion into the subjective experience of others. By definition, empathy is prosocial, because it emphasizes the value of comprehending and appreciating the thoughts and feelings of other people.

We all function in various types of groups: families, schools, teams, neighborhoods, and communities, among others. Social skills make our participation in these groups easier and more satisfying. Although lack of empathy has been associated with the presence of NLD, I would argue that what is missing for many learning disabled children are overt expressions of empathy, as are often conveyed through pragmatic communication. This is very different from the absence of empathy found among antisocial children and adolescents.

Many children with nonverbal learning disabilities are better understood as being asocial, meaning that they can appear indifferent to social interaction.

We Can Help Teach Children to Solve Their Own Social Problems
Not long ago, I was leading a social skills group for 3rd and 4th grade boys, about half of whom had been identified as having a learning disability. We were huddled in my office with kids bunched on sofas, sitting on the floor, and twirling in my desk chair. One seven year-old boy, Grant, resisted joining in our group activity, which was to design and build a big ?cyborg?. He stood near the door on the periphery of the group with a scowl on his face and body language that conveyed his fear and distrust of the group. Grant wasn?t responding to cajoling and encouragement to join us. I tried all kinds of approaches, changing the tone of my voice and my facial expression, in search of the combination that would help him join in. Still, he would not budge.

Several years earlier, my frustration probably would have resulted in me taking Grant outside and pleading with him to sit down and join the group. That?s because I used to have the faulty impression that ?leading? a group, meant ?controlling? the group. Since then, I have come to appreciate the extraordinary strong will of boys to do things in ways that reflect their own logic about how problems should be solved.

As the situation unfolded, it became apparent that Grant?s resistance provided the boys with a good problem-solving opportunity, and so I posed a question to the group. Did anyone have any ideas about how we could get Grant to join us? Most of the kids responded with suggestions of various kinds of rewards: games, candy, or premium seating (twirling chair). One typically shy boy, Tyler, suggested we could ?buddy-up? so that everyone could have a partner, including Grant. Tyler also suggested that buddies sit next to each other so they could share tools. Most of the boys agreed this was a good idea and so we began a discussion of how buddies would be chosen. Again, Tyler spoke up, suggesting that Grant could pick his buddy.

Throughout this process, I was watching Grant closely, and was struck by his awareness of the group?s concern about him. His facial expression changed from one of distrust to a cautious grin. He?d obviously had some significant doubt about whether the boys would accept him, and how he would fit in ? figuratively and literally. Tyler?s leadership in breaking through his fears paved the way for his integration in the group. As you might imagine, I felt very proud of Tyler for his sensitivity to Grant, and his ability to apply that sensitivity through active problem-solving. Although he never verbalized Grant?s feelings, Tyler?s suggestions were, emotionally speaking, quite sophisticated, and reflected an understanding of what Grant was feeling.

Socializing is not a ?Logical? Process
When we think about teaching social skills to children, it is a natural step for us to begin thinking about skills as component parts of a larger system. While this may be a logical and practical way to go about the teaching of a ?system,? it is not necessarily the best, or only, aspect of a therapeutic process designed to facilitate the development of social skills.

In addition, for individuals such as psychologists or counselors who may teach social skills, there is a tendency to systematize the teaching of such skills in limited periods of time, such as teaching one skill per session for 12 ? 15 weeks. When social skills are taught to groups this approach may be inevitable, but when working with children individually, there is typically more latitude, including allowing the child to play an important role in how the learning evolves. Experience has taught me not to exclude the importance of the relationship between teacher and student, or therapist and client, in helping children integrate new skills. In this sense, professionals allow the process of learning to be as organic as would be the process of healing syndromes like depression or anxiety.

An excellent working alliance is a critical foundation for learning most things, including how to relate to others.

This is because gaining social competence is more than conceptually grasping ?skills,? it also involves relaxing enough to take risks ? trying new things with uncertain outcomes.

From Skills to Awareness
Perhaps we need to remember that for the brain and mind to integrate new ideas, a fertile ground of receptivity must first be prepared. That receptivity often springs from an effective, trusting, working alliance. For many children, this means engaging in therapeutic and relational activities that are not purely didactic, because such structured activities are often associated with domains where they lack success. In other words, you can make it fun ? play is the work of children.

While I would never want to give up my use of behavioral charts and records, or surrender my collection of therapeutic games designed to teach things like communication pragmatics and listening skills, I have come to believe that those exercises are somewhat empty without a solid alliance between my clients and myself.

The alliance gives children and teens the capacity to be receptive. Sometimes, people may not even be aware of their own resistance to learning new skills. For children with learning disabilities, these walls often come down slowly, but they do come down with tools like patience, commitment, and belief in the desire of children to connect with others.

Anything that might help a child connect the development of social awareness with a positive outcome should be considered a potential tool. Still, we should remember that what we are building with these tools is a mind, and a mind is not a machine ? it is the very essence of being a person. We simply can?t program a mind according to standards of efficiency without regard for the individual within whom that mind lives.

This article originally appeared in the 2004 monograph of the Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania. Portions of this article were adapted from Boys of Few Words: Raising Our Sons to Communicate and Connect, Guilford Press, 2006.

About the Author: Adam J. Cox, PhD, ABPP, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, American Board Professional Psychology

Casino Is The Temple Of Games

Tips in Buying a Florida Real Estate: Research and Inspect

Gone are the days Florida is only thought of as a must-visit destination in summer. While it is true that Florida boasts of breathtaking beaches and sceneries, this state is not only a great venue for vacation but also an ideal place for residence all year round. Yes, you can own a view of the ocean right in your veranda if you purchase a beach front property in Florida. It will instantly feel like a heaven on earth. Florida, or Flowery Easter, exudes a unique carefree charm and ease, almost like a sanctuary for the stressed-out individuals. Other states in America may also offer superb living environments but this southeastern state provides residents that I'm-on-vacation feel that is simply amazing. Florida real estate, ranging from resthouses to condominium units, is synonymous to hot properties. Contrary to popular notions, living in this side of America wouldn't necessarily cost a fortune. One can score great Florida real estate deals through patience and thorough research.

Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose between a new or an existing Florida real estate. Whichever you want, you are sure to find agents and realtors who can lend a hand in your search for the perfect property. If you're after brand new houses, consider the following practical tips. First and foremost, inquire about the developers of the property. This fact says a lot about the quality or characteristics of the real estate you intend to buy. Naturally, it is advisable to opt for renowned developers since they've already established a good reputation when it comes to real estate. But that's only one puzzle piece of the entire picture. Take some time to ask stroll around the neighborhood and see if this is the kind of place you would want for your family. It is also advisable to courteously ask the residents of that street for personal feedback about the place. Unlike the developers and agents, residents tend to be a hundred percent honest with their candid responses. Since they don't have a reputation to protect, residents veer away from little white lies and sugarcoating that some developers and agents do.

For those interested to purchase an existing (old or renovated) Florida real estate, he should carefully study the general condition or state of a property, including the materials used. But for in-depth inspection, tag along a professional contractor who can skillfully tell the pros and cons of having the property. He can also suggest ideas on how you can remedy or improve certain areas. If you're planning to purchase a Florida real estate, make sure to do thorough research and planning, and enlist the help of experts.

For more valuable information on Florida Real Estate, please visit http://www.miamiforeclosures.com

An Introduction to Dog Strollers

Every pet owner and every pet may be in need of a dog stroller at one point in their lives. Pets that are old, temporarily or partially injured, or even lazy will definitely need the comfort that dog strollers provide during traveling. Pet owners that don't wish their dogs to be dirtied because of muddy roads can certainly keep their pets clean inside the safety confines of a dog stroller. There are many other reasons why you or your pet dog would need a dog stroller. The more important question then is what you should buy when that time comes.

The Quest for the Perfect Dog Stroller

Size is Important - Most dog strollers only provide details regarding its maximum load weight capacity. That, unfortunately, isn't enough to ensure that your pet dog will be able to enjoy traveling in comfort inside the dog stroller. Even if he is well within the limits of the maximum weight given, what if he's taller or bigger for his weight? Thus, when shopping for dog strollers, make sure that you consider all the significant dimensions: height, width, and of course, weight. The best test for stroller comfort is to ask your dog to move inside the stroller. If he's able to sit, stand, turn, and curl without problem then you've found a perfect fit!

Where Are You Going to Walk? - Some dog strollers are only designed for use in well-paved roads but are extremely lightweight. If you're only fond of walking downtown or through parks, a dog stroller of this kind might be adequate. If you love to rough it out on the wilds, on the other hand, buying an all-terrain dog stroller is what you need. Rain or shine, muddy or slippery, an all-terrain dog stroller with its powerful and large wheels will surely be able to handle any obstacle that crosses its way. When purchasing an all-terrain dog stroller, make sure that it comes equipped with shock absorbers as well so your dog would suffer from the least amount of bumps and humps.

Collapsible or Detachable - A dog stroller is ideal if your vehicle has limited trunk or storage space. Usually, one click on a button or switch is enough for the whole thing to fold itself into something manageable in size. The smallest collapsible dog strollers could no doubt be slipped easily under the seats of your car. A dog stroller with a detachable carrier on the other hand is definitely bulkier than a collapsible one but it does allow you to carry your dog to and fro buildings and facilities without having to take him out from the carrier.

Privacy for Moody Pets - Some pets are just like human beings. They can suffer from mood swings, for instance, just as we do. If your pet dog happens to be like this as well, you should consider purchasing a dog stroller that places a partition within the stroller to give the user a semblance of privacy if and when it so wishes.

Whether Weather - Whether it's hot or cold, there's sure to be a dog stroller that will exactly match the weather in your area. For people living in tropical climates, the dog stroller you buy should be made of durable but lightweight material to allow proper air ventilation inside the stroller. For pets that are constantly exposed to thunderstorms and the likes, make sure that you buy them a dog stroller with a closure option so you can keep your pet safe and warm within the stroller confines every time it's raining cats and gods (pun intended).

Storage Space - Just like strollers for kiddies, dog strollers must also have sufficient storage space to provide easy access to your dog's food, toys, medicines, and toiletries. Some pet strollers also come with a parent tray, which has the pet owner's comfort in mind this time because it provides storage space for beverages and cell phones.

Tips on Closing the Deal

Always compare rates. Don't let yourself fall in love at first sight.

Ask for warranties, and be sure to have the sales representative explain each and every condition concerning the product warranty.

Lastly, if you're going to have the dog stroller shipped, make sure that there are no hidden shipping costs and that the shipping is being handled by a prominent courier company.

About the Author

How to Buy the Right Car Seat for Your Newborn

Finding the Right Car Seat to Insure Your Child's Safety

Buying a car seat for your newborn baby is more important than any other part of the baby shopping process. The first thing that you must do is buy your babys car seat about 6-7 months into your pregnancy. Regardless of what state you live in they all require that babies, infants and young children be properly harnessed in a vehicle. The best thing to do is start to compare the safety features of the car seats that you are considering to buy, also compare the prices, its important to have all of this stuff in order before the baby arrives. Buying a rear facing seat is a good idea as well. Children under 20 pounds and of one year of age should always ride in the backseat of your vehicle in a rear facing seat. Babies and infants have little necks so facing backward would be the safest position if you get into an accident.


Look for car seats that are easy to install, if you dont install the car seat properly your child may not be restrained properly. Car seats with a five point harness belt are the best because they are safer, they restrain the shoulders, the thighs and the between the legs to prevent injury of your child, they are also much better then the simple plastic chest restraints on the belt. Another thing to consider when shopping for a car seat, is choosing the car seat style that you want. There are all kinds of styles of car seats available on the market today, they range from rear facing infant only car seats to convertible seats for infants and toddlers. Some things to consider when choosing the style of car seat that you want is, do you want a more permanent car seat or do you want an infant carrier? Today there are car seats that are complete travel systems for the car and the stroller and some toddler car seats can turn into booster seats, just choose the style that is right for you. But regardless of what style of car seat you choose still always remember to check the ease of installation of the seat and the safety standards. Prices for these types of car seats can range from $100.00-$500.00.

While safety is the most important thing to remember when buying a car seat, you should still look for a car seat that is easy to wash because they tend to get dirty very fast. Fabric that is attached to the car seat with screws are harder to remove then elastic or snaps. A car seat is with a lot of cushion is a good thing to, your child will be very comfortable while in the seat.


Once you find the car seat that is right for your child check the security of the car seat often by pulling on the main seat belt to make sure the seat is secured. Dont ever put a child in the front seat of a car with an airbag, a small child can very easily be smothered by an airbag if an accident happens. Last but not least make sure the car seat makes you feel safe when your child is in it and make sure your child is comfortable in it.

By Eric Abrego

Calculate Cost Basis

How to calculate cost basis can be a confusing concept to those who contemplate selling their real estate. Along with fair market value and holding period, cost basis represents one the three key components in identifying the amount of potential tax that may be due on the sale of the property.

Unfortunately, how to calculate cost basis is not a common concept ingrained in us through our normal day-to-day educational experience. However, it very quickly becomes very real as we explore various real estate exit and transition strategies.

A good place to start in developing an understanding how to calculate cost basis is by defining capital gain. What are capital gains and how do they apply to real estate? In simplest terms, a capital gain is the appreciation between the original cost and current sale price. The federal government and most state governments tax this "gain" if the asset is sold.

The sales proceeds less any associated selling costs represent the "value" of the property being sold. It does not matter if the property is encumbered by debt or not in this calculation. And, it does not matter if all proceeds are received at the time of sale or not. The net result is still the value of the property at the time of sale - the top number in our simple mathematical equation to determine the amount of "gain" in the property.

In contrast, cost basis is the bottom number that is subtracted from value to give us the answer to our gain question. Simply stated, cost basis is the original cost of the property, plus any improvements made by the owner. Improvements can be items such as:

• Installing utilities on a building lot (electrical pole, well, septic system, etc)
• New roof or deck
• Remodeling the interior of the home
• Numerous other improvements performed by the owner

When selling property, it is imperative to define the cost basis of the investment. Accurately define any improvements made on the property and compare it to the current value. The difference is the capital gain and subsequent amount that could be taxed by the government during the sale. By having developed an accurate cost basis, you will be better prepared to take advantage of the various capital gain tax planning options.

Tips For Permanent Weight Loss

1. Exercise- Exercise is the one absolute that is required for permanent weight loss. An exercise program of five 30-minute sessions per week should be employed into your schedule. This can also be achieved by exercising for 10 minutes, three times a day. This strategy is good for people with busy schedules, time consuming jobs and families to balance. Taking three 10 minute breaks is something all of us can achieve. Walking, taking classes at a gym, joining a sports league or even 10 minutes of sit-ups and push-ups in your office are beneficial. Exercise becomes, like water, essential and necessary to the psyche and body once you begin a regimented program.

2. Lift weights- Muscle tissue burns calories. Pumping iron has significant weight loss benefits due to this physical phenomenon. The more muscle you have, the more you can eat and the more calories you will burn. Fat is not active tissue. When you replace the fat with muscle, your body becomes a more efficient machine. A weight loss diet accompanied not only by aerobic exercise but including weight training will cause the body to lose more fat. Muscle increases the body?s metabolism, even while resting.

3. Write down what you eat- Recording what you eat, when you eat it, how you were feeling before and after a meal and any other emotions will increase self-awareness. This will enforce that you are conscious of when and why overeating occurs. Writing anything down solidifies it in a way that is more concrete than thinking about it. It will keep you focused on your goals.

4. Focus on being healthy- Having the motivation to ?be thin? puts too much pressure on outward appearance. The focus should be placed towards a healthy style of living. Think about food that is healthy for your body, not which foods will add on pounds.

Follow the Food Pyramid for a healthy, balanced diet.

5. Get in touch with your mental health- Pychologists and nutritionists agree that overeating is usually a source of self-hatred or feelings associated with lonliness, depression, boredom, stress, anger or any number of other emotions. People tend to ?cure? the feelings with food. Learning how to eat for hunger and enjoyment rather than pushing down emotions with food will lead to healthier habits. Find out your triggers and identify them. See a therapist or psychologist for help.

6. Support- Long-term weight loss doesn?t happen overnight and it doesn?t happen alone. Find support groups such as Weight Watchers or any other group that is interested in offering encouragement and support for others in the same situation. Your local hospital or dietitian?s office can provide resources for you.

7. Portion control- Despite what mama might have said, you do not have to clean your plate in order to be ?good?. In today?s super-sized and over-portioned servings at restaurants, diners and fast food locations it is too easy to think the giant plate in front of you is what you are ?supposed? to eat, otherwise, why would they give it to you. These portions are not ?normal? and you can always eat half the plate and take the rest home. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realize the stomach is full so chances are you are finished eating long before the end of the gigantic portion. Feeling ?stuffed? is unhealthy and you should aim for ?pleasantly full?.

8. Lose weight slowly- Water and muscle are the initial elements lost contributing to weight control. Losing precious muscle mass actually raises metabolism. Weight loss accompanied by a good exercise program is idea. 3500 calories equal one pound of weight. Small changes such as eliminating 250 calories per day from food intake and expending 250 calories a day by burning fat through exercise will lead to one pound of weight lost per week.

9. Eat slowly- Thin people eat slowly in general. Again, it takes 20 minutes for the brain to recognize the feeling of satiation before your body is cognizant of this fact. Take the time you need to fully enjoy and eat your food.

About the Author:

Eric Hartwell oversees The World's Best Homepage intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on health

Condo Hotels: The Math

The SEC has legitimate concerns about some condo hotel developers selling units in their projects based solely on the 'forward looking investment potential'. If developers were left unchecked, with a pile of spreadsheets touting income potential, every condo hotel unit in the country might cash flow at remarkable levels, on paper, and every small real estate investor would have a PhD in condo hotel lingo. This is the fear.

I believe we are not giving the consumer enough credit, but I understand the fear. ADR, Occupancy, RevPar, the language of the hospitality industry can appear sexy at first glance. Nightly rates, rack rates and Average Daily Rate (ADR) can vary widely. Occupancy at a hotel has so many variables. Hotel management is one part science, and one part art, but it is all business. Real estate salepeople and developers are not licensed to sell business interests and this is the crux of the dilemna.

SEC rules require that securities or business interests are sold with complete and proper disclosure, but disclosure is such a slippery slope. Afterall so many other real estate properties are sold for their investment potential, like apartment buildings and warehouses, why are condo hotels treated more conservatively?

Consumers, while on vacation, buy condo hotel, not savvy seasoned investors. Again, I think we are giving the consumer far too little credit and information.

Consumers who look to purchase a condo hotel, are told to consider it just as simple real estate. To attempt to ignore the rental income potential and make their purchase more like a second home or vacation residence. But the income potential is still a large part of the decision. When the consumer is told by the real estate sales representation that they cannot in any way discuss income or income potential, time and again the consumer feels something is being withheld. I have witnessed as the potential condo hotel buyer asks why?

The consumer deserves an open dialog about risks and rewards in condo hotel ownership. Attempts are being made to create a firewall between real estate sales and hotel rental management departments but it is still disjointed and spooks consumers trying to understand their purchase decisions.

As CPAs, financial advisors, bankers and other trusted consultants better understand this new real estate product, its potential and risks the gap in the information for the consumer can be bridged.

Bob Waun
CEO
Vacation Finance
waun@vacation-finance.com

Vacation Finance, America's First Second Home Lender is an innovator in condo hotel mortgage lending and has been a leader in educating consumers and developers in the risks and rewards of this new product. Vacation Finance also offers a full line of mortgage products for fractional, true condo hotel, non-warrantable condos, vacation land and timeshare.

The Sims Phenomenon

In the world of video games, there are game categories such as shooters, adventure, action and role playing. Then there is the Sims. This game was introduced by Electronic Arts in February of 2000 and became a cultural phenomenon. It sold twenty million copies and generated the development of hundreds of fan sites devoted to their own personal Sims environment.

Sims was the first game that introduced a significant degree of online socialization through the use of a game platform. A Sims player creates his own family, buys or builds his own home, and has numerous encounters with other characters generated by the game's AI (artificial intelligence). Your Sim character, or avatar, goes through life experiencing career changes, family development - many of the real-life experiences that lurk outside our real-time doors. Its unique character, in-game quirks (such as the gibberish in which Sims communicate) and capacity for infinite change made addicts out of millions.

The game makes the player the deus ex machina: the off-screen God controlling individuals lives. As a player, you can help your Sim build not only home and family, but an entire neighborhood. Sufficient quirks and human neuroses are built into the game's characters as they are introduced that the game remains an addictive fascination for its players. As one reviewer put it; Want to play it straight and watch the lives of a typical nuclear family? You can do that. But what if you'd prefer to dress your Sim like a Viking and have him play his guitar for spare change in the subway while living with two women - she's a slacker and she's a paranormal - who are a couple? Go for it.

The company followed its initial success with seven expansion packs and in 2004 launched a completely new version, Sims 2. The new version has better graphics and many more choices for your Sims and their families, who happily are still speaking Simlish. The video engine is more 3D than the original 2D; characters in your game have more choices to make and more characteristics that make them interesting, down to genetic similarities when new family members are born. You can customize the family dog - long hair or short? Blue eyes or crossed? Intelligent companion or clumsy doofus? It's up to you.

By 2005, the audience for The Sims and its various expansions had swollen to over 52 million worldwide. The game has been translated into 17 languages, and the franchise has seen life on platforms ranging from the Xbox to mobile phones.

One of the principal characteristics of the Sims phenomenon - and one that probably made it a uniquely popular game - is that it has drawn large numbers of female players. The Sims has pulled the neat trick of building a player base evenly split along gender lines, drawing in women without alienating male gamers. Game publisher Electronic Arts estimates women could account for up to 60% of Sims players.

According to Psychology Today, most long-term players say designing Sim households is the chief delight of the game and in fact, The Sims' construction and interior design aspects are as impressively realized as its human element. Players can easily mirror their real-world homes; one game analysis called Sims he Ikea game. Most video games have a product popularity curve, like every other consumer item. The Sims seems to be either defying or redefining this characteristic for the video game market.

About the Author:

Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate, specializing in small business development, for Apollo Hosting. Apollo Hosting provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, vps hosting, and web design services to a wide range of customers.

Writing Boxes What Are They?

When I was in elementary school, we used old cigar boxes to house our pencils, erasers, rulers and other knick knacks in for our classes. The concept of this portable container was quite practical, especially since school backpacks weren?t invented yet. One must wonder if such an idea stemmed from the once widespread use of writing boxes. The development of the writing box was used for both business and personal activity. Portable boxes for writing materials existed for many centuries and in various cultures. These stylish and fashionable boxes were necessary during a time when the art of letter writing was popular.

A writing box was a portable desk that came in the form of a rectangular shaped box which could be placed on a table or on one's lap. Hence, the name ?lap desk? was adopted because of this purpose. Traveling was more difficult then, than it is now. Civilians and army officers needed compact, strong writing boxes, which could withstand strenuous journeys. It was prominent on military expeditions, travels and in drawing rooms, from the end of the eighteenth century to the late nineteenth century. Great literature, contracts, letters and postcards were written on its sloping surface.

When open to the writing position, there was a space designated for ink wells, pens and quills. Some earlier examples accommodated these writing accessories in a side drawer, which followed the line of the slope. Several box styles contained ?secret? small drawers. Occasionally, they may have a hinge and a piece of wood that converted to a reading stand. Unlike the writing desk or table, the writing box was personal and ot a household possession.

Quality, ornamentation and form played an important role in its selection as a personal item. Although its popularity invoked a sense of style and fashion, writing boxes were also connected with commerce, intelligence and global consciousness.

Most of the smaller boxes were made of pine, and occasionally of mahogany or oak. They were veneered in mahogany, rosewood or kingwood, carefully selected for their rich timber and exotic appearance. Small sloping boxes of the eighteenth century were designed to house sewing and writing elements. Writing boxes were multifunctional and exquisite traveling companions.

As we moved through the industrial era into the digital revolution, writing boxes lost its popularity. The advent of laptop computers modernized the portability of writing, transmitting, receiving and storing personal and business related information. Just as laptops are symbolic today for convenience and accessibility of information and communiqu?, so was the evolution of writing boxes pertinent to the needs and daily operations of the consummate traveler, during a time when handwriting was the main artery in the flow of communication.

Kym Gordon Moore is the author of the eBook, ?Alphabet Soup: 5 Main Ingredients for Turning Words into a Bowl of Hot Topics!? Many of her articles, essays, short stories and poems appeared in a variety of magazines, newspapers, ezines and anthologies. http://www.kymgmoore.com She is a creative marketing strategist for Moore 2 It Productions and coordinates cost effective, creative marketing packages for budget conscious new authors and new small business owners. http://www.moore2itproductions.com

Tshirts Becoming Hot in India

The Cool 'n' Trendy T-shirts becoming hot in India Wearing Tees: It is all about your personality and attitude

T-shirts are those simple, comfy cotton casuals, an influence of the West, which blends easily with Indian style of dressing. T-shirt, if the funny name makes you wonder, here is the history. The name apparently is credited to its simple design. Indian Tennis player Sania Mirza wears T-shirt bearing the words like Well-behaved women rarely make history, Attitude Unlimited and many more. Today she is facing a tough time in answering the questions from the media related to skin tight T-shirt she wears. Indeed a hot issue of cool T-shirt!

Everyone believes that what you dress or wear says a lot about your personality. It displays your character and behavior. Sometimes T-shirts gives a perfect attitude of a person when displaying some slogans or logos and it also displays the community or religion you belong to or association / group associated with it, hence it leads to intelligent conversation or displays what you want to speak about. That means it convey your messages in the form of slogan or logo and ultimately your attitude!

Normally, teens prefer short sleeves T-shirt with attitude slogans. Many young people prefers T-shirts with attitude slogans like God bless everyone, Bad attitude, I am on summer holiday, Flower Friend, , I have an attitude!, etc. If you care about the animals show it with Animal's friend, if you care about environment wear T-shirt with slogans like Think Green, Protect Earth from Pollution and the possibility of playing around with words, designing and wearing it on you is immense. And all it depends on what you want to show and what you are wearing that ultimately describe your attitude.

T-shirts are most preferred and acceptable in Indian market In India, earlier, T-shirts were preferred by children and teens only, but now a days people of all age-groups wears T-shirts. Generally old age people prefer mostly collared T-shirts with branded names. Kids buy T-shirts of styles Pokemon and Spiderman and with many cartoon themes.

Recently, T-shirts with plain colors like white, bottle green, emerald green, kelly green, sky blue, navy, orange, royal blue, sunflower, heather, ash, olive, khaki, deep navy, navy, aqua etc are preferred in office or with the corporate logo or slogans. Today, a new corporate trend of dressing observed in India, especially in the information technology industry where you can come with a blazer or sports jacket and attend a meeting wearing T-shirt too.

Ladies are also wearing T-shirts in corporate houses with contrasting bound neck band and cuffs, short sleeve T-shirts. Even many offices are also favoring Western wear including corporate T-shirts. Indian fashion trends are going to West now a days.

Shopping malls have been growing in India like mushrooms and selling branded T-shirts and clothes to youngsters. In India most ladies are wearing T-shirts, Indian women are giving up their traditional wears like saris, salwar kameez and pajamas and replacing these with western wear, like skirts and trousers, jeans wear, short and tight T-shirts etc. Women find Western clothing is like skirts and trousers, jeans wear, short and tight T-shirts etc. Women find Western clothing are more convenient, especially when office hours or while traveling. Along with a short T-shirt women are used to wear low-cut pants/jeans with a tight belt is a hot and new trend in India.

Demand: trendy and flourishing T-shirt market of India A peep inside casual wear stores here suggests that T-shirts have a presence that cannot be ignored and also have an ally even among the not-so-fashion-conscious people here.

A splash of colours, a few funky words do a mighty bit towards endearing them to any crowd, young or old. T-shirts now serve as the easiest canvass for a piece of art ranging from a Superman to political slogans. The scope of playing around with words and wearing it on you is tremendous.

There is availability of the standard, fashionable and designable distinctive varieties of T-shirts in the Indian market. There is significantly more demand of embroidery, Jewellery and custom designed T-shirts too.

The current trends of T-shirts also include flocking T-shirts where Flocking - is a process by which vat-dyed fibers are tied to the fabric with a heat transfer process, and are becoming demanding more and more. These T-shirt are distinctive in terms of fit, feel and styling. There are many T-shirts manufacturers are manufacturing light weight T-shirts to satisfy the needs of the light weight T-shirts consumers.

In addition to manufacturers many designers have geared up their styles of making T-shirts in the form of arts like jewelled designed T-shirts, crystal designed T-shirts, embodied T-shirts, and Digital Jewelled designed T-shirts etc. Recently, National Institute of Fashion Technology graduate Mr. Shantanu of Kolkata (India) designed jewelled T-shirts with the theme of God Kirshna's character. These kind of Jewelled and embroiled T-shirts are hot in metro cities of India. This fashion trends are affecting more and more to the young and the trendy people. Digitally printed jewelled T-shirts bearing opulent Mughal theme with attitude slogans are still popular among youths.

Currently, In India, fashion is considered as a serious business and the market demand will be booming. Tight T-shirt with mini skirts or jeans pants is hot trend in Indian youngsters. Most of young ladies are accepting to be an ultra-sexy by wearing mini skirts with tight and short T-shirts or feminine long skirts with off shouldered sexy T-shirts. India experiences the West, that's the big trend. The slim fit, fluorescent and fast color T-shirts were sold out more during this Diwali.

The branding game In India T-shirts industries have raised by 27 percent followed by blouses/shirts and trousers. Recent market report survey says this segment of clothing in India accounts for 4.22 per cent of the Indian apparel market with sales of Rs. 2,419 crores, this includes T-shirts for women and have become trendy.

According to KSA Techno Park, Nike is the market leader, followed by Reebok in three of the income segments, except for Adidas in the Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 income segment, and Nike has an 8.3 percent share.

The income analysis of women explains that Reebok is the top women's active wear T-shirt in the lower income segment, Nike in the middle income segment and Adidas leads the highest income bracket.

Duke is the most popular brand in clothing of the lowest income segment of consumers; it is second in the next higher income slab to Lee and third in the Rs. 50,001 to Rs. 1 lakh income group. The top five in the highest income group is considered Wills Sports followed by Lacoste, Allen Solly, Lee and Classic Polo in order-wise.

Benetton is the second most popular brand in the segment of income of Rs. 50,001 to Rs. 1 lakh and has received fifth rank in the Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 segment. In the lowest income bracket Peter England is among the top five favorites and Crocodile gets similar approval in the Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 income segment. In the next higher income segment, Allen Solly and ColorPlus are considering. The report says, there are two sub-categories in T-shirts market, one is active wear and second is casual wear. Generally, people are likely to wear active wear brands for their morning jogging or routine work while the casual T-shirts used for the purpose of informal clothing. Active wear clothing tends to have a high recall because of many international brands have become more or less generic with active wear.

The future of T-shirt Industry in India

Movies, film stars and celebrities play an important role in suggesting the youths to wear stylish T-shirts. Sometimes people become aware of a new collection only after the film stars or celebrities wear them in movies. Film stars make a fashion statement by wearing their words on T-shirt, while other celebrities make their statements a bit in a different way or in their choosy styles. Even Sushmita Sen's sari-look in 'Main Hoon Na' movie liked by people but personally she prefers to wear jeans and a T-shirt.

T-shirts are also increasingly being used in Indian corporate houses to motivate employees, to build brand loyalty in the market as well as to display the company's attitude by displaying its motto or slogan in front of stakeholders. Today in major corporate houses promotional T-shirts became very popular as corporate gifts and more and more corporate or promotional T-shirts are demanding in the market, manufacturers are also manufacturing best quality designer-type pieces with buyers' logos, institutional advertising, slogans and emblems on T-shirts as well as for the end users. During the last cricket world cup, one of the Net portals sold some 60,000 promotional T-shirts in 60 days.

After WTO textile quotas were removed in January, traders of T-shirts in India observed export demand growth by 25 percent in the first quarter of this year in against the same period of 2004.

The export of ladies' blouses is up 26% to 29 million euros, jerseys and pullovers are up 12%, and men's T-shirts are up 37%. The collective export of blouses, skirts and T-shirts were about Rs 9,000 crore last year. The India's accomplishment has been amazing in four categories (as below) which had been eliminated by quota and it has been capable to maximize the use of quota levels, these cover T-shirts (Cat-4), ladies blouse (Cat-7), gents shirts (Cat-8) and ladies dresses (Cat-26). Amid the above categories, T-shirts has a bigger share in the top 10 categories trapping around 8.2 per cent of the total MFA imports of EU.

To satisfy the increased demand and seize market opportunities, many manufacturers and traders are adding new production lines and even building new factories. Many companies are improving their technology too. Main production centers of T-shirts in India are Tirupur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Ludhiana.

Recently Tetriberica, a Portugal based apparel manufacturing company has opened an India office at Tirupur with the aim of providing sportswear and T-shirts in Indian market, and many international companies are looking towards the growth by targeting the Indian market. A new production unit in Gujarat has been establishing by T.T. Ltd for T-shirt manufacturing. Pytex Hosiery Mills is also constructing a new factory in Haryana to increase its production capacity. And many Indian T-shirt manufacturers are improving their production facilities and developing their capability among the challenge of stiff competition passed on by the lifting of quotas.

Selections of Tees on latest trends give you a superior look

Wearing a T-shirt of your choice gives your looks more attractive but what type of T-shirt you select gives your looks better than others. Your personality depends on the selection of right type of T-shirts like size differences, fabric, color, printing process etc and depends on the latest trends too. Selections of Tees on latest trends give you a better look and enhance your personality.

Selection of Fabric

T-shirts can be made from many materials and fabric decides many features about a T-shirt, such as how well a T-shirt will give its shape after wearing and washing. And it also depends for what purpose T-shirts you are going to wear, i.e. the selection of soft and flexible or durable heavy fabric or non- shrinkable material like polyester/cotton blends, selection of fiber contents etc. Select the fabric of T-shirt or its material according to your purpose.

Colour and Design and Garment distortion

Different brands provide different color choices and designs. To avoid color fading, choose appropriate and long lasting color shade T-shirts to your wearing purpose. Over and over again a brand new T-shirt leaves the washer and dryer in an unsatisfactory condition. All T-shirts will shrink to some extent when they are first washed. Shrinking is become more problem while it shrinking continually by washing. To avoid this problem select cotton polyester blend T-shirts, this will shrink less.

Differences of sizes

The selection of T-shirts is depends on the size of that T-shirt you wear and ultimately it affects on your personality. Sizing varies vividly from brand to brand. Not only does the general size change drastically, but the length and width proportions differ as well. Your figure and style will decide what brand will give you the right fit. Check out sizing of T-shirts. Pilling

On the surface of the garment sometimes pilling is appeared. To reduce this, purchase no-pill or low-pill materialized T-shirt. Neckband

The neckband should choose a knit to stretch over the head, then reshape in its original. A firm knit ribbing is often utilized. A nylon blend ribbing provides added reinforcement. Care Tags

Most T-shirts are generally provided with care label, with suggestion to required garment care. Some T-shirts can be cleaned in hot or warm water and tumble dried; others may need more extraordinary care such as machine washing in cold water and line drying or lying flat to dry. T-shirts with transfer prints and decorated, generally require special care, such as turning the T-shirt wrong side out before laundering. Keep in mind to maintain garment appearance; you should have to follow care recommendations. Latest trend

And at the last but not the least purchase T-shirts to suits your mood , the purpose of wearing and the latest trends of designs, color combination etc in the market.

Fibre2fashion.com- Leading B2B Portal of Fashion, Textile and Apparel Industry offers Free Fashion Articles, Free Fashion Trends Articles, Free Industry Reports, Free Articles, Free Fashion Designers Articles, Women?s Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips Free Fashion Case Studies and Fashion Market Country Reports ? submit your reprinted articles, featured articles free and get advantage of largest community of textile apparel, fashion and retail industries.

To read more articles on Textile, Fashion, Apparel, Technology, Retail and General please visit http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article If you wish to download/republish the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the Article Source?. Also, you have to make it hyperlinked to our site.

Copyright ? 2006

Graco Bancroft Stroller A Baby Strollers That Will Last

Cortina Strollers are made with high quality aluminum frames and have all the features of top dollar strollers. For instance cortina travel system strollers have memory recline, removable canopies and plenty of storage.

The last thing that you want to think about when you are having a baby is how will everything match with your decor. Although it may be fun to fantasize about the trendiest decor you want your baby in, it is hard enough to bring home baby let alone do it in style. With the Graco Bancroft Stroller and complete line of matching equipment your basic fashion needs are met. You can rest assured that when you register at any place selling the Graco Bancroft Stroller that your gift givers will find matching attire for your newest addition.

Not only will you get everything for your Graco Bancroft Stroller which includes an infant seat, adjustable base and of course the stroller itself but you will get the ease of matching accessory choices. The Graco Bancroft Stroller has an entire line dedicated to matching your base item and then you can branch out from there.

When baby is not moving and rocking in the Graco Bancroft Stroller then your baby can move and rock in the matching swing. There are a couple of different swings that match the Graco Bancroft Stroller and at this point, the swing which you choose will be up to you. The swings do not offer a lot of difference between them but they do offer a choice. Very important as you embark on the new mom task, you want choices.

You want all your decor to match the Graco Bancroft Stroller? No problem. There are also lines of diaper bags, bottle carriers, play yards and pack n' plays that match your original Graco Bancroft Stroller. When you are a new mom you need all the help in organization you can get. The one choice in the Graco Bancroft Stroller can help you get organized with all your other baby needs.

Do not forget that maybe eventually down the line you will add a high chair to the mix of equipment you own. Once again the matching chair is available. You may not need it for a long time after baby is born but it does adjust as baby adjusts, just like the Graco Bancroft Stroller. Isn't it nice you can count on a system to work?

Let the one choice in the Graco Bancroft Stroller snowball and help make the other tough decisions easier for you. Stick with a line that makes sense to your needs and tastes.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Kip D Goldhammer owns and operates http://www.superbabystrollers.com Cortina Stroller

The Volvo C70: Two Cars in One

Many car buyers especially those more concerned about their car's exterior styling would usually opt for a convertible. After all, driving down a busy street in a top down car is guaranteed to turn heads. Of course, the driving performance of the car is not left to chance; any buyer would surely go for a car with good looks and a high performance level to boot. And since a convertible is known for having problems in security and leakage in the past, a smart buyer would surely cover all bases and go for the convertible that not only looks good and drives well but is also secured and safe.

One such car is the Volvo C70. This vehicle is a four-seater coupe/convertible which is expected to set a trend for other car manufacturers to follow shortly. The current convertible model from the Swedish manufacturer is owned by the Ford Motor Company. It is actually based on the Volvo S40 sedan but the convertible has a wider track and holds better looks. But just like all other Volvo models, both are safety features rich and have high performance levels.

The car's performance, just like its exterior design, does not disappoint. It can handle great speeds with ease giving its occupants a smooth and quiet ride even with the top down. The top, by the way, is made of steel and it takes 30 seconds for it to fold down into the trunk. It has that sports car feel which accompanies all convertibles, thanks to its hardworking engine and an array of precisely engineered parts - a product of all the hard work the company puts in all its car models. The powertrain of the car is one of the finest in the market thanks to the company's dedication to their consumers' safety. From its engine, power is transferred through either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Various parts work together perfectly to get that power to the wheels like the Volvo axle, the drive shaft, and other drivetrain parts.

With precision engineering and a design that enables the car perform to its optimum level; the car is not surprisingly one of the best in the market, and they are up against very tough competition. Its suspension is incredible, giving the car the stability and ride comfort even on long drives that driver and passenger would surely appreciate. The chassis of the car is fortified and re-figured from the original Volvo C70 to increase the rigidity of the car thus increasing the safety of the occupants in cases of roll over on collisions. This is a trait that is uniquely Volvo. Through the years, the company has been known for making their cars safer and safer for their consumers. And the new coupe/convertible, two cars in one, is another example of the dedication of the company towards better road safety.

About the Author

Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the Motor City and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

Moving The Keys To A Successful Move

Every single year, the moving industry charges into action (usually during the summer months) as millions of people move from one place to another.

There are always war stories shared by those that have lived through a move, usually detailing experiences that could have been avoided.

Here we investigate the process of actually performing the move, and doing it safely and successfully. Afterall, so many take real care in the financial aspects of buying or selling a home. Why then, is there so much less concern with moving your home from one place to another? Aren't the things inside your home as important as the home itself?

Step 1: Take inventory of the items in your home!

Very often, there is little to no time to actually determine what items are really worth taking to the new home. Therefore, the typical approach is to PACK EVERYTHING! This is a safety mechanism that can add serious dollars to your cost of moving. To move those items you no longer want or need may require a larger vehicle, or more moving supplies.

Some items you may offer to the buyer to help increase the sale price. Other items you may be able to sell on eBay or at a garage sale. Did you ever consider that the money made from a garage sale could actually pay for your move?

Step 2: Organize and Pack your valuables wisely!

The most organized person I have ever met was my sister, who sorted all items into boxes by room, even if it was the attic or garage for storage. She had separated everything based on which room they were going into, not where they came from, packed them into boxes and used marker to write the contents and designated room.

Step 3: Buy the right moving supplies!

The one thing everyone needs, but no one wants to buy are moving boxes, moving supplies and packing materials. Consider how much your valuables are worth, and then consider whether or not it is worth spending some money to ensure that your valuables are kept safe during the move. Whether you have your big buddy helping you or a professional moving company, you are still much safer if your valuables are packed securely. DON'T use your friend's recycled boxes as they may no longer be sturdy.

You can find moving boxes, moving supplies and packing materials you need online at wholesalers like www.promovingboxes.com. Sites like these are all over and offer fast free shipping. Imagine, that old bike or furniture set you sold on eBay may even pay for your order!

Step 4: Hire a Moving Company!

Bluto the large may be a close personal friend, but very often should not be relied on to supplant a professional moving company. For one thing, favors are always repaid with other favors, which involve some manner of costs. Also, either your stuff, or worse your friends could get hurt in the process. Professional movers are insured, and so are your valuables. If a mover drops grandma's china set that was given to you as an heirloom, you may remember it forever, but you'll probably never see that person again. Your friend may not be so lucky. They could wind up with a permanent black mark when all they were trying to do was help you out.

Step 5: Take time Off before and after!

Don't leave a deadline of a weekend to move your home. It is never long enough. True, that most people take vacation to simply go on vacation. But here, you have 1 opportunity to get it all right! From start to finish, you have the opportunity to do everything right! Ever hear of someone who wanted to paint their new home first but couldn't because they had to get their stuff out of the moving truck?

Leave yourself plenty of time to perform all of the steps in your move. You will feel much better for it in the end. Those who take off often find that they have accomplished so much more. Either by organizing their new home, or cleaning their things as they unpack them. Most importantly though, those who take off can take time to enjoy their new home, and begin to plan for their future there.

We wish you the best on your move, and hope that you learn from the experiences of the many who have gone through it already

Robin Campbell - EzineArticles.com Author

This author writes articles that are typically published at www.promovingboxes.com. Directives and objectives for the near term include becoming an authority on the moving industry. His main website is 'promovingboxes' -- offering wholesale moving boxes and supplies with free shipping and next day delivery.

Choose the Right Realtor

For most people, their home is the biggest investment of their life. Whether you're buying or selling a home, you want to be sure you're maximizing that investment. Choosing the right Realtor can make a big difference in how fast you find or sell a house, the price you pay or receive and the smooth completion of the transaction.

You'll need to do some research to find the one that's right for you. It's not hard, but it will take a little time; however, finding the right match will pay off in the long run. Here are some tips from AHA:

Go with a Pro

The terms agent, broker and Realtor are often used interchangeably. But not all agents or brokers are Realtors. The term Realtor identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors and subscribes to its strict code of ethics, which in some cases goes beyond state law.

Experience Counts

Whether you're looking for a Realtor to help you buy or sell a house, you don't want to be part of someone's learning curve. One of the first questions you should ask a potential Realtor is how long they've been licensed and how long they've worked in the area, says Richard Roll, president of AHA.

Get Referrals

Friends, neighbors and co-workers are often good sources for referrals. Get as many details as possible about their buying or selling experience with a particular agent. Were they happy with the service they received? Would they use the Realtor again? You can also check the local yellow pages or search the Internet to scope out your options and find leads . If you're selling, look for sold signs in your neighborhood.

Think Locally

Both buyers and sellers should look for a Realtor who is familiar with the area, notes Roll. Ask what they have sold or listed in the neighborhood recently. If you're buying, a Realtor should be able to provide you with information on the community, the schools, taxes and other facts. If you're selling, you want your agent to be able to talk to prospective buyers about these details.

Use the Right Type of Realtor

Should you use a conventional Realtor or a buyer's broker? Many home buyers don't realize that Realtors legally work for the seller. They're making their commission from the purchase price, so they want to sell a house quickly and for the most money possible.

A buyer's broker, on the other hand, represents the best interests of the buyer, and is an option that's growing in popularity. Buyer agents are bound to keep anything you say to them confidential. Since they are not working for the seller, they are less likely to try to gloss over any problems with a particular home and do their best to make sure you find a home that is right for you. However, you will have to pay the fee for a buyer agent, either an hourly fee or a commission based on the purchase price. The key is to make a better deal on the home that you buy to cover the cost of the assistance the agent provides.

Dual Agents work out of a traditional real estate office both as a traditional agent and a buyer agent. They can take on buyers directly as clients, but since they work in a traditional real estate office, they can also represent the seller. In this situation you need to remember to keep your comments spare and look for the best deal. A dual agent cannot negotiate on the buyer's behalf and cannot recommend specific terms, including a purchase price. If you want a true buyer broker without dual agency, be sure to look for an Exclusive Buyer Broker. Split Agents do the same type of work as a dual agent, in that they can represent the buyer or seller. The main difference is that they never represent both in a transaction. If you hire a split agent as your buyer broker, they are bound to the same rules as an exclusive buyer broker. Everything you say is held in confidence and they work solely and completely in your best interest.

Discount and e-brokers provide even more choices to home buyers and sellers. Both charge less than the typical 6 percent commission for their services. Discount brokers function much like a conventional agent. However, they may not provide the full range of marketing services you would get from a convention agent. Most e-brokers do not have a brick and mortar office, which cuts down their overhead costs, a saving which they pass on to consumers. When using an e-broker, you'll typically do most of the work yourself: checking the MLS listings, making a list of properties you'd like to view, weeding out the houses that aren't a good fit for you. The transaction takes place mostly online; when you have some houses you want to see, you contact the e-broker and they put you in touch with a local agent.

Another option as a buyer is to try to go it alone, searching through the papers and looking for listing signs as you drive through different neighborhoods. This is not recommended for first time buyers, but if you are a hardy soul and want to take on the task, make sure you do your homework on each property before signing anything. Be sure to go through the remaining sections of AHA's Home University 1st Time Buyers course, so you will know how to protect yourself and make a good deal.

Stay in your range

Whether you're buying or selling, choose a Realtor who concentrates on your price range. For example, if you're looking to buy a house in the range of $250,000 to $300,000, you should check the real estate listings in the local paper to see which Realtors are listing houses in that range. A Realtor who focuses on more expensive homes won't be as knowledgeable about what's available in your price range.

Interview a Few Candidates

Once you've done some background work, set up interviews with three or four Realtors you're considering. You might also want to visit open houses to observe the agent in action. Are they familiar with the property, the area, the real estate transaction? Did they show the home in a professional manager? Did they seem enthusiastic and were they easy to communicate with?

Don't Let an Agent Buy Your Listing

If one agent says he or she can sell your house for substantially more money than the other agents quoted you, they're probably telling you what they think you want to hear in order to get your listing. Or, they may not be familiar with the market in your town or neighborhood. Statistics show that properties which are over-priced when they are listed stay on the market longer and sell for less than if they had been properly priced from the start, says AHA's Roll.

Agree on Expectations

If you're selling a house, ask your agent to put together a written marketing plan detailing the steps they will take to sell your home. The agent should offer advice on how to prepare your home for the market and who has enthusiasm for your property. If you're buying a home, make sure you know how often your agent will supply you with listings, how many houses you can expect to see in a week, etc.

Look for a Personality Match

Once you know you've narrowed your search down to qualified professionals with the right expertise, make sure you choose someone you trust and who you like. Regardless of whether you're a buyer or a seller, you'll be spending a lot of time with your Realtor and it should be someone you feel compatible and comfortable with, says Roll.

American Homeowners Association (AHA)?

Richard J. Roll, American Homeowners Association (AHA)? Founder and President, created the AHA in 1994 after speaking to thousands of homeowners and discovering that they were facing similar problems ? high costs, no clout, little knowledge. The AHA helps homeowners and first-time homebuyers obtain the most value for their homes, build equity, avoid common pitfalls, and save $1000s on home improvements and home maintenance. Now the world?s leading homeowner?s savings, benefits and advocacy membership group, since its inception, AHA has served over 1 million homeowners and first-time home buyers and helps them to capture the most value in their homes, and make wiser decisions regarding home buying, selling, financing, maintenance and home improvements.