Weight Loss Tips - Before After Pictures for Motivation

Congratulations on your decision to lose weight. Now you can add in some strategies to keep yourself on track with your weight loss. You will most likely come across temptations to include the wrong foods on your diet. So here are a few tricks with photos to avoid getting off track.

Before and after pictures are always motivating. If you have a picture of yourself when you used to be at the weight you loved, put that picture on your refrigerator. This will remind you when you open that refrigerator door to only select the foods and portions in your fridge that will help your weight loss goals. If you have temptations at work, keep some before/after pictures on or in your desk. Or you can keep some pictures in your pocket or purse.

When you eat out having before/after pictures in your purse, wallet, or pocket could be handy to take a look at to motivate yourself away from all those tempting menu choices. At work you can keep before/after pictures on your desk or in your desk drawer.

You can also put that same picture or other pictures of yourself when you liked how your body looked on your bathroom mirror where you brush your teeth and comb your hair. Visual reminders can be strong motivation. Also if you have a fat picture of yourself where you dont like how you look, put that next to the picture of yourself you like. This will help you make the choices to move towards attaining the body image of yourself that you want to attain.

If you dont have pictures of yourself, you can use other peoples before/after weight loss pictures to help motivate yourself. You can use the link below for some great before/after pictures that you can copy to use for your inspiration.

Here are some pictures you can copy and use for your motivation: http://www.weightlossproduct.com/beforeafterpictures.php And Your weight loss can be made easier with soy protein shakes by Herbalife and you can find a variety of Shake Recipes at smoothie protein shake recipes for a simple solution to replace one or two meals a day. Once you know that you love the Herbalife products, you can register to save 25% or more with the Herbalife Discount at Herbalife Discount

3 Ways to Stay Motivated Despite Movable Deadlines

It is important to know how to find self motivation when you are dealing with unstructured timetables and deadlines that can change from one moment to the next.

Unstructured time and changing deadlines can be very frustrating and can cause motivation to dwindle away.

Motivation can also sometimes be difficult to recover in these types of situations unless we can find a way to put more prediction in the unstructured time and changing deadlines.

Most of us find motivation somewhat easy to get when we are dealing with structured situations. Going to work is a good example of a structured situation. We get out of bed each day and go to the office or factory and put in our eight hours, sometimes not really wanting to.

But we find the inner strength and desire to do so day in and day out. The reason we do is that if we don't we don't get paid and can actually lose our jobs. The need for an income to support our families is the source that motivates us to get to work even when we don't want to.

There are many tasks in life that have unstructured time tables and changing deadlines. A simple example might be getting the house painted. If you are a working person, like most of are, you only have time to paint the house on the weekends.

However, most house painting projects are not just a one weekend event, but rather a project that can take several weekends to complete. Moreover, the deadline for completing such a project can change because of weather conditions or other events that interfere.

So how do you stay motivated to complete your painting project when time is unstructured and the deadline changes?

The thing to do is to put structure into your time. This is fairly easy to do if you:

1. Break your projects down into smaller pieces.

Taking the house painting example, rather than trying to paint the whole in a weekend, break the overall project into smaller projects.

For example, scrape the old paint away on one Saturday morning. Then the following Saturday morning apply your primer. Then the next Saturday morning paint one side and the final side on the next Saturday.

The point here is to put structure in unstructured time by breaking projects down into more time manageable pieces as it relates to your ability to complete the smaller pieces.

When you put structure in time where it was unstructured before you will find more motivation to complete the overall project as you complete the smaller ones.

2. Be flexible but do something!

Movable deadlines can be a source of frustration, discouragement, and pressure, all of which can then affect our motivation.

Deadlines move for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond our control, like the weather interfering with getting the house painted before the party you planned to have in a few weeks.

But here again even though the rain today has prevented you from painting the house today you can do other things that you were going to do next weekend and paint the house next weekend.

3. An effective way to cope with movable deadlines is to be flexible and able to change your schedule.

Unstructured time and movable deadlines can affect our motivation. By nature we are creatures that feel more comfortable and motivated with stability and prediction in our lives.

When time is unstable and unpredictable we can become confused, frazzled and frustrated because unstructured time and movable deadlines require us to change something.

The key to staying motivated in these situations is to remain flexible at all times and adapt ourselves and schedules to meet those changes.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: stay motivated

Fall - Time to Change YOUR Leaves?

Fall is one of my favorite times of year - the temp starts dropping, the air gets crisp, the trees put on a glorious display of color - I love it! I also think it's a great time to drop what's not working for you. If trees can let go of every leaf, why can't we let go of what no longer serves us? Here are some possibilities: excess weight, too much clutter, bad relationships, bad habits, bad debt. Just how long are you planning on carrying those dead leaves around? And you know that you can't grow any new leaves with those dead leaves blocking all the sunshine.

I know what I'm asking you to do is hard. I'm asking you to change what could be lifelong patterns of behavior. I know it is not easy. But here's the deal-continue on your current path and your situation will only get worse. The latest statistics on obesity are shocking-in less than 8 years, 75% of Americans will be overweight and 41% will be obese! We are turning into a nation of fat people. Why? Because of our habits-we eat too much, we exercise too little. Think you're heavy now? Guess what, unless you change those leaves, you're going to be a whole lot heavier in eight years.

I just put together a seminar called "Kicking Your Own Buts" on how to change this type of behavior. I studied different methods of change and researched changing the most difficult behaviors-addictions' to see if there were lessons for the rest of us. There were:

1.) Know thyself. Truer words were never spoken. You know what is going to work for you and what isn't. If you've been a night owl for 40 years and hate exercise, getting up at dawn and running is not going to work for you. Craft a plan you can live with. Forever.

2.) Oh yeah, baby - we're talking forever. The deal is not the change itself-most alcoholics are great at quitting. It's the staying sober part that's hard. Dieters can lose weight - they're good at that - it's keeping it off that's hard. If you can't do it forever, it's no good.

3.) You have got to want to change for you. I watched many, many episodes of A & E's series Intervention and only those who really want to get better have a chance. Most bail out as soon as their family is out of sight. Change is hard as hell - if you don't really want to do it for yourself, don't bother trying.

4.) Try Kaizen. Kaizen says take tiny steps. I did this with my backlog of e-mail. I have serious perfectionist issues-if I can't do it all and do it right, I'll put it off. (See #1) My inbox was getting to be a nightmare. E-mail needed to be deleted or filed or dealt with. Then I tried Kaizen-I would just aim to have 10 less in the inbox at the end of each day. Then I went to 25 less, etc. I got through the backlog and now have a cap (no more than 50) that can be allowed in my inbox at the end of the day. You can do this with anything-walk in place for 5 minutes while watching your favorite TV show. Build up gradually. Leave one bite of food on your plate. Kaizen is all about taking small steps to change. You've been practicing your bad habits for a lifetime-stop expecting to change them overnight!

5.) Get smart. Dean Ornish observed that even when told if they did not change they would DIE, heart patients did not change their eating and exercise habits. He discovered that doctors were just telling patients to exercise and lose weight, not telling them how to do it. You have to learn about whatever change you are trying to make. Many of us eat without really paying attention. I noticed my jeans feeling a little snug and realized the scale was moving toward my-OHMYGOD weight. So I started writing down everything I was eating. Everything. A cookie here, a piece of candy there, a roll at lunch - it adds up faster than you realize. Start writing. All I want you to worry about is calories. Do you even know how many you need JUST TO MAINTAIN your current weight? Find out ASAP if not-go to mayoclinic.com and look under health tools for their calorie calculator. Don't lie about how active you are. The number you get (maybe around 2,000) is all you should eat if you don't want to gain any weight. I'm not talking about losing-I'm talking about staying where you are today. Guess how many calories are in one slice of P.F. Chang's Great Wall of Chocolate cake? One piece = 2,000 calories. Wake up! Look at serving sizes. You may think a bowl of your favorite cereal has only 70 calories. But that's for 1/3 cup and you've been pouring a bowl of two cups (420 calories). Knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss. In this case, ignorance is obesity. Apply the knowledge plan to any change you want to make. What you know now is clearly not enough.

6.) Ask for help. We Americans are tough and we believe we have to go it alone. AA and other programs work for people because they give them a support group. Ornish found in his work with patients that if they had others to offer them support, their efforts at change were much more successful. This could be a mentor, a therapist, a family member, a friend or a teacher. There are also thousands of groups on the Internet-just search and see. Having other people trying to make the same change as you are supporting and encouraging you can be a huge help. The key here is fit-it has to be a person or a group you are comfortable with and you trust and respect. Change is hard, but it's much easier if you have some support along the way.

A tree is not its leaves any more than you are your habits. Have the courage to let go of what's not working. Nothing says fall like the smell of burning leaves.

Denise Ryan, MBA, is a Certified Speaking Professional, a designation of excellence held by less than 10% of all professional speakers. She is a blogger http://motivationbychocolate.blogspot.com Her website is http://www.firestarspeaking.com

Life Purpose - How to Get One!

So many people want to know, "How do I find my life Purpose?" Once I find it, then what?" These are questions I encounter on a regular basis. I remember when I didn't have one. Mine was actually lost, I was searching...

Before I go on, I want to define what that it means to me. I believe it is your reason for living. It is what makes you get up in the morning. It's what you love to do and what you naturally do the best.

This started my journey to find a meaningful life purpose.

It is something that lights you up inside and everyone who comes in contact with you can feel that light. Have you ever been around someone whose energy is so bright you are instantly attracted to that person? They are living their purpose.

I believe we all have a life purpose. Whether we are living it or not is another thing. It's very much like Your life passion. If you're reading this article and you think you are one of those rare people who don't have one, I hate to burst your bubble here.. you have one it's just hiding.

My purpose today is to help you find your Life Purpose. By sharing with you how I found mine and how I have helped others discover theirs.

What do I love to do?

1. I started with a list of all the things I love to do. What makes you smile when you think of doing a certain thing? (at this point you should get a piece of paper because your going to start writing your list...you'll see how this works once we go through the steps)

Example: I love to write, I love to inspire people to grow, I love music, I love to sing, I love to read, I love Yoga, I love to meditate, I love to share with people, I love shopping...etc.

(Can you see where this is going?)

Next I wrote down all the things that come naturally to me.

2. Communicating, motivating people, writing, creating new concepts- putting them into action, thinking out side of the box, dancing, sensing peoples energy ...etc.

When I looked at the different things that came easily to me and the things that gave me pleasure it seemed inevitable that my life purpose had something to do with people and helping them in some way. Okay so I had that part down.

Then I started to examine the different ways I could go about helping people. I looked at the writing aspect. That was one way. I looked at teaching. Maybe a yoga or meditation instructor?, that's another way. That's another way. I looked at how I love to help people thrive, another way.

Narrowing it down

3. Now my two lists started to meld into one list. With items that seemed to naturally go together.

New list:

Yoga, Meditation, helping people, communicating, motivating people, thinking outside the box, writing.

Trying it on for size

4. Next, I imagined myself as a yoga teacher. What would that actually feel like? Is that something that fits into my life? Does this help people? I did this with each item in the list. I really took the time to try these different ideas on for size and see how they fit. This can be done in many different ways. Visualization is one way.

Another way can be to try out the different yoga classes in your area and get a feel for what it would be like if "you" were instructing that class. Can you see yourself doing it? Does it feel right to you? After trying on the different ideas in my list in the conventional way, something still didn't feel quite complete to me.

This is where thinking out side the box comes in.

I really love all the benefits that I get from yoga and meditation. I love to share with people and I love to write. Why not write a article or e-book on yoga and it's benefits.

Then I had another thought I could write about all the different and amazing techniques I have experienced in meditation, sharing these with people who may need some new suggestions on meditating or just any suggestions on meditating for that matter. I thought about the different angles that I could write about. I could write for example: My favorite meditation techniques or beginning meditation that accomplishes this and a more in depth meditation that accomplishes that. The possibilities became endless.

Now my creative juices were flowing. I was getting really energized about this. I realized that writing about the things I love and sharing them with people was really feeling incredible to me. I started to feel like I just won the lottery! Once I opened my mind to other ways of sharing with people other then becoming an actual yoga instructor or meditation instructor, I knew I was making progress. The gates were opening!

I let these ideas sit with me as I took the next step. I did some investigating.

Investigating

5. I searched the web. Here I put in quite a few different searches. I searched under:

Yoga

How to become a yoga instructor

Helping people

Motivating people

Becoming a motivational speaker

Becoming a therapist

Teaching meditation

Meditation ...etc.

Next I did a different type of search, one that would tell me who was already doing these things. How much did they charge? What were they offering? I thoroughly investigated their websites and spoke to people who did these types of things. This way I could really get a feel for what it may be like to be a motivational speaker etc.

Putting it out there

6. I then started talking about my ideas to people who knew me well. My sister has always been a great help there. I can count on her for the truth and support. That is very important when you're searching for your Life Purpose.

Make sure the people you choose to talk with are people in your life that support you and have a positive out look. Between my sister, Leah and a few other close friends I started to get other ideas. This lead to my friends sharing with me what they saw as my strengths.

That was very helpful. The main theme I heard over and over was how gifted I am at helping people with their life and career situations. They said, I have wonderful ideas and I am very inspiring and up lifting. And I've had a lot of life experiences was another reoccurring theme. That would be the understatement of the century.

I certainly wasn't one to sit back and watch. I've always dived right in and took chances. Some of those chances turned out good, some great, others not so great. But I learned and grew from them. Sometimes slowly.... sometimes real slowly. :)

This whole time I left my mind open. Remember I am just investigating now, not making any decisions yet.

Writing it out

7. This step was really powerful for me. I started to write what I wanted my life to look like. I kept all the progress I made up until this point and included that into this piece of writing.

Something magical happened when I started to write this out. It felt real to me. I could actually see it coming to life. I noticed that when I was writing I became more detail oriented. Everything started to come together. I started to see my life purpose unfold. What ended up on that piece of paper is exactly what I'm now doing in my life.

I simply let the writing take me down the path where I wanted to be. I didn't stop for one moment in the writing process and say, "Dawn you can't do this because you won't make enough money." or "Dawn, isn't there quicker way of getting to your life purpose?"

Instead I wrote what I really wanted in life. Funny enough that is my life purpose.

Example of the writing

What is the most important thing(s) I have to offer?

I have learned to find ways to navigate easily and effortlessly in this world. My enthusiasm and excitement for life!

How do I want to do this?

I want to work from my home office. I want to write while looking at the ocean in a bright sunny environment. I'm setting my own hours. ( This is very important to me allowing time for yoga, meditation and my private life.) Balance

How does it play out?

Interacting with clients on the phone a session would last 45-50 min. Possibly, e-mailing
some type of questioner to find out where the person is coming from. Before each session I meditate and center myself.. etc.

(this is a portion of my rough draft, what I wanted my life to look like. At the time I didn't know what a life coach did. But I knew what I wanted to be doing. I knew what came naturally to me. I knew what my Life Purpose was. Who knew there was a word for it? .. LIFE COACH)

At this point in my journey it seemed obvious.

My life purpose is to be of service to all others through self awareness, inspiration and motivation.

I knew that I wanted my life purpose to transcend into my career and throughout my entire life.

This is something that is very important to me. To live my purpose in everything I do.

Putting it all together

8. Now that I knew what my life purpose was, and I had a rough idea of how I wanted to go about it. I needed to put that into action.

My first action step was to tell my group of friends or support group as I like to call them. What I had discovered. Three of them said it sounds like you are talking about a Life Coach. I said "Noooo!" I really didn't understand what a life coach did at that time. What do you think my next step was?

Second action step was to investigate Life Coaching. And once I did this thoroughly, not only through the web, I talked to a few people who were Life Coaches and investigated Life Coaching schools...

I found out that life coaching was exactly what I had been describing. That was a fantastic feeling. That fit me. It felt right. I was helping people and motivating them in positive ways while in a career that perpetuates growth for my clients as well as me. I was already doing this without knowing it.

Only I wasn't doing it full time or should I say, "as a career."

Over coming the obstacles

I did have one problem that kept bothering me. I am talking about my Life Purpose. Should I be charging for that?

I always felt that what came naturally to me was freely given as a gift and therefore I would also give it away as a gift.

I have found a way to do that...this article and this website has tons of these gifts. FREE! I also make time for my charity work and of course I continue to help my friends and family for FREE of course.

Making it happen!

I came to the realization that making a living at my life purpose is one way to integrate that purpose into the whole of my life. I will always be of service to all others in many different ways, most of which are free!

If you need additional help with finding your life purpose visit my web site: Qualified-Lifecoach.com

Dawn Abraham CTACC Life/Business Coach, "Official Guide" and expert of Small Business Marketing at selfgrowth,.com partnering with professionals and entrepreneurs to create balanced lives while earning more money. Web site includes: Law of Attraction, Self Esteem, Yoga, Meditation, Motivation, Reiki, Private Coaching, Group Coaching, Free Life Changing Mp3's and Tele-classes are offered. Go to my web sit for your FREE Mp3's http://www.qualified-lifecoach.com

Thought Leaders Then and Now - The Motivation is to Leave Something Behind

Though the best-known thought leaders of today are megastars, bigness isn't what thoughtleading is all about. What's important for the sincere practitioner of thoughtleading is that media exists to help get the word out, not become an end unto itself. Knowing which media to use is a key to thoughtleading success.

Most business thoughtleaders fare well, consistently staying on message when they show up to speak or be interviewed by a microphone or camera. A book by a lesser thoughtleader, therefore, represents the culmination of long, hard, important work, quiet research and reflection, and considered conclusions. A book serves as a gateway to the other "pillars" of thoughtleading such as articles, keynotes and media.

For the true thoughtleader, the motivation of all this careful reflection is to leave behind something that matters.

Consider now-superstar Tom Peters. Around 1980, before fame struck, he and Robert H. Waterman, both recently departed from McKinsey Consulting, designed a book concept around interviews they had done at McKinsey with companies around the world for the purpose of determining what makes organizations successful. When the dust of their research settled, they had identified 43 firms they felt had lessons to share. Their resulting pivotal conclusion was that business problems could be solved effectively with a minimum of business process "overhead." By submitting their manuscript to a publisher, the two hoped to deliver such insight to as much of the business community as possible. After all, if the companies profiled in the book could benefit so greatly from these lessons-learned, maybe a few other firms could benefit as well.

To everyone's surprise, their little report became an instant bestseller. Millions of copies later, it's still going strong. In Search of Excellence's anecdotes and conclusions have since enabled millions of company managers to reexamine their own business procedures and adopt more empowering practices.

What did this do for Peters and Waterman? Both went on to publish more books, speak at conventions and show up periodically in the business media.

Thanks to a series of PBS specials, Peters in particular achieved face-recognition notoriety.

Via this business world fame, he joined already-established thoughtleaders of his day who constantly write, speak, study and comment about important business issues and concerns.

Another now-famous thoughtleader, Harvard Business School Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, is reputed to be the first woman in academia to achieve the status of "management thoughtleader." Much of her early renown stemmed from her emphasis on such issues as change management and employee empowerment. At this date, Kanter has published 16 books, a series that began with her in-depth study of 1960s communes under the decidedly business-y title of The Men and Women of the Corporation. Tackling such an unorthodox subject in pursuit of business insights enabled Kanter to explain organizational behavior in ways no one had ever done before.

In days gone by, of course, there have been other lights to follow, no less insistent and no less bright. One could thumb through history and uncover many such pioneers whose flames have lit large candles, their thoughtleading ideas bursting forth with fire and brilliance.

Consider Ralph Waldo Emerson. Though not a businessman per se, Emerson's life practices laid the foundation for today's business thoughtleading way of life. Any thoughtleader today, any expert seeking an "expert's edge," would do well to adopt a typical Emerson weekly schedule.

World-renowned in the mid-nineteenth century for his essays and books, Emerson's stature as a thoughtleader of his day was quite secure. In addition to buying and reading such books and essays as Nature and The Law of Compensation, many of his fans thought nothing of embarking on a journey of many hours or days to make their way to Concord, Massachusetts and drop in to see him.

In the same manner, Emerson often traveled to the homes of his thoughtleader contemporaries. Nearby, in Cambridge, Massachusetts for example, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow communicated with Emerson frequently via the Internet of their day--- letters! A thoughtleader in his own right, Longfellow and Emerson also networked with other thoughtleader colleagues at the Parker Hotel in Boston for no-holds-barred all-day philosophy fests.

This helped them refine their own ideas as well as spread the word about them via each thoughtleader's network. Undoubtedly these sessions led to the trading of information on good/bad book publishers, potential speaking engagements, sources for research and further contacts for networking success.

Today, the same process for effective thoughtleading is carried out, frequently in hotels around the globe just like the old Parker House, and for that matter, at the Parker House itself, which still exists!

Ken Lizotte CMC, author of The Expert's Edge: Become the Go-To Authority that People Turn to Every Time (McGraw Hill) and Chief Imaginative Officer (CIO) of Emerson consulting group inc., transforms companies and professional service firms into "thoughtleaders," separating them from the competitive pack. Contact info: 978-371-0442 or http://www.theexpertsedge.com

Marketing & Motivation Mastermind Groups

The concept of the Mastermind Group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in the early 1900's. In his timeless classic, "Think And Grow Rich" he wrote about the Mastermind principle as:

"The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony."

Want to take your business to the next level? Then a mastermind group could be your ticket. One of the best ways to get on-going coaching with a group of like minded individuals, professionals and small business owners.

You can start out sharing an issue, success or breakthrough and this can be a personal or business example. The group can also focus on an area where members may need support. The Mastermind Group's purpose is to be there and to keep the group focused, motivated and inspired.

Sometimes it helps to bring topics to discuss and share with others. All members should be able to bring something to the table in the way of expertise.

Make sure your Mastermind Group has a purpose because some mastermind Groups meet for various reasons. Some meet as a support group, as a networking group or as some secret member group. Be very clear on what you're trying to accomplish. The more specific you are, the more productive you'll be.

The best part of Mastermind Groups is that participants challenge each other to create and implement goals, ideas, and support each other.

Knowing that there is a group of professionals who make a bid deal about when a member have a success, or a solution when a member is struggling, or who help a member sort things out when feeling overwhelmed means so much to the group. Most members are sure that they would not be as close to reaching so many their goals without this group.

Pam Knight
Small Business Coach
Client Business Services, LLC
http://clientsnow.com/Mastermind_Group.html

Increasing Motivation Reduces Stress

It's all in the way you look at a situation! Two young ladies, one named "Jane" and the other "Sally," are each traveling down a different street when their cars have a flat tire. Jane's reaction is to get so upset that tears run freely. It's obvious that her blood pressure has increased by leaps. Her mind is over-whelmed with the situation's negativity. A flurry of defeated thoughts rush in, such as:

• I am absolutely finished now!
• My day is totally ruined!
• I'll never get out of this predicament!
• I've never had it so bad!
• This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me!

Notice all the energy being absorbed by the overly exaggerated and negative thoughts. Jane's energy is dwindling fast as she struggles against these negative thoughts and think of what to do to resolve the problem.

Sally, on the other hand, immediately takes control and thinks about what needs to be done. She keeps herself calm and motivated. Her first thoughts are:

• I remember seeing the car jack and tire iron in the trunk.
• I know the spare tire sits on top of the jack in the trunk.
• I'm not far from Henry's house; I'll call him to see if he can help.
• There's a tire shop not far from here, I'll stop there later and see about getting a new tire.

In the meantime, Sally already called Henry, who is glad to come and help. She has opened the trunk and retrieved the spare tire and car jack. By the time Henry arrives, Sally has the jack in place and the tire iron is ready to remove the lug nuts from the tire.

Now back to see how Jane is doing. She's still sitting in the car on the side of the road, totally overcome with devastation. She's so overcome by her defeated thought pattern that she cannot even think rationally. She is unable to think clearly about what she should do first.

These are very primitive examples of how we are in control of our own actions and reactions to situations in life.

Sally's motivation is key to her taking charge and changing the situation. Jane, however, allowed the "power of negative thinking" to over-come and drain all her motivational energy. She literally sat in her car until some "good Samaritan" came to her rescue many hours later.

We all encounter difficulties that life throws at us. The difference is in how we handle them. If we focus on the negative of the situation, it will absolutely over-whelm and over-take us.

Negatives, whether they are circumstances or comments from others, act like sharks. They will try to chew off a piece here or there to maim us. If allowed, this shark will totally incapacitate by swallowing us whole.

If the "shark of negatives" is stopped and not allowed to get close to us, then we automatically have the upper hand. Motivation is an enemy to negative thinking. It does not accept a negative as the final solution. Instead it remains strongly focused to change the situation into a positive outcome.

When negative thoughts begin to flood in, it is then that the door must be slammed shut. Do not allow the negatives to take hold because they instantly begin to grow -- rapidly.

Instead, nourish the motivational thoughts that are positively charged. Motivation will always rush anxiously toward a positive and victorious outcome.

Visit my website here:
http://www.motivation-4-success.com

Are You Afraid to Live Your Life Purpose? What's That About? An Action Plan

Do you have a clear vision of your life purpose, but year after year you take no action? Do you hang back because you are unsure HOW to turn it into reality? Are you afraid to start because (in your mind) it would set you apart from friends and family? Does it seem impossible to accomplish? Are there parts of the vision that seem totally insurmountable?

Does it seem safer to simply stay in your little rut? Do you move to the brink of starting and run back to your "cave" every time? What are some things that could help you realize your life purpose?

1. Realize that fear and excitement feel a lot alike. As much as you are able, focus on the excitement and let the fear go.

2. Write deeply about your vision of your life purpose. Describe what you want to do. Who else is in the scene? What are you doing? Where are you doing it? What is your purpose? What are the results? Who is with you? Is travel involved? Who are you helping and how? How does this make the world a better place? What do you need to realize this vision? What additional training is required, and where do you get it? What do you need to know, learn, acquire, understand?

3. Research and identify anything missing from your plan. Become specific.

4. Write everything down and put things in sequence so that you know what things to do first.

5. Write your plan up as a strategy, being specific with all the small action steps that need to be taken.

6. Lay the action steps out on a timeline and start to take action on them in right timing.

7. Get yourself some help. Find a support group, entrepreneur center, or hire a coach.

8. Decide to fulfill your life purpose. Decide that you can figure out the parts you don't know now. Decide that you will do what it takes.

9. Notice the change in your energy when you are pursuing your life purpose vision. Contrast that with your energy when you are continuing on your old unsatisfying path.

You don't have to be afraid of your life purpose or of fulfilling it. You can develop a fearless attitude and approach. You can learn what you need to know. You can get support on the path. You can do it! The joy is phenomenal!

Suzi Elton is a success coach working with highly creative types to create income that matches their talent. She has coached hundreds of clients to approach their goals strategically through tiny steps to bring about quantum leaps. Get free Life Purpose exercises, at http://mylifepurposecoaching.com

Vivid Vision

Visualizing your success is crucial; if your mind can't conceive it, you sure won't achieve it! Since belief dictates behavior, you've got to believe first. And it is much easier to believe in something if you can visualize it.

Take the time to vividly imagine and play out in your mind exactly what your successes are. Let your mind create all the details-it's got to be as real and authentic in your mind as possible. Taste it, touch it, feel it, eat it, drink it, sleep it, breathe it. Some may find such visualization a frivolous expenditure of time, but I cannot stress its importance strongly enough: This activity is VERY worthwhile! When I find people who have not tapped into this success skill, I know they are broke. Again, beliefs and attitudes shape your future!

Vision is a powerful tool in helping you to see the big picture. Once you begin to have a grasp on where today fits into the future, suddenly everything you do today matters.

Vision gives us energy, passion and a reason for living, growing and working hard.

Knowing exactly where you want to go is the surest way to end aimless "going through the motions." Stephen Covey said, "To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction."

Kurt Mortensens trademark is Magnetic Persuasion; rather than convincing others, he teaches that you should attract them, just like a magnet attracts metal filings. He teaches that sales have changed and the consumer has become exponentially more skeptical and cynical within the last five years. Most persuaders are using only 2 or 3 persuasion techniques when there are actually 120 available! His message and program has helped thousands and will help you achieve unprecedented success in both your business and personal life.

If you are ready to claim your success and learn what only the ultra-prosperous know, begin by going to http://www.PreWealth.com and getting my free report "10 Mistakes That Continue Costing You Thousands." After reading my free report, go to http://www.PreWealth.com/IQ and take the free Persuasion IQ analysis to determine where you rank and what area of the sales cycle you need to improve in order to close every sale!

SAY "YES" - To That Within You Which Insists on Being

What within you continues to insist on being?

I was inspired by an email from a client this morning. It is my experience that she spoke for not only herself but for the masses. My client said about her epiphany, "The more I try to do something because I think I 'should,' the more I get unfocused, undisciplined and afraid. I don't believe what I know, and I become a hard ass and unloving to myself. I lose energy, I lose what I love, I lose myself. I am an artist."

Her epiphany was like a big wake up that jolted her into reality - not the reality that appears "out there" but the true reality at the core of her being. When she said "Yes" to that within her which continues to insist on being -- the artist doing her art and offering it to the world -- the next steps became apparent.

The fears around the economy, the voices of those telling her that this is not the time to sell art, that there is something else she "should" be doing fell from her like rain rolls off a slicker. She has shifted her focus to the message her soul has been giving her all along -- do your art and take it to the world.

There Are Three Powerful Messages Here For All of Us:

1. Fear-based action, often in the form of "shoulds," does not serve you but inhibits you. When you listen to the voice of fear, you are in immediate misalignment with yourself and the universe. Fear-based actions are neither effective nor life-giving.
2. There is something within each of you that has insisted on being since your birth, if not before. However, we are not taught to listen to or live from that which comes from within us. We are taught the opposite. As a result most people avoid, second guess, doubt, disbelieve and turn away from that voice. The more successful they are at shutting it out, the more dissatisfied or numb and depressed they become.
3. When you say "yes" to that within you which insists on being, the guidance inherent in that impulse or desire is released as well. The universe in turn opens the way through inspiration, synchronicities, opportunities and all manner of unexpected assistance.

That within you which insists on being is the life force that is uniquely expressed as you. It is your own individualized spiritual identity yearning to express its gifts, ways of being, knowing and purpose in the outer world. This deep desire carries within it the seeds of success and fulfillment and the power and wisdom with which to carry it out.

The wisdom is to say "Yes" to that within you which insists on being, and put your focus and attention there. Believe in yourself, trust the Divine, follow inspired knowing and act in faith. The outer world -- the appearing reality -- then has no more of an impact on you than it did when the economy was booming. The ways will be shown and the people and opportunities will come to the fore to assist your ways.

Now is the time to listen to and follow that within you which insists on being!

Step Into Your Greatness...
Say "Yes" to that within you which insists on being!

Reggie Odom LICSW, CPCC, PCC, founder of Inspired Works, is a Professional Coach, Intuitive Consultant, Spiritual teacher, speaker and writer. She is also on the faculty of the National Institute of Whole Health where she teaches a coaching series. Reggie is considered a master teacher and unforgettable speaker. She inspires and guides Spirit Minded Women Entrepreneurs to step into their greatness, with ease! She can be contacted at (617)524-6153, reggie@reggieodom.com or you can visit her web site at http://reggieodom.com/.

Break Free - And Start Living Life To The Fullest

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if he is ultimately to be at peace with himself.
~ Abraham Maslow ~

Do you sometimes feel like you are chained up in a cage? Or feel like you are inside prison walls?

If so, why do you think that is?

Is it possible that you are not being completely true to yourself? That you are living a lie?

In other words, could it be that you are not living who you really are? Not doing what makes you happy or what makes you at peace with yourself?

Listen

Listen closely to the answer you get from within.

Do you hear a voice saying yes? Then you know something's not right.

Now, the question is

When are you going to start paying closer attention to that voice? That part of you that's crying out for help? That part of you that's constantly begging to be set free?

And, more importantly, when are you going to start doing something about it?

When are you going to start doing what you love? What you enjoy? What gives you a deep sense of fulfillment? What makes you feel whole?

When are you going to put into practice William Shakespeare's good advice below?

~~~~~~

This above all: to thine own self be true.

~~~~~~

The truth is, you can start nowright nowjust by deciding.

You don't need anyone's permissionexcept your own.

You can start doing and living what makes your heart sing.

(I'm sure you can remember many times when you felt intense joy...when you felt complete. When things just felt rightvery right. When deep down inside you, a part of you said something like: "Yes, this is what I love. This is what I am meant to do." Well, there's no reason why you can't have that feeling all the time.)

You don't need to remain chained up (or to continue living a lie). You don't have to allow society or others to dictate the way you should live, the type of work you should pursue, the types of activities you should give priority to, and so on.

No, you don't have to stay helpless inside that cageinside those prison walls.

You have a choice.

You can decide, here and now, to break free. To do what you loveand to do it as often as you wish.

Who cares about the past? Leave it behind you. That's where it belongs.

You can decide to live life to the fulleststarting today.

Remember, it's "your" life. And you don't have to give power to anyone (or anything) over it.

(Although others may be well-intentioned when they try to discourage you from pursuing what you lovethinking they know what's best for youit is "you"and not themwho will end up either happy or miserablein the short-termand in the long-term. I mean, just imagine what it would be like, if one day, in the future, you looked back and couldn't help but say, "I wish I had lived my life differentlypursued what I truly love. I wish I didn't allow others to dictate the course of my life. 'Cause then I wouldn't be so miserable today.")

~~~~~~

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Mark Twain ~

~~~~~~

"You decide" how you should live your life (of course, always making sure that your motives and actions are in line with what pleases God).

Life is shortfleetinglike a vapor. (George Mateljan knew this when he said: Life is too short to spend time doing anything except what you are passionate about.)

So live life to the fullest. Do whatever makes your heart singwhatever makes you at peace with yourself. (And remember to contribute to others in positive ways whenever you can.)

Do it nowwhile there's still time.

About the Author:

Ron Balagot is a songwriter/musician/writer...and he is the editor/publisher of the website, Unlimited Creative Power. Visit http://www.unlimitedcreativepower.com and discover strategies that can help you attain creative freedom, personal fulfillment, and inner harmony.

Youre free to reprint this article on your website, or in your newsletter/ezineprovided the articles contents are not altered in any wayand that you include this resource box at the bottom of the article.

Courage & Hope 'In the Midst of Battle'

In today's life, probably like no other time in history, we're bombarded with everything from financial crises and rising utility prices, to food crises, and climate change crises, fires, floods and famines, to concerns much closer to home, like keeping our jobs, paying the mortgage, keeping up with our kids, managing tomorrow which scares us, a myriad of continual social concerns, and generally just finding enough time to ourselves... the list is never-ending.

Life gets very big on us all of a sudden.We wake up one day as a parent in a family, with a key secular or ministry role (or three!) having to balance a whole bunch of things just to survive.It was a process that got us here, sure, but that seems dim now, and we're just here, surviving by the skin or our proverbial teeth.

Monica O'Neil of Vose Seminary (in Western Australia) recently discussed this issue in an entirely different context--of drowning in a community or church volunteer role--and gave some insightful, measured advice on what to do, using the swimming/drowning metaphor and how the leadership structures should support the person flailing 'in the water' of that role.

We lose our hope and zest for life when we're overwhelmed by it all.Suddenly, the activities we used to look forward to become crosses to bear; we approach them out of duty, not devotion.The passion is replaced with mental legalism, and joyous drive, for regulation.Psychologists would call it the tension between intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation.A subtle swing has occurred.

You could try some of the following to get you back on track:

PRIORITISE the important 'must do's' for today (or tomorrow) and do only these.Make a checklist and check them off.

MAKE a study of the typical urgent activities you're required to undertake.Whittle these down as these are probably the source of your panicked dread.

IDENTIFY which activities cause you to spin your wheels and commit to eradicating these.These are dead end activities that offer no return to you or anyone else.Typically, these are time wasters.There are plenty of time wasters and distractions in life today; start with the grip technology might have over you... yes, you're probably looking at it right now!

START engineering time for transformational activities.We become dead if we undertake too much transactional stuff.Most of us need a healthy balance of re-creational pursuits.

Why do we become overwhelmed in the first place?There are tangible reasons and intangible reasons.In other words, we feel overwhelmed because practically, the activities (the amount or nature of them) become too hard, or less practically, the activities we have are more or less not a good fit with our true heart's desire; essentially our base call.

I find I lack courage[1] mostly when I start losing my hope.We can at least be bold when we're full of hope.It may not be the answer but it's a start.It's a two-edged sword of courage and hope.Have the courage to stop or adjust and align things that are providing no value to you or others.

The acquisition of hope and courage provide much needed balance.Balance is both empowering and re-vitalising.It's a hope and courage restorer.Attaining and maintaining balance is possible in anyone's life.But we must ask, 'How badly do we want it?'

Copyright 2009, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

[1] As an interesting aside, in 2 Samuel 4:1 and 7:27 the NIV records that the subject in each case 'lost' and 'found' courage.Courage is like that; we need to find ways of quickly restoring our courage--and this, I'm sure, is intrinsically linked with hope, i.e. 'losing' and 'finding' hope.

Steve Wickham is a safety and health professional (BSc) and a qualified lay Christian minister (GradDipDiv). His passion in vocation is facilitation and coaching; encouraging people to soar to a higher value of their potential. Steve's key passion is work / life balance and re-creating value for living, and an exploration of the person within us.

Sell Your Own Home - Get Rid of Your Realtor and Keep the Money in Your Own Pocket

The process of selling your home and using a real estate agent is generally the same. The only difference is that you will most likely end up with cash in your pocket. The real estate agent takes a commission when selling your house. If you sell the home yourself, you do not have to give away money to the real estate agent.

If you are looking for a site, make sure you find one that will list your ad for a flat fee. Sometimes these sites are a front for real estate agents. You want to observe what you are doing before placing your ad. If the site says that they offer a referral fee to a real estate agency, then pass this one on because this is a front for real estate offices.

When you place your ads on this site, all the information is going to be the same as if a realtor had placed it. You will also need to get a mortgage survey, a search for a title, any inspections that need to be done, and make sure there are no liens on your house before closing on a deal.

Before putting all this information on the site, you might want to hire a lawyer to go over everything so you know everything is in order. You may even want your lawyer to be there when you close on the deal.

Selling your home on a advertising site does not cost a lot, but it will cost you a little. It is better than giving up the commission that the real estate agent would have received. The buyer is also to the advantage since they are buying a house that the seller knows everything about.

Do not let the state of the economy keep you from selling your house. There are proven steps that will guarantee that you will sell your home. If you want to skip the part where you pay a realtor a big commission to help you sell your own home then Click Here

What Is a Short Sale And Is It Better Than a Foreclosure?

There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there about short sales. Is it bad, does it hurt my credit, do I have to pay someone to work with the bank, should I stop making my mortgage payments?

These are all questions I have heard over the last year or so. The bottom of the barrel for your credit is Foreclosure. This is simply when the bank says enough is enough and they force ably take your home from you due to lack of payments. The next level up is Short Sale. This is a process that has always been an option. Over the years as people transferred jobs there were many cases when someone owed more than they could sell their home. When this happened people had a couple of choices. Either come up with the difference and pay the short or ask the bank for a short sale. In the past we didn't see such discrepancies as we are now seeing in parts of the Country. In the past someone may have owed $200,000 on the home and the home was worth $180,000. In today's market someone could owe $700,000 on a home and it is only worth $300,000. This by the way is called being up side down.

Let's look at the first example. There is a $20,000 difference. In that case if the person selling the home didn't want to or have the money to pay the bank the $20,000 upon selling the home the person could ask the bank to accept a short sale. This is when the bank will accept an offer less than what is owed on the home. Prior to December 2007 the banks would then issue the seller a 1099 at the end of the year stating that the $20,000 was income according to the IRS tax laws. In December 2007 a law was passed that allowed tax payers to forgo the 1099 as it relates to short sales. That is a good thing as in many cases people are upside down $100,000 or $400,000. Could you imagine the bank issuing you a 1099 for income of $100,000? You would then owe the IRS at least $30,000.

You can now see why so many people over the last 12 months have been attempting to Short Sale their properties. In my neighborhood we have 29 homes on the market and 20 of them are short sales.

Does a Short Sale hurt your credit? This is a tough one to answer. If you keep making your payments on time and because it is not a foreclosure it should not ding your credit. Again, it should not ding your credit. If you have not received a call or a letter in the mail about short sales, you will. There are legitimate law firms and ex-mortgage brokers who will attempt to charge you money to negotiate with the bank on your behalf as it relates to a short sale. I encourage you not to spend that money. These people will also tell you to stop making your payments. Do not do this is you care about your credit. Remember, short sales are not new just the way the Tax code is handled is new. Many people "feel" awkward and embarrassed reviewing money with their lenders or banks. If you are one of these people and you are going to attempt a short sale, make sure you pick a REALTOR who has experience in this field. You will not have to pay them to do their job. This REALTOR should be in contact 1-2 times a week until the process ends. Get a weekly update from the REALTOR on his or her conversations with the bank. Keep notes for yourself and do a periodic spot check. Call the customer service representatives yourself and ask them to give you dates that your REALTOR has called in. All of this information is easily accessible.

The process of a short sale: Every bank is different but one common theme is the time it takes to complete the process. 90-180 days is the time frame. Patience is needed by everyone involved and remember there is no guarantee that the bank will accept your short sale offer. Make sure that whatever buyer offer you accept that it is a strong one. Make sure the offer matches the comparable homes in the area. If it is far below the "comps" as we call them, the bank will counter back at the comp price. For example, if you owe $700,000 on the home and the home is worth $300,000, the way you figure the worth out is with comps. In this example, don't expect the bank to accept an offer of $100,000. They will counter back at $300,000. Do your homework and find a good REALTOR.

Any questions or if anything is not clear, feel free to contact me.

Thinking of San Diego, let me work for you.

Chris Scioscia
REALTOR
CENTURY 21 Award
http://www.ChrisScioscia.com
Toll Free 888-510-3939

Foreclosure Listing Service

I have spent years buying and selling homes and throughout my time I always wondered why it was so difficult to find a quality foreclosure listing service. Part of me wondered why banks were not doing more to promote this and why they were not setting up a quality foreclosure listing service to promote their homes. You would think that a consolidated foreclosure property listing would only help them to sell unwanted property and cut their losses.

Well finally someone has compiled a comprehensive foreclosure property listing - freeforeclosuredatabase.com. Finding foreclosures is now a breeze as this website has everything I need. Read on to find out more details and why I use them exclusively now.

Using The Foreclosure Listing Service

This foreclosure listing service website is simple and allows you to search for properties in many different ways. You can narrow down by selecting a state, then a city, then a zip code and down to a specific neighborhood. You can filter by price range, agent, brokerage firm or property type. Some listings have pictures while other do not. Even with a picture there is no substitution for seeing the property yourself. Before even talking about purchasing, be sure you are able to see the property. Many of the properties that this foreclosure listing service advertise have maps to show you the exact location of the property, so you can just get out and drive around to look at some in your area.

Before showing interest in the property, you can check out the neighborhood and exterior of the house. Are there schools, parks or other amenities nearby? Are the surrounding properties in good shape and well maintained? Has the property been kept up or will there be a lot of costs associated with giving the property some curb appeal. You can contact an agent to tour the rest of the home, if the outside of the property and the neighborhood looks good.

This foreclosure listing service could help you to find the perfect house to make a profit if you have the means to do some real estate investing. Just remember that in today's real estate market you may have to hold the property longer than you expected, and things could get worse before they get better, so the risk is high. If you do your homework and get the help that you need, a well-timed house flip could net you big profits.

Well finally someone has compiled a complete foreclosure listing service - freeforeclosuredatabase.com. This website has everything I need to make locating foreclosures a breeze...View more articles at http://www.foreclosures.jsgenterprises.com

FSBO - Basic Contracts Used to Secure Money Owned on a Home

If you are a for sale by owner that is offering owner financing, you will become the owner of a contract note. You should understand the three basic contracts used to secure payment of money owned on a home.

Trust Deed:

A trust deed means just what it says. The deed to the house is held in trust until the balance is paid off. In addition to the trust deed, a promissory note is signed by the person making payments. The note states all terms required of the buyer in paying off the remaining balance. The note is secured by the trust deed. The trust deed document is secured by your home.

A trust deed document involves three people:

1) The Grantor: the grantor is the home buyer. They make you the monthly payments.

2) The Trustee: The trustee holds deed to the house until the balance is paid. If the trust deed goes into default, the trustee is responsible for foreclosing on the house. The trustee would normally be your attorney.

3) The third person on a trust deed is you.

You are referred to as the beneficiary. The beneficiary is the owner of the trust deed & note. They have all rights to the money owed secured by the documents.

Mortgage:

A mortgage does the same thing as a trust deed. However, there is no trustee involved. Again, a promissory note is signed stating how the debt on the mortgage will be paid. A mortgage document involves two people:

1) The Mortgagor: this is the person the home was sold to. They will make the specified payments.

2) The Mortgagee: this is the home seller. They own the mortgage and note, and have all rights to the money owed.

Land Sale Contract:

Land sale contracts can go by many titles in different states; real estate contract, property sale agreement, purchase contract or contract for deed. They all mean the same thing. No promissory note is used. All the terms on how the debt is to be paid are in the contract. Title to the house is held by the seller when using these contracts. When the debt is paid off the seller transfers title to the buyer. The buyer only gets title when you use a trust deed or mortgage.

Some home sellers prefer land sale contracts because they can hold title. If they ever had to foreclose the process is easier. Seek the advice of your attorney on this.

http://www.acassociatesusa.com AC Associates has helped individuals across the United States reach their financial goals.

Learning How To Be a Successful For Sale By Owner can be easy if you have the tools and the knowledge. With over 50 pages, our Step-by-Step instructional e-book will provide you with the necessary information, tools, forms and support. Ordinary people can learn by offering a sales method other home sellers are not, you will attract buyers for your property, keeping more money in your pocket. With so many homes for sale, waiting to be bought...this e-book is for you.

Deciding On A Price For Your Home

When it comes time to put your house on the market, pricing can make or break your sale. If you overprice your home, you risk watching it languish on the market, but under-pricing it means minimizing your investment. The starting point for pricing should be based on recent sales in the neighborhood, not on personal attachment. Regardless of what you think your home is worth, the pricing should be based on market value - this is why it's important to find a good real estate agent who is familiar with the area. He or she will start by looking at what other comparable houses in your area have sold for. This is called a comparative market analysis (CMA).

Another important consideration is the market. To be safe you want to allow yourself enough wiggle room to come down in negotiations, but if it's a buyers' market you will have to do more to make your home stand out. Pricing your home below the competition should ensure multiple offers, thus driving up the selling price. Other tactics include being flexible around financing options and offering incentives. In any case, you want to price your home low enough that you will get traffic through - the first three weeks are important. If the house sits longer than three weeks perspective buyers may assume something's wrong with it.

In a seller's market it's safe to add 10 per cent to the last comparable sale in your neighborhood and in a balanced market you may aim to add an amount based on the last comparable sale plus the average market increase calculated over the time since that sale.

Remember, pricing your house is as much an art as it is a science. In the end the price is important, but marketing and staging your home plays a vital role as well. A good realtor can guide you through this process and help you get the best price for your house.

Albert Bor is a certified and professional Arizona realtor representing Choice Group Realty. The Choice Group specializes in Scottsdale real estate Contact Albert for more information on Phoenix real estate or visit the Choice Group at http://www.arizonachoicerealestate.com

Government Auction Foreclosures - Houses For Under $10,000?

While searching through some foreclosure and FSBO (For Sale By Owner) listings at the best foreclosure government auction site a few days ago, I was amazed at the consistency of how low some of the prices on houses and properties are. Many of these homes are in decent to great shape and are located in good areas of the country.

What is amazing is that for the price of a good used car you could actually buy a house. We all know which is a better investment, so why not change your car oil more often to get a few more years out of it and use that money to buy a rental property. Now you're probably thinking 'just try to get a mortgage or loan these days'. Well when prices are this low then the risk is low as well, not to mention current lenders are under extreme pressures to reduce housing foreclosure inventories so they will be more then eager to discuss a good deal with you.

As for the real estate crises and housing price declines, well there is no doubt that we are in a real estate crisis, however, I'm hearing many experts say that we are either at the real estate bottom or will be, within the next six months. The thing about a market housing bottom is that you don't know when you have hit it until a year to two afterwards and by that time the deals will not be as plentiful. This combined with the government providing the banks with basically unlimited liquidity has made this perhaps the best time in our lifetime in which to invest in real estate. You may know the saying "be fearful when everyone else is greedy, and greedy when everyone is fearful", well it's time to get greedy.

Here are examples of some of the listings I came across from the government auction site that I previously mentioned. This site is ranked as the number one site on my government auctions review site and the reason for that is simply because they have more government auction types, dates, locations and more property listings then any other site. Without further a due:

* 4 Bedroom Home in Marion, Indiana for $2,500

* nice 4 Bedroom Home in Bay City Michigan for $9,000

* 3 bedroom home in Pittsburg PA for $11,000

* 5 Bedroom home in Peekskill NY (near New York City) for $3,000

Yes these houses are for real and in good shape. You can see actual pictures of these and many other great deals on my site (link in last paragraph). Also before you bid or buy any property have a house inspector look over the house as thoroughly as possible. A local inspector or realtor would be familiar with the current area and approximate potential worth of the property. With their help, you can make a decision as to what work, if any, would have to be factored in and whether the property is a good investment. Obviously if you can get a house for under $10,000 it leaves a little extra cash for any work that may need to be done before you move in or renting it out. A realtor can also help to guide you in the buying process of foreclosed and FSBO homes.

Whether buying a foreclosure, pre-foreclosure or FSBO property, you should also conduct a background check. Some properties may have a history of liens or may be levied off to another party.

The foreclosure list mentioned here is just a sample of the many distressed properties that are available in all states. Following the trend in foreclosed properties is a good way on working towards your dream home. Remember it's time to get greedy, how that everyone is fearful, so you can resell the house later when everyone else is feeling greedy.

To review the top government auction sites, each with over 250,000 foreclosure and sale by owner listings check out government auctions reviews or to see more sample listings of great real estate deals visit seized properties.

Nolan Speers has been investing in real estate for over 15 years and specialising in foreclosures for the last 5.

Staging Isn't Just About De-Cluttering!

I've had a high number of requests for staging reports lately. Mainly for houses that have been on the market over two months. And while I've done my fare share where nothing is wrong, there are a growing number of homes that still shock me with their condition. When I say condition...I mean the dirt, moldy grime and distinctive odors practically knocking me over as I enter the front door.

What are people thinking? Have they not been told the house cannot have cob webs, dirty dishes in the sink, dirty laundry on the floor and most importantly a foul odor coming from who knows where? I have seen a lot and probably not seen it all but lately, some of these homes make me want to turn and run as I'm screaming eeewww, I think it touched me!

Let me help by telling everyone that hasn't had good luck in selling their home lately...that it might not be the realtor, the housing market, or the economy. It's most likely your showcasing abilities. You should have been told that your home while on the market, must be pristine. Or you were told by your Realtor but decided he or she didn't know what they were talking about because after all, you've lived there for 10 years and you don't smell anything. Or you can see past the out dated furniture in someone else's home so why can't potential buyers? And the finger prints on the switch plate shows a growing family lives there and the laundry on your daughters' floor isn't dirty, you've just been too busy and haven't had time to put it away!

Well, sorry to break it to you (not really), but you cannot live like you've been living while selling. You might be inconvenienced, if you're not used to living white glove clean, but I bet you'll be delighted that your house sold before the neighbors down the street.

If this sounds like you, and your home has been on the market for more than 3 weeks with no offers, questionable feedback or just questions as to why it hasn't sold...get help by first calling a certified, professional Stager. One who has experience and is not biased. They will give you a detailed list of everything needed to sell your home. Or if you haven't listed yet, call them so you can get the help before you put it on the market. The stager will look in every nook and cranny, open every door and honestly give you a buyer's opinion of your home. They will not try and sell you anything, not tell you what you want to hear nor will they laugh and say it's hopeless. Professional stagers are there for one reason and that is to assist you in selling your home for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time. If you need assistance with home staging, call a professional, call Interior Motiv.

Interior Motiv specializes in Vacant and Occupied Home Staging. When you want to get ahead of the competition at a very competitive price, call Interior Motiv. Owner, Cindy Richter 817-925-2021 http://www.interiormotiv.com

Real Estate - Finding a Great Deal in Today's Market

If you're looking for a great real estate deal, either residential or commercial, there is no better time than now to start shopping. Realtors and sellers are eager to make deals and unload property quickly, which means that you'll get a better value for your dollar. Now is the time to take advantage of the sluggish seller's market and snap up some choice real estate.

Although you'll have plenty of options when selecting a property, there are a few important things you should consider to help you narrow down your decision. Follow these basic tips to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

1. Appreciation

Whether you're planning on a quick turnaround sale or passing down your new home through the generations, you'll want to consider the potential appreciation of the real estate. Restoring and reselling homes is considerably more difficult in the current market, but holding on to a property for ten to twenty years can become a sound investment.

You can gauge future value by choosing a prime location and doing some research into future price trends in the surrounding area. This will help you determine whether it will give you a good return on investment.

2. Property Condition

Many homebuyers prefer move-in ready property. While this is often hassle-free, it doesn't always make the best deal. Real estate that requires some elbow grease can mean greater value and profit in the long-term, if you're prepared to do the work and have some experience.

Houses that require extensive renovations can often be negotiated for much lower prices. In ideal situations, the buyer can then restore the property for less than they saved, which means instant profit and a future higher selling rate.

If you don't have the time, ability, or experience to renovate, it might behoove you to choose real estate that is already in good condition. Even highly skilled home renovators can lose money on projects that require work.

3. Inspection

One of the most important (and too often tragically overlooked) steps in buying real estate is the inspection. Having a thorough inspection can prevent you from making a huge mistake.

If there are problems found, even minor ones, it can give you some leverage for further negotiations, especially if the seller is highly motivated. Always use property inspections to your advantage in getting the best price.

4. Cash Flow

If you're buying a property to rent out to other tenants, you'll have to take into consideration your monthly income compared to your own mortgage. A more expensive property does not necessarily mean greater profit.

You'll have to evaluate the local market and the kind of demand you foresee for the kind of real estate you're offering. You also must take into account maintenance fees and permits if you're buying commercial property.

Great deals aren't found as much as they are created. If you're not a real estate mogul or are making your first home purchase, it's a wise decision to employ the assistance of a realtor. They can help you negotiate and offer expert advice on what to take a second look at and what to avoid.

New Orleans is now a buyer's market and investing in property here is an excellent investment. Before you decide on a New Orleans real estate investment, contact an experienced realtor at http://www.realestatelouisiana.com to help you get the best price for your property.

Top 10 Small Electrics You Need in Your Home

There are essential small electrics you need in your home to make your living more efficient. These items will all save time and effort so you have more time to do things you want. Plus none of them are that expensive so it will not only make your life easier but not break the bank in the hard times.

1. Cordless telephone - Only because I always walk around on the phone

2.Electric mixer - If Jamie Oliver uses one, why can't we.

3. Battery charger - Where would we be without our mobiles etc...

4. Small portable heater - Ssaves you money on central heating and can take the nip away

5. George Foreman grill - If you dont have one you must live in the IOM where no one will deliver any thing

6. Electric toothbrush - Also pretty fun

7. Electric can opener -I'm lazy I know

8. Small desk lamp - Make sure it can take energy efficient bulbs

9. Kettle - Get a cordless one

10. Hoover - Get an bagless one

All of these items will help simplify your life. You will be able to cook faster and more efficiently, brush your teeth in half the time, keep your house cleaner, and much more.

Of course if you go in to any retailer, Walmart, Tesco, Argos, your heads will always be turned by all the amazing electricals, but you have to think do you really need these things. Hopefully this list will give you an insight as to the basics I believe everyone needs.

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Wood Stair Cleats Problems - Stairway Remodeling

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more stair building books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

How Much Do Bamboo Blinds Cost?

Durable, beautiful and natural - these are all words that can be used to describe bamboo blinds. These types of blinds are inexpensive and a great choice if you want to use different shade of woods in a particular room. Many nature-lovers adore these types of blinds due to their ability to create a natural look and feel. They are also environmentally friendly and can act as excellent insulators for both the hot and cold days. Any type of house design or decor can fit bamboo blinds such as traditional, modern, tropical or Asian.

Bamboo blinds can be used for providing shade from the intense sun but they won't completely block out the light. This makes them ideal for those rooms that you want to shade but also keep bright. They come in two major styles. The first are Roman blinds which fold upwards. The second are roll ups - you roll the bamboo blind upwards and it is secured at the top with straps.

There are different blinds suitable for any budget. The larger the window the most expensive it will be. Smaller windows can cost as little as $20 with much larger ones costing over $500. This makes bamboo blinds very cheap when compared to the other types of blind that are available.

Price is also determined by whether you want custom or pre-made. Pre-made blinds are much cheaper but you run the risk of not finding a size that matches you window. Custom or made to order are more expensive but you are guaranteed to get correct style and size that you are after. The different colors and styles will also affect the price. The more popular styles are more expensive but can look fantastic when you make the right choices in terms of decor.

The Bamboo Blinds Guide has articles aimed to help you find a bargain on your next set of bamboo blinds. Discover the the cost of bamboo blinds and where to buy them online.

The Best Tips When Selling Your Home

The best tips anyone can ever give you when selling your home is to be educated and adaptive. An educated seller understands and listens to the local real estate market and knows what their agent is doing to sell their property. You and your agent need to change with the trends while on the market allowing you to make the necessary adjustments to your listing and to sell faster than the market absorption rate (time it takes to sell a similar home in your area). Taking control of your selling experience and working with your agent is vital to get your property sold. And, tools are readily available to assist you in this process.

Listen to the market and be open to making appropriate decisions regarding your home. The agent is in the industry and can communicate the facts and trends of the market place. Your job is listening to the market and using that information to make the right changes to your property. Interpreting the difference between the agent's voice and the market can be easier said than done. And certainly, establishing effective communication can be difficult. The market reflects changes in competing properties, reports the prospective buyers' opinion of your home, and follows home supply and demand in your local area (market absorption). Being attentive to the market allows you to make educated, informed decisions while selling your home. You should never feel as though you are making changes, like lowering your price, because that is what your agent said to do. You lower your price because of conditions in your local market conveyed by your agent after analyzing feedback, competing homes, and market absorption.

Be confident that you are going to sell. Start packing. Become a minimalist. Every good agent will tell you the way you sell your home is different than the way you live in your home. A home stager who focuses on making the best use of what you already have rather than spending on new decor can be an excellent investment. You may need to do some inexpensive tasks like painting, recovering an old chair, or adding additional lighting to rooms. Do the small stuff. Boost your property's condition above expectations!

Work with your agent to design a marketing plan specific to your home, considering its location, amenities and potential buyers. A growing number of buyers are finding their homes online, over 70%, so a strong Internet presence is essential. Furthermore, every home is different and every real estate market is unique to its location. Most agents have a similar plan for each home - a tried and tested plan that works most of the time. Also incorporate qualities that are specific to your home, neighborhood, and community.

Take an active part in the marketing process. Marketing your home should not rest entirely on your agent's shoulders. You own the home and you are the best person to talk it up! Just as important, be flexible with your plan. If you are not getting showings and/or positive feedback, something is not working, so make changes. Collaborate with your agent to develop new strategies and put them to work. Never hesitate to try something new.

Lastly, make accountability a priority.After you've designed your plan, hold both yourself and your agent accountable to perform.Use a system for staying in touch.Affordable and easy tools are available to your Realtor for keeping you in constant contact, informed, and educated on the market.An inexpensive communication tool like Update Lane, updatelane.com, allows you to follow your agents marketing activities, read feedback from potential buyers, track competing properties, and access and share all documents in one place online.

With your marketing plan and communication system in place, you can now start making educated decisions and working with your agent to get your home sold.

Happy selling!

Dan Powell is a Realtor (R) in Indiana and a prior management consultant for a leading international consulting firm. He is the CEO of Update Lane. You can learn more about Dan by visiting http://www.in-re.com. You can learn more about Update Lane by visiting http://www.updatelane.com.

Condo Mumbo Jumbo - You Might Be In For A Bad Deal

Los Angeles is the City of Angels and a whole lot more. It has established a name of prominence, especially in the glamorous industries of film, music, and television.

It is the home of the stars, and the promise of fame and fortune is said to seemingly hang in the air.

L.A. is home to an estimated 10,245,572. At the same time, a constant flow of legal immigrants, in an astounding multitude of 600,000, arrive in the city annually. These figures have jumpstarted the trend of choosing a condominium unit as a home.

There is no need to elaborate why a condo unit purchase is the preferred abode of Angeleno's. Most choices done by proprietors are generalized by the amenities and relative conveniences that are available to individuals, as well as their families.

Facilities

These are the pre-determined features communally shared by the residents, or privileges made available to the owners' use. It might be the pool, the parking space, the gym, or a gazebo.

Security

It is a generally employed aspect of the condominium. It is provided initially by the developers, but is eventually turned over to the HOA, or Home Owners Association. Surveillance cameras, security guards equipped with mobile communication devices, and a 24-hour alarm system are the usual measures utilized and which are dependent on the area concerned

Prime Realty Investment

This is considered a privilege for the buyer, since the market for condos is huge and resale options in the future are forecasted to have a constant increase in value.

Maintenance

This is an operation that's under the guidance and direction of the HOA. Under general condo rules, this responsibility is passed from the developer to the elected board of the HOA(a governing non-profit body). It concerns every square inch of concrete, wall, and gravel of the property outside your unit. Maintenance covers the continual and proper preservation of the condominium, as a whole.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

No, don't look for narfs in the pool. Look for the details you should and ought to consider, which most people often overlook when they invest in a condo unit.

As a prospective buyer, you are entitled to a trump card to avoid trickery and misdealt offers. It is called a "Full House Inspection," which is performed by a licensed "Professional Inspector". This person is the buyer's greatest ally, but could also be the ignorant seller's worst nightmare. What they say will determine if the place is worth your hard earned money. The inspector will evaluate the general condition of the components of the unit and the whole lot itself, including:

1. Electrical, cooling, heating, plumbing, ventilation, insulation, and drainage systems.

2. Structural elements and the materials used in the construction -- wood, building foundation, flooring, roof, ceiling, braces, steel works(balconies), fire escapes, and walls.

3. Health threats that might be present in the building, such as molds, pests, and rodents.

Be oriented on the established policies that the HOA is enforcing. This will include limitations, such as the access you believe you are already entitled to or even the prohibition of an ideal setting that you and your pet are used to.

Keeping Yourself Abreast

Your co-owners comprise your HOA. It is, then, your responsibility to be updated on the organization's actions and projects. Knowledge of the events within the building, such as the legal issues that the HOA is facing have a grave implication on the value of your condo.

Most people prefer living in condos because they want to get rid of maintenance and repair responsibilities. This may be an elusive goal they might cut back on and you should know if they are, because purchasing a home is the biggest financial decision you will make -- may it be house, a cabin in the woods, or a condo in the City of Angels.

http://realestatepress.org - Real Estate Press

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Selling Your Home Alone

Selling Your house is one of the top most stressful human activities.
Delays or anything else that disturb the planning only increase your stress degree.
Every miscommunication or misunderstanding can lead to frustration.
This article provide you with tips to avoid stress and frustration when selling your house.

First you need to decide if you should sell privately or use a professional real estate agent.
In a very hot market you may be able to sell privately, but it is not an easy task.

If you decide to sell privately make sure you have the proper time to devote to it and a strategy to marketed the house effectively.
You will also need to know about all the legalities involved.

The next step is to set a reasonable asking price by comparing prices in your area.
Don't just look at what other sellers initially asked for, but what price they ultimately got.

Knowing what to say to the potential buyer can sometimes make or break the deal.
You have a strong emotional attachment to your home and this alone can make it very hard to remain objective!

When people come through your home if you hover over them and appear anxious to sell, the customer may think you are desperate.
This could trigger a lower offer. A good agent knows how to talk to the client and bring them to the table with a fair offer.

Most houses are not perfect and you must admit it to yourselves if this is the case.
There won't be much chance to sell your house quickly if the house is in need of repair.
Book a house inspection and act on the recommendations accordingly.
When everything is fixed, you won't have to bluff your way thru with potential buyers.
The money will be well spent when you get a quick sale.

Don't neglect the garden and outbuildings if you have them. Remember that the people viewing your house could be seeing dozens of others too.
A detail like an orderly garden shed could just make the difference and you could sell your house quickly on the strength of it.

When people come around to view the house, they will want to see a clean and tidy home.
Remove any clutter and help them to imagine themselves as the new occupants.
If you have any unwanted items in the house, you may as well have a yard sale to off load them.
The trick of baking bread or making coffee to get a pleasant aroma can't hurt!
At least make sure that there are no bad odors to put people off.

If they appear to be interested, they'll most likely want to haggle. Don't be inflexible about the price if you want to sell your house quickly but don't be a push over either.

For sale by owners often over price their home. This is due to the emotional attachment to the home and not having the training to evaluate a home's worth.

There are many variables to consider when pricing a home. Your home could be worth substantially more or less than a similar home on the same street. This can affect your bottom line and lose you many dollars if you appraise your home incorrectly.
You really should pay for an appraiser to price your home properly, if you are going it alone!
Agents are trained to do proper market assessments of the neighborhood and homes that have recently sold.

In conclusion, it has to be your decision whether you sell privately or hire a professional.
Sellers certainly have successfully sold on their own and have done very well.
One question to ask is, could the sellers have done even better had they used a professional agent? We may never know!

You may consider trying to sell your own home for a month or so. If you get discouraged because no offers are coming in, you may want to hire a professional realtor.

There are lots of books out there that can help you sell privately.

Harold Febis, Online Marketer specialized in article marketing author of numerous articles, earns hundreds of dollars in affiliate commissions every week! http://www.qualitycontentarticle.com

Tips to Help You Choose the Right Realtor

14 Tips to make sure your broker provides you with these services when buying Colorado Real Estate.

1. Giving you honest answers to all questions.

2. Providing you with area information.

3. Supplying you with information on all properties listed for sale in the area you are looking in.

4. Assisting you throughout the transaction with communication, negotiations, contracting and closing.

5. Introducing you to mortgage lenders familiar with mountain property transactions.

6. Disclosing to you any adverse material facts which we actually know about the property.

7. Performing any oral or written agreement made with you.

8. Exercising reasonable skill and care.

9. Presenting all offers in a timely manner.

10. Advising you regarding the transaction, including suggesting that you obtain expert advice on material matters about which we know but the specifics of which are beyond our expertise.

11. Accounting to you (with receipts) promptly for all money or property we receive.

12. Assisting you in complying with the terms and conditions of any contract and with the closing of the transaction.

13. Directing you to qualified rental management companies.

14. Assisting you without regard to race, creed, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or handicap.

In Addition: Your Realtor will not disclose the following information about you unless disclosure is required by law or if lack of disclosure would constitute dishonest dealing or fraud, except that we are required to disclose any adverse material facts pertaining to your financial ability to perform the terms of the transaction and whether you intend to occupy the property as a principal residence.

Chuck Daily

Owner/Broker

Resort Brokers Real Estate

100 S. Main St. Box 71

Breckenridge, CO 80424

PH: 800 441 6954

FAX: 970 453 6151

Email: Chuck@MrBreckenridgeRealEstate.com

Web: http://www.MrBreckenridgeRealEstate.com

Does My Home Insurance Cover Me For Flood Damages?

Flooding can happen at any moment and for any reason. Mother Nature can run her course and create flood conditions or a water main may break. At any rate, no matter how it happens, if you experience flooding within your home it is stressful, worrisome, and hard to deal with. At the same time, you have the question is flood damage covered by my home insurance?

The one thing you want to understand is that in most cases, flooding is not covered on general home insurance. You may see clauses that state water damage, but essentially, flooding by acts of God or manmade items are not covered. It is truly very important to understand your policy and discuss options with your insurance agent to be sure that you have the coverage you need.

Far too often, many people go through thinking they have what they need, regardless of the circumstances. However, as with many instances within the last few years, people find out, the hard way, that they in fact did not have coverage for flood damage. Most insurance companies offer flood coverage, in fact all of them offer it, however, it is an additional policy, an additional source of coverage that will increase your premium.

It is important to talk with your insurance agent and discuss flood coverage. You might think that you live in a relatively safe area, free of major flooding, however, you cannot control Mother Nature or events that happen outside of your home. Having your home fully protected is the only sure way to feel comfortable and have peace of mind if the event does occur.

Flooding causes all kinds of damage. You have to deal with contamination, mould, sanitation, water damage to property and content rotting, and so much more. While flooding itself can be hectic, if the work is not performed properly, it can cause a great deal of trouble for you in the future as well.

In other words, to really know if your home insurance covers this type of damage, you want to contact your insurance agent. Talk with him or her and ask them if flooding is included in your coverage. Unless you specifically asked for it and it is a part of your premium that you pay each month, it is highly likely that you are not covered.

If you are not covered, talk with your agent about coverage. Ask what is included, what is not, and how much it will add to your premium. Flood damage coverage is one of the many things you will need to fully protect your home and your belongings. It gives you added peace of mind, knowing that if a flood does occur, you are protected and have the means to cover the cost of repairs, drying, and replacement if need be.

Does your home insurance cover flood damage? Call your agent today and find out, if not, make sure you add it, just to be on the safe side.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Loss Assessors and Domestic Flood Insurance claim services, he recommends Morgan Clark.