Striking a Balance – To Wall Mount you TV or not

People love their TVs.  For watching favourite shows, to playing videos and DVDs, or playing video games, many of us spend a lot of time staring at the ‘box’.  Unfortunately, there are people who spend entirely too much time in this position, and they are often the reason that telly is the object of criticism, blamed for both health and behavioural problems.  There are ways to enjoy as a healthy part of everyday life, and this is all about striking the right balance between different aspects of life.

Whether you own a small CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TV perched on your kitchen worktop, or have a huge plasma or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) on flat screen TV wall brackets (or both!) it can be worthwhile thinking about how much TV you actually watch.  It is better to think of this as how long you spend at the television screen – for games, films and programs.  This can be especially important for those who spend all their working day in front of a computer monitor, as bright screens can lead to headaches and sore eyes.  Always follow recommended safety guidelines for safe use of screens at work.  At home remember to wear glasses or contact lenses when watching the TV, to avoid eye strain, and keep at a sensible distance.  Make sure your television is placed in a suitable spot.  Places where glare from the sun hitting the screen can be avoided are ideal, as are those where viewers do not have to crane their necks to view!  Placing a new TV on flat screen TV wall brackets can help provide a wider variety of options than a floor stand.

Generally speaking, those who watch too much TV, or have children who watch too much per day know who they are.  Instead of burying their heads in the sand, it is important for people to realise that it is never too late to change your lifestyle.  If you have just spent a great deal on a television and flat screen TV wall brackets, it is natural to want to get as much use as possible out of these items, but this does not mean spending all evening or weekend in front of the screen, unless the TV owner is very unlucky it will be there when they get back from another hobby or occupation!  One major criticism of televisions is that they encourage people to be sedentary, instead of going out for a bike ride, playing sports or walking, people are sitting (or laying!) in their houses.  There are ways to combat this for those who are not very confident about exercising outside, such as having an exercise bike or treadmill in the home.  It is preferable to get out and about, socialise with friends and family and arrive home of an evening, worn out but feeling healthy and more positive.  There is no doubt that TV can teach us a lot, and keeps us entertained, but it should never be our sole interest for spare time.          

Phil is part of the team at AVNow. If you are looking for helpful advice on which TV Brackets are best for your new flat screen TV then contact check out the options at AVNow.

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January 18th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

Lake Seminole Georgia Local Developer Defies Real Estate Market

Local Developer Defies Real Estate Market

With Affordable Vacation Homes on Lake Seminole

In The COVE At Trail’s End Resort & Marina™

http://www.teresort.com

By John Beyers

            With all the talk about how bad the real estate market is around the country there are a few bright spots to be found. One gem is located right on the banks of 38,000 acre Lake Seminole along the Chattahoochee River, in the COVE at Trail’s End Resort and Marina™.

            Lucas Stewart, CEO, has taken the concept of lakeside property to a whole new level without the incredible costs usually associated with owning waterfront property.

            Through hard work, ingenuity and determination, Mr. Stewart has created a mini real-estate boom in a gorgeous section of Southwest Georgia by developing a luxury houseboat community in a full service marina that has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.

            Located an hour and a half from Valdosta, the COVE at Trail’s End Resort has experienced explosive growth at the same time as the real estate market has witnessed serious lulls and slashed prices.

            As the COVE rapidly sells out of mooring slips, current houseboat owners are enjoying huge percentage spikes in equity. The COVE features Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboats.

            The COVE has only 61 remaining slips available and Phase 1 sold out in just 14 weeks. Phase 2 had its grand opening and units are now being reserved. Once this phase closes the COVE will be nearly half occupied with ownership expecting closeout to occur within the year at this pace.

            Since the Army Corps of Engineers oversees the pristine waterways in and around Trail’s End Resort, there will not be any expansion of the development, thus protecting the houseboat owners’ investment and equity appreciation.

            Compared to the price of land along the river with the attendant costs of developing the property if even allowed, a buyer could expect to spend well over $250,000. Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboats, which start at just $149,900* at the COVE, has made it affordable and desirable to have your vacation home on the water at Trail’s End Resort.

            Asked about the novelty of the luxury houseboat concept, Mr. Stewart replied, “It is actually more of a reflection of what has been happening in the boating industry. For years, there has a been a shift towards non-propulsioned units and floating communities.”

            “We are one of the nations first and foremost proponents for establishing a nationwide dealer network to sell and service luxury houseboats into existing marinas and for sale onto private lakes and waterways.”

            “The entire Harbor Homes™ concept is not unique, but our execution has been unparalleled. We already have nearly a dozen dealers who will be building large scale houseboat developments across the country. It is a form of homebuilding whose time has come. People familiar with older style, tiny houseboats, what you could call ‘toy homes’ are about to be impressed.”

            The two most prominent features about Harbor Homes™ houseboats are the outstanding size and value of the homes. There are also a lot of benefits and advantages to owning a houseboat that overshadow cabins, lodges, lakeside homes, and other types of property.

            First, a Harbor Homes houseboat is built as a marine, seaworthy craft (U.S. Coast Guard inspected) on a large three bulkhead system for the hull, which allows the placement of a very large footprint home above.

            The houseboats at the COVE are all 850 square feet for the base. Unlike cramped pleasure craft, Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboats offer normal sized rooms including full living and dining areas, a complete kitchen with regular warranted appliances, full bathrooms, or a second private commode, a full stateroom that fits a queen or even a king bed, and children’s bunk stateroom.

            Every luxury houseboat has a private deck on the stern outside the master stateroom, where parents can relax alone. The units also feature a forward deck which can either be open air, screened-in, glass-enclosed, or can support a second story sundeck with spiral staircase. With the addition of a swim platform on the front owners can easily dock other fishing boats for quick access and immediate launching.

            The COVE has transformed a hidden riverside jewel into what is now being called Lake Seminole’s premiere family destination.

            Complete with a brand new private pool and clubhouse, children’s play area, community party room, and floating tiki huts, Trail’s End Resort and Marina™, online at www.teresort.com, has a long list of amenities that make owning a luxury houseboat there even more appealing.

            From the hot tub to the huge flat screen TV in the community party room, owners will have access to a full kitchen, laundry, showers, game room with a pool table, air hockey and even a business conference center. With nature trails, a volleyball court, a full restaurant – Pop’s Dockside Grill and Raw Bar, and the General store for groceries and licenses, the COVE has everything you want or need to play or relax. They even rent pontoon boats, paddle boats, and have covered boat slips with water and electric for cleanup.

            Mr. Stewart stated, “In years past, guys would go off hunting or fishing without their families. Now with award winning fishing and hunting right here on Lake Seminole, we have established an all-inclusive resort atmosphere.”

            “In addition to the luxury houseboats for sale, with the upscale cabins on-site for rent, the modern RV park with full hookups and the rustic camping, Trail’s End Resort can accommodate family renunions, corporate functions, fishing and hunting clubs and all kinds of other groups.”

            “What we have created here at the COVE is a product and an atmosphere where the entire family can vacation every weekend, feel comfortable, pampered and truly enjoy the outdoors in a whole new way. We have families going fishing now, cruising, and relaxing all in a manicured setting. We also offer picnic tables, hammocks and grills on-site so you can gather any time and have fun.”

            “Often the entire neighborhood comes together for parties, picnics, or just to watch the spectacular nightly sunset across the Chattahoochee River from the houseboats.”

            Visitors will notice as night falls, people line the docks, or sit on their decks sipping drinks and wrap themselves in the sounds of the evening. When the sun starts to slip below the horizon, fish bob to the surface of the lake to snap at a last meal, birds swarm in coordinated droves along the waterway and catch the air currents as they fly home to rest for the night.

            The total peace and serenity of the COVE cannot be matched. Because of its location at the end of Georgia Highway 253, this private, gated community is the end of the line at the riverbank, and the beginning of paradise. Bordering a wildlife refuge, you won’t hear or see another soul as the evening takes over. No city lights, no extraneous noise.

You really are back to nature, while enjoying the totally modern comforts of a luxury houseboat. It is the best of both worlds.

            The resort manager, David Allen, told us about some of the advantages to ownership.

            “What buyers have to realize is that owning a luxury houseboat here is a win-win situation. Not only do you get the full deduction tax advantage offered by the IRS, as a second vacation home, you can also deduct the houseboat under your business as an expense if applicable.”

            “Harbor Homes™ houseboats are truly marine worthy boats that can cruise the river at 11mph with the optional engine package. They don’t have property taxes like waterfront real estate and you don’t have to spend a quarter million dollars for a tiny spit of land at water’s edge.”

            “The way the COVE is set up you get all your utilities and the amenities included in one low monthly mooring fee. Currently an owner pays less than $300 and gets their water, sewer, metered electric, cable television with 48 channels, WIFI internet and access to everything else at the resort! Other marinas charge more than twice that just to moor your houseboat and you get none of your utilities. We’ve made this as attractive as it can be.”

            “Also, owners have to remember, we have a rental reservations system in place with on-site property management. That means if they choose to rent out their houseboat they can recoup the entire monthly cost of owning the unit all year!”

            “We’ll handle the check-in, check-out and cleanup, and you never have to worry about your home. Our staff does the grounds maintenance so unlike owning a lake cabin, you don’t have to show up on Friday night and mow the lawn or pick weeds. Once you get here all you HAVE to do is relax.”

            Also the COVE at Trail’s End recently contracted with fishing professional, Paul Tyre, to act as the spokesperson to the professional bass fishing community. Paul has participated in tournaments all over the country. When he is not touring he is available as a fishing guide. Just ask the manager about booking.

            Grant Nichols, National Sales Director for Harbor Homes™ and Valdosta native told us, “The COVE represents the wave of the future. Right now, you can afford a slice of vacation paradise right on the river. But we encourage potential buyers to act soon, because prices on the houseboats are only going up and the number of slips is going down.”

            “When you compare a Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboat for fit, finish and quality of construction to any other houseboat on the market, you will note two very important things: One, our units have many features standard that others consider options, and two, our indoor construction facility  helps preserve the materials that go into your new home so we  deliver a top notch product at a price that is less than HALF of other custom models.”              

“Owners get to choose from various floor plans, colors for the interior and exterior and even other items, to create a completely unique home on the water.”

            All of the manufacturer’s construction specs, photographs and options are online at www.harborhouseboats.com.

            “A Harbor Homes™ luxury houseboat is the premiere investment opportunity in a sour market, and the COVE at Trail’s End Resort and Marina is the prime place to join the future – a secure, gated floating vacation community you can call your home away from home.”

            To reserve your spot for a private tour you can reach the sales office at the COVE direct at 888-577-4562 or fill out a tour request at www.teresort.com.

            The resort is open every day.

http://www.teresort.com

http://www.harborhouseboats.com

            *Models start at $149,900 complete. Options available. Financing available. Average monthly cost is $980 financed or about the price of two car payments. Based on a $150,000 purchase price with $30,000 cash down payment. 240 monthly payments. 6.9% APR with approved credit. Financed amount does not include state taxes, monthly slip fee or additional options.

 

 

Freelance travel writer specializing in real estate developments, new attractions and vacation bargains.
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January 17th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

TV Wall Brackets Truly Enhance the Viewing Experience

Most of us know that when it comes time to set up our living room, great consideration is given to where the TV will be placed. This is because this particular house hold electronic will be the focal point of the room. With the advent of plasma and flat screen TV, this particular dilemma has increased sine we now use TV wall brackets to hang flat screens. This fact means that walls have now become an option for unit placement as well.
Would mounting a flat screen television to the wall really be such a good idea?
Well, the answer to that question can depend on your lifestyle and needs, but many people do opt to mount their TV via the use of TV wall brackets for a host of reasons.
Comfort and easy viewing
For many, traditional television watching could be hindered by the bulkiness of the set. One also has to find a stand to place the set, which adds to the bulk. Because places in the room are soon limited, one may not have had the ability to put an old fashioned television in an area that makes viewing easy.
With an LCD or plasma unit, this problem is eradicated by using TV wall brackets.
Choice of placement is very important however. You want to be able to sit comfortably and still see the screen-if you have to crane you neck up or can’t see the TV because it is too light or dark in the chosen area, you won’t get the most out of your plasma or LCD TV.
Where to mount
There is a veritable cornucopia of rooms and places where a plasma TV can be mounted that is limited only by the imagination. That said, keep in mind you want the TV somewhere where you spend a lot of time. While some families congregate in the living room, others live in the den or kitchen. Choices will vary.
Some areas of the home where TV wall brackets can be utilized to hang a flat screen TV are:
• Office areas and work spaces
• Kids playrooms
• Ceiling of bedroom
• Bedroom and bath areas
• Bar or entertainment room
• Basement and/or Attic
• Designated Exercise space
When you know which room you’d like to place the TV, your next step will be to find the right wall (or space on the ceiling) to hang it.
To determine what area inside the room of choice would be best, involve your family members, kids and/or friends. They can sit in various spots in the room and make helpful comments and suggestions as you put the TV against the wall. Try to have more than one person present. When all are in agreement you have found the perfect spot!
The wonderful, sleek and contemporary look of plasma and LCD television sets that rest on TV all brackets can’t be understated. Not only can they create an interior landscape that fits your homes mood, they can make Television watching a much more enjoyable experience and isn’t that the point?

January 17th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

Budgeting 101: more FAQ’s

 How do I save for the “big-ticket” items?

 

Aaah, the Spend It section. I personally love this part – and who doesn’t? To be able to buy those luxury or “big-ticket” items, you first need to go through the Save It stage. Forget about 0% interest, or the store saying, “We’ll pay your first month’s payment”, let’s be responsible and save for the things we want and pay for them in full. For example, let’s say we want a new flat screen TV and it will cost $2,000. Using the budget, we have to find things that we won’t spend so much on so we can save money to buy that item. 

 

By looking at our budget, I can show you how to save for it in 6 months just by cutting the budget down. No extra jobs, no garage sale. Here’s how – these are things you’ll need to sacrifice for 6 months in order to get that awesome TV:

 

-Cancel the gym membership (savings: $49)

-Cancel the XM radio (savings: $13)

-Agree to go out less for 6 months (savings: $100 from the Entertainment category)

-Choose not to buy any clothes for you for six months (savings: $75/mo)

-Sit the family down and tell them that the vacation this year won’t be as great as last year, but we’re getting an awesome TV instead (savings: $100/mo from the vacation category)

- Only use half of your allowance each month (savings: $50)

 

The result = Savings of $387/mo.

 

It will take you just over 6 months to save up for that TV. Take that big pile of cash into the store and negotiate yourself a discount or some free speakers by waving that pile of green around. You’re right in thinking that it took some discipline to get here, but isn’t that better than signing up for the 5 year plan and still be paying it off when the thing may have been replaced by another TV?

  

How can I pay off my debt as fast as possible?

 

Forget the radio commercials that’ll tell you that you can choose to negotiate your debt and only pay 50% of what you owe. You’ll come out with trashed credit that will haunt you for a long time, and possibly having to pay more debt than you originally owed.

 

Paying off debt as fast as possible isn’t as hard as it seems – on paper! Imagine that you want to pay off $24,000 of credit card debt / student loan. Imagine you could have either of these goals accomplished in one year. That’s the mentality you’ll need to have when you pay off your debt. Let’s look at it practically; I’ve adjusted our budget  to save $2,000 a month.

 

You’ll notice that we’ve stopped retirement contributions. This is only for a temporary period of time while you pay off that debt. As long as you promise to yourself that you won’t run up the debt again, then this can be an affective method to paying off the debt as quickly as possible. Once the debt is paid, then start contributing to your retirement accounts again.

 

Think this looks like a tight budget – you’re right! But in one year, you’ve paid off $24,000 of debt. In two years, you’ll have paid off $48,000. Just imagine the feeling of being debt free and having the budget as used at the start of the article – wouldn’t life be so much easier?! Then stop wasting time – GET TO IT!

 

David Grant
Contributing Writer
MyWealth

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January 16th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

Don’t be Robbed of a Quality TV

Only twenty years ago, the amounts of channels available on our televisions were limited to perhaps thirty for those willing to pay more. Today, we have hundreds (if not thousands!) of channels, and television has become a staple in our everyday life. That being said, the actual screen off of which we indulge our minds on the television waves is of utmost importance to us today. Although our televisions are close to our hearts (and our eyes), the technical specifications of the TVs are frequently still beyond the majority of us. The key, however, in purchasing a good TV that will last you a long time and do everything you need it to (and more) is to understand these specifications, and ultimately not allow the TV salesmen to confuse you in to buying something more or less than you asked for.

For those on a tight budget because of the economy, there are quality affordable TVs out there for you. Although the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) television monitor is considered by most to be obsolete, there are a few still out there that can provide an HD experience for a low price. That being said, most of us still want to go for the slick look of a new flat-screen TV in our family room. Even among flat screens, technology has evolved, and as such they are becoming cheaper. What began as projector TVs soon evolved into plasma, which now has transformed into the much more stable liquid crystal display (LCD). LCD TVs offer an unmatched, crisp picture that rivals being there – but only if you have the HD technology to back it up.

When you buy your new TV, you need to make sure that it clearly states that it has HD capabilities. Just because a TV is flat screen and digital does not automatically mean it can present in High Definition. Likewise, check to make sure that there is an HDMI connection available. Not only will this serve as reinforcement for the TV having HD capabilities, but HDMI will allow you to connect other HDMI devices, such as a PC, to the TV. While it is not necessary, it is an interesting extra that you should never be robbed of. Many TVs now also include card slots (such as SD cards) to view pictures from, and normally they do not add a substantial price to the TVs. Keep your eyes peeled for small little features like that – you never know when you’ll need or want them. Finally, if there is an included DVD player (which many are now including as well, but is not necessary), ensure that it also has CD-RW playback capabilities, just in case you want to play burnt (or bought) CDs into the TV at some point. You may see these features as irrelevant now, but you won’t be thinking that when you are trying to view pictures or play a CD via your TV one day.

With the modern television, the little features are the most important yet also the most overlooked – by both salesmen and consumers. When you shop for your next TV, keep in mind that there are other things at work than simply just the flat screen – and they shouldn’t cost you much more than the standard model. Anything else and you are being robbed of a quality TV.

The television is one of the most important gadgets in our lives. As such, it is important that we look at the little details – from HD to memory slot – when you decide to buy HDTV online. The author recommends Exspecto.com for online shopping and price comparison.
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January 16th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

Buying a HD Ready TV

Now that analog television is officially over, the concentration is on digital and HD TV. HD TV is necessary for the larger screen televisions. The flat screen televisions have a might higher resolution capability. Movies generally have a higher quality of resolution than regular TV program. However, with the introduction of the plasma and flat screen televisions, it has become necessary for all television programs to have the increased resolution like movies. When non-HD TV is viewed on a large screen, the picture appears grainy, fuzzy, and blurry. It is really frustrating to see the low quality of picture appear on a TV that is meant to be better than older televisions. HD TV was created to help the appearance of television programs on the larger screens.Many cable and satellite television companies offer HD channels. These channels are often included with some regular cable packages, but some companies charge more for HD channels than they do for regular channels. If you are receiving these HD channels, and especially if you are paying more for HD TV, then it is important to have a TV that can benefit from the higher resolution shows and programming. HD ready TV is something that many people already have, and it is also something that everyone can benefit from.It is easy to find out if you have an HD ready TV. First of all, if you have an LCD TV or a plasma TV, then you already have an HD ready TV. If you have one of the original large, flat screen TVs, then you probably do not have an HD ready TV. Also, if you have an old television set such as the box kind, then you definitely do not have and HD ready TV. To counteract this problem a new television must be purchased. This is the only way that your programming will come through in the way it was intended. Choosing an HD TV does not have to be difficult. Any place that sells televisions will have knowledgeable staff that can help you choose the idea HD TV for you. As a generally rule, any LCD or plasma screen TV is an HD ready TV. Deciding on the size that you want is very important. There are many different sizes of televisions to choose from. There are also different resolutions. Usually the decision is between a 720 resolution and a 1080 resolution. Currently most things are broadcast for the 720 resolution, but in the future it is likely that more programs will be shot in the 1080 resolution. Most HD TVs are designed to last around 10 years. Quite a lot of advancements in television will be likely to be created by that time. Thinking of this might help you decide which resolution of television to purchase.Once you buy the new TV, then all you have to do is hook it up and you will be able to fully experience the HD television channels. Some companies will hook up the TV for you. That is how you get an HD ready TV.

Matthew Kerridge is an experienced television expert. If you would like more information about <a href="http://www.ebuyer.com” rel=”nofollow”>HD ready TV please visit http://www.ebuyer.com
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January 16th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

Home Ownership: the Greatest Financial Scam of the Twentieth Century

Robert Kiyosaki was the first and has been the only financial pundit to suggest that your home is not an asset. As they so often do, Kiyosaki?s statements fly in the face of prevailing financial wisdom.

David Bach, author of Automatic Millionaire, not only says that your home is an asset, he asserts that home ownership is the first wrung on the ladder of wealth creation in America. He encourages everyone to buy a home as soon as possible to begin building their wealth.

CNN Money does their Millionaire in the Making profiles and I am shocked to find that in almost all cases 50-75% of the wealth of the families profiled is locked in their home. Given that people have to have a place to live, this is a problem.

Does home ownership produce wealth or are wealth and home ownership produced by sound wealth-producing financial habits?

The Economist, tracking real estate over the past decade, has concluded that the economics no longer support home ownership.

I bought my first home in 1991. The housing market in the North East had not recovered. The savings and loan collapse of the mid 1980?s depressed home prices and brought the condo market to a halt. Multiunit condominium properties were vacant. Many of the properties continued to sit vacant because banks had strict owner occupancy ratios for condominiums. Mortgage money was tight. First-time home buyer programs were coming on the market and the minimum down was ten percent. I was raised to think that a home was an investment. My mortgage broker sat me down and said, ?it is best that you think of your house as a roof over your head, not as an investment.? That was incredible advice. Prices dropped another 10% after I moved into my home. After 3 years of living in my home and 2 years of renting it out, I sold it for what I paid for it. After closing costs and realtor fees, I received a check for 447 dollars, significantly less than the $14,000 dollars that my family gave me for closing costs and the down payment. I always intended to pay them back with the proceeds from the sale. All told the housing market was depressed in the North East for over 10 years.

Even in an appreciating market, home ownership is no bargain. And a home is not an asset.

Let?s tackle the issue of equity as a component of wealth. Let?s say you buy a $100,000 home and put money down. That down payment is 20%. In real terms at the time of closing you have 20% equity in your home. If you had $20,000 dollars in your bank account, you had $20,000 in wealth. If you move that money to your home in the form of a down payment, you may have $20,000 in wealth as long as the market at least stays flat. For this illustration, we will say that is the case. You have $20,000 wealth stored in your home. Now what can you do with that?

If you borrow against your home, you erode your equity and your wealth. If you sell your home and get your $20,000 back, then what? You have to live somewhere and living somewhere costs money. The equity in your home is essentially dead. You cannot do anything with it. Sell your house and you reinvest that money into a new home, borrow against your equity and you lose it.

In short, the equity in your home, once in your home, will remain there. Useless to you in real terms. That equity will do something that is quite dangerous, however. It will cause you to feel wealthy, wealthier in fact than you are and spend money, money that you, in reality don?t have.

It might be helpful if I defined an asset here. Kiyosaki calls an asset anything that retains or appreciates in value that pays you. For Kiyosaki a house does not fit that definition. I define an asset as anything that retains or appreciates in value that I can sell and dance around my house throwing the proceeds of the sale in the air and have a jolly good time. Can?t do that with a house because, once again, I need someplace to live.

Someone might say that they want to downsize. Sell their home, pick up something smaller and bank the rest of the profits.

The numbers don?t add up. One of the columnists for the WSJ wrote that he doubted that he had made much money on his home although it was valued at half a million dollars. He had lived in his home for 10 years and paid just under $300,000 dollars for it. When he factored in taxes, insurance and maintenance, he figured that he broke even. Broke even!

What that means is that he actually spent the $200,000 on his home in other ways and the sale of the home would just result in returning that money to him. Two hundred thousand dollars equity and wealth gone when you actually look at the numbers. So much for great profits! So much for down sizing and banking the difference.

Here is an example of what happens when you refinance or draw equity out. For the amount of time that I have actually lived in my home I have made $82,800 dollars in payments. These payments went primarily to interest so let?s deduct the top tax rate. The top tax rate is the best-case scenario, a lower tax rate means you deduct less and pay more. Deduct $27,324 and get $55,476. Taxes and insurance paid amount to $20,460. Now the total paid is $55,476 + $20,460 = $75,936. Maintenance, landscaping, updates, repairs total $29,779. Add the two, $75,936 + $29,779 and get $105,714. I refinanced the house in order to take money out and buy my first investment property. Add in the unpaid mortgage balance and the total owed, paid and put into the house is $188, 715.

Critical concept: Improvements on a home don?t necessarily increase the value of that home. Every neighborhood has a trading range. The trading range for an area is based on location, size of the homes in that area and amenities. Homes will trade at the high end or low end of a neighborhood based on those factors. If my home sold for $170, 000, the financial gurus would say that I have $87,000 dollars of wealth based on the difference between the unpaid mortgage balance and the sale price. Because you have seen the numbers, you know better. In fact I lost $18,715 dollars. When I take into account the money I borrowed out to buy my first investment property, I broke even. I am assuming that I sell my home myself. Using a realtor would increase my losses by 6% of the sale price.

How can I call home ownership the greatest financial scam of the 20th century? I call it a scam when you buy something (a house) expecting it to lead to something (wealth) when that purchase can in no way produce that result. I call it a scam when the brokers who sell you the house know it won?t.

Sound financial habits will lead to wealth but home ownership in and of itself will not. Home ownership can in fact lead to poverty as people struggle to make payments and find that they are unable to maintain their homes. Sell and they risk owing more than the home is worth. Stay and their standard of living is reduced to pay for the house. Sounds like a winning formula for wealth to me.

While 20% of the homes in this most recent real estate bubble went to investors who were speculating in the markets, 80% of the homes went to people who believed that home ownership, not sound financial habits, were the first wrung on the ladder to wealth creation. They just believed what the gurus, the realtor, the mortgage broker and the banker told them. In a consumer society where everything is reduced to the lowest common denominator, they believed that a home could be purchased for little more than a moderately-priced flat screen TV and that down payments were a nuisance. They did not understand that as a worse case scenario, down payments are actually insurance against downside fluctuations in the housing market. Many people are finding that instead of the wealth they expected, they have a financial nightmare.

Perhaps moving forward into the 21st century, we will decide that sound financial habits and financial education are the first steps on the road to wealth. Maybe we will decide that wealth is created through work and due diligence and not by betting on the financial product of the day.

Ouida Vincent is an active real estate investor and entrepreneur who has watched her friends and family members struggle under the burden of home ownership in today
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January 15th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

BPL Flat TVs

Before flat screen televisions entered the scene, CRT TVs ruled the Indian market. Among these, the highest selling manufacturer was BPL Sanyo. As they say, history repeats itself. In the gamut of flat televisions today, BPL Flat TVs are fast making their mark among the audience. This is because they come with the same promise of providing the best quality at the best price. BPL has long been associated with providing the best in television technology and BPL flat TVs deliver the assurance. These televisions are the good option for those who are looking for high quality flat screen TVs at affordable prices. They provide a suite of features comparable to high end models available in the market. Trust the best BPL flat TVs to include newer, better technology among them. Their picture quality is sharp and crisp, with clear imagery. With cutting edge expertise, BPL has managed to completely eliminate background noise and motion artifacts. You can also control color saturation, for vibrant colors, including blacks and whites, so your movie viewing experience becomes even more fun! Options for setting brightness, contrast and sharpness for true to life images and a better visual experience are also provided in BPL flat TVs. The best part of these televisions is the viewing angels. Watch it straight, or at an angle; you won’t find any difference in picture quality and imagery. The best BPL flat TVs are designed in such a way that they can be comfortably viewed from seven feet away or even at a 30 degree angle. To have a home theatre experience with your BPL flat TV, there is an HD ready flat panel provided with HDMI inputs as well. So you can turn your home in to a cinema hall by simply attaching the required systems. BPL flat TVs are not only technologically advanced but also look great in your home. Available in different color options in ultra sleek designs and user-friendly controls, they are truly a sight! Though they are affordably priced, online BPL flat TVs can be bought at even lower rates. If you’re looking for savings on your purchase, it is best to shop online from a renowned shopping portal. This way, not only can you compare prices with similar models, but also read on customer reviews for making an informed choice. So go ahead, avail great discounts on BPL flat TV prices and revolutionize your TV viewing experience!

Vinnit Alex is a well known author and has written articles on BPL Flat TVs,TVs store, UPS, online shop and many other subjects.
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January 15th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

Three Reasons to Put a Flat TV Screen Above the Fireplace

If you are looking for a good place to put a flat screen TV, you might want to try putting one over the fireplace.  When you place a TV in this location, you can ensure that it will be in a highly visible location.  At the same time, you will never need to worry about it taking up valuable wall space that you might want to use for other decorative items.

Flat TV’s and Optimal Viewing Angles

No matter where you put chairs or couches in a room, it can be very easy to establish a direct line of sight for all potential viewers.  This tends to occur more often when you have plenty of wall space, and then set the TV at eye level.  On the other hand, when you place a Flat Screen TV over a fireplace, you will most often have to place it higher than usual.  While you are arranging furniture in the rest of the room, you are sure to notice that it will be much easier to create an unobstructed view from each location.

Safety and Damage Prevention

Attractive and Enticing

Many people today enjoy having electronic photo frames that will display all kinds of images.  When you have a Flat Screen TV, you can easily use a wireless device to transmit images from a computer.  Without a question, if you have pictures of family members, or even stunning sunsets, they will look perfect when displayed on an enormous screen located above a fireplace.  As may be expected, if you want to switch over to regular programming, or watch a video, it will be just as easy to accomplish.

For further information, please visit Mount Plasma TV on Wall
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January 15th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs

How To Avoid The Biggest Mistakes When Buying A Home Theater System

No one can know all things about all subjects and it is no different when trying to choose the best home theater system. Many people make big mistakes that diminish their home theater experience because they didn’t do the proper research before buying the first place. If you don’t know what to look for you can end up with a system that is way more than what you actually need or you can end up with one that just flat out sucks! Let’s look at some of the mistakes that are commonly made.

First on the list are small amplifiers resulting in inadequate amplification which is seen regularly when people try to get by with a cheaper system and use it in a large room. If you have a large room you need amplifiers that can push bigger systems and if you have a large room you should be able to afford the system! Actually, it isn’t that much more money to upgrade the amplifier just be aware of what you need. Describe the size of the room and have the sales associate give you some advice there.

If your speakers don’t sound quire as good as you would like it is probably because you have them positioned improperly. Speakers are not furniture; they are not set up to look good they are set up to sound good. You need to experiment with different angles, distances and elevation to find the optimal position for your room. Alternatively, if you have more money than time and patience you can pay the company where you bought your system to come out and set the whole thing up for you!

Since we all have the bigger is better mentality many of us will try to put a monster big screen TV in a room that can barely handle a 27 inch. Don’t just think about the size of the screen; remember that unless you are getting a plasma or LCD you will also have a large cabinet to consider. My old rear projection 55″ big screen had a cabinet that was over two feet wide, that’s a lot of space. It doesn’t make sense to buy a TV that you can’t sit back and enjoy.

These kinds of mistakes are made over and over when shopping for home theater systems but they can be avoided by simply doing a little research and checking the ego before you go shopping so that you bring home the right system for your home.

January 14th, 2010 Comment (0) Flat Screen TVs
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