- Real Estate Update
- Buyers & Seller's Corner
- Home Improvement
- Trivia Challenge
- Health & Fitness
- New Movie Releases
- Recipe of the Month
- Travel Tips
- Forward to a Friend

December 2011

7 -- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
21 -- Winter Solstice
25 -- Christmas Day
31 -- New Year's Eve

New Listing for December

Adult Living at Four Seasons Mirage, Barnegat

God gave us memory that we might have roses in December.
~ James Matthew Barrie

Home Sales Rise, Inventory Continues to Decline

Existing-home sales improved in October while the number of homes on the market continued to decline, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors®.

Total existing-home sales rose 1.4 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.97 million in October from a downwardly revised 4.90 million in September, and are 13.5 percent above the 4.38 million unit level in October 2010.

“Home sales have been stuck in a narrow range despite several improving factors that generally lead to higher home sales such as job creation, rising rents and high affordability conditions," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Many people who are attempting to buy homes are thwarted in the process.

“A higher rate of contract failures has held back a sales recovery. Contract failures reported by NAR members jumped to 33 percent in October from 18 percent in September, and were only 8 percent a year ago, so we should be seeing stronger sales,” said Yun.

Contract failures are cancellations caused by declined mortgage applications, failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price, or other problems including home inspections and employment losses.

“Other recent factors include disruption in the National Flood Insurance Program, and lower loan limits for conventional mortgages, which paradoxically force some of the most creditworthy consumers to pay unnecessarily higher interest rates,” said Yun.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.07 percent in October from 4.11 percent in September; the rate was 4.23 percent in October 2010.

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A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.
~ Sir Barnett Cocks

All Home Warranties Are Not the Same

Whether you're buying or selling a home, chances are good that a home warranty will be discussed at some point. So, what is it?

In short, a home warranty is a service contract -- similar to an insurance policy -- that protects the new home owner against the cost of unexpected repairs or replacement on major systems and appliances that may break down due to normal use. Of course, the coverage is only for systems and appliances in good working condition at the start of the warranty period.

All home warranty plans are not the same, so be sure to check to see which items are covered, and whether or not it covers full replacement value. Common items covered include plumbing, electrical, furnace, refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, stove, microwave, water pump, washer and dryer, heating ducts and water heater. Swimming pool equipment, hot tubs, saunas, and landscaping items are usually available with a surcharge.

A home warranty is not a requirement to sell your home, but is frequently offered by the seller up front to ease the buyer's mind both during and after the sale. If the home owner is not offering a home warranty, it is usually negotiated into the offer at some point by either the buyer or seller. A good home warranty plan costs around $400 and normally covers items for one year.

Character is what you have left when you've lost everything you can lose.
~ Evan Esar

Do You Have a Home Improvement Savings Account?

Do you have a home improvement savings account? Many people don’t, yet it could really help out if something were to go wrong in your home. If your furnace breaks down, do you have the money to fix it? What about a leak in your roof? Do you like hot water when you shower? A hot water heater can easily cost $1,000 or more to replace.

These are just a few of the things that can go wrong after years of normal wear and tear. Some problems are more expensive than others -- and in some cases -- you need to be able to make and pay for repairs immediately if you don’t want additional problems. A savings account dedicated to home improvements can prepare you for many unforeseen problems.

You can basically set up any savings account and dedicate it as your "home improvement account." Each month save what you can. Saving even a little money each month is better than nothing. It all adds up and by the time something needs updating or repairing you will have the money you need. Make sure the account you choose allows you to make withdrawals whenever you want without heavy penalties or fees.

If you normally can't afford large repairs outright, then it makes sense to have a home improvement savings account. Plus, being able to repair something immediately causes much less stress than dealing with a problem for months on end while saving up for the repairs.

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The key to being a good manager is keeping the people who hate me away from those who are still undecided.
~ Casey Stengel

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) From Las Vegas, head south all the way down I-15 to San Diego. When you get to the Mission Beach area, you'll find a restored roller coaster right next to the beach. What is the name of the coaster?
a.) Shock Wave
b.) Mini Mountain
c.) Ocean Clipper
d.) Giant Dipper

Question 2.) When this author died in 1988, he or she had 105 books in print and was one of the most popular writers in the world. Name the author?
a.) William Golding
b.) Jane Austen
c.) Lois Lowry
d.) Louis L'Amour

Question 3.) One of the most successful duos in musical history, which singer has a master's degree from Columbia University?
a.) Sonny Bono
b.) Daryl Hall
c.) Art Garfunkel
d.) Phil Everly

Question 4.) Name the Christmas movie about a 9-year-old boy who really, really wants a Red Ryder BB gun?
a.) A Christmas Story
b.) Christmas Memories
c.) All I Want for Christmas
d.) A Red Ryder Christmas Wish

Question 5.) What is the name of the Indian Ocean's deepest point?
a.) The Andoman Dip
b.) The Java Trench
c.) The Indo-Australian Trench
d.) The Sunda Depression

TOP | ANSWERS

Ah me, so wine lives longer than miserable man. So let us be merry. Wine is life.
~ Petronius

4 Tips to Make Your Diet and Exercise Plan Exciting

The bottom line is that if you want to build and maintain a healthy body, you must make your exercise and diet plan exciting and worthwhile. Following are four tips to keep you interested.

1. Reward Yourself -- The rewards should be small, but something you like, such as a small piece of chocolate or a handful of peanuts or raisins. Once in awhile, reward yourself with a half bagel or muffin, a slice of pizza or a glass of wine. You don't have to deprive yourself of the foods you love; but, you should use them as a reward and in small portions.

2. Record Your Workout -- Keep track of your daily workout and and give yourself a "gold star" every time you beat your last effort. Whether it's more weight, more reps, a faster time or a longer distance, keep track and challenge yourself to do better. If you continuously achieve your goals, reward yourself with a new bike, a dinner out or a mini-vacation (or whatever you think is worth working toward).

3. Make It Fun -- If you do the treadmill seven days a week, you probably won't last long. Spice up your routine by adding a fun and healthy activity at least once a week. Go for a walk, go jogging, hiking, biking or swimming. Play soccer or basketball with the kids. Try kayaking, weightlifting or take up golf or tennis. If it's fun, you're apt to do it again and again.

4. Learn -- Listen to books on tape or watch an instructional video on something that interests you. Just think, while you're getting in shape you could be learning a new language or how to kayak.

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important.
~ Natalie Goldberg

December Movie Releases

• Dec. 2
  • Answers to Nothing
  • Coriolanus
  • Outrage
  • Knuckle
  • Pastorela
• Dec. 9
  • New Year's Eve
  • The Sitter
  • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
  • I Melt With You
  • Young Adult
• Dec. 16
  • Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
  • Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows
  • Carnage
  • Corman's World
• Dec. 21
  • The Adventures of Tintin
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
  • Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
• Dec. 23
  • In the Land of Blood and Honey
  • We Bought a Zoo
• Dec. 25
  • The Darkest Hour
  • War Horse
  • Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• Dec. 30
  • The Iron Lady
  • A Separation

*Opening dates may vary depending on where you live.

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I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.
~ Gilda Radner

Chicken and Basil Roulades with Dijon Mustard Sauce

Ingredients -- Serves 4 to 6

Mustard Sauce

• 1/2 cup plain, lowfat yogurt
• 1 tb. sp. dijon mustard
• 2 tsp. chopped, fresh chives

Roulades

• 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves
• 1/3 cup plain, lowfat yogurt
• 2 tb. sp. melted butter
• 2 tb. sp. chopped, fresh Basil
• 1/2 tsp. each of salt and pepper
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup grated, Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fine, fresh, bread crumbs

Directions

1. Prepare mustard sauce first and let sit at room temp while baking the chicken.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly brush a non-stick baking sheet with some of your melted butter.
3. Pound chicken breast halves to about a 1/4 inch thickness. Sprinkle basil, salt and pepper on top of each breast. Fold in short ends of chicken and roll up from the long side.
4. Mix yogurt and dijon in a shallow bowl and mix the bread crumbs and Parmesan in a shallow dish. Coat rolled breasts in the yogurt mixture then roll in the bread crumbs and Parmesan.
5. Place chicken roulades on baking sheet and drizzle with remaining butter. Bake for 30 min. or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle.
6. Serve with a dollop of dijon sauce on the side.

Wine Pairing

• Villard Estates Expresión Reserve Pinot Noir 2005

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced.
~ Frank Zappa

9 Holiday Travel Tips

It seems the holidays have become synonymous with travel. With families living more spread out geographically than ever before, a holiday without at least some travel is extremely rare. Following are some tips to lessen the stress:

1. Peak Travel Dates -- Don't travel on the busiest travel days; extend your stay a day or two so you can avoid the madness.
2. Book Early -- Fares rarely get cheaper as the holiday approaches, plus, your stress level only increases if you can't find a flight to your destination.
3. Check First -- Check your flight for delays and cancellations before you leave to the airport.
4. Give Yourself Time -- Allow at least 90 minutes to find parking, check in and pass through security.
5. Kiosks -- Use the self-check kiosks to save time.
6. Don't Wrap Your Gifts -- you may be asked to unwrap them at the security gate (nobody wants to wrap a gift twice).
7. Shuttle Service -- Leave the stress of driving to the airport in traffic to someone else and save on airport parking fees.
8. Entertainment -- If the bulk of your traveling will be done in the car this holiday season, be sure to pack some entertainment for the kids. A few movies and snacks will keep the kids happily occupied for hours at a time.
9. Spring Break -- Now is the time to plan for Spring Break to get the best deals.

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Trivia Answers
#1. d.) Giant Dipper; #2. d.) Louis L'Amour; #3 c.) Art Garfunkel; #4. a.) A Christmas Story; #5. b.) The Java Trench * aka sunda trench, part of ring of fire

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Robert McLaughlin & Julie A. Willis
221 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2011 eNewsletterSolutions.