Selling without a broker? Be prepared for detail work - Nena Groskind
The appeal - saving the brokerage commission - is easy to understand, but you have to be prepared to do everything a good broker would do, including pricing the property realistically, screening buyers to eliminate those who aren't serious or who can't obtain a mortgage, scheduling appointments, handling showings, and managing the negotiations.
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/300/realestate/Selling_without_a_broker_Be_prepared_for_detail_work+.shtml

Draft-Proof Your House - Lis King
No matter how baffling the energy situation is, homeowners are definitely seeing its results in skyrocketing energy bills. It makes Maryland homeowners like Pat and Richard Wilhelm scramble to button up their 75-year-old house against both blustery winters and humidity-laden summers.
http://www.homestore.com/HomeGarden/HomeImprovement/Features/Winter/Draft.asp

Smart Moves: Caution advised even if the need to buy a home is urgent - Ellen James Martin
She was a young captain in the U.S. Air Force, eager to relocate quickly. She traveled to the new town and quickly saw an attractive ranch-style home for sale. Something intangible about the place appealed to her emotionally — perhaps because it resembled her childhood residence. That, coupled with her urge to buy quickly, prompted her to sign a sales contract that very afternoon. Yet when she took a more considered look, she realized she had made a big mistake.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/classifieds/real_estate/4361659.htm

Insuring your home against man, nature - Alan J. Heavens
Do you ever look at your homeowners' insurance policy? If you were familiar with it, you might save yourself time and angst when you need to make a claim. But few of us know the basics of our insurance coverage. In fact, real estate agents say that few home buyers arrive at settlement with a basic understanding of the policy required at closing.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/classifieds/real_estate/4375396.htm

Second homes gaining ground as investments - Allison B. Cohen
Glenn and Kristine Quirk once had difficulty scraping together enough for a down payment on one home. But in just two years, the Burbank couple have practically become land barons, having recently closed escrow on their fifth vacation property in Big Bear.
http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-second27oct27001451,0,7874744.story?coll=la%2Dclass%2Drealestate%2Dnews

Tips for Selling in a Buyer's Market - Michele Dawson
As the fall season brings the usual slow-down in home sales activity, many regions of the country that experienced hot sellers' markets over the summer are now seeing a change toward buyers' markets. But don't let that hamper your plans -- if you prepare properly and make the right moves, you can sell your house.
http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20021028_buyersmarket.htm

At Your Fingertips Directory - Handy Home Resources

• Current mortgage rates - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/
  
• Product recalls - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html
  
• Monthly mortgage payment calculator - http://www.homestore.com/Finance/Calculators/mortgagepayment.asp?gate=realtor
  
• Home affordablity calculator - http://www.homestore.com/Finance/Calculators/mortgagequalifier.asp?gate=realtor
  
• Home price history search - http://domania.homestore.com/homepricecheck/index.jsp
  
• Buy versus rent calculator - http://www.homefair.com/homefair/usr/rentbuyform.html?NETSCAPE_LIVEWIRE.src=homestorefinance&gate=realtor
  
• School information directory - http://www.nces.ed.gov/globallocator/
  
• NIH health information - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
  
• Driving directions - http://www.freetrip.com
  
• Golf course locator - http://www.golfcourse.com/
  
• Find a VISA ATM worldwide - http://visaatm.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENT_ID=VISA
  
• Find a Mastercard ATM worldwide - http://www.mastercard.com/cardholderservices/atm/

Hot Homes - Some of Our Favorites
This could be a description of some of your Hot Homes including links to pictures on your web site.

	Beautifully Maintained Home! Greenbelt Lot on Cul-de-sac *Lush Landscaping *Sprinkler System *Bright and Open Plan *Corian Countertops *Tile Floors *Light and Bright Breakfast Room *Formal Dining Room *Study/Library *Large Gameroom with Wet Bar *Master Suite Down *Great Master Bath with Separate Shower & Whirlpool Tub *Generously Sized Rooms *Large Closets *Neutral Décor *Cy-Fair Schools *2 Car Garage -  $217,500 - For more info, call me at 800-555-1234
	Wonderful Estate Home!! Room to Roam Inside and Out *3 Master Suites *Generously Sized Rooms *Great Views *6 Bedrooms/6.5 Baths *Paneled Library *Gameroom *Island Kitchen *Large Breakfast Room *Dance Studio *Both Formals *2 Fireplaces *Circular Drive *4 Car Garage and Porte-cochere *Huge Double Lot *Pond with Rock Waterfall *Pool and Spa *Greenhouse *Covered Patio *Many Trees  $399,900 - For more info, call me at 800-555-1234
	Well Maintained! Spacious Kitchen *Formal Dining *Formal Living *Hardwood Floors *Large Bedrooms *Plantation Shutters *Lush Landscaping *Sprinkler System *Great Backyard *Cul-de-sac Lot *Outstanding Subdivision! $140,000  - For more info, call me at 800-555-1234