Robert McLaughlin

- 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

November 2009

1 -- Daylight Saving Time Ends
3 -- Election Day
10 -- Marine Corps Birthday
11 -- Veteran's Day
26 -- Thanksgiving Day

Attention: First Time Home Buyer

NEW TOMS RIVER LISTING - Excellent home for the first time buyer or down sizer. Updated home with vaulted ceilings, extra large fenced in yard with a storage shed, a gas fireplace that will heat the entire home.Newer kitchen with a separate laundry area and extra storage. This home is move in ready and just in time for the $8000.00 first time buyers tax credit. Act now before this one gets away. MORE..

New Construction in Stafford Twp.

FOREST RIDGE ESTATES - http://robertmclaughlin.cmail1.com/t/r/l/htiyuj/l/i on two cul-de-sac streets with large lots, underground utilities, and Belgium block curbing. Homes come COMPLETELY UPGRADED with basements, Anderson windows, Timberline roofs, granite countertops, tile/hardwood flrs, some Brick/stone facades, stamped concrete driveways, oak staircase, recessed and under-counter lighting, SS appliances, plus much more. (12 Models $420,000-750,000) Pick your lot today!

55+ Adult Community

FOUR SEASONS AT MIRAGE - Three yrs young, meticulously maintained and beautifully upgraded! South east exposure&large custom windows flood this home with natural light. Gourmet kitchen w/42" top of the line cabinets, ss appliances, bay windows, granite counters. Hardwood flr. Premier cul-de-sac location w/large private yard backing to woods. Extensive mature landscaping&40ft paver patio creates a rare private retreat. 2-car garage w/GDO,Too many upgrades to list(see attachment). Allow time to see & appreciate this home! MORE..

A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
~ Albert Einstein

Existing-Home Sales Bouncing Back

According to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales bounced back strongly in September with first-time buyers driving much of the activity -- marking five gains in the past six months.

Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and coops - jumped 9.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.57 million units in September from a level of 5.10 million in August, and are 9.2 percent higher than the 5.10 million-unit pace in September 2008. Sales activity is at the highest level in over two years.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions matched with a tax credit are boosting home sales. "Much of the momentum is from people responding to the first-time buyer tax credit, which is freeing many sellers to make a trade and buy another home," Yun said. "We are hopeful the tax credit will be extended and possibly expanded to more buyers, at least through the middle of next year, because the rising sales momentum needs to continue for a few additional quarters until we reach a point of a self-sustaining recovery."

Total housing inventory at the end of September fell 7.5 percent to 3.63 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.8-month supply at the current sales pace, down from an 9.3-month supply in August. Unsold inventory totals are 15 percent below a year ago.

The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.06 percent in September from 5.19 percent in August; the rate was 6.04 percent in September 2008, according to Freddie Mac.

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A friend to all is a friend to none.
~ Aristotle

5 Tips to Staging Your Home Like a Professional

Are you considering putting your house up for sale, but not sure where to start? Afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won't get the price you want? If this is the case, you should definitely think about "staging" your home -- or in other words -- setting the scene for immediate buyer interest. Following are five tips to get you started:

1. De-clutter -- This is one of the most important things you can do. It might be easier to think of de-cluttering like this: You're moving anyway, so why not start packing now?
2. Storage -- Pack up everything you don't need and store the boxes out of sight in the garage, or better yet, an offsite storage facility.
3. Organize Your Closets -- Put similar colors together, pants together, skirts together, shirts together, etc. Why? Because an organized closet looks bigger, and you want your closets to look as spacious as possible.
4. Make It Look Like a Model -- You want to de-personalize as much as possible so potential buyers can imagine themselves and their own belongings occupying the space in your house. That means minimizing - putting away everything you don't need or use. Clear off the kitchen counter and stash all appliances you don't use on a daily basis.
5. Your the Buyer -- Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at the property for the very first time. What impressions are you getting? Would you buy the house? What would you like to see changed before you put an offer on it?

Don't worry about spending a few hundred, even thousands, of dollars to get your house ready to sell - you'll likely get it all back, even more, when your home sells. Proper staging helps you sell your house in a shorter time and at the price you want.

Either you run the day or the day runs you.
~ Jim Rohn

4 Easy Steps to Installing Weather Stripping

Applying weather stripping around doors and windows is a low-cost way to stop drafts and cut down on heating and cooling costs. Here's what you do:

1. Learn the different kinds of stripping -- adhesive-backed V strips that can be cut with scissors or a utility knife; compression strips; tubular gaskets; magnetic stripping for metal- or steel-clad doors.
2. Measure the length of all seams to be weather-stripped, add a couple of inches for each seam and add the numbers together to determine how much you need.
3. Cut the weather stripping to fit each seam. Apply the stripping all the way around a window by using adhesive, nails or screws. Attach the stripping to the jamb or the stop.
4. Apply the stripping to the sides and the tops of doors. Use a weather-tight threshold or door sweep to seal the bottom. (A door sweep is a metal or wood bracket with a plastic or vinyl flap that hangs to the floor to stop airflow.)

Other Tips

• Choose the weather stripping best suited to your needs. Ask store personnel for recommendations.
• Clean the surface to which you're going to apply adhesive-backed weather stripping (if it's dirty or damp, the adhesive won't stick for long).
• Foam and felt varieties of weather stripping don't apply easily and don't seem to last nearly as long as alternatives.

A fool and his money are soon elected.
~ Will Rogers

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) Which of the following U.S. cities has hosted the Olympics more than once?
a.) Atlanta, Georgia
b.) Lake Placid, New York
c.) Salt Lake City, Utah
d.) St. Louis, Missouri

Question 2.) What post-apocalyptic novel by Cormac McCarthy was published in 2006, won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2007 and was made into a movie in 2009?
a.) Child of God
b.) The End of the Road
c.) The Road
d.) The Shack

Question 3.) Which 1980s new wave group sang the song "True Faith" ?
a.) Duran Duran
b.) Depeche Mode
c.) New Order
d.) The Cars

Question 4.) Which film below tells the story of a woman who helps bring some life to a rigidly moralistic community through the creation of her dainty little confections?
a.) Chocolat
b.) Happy Accidents
c.) Eat, Drink, Man, Woman
d.) Life Is Sweet

Question 5.) You are in a city in northern India, looking at the Taj Mahal. Where are you?
a.) Agra
b.) Ahmedabad
c.) Delhi
d.) Jaipur

TOP | ANSWERS

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Understanding Antioxidants and Free Radicals

You hear the terms "antioxidants" and "free radicals" thrown around pretty frequently nowadays, leaving many people wondering, "What are they and why should I care?"

There is no simple answer, but here's a general explanation: The body forms unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals; every cell produces tens of thousands of them every day. A free radical is basically an atom with an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. Since electrons have a strong tendency to exist in a paired -- rather than an unpaired state -- free radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons from other atoms, which in turn convert those other atoms into secondary free radicals, thus setting up a chain reaction, which can cause substantial biological damage.

This, in short, is bad. There are also many kinds of free radicals, which we are exposed to every day, for example, pollution, radiation, smoke and herbicides.

And this is where antioxidants come into play; antioxidants are thought to neutralize and stabilize these free radicals. You should note there are many antioxidants found in natural foods, and it is thought the best way to take antioxidants is naturally, through fresh, vibrant food. Also, some antioxidants are only needed in small amounts, so be sure to check on recommened amounts.

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
~ Walt Disney

November Movie Releases

• Nov. 6
  • The Box
  • Disney's A Christmas Carol
  • The Fourth Kind
  • The Men Who Stare at Goats
• Nov. 13
  • 2012
  • Pirate Radio
• Nov. 20
  • The Blind Side
  • Planet 51
  • Twilight Saga
  • Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
• Nov. 25
  • Fantastic Mr. Fox
  • Ninja Assassin
  • Old Dogs
  • The Road

*Wide releases only. Opening dates subject to change.

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Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
~ Mother Teresa

Next Day Triple- Decker Turkey Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 slices (your favorite) bread
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced
• 3 slices bacon (or turkey bacon)
• 3 slices cheddar cheese

Directions

1. After you have prepped everything else, toast the bread slices.
2. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each slice. Layer bottom slice with lettuce, tomato, turkey bacon, and cheese. Spread another thin layer of mayonnaise on the cheese; repeat layers twice. Top with second slice of bread. Heat in microwave for 30 or until cheese is melted (or use toaster oven).

Wine Pairing

• Les Trois Couronnes Côtes du Rhône 2007

Don't be afraid to see what you see.
~ Ronald Reagan

5 Tips for Traveling By Car

For some trips, taking a car is the way to go. Following are five tips about traveling by car.

1. Maximize gas mileage and efficiency. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. Obviously, economy cars get better gas mileage than bigger vehicles, so, in some cases, it may make sense to rent. Minivans and SUVs are only practical if you have to transport a large family and lots of luggage.
2. Keep yourself entertained. Music or books on tape can be a lifesaver. Solo driving can become extremely boring, especially if everyone else has fallen asleep. However, if you are actively listening to music or an audio book, time can pass quite quickly.
3. Pack your own snacks and refreshments. Gas stations and restaurants are expensive, so avoid them if possible. Instead, pack a cooler with sodas, water, fruit, granola bars and a sandwich. You'll save money, eat better and make better time.
4. Gas fill-ups. Don' wait until the last minute to get gas as it will likely be more expensive in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you really need gas, just put enough in to get to the next station where gas might be cheaper.
5. Travel necessities. Travel with a cell phone and first aid kit. Both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Buy a disposable phone if you don't have one.

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Trivia Answers
#1. b.) Lake Placid, New York; #2. c.) The Road; #3. c.) New Order; #4. a.) Chocolat; #5. a.) Agra

- 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

August 2009

2 Friendship Day
5 Full Moon
19 National Aviation Day

Featured Homes for Sale!

Click Here to check out my featured listings
or Map Search the entire MLS.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Homes Sales Rise for Third Consecutive Month

A recent release from the National Association of Realtors® has good news: Existing-home sales rose for the third consecutive month with inventory easing and home prices declining less sharply in June.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – increased 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.89 million units in June from a downwardly revised pace of 4.72 million in May, but are 0.2 percent lower than the 4.90 million-unit level in June 2008.

“The increase in existing-home sales occurred in all major regions of the country,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “We expect a gradual uptrend in sales to continue due to tax credit incentives and historically high affordability conditions. Despite the rise in closed transactions, many Realtors® are reporting lost sales as a result of new appraisal standards that went into effect May 1 of this year.”

The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.42 percent in June, up from 4.86 percent in May, according to Freddie Mac, though mortgage interest rates have trended lower in recent weeks.

According to the release, total housing inventory at the end of June fell 0.7 percent to 3.82 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.4-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 9.8-month supply in May.

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A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.
~Washington Irving

Don't Rely on a Fence to Determine Boundaries

Keep in mind when purchasing a property that the fences do not necessarily represent the properties' boundaries. In many cases, the previous owner of a property had fences installed without the assistance of an accurate survey, or is simply replacing a fence that was built a former owner who did not know where the property lines were located.

If it is important for you to know exactly where the property lines are -- and it should be -- always insist upon a property survey if there's any doubt. You'd be surprised at how many fences have been built on estimated borders and have gone on unchallenged homeowner after homeowner.

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.
~Harry Golden

5 Steps to Installing a Programmable Thermostat

If you're tired of waking up to a cold bathroom, or coming home after work to a blazing hot living room, consider a programmable thermostat. It's easier and cheaper to install than you think, and can help reduce your energy bill by only heating or cooling your home when you want it to. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your home's electrical power at the breaker box; turn off the master switch if you are not 100 percent certain which one controls the thermostat.
2. Remove the faceplate from the existing thermostat. Label the wires so you know which connection they go to in case your new thermostat uses a different color coding system; now disconnect the individual wires from the terminals.
3. Read the instructions for the new thermostat; connect the wires of the new thermostat to the appropriately labeled wires.
4. Place the thermostat into the existing fitting and tighten into place; flip the master switch to turn on the power.
5. After carefully reading the manufacturer's instructions, program the new thermostat to your liking. Test it by setting different temperatures and times.

That's it! It's not much more difficult than changing a light switch and costs less than dinner for two.

Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself.
~Elbert Hubbard

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) This New Mexico town renamed itself after a popular radio show in the 1950's.
a.) Hopalong Cassidy
b.) I Know A Secret
c.) Lone Ranger
d.) Truth or Consequences

Question 2.) Which author wrote "Atlantis Found"?
a.) C.J. Cherryh
b.) Tom Clancy
c.) Clive Cussler
d.) John Grisham

Question 3.) Who sang "When You're Gone" in 2007?
a.) Avril Lavigne
b.) Green Day
c.) Hinder
d.) Simple Plan

Question 4.) Which of the following movies is a about a family trying to get to a beauty pageant?
a.) Accepted
b.) Dreamgirls
c.) Little Miss Sunshine
d.) Talladega Nights

Question 5.) Which of the following is an Asian city?
a.) Bucharest
b.) Cairo
c.) Dushanbe
d.) Moscow

TOP | ANSWERS

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.
~Charles Richards

Eating Healthier During the Work Day

If you're eating out for lunch more than a few times a week, you're probably not doing much for your waistline -- or your pocketbook. Following are a few tips to help you eat better during the work week and save a few dollars at the same time.

• Pack your lunch the night before. Sure, this one is obvious, but that's because it works. Pack your favorite sandwich, last night's leftovers, soup, a frozen entree, or even a salad.
• If you work in a big company, check out the cafeteria. Forget the stereotype, many cafeterias offer great soups, a fresh salad bar, light sandwiches and other healthy choices. Just be sure to skip the hotdogs, deep-fried foods, brownies, chips, etc.
• When you go grocery shopping, buy snacks with the office in mind. That way you don't have to pay convenience store prices and will have control over what you eat at the office. Some healthy snacks include cut-up vegetables, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, yogurt and fruit.
• If you have the flexibility to rearrange your work schedule, set it up so you can eat breakfast at home, lunch at the office, and be home in time for dinner. It's been proven time and time again that people who plan their meals stay healthier than people who eat on the run.
• Plan your meals in advance and make a little more than you'll need for dinner so you have a delicious lunch to pack. If your leftovers don't taste better than most of the fast food out there, consider cooking lessons.

You don't have to go cold turkey, just start off packing a lunch two or three times a week. If you do it right, soon you'll prefer eating in the office, saving time and money, and enjoying a healthier lifestyle.

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.
~Danny Kaye

August Movie Releases

• Aug. 7
  • G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
  • Julie & Julia
  • A Perfect Getaway
  • Shorts
• Aug. 14
  • Bandslam
  • District 9
  • The Time Traveler's Wife
  • The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
  • It Might Get Loud
• Aug. 21
  • Inglorious Basterds
  • Post Grad
• Aug. 28
  • The Final Destination
  • Halloween II

*Wide releases only. Opening dates subject to change.

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I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.
~Abraham Lincoln

Fiery Fish Tacos with Crunchy Corn Salsa

Ingredients - Serves 8

• 1-1/3 cups corn
• 2/3 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup peeled, chopped jicama
• 2/3 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1-1/3 cups fresh cilantro leaves -- finely chopped
• 1-1/3 lime -- zested and juiced
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons salt
• 8 (4 ounce) fillets tilapia
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 16 corn tortillas, warmed

Directions

1. Preheat grill on high.
2. Mix the corn, red onion, red bell pepper, jicama and cilantro. Stir in lime juice and zest.
3. Combine cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, and salt. Brush each fillet with olive oil, and sprinkle with spices.
4. Arrange fillets on grill and cook for 3 minutes per side. For each fiery fish taco, top tortillas with fish, sour cream and corn salsa.

Wine Pairing

• Château Gaillard Touraine Sauvingnon Blanc 2007

Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's.
~Billy Wilder

Tips on Packing Your Car

If you've ever been on a road trip, you know that it can be both exhilarating and frustrating all at the same time. While experiencing the countryside mile by mile is extremely rewarding, keeping things organized can be a battle. Following are a few ideas to help reduce the frustration and help you make the most of your next road trip.

• A few days before the trip, remove everything from the trunk and interior of your car. Then, give your car a thorough cleaning inside and out. Don't put anything back in the car. Have your car inspected by a qualified technician to make sure everything is in good working order, including your spare tire and emergency kit.
• Make a list detailing all the personal items (clothing, shampoo, makeup, etc.), equipment (digital camera, walkie talkies), entertainment (books, toys, video player), and food (drinks, snacks, lunch) items you'll want to bring. Have each traveler add the items they think they'll need. Once the list is completed, cross out any duplicate or unnecessary items. Remember, the key is to pack light.
• When you pack the vehicle, start with the items you'll use last. For example, if you won't be using your snorkeling gear until you reach your destination, pack that first, meaning the least accessible area if you opened the trunk or back of your vehicle. Continue packing this way, leaving food and beverages, games, maps and other travel necessities until last. This way you won't have to pull out all your luggage to get a cold soda.
• For overnight and shorter trips, consider plastic bags instead of luggage. See-through bags are best because you can easily see the contents of the bag, making it easy to grab things. In addition, plastic bags can serve multiple purposes: pack your clothes in them, use as a day bag to transport equipment, act as a garbage container, or be used to carry home your dirty laundry or wet swimming suits.
• Cool your sodas and freeze your water and juice bags the night before so when you pack the cooler it will help keep any food cool without having to use ice. This saves a ton of room.
• Keep a change of clothes near the top so if you spill coffee or soda, or the weather changes drastically, you can change without getting out your luggage. This is also a good place to put a mini medical kit with simple items like bandaids, tweezers, medications and other items you may need.
  

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Trivia Answers
#1. d.) Truth or Consequences; #2. c.) Clive Cussler; #3. a.) Avril Lavigne; #4. c.) Little Miss Sunshine; #5. c.) Dushanbe

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Robert McLaughlin & Julie A. Willis
535 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->

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. © 2009 eNewsletterSolutions.