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July 2009

4 -- Independence Day
7 -- Full Moon Day
26 -- Parent's Day

July Home-Maintenance Checklist

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=20591652

I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.
-- Albert Einstein

Home Sales Continue Rising Trend

According to the National Association of Realtors®, sales of existing homes showed another gain in May, benefiting from favorable affordability conditions and a first-time buyer tax credit. May’s increase was the first back-to-back monthly gain since September 2005.

“Historically low mortgage interest rates clearly drew buyers into the market and housing remains very affordable even with a recent up tick in rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, who expected the improvement. “First-time buyers also are being drawn off the sidelines by the $8,000 tax credit, which is helping to absorb inventory. However, the increase in sales is less than expected because poor appraisals are stalling transactions. Pending home sales indicated much stronger activity, but some contracts are falling through from faulty valuations that keep buyers from getting a loan.”

Total housing inventory at the end of May fell 3.5 percent to 3.80 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.6-month supply at the current sales pace.

NAR President Charles McMillan agreed with Yun, adding that the first-time buyer tax credit should be expanded to all buyers of primary homes regardless of income.

The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage edged up to 4.86 percent in May from a record low 4.81 percent in April, according to Freddie Mac.

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The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others.
-- Hasidic Saying

8 Family Fun Things to Do in July

It's summer. The weather is warm and the days are long, leaving you extra time to enjoy the outdoors and have some family fun. Following are eight activities to help you and your family get outside and make the most out of the month of July.

1. Outside Games -- Play a game of softball, volleyball, soccer or kickball; any game will do. You don't even have to play an actual game, just throwing, catching and kicking can be great family fun. Or, try tag, kick the can or capture the flag.
2. The Park -- There's more to the park than playground equipment. Nature hikes, bird watching, identifying trees and flowers, and having a picnic all provide family fun.
3. Gardening -- Kids love to dig in the dirt, plant seeds, water the garden and watch things grow. There's still enough summer left to introduce your kids to the joy of gardening.
4. Swimming -- An all-time summer favorite! Visit your community pool or make a day trip to your closest body of water, it's sure to make a splash.
5. Boating -- You don't need a powerboat or sailboat to get in on the action. Many community colleges and city recreation departments rent row boats, canoes and kayaks.
6. Barbecuing -- Get everyone involved: rinsing and cutting vegetables, setting the table, lighting the grill, preparing the meat and cooking. While clean up may not qualify as family fun, you can be sure everybody will enjoy and remember eating out on the deck during sunset.
7. Bonfires -- Buy some wood, lighter fluid, snacks and beverages. Then, burn wood and tell funny or scary stories until the wee hours of the night. It's backyard family fun that lasts for hours.
8. Simple Pleasures -- All-time favorites like catching frogs and turtles, stargazing and walking in the rain never get old.
   

Friendship make prosperity more shining and lessens adversity by dividing and sharing it.
-- Cicero

Selecting the Right Paint Brush

All paint brushes are not created equal! Before you go out and buy a brush, consider whether you are painting an interior or exterior project, your personal comfort and what type of paint you'll be using.

1. If you're using an oil-based paint, choose brushes with natural bristles because they hold more paint and release more evenly than synthetic bristle brushes. Some examples include Chinese bristles (hog's hair brush), ox-hair brush or a nylon/polyester blend.
2. A brush with nylon bristles or a nylon/polyester blend is best for latex (water-based) paint.
3. Use angled brushes for trims and moldings -- and large, flat (non-angled) brushes for fast application over large areas. Professionals recommend a 3.5-inch-angled brush for most common jobs.
4. Choose a brush with a handle and a weight that's comfortable for you to hold for long periods of time.
5. Keep in mind an ox-hair brush is generally preferred over a China brush because its flexible bristles allow for smoother application.
6. If you have several future painting projects, invest in good brushes with flagged or split ends; they'll hold more paint and last longer than cheaper, blunt-end brushes.

1580 84TH STREET WEST

Total Sq. Feet: 2,200
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

2949 DAYSTAR DR

Total Sq. Feet: 2,814
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

803 N 24TH

Total Sq. Feet: 2,484
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1

A James Cagney love scene is one where he lets the other guy live.
-- Bob Hope

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What is the largest U.S. city outside of the contiguous 48 states?
a.) Anchorage
b.) Fairbanks
c.) Honolulu
d.) Oneonta

Question 2.) Which author wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird"?
a.) Truman Capote
b.) Vivian Leigh
c.) Harper Lee
d.) James Michener

Question 3.) Which musician was not in the original Genesis lineup?
a.) Tony Banks
b.) Phil Collins
c.) Peter Gabriel
d.) Mike Rutherford

Question 4.) Which 2006 movie is about a man who can hear voices?
a.) Night at the Museum
b.) Stranger Than Fiction
c.) Talladega Nights
d.) You, Me and Dupree

Question 5.) The Canary Islands border what ocean?
a.) Atlantic Ocean
b.) Arctic Ocean
c.) Indian Ocean
d.) Pacific Ocean

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
-- Benjamin Franklin

Reducing Allergens in Your Home

Not matter how hard you try, allergens and other impurities invade your living environment and attempt to cause an allergic reaction in many people. Some examples of allergens include mold, pollen and foods, as well as diesel exhaust particles, volatile organic compounds (often found in building materials) and cosmetics.

While pollens are often responsible for seasonal allergic rhinitis, if you have year-round sneezing, watery eyes, post-nasal drip or nasal stuffiness, you likely suffer from perennial allergic rhinitis, typically brought on by indoor allergens like mold, animal dander, dust mites, and other unthinkable things. Following are several things you can do to minimize their affects:

• Bedding -- Encase your pillows and mattresses in protective covers and vacuum them weekly. In addition, use comforters that can be washed frequently.
• Clothing and Shoes -- Clothes should be removed and put in a clothes hamper or wash room as soon as possible, especially if you've been in an environment with heavy allergens. Shoes, which are the worst offenders, should be left at the door.
• Windows and Doors -- Keep them closed as much as possible to lessen the amount of allergens brought into the home. Also, wash your window treatments in warm water frequently.
• Furniture -- Vacuum cloth furniture weekly and wipe leather and vinyl furniture often. When dusting, use a moist cloth; do not use a feather duster as that just makes allergens airborne.
• Floors -- Vacuum your carpets and rugs weekly, and wash your floors with warm soap and water. Ideally, wood floors with area rugs work best to eliminate indoor allergens.
• Filters -- If you can afford it and have the room, place air filters in strategic places throughout your home. Using HEPA filters is recommended.

Cherish all your happy moments: they make a fine cushion for old age.
-- Christopher Morley

Inside Out Cheeseburgers

Ingredients - Serves 4

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 3 tbsp. Ranch dressing
• 4 slices bacon -- cooked and crumbled
• 2 slices cheese -- cut into quarters
• 4 hamburger buns -- lightly toasted
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 8 slices tomato

Directions

1. Pre-heat grill to medium heat. Mix meat and 2 tbsp. Ranch dressing. Make 8 thin patties. Mix remaining 1 tbsp. dressing and bacon. Spoon about 1 tbsp. of bacon mixture onto center of each of the patties; top with cheese quarters and second patty. Pinch edges of patties together to seal.
2. Grill patties 7 to 9 min. on each side or until cooked through.
3. Cover bottom halves of buns with lettuce and burgers. Top with tomatoes and top halves of buns.

Wine Pairing

• Château la Mouliniere Bordeaux Rouge 2006

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
-- Japanese Proverb

Tablet PC's Offer Unique Functionality

You've seen them around, maybe even have a high-tech friend who has one: a tablet PC. But, what is it? and why would anybody want one?

Well, a tablet PC is a cross between a notebook PC and a personal digital assistant (PDA) -- with the goal of providing the user with the power of a notebook in hand-held form. The user inputs data by using a stylus or fingertip, and with many models, you can write directly on the screen.

Tablet PC's operate on a special edition of Windows and can run most PC-compatible applications, connect wirelessly to the internet and other computers, and utilize a docking station for use with a monitor, keyboard, mouse and other peripheral devices.

The tablet PC is designed for outside salesmen, field workers and busy executives who need a more mobile way to interact with a computer, with most models weighing between two and three pounds. Tablet PC's are often used where normal notebooks are impractical or do not provide the needed functionality.

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
-- Benjamin Disraeli

Cool/Free/Fun/Trendy: www.aaalyrics.com

If you're looking for lyrics to your favorite song, you need to check out this website. It has more than 160,000 song lyrics -- from current hits to classics -- and it's totally free. You can browse by title, lyrics, artist or album.

Check it out at: www.aaalyrics.com.

Trivia Answers
#1. c.) Honolulu; #2. c.) Harper Lee; #3. b.) Phil Collins; #4. b.) Stranger than Fiction; #5. a.) Atlantic Ocean

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Dana Wagenhals
2029 Grand Ave.
Billings, MT 59102

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.