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September 2009

7 -- Labor Day
11 -- Patriot Day
13 -- Grandparent's Day
17 -- Constitution Day
18 -- Air Force Birthday
26 -- Hunting & Fishing Day
26 -- R.E.A.D. in America Day
29 -- VFW Day

Complimentary Fall Parade of Homes Tickets!!!

If you start your tour at Wells Built Homes' parade home located at 4052 Summerwood Drive, we will provide you with a FREE tour ticket.  Limited to our first 50 clients so don't miss out!!!

An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it.
~ Jef Mallett

Home Sales Continue Upward Trend

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), existing-home sales have increased the past four months in a row, a trend not seen for the past five years.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million units in July from a level of 4.89 million in June, and are 5.0 percent above the 4.99 million-unit pace in July 2008.  The last time sales rose for four consecutive months was in June 2004, and the last time sales were higher than a year earlier was November 2005.

“The housing market has decisively turned for the better," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "A combination of first-time buyers taking advantage of the housing stimulus tax credit and greatly improved affordability conditions are contributing to higher sales.”

The monthly sales gain was the largest on record for the total existing-home sales series dating back to 1999.

“Because price-to-income ratios have fallen below historical trends, there are more all-cash offers.  In some recovering markets like San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Orlando, the demand for foreclosed and lower priced homes has spiked, and a lack of inventory is becoming a common complaint,” Yun said.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.22 percent in July from 5.42 percent in June; the rate was 6.43 percent in July 2008.

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Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.
~ Brendan Gill

Make an Effort to Know Your Neighbors

As the population continues to grow, and technology changes the way we interact, it seems that our neighbors are less "neighborly" than a few decades ago. Sure, times have changed. But, that doesn't mean we should isolate ourselves. Following are several things you can do to improve the relationships with your neighbors:

• Make an effort to welcome new neighbors when they move in. Whether it's a friendly note, a plate of cookies or a quick introduction, this gesture gets the relationship started.
• Keep your home and yard well maintained. Most people take pride in their home and you'll be a better neighbor if you keep yours looking good.
• Be courteous. If you're throwing a big party, inform your neighbors; better yet, invite them. If you're doing anything that makes a lot of noise, do it at a time least likely to disturb them.
• Be helpful. If you have a neighbor that needs help raking, taking out the trash, or carrying groceries into the house, offer to give them a hand.
• Repair anything your family breaks (pets included), or pay to have it fixed as soon as possible.
• Return anything you borrow the same day if possible.
• If you have neighbors that own or operate a business, frequent their establishment and become a customer.
• Take an active role in any issues affecting your community and chip in when it's time to help.
• Offer to watch your neighbors's pet, water their plants, or collect their mail when they go out of town.
• Control your pet. If your does anything to annoy a neighbor, put a stop to it.
• Address any problems as soon as possible. Don't let a little issue fester and become a roadblock to a good neighbor.
• Get to know your neighbors. Whether it's having an occasional cup of coffee or throwing a block party together, you'll find many of your neighbors are good friends too.
  

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It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
~ William Blake

4 Hardwood Floorings Tips

Hardwood flooring remains a popular choice for home owners because it's durable, easy to clean, and offers a classic beauty that's hard to match. Originally introduced in medieval times, hardwood flooring today has evolved into a superior choice due to improved installation techniques and innovative sealants and finishes. Even though there are literally thousands of choices, some basic guidelines to selecting hardwood flooring remains fairly simple.

1. Know the Room's Purpose -- In most cases you wouldn't want to install wood floors in a bathroom because of potential moisture problems, but other rooms may have mixed uses. A den may be a place to study one day, and a toddler's playroom the next. This is important to know before you select a hardwood.
2. Traffic -- A busy room is going to require a different hardwood and finish than a room that is seldom used. For example, hallways and kitchens get lots of traffic so you'll want a more durable wood with a tougher finish than a guest bedroom with little use. Note that wood flooring with very dark or light finishes don't wear well in a kitchen environment.
3. Installation Options -- Certainly you can install hardwood flooring yourself, but like most projects -- do your homework and strictly follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. If you contract a professional, get references. Common hardwood flooring installation problems include moisture, unprepared sub-floors, improper planning, bad racking and under-nailing.
4. Color and Style -- For most people, choosing the flooring is the best part. Just keep in mind that hardwood flooring is expensive, so unless you plan to live in the house the rest of your life, make sure you choose a flooring that won't go out of style too quickly.

5413 SACAGAWEA

Total Sq. Feet: 2,061
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2

5322 SACAGAWEA

Total Sq. Feet: 2,624
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

5441 DENALI DRIVE

Total Sq. Feet: 2,061
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3

The reluctance to put away childish things may be a requirement of genius.
~ Rebecca Pepper Sinkler

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What is the southernmost city in the continental U.S.?
a.) El Paso, TX
b.) Honolulu, HI
c.) Key West, FL
d.) Yuma, AZ

Question 2.) Who wrote "Lord of the Flies"?
a.) Jeffrey Archer
b.) Lewis Carroll
c.) William Golding
d.) Aldous Huxley

Question 3.) "When A Man Loves A Woman" was a hit for which American soul singer in the 1960s?
a.) Ben King
b.) Otis Redding
c.) Percy Sledge
d.) Stevie Wonder

Question 4.) Who is the voice of Puss in Boots in "Shrek the Third"?
a.) Antonio Banderas
b.) Orlando Bloom
c.) Paco Lopez
d.) Robin Williams

Question 5.) What is the name of the highest mountain in Australia?
a.) Aconcagua
b.) Kosciusko
c.) Puncak Jaya
d.) Vinson Massif

TOP | ANSWERS

Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
~ Kin Hubbard

15 Tips to Getting More Z's

Health experts have been telling us for decades about the importance of getting a healthy night's sleep. Recent studies suggest adults getting between 6.5 and 7.5 hours of sleep per night is optimal. But, what if you have trouble falling asleep? Following are 15 tips to help you get more Z's.

• Avoid exercising at night; better yet, exercise in the morning.
• Don't drink coffee, tea or caffeinated sodas in the evening.
• Don't work, eat or watch TV in bed.
• Limit your alcohol intake before bedtime.
• Don't eat or drink too much before sleeping; if you need a snack, keep it light, for example, a glass of warm milk and half a turkey or peanut butter sandwich.
• If you're a napper, do it in the early afternoon and keep it short.
• If you're a smoker, make your after dinner smoke your last.
• Make sure your bed is big enough and that your mattress, pillows and bedding are comfortable.
• Don't pay bills or focus on stressful issues before bedtime.
• Drink a decaffeinated herbal tea, such as chamomile, an hour or so before going to bed.
• Relax and breath slowly and deeply.
• Keep your room dark and eliminate extraneous noise.
• Develop a relaxing bedtime routine, such as light reading, meditation or a simple hobby, like a crossword puzzle.
• Try going to bed around the same time every night, even on the weekends.
• If you can't fall asleep right away, try reading for 30 minutes.

As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.
~ Buddy Hackett

Garlicy Lemony Shrimp

Ingredients - Serves 4-6

• 1 lb. uncooked jumbo shrimp -- peeled and deveined
• 2 tb. sp. butter or extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 tsp. minced peeled garlic
• 1/2-1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• Several drops hot pepper sauce or several grains cayenne pepper -- to taste
• Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground pepper -- to taste
• 2 tb. sp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Minced parsley or chervil and/or grated lemon peel for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare shrimp for sauteing. In a large skillet, melt butter or heat olive oil over moderate heat. Add shrimp and garlic.
2. Sprinkle Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, and seafood seasoning evenly over shrimp. Stir-fry/saute shrimp, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, over moderate heat just until shrimp are opaque in color and cut easily with a fork.
3. Do not overcook or shrimp will become tough. Sprinkle lemon juice over shrimp just before serving. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of minced parsley or chervil.

Wine Pairing

• Pievano Orvieto Classico 2007

An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field.
~ Niels Bohr

14 Computer Terms You Should Know (By Now)

Whether you're a computer newbie or an old-timer whose been using a computer since the 1980s, there are several computer terms we should all know. Following are some of the most frequently used:

Bandwidth -- The amount of data passing through your internet connection over a given time, usually measured in Mbps (bits per second). A 5 Mbps connection will be faster than a 1 Mbps connection, meaning your web pages will load faster or your streaming video will be smoother.

Browser -- A web browser is a software application for presenting, retrieving and traversing information over the World Wide Web, better known as "web surfing." Windows Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari are popular examples.

FTP -- Short for file transfer protocol, FTP is a common method of transferring files from computer to computer across the internet.

Downloading -- A term meaning you are on the receiving end of a file transfer. The opposite is uploading, meaning you are sending a file.

JPEG -- An acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group. Technically, it is a file format commonly used for image compression. More commonly, if you use a digital camera, it saves them in .jpg format.

Hardware -- The physical aspects of your computer, such as your monitor, mouse, CPU, speakers, etc.

Software -- These are the programs that run your computer or your applications. For example, Microsoft Excel is a software program for running spreadsheets.

Hosting -- Every email account, web page, file or online service is stored, or "hosted," on a computer or server that is connected to the internet. If you have a website, you are probably paying a company or service for hosting.

Server -- A server is any combination of software and hardware designed to provide services to clients. For example, when you surf the web, a server is the computer that handles your request to view a page and delivers it.

HTML -- Stands for HyperText Markup Language. Basically, it's a type of code that tells web pages how they should look. For example, to make something bold using HTML a website developer would use the following code: <b>Bold</b>.

Hyperlink -- Using HTML, any piece of text or picture can be hyperlinked so that when you click it, you will be brought to another web page, start a video, download a file or send an email. More commonly known as simply a link.

Javascript -- A widely supported scripting language used to add interactive features to web browsers and other web tools. Javascript if often required for many web application to work properly.

Cookies -- A short line of text that a website puts on your computer's hard drive when you access certain web sites. It's usually used to help remember information about your last visit or to make it easier to fill out a form.

Spider -- A computer program that searches the internet and adds publicly accessible resources to a database; usually used by search engines to understand your site's structure and content.

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Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
~ Kahlil Gibran

Cool/Free/Fun/Trendy: FotoSketcher

If you've been looking for a cool software utility that can easily turn your digital photos into oil paintings, drawings or sketches, check out FotoSketcher.

With FotoSketcher you can make exciting gifts, birthday cards, stationery, and even artwork. Styles available include pencil sketch, pen and ink drawing and various painting renderings. It also offers simple tools, such as enhance, contrast, sharpen, simplify image, and color saturation, among others. But, the real excitement is the program's ability to deliver impressive results with little effort.

FotoSketcher is free, easy to use, and does not contain any adware, spyware or viruses; Windows only. Check it out at: www.FotoSketcher.com.

Trivia Answers
#1. c.) Key West, FL; #2. c.) William Golding; #3. c.) Percy Sledge; #4. a.) Antonio Banderas; #5. b.) Kosciusko

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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.