Whether you are relocating, purchasing a new property or simply needing to move ahead, it's sometimes necessary to sell a home fast. During the height of the real estate boom homes were selling in weeks. There are several steps that you can take to help move your property.

Get the exposure of REALTOR.com and the REALTOR MLS: A surprising number of people try to sell a home on their own. Most turn to a professional agent with access to the MLS after a few months, but the damage is already done. When time matters, go with the right exposure from the start. Remember, the agent is acting like a publicity manager for the property.

Tackle Those Tough Jobs: Clear out the clutter and yard debris and then ask your agent for a market evaluation of the property. Be sure to complete the "honey do" list to avoid competing against foreclosures and other homes with deferred maintenance. Not only will the home show better, but photographs, virtual tours and open house events will generate more interest when the home looks its best.

Invest in an Inspection: For approximately $400, an inspection might be one of the best investments you make. It demonstrates the condition of the home to prospective buyers and helps ease their minds. If you have access to a recent survey and appraisal, be sure to include those in the information package given to prospective buyers.

Yet as good as he was, he could not on his own handle some of life's biggest challenges to his health. Cancer. A re-occuring brain tumor. In the times that he needed someone by his side, there was always someone there. Someone he has grown to know, to love,. The one who introduced him to his wife and who has made having children possible. In this film he recalls a journey that many others are also traveling, and its telling never gets old. In the time since his first I Am Second film, Scott and his wife Tracie adopted a son and daughter into their family. He’s continued to lean into the challenge of finding growth and grace in difficulty, championing connection where there is division, and reaching for hope in the face of the impossible.

The everyday hustle and bustle of modern life leaves little time for reflection, much less meditation. Yet researchers have determined that downtime actually increases retention of new information and assists in productivity. For those who simply can't slow down, the idea of a weeklong mountain retreat is enough to inspire more stress. Fortunately, meditation doesn't need to be prolonged to be beneficial. Following are some tips to help you achieve a more peaceful state of mind through meditation:
 
Find a Favorite Place: Very little is needed to begin meditation, but a quiet, restful place is essential. Whether at home or work, take time to carefully select a spot that will allow you to relax, close your eyes for a few minutes and avoid all distraction.  
 
Breathing Basics: Meditation is practiced by diverse people in different positions and places around the world, but one thing nearly all have in common is the emphasis on breathing. Learning how to properly breathe takes a bit of practice but is simple to start. Simply begin counting as you inhale and exhale. Start with a count of one and continue to 10 as you progressively become more in tune with your rate of breathing.
 
Tame the Timer with Technology: Yes, technology is a major contributor to the stress of daily life, but it's also a terrific tool. Download free audio files with time limits to help guide you through a meditation session, reminding you to breathe deeply, take a short break and other healthy habits throughout the day. The Insight Meditation Center offers free audible downloads and timers.

Regardless of how trade policies might change, globalization has entered a new phase shaped by new demand patterns and next-generation technologies. An in-depth analysis of 23 different industry value chains spanning 43 countries reveals how globalization is evolving and where it may be headed in the future. The five structural shifts described in this video hold significant implications for where and how companies compete—and which sets of countries and workers stand to gain. View Original Article

But is there some scientific way to find out when someone is lying?

According to researchers at the University of Granada in Spain, there is.

The scientists combined psychology and thermography to discover that when people lie they experience a slight increase in temperature in the area around the nose and near the orbital muscle located at the corner of the eye.

This may be hard to test without sophisticated instruments, so experts who use lie-detecting techniques in their jobs offer some simpler tips on how to spot the frequent fibber:

• Assess their tone. If someone's tone changes from the way they normally speak (for example, their pitch rises), it could be a sign that they're lying.
• Watch to see if the subject avoids the word "I." When people lie about themselves, they tend to use the words "I" and "me" less frequently. This helps keep them at a psychological distance from the lie.
• Is the individual quick with an answer? When someone responds with no hesitation, the answer may have been rehearsed and the person lying.
• Is the person fidgeting? Random physical actions could mean someone is lying, especially when the lie is directed toward someone he or she loves.

Existing and pending home sales decline in December, while inventory continues to rise.

In fact, the term "distressed" has less to do with the condition of the house than it does with the status of the mortgage. Basically a distressed property is one that the bank has foreclosed or for which the current mortgage is worth more than what the owners are able to ask when selling.

Finding a distressed property is actually a simple process these days. Research indicates that approximately 25% to 45% of all properties recently sold may be considered distressed. With an estimated 300,000 more of these properties entering the market each month, it's a trend likely to continue into the foreseeable future.

Benefits of Buying a Distressed Property: One of the benefits of purchasing a distressed property is the ability to save a substantial sum over the previous selling price. Combined with historically low interest rates and other possible incentives, distressed properties offer a unique buying opportunity. Lower sales prices often mean decreased closing costs, reduced private mortgage insurance and even lower insurance and taxes.

Cautionary Considerations: Buying a distressed property isn't without drawbacks. They are often sold as-is and may require substantial repairs or maintenance. Likewise, purchasing a distressed property may require more time, especially in the case of a short sale. Waiting for bank approval may result in missed opportunities for other prospective properties. It's essential to perform due diligence and understand the total cost of purchasing a distressed home, including condo or homeowners association fees. Working with a qualified agent is one way to save money and protect yourself against the pitfalls associated with distressed properties.

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