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November 2008

2 -- Daylight Saving Time Ends
4 -- Election Day
11 -- Veteran's Day
27 -- Thanksgiving

Don't ever take a fence down until you know the reason it
was put up.
-- G.K. Chesterton

Existing-Home Sales Improving

According to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales increased last month as buyers responded to more favorable housing affordability conditions.

Existing-home sales -- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops -- rose 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.18 million units in September from a level of 4.91 million in August, and are 1.4 percent higher than the pace in September 2007.

“The sales turnaround which began in California several months ago is broadening now to Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Rhode Island,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “The South was hampered by much lower home sales in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.”

NAR President Richard F. Gaylord of Long Beach, Calif., said low home prices and low interest rates have been attracting buyers. “This is the first time since November 2005 that home sales have been above year-ago levels,” he said. “Credit tightened at the end of September, but the improvement demonstrates that buyers who’ve been on the sidelines want to get into the market to make a long-term investment in their future.”

Total housing inventory at the end of September fell 1.6 percent to 4.27 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.9-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 10.6-month supply in August. This marks two consecutive monthly declines since inventories peaked in July. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $191,600 in September, down 9.0 percent from a year ago when the median was $210,500.

The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.04 percent in September from 6.48 percent in August, according to Freddie Mac.

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Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.
-- Winston Churchill

Fun for the Whole Family: Making a Scarecrow

This year put some of those leaves you raked up to good use: Build a scarecrow. It's a great excuse to get outside and have some fun with the entire family, and makes a festive decoration for your yard or front porch. Here's how you do it:

1. To start, you'll need some old (or unwanted) clothes, such as a pair of jeans, a plaid shirt, gloves, boots and hat. Overalls work too. Stuff the articles of clothing with leaves until the scarecrow takes shape, putting it together as if you were dressing a real person. It works best to do the pants first, then the sleeves, and finally the rest of the torso. Tuck the shirt in the pants and use an old belt or twine to hold them together. Tie off the ends of the arms and legs with twine to keep the leaves from falling out.
2. Instead of making hands and feet, use stuffed mittens or gloves and boots (or sneakers). Use twine or safety pins to fasten the gloves to the sleeves and the boots to the pants.
3. You can make the scarecrow's head out of a stuffed pillowcase or burlap bag, pumpkin, rubber ball, or a Halloween mask. You can paint the face on the pillowcase or use permanent markers to create your facial features. A pillowcase or burlap bag can be fastened to the shirt using twine or safety pins; a pumpkin, ball or mask can usually just be balanced on top, depending on how you position the scarecrow (you can sort of just push the head down a bit into the shirt's neck area).
4. Once complete, prop your scarecrow up against a tree or fence, or set him on a lawn chair or bale of hay.

You can keep it simple or accessorize with a wig, hat, scarves, ties, etc. You can complete the setting with corn stalks, styrofoam headstones, and jack-o-lanterns for a more festive scene! Be as creative as you want -- and have fun!

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No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
-- Judge Gideon J. Tucker

To Move or Not to Move: That Is the Question

People move for a variety of reasons, but before you make that big decision, sit down and consider what it is you're trying to accomplish. Obviously, if you don't like your neighborhood, that's one thing. But, if it's a new kitchen, extra bedroom, or just a facelift you desire, that's an entirely different situation. Following are some questions you should ask yourself (and your family) before listing or hiring a contractor:

• What's the real estate market like in your community? Will your home sell? Will you come out ahead?
• Do you like the style of your home or does it look dated?
• Do you have enough money to remodel or make the improvements you want? How much equity do you have? Can you get a home equity loan?
• Can you get permits for the changes you want? Is zoning an issue?
• Do you need more square footage? Or, would changing your home's layout do the job?
• Is it cheaper to improve than it is to buy another home?
• Will you get the money back out if you decide to sell a year or two down the road?

Keep in mind remodeling can be very expensive. Depending on the size of the project, you have contractors, interior designers, inspections, permits, insurance, materials and labor to consider. In addition, if you opt to make improvements, make sure you make the right ones. Improvements that add the most value include adding or remodeling a bath, improving the kitchen, adding a new room, adding an outdoor living space and landscaping.

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A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
-- Mark Twain

Quartz Countertops Gaining in Popularity

If you've been at a home improvement center or new model home lately, you may have noticed that engineered quartz is quickly becoming the highest rated and most popular option available for countertops. More popular now than granite, quartz has emerged as the new, worry-free, elegant alternative for designers, architects, remodelers and new home owners.

Engineered quartz is created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with 5 percent polymer resins, producing a nearly bullet-proof, low-maintenance, natural stone-look countertop.

Reasons why quartz is growing in popularly are plentiful: Quartz is stronger than granite, requires no resealing, is highly resistant to scratches and stains, comes in a variety of colors and has the appearance of natural stone. In addition, quartz is a nonporous material -- meaning it will not promote the growth of bacteria, mold or mildew -- so it's 99.9 percent bacteria-free. A good quality quartz is radon and radiation free and does not off-gas or have any emissions of any kind.

While quartz has been popular in Europe the past decade, it seems to be the newest trend in the United States since about 2004, growing at an annual rate of about 13 percent, compared to granite's five percent. It out-performs all other countertop materials, including granite, ceramic tile, stainless steel, laminate, marble, limestone, and concrete. Of course, along with performance comes a hefty price, though prices seem to be coming down as they grow in popularity and more manufacturers make them available. In general, quartz is comparable in price to granite, ranging from $100 to $200 per square foot.

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Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.
-- George Burns

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What Native American tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the colonists?
a.) Arapaho
b.) Wampanoag
c.) Sioux
d.) Choctaw

Question 2.) What does "cornucopia" means?
a.) Tall corn
b.) Greek god of corn
c.) Horn of plenty
d.) Cooked corn

Question 3.) When was the first Thanksgiving celebration?
a.) 1492
b.) 1567
c.) 1621
d.) 1742

Question 4.) Which president was the first to establish Thanksgiving as a legal national holiday to be held on the fourth Thursday in November?
a.) Lincoln
b.) Roosevelt
c.) Jefferson
d.) Madison

Question 5.) True or false: Thanksgiving is celebrated only in the United States?
a.) True
b.) False

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It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterward.
-- Baltasar Gracian

Green Tea Offers Many Healthy Benefits

Green tea is considered by many to be one of the healthiest beverages in the world. The nutrients in green tea have been shown to fight viruses, slow aging and protect against heart disease.

Its most powerful antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been shown to be 100 times more potent than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells and DNA from damage linked to many serious illnesses. EGCG also has twice the benefits of resveratrol which is found in red wine.

Other benefits of green tea include:

• Reduces high blood pressure -- drinking green tea represses angiotensin II which leads to high blood pressure.
• Lowers blood sugar -- polyphenols and polysaccharides are effective in lowering blood sugar.
• Fights cancer -- various studies have shown that green tea catechins are effective at preventing cancer.
• Boosts immune system -- due to high concentrations of polyphenols and flavenoids in green tea.
• Lowers cholesterol -- green tea antioxidants have shown to be successful at this.

Green tea may not be as fun as red wine, but it's worth adding to your daily diet. Drink it hot, or try it over ice with a wedge of lemon.

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The difference between life and the movies is that a script has to make sense, and life doesn't.
-- Joseph L. Mankiewicz

November Movie Releases

• Nov. 7
  • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
  • Role Models
  • Soul Men
• Nov. 14
  • Quantum of Solace
• Nov. 21
  • Bolt
  • The Soloist
  • Twilight
  • Special
• Nov. 26
  • Australia
  • Fanboys
  • Four Christmases
  • Milk
  • Transporter 3

When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your
own taste.
-- Laiko Bahrs

Steak Diane and Potato Wedges

This recipe will impress your family and guests with very little effort. For an easy side of roasted potatoes, start with pre-cut potato wedges from the refrigerated section of your grocery store.

Ingredients - Serves 6

• 1/2 teaspoon salt -- divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks -- trimmed about 1" thick
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper evenly over steaks. Add steaks to pan; cook about 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
2. Remove from pan; cover and keep warm. Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add water and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk.
3. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Spoon sauce over steaks and sprinkle with parsley.

Wine Pairing

• Mill Creek Dry Creek Valley Merlot 2002

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Mark Stokes
6535 Kingfisher Lane NE
Bemidji, MN 56601

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. © 2008 eNewsletterSolutions.