Sunday, February 20, 2011

Invest in Real Estate via a REIT?

Here are a couple of additional reads if you are interested in investing in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).  The benefits of investing in a REIT are diversification and liquidity.  Be sure to review the tax implications of this type of investment.

There are two articles that can be found on Forbes.com that cover the:

For more information on wikipedia on REITs, click here

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What kind of customer are you?

If you have been following me, you will know that I have been receiving Forbes magazine for free (at least until December 2011 based on the current label).

In a recent issue, there was coverage of ELoyalty, which was founded by Kelly Conway which has developed software to decode a caller's personality.  Based on the personality type, the call center can then focus their approach to what that caller may desire.  The six kinds of customers are as follows:

  • Emotions-Driven (30%): forge relationships with agents before directly into the problem
  • Thoughts-Driven (25%): want facts and analysis
  • Reactions-Driven (20%): either love or hate something
  • Opinions-Driven (10%): language is full of imperatives and minds are resolute
  • Reflections-Driven (10%): prefer silence to banter
  • Actions-Driven (5%): craves movement and progress

To read more about this, click here to be taken to the article.

So subscribe to Forbes Magazine, click below:

Use recycled toilets and tubs that are turned into tile?

This is nice.  This company, Fireclay Tile, was featured in the March 2011 Sunset Magazine as an example of extreme recycling.  They recycle toilets and tubs to create tile.

If you are in the market for a tile job, look at their website: http://www.fireclaytile.com/

To subscribe to Sunset Magazine, click below:

Visit? Sunset: Chasing Spring: a guide for 2011

I guess this is a sneak peak at the March 2011 Sunset Magazine issue of things to do in Spring.  On their website it still shows February as their "current" issue at the time of this post.

They list 20 things that can be done. They include the following:

  • Shell Creek Road in Santa Margarita (San Luis Obispo)
  • Anza-Borrego State Park with 3 and 6-mile hikes 
  • Multnomah Falls (Portland)
  • Superstition Mountains (Phoenix)
  • Grand Falls (Flagstaff)
  • Chambers Creek Park (Tacoma)
  • Bites by Bike tour (Portland)
  • Feather Falls (Sacramento)
  • Bright Angel Bicycles (Grand Canyon)
  • Superstition Farm (Mesa, AZ)
  • Agritopia (Gilbert near Phoenix)
  • Queen Creek (near Phoenix)
  • Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction)
  • Campovida (Hopland)
  • Capay Valley 
  • Cherry Blossom Festival at Descanso Gardens (Pasadena)
  • Poppy Reserve (see my previous post from April 2010)
  • SOMA Get Fit (Santa Barbara)
  • Living Desert (search both of my blogs by searching for "Living Desert")
  • Baron Ranch Trail (near Santa Barbara)
Although I have been trying to concentrate on places to "visit" near southern California, there are multiple opportunities in the above list.  

Click here to go to Sunset.com's current issue.  This list was from the March 2011.

Click here to subscribe to Sunset Magazine

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

BankRate: Home Upgrades With Appeal for Retirees

This BankRate.com article was posted to Yahoo! Finance.  It outlines some things to consider if you are thinking about doing remodeling in your home.

A lot of it makes sense.  I like especially the following:

  • No step transitions between rooms
  • Single lever sink faucets
  • Comfort height toilets

For the other recommendations and thought, read the article by clicking here.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Money: Value Vacations for Multi-Generational Family Vacations

If you have been following my blog, you know that I am receiving Money Magazine for free.  That is my disclaimer.

In a recent issue, they have a brief feature on how to get more value for your dollars when planning a multi-generational vacation.  You can read about it more by clicking here.

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Money: Four-Season Home DIY Guide

In the recent Money Magazine, there was coverage of what you need to do during each season to protect the value of your home.

They have it features on-line as well.  You can find it with the following links for more details:

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