via eonline.com
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Car Dealerships Portland
Tue 28 Dec 2010
Car Dealerships Portland
Posted by under Car Dealerships Portland (edit this)
No Comments
Car Dealerships Portland proudly presents our Featured Portland Car Dealership.
Your Business Name Here Could Be Here!
It does not matter how good your services are if your potential customers can’t find you.
We specialize in helping small local business owners get found online – without breaking their budget.
If you are a business owner in the greater Portland area, please feel free to contact us about our business website rentals.
Car Dealerships Portland could be yours!
Contact Portland Area Business or visit our website to learn more
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Wed 29 Dec 2010
Kellys Blue Book Vs NADA Vs Edmunds Guide – The Differences in Blue Book Automotive Price Guides
Posted by under Car Valuation (edit this)
No CommentsIn this section of Car Dealerships Portland, we will cover the differences between all the major car valuation guides.
By I Dint
You’ll always feel more confident that you got the best value when selling or buying a car if your entire transaction costs are near the average amount buyers in your area usually pay for the same manufacturer, model, year and version. However, finding the most accurate blue book for cars price guide may prove difficult. They all claim to provide unbiased fair market values for your car, however when compared, you will find significant discrepancies among the different price guides due to differences in their assessment methods. Among the most prominent, widely used and accepted automobile price guides are Kellys Blue Book for Cars, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA Car), and Edmunds Guide. So, which is the most reliable guide among the three?
One sign of reliability is the assessor’s years of experience in the market. Among the three, Kellys Blue Book for Cars is the oldest, first printed in 1926 and continuing to serve as a bastion of trustworthy information for over 80 years. Shortly thereafter in 1933, NADA printed its first Car Appraisal Guides. The youngest is Edmunds Guide, established in 1966. Of the three, Kellys Blue Book has the longest record of unparalleled service establishing it as a standard in car appraisal guides. The Blue Book for Cars has an established extensive database and proven methodology that is continually being refined.
Another signal of accuracy is the completeness of the data and how often the data is updated. Blue Book for Cars, NADA Car, and Edmunds Guide all offer similar info like new and used car private party and detail retail values, trade-in values, and tips on how to buy, sell or trade in your car. Moreover, all of them have easy-to-access websites that makes researching car details and car reviews easier. Then, in what way do they differ from each other?
Aside from their websites, both KBB and NADA publish and regularly update easy-to-carry paperbacks in several versions that cater to the specific needs of its readers, only the Kellys Blue Book for Cars is published in its trademark blue color while NADA Car is bright yellow. Kellys Blue Book Used Car Guide is updated every 2 months, KBB New Car Guide is updated 4 times a year and KBB Consumer guides are updated twice a year. Meanwhile, the online data for Kellys Auction, Kellys Trade-in, Kellys Wholesale Lending, and KBB Retail Values are updated weekly, making the information more useful for car dealers and buyers alike. In contrast, the NADA car consumer guide is updated 4 times a year and the online data is updated monthly. Edmunds Guide, on the other hand, has stopped printing its portable book version since 2006 making it difficult to carry a copy with you when negotiating the final price of your car. Moreover, it only updates its online True Market Value (TMV) pricing tools monthly. So if you want more up-to-date values for your car, it looks like Kellys Blue Book will serve you best.
Aside from the normal guide contents, both the Kellys Used Car Guide and NADA car consumer edition can also provide you with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), easy-to-use equipment schedules with values for optional equipment, acceptable mileage range chart values, credit check service that can evaluate your credit score and what type of loan you could qualify for and retail values. However, Kellys Blue Book for Cars provides Retail Value for a longer time frame, more than 15 years compared to the less than 10 years covered by NADA Car. What’s more, Kellys Blue Book will also give you information on your car’s original list price, Kellys Auction (how much a vehicle is expected to sell for at wholesale auction), and Kellys Wholesale Lending (expected finance value of a fully reconditioned vehicle) values not found in other guides. Meanwhile, Edmunds Guide prides itself on providing the True Market Value (TMV) pricing for new and used vehicles, detailed histories on popular models, and Certified Used Vehicle Information. However, Kellys Blue Book, NADA Car, and Edmunds Guide retail or TMV prices do not factor in the buyer’s credit details that could markedly affect the final price of your vehicle though they do have connecting sites that will help you apply for a loan in easy steps.
Hold on now, the most important determinant of reliability has yet to be discussed, and this is the accuracy of values provided by these guides. Many experts would tell you that the most accurate car price guide is one that gives vehicle values closest to the actual “selling price” in the market, which actually varies day-to-day and place to place. Prices for new cars are not much of an issue, but used car values differ significantly because of many factors, primarily the condition, age and mileage of your car. To get the most accurate value, one has to keep tabs and analyze a large quantity of private, dealer and auction data. That is a difficult feat at best, and to be fair, none of the three: Kellys Blue Book for Cars, NADA Car, nor Edmunds Guide offer absolutely true or accurate values based on the analysis of your car’s present condition. In the end the one with the most expertise will probably provide the closest estimate and it is already an established fact that Kellys Blue Book has always been a leader and industry standard in car appraisal services.
For more info on Kellys Blue Book and the other automotive price guides, NADA and Edmunds Guide, go to http://www.Kellys-Blue-Bk.com where we feature several articles on the blue book for auto price and valuation guides.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety, leaving it intact and including the Author’s Resource Box.
Thanks!! See you at Kellys-Blue-Bk.com!Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=I_Dint
-->Tags:
Wed 29 Dec 2010
How Kelly Blue Book (KBB) Can Help in Car Valuation
Posted by under Car Valuation (edit this)
No CommentsThe term Car Valuation is self-explanatory – The Value of your car when buying or selling is known as car valuation. This term is defined in a better manner with the Kelly Blue Book (KBB) which is a car valuation publication originally available with the auto industry but now it is in the consumer’s reach and can even be got online. The KBB has become the most resourceful vehicle valuation information these days.
Every one of us knows the value of our car and the amount that we spent to purchase it, maintain it and finally getting it going until now. When we decide to sell, we always look for the best price and that is what the KBB does, it gives you inputs on the best prices for a vehicle depending on its make, mileage, model and other added features. Though the KBB is not a fixed rate and most people do not go exactly by the book, it could give you a rough figure as to how much to expect for your car when you sell.
The same goes when buying cars, with the car valuation you can know what would be the amount that you need to spend to buy the used car of your choice. Most of these valuations are nothing but the baseline for setting a certain ceiling for any purchase or sale of a car; however, KBB does not apply to any specialty vehicles or collector’s vehicles. These types of cars are purchased or sold depending on the purchaser or the seller. Mostly these sales are done through auctions and car valuations hold no good here.
A Car Valuation is very helpful for those who are looking at a fixed price of a vehicle, but it does not work well when a person wants to negotiate. However, one can make the seller or the purchaser understand that you know the valuation rules and how much that particular vehicle would go for and this could save you some hard-earned money.
Stuart is writing for many websites, He enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Value My Car and Used Cars For Sale. You may visit for more details.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Michael_M
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Wed 29 Dec 2010
Predicted Car Reliability 2011 – Consumer Reports’ Top Ten Autos
Posted by under Predicted Car Reliability 2011 (edit this)
No CommentsCar Dealerships Portland highly recommends anyone that is in the market for a new car check out Consumer Reports. They exhaustively test each make/model for quality.
Recently Consumer Reports released charts of its predicted short-term reliability of sedans, coupes, convertibles, wagons, minivans, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks. Its predicted reliability is based on the infrequency of serious problems within the three preceding model years – 2008, 2009 and 2010 – or fewer when an insufficient data history limits model year inclusion.
In this article I list the Top Ten by CR’s predicted reliability for model year 2011. Not included in this list of CR’s most reliable are those automobiles with only a one-year data history, as a reliability predicted on the basis of one year may be quite inaccurate.
The Top 10, 12 by tie or near tie, are:
The Toyota Yaris, a small sedan or 2-door or 4-door hatchback
The Honda CR-V, a small sport-utility vehicle
Toyota Motor Corporation’s Lexus LX, a large luxury SUV
The Honda Fit, a small 4-door hatchback
Toyota’s Scion xD, a small 4-door hatchback
The Honda Civic coupe
Honda Motor Company’s Acura RL, a luxury sedan
The V6 Toyota RAV4, a small SUV
Honda’s front-wheel-drive Acura TL, an upscale sedan
The Toyota FJ Cruiser, a midsize SUV
The Mitsubishi Outlander, a small SUV
The 4-cylinder Toyota RAV4, a small SUV.Toyota Motor Corporation accounts for 6 of the 12 most reliable, Honda Motor Company for 5, and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation for 1.
The Toyota Yaris and its predecessor, the Echo, have an excellent long-term reliability history. Their combined 2010 Auto Reliability GPA, for model years 2000 to 2009, is a perfect 4.00 over a 9-year data history. Other 2010 Auto Reliability GPAs of the best of model year 2011 are:
Honda CR-V: 3.63 over 10 years of data
Lexus LX: 3.79 over 9 years
Honda Fit: 4.00 over 3 years
Scion xD: 4.00 over 2 years
Honda Civic coupe: N/A, but the Honda Civic sedan has a GPA of 3.75 over 10 years
Acura RL: 3.27 over 7 years
V6 Toyota RAV4: 2.95 over 4 years
Acura TL: 3.25 over 10 years
Toyota FJ Cruiser: 4.00 over 2 years
Mitsubishi Outlander: 2.88 over 5 years
4-cylinder Toyota RAV4: 3.88 over 10 years.James Benjamin Bleeker has a B.A. from Carleton College in mathematics, a J.D. from Northwestern University, and an M.S. from the University of Minnesota in mathematics. He currently has two websites – Auto on Info at http://www.AutoOnInfo.net and Cars on Info at http://CarsOnInfo.net – which provide detailed auto quality information for cars and trucks sold in North America. In January of 2002, AutoOnInfo.net received the Open Directory’s Cool Site award for its data-rich tables and graphs. It is the only automobile website to have received the Open Directory award.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bleeker
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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Plumbers Portland Maine
Tue 28 Dec 2010
Plumbers Portland Maine
Posted by loxley under Plumbers Portland Maine (edit this)
No Comments
PortlandAreaBusinesses.com proudly presents our Featured Portland Maine Plumber.
Your Business Name Here Could Be Here!
It does not matter how good your services are if your potential customers can’t find you.
We specialize in helping small local business owners get found online – without breaking their budget.
If you are a business owner in the greater Portland area, please feel free to contact us about our business website rentals.
Plumbers Portland Maine could be yours!
Hello! Welcome to Plumbers Portland Maine.
Okay, I realize that is an odd name for a website, but there is a reason for choosing this particular combination of words.
You see, when a homeowner in Portland, Maine needs plumbing work done, whether needing a water heater replaced or having a clogged drain pipe cleared, there is a pretty good chance that you will log on to your computer and type in: Plumbing Portland Maine, Portland Maine Plumbers… or maybe Portland Plumbers in order to find a company to handle your needs.
And, I wanted you to find my website because, unlike other sites that may pop up, I do not own my own plumbing company.
I’m actually an impartial consumer who was once in your shoes and had a bad enough experience looking for and hiring local plumbing contractors that it motivated me enough to create this site to help protect you.
It was kind of my civic duty to do so!
Now, I am not going to bash any plumbing outfit out there, but I will make a solid recommendation of three very good plumbers that are licensed, bonded, and insured that you can trust to take care of you.
In additon to this, I want to educate home owners on how their plumbing system works and give you enough knowledge to confidently make a few minor repairs. Or, if you are like many homeowners and scared to death of messing around with your toilet and water, you will be able to make an informed decision should you need to hire a plumbing contractor in Portland to tackle a larger job.
So, if you have a drain field that is backing up or a garbage disposal that no longer works, or anything in between, this site is for you.
Before I got started in this epic quest to find a qualified plumber, I did not know the difference between an drain pipe and a water pipe or how the plumbing system in my house actually worked… maybe you don’t either?
No worries! I will cover all of this at Plumbers Portland Maine. We will look at your septic system as well as how water is routed through your home and how the waste is routed out of it.
I will show you what toilet repair parts to use when trying to fix a running toilet, how to make sure that your water heater is protected with a heater pressure relief, and how to replace worn washers in any of your bathroom faucets. Also, we will look at products and plumbing supplies, such as a tankless water heater, sump pumps and many other plumbing products that are available to homeowners looking to upgrade or remodel their bathrooms or kitchens.
Most importantly though, this site will help you hire a plumber contractor that is honest and professional.
The last thing you need is to have some backwoods mechanic messing around with your plumbing system and possibly flooding your home.
Also, the prices plumbing contractors charge for various service repair work is all over the board. You can get ripped off very easily when hiring out plumbing work because most homeowners have no idea how much these repairs should cost… it’s just not something we deal with very often.
And one word of warning. You cannot rely on an organization like the Better Business Bureau to vouch for a company.
Most people are not aware of this, but the Better Business Bureau is not any type of official governing body like their name implies, and they are actually paid by the businesses they represent! Can you say conflict of interest?
It is also important that you know what organizations a plumber should belong to like the UA Local 716, and what type of state contractor’s license they hold. You can search for a licensed plumber at the Office of Licensing and Registration.
Here are just a few more pluming organizations to help you understand the industry better.
- Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association
- United Association
- American Pipe Fittings Association (APFA)
- American Society of Plumbing Engineers
- American Backflow Prevention Association
- American Concrete Pipe Association
Is the owner of the company a Master Plumber or just a guy/gal with a journeyman’s card who has run out of companies to get fired from and started his own business? If so, I doubt he/she has insurance, and should something bad happen to your home, you could literally be in a “sink or swim” situation.
Does your job require a permit and inspection? Will it be done up to city code? I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
Hopefully after spending a few minutes at my site, Plumbers Portland Maine, you will be able to make an informed decision on who to hire for your plumbing job, or have the confidence that you can do it your self…DIY!
-->Tags: Plumbers Portland Maine
Portland Used Car Dealerships
Tue 28 Dec 2010
Portland Used Car Dealerships proudly presents our Featured Portland Used Car Dealership.
Your Business Name Here Could Be Here!
It does not matter how good your services are if your potential customers can’t find you.
We specialize in helping small local business owners get found online – without breaking their budget.
If you are a business owner in the greater Portland area, please feel free to contact us about our business website rentals.
Portland Used Car Dealerships could be yours!
Contact Portland Area Business or visit our website to learn more
-->
Wed 29 Dec 2010
Kellys Blue Book Vs NADA Vs Edmunds Guide – The Differences in Blue Book Automotive Price Guides
Posted by under Car Valuation (edit this)
No CommentsIn this section of Portland Used Car Dealerships, we will cover the differences between all the major car valuation guides.
By I Dint
You’ll always feel more confident that you got the best value when selling or buying a car if your entire transaction costs are near the average amount buyers in your area usually pay for the same manufacturer, model, year and version. However, finding the most accurate blue book for cars price guide may prove difficult. They all claim to provide unbiased fair market values for your car, however when compared, you will find significant discrepancies among the different price guides due to differences in their assessment methods. Among the most prominent, widely used and accepted automobile price guides are Kellys Blue Book for Cars, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA Car), and Edmunds Guide. So, which is the most reliable guide among the three?
One sign of reliability is the assessor’s years of experience in the market. Among the three, Kellys Blue Book for Cars is the oldest, first printed in 1926 and continuing to serve as a bastion of trustworthy information for over 80 years. Shortly thereafter in 1933, NADA printed its first Car Appraisal Guides. The youngest is Edmunds Guide, established in 1966. Of the three, Kellys Blue Book has the longest record of unparalleled service establishing it as a standard in car appraisal guides. The Blue Book for Cars has an established extensive database and proven methodology that is continually being refined.
Another signal of accuracy is the completeness of the data and how often the data is updated. Blue Book for Cars, NADA Car, and Edmunds Guide all offer similar info like new and used car private party and detail retail values, trade-in values, and tips on how to buy, sell or trade in your car. Moreover, all of them have easy-to-access websites that makes researching car details and car reviews easier. Then, in what way do they differ from each other?
Aside from their websites, both KBB and NADA publish and regularly update easy-to-carry paperbacks in several versions that cater to the specific needs of its readers, only the Kellys Blue Book for Cars is published in its trademark blue color while NADA Car is bright yellow. Kellys Blue Book Used Car Guide is updated every 2 months, KBB New Car Guide is updated 4 times a year and KBB Consumer guides are updated twice a year. Meanwhile, the online data for Kellys Auction, Kellys Trade-in, Kellys Wholesale Lending, and KBB Retail Values are updated weekly, making the information more useful for car dealers and buyers alike. In contrast, the NADA car consumer guide is updated 4 times a year and the online data is updated monthly. Edmunds Guide, on the other hand, has stopped printing its portable book version since 2006 making it difficult to carry a copy with you when negotiating the final price of your car. Moreover, it only updates its online True Market Value (TMV) pricing tools monthly. So if you want more up-to-date values for your car, it looks like Kellys Blue Book will serve you best.
Aside from the normal guide contents, both the Kellys Used Car Guide and NADA car consumer edition can also provide you with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), easy-to-use equipment schedules with values for optional equipment, acceptable mileage range chart values, credit check service that can evaluate your credit score and what type of loan you could qualify for and retail values. However, Kellys Blue Book for Cars provides Retail Value for a longer time frame, more than 15 years compared to the less than 10 years covered by NADA Car. What’s more, Kellys Blue Book will also give you information on your car’s original list price, Kellys Auction (how much a vehicle is expected to sell for at wholesale auction), and Kellys Wholesale Lending (expected finance value of a fully reconditioned vehicle) values not found in other guides. Meanwhile, Edmunds Guide prides itself on providing the True Market Value (TMV) pricing for new and used vehicles, detailed histories on popular models, and Certified Used Vehicle Information. However, Kellys Blue Book, NADA Car, and Edmunds Guide retail or TMV prices do not factor in the buyer’s credit details that could markedly affect the final price of your vehicle though they do have connecting sites that will help you apply for a loan in easy steps.
Hold on now, the most important determinant of reliability has yet to be discussed, and this is the accuracy of values provided by these guides. Many experts would tell you that the most accurate car price guide is one that gives vehicle values closest to the actual “selling price” in the market, which actually varies day-to-day and place to place. Prices for new cars are not much of an issue, but used car values differ significantly because of many factors, primarily the condition, age and mileage of your car. To get the most accurate value, one has to keep tabs and analyze a large quantity of private, dealer and auction data. That is a difficult feat at best, and to be fair, none of the three: Kellys Blue Book for Cars, NADA Car, nor Edmunds Guide offer absolutely true or accurate values based on the analysis of your car’s present condition. In the end the one with the most expertise will probably provide the closest estimate and it is already an established fact that Kellys Blue Book has always been a leader and industry standard in car appraisal services.
For more info on Kellys Blue Book and the other automotive price guides, NADA and Edmunds Guide, go to http://www.Kellys-Blue-Bk.com where we feature several articles on the blue book for auto price and valuation guides.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety, leaving it intact and including the Author’s Resource Box.
Thanks!! See you at Kellys-Blue-Bk.com!Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=I_Dint
-->Tags:
Wed 29 Dec 2010
How Kelly Blue Book (KBB) Can Help in Car Valuation
Posted by under Car Valuation (edit this)
No CommentsThe term Car Valuation is self-explanatory – The Value of your car when buying or selling is known as car valuation. This term is defined in a better manner with the Kelly Blue Book (KBB) which is a car valuation publication originally available with the auto industry but now it is in the consumer’s reach and can even be got online. The KBB has become the most resourceful vehicle valuation information these days.
Every one of us knows the value of our car and the amount that we spent to purchase it, maintain it and finally getting it going until now. When we decide to sell, we always look for the best price and that is what the KBB does, it gives you inputs on the best prices for a vehicle depending on its make, mileage, model and other added features. Though the KBB is not a fixed rate and most people do not go exactly by the book, it could give you a rough figure as to how much to expect for your car when you sell.
The same goes when buying cars, with the car valuation you can know what would be the amount that you need to spend to buy the used car of your choice. Most of these valuations are nothing but the baseline for setting a certain ceiling for any purchase or sale of a car; however, KBB does not apply to any specialty vehicles or collector’s vehicles. These types of cars are purchased or sold depending on the purchaser or the seller. Mostly these sales are done through auctions and car valuations hold no good here.
A Car Valuation is very helpful for those who are looking at a fixed price of a vehicle, but it does not work well when a person wants to negotiate. However, one can make the seller or the purchaser understand that you know the valuation rules and how much that particular vehicle would go for and this could save you some hard-earned money.
Stuart is writing for many websites, He enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Value My Car and Used Cars For Sale. You may visit for more details.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Michael_M
-->Tags:
Wed 29 Dec 2010
Predicted Car Reliability 2011 – Consumer Reports’ Top Ten Autos
Posted by under Predicted Car Reliability 2011 (edit this)
No CommentsPortland Used Car Dealerships highly recommends anyone that is in the market for a new car check out Consumer Reports. They exhaustively test each make/model for quality.
Recently Consumer Reports released charts of its predicted short-term reliability of sedans, coupes, convertibles, wagons, minivans, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks. Its predicted reliability is based on the infrequency of serious problems within the three preceding model years – 2008, 2009 and 2010 – or fewer when an insufficient data history limits model year inclusion.
In this article I list the Top Ten by CR’s predicted reliability for model year 2011. Not included in this list of CR’s most reliable are those automobiles with only a one-year data history, as a reliability predicted on the basis of one year may be quite inaccurate.
The Top 10, 12 by tie or near tie, are:
The Toyota Yaris, a small sedan or 2-door or 4-door hatchback
The Honda CR-V, a small sport-utility vehicle
Toyota Motor Corporation’s Lexus LX, a large luxury SUV
The Honda Fit, a small 4-door hatchback
Toyota’s Scion xD, a small 4-door hatchback
The Honda Civic coupe
Honda Motor Company’s Acura RL, a luxury sedan
The V6 Toyota RAV4, a small SUV
Honda’s front-wheel-drive Acura TL, an upscale sedan
The Toyota FJ Cruiser, a midsize SUV
The Mitsubishi Outlander, a small SUV
The 4-cylinder Toyota RAV4, a small SUV.Toyota Motor Corporation accounts for 6 of the 12 most reliable, Honda Motor Company for 5, and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation for 1.
The Toyota Yaris and its predecessor, the Echo, have an excellent long-term reliability history. Their combined 2010 Auto Reliability GPA, for model years 2000 to 2009, is a perfect 4.00 over a 9-year data history. Other 2010 Auto Reliability GPAs of the best of model year 2011 are:
Honda CR-V: 3.63 over 10 years of data
Lexus LX: 3.79 over 9 years
Honda Fit: 4.00 over 3 years
Scion xD: 4.00 over 2 years
Honda Civic coupe: N/A, but the Honda Civic sedan has a GPA of 3.75 over 10 years
Acura RL: 3.27 over 7 years
V6 Toyota RAV4: 2.95 over 4 years
Acura TL: 3.25 over 10 years
Toyota FJ Cruiser: 4.00 over 2 years
Mitsubishi Outlander: 2.88 over 5 years
4-cylinder Toyota RAV4: 3.88 over 10 years.James Benjamin Bleeker has a B.A. from Carleton College in mathematics, a J.D. from Northwestern University, and an M.S. from the University of Minnesota in mathematics. He currently has two websites – Auto on Info at http://www.AutoOnInfo.net and Cars on Info at http://CarsOnInfo.net – which provide detailed auto quality information for cars and trucks sold in North America. In January of 2002, AutoOnInfo.net received the Open Directory’s Cool Site award for its data-rich tables and graphs. It is the only automobile website to have received the Open Directory award.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bleeker
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
How to Temper an Egg
via ehow.com
Was making a macaroni & cheese recipe and had no idea on how to temper an egg. Figured it out and was a decent recipe except the kids hated it because it had onion in it.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Portland Maine Realtor
Located on the east coast of the United States, Maine is located in the New England region. The capital city of Maine is Augusta in Kennebec County. Other important cities in the state include Portland, Bangor, Augusta and Falmouth.
With its beautiful landscapes and abundance of open spaces, real estate has become a booming industry in the state of Maine. The state also has several vacation and recreational sites, making real estate investment a very viable solution.
The most popular urban area in the state of Maine is Portland. Owing to a booming economy, the city has a well-developed infrastructure, making it a popular destination for real estate investors. Other factors which provide an impetus to the real estate business is the metropolitan populace.
The beautiful coastline of Maine provides many great real estate options. The property rates are also affordable. Usually, properties near the coast tend to be more expensive. However, in Maine even the sea-facing properties come at an affordable cost. The average home in Portland may cost around $370,000 near the coast and approximately $100,000 in the interiors.
There are a number of factors that influence the purchase of real estate in Maine. The locality should be chosen to suit a person’s lifestyle. Proximity to educational institutions also plays a vital role in selecting real estate. Fortunately, Maine has a number of quality colleges and universities scattered all over the city. These provide quality education in a variety of faculties. Other factors include nearby medical facilities and recreational parks and gardens.
For those investing in real estate in the state for the first time, it is advisable to consult a real estate broker or consultant. These people can provide the best information about the different areas and rates, hence helping the prospective buyer to get the best value for money.
Pristine settings along with peaceful neighborhoods make Maine a desirable place for all.
What to Look For in a Realtor | Realtor Portland Maine
In this section of Realtor Portland Maine, we will cover what you need to look for in choosing a Realtor to handle your unique needs.
Buying a house, selling a house, or just thinking of doing either often requires the help of a realtor. This seems simple enough; after all, the faces of realtors are plastered on bus benches all over town. Still, finding a realtor and finding a good realtor are very different things. Before you hire anyone, there are certain things you need to look for specifically. Consider hiring the following:
Someone You’re Comfortable With: There are certain professions where trust is of the utmost importance. Lawyers, doctors, and stock brokers, for instance, all must be trusted by their clients. Included in this list is realtors. A good realtor is someone who you know will do his or her best for you. There should be nothing shady about them, they should have a proven track record, and they should have a demeanor that makes you comfortable. If you can’t voice your concerns and desires to your realtor in a candid manner, you better get a new one.
Someone Local: California might be filled with some of the most well known, most effective realtors in the business. But, if you are looking for a place in Idaho, no California realtor should be hired. You want a realtor who knows the area like the back of his hand: he knows what school districts are good, he knows the best hospitals, he knows the neighborhoods that are up-and-coming and those that are laden with crime. Hiring a realtor who knows his stuff helps you know you’re getting the best service.
Someone Who Wants What you Want: Realtors work on commission and this can lead to them pushing you towards a more expensive house when the cheaper one would suffice. They are, after all, salespeople. If your realtor appears to be trying to make a big sale, or seems to be trying to get you to buy something you don’t really want, he’s not being a very good realtor. A realtor who asks you questions, and focuses solely on what you want, however, is a realtor worth keeping.
Someone Working Full Time: These days, it seems that almost everyone and their mom is a realtor. Some people do this for supplemental income, some do it as a hobby, and some do it as a full time job. The latter group is often the most effective. By hiring a full time realtor, you help assure that their search for your new home is full time as well.
Someone Who Doesn’t Have a Million and One Clients to Also Serve: Zealous realtors are good: they are eager, they are aggressive, and they are dedicated. Overzealous ones, however, might compromise their effectiveness by having more clients than they can count. This doesn’t mean you should be your realtor’s sole client, but if he is too busy to give you attention and show you houses, or you have a personal relationship with his answering machine, you might want to upgrade to a realtor who has downgraded his clientele.
How to Find Quality and Affordable Auto Repair | Car Repair Portland Maine
In this section of Car Repair Portland Maine, we will cover how to find a quality and affordable car repair service.
Finding quality auto repair may not be easy, but do “qualified, affordable auto technicians” exist? I am here to briefly clarify this subject, considering rip-off shops seam to be many. These places are hiring lube techs, not highly trained and skilled technicians, why? Because it is cheaper all you need is one guy to be master certified, I call it, “damage control”. Hire one tech., so when the lubbers create a wound, master tech. sews it up. Anything job becoming too complicated gets farmed out. Read on.
The automotive industry has become a very technical field. There was a day when everybody knew a mechanic. Day after day I would hear, for example, “my brother in law is a mechanic, my dad works on cars”. The days of the dumb mechanic are over. A technician is now needed to repair or service your car; therefore I will examine a couple of attributes any automotive repair facility should harness.
-Free Professional Advice, if the shops informative “beats around the bush”, or never gives a strait answer, he does not know the business, or he is trying to rip you off. Auto Technicians, should know your car inside and out, making it easy to repair your car at a fair price.
-Clean Shop, a good auto repair garage, should be clean and neat. How do you find the correct bolt in a mess? Did one fall in the engine? Many more problems can occur in a dirty shop, plus the mechanics image, should explain his work habits. Why higher a grease monkey? He will destroy your car and your wallet.
In order to find affordable auto repair, from someone qualified, please take your time and be patient. Finding a good repair shop is like “having a good doctor”, surgery is the last resort. Usually you can nurse them back to health. This article briefly examines a few retain-able theories, when choosing an affordable and qualified automotive repair shop.
Wood Stoves Maine | Wood Stoves Maine
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The Benefits of Professional Dog Grooming for Your Pet and You | Dog Grooming Gardiner
In this section of Dog Grooming Gardiner, we will explain the benefits of getting your pet groomed by a professional groomer.
Just like humans, dogs require regular bathing and grooming to look and feel good. They need to be bathed with a good quality dog shampoo every six to eight weeks to keep their hair and skin healthy, and for their humans’ sake, keep them smelling good. Few want to snuggle a stinky pooch! Additionally, dogs need to have their nails trimmed, their ears cleaned, their teeth brushed, and their anal glands expressed regularly. Long-haired breeds require regular hair trimming. Though many people are able to bathe their dogs without much ado, those other tasks are often best left to professional groomers.
Groomers are skilled professionals who have the experience and equipment to safely groom dogs of all sizes and breeds. Trying to trim the hair or nails of a rowdy, squirming dog can result in injury to the dog if you don’t have the means and know-how to safely secure the pet. For dogs who hate having their feet touched and nails trimmed, it can result in an injurious bite to the human as well. Groomers have the equipment needed to take care of all grooming chores safely and comfortably for the dog.
Short-haired dogs need little more than a bath with occasional brushing to keep the skin healthy. Longer haired dogs and dogs like poodles require regular trimming, if not fancy cuts, to prevent matted hair from creating problems. This requires skill and experience to properly and safely accomplish. Groomers are also experienced in spotting health problems and potential problems that can be life-saving for a beloved pet.
Talk to your local, experienced groomer for the specific grooming needs of your pet. Set up a schedule and stick with it for a happy, healthy, sweet-smelling pet.
Best Heating System Brands | Heating Repair Portland Maine
In this section of Heating Repair Portland Maine, we will take a look the different types of heating system brands, a review rating from a pro, and where you can possibly find replacement parts for your existing heating system.
We are not the experts in the heating system world. If we were, we would have already repaired our heating system and would have known what brands to buy.
But unless you have an insider in the family, you are out of luck and have to go with whatever system is on sale. However, I do have a solution for those of us who barely remembers the difference between forced air and radiant heat.
I have enlisted the aid of an expert to help us avoid all the sales gimmicks and find value. You get to see what an actual heating and air conditioning professional would choose for their own home. You can be sure of an unbiased opinion because we do not sell any HVAC systems or receive any payment from any manufacturers.
I just want to make sure that families out there can heat their homes safely and affordably. You’re my neighbors after all.
Remember that there are many types of heating systems. Hot water heating and water heating systems are different from a gas furnace. Below are oil furnace ratings, so this may not work for you if you are looking for radiant heat.
My expert insider has researched the data about each brand and organized the different types of units into groups. Then he utilized his extensive experience in the field to rate the different models.
He then gave each brand a rating of from 1 to 5 stars in each group. A 5* rating indicates the brand that we would choose (if it was available) for our own home. When more than one brand is available with a 5* rating, we would choose the least expensive model.
I have only listed those with at least a 4* rating in at least one category. Why try to steer you towards shoddy brands?
Brands:
ADAMS
Basic Unit 1*
Condensing 5*
This is the only manufacturer of a 95% AFUE condensing oil furnace.
Visit ADAMS
DORNBACK
Basic1*
Condensed 5*
This brand is owned by ADAMS MANUFACTURING. They are the only manufacturers offering a 95% AFUE condensing oil furnace.
Visit DORNBACK
FRIGIDAIRE
Basic 4*
VS 4*
This brand is from NORDYNE. They are backed by a very good warranty which includes their “10 YEAR QUALITY PLEDGE” where the unit is replaced if the heat exchanger fails within ten years.
Visit Frigidaire
KELVINATOR
Basic 4*
This brand is from NORDYNE. It is a basic unit with a great warranty including their ten year quality pledge. (That is where they replace the entire unit if the heat exchanger fails during its’ first ten years.)
Visit Kelvinator
LENNOX
VS 4*
The O23 units are part of their ELITE series. It has an AFUE of up to 83%. The O23V is part of the “DAVE LENNOX SIGNATURE COLLECTION” and has a variable speed blower motor. The O23V also has a very good warranty.
Visit Lenox
MAYTAG
Basic 5*
VS 5*
This brand name is licensed to NORDYNE. The M120 series has four styles of units to match your installation requirements. The M1200 series units are variable speed. All of the units are backed by the best warranty in the industry.
Visit Maytag
NUTONE
Basic 4*
VS 4*
This brand is from NORDYNE and is backed by a very good warranty. They have an efficiency rating of 80%.
Visit NUTONE
TAPPAN
Basic 4*
VS 4*
This brand is from NORDYNE. The TECH 1 units are your basic oil furnace while the TECH 2 units have a variable speed blower. They are backed by a very good warranty.
Visit Tappan
WESTINGHOUSE
Basic 4*
VS 4*
This brand is from NORDYNE. They are backed by a very good warranty which includes their 10 year quality pledge. During the first ten years, the unit is replaced if the heat exchanger fails.
Visit Westinghouse
Things to Remember
I have not included the AFUE price or whether or not they are energy star qualified. So if this is important to you, please check out each brand.
To understand a bit more about energy efficiency, read this great article by Consumer Reports
If you want to learn more about the different types of brands, check out the link below. Believe it or not, you may be able to get replacement parts pretty cheap!
http://highperformancehvac.com/hvac-industry-info/156-hvac-manufacturers-brands-history
Although you want to save money (who doesn’t right?). But whatever heating system, whether its HVAC, gas furnace or uses a geothermal heat pump, if at all possible, chose a heating system that will pay off in the long run. Not which is the cheapest to buy today.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
a few lenses
http://www.squidoo.com/realtorportlandmaine
http://www.squidoo.com/carrepairportlandmaine
http://www.squidoo.com/electricianportlandmaine
http://www.squidoo.com/heatingrepairportlandmaineDon't you just love squidoo! You can make any kind of page you want, except things like adult themes or illegal themes. But other than that, you can't beat Squidoo!
http://www.squidoo.com/carrepairportlandmaine
http://www.squidoo.com/electricianportlandmaine
http://www.squidoo.com/heatingrepairportlandmaineDon't you just love squidoo! You can make any kind of page you want, except things like adult themes or illegal themes. But other than that, you can't beat Squidoo!
cool hubs
Here's a few hubs that I stumbled across and wanted to share. Save them if you live in the Portland Maine area!http://hubpages.com/hub/realtor-portland-maine
http://hubpages.com/hub/Electrician-Portland-Maine
http://hubpages.com/hub/Heating-Repair-Portland-Maine
http://hubpages.com/hub/Car-Repair-Portland-Maine
http://hubpages.com/hub/Electrician-Portland-Maine
http://hubpages.com/hub/Heating-Repair-Portland-Maine
http://hubpages.com/hub/Car-Repair-Portland-Maine
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
watch, watch, you must watch!
Seriously, how long has this literal stuff been going on. Absolute Genius! If you remember the 80's you MUST WATCH this! I can't wait to watch more!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
when your wife wants a divorce and you don't
Check out this article. I have a friend who is having marital troubles. I don't know if this helps anyone, but at this point it cant hurt. http://www.articlesbase.com/divorce-articles/when-your-wife-wants-a-divorce-and-you-dont-what-not-to-do-to-stop-a-potential-divorce-3279125.html
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
energy star
It seems like everyone is trying to save money these days. One great way is to check out Energy Star. Don't be intimidated by all the mumbo jumbo. It's just simple information that can help you make some informed decisions.
http://www.energystar.gov/
http://www.energystar.gov/
Monday, December 13, 2010
links to my friend's websites...what do you think of the layout?
A friend of mine is working on some new websites. He's unsure of the look and feel. Check them out and see what you think.http://heatingrepairportlandmaine.com/
http://carrepairportlandmaine.com/
http://electricianportlandmaine.com/
http://woodstovesmaine.com/
http://realtorportlandmaine.com/
http://carrepairportlandmaine.com/
http://electricianportlandmaine.com/
http://woodstovesmaine.com/
http://realtorportlandmaine.com/
Friday, December 10, 2010
Jennsylvania
If you are not familiar with Jen Lancaster, then listen up. She's this awesome blogger turned best-selling author. What I love about her is that she's so funny and she's so real. It's like we also lived in her riches to rags to riches again story. How very inspiring for the rest of us. http://www.jennsylvania.com/
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Marvel
I came across this while researching something. How cool is this? As a lifetime fan of superheros, I just love this page. Even if your not a fan, you can see how incredibly successful Marvel has been. What other business is so ingrained into our modern pop culture? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marvel_Comics_characters
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
flu
Since it's that time of year, I thought it would be helpful to share this cool website I found. And I know that the flu is not cool. But it is cool to have a resource like this if you find yourself sick. http://www.flu.gov/
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Football
Did you ever know that there was an eggnog history? What is up with that? Eggnog is related to various milk and wine punches that had been concocted long ago in the "Old World". Add a bit of rum and there you have it! http://www.indepthinfo.com/eggnog/history.shtml
Monday, December 6, 2010
Football
Anyone else tired of seeing stuff about Brett Favre? Either he's a genius or he's not. There seems to be no gray area with him. Same for Peyton Manning. So the guy had a few off games. Okay, ten interceptions is more than that. But let's give these guys a break! http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/12/05/vikings.favre.injured.ap/index.html?eref=sihp
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Birke Baehr: What's wrong with our food system
Hey check it out! It's the coolest video I've come across in years. This kid is playing music on pvc pipe. And while your there, check out the other cool videos available like
http://video.yahoo.com/network/100063489?v=8616024&l=100063517http://video.yahoo.com/network/100063489?v=8616024&l=100063517
Candlelight - The Maccabeats
http://video.yahoo.com/network/100063489?v=8616024&l=100063517http://video.yahoo.com/network/100063489?v=8616024&l=100063517
Friday, December 3, 2010
5 key questions to ask on a date
Who knew that you had to ask specific questions on your next date? But since I'm a married gal, I don't usually worry about this stuff. This is for all you single people out there. It's actually good stuff. http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=6333&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=708644
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Birke Baehr: What's wrong with our food system
Check out this extremely cool talk by an 11 year old homeschooled kid. He's going to be an organic farmer! This kid is so smart and aware. We need more kids like this!
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