Lifestyles

Home Bodies:

By Mia Bolaris-Forget
Staff Writer LIFamilies

It’s the moment, other than finding Mr./Ms. Right, planning a wedding, and starting a family that you’ve been waiting for. It’s that magic moment when you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your first home, or upgrade from the one you have.

And, while most of us associate looking for a home with location and aesthetics, there's much more to it than that. In fact, the key to opening the door of your new home is learning how to negotiate the purchase.

First, you need to understand what you want and keep in mind that the property must be appraised with the lender considering the fair market value the home.

Because property values tend to fluctuate, you need to educate yourself via online resources or consult a trustworthy and reputable mortgage professional to do a comparative marking analysis. And, this helps you gain insight as to whether the seller’s asking price is realistic, based on location, upgrades, condition of the home, age of home etc.

Keep in mind that while you have a wish list, so does the seller. And, experts suggest tuning in to find out what their hot buttons are. And, they suggest using this information as leverage for getting what you want out of the deal. Consider that they may have already made another purchase and need to cell, or they may need to locate or they may have had the house on the market for quite some time and are eager to “unload” it.

Also, try, if possible, to find out what the current mortgage is and use this also to your advantage. But, remember, if the seller wants to get out because of necessary repairs they don’t want to deal with of problems in the neighborhood, these issues will now belong to you, along with your new home.

Regarding neighborhood issues, experts suggest driving around and walking through the area at various parts of the day, making observations and taking note. You may also want to speak with neighbors and local merchants, as well as the police department about the climate of the area especially in relation to crime. And, you can also check the local paper for such statistics.

If the seller is adamant about getting their requests met, make sure that your needs and wants are being met in return as well.

Note that generally certain amenities such as a dishwasher or garbage disposal stay with the home and you can also negotiate other items in exchange for something on the seller’s wish list that they consider valuable or important.

Finally, and probably most importantly make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing and that it’s all included in the contract of sale to avoid ANY possible or potential misunderstanding

Must-drive Hot Cars for 2007

Author:Glady Reign

Vehicles are more than just heavy steel; it means unleashing torque and horsepower to make a whole new difference in driving. And they are in for a treat! This year, automakers roll out the red carpet to flaunt their power lineup with incredible levels of styling, performance and nuance. For that reason, what wheels are hot for the year 2007?

According to auto analysts, this year is going to be a good year for cars. From trend-setting superminis to breathtaking supercars and everything in between, the needs and whims of the aficionados will certainly be answered. The auto industry is showered by lots of choices and that fact alone makes 2007 a very interesting year.

First on the desire list is the Audi R8 supercar which is scheduled to go on sale this summer. The car is priced at $120,000 to $130,000. It is based on the 2003 Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, not the automaker’s R8 race car. It comes with a striking headlight design that uses LED technology. Audi said the internal reflectors of the new car resemble those found in miniature Sydney Opera Houses. Compared to conventional auto headlamps, LEDs used in the Audi R8 are smaller hence they do not occupy a great amount of space much to the pleasure of Audi designers.

Next on the must-drive list is Volvo S80. Bits of ridiculously sophisticated auto materials are put together by Volvo’s pool of designers to come up with a functional luxury sedan. The all-new sedan from the automaker is equipped with one-of-a-kind features like the in-car heartbeat monitor that alerts the driver through key fob when there is a person approaching the car. Volvo auto parts in the Volvo S80 are aftermaths of meticulous testing to boost performance, styling and safety.

What makes the Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG coupe a standout? Enthusiasts say it is the cruise control integrated in it that delivers an autopilot function for stop-and-go traffic. This is Mercedes’ way of aiding drivers to pay attention on the road ahead. The system is equipped with radars to monitor the distance of the car with other cars. The coupe steers, brakes and accelerates when required to trail another car.

Another irresistible lure to auto aficionados is the inclusion of mind-boggling upgrades to the automakers’ lineup. The upgraded models boast improved technology to make fanatics unable to resist. Come Lexus LS Hybrid, a vehicle that runs on gasoline or electricity. The regular version of the vehicle is powered by a V8 engine that produces 380 horsepower. The electric motor in the hybrid version assists the V8 to generate more than 430 units of horsepower. So far, the hybrid version of the Lexus LS is deemed a status symbol of choice.

Lexus is not the only automaker which has the nerve to show off its innovative prowess. Aston Martin, Maybach and Rolls-Royce also exhibited their pride vehicles. Aston Martin boasts of its V-8 Vantage Convertible. Maybach 62 S was also unveiled to create a hot-rod version of the 62 sedan. The Bentley Azure drop-top version is also made more captivating than before.

2007 is a year of remarkable auto innovations that could etch a worthy milestone for the industry. Aficionados clamoring for hot, high-end cars would be very much benefited.

A Living Dwelling

Creating A Beautiful Home

The homes we occupy are seldom ideal. A space that satisfies our basic needs may nonetheless leave us wanting where location, décor, or style are concerned. Yet every home has the potential to be beautiful. When we fill our homes with love, we transcend worldly factors such as market value and design. Our conscious, loving intentions can literally transform the spaces in which we live, dispelling any lingering unharmonious energy and replacing it with an ethereal beauty that is felt rather than seen. Our homes become spiritual dwellings that feel soulful and alive. Regardless of their outward appearances, they radiate love, making all who enter, including ourselves, feel instantly welcome.

Turning a space into the beautiful outward expression of your inner warmth is as easy as projecting love into it. When your intentions are sincere, you can infuse the walls of your home with your energy, your emotional sensitivity, and your generosity of spirit, turning it into a haven of affection, joy, laughter, and togetherness. It is up to you, whether you want your personal spaces to be peaceful and quiet or lively and inspiring. Begin by cultivating awareness within yourself. This will allow you to see your home as an integral part of your existence rather than somewhere you simply return to at the end of each day. Consider how you relate to each element of your space, and remind yourself that every room in your home can serve a purpose in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Finally, lovingly thank each room for providing for your needs. As you become more mindful of the manner in which your home contributes to your well-being, you will discover that, more and more, you want to love and be loved by it.

Appearance and other superficial qualities can be deceiving. An aesthetically beautiful home can prove unwelcoming. And a home that seems mundane in every characteristic can be as comforting and cozy as a beloved relative or friend. When you nurture and care for your home as if it were a loved one, it will absorb your tender intentions and project a love so touching you will soon come to feel a great affection for it.

Technology

IPhone is a revolutionary new mobile phone that allows you to make a call by simply tapping a name or number in your address book, a favorites list, or a call log. It also automatically syncs all your contacts from a PC, Mac, or Internet service. And it lets you select and listen to voicemail messages in whatever order you want — just like email.

Copyright © 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Dell XPS Mi1330

Reviewed By Dan Ackerman

(03/07/2007) while a worthwhile vendor of mass market mainstream laptops and desktops, Dell has never been known as an innovator in consumer product design. In fact, the company's stodgy, boxy products have been blamed for a loss of market share to the bolder design strokes of competitors such as HP. That's what makes the new 13-inch XPS M1330 such a pleasant surprise. From our first behind-closed-doors peek at it, we've been impressed with the emphasis on the user experience in this superthin, high-end laptop from the slot-loading DVD drive to the touch-sensitive media buttons and HDMI-output jack. At S$2,199 and up, it's definitely a premium product, but worth it if head-turning design is as important to you as specs and performance.

Fujitsu Life Book

Though still not cheap enough for most consumers to consider as a complement to their existing notebooks, the LifeBook U1010 is an excellent companion for those who need a full-fledged operating system while on the move. However, its poor battery life on the standard cell certainly reduces its mobility factor. The extended four-cell battery is definitely a must if you want to take this on the plane.