Universal Currency Converter

Many of my clients from out of the country track their dollars against the US dollar. Many of my clients traveling abroad are also interested in how their dollar “stacks up” to currencies in other countries.

As a Realtor who was one of the first Realtors with a Personal Website and someone who has had her website since 1995, I am always trying to add features to my website which would be helpful, informative and easy to use. For your convenience, I have just added a Universal Currency Exchange Converter to my Home Page.

If you go to www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com you will see a beautiful collage of photos depicting the desert. On each side is a menu of items you can click on for easy reference. Just below the menu of items on the Left Side……….you can click on the words “Currency Exchange Converter” and it will bring you to a page where you can convert dollars from 85 different countries. Special units and precious metals are listed both alphabetically and separately, at the end of this list.

As I have reported previously, fluctuations in the exchange market can grossly affect your purchasing power in another currency. On May 14th, 2008 if you had purchased $400,000 USD at a rate of 1.0043 it would have cost you $401,720 CAD. If you had purchased the same US Dollars on May 21st, 2008—one week later—at a rate of .9816, it would have cost you $392,640 CAD, a difference of $9,080 CAD from the week before. Most currency rates fluctuate nearly 1% a day and market trends can go both up and down, so it’s important to keep yourself informed so you can save money and protect yourself from rate risks.

In addition to the fluctuations in the rates, most major financial institutions charge a premium of 2-4% on the exchange rate, which can cost you thousands more than going through a foreign exchange company. Working closely with a currency trader, such as the ones from Globex Foreign Exchange, will not only save you on these premiums, but they will also keep you knowledgeable of market trends, actively watch the rates for you and contact you when the rates are acting in your favor.

Check it out yourself.

For more information and if you have any questions at all, you can contact a dedicated currency trader at Globex Foreign Exchange directly:

Kingsley Leung will be happy to answer any of your questions.
(877) 423-2217 toll free or kleung@globexfx.com.
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Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com

Relocation Wants and Needs

Who Do You Know that May Need this Service?

Do you know someone who may be relocating to another city? Finding a good real estate agent to work with in an unfamiliar area can be difficult when you have no real “contacts” in that area…………….but it needn’t be!

I partner with hundreds of well qualified agents, both in the US, and elsewhere, who like myself, know their market and they work well with buyers relocating to their city. These wonderful Realtors will work closely with you and your family. They will acquaint you with their city, its amenities……………and most importantly, help you find a great home at a good price.

For more information on my “Relocation Services Outside the Desert Area”, just pick up the phone and give me a call. I’ll be happy to refer you to an excellent Realtor who will be more than happy to work with you, or someone you know who may be relocating in the future. After all, I’ve been in the “People Business” since 1965…………and “Service” is my middle name!

Click here for my FREE Relocation package.

Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com

Are You Well Padded?

When you install carpet in your home, the dazzling array of texture and colors is overwhelming. Eventually you narrow the choices and settle finally on just the right one. Your work isn’t done, though, because you have to choose a pad to go under the carpet. There are a number of choices, and a range of prices. Do you choose fiber over foam? Is thicker always better? What will work best in your home?

Choosing the right pad will not only increase the comfort of the carpet, but will extend the life of the carpet as well. It’s easy to get confused about what to buy. Carpet commercials run on television, the radio, in the newspapers, and in magazines. Often these ads offer free, thick padding. Although thicker padding is sometimes better, it’s not always the best choice.

Before you choose the padding for your carpet, it’s important to understand the purpose of the pad, and how it works. A properly carpeted house will have different degrees of thickness and densities of padding in various rooms, and in the different areas within these rooms.

Carpet padding is designed to:
1) Absorb the impact of feet on the carpet
2) Control the flex of the carpet backing
3) Provide a comfortable surface
4) Provide insulation over cold floors

If the carpet pad is too thick and not very dense, it will flex a great deal as you walk on it. This will feel great under your feet at first, but quickly you will notice carpet fibers filling up the vacuum bag. Excessive flexing of the carpet backing actually breaks down the backing and allows carpet fibers to fall out. On the other hand, if there were no padding, the carpet fibers themselves would absorb the full impact of foot traffic, and would wear down and break off in no time.

In most areas of the home with moderate to heavy traffic, a relatively thin, high-density pad (3/8 inch maximum) is best. This allows for adequate cushioning for comfort and fiber life, but it does not allow the carpet backing to over flex and disintegrate before its time.

In areas where there is little foot traffic, you might choose a thicker, less dense padding. In an area like a bedroom, a thicker pad will provide a comfortable, cushy feel underfoot. This kind of pad is also good on the floor of a den where someone might sit to watch television.

There are three basic choices for residential carpet padding: foam, sponge rubber, and fiber. All are available in a range of thickness and density. For any thickness, you can compare the ounces per square yard to gauge the density of the padding.

Foam padding, often urethane foam, is a favorite for residential use. Several grades are available, including a “bonded foam”, which is multicolored small pieces bonded together for good density. Fiber padding looks like animal hair, but today is made of recycled fiber. Fiber pads produce a firm foundation and are a good choice for high traffic areas. Sponge rubber pads are available in a waffle design, which is more resilient than the flat design. If you choose sponge rubber padding, select a thin pad.

What is your home worth in today’s market? Click here for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis on your home.

Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com

FREE Reports

Every time I see the word “Free” I have to wonder what this will cost me. What’s really Free Today? Not much…………..but this is your lucky day, because I actually have something of value for you, and it is absolutely, certifiably Free !!!!

Just click here and choose the Reports that interest you and they will be immediately sent to you. It’s as simple as that! Enjoy these wonderful reports.

Below are a few FREE Reports you can access from my website…..absolutely FREE!

Mortgages: 15 vs 30 Year Loan
Finding the Best Real Estate Professional
Buyers – 5 Secrets to Buying the Best House for Your Money
Buyers – 10 Important Tips to Successful Real Estate Investing
Buyers – How to Make Money in Real Estate Investing
Buyers – Five Powerful Buying Strategies
Buyers – How to Save Thousands of Dollars When Buying a Home
Buyers- Six Ways to Beat the Stress of Buying A Home
Buyers – Top 10 Most Common Mistakes Buyers Make
Buyers – Can You Buy Another Home?
Buyers – Closing In on a Paperless Mortgage
Buyers – Moving Tips
Buyers – How Buyers Price Their Homes
Buyers – The Top 10 Most Common Mistakes Sellers Make
Buyers – Top 10 Most Common Mistakes Buyers Make
Buyers – Possible Types of Turbulence
Buyers: Making a Good Decision
Buyers: After the Sale?
Buyers – Closing In on a Paperless Mortgage
Sellers: What is a CMA?
Sellers – SEVEN SELLING MISTAKES YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE!
Sellers – How Sellers Price Their Homes
Sellers – Possible Types of Turbulence
Sellers – Eleven Listing Mistakes
Sellers – Showing and Preparing Your Home
Sellers – Four Common Mistakes
Sellers – How to Get Top Dollar in Any Market
Sellers – How to Show Your Home
Sellers – 10 Simple Steps You Can Take to Ensure Your Home Sells At Top Dollar
Sellers – Seven Common Mistakes To Avoid
Sellers – Moving Tips
Sellers – The Do It Yourself Home Seller’s Marketing Kit
Sellers: Accentuate the Positive
FSBO – The Do It Yourself Marketing Kit
FSBO – Selling Solo
FSBO – Showing and Preparing Your Home
FSBO – Moving – Good Things to Know
FSBO – Ten Most Common Mistakes Sellers/Buyers Make
FSBO – Mistakes Home Sellers Make
Moving – Things You Should Know About Moving
Moving – Moving Tips
Home Tips: Appliance Safety
Home Tips: A Home Checkup
Home Tips: Keep Your Home Safe
Home Tips: Clutter is Chaos
Home Tips: Marble Tips
Home Tips: Title Search – Very Funny

Click here to search MLS listings

Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com