Forbes just published their list of bad passwords for 2011 (compiled by SplashData).  In an article written by contributing writter David Coursey a list of bad passwords (of 2011) is given along with some tips to increase your internet security.  The worst 25 passwords of 2011 include: password, 123456, 12345678, qwerty, abc123, monkey, letmein, trustno1 etc.  For a complete list go to http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidcoursey/2011/11/21/25-worst-passwords-of-2011-revealed/ .    It might be a good idea to check the sight out and see if any of your passwords appear on the list. 

The article advises that for a password to be secure:

• It should contain at least eight characters
• It should contain a mix of four different types of characters – upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as !@#$%^&*,;” If there is only one letter or special character, it should not be either the first or last character in the password.
• It should not be a name, a slang word, or any word in the dictionary. It should not include any part of your name or your e-mail address.

I need to make a few changes myself.  How about you?

• Check out the competition in your area.  Ask yourself how many other sellers there are .  Dian supports the idea that despite national news, it is the conditions in the local real estate market that matter most to whether your house sells or not (see this blogger’s Real Estate “Micro Climates” posted on June 6, 2011).
• While it is true that most real estate markets have seasonal ebs and  flows, it may actually make sense to put your house on the market during the traditionally slow holiday/winter season.  If others pull ther homes from the market during the “off season” or decide to wait to list, this may mean yours will shine even more.  It’s the old “zig when everyone else is zagging” argument.  Many a fortune has been made by individuals not afraid to do so.
• Maximize the appeal of your house by making it shine when it’s shown.  Keep it in showing condition as much as possible.  You might even want to allow yourself the luxury of a longer notice period for showing during the holidays.  This will give you time to “clean up” for scheduled showings.  Given the usual holiday clutter that many of us experience at this time of year, longer notice periods can be very helpful. 

What do you think?  Selling your home is a big decision.  The choice of whether or not to sell (and when to) should be an informed decision.  There are many personal reasons that go into the decision.  Market nuances and local house inventories are topics that may be better understood if addressed with the help of a Realtor®. 

If you are in Upstate New York in the Capital are (Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Troy, Amsterdam) feel free to contact this blogger.  I am an agent with Bird Realty in Glenville, NY and it would be my pleasure to help you in your quest to sell your house of find a new home. 

Dian’s original article  can be accessed at … http://lowes.inman.com/newsletter/2011/11/16/news/162168

Check out the link and add some ideas of your own … http://bit.ly/uu5sH6 … right here in the comments section.

Many folks think of planting when the snow melts, the days get longer and the ground is workable after a long winter sleep.  But when it comes to trees and shrubs, they love to be planted in the fall.  Planting in the Fall assures that your trees have a chance to establish strong root systems with the help of the abundant moisture provided by winter persipitation and melting snows.  The opposite is true when you plant in the hot summer when watering is often critical for the very survival of your fresh plantings.  The cooler fall weather also makes it much easier on you when you are turning the soil, digging holes or mixing in peat and other ammendments.  So if you’re thinking of planting a row of arborvatea trees, a specimen tree or two or some well placed shrubs, now is the time to do it yourself! 

What do you have to loose?  Get out there, enjoy the crisp Autumn weather.  Who knows you may end up with rock hard abs and a new appreciation for the great outdoors.  Any experts out there willing to provide advice?

Combine these rates with the values available in Upstate New York and it’s hard to imagine why anyone with a decent credit score wouldn’t want to take advantage of the situation.  This is especially true of first time home buyers and vacation home buyers who don’t have a property to sell in order to finance their purchase.

Like having a real estate professional’s help during the process, seeking professional opinions on staging is always a good idea.  HGTV Design to Sell designer Lisa Laporta offers some great tips (30 “can’t miss” ones to be exact) in her recent article.  Check out http://www.hgtv.com/real-estate/30-cant-miss-staging-tips/index.html to see them.  If your house is currently for sale or if you are considering selling, it will probably offer information valuable in the sale of our home.

Add to these generally positive numbers current low interest rates and a healthy inventory of homes for sale and it’s a great time to buy.  First time homebuyers with good credit ratings might benefit from taking that initial step and purchasing a home in our area.  If you already own a home, you might want to take a second look at your current mortgage (if you haven’t already done so), with an eye to refinancing at a better rate.

This could be the time to consider the purchase of a vacation home in Upstate New York.  There is something for everyone.  Whether you want to enjoy the outdoors in the beautiful wilderness of the Adirondack Park or kick back and relax in your own slice of paradise, upstate New York is a four season wonderland.

Check out this link… http://bit.ly/nMjE2Q … then divide those prices by 2 or even 3 and you can get a sense of the prices upstate New York has to offer.

Need more information?