New Letter - Real Estate

(ARA) - The choice came down to two houses for Jack and Carrie Evans. Both were in the same lovely suburban Atlanta neighborhood where their children could actually walk to an excellent elementary school. The houses were similar in size and amenities.

“One,” Jack said, “had a larger master bedroom and a slightly bigger kitchen.” “And a sexier bathroom,” Carol adds.

“But the other had a pool,” Jack said. “We went with the pool.”

We’ve all seen the ads in the local paper’s real estate section: 4BR, 3BA, walk to schools, huge MBR w/fireplace, fabulous landscaped yard, pool! Must see!

As with the Evans family, the pool is what stands out. A pool does make a house look more attractive to buyers. A recent study published by the National Association of Realtors backs that up.

G. Stacy Sirmans, Ph.D, a real estate professor at Florida State University in Tallahassee, conducted the study with colleague David A. Macpherson, Ph.D. They took a close and detailed look -- based on the selling data from more than 28,000 homes -- to see exactly what attributes contribute to the overall value of a home.

A house, of course, holds many different characteristics, all of which affect its value. A swimming pool, the study held, is an often-included characteristic in assessing a home’s value. What’s more, the authors write, “it is generally positive and significant.”

Consistently, across the country, pools proved to be positives. In fact, the study found, in-ground pools can increase the value of a residential property from 8 percent to as much as 15 percent.

Here’s how the study breaks it down across the U.S.:

• In the Northeast, a pool adds 4 percent to 6 percent to a home’s value.
• In the Southeast, the effect ranges from 5 percent to 10 percent.
• The Midwest is similar to the Northeast, with the average effect on value being about 6 percent.
• A pool seems to weigh in the most in the Southwest, where studies show the effect on a home’s value to be between 8 percent and 13 percent.
• A pool also is important in the West, but the effect on value -- while still positive -- is less consistent than in other areas. In the West, the average effect on value ranges from 5 percent to 13 percent.

Go outside and pools rank right up there with garages, decks and porches among the external features most frequently used in explaining selling prices. “A swimming pool,” the authors of the study conclude, “never has a negative effect on selling price although it has been not significant in some studies.”

What is significant is how homebuyers actually react to pools.

“Really, I haven’t run into any obstacles,” says Babs Simpson, a realtor with Boothby Realty Inc., in Birmingham, Ala. In fact, she loves showing homes with pools. “It’s fun to surprise (the buyers). You’ll be going through the house and all of a sudden they look out and say, ‘Ooohhhh.’”

A beautiful pool just invites homebuyers to imagine themselves having fun. A pool definitely is an asset, says Michelle Rogers, who for years sold real estate in Florida. “People can see themselves there. They picture themselves enjoying the pool. They might not see themselves right away in the seller’s pink bedroom, but they can picture themselves in the seller’s pool.”

For more information on adding value to your home with a pool or hot tub, visit www.nspi.org, www.poolpeopleusa.com, www.hottubliving.com, www.poolandspaliving.com or contact NSPI at (800) 323-3996.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Rooms filled with natural light and fresh air are more beautiful, spacious and uplifting to our spirits. Daylight is the essential element that transforms conventional rooms into splendid spaces that add value and quality to our homes and to our lives.

“Skylights and roof windows offer homeowners attractive and effective methods to improve the quality of lighting and ventilation in their homes,” says Joe Patrick, product manager with VELUX America.

Skylights are used for overhead, out-of-reach applications or within-reach applications where egress is not required. Roof windows are for in-reach applications requiring egress, such as finished attics. Sun tunnels are useful when a view to the outside is not needed.

Options such as translucent or light block shades, Venetian blinds and exterior heat block awnings allow homeowners to control the amount of light. Accessories, as well as electric skylights, can be operated by remote control.

* More Privacy In Your Home

Many bathrooms have a huge window occupying most of a wall directly over the tub. Impressive, but not always practical, especially if the room is on a ground floor or located where neighbors have a view through the window.

The solution? Consider light from above from a venting electric skylight. “You get privacy, more ventilation in the room in your home most prone to condensation, a beautiful view of the sky above, the use of a wall for decorating or storage and the healthful benefits of more natural light,” says Patrick.

According to research from American Standard, skylights are selected as the number one option in “dream bathrooms.” And modern skylights offer as many, or more, features than standard windows including remote control, blinds, shades, awnings, insect screening and automatic rain sensors.

And while you’re considering skylights for your bathroom, remember that venting skylights in your kitchen can release hot air and odors while admitting more light for brighter days and for more pleasant cooking and dining.

In areas where skylights may not be needed or just won’t fit, sun tunnels are a good provider of natural light. They are great for smaller bathrooms, entry areas or hallways, pantries, walk-in closets and other smaller, confined areas. They feature flexible tunnels that fit around virtually any obstructions from the roof to the ceiling.

* Space Utilization and Added Value

Attics and bonus rooms lurk in the darkness in many homes. But with the additional natural light and fresh air skylights or roof windows provide, underutilized, gloomy space easily becomes a playroom for children or an inviting, productive work area.

“Whether as a playroom, home office, or extra bedroom, finishing your bonus room with skylights or roof windows may be the highest value, yet lowest cost per square foot option you can choose,” Patrick says.

Patrick says that converting upstairs areas with energy-efficient skylights and roof windows makes expensive dormers unnecessary. “Labor and material costs can be reduced, and finished attics and bonus rooms typically appraise at 100 percent of the value of other living space while basements typically do not,” he points out.

Denver-based architect Doug Walter, AIA, observes that many property owners dismiss the idea of a conversion on the grounds that the space available seems too small. “In their search for suitable areas, particularly for children,” Walter says, “they should reconsider. Children don’t require large areas with soaring ceilings. On the contrary, the sloping ceilings of small attics and the little hideaways they make are particularly appealing to youngsters.”

* Health Considerations

Health benefits of having abundant daylight in our homes are well documented. Studies show that students learn better, adults suffer less Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and older Americans have less trouble reading and getting around when rooms are filled with daylight. But aside from documented psychological and physical benefits, it’s obvious that living and working in a naturally brightly lit space just makes life feel better.

Some researchers are concluding that light therapy may help to alleviate SAD symptoms faster than antidepressant drugs. In a recent review of clinical trials of light therapy, Dr. Daniel Kripke and his colleagues at the Circadian Pacemaker Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego reported that light therapy benefits not only SAD patients but also people suffering from other forms of depression.

For skylight selection literature call (800) 283-2831, visit www.veluxusa.com, or write VELUX America Inc., P.O. Box 308, Budd Lake, NJ 07828. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfrc.org. or www.efficientwindows.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) – Homes today are valued as much more than a shelter from the elements. They are utilized as offices and entertainment facilities for both family and friends and as a haven to escape the frenzied pace of everyday life. Our homes are full of personality, history and contain many irreplaceable memories. For most homeowners, remodeling is a cost effective way to improve their home without the hassle of moving.

Remodeling a home has substantial benefits. The homeowner can stay in their house while it is being updated or modernized. Location, location, location; remodeling allows the homeowner to stay in the same neighborhood, near friends and close to the amenities that drew them there in the first place. When the home is improved in some way, the curb appeal and value usually increases, which helps ensure a higher resale value if a move ever arises.

Curb appeal is the impression a home’s exterior conveys. There are a variety of ways to enhance a home’s curb appeal, such as adding new landscaping or new pavement. Many homeowners find that improving the exterior of their home is the best way to accomplish this and it often offers a higher return on investment than other projects. A great way to begin enhancing a home’s curb appeal is to have siding professionally installed.

Most siding installed on homes today is constructed of steel, vinyl or wood. Steel siding is the most durable. Wood siding needs to be scraped and painted every few years. Temperature changes can cause vinyl to expand, contract and crack. Steel siding will not warp or chip in hot and cold temperatures like vinyl can and it is more resistant to wind. The strength of steel keeps it held snug to the home. Lighter vinyl can be lifted and torn away from the home, leaving the homeowner to clean up the mess.

How the siding is installed on the home is also very important. Some siding comes in standard 12-foot lengths, which can leave the average home with more than 130 visible seams. Dirt, moisture and bugs can get behind these seams leaving the home looking dirty and detracting from its curb appeal. There is a company that can manufacture and install its siding to fit any size. ABC Seamless Siding brings the siding to your home in a factory on wheels. The siding is roll-formed and cut to the exact dimensions of your house. This eliminates ugly seams and gives your home a clean seam-free look.

Chipping and peeling paint or cheap vinyl can make a house look run down. Applying siding to a home can give it a freshly painted look and enhance curb appeal. However, like any other investment, it is important to research the company and its products before they are installed on your home. To help choose a qualified siding company, ask for references of past customers. Visit some of the homes they have remodeled and be sure to ask the homeowners questions about the company while you are there. Remember, quality is never cheap and the lowest bid isn’t always the best. It may seem like a headache to research the company and products at first, but it will save you time and money in the long run.

For more information on ABC Seamless products to enhance your homes curb appeal, call (800) 732-6577 or visit the online showroom at www.abcseamless.com

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Most of us think of it as “home, sweet home.” But the alarming fact is that more than 20,000 Americans die each year due to unintentional home injuries, according to a study by the Home Safety Council. Another 20 million medical visits are attributed annually to injuries occurring in the home. Chief causes of home-related injuries and deaths include fire, poisoning, suffocation, choking, and falls.

How can you help alleviate the potential for accidents or injury in your home from fire or other potentially life-threatening hazards? Simply take precautions now to protect your home and most importantly, your loved ones.

First, keep smoke detectors in working order, and replace units every 10 years for maximum performance. Test batteries at least twice each year. And, make sure detectors are located on each level in key places throughout your home, including outside each bedroom.

In the event of a fire, doors are typically the primary means of escape from the home. Make sure they’re not difficult to open or blocked by clutter, which could cause a fall. To allow for a secondary escape route, make sure your windows are easy to open and not obstructed by furniture or other items. During spring and fall cleanings, check to make sure windows are easily opened from the inside and are not painted or nailed shut. If windows or doors cannot be opened quickly, it’s time for replacement to help ensure your family’s safety.

“Testing your windows and doors at least twice a year and keeping the path to them clear helps ensure that you’ll be able to safely exit your home in an emergency,” said Kathy Krafka Harkema, spokesperson for Pella Corporation. “Make sure that all windows and doors open easily, and that locks can be operated by every member of the family, to permit a quick, safe exit.”

Finally, develop a family escape plan and designate a meeting spot a safe distance outside of the home. Practice your plan often so everyone in your home is aware of how to get out safely in the event of a fire.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 390,000 residential fires are reported annually, and nearly 3,200 people die in home fires each year. Although flames can be deadly, many deaths and injuries related to home fires aren’t due to the fire itself. Most home fire-related deaths are actually a result of smoke inhalation.

In addition to protecting your home and family from the risk of fire and smoke, it’s also important to take precautions to prevent other hazards.

Every member of the household can suffer injuries from falls, but they often have the most detrimental impact on the elderly. Falls are most prevalent among those age 65 and older, with one in three suffering a fall each year. Twenty to 30 percent of those who experience a fall sustain moderate to severe injuries. Prevent falls by making sure frequently used pathways in the home are kept clear. Use safety strips on outdoor steps to prevent slips and falls, and be sure that all stairs, even just a couple of steps leading to the front door, have hand rails. To eliminate the hazard of tripping or slipping on area rugs, use double-sided tape to keep rugs in place.

To ensure their safety, children should be under the watchful eye of an adult in the home. Minimize the potential for accidents or injury by keeping infants and babies away from windows, especially cribs where toddlers can easily reach and climb to precarious spots. Keep windows closed and locked to lessen the potential for home-related accidents. If your home features double-hung windows, close the bottom sash nearest to children, and open the top sash to allow for ventilation. This simple step will help prevent a toddler from toppling out a window. Heed the warning of window and door manufacturers: screens are not meant to stop a child from falling.

Other potential home hazards involve those that can result in suffocation or choking. According to the National Safe Kids Campaign’s “Report to the Nation,” major causes of airway obstruction injuries include suffocation by pillows, choking on food or small objects, and strangulation from window blind and clothing strings. Adults should assess the home for potential choking or suffocation hazards, and remove those that pose the greatest risks.

The potential choking hazards posed by window fashions can be eliminated easily. When shopping for new blinds, ask your retailer for safety options, including cordless window fashions. If you are remodeling your home, leading window manufacturers even offer cordless window fashions protected between panes of glass that not only safeguard your children, but overzealous pets as well. Replace potentially hazardous cords on existing window blinds with safety tassels.

Homeowners periodically should survey their home for safety hazards. View your home from the eye level of children and pets. Many home hazards become more apparent at this lower height. Also, keep in mind how easy or difficult it would be to negotiate your home if you had difficulty walking or seeing.

“Your home is your greatest investment. Keep it, and your loved ones, safe by using common sense and investing in home safety,” Krafka Harkema said.

For tips on replacing windows and doors to make your home safer and more enjoyable, contact your nearest Pella representative. To find the Pella Window & Door Store nearest you call (888) 84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Anyone who's been denied credit may feel the old adage "you can't fight city hall" should be replaced by a new axiom: "You can't fight the credit bureaus." But not only can you fight the credit reporting agencies, if you're even thinking about applying for a mortgage in the future, you almost certainly need to.

Four out of every five credit reports contain errors, according to research by the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups. The experts at Lexington Law, a law firm that focuses on helping consumers clean up their credit reports, advise that these errors often affect responsible consumers who pay their bills on time.  Every negative entry lowers your credit score. If your score dips too low, below 560, you may not be able to get a mortgage.

If you are able to get a mortgage, a low credit score can cost 10s of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. For example, consumers rated "prime" by credit bureaus may secure a $200,000 30-year loan at a rate of 6 percent. Damaged credit could land you with a rate of 8 percent or more, costing an additional $90,000 over the life of the same loan.

The experts at Lexington Law, who regularly help consumers remove negative entries from their credit reports, offer the following tips for pre-mortgage clean up of your credit score:

* Know your score. Months before you intend to apply for a mortgage, get a free copy of your credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com, the only site authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to provide these reports. Get scores from all three of the major reporting bureaus - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

* Make sure the payment history for all accounts listed on your credit report - including credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans finance company accounts and mortgage loans - is accurate.

* Assess the total amount owed on all open accounts. Is it accurate? Can you afford to lower it by paying off some debts? Remember, paying off your credit cards every month doesn't mean your credit report won't show an open balance. The total balance on your last statement is likely what will appear on your credit report.

* How many open accounts do you have and how many are carrying balances? A large number of open accounts, even with small or zero balances, can indicate a higher risk of over-extension.

* How close are you to "maxing out" your available credit? Even if you have a responsible payment history, if your balances are close to the limit of your available credit, it will have a negative impact on your credit score.

* Remove as many negative items from your credit report as possible. Removing questionable negative items from your credit reports can have a huge impact on your credit score. There is no law that states that a negative item must remain on your credit reports for seven years. You can have it removed long before that.

To learn more about how to improve your credit score, visit www.lexingtonlaw.com, or call (800) 280-9121.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - You probably don't think of your yard as a hazardous place for your dog to run around and chase a ball, or a dangerous place for your kids to play baseball or tag. But the lawn care products you use might contain chemicals that could adversely affect the health of your pets and your family.

Many of the chemicals commonly used on lawns across the country can be toxic. Here are just a few examples:

• A study at Purdue University found that homeowners who use weed and feed type lawn chemicals increased their dog's risk of developing bladder cancer.
• The U.S. Geological Survey regularly finds every type of chemical, particularly weed killers, in streams and rivers around neighborhoods. Weed killers contain the chemical 2,4-D, which is found in herbicides and is responsible for many forms of cancers and neurological and immune deficiencies.
• A study conducted by PETA found that golf course superintendents who often apply pesticides and herbicides have a higher risk of developing brain cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• According to the Non-Government Organization, of the 36 pesticides most commonly used by homeowners, 14 are carcinogens, 15 are linked to birth defects, 21 are linked to reproductive defects, 24 are linked with neurotoxicity and 22 are linked with liver and kidney damage.

But you don't have to choose between a lush green lawn and the health of your pets and family. There are natural alternatives that help keep your yard looking great without the dangerous chemicals. Look for lawn care products that are natural and non-toxic, such as the new line of Pet Approved lawn and garden products from St. Gabriel Laboratories.

This line of non-toxic alternatives to lawn chemicals includes products for weed and grass control, insect and animal control and fertilizers. The products are approved as safe for pets and wild animals like squirrels by the Pro Pet Alliance of Veterinarians.

In addition to using non-toxic products, you can have a healthy, beautiful lawn by incorporating other natural gardening techniques. Here are some tips from the experts at St. Gabriel.

1. Sow grass in the fall, when the weather is cooler and there is less competition from weeds.

2. Grow a mixture of grasses that do well in your area. Zoysia, a spreading perennial grass grows thick, choking out weeds and the grass maintains its lushness with little watering.

3. Set your lawnmower higher and leave the clippings to promote a lush, strong lawn.

4. Practice deep watering techniques to cut down on the amount of water needed to maintain your lawn.

St. Gabriel recently launched a Web site devoted to healthy pets. It provides useful information on keeping your pet healthy and other articles of interest to pet owners, such as where to vacation with your pet. You can also interact online with other pet owners and share stories and pictures of your pet. In addition, members are eligible for discounts on St. Gabriel's line of Pet Approved lawn care products. For more information, or to become a member, visit MyFamilyPetPlace.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Spring is the most popular time of year to put up a playground set.

Over the years, numerous studies have shown that play, particularly on playground equipment, is fundamental to a child's physical and mental development.  It teaches them fine motor skills and problem solving; and as they swing from the monkey bars and climb up and down the ladders, gives them a workout as well.

Having read all the studies about a playground's benefits, when his kids were young, Karl Jessen of New Jersey went on a journey a lot of parents find themselves on every year around this time.  "I really wanted to get a play set for my boys, but was scared off by the hefty price tag, he says, "so I decided to build one myself."

But the task wasn't as he easy as he expected it to be.  He had to go one place for the wood, another for the play equipment, and yet another for the hardware he'd need to put the set together.  "Before long, I realized I had tripped onto a niche that needed to be filled and went into the playground building business," he says.

Jessen's company, Detailed Play Systems, www.detailedplay.com went into business in 1998, and has been so popular, that thousands of playground building kits have been sold to date.  Each one provides parents with the Detailed Plans needed to put a quality set together, along with the hardware, swings, slides and safety equipment.  The only thing parents have to go out and get on their own is the wood - herein lies the savings and opportunity for consumers to control quality.

"Building a play set for your kids instead of buying one not only saves you money, it offers a great opportunity to bond," says Jessen.  When he built the original set, his older son, who was 4 at the time, decided what kinds of activities it would have, and learned what a ruler was for by helping to measure the holes for the hardware.  Once he started building, Jessen's younger son, who was just a toddler at the time, pitched in by bringing him the parts he could safely carry.

Eight years have passed since that Spring when the original play set was built, and it has evolved over the years. Monkey bars have been added, so have tunnels, climbing walls, and a number of other items, all of which are available through Detailed Play Systems.  

To order a catalog, log on to www.detailedplay.com.  Shipping is available in the 48 contiguous United States.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Now is a great time to re-evaluate your household budget. A good place to start is by taking a long, hard look at your regular expenses.

The amount you spend on necessities like food, transportation and housing is unlikely to change; but thanks to competition and technology, it's now possible to save a lot of money by shopping around for the best deal on the services you use every day; things like bank accounts, insurance plans and long distance telephone service. Perhaps the biggest savings can be realized by canceling your contract with the phone company and switching to a carrier that lets you make calls over the Internet using a new technology called Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP).

It used to be available primarily to people with high-speed Internet connections, roughly 53 percent of all home Internet users according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project; but now the 45 million of us with dial-up connections can use it too. In late October, United Online, Incorporated, the parent company of NetZero, launched NetZero Voice, a new Internet phone calling service that delivers clear, high quality calling over virtually any Internet connection, dial-up or broadband, worldwide.

Deb Daniels of Denver, Colo., was among the first to try it out. "It's the best move I've made in a long time," she says. "My long distance bill dropped from $59.99 to $3.95 per month; and my friends and family can get ahold of me whenever they want, even when I'm online."

With VoIP, a phone call is converted from an analog telephone signal into bits of digital data that are transmitted (like email) over the Internet instead of over public telephone lines. Because there's no phone company involved, Internet calls don't incur a surcharge beyond what the user is paying for Internet access.

Some Internet phone calling providers advertise free local and long distance calling while others give you a set number of minutes in exchange for a monthly fee. Depending on the package you buy, you can make free or steeply discounted calls to computers, landlines or mobile phones anywhere in the world. There's usually no difference between the fees charged for local or long distance calls, and international calls can be made for a fraction of what they'd cost otherwise.

Lowell Hagar of Council Bluffs, Iowa, decided to try out the service after receiving an email from NetZero, his dial-up internet provider. "What really impressed me was how clear the signal was. I called my daughter in North Carolina, and the quality was so good, she didn't believe me when I told her I was calling from the computer."

To get started, Hagar downloaded NetZero Voice free from the company's Website: www.netzerovoice.com. "It only took a few minutes to download and install," he says. "I initially signed up for the company's 100 minute a month plan, but have been so impressed, I'm probably going to drop my long distance phone service and upgrade my VoIP plan."

NetZero has four plans that top out at $14.95 per month for unlimited inbound and outbound calling to any computer or phone in the continental United States, Canada or Puerto Rico. That's less than half what you'll pay for unlimited long distance calling from a traditional long distance carrier.

In addition to saving you money, each plan offers a variety of features including free voicemail; an email account; instant messaging capabilities; and an online message center where you can check your voicemail and administer your account. You also get traditional services like call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, call block, speed dial and "Do Not Disturb."

Long distance isn't the only bill you can reduce thanks to new technology and increased competition. If you're paying a premium for cable television, you may want to consider switching over to one of the satellite television providers. They offer more channels for less money. If the speed offered by a cable modem or DSL Internet service isn't critical, switch over to a dial-up service. It could save you at least $50 a month.

But whatever you do, don't let the savings slip away. Following a budget will provide you with financial limits that force you to be more creative with your spending.

For more information about NetZeroVoice, log on to www.netzerovoice.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Tax season is upon us, and if recent trends are any indication, almost half --approximately 45 percent -- of all U.S. taxpayers will file their own returns this year. Among the most popular excuses for those who choose to pay a preparer instead: it's too hard, I don't have the time, and it will be cheaper in the long run to just hire someone to do it.

None of these are true, says Bill White, a certified public accountant and president of Online-Taxes.com, a company that has offered IRS-approved tax preparation software since 1999. In fact, doing your own taxes can be easier, faster and less expensive than using a paid preparer.

"People don't realize they're going to have to take the time to gather all the information the tax preparer needs to do their taxes anyway, then that person will just plug the numbers into a computer program. They might as well do it themselves and save some money," White says.

All you have to do to file online is log on to a site like www.online-taxes.com, enter your personal information, and plug in numbers from your W-2 and other tax forms. After you pay a nominal fee - $7.95 for a federal return and $5.95 for a state return at Online-Taxes.com -- the site will electronically forward your return to the Internal Revenue Service.

The fees are just a fraction of what you'd pay to hire a professional. A study conducted by Consumer Reports found that during the 2002 tax year, taxpayers paid professional preparers between $150 and $450 to do their returns.

"The cost of hiring someone to prepare your return can eat up most, if not all of your refund," says White.

Convenience is also a factor. No need to travel across town or wait in a long line for the preparer. You can work on your taxes anytime, anywhere -- at the kitchen table, or in bed in your pajamas, White points out.

Time savings should also be considered. When visiting a preparer, it can take 45 minutes or longer -- not counting wait time in the office -- to get the return done.

"Most individual returns can be completed in half an hour or less using online tax preparation sites," he says. "And since everything is done electronically, you can expect to receive your refund in just 8 to 14 days rather than having to wait weeks." If you have to pay, you still have until tax deadline day -- April 15 -- to get your payment in.

But perhaps the biggest benefit of doing your taxes yourself is the crash-course you'll get in personal finances. You become immersed in your own personal financial situation -- forced to think about savings and debt, and exposed to the benefits of tax-saving retirement measures like IRAs.

You don't have to know the tax code to use online software -- it works using a simple interview format. Online software is updated each year and certified by the IRS and every state, so you will receive an accurate return with all pertinent deductions. Many sites offer customer service to help you if you get stuck. At Online-Taxes.com, customers have access to a free live chat service.

"If you are smart enough to change your own oil, follow a recipe or buy a pair of shoes online, you are capable of doing your own taxes," says White. "Online software has matured to the point where it can accommodate nearly everyone's tax returns, no matter how complicated."

For more information about the benefits of completing your 2004 tax return using the online software, visit www.online-taxes.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - Ever feel uncomfortable entering a dark, empty house? Chances are you have, whether in the pit of your stomach or somewhere in the back of your mind. So then why is it that you don't feel uncomfortable when entering a well lit home?

A well lit home gives the illusion that it is occupied and helps to keep potential thieves away. In fact, traditional methods like leaving a light on during a vacation or to prevent entering a dark house at night are recommended by crime prevention Web sites. However, these are not economical considering the already high cost of energy. Timers are certainly more cost effective than leaving a light on all day, but timers must be manually reset in the event of a power outage or for seasonal time changes.

A great new technology that will prevent you from having to enter a dark house ever again is the MasterGlow Automatic Light Detecting System which is built into a variety of lamps offered exclusively from Lighting by Holmes. MasterGlow is an energy efficient patented technology that automatically detects the amount of light in a room and will turn the lamp on at dusk and off at dawn.

It helps to create the illusion that someone is home and also provides sufficient light to make entering your home at night more comfortable. The sensor automatically adjusts to the seasons and will only keep the light on during the evening and at night.

Available in a number of fashionable styles and models, you can easily find a lamp that fits your home decor and will help you feel more secure when entering your home. Select the MasterGlow setting or use the full range dimmer switch to select the desired amount of light for your room. On the energy efficient setting, the lamp uses only 15 to 30 watts of energy.

With MasterGlow you never have to enter a dark house again. When it comes to your family's safety how can you go wrong?

Lighting by Holmes lamps with MasterGlow technology are available in home improvement centers, specialty and mass merchant retailers. Log on to www.lightingbyholmes.com to learn more about the features they offer.