Vettriano prints are now highly popular in the UK and throughout the world.

Early Artwork

Jack Vettriano was born in Fife, Scotland in 1951, as Jack Hogan, and left school at a young age to be a mining engineer. His life started to change when he was given a set of watercolours as a present a few years later by a girlfriend. He began to teach himself to paint and in the early days concentrated on copying artists such as Monet. Nearly twenty years later he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy. These were accepted and sold on the first day. Soon afterwards, he submitted further paintings to the Summer Exhibition at London’s Royal Academy.

Singing Butler

One painting that was not accepted at the Royal Academy, was the Singing Butler. This eventually sold for £3000, but has since become the most popular Vettriano print, seen in many places where there is artwork for sale and featured as wall art in living rooms everywhere. The original painting has since realised £750,000 at auction. There was a scandal over this painting when it was discovered that Vettriano had copied a part of the artwork from a teaching manual. This encouraged his critics, but his fans remained loyal.

Art Critics

Finding a Vettriano print or original in an art gallery is an arduous task. The art establishment does not, in general, like the artwork of Jack Vettriano. Many of the art critics hate his work. They say it is derivative and simple. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but we could suggest a few. He is self-taught, very popular in his own lifetime and paints in a traditional way, lacking the shock factor of some contemporary artists. Perhaps they just don’t like it. Of course, Monet, Hopper, Van Gogh, Picasso and Pollock are just a few of the artists who have attracted criticism in their lifetimes. Whether or not the big galleries should reflect popular taste, is probably another topic for discussion.

People’s Painter

Jack Vettriano was given the title of People’s Painter by the South Bank Show in 2004 when he also received the OBE. In the last twenty years his exhibitions have sold out in London and New York as well as many other cities. Original paintings are sold for thousands of pounds, but he probably makes more money from the sale of reproductions. Artwork for sale, in the form of Vettriano prints, can be purchased from outlets around the world and he is now one of the most popular artists. His artwork includes Dance Me to the End of Love, Elegy for a Dead Admiral, Along Came a Spider and Bluebird at Bonneville to name just a fraction. Vettriano enjoys the escapism of his art and his pictures often leave the viewer guessing as to what is actually going on, allowing them to invent their own story. Surely his traditional narrative is not out of fashion.

Vettriano prints can adorn any wall and make great gifts. Limited editions sell for hundreds of pounds or more but open edition prints can make for more affordable artwork.

If you are interested in or working in the real estate industry, you’ve probably heard the term “deed grabbing” at some point. Deed grabbing is the method of obtaining tax sale property without attending the auction – by approaching the owners of tax delinquent property just before they are about to permanently lose the property, and offering to buy their home for a fraction of its value.

The term “deed grabbing” was probably coined by the large tax property investing companies who buy these properties at tax auction. Deed grabbers and big tax property companies aren’t friends. Often, deed grabbers grab deeds right out from under these big tax sale companies, just before they are about to foreclose. They also call deed grabbers “deed pickers” and “bottom feeders.” The big tax companies, needless to say, are sore losers who don’t care much about the tax delinquent owner and mostly care about their bottom line.

Since there is still a year or so after the property has been “sold” at auction before the big tax investing company can foreclose (sold in quotes, because it isn’t really sold that day), this is the best time to approach the tax delinquent owners. At this point they much sell, and they know it. Many have already moved on at that point, and are happy to sign their deed over to a deed grabber just to avoid the big company getting it. You can grab deeds during this time for as little as a few hundred dollars

Often, deed grabbers are the last source of help for the delinquent owners, and without the deed grabber coming and buying their home for something, the owners would lose everything. It’s a win-win situation at that point. That’s how to get tax sale property without attending the auction while at the same time helping out the owner. Don’t let the fact that these big companies call you a “deed grabber” stop you. They can go eat paste!

Launched in the spring of 2004 by founder Dina Amico-Kriescher, the Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop was created as an income opportunity with children’s birthday parties in mind. The company offers earning potential to its independent representatives, who are known as crew members, by selling their exclusive line of collectibles at gatherings in various settings.

Noah’s Ark Collectibles are sold by representatives at parties or gatherings in the home known as Home Workshops, or at Group Workshops that are usually held in places such as child daycare centers, schools, libraries, or through other organizations and programs that are geared toward children. The company also features a line of products that are sold through Huggable Home Party presentations for adults.

In addition to the unstuffed plush animals with their many outfits and coordinating accessories that are available through the Stuff-N-Fluff Workshops catalog, crew members may choose to sell the company’s line of cosmetics especially designed for girls.

Introduced in 2006 through their Bella Bee Workshops, girl’s cosmetics and body products are sold instead of the plush animals and accessories. Other products that representative may also choose to sell include the newly introduced Noah Baby Collectibles through the company’s Collectors Club.

Crew members may choose from two different earning opportunities referred to as either a Personal Business, or a Leadership Business, although some representatives choose to do both simultaneously.

With the Personal Business option, Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop representatives earn money by booking and conducting workshops where they present products and act as the party’s host. Besides scheduling and conducting workshops, the Leadership Business option will also require representatives to recruit or bring on other members who can also begin their own businesses to increase earnings.

Leadership Business representatives will then receive a part of their team’s total sales in the form of commission checks, with those percentages increasing as the downline lengthens up to 10% for each team member. This option is best suited for those who plan on expanding their business by recruiting many new crew members who will then also recruit other representatives.

The average gathering through the Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop generally lasts about an hour with an average total of 20 children, and representatives have the potential to earn 35% to 45% in personal sales, depending on the total amount sold.

Members must order products from the company at wholesale prices, and then resell to their customers at retail prices during the Noah’s Ark Animal Workshops, but aren’t required to carry a traditional inventory.

New crew members receive team support from other existing members when conducting their first workshops, as well as having the option of attending conventions and training events held by the company.

The starter kit that new representatives must purchase for $129 after completing a membership application contains training materials featuring three CDs outlining how to market and book Stuff-N-Fluff Workshops, as well as how to conduct the Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop gatherings.

Also included in the starter kit are three unstuffed plush animals with three outfits, business supplies such as catalogs, reservation postcards, promotion postcards, flyers, recruiting brochures, a member’s handbook, four Bella Bee Glitter Glam products and workshop supplies.

If you have space for only a few cookbooks in your kitchen here are some cookbook classics to consider.

Fannie Farmer Cookbook The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, still in print more than a century after it was first published in 1896, was originally titled The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book. Farmer’s cookbook was a follow-up to the Boston Cook Book published by Mary J. Lincoln in 1884. Farmer had been a student at the Boston Cooking School and eventually became school principal. Her cookbook became very popular and has been regularly reprinted, revised and updated for decades. Fanny Farmer’s cookbook was the first to attempt to standardize measurements in recipes. The recipes feature clear, straightforward directions. It remains a cookbook classic that cooks return to again and again for its more than 1000 recipes. If you’re looking for a basic but comprehensive cookbook this is one for your bookshelf. Aspiring cooks will love the Fannie Farmer Cookbook.

The Joy of Cooking, first published by Irma Rombauer in 1931, remains many a cook’s bible today. Rombauer initially self-published her cookbook. Several years later a publisher picked it up and over the decades The Joy of Cooking has had a number of revisions and editions. Millions of copies have been sold. First published during the Depression, Rombauer’s cookbook remains a comprehensive and much consulted guide for America’s cooks.

Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book was first published by General Mills in 1950, and is now known as the Betty Crocker Cookbook. Betty’s cookbook, now in its 10th edition, has sold many millions of copies. This cookbook classic is filled with how-tos, troubleshooting, and helpful charts. It’s a great cookbook for beginners and it will remain one of the favorites in your collection for years to come. Not to dash any illusions but there’s never been a Betty Crocker. She was invented by the Washburn-Crosby Co., a flour mill company and producers of Gold Medal Flour, around 1920. Washburn-Crosby eventually became General Mills and Betty Crocker only grew in popularity. A number of recipe booklets and pamphlets with Betty Crocker as “author” were published in the years before and after the Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book was first published.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking Julia Child, living with her husband Paul in Paris after WWII, studied at the Cordon Bleu cooking school. With classmates, Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, she wrote the two-volume cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, first published in 1961. The cookbook, which attempted to adapt French cooking for American cooks, immediately became a bestseller. Julia Child’s reputation grew, as did cookbook sales, with her popular public television cooking show which debuted in 1963. American’s cooking and dining horizons were widened permanently by Julia Child.

Laurel’s Kitchen was first published in 1976, Laurel’s Kitchen was many a vegetarian’s first vegetarian cookbook. The cookbook, Laurel’s Kitchen: A Handbook for Vegetarian Cookery & Nutrition, contained advice on living the good life as well as plenty of vegetarian recipes. The cookbook contributed to the growing popularity of vegetarianism and sold more than a million copies.

The Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen was published in 1978. Katzen was a founder of the Moosewood Restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant in Ithaca, New York. The Moosewood Cookbook became one of the most popular and influential vegetarian cookbooks. The cookbook, hand drawn and illustrated by Katzen, is a classic, beloved by many.

All of these cookbook classics predate today’s age of cooking shows, foodies, and celebrity chefs. Each contributed to our growing and evolving passion for food in all its variety. Each of these cookbooks deserve shelf space in your kitchen.

Not everyone is willing to use a real estate agent, since they do take a commission, usually around 7%. That means, by selling your own home, you’ll end up with upwards of $10,000 that would have gone to an agent. And given today’s slow market there is a very real chance your home will sit unsold for a year or more.

Today, more than ever selling your own house can not only be more profitable, but it is your best chance at getting it sold quickly.

In this article, I am going to show you how to go from “selling your own house” to “I SOLD my own house”.

In a hot market selling may have been as easy as putting a “for sale by owner” sign in front of the house and collecting offers. But let’s face it, times are tough and most houses are sitting unsold for months and years.

It’s a war zone out there. Foreclosures are at an all time high and that creates a lot of houses for sale on the market. In order to survive in a war zone you need special skills and a competitive advantage. With this special training you can get your house SOLD, despite the doom and gloom of the newspaper headlines.

If you’re selling your own house you need a secret weapon. And that weapon is highly specialized marketing!

Here is a killer marketing tip that will give you a competitive advantage over all other sellers on your block.

Don’t list your home in a traditional method. Instead of “starting high” and being talked down do the EXACT OPPOSITE. Start low, get a lot of attention and let the buyers drive the price up. I am talking about a do-it-yourself auction style sale.

What is working best now is what’s called a “round robin auction”. Here is how it works:

First you will advertise that your home is for auction. In these tough times buyers are looking to get a good deal. Auctions are the place to get great deals, and your message will leap out at them.

Next you will hold an open house for two days only, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm. This will allow you to funnel all the buyers through your doors all at once.

Those that are interested in the property will place their name and phone number along with the price they would like to bid on an “initial bidding sheet”.

On Sunday night you call all those people that put in a bid and conduct the auction. You will simply call down the list tell them the current bid amount and ask them if they would like to raise or pass. You will go around and around making calls until the highest and best offer has presented itself, hence the name “round robin auction”.

Now that you have found your buyer you will meet with them and get the paperwork started.

That’s the unique marketing method that is working now. And if you are planning on selling your own house there is no better method to attract droves of buyers and compel them to make offers on your house.

Can we feel relaxed simply by meditation even as we are in the STRESS of paying about 30 percent income tax (apart from sales tax, property tax etc.) without knowing how it is spent?

Can we feel relaxed by sheer practice of meditation; even as we have to undergo STRESS of taking such decisions under some pressure and against your conscience?

Can we feel relaxed just by meditation; even while taking the suffering of STRESS from all such decisions; lying down?

Can we conquer the STRESS of commuting irrespective of the crowding and other traveling menaces; merely by meditation?

Can we conquer the STRESS of lack of housing, water, electricity, education, medical care etc. by meditation alone?

It is true that various practices of meditation and yoga, are “marketed and sold” or “bought” by many of us so as to conquer STRESS. In contrast; NAMASMARAN is not directly sold and can not be sold.

It is true that the fashion, fancy or whim of meditation and yoga, which can be “marketed and sold”; has greater potential to cheat and get cheated financially. Whereas; NAMASMARAN is free and hence there is no scope for financial cheating or getting cheated; directly.

(Many self styled gurus and cults organized around them; can sell the “specialization of giving or advising name of God”; though NAMASMARAN as such is not directly marketed or sold)

But the question in common is; “Can the practice of MEDITATION, YOGA and/or NAMASMARAN “help” the leaders, policy makers, decision makers, planners, administrators and the sufferers amongst us; to evolve and transform the scenario, and if yes; when?” Or is the philosophy and practice of MEDITATION, YOGA or NAMASMARAN a mere “running after the mirage of STRESS MANAGEMENT”?

Are these questions erratic, irrelevant or heretic? Is it arrogant to think; that it is “self inflicted spiritual castration; to neglect every evil in self and the society and keep practicing MEDITATION, YOGA or NAMASMARAN; without any reference to the objective material conditions”?

The answer provided is that; all religious precepts, spiritual endeavors, spiritual disciplines, festivals, celebrations and a variety of rituals including MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; are basically meant for evolving objective or holistic perspective and working in accordance with it.

If we take the analogy of the body functions, then the MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; constitute the biochemical, biophysical and bioelectrical activities in brain; and holistic international perspective, policy making, programs and implementation at ground level; constitute intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical manifestations.

MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN never were, never are and never would be sterile in terms of individual and global blossoming; but when marketed, sold or freely distributed, if they are cut off from ground realities; and devoid of the holistic solutions, then they are merely the caricatures of “MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN” and hence sterile and often counterproductive!

Looking at from another angle; MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN are actually the states of being when we are connected with our true selves or our innate core; in as much the are procedure or methods! As the methods; they are really incomplete and inadequate; without certain essential prerequisites. In other words; MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN as methods; are like breathing OXYGEN and are essential for life; but incomplete and inadequate without other physiological activities required for optimum health; so as to reach the ultimate enlightenment; the states of culmination of the practice of YOGA, MEDITATION and NAMASMARAN.

Let us remember that as methods; YOGA, MEDITATION and NAMASMARAN are NOT complete and certainly NOT the ENDS in themselves.

Taking example from day to day life; all of us know, that as a rule; we have to finish, primary, secondary and college training before we take up the study or research of Ph D. Similarly; we have to; as a rule; go through; physical, psychomotor, productive, instinctual, emotional, intellectual, creative and spiritual study and practices; for our inner growth and blossoming; and arrive at, understand and practice the holistic solutions in the fields of health, education, agriculture, education, industry, environment (schools, colleges and universities) and reach their culmination the final enlightened states of TOGA MEDITATION and NAMASMARAN (Ph. D.);

What we practice under the guise of “meditation” in absence of such solutions is harmful and a schizoid and knowingly or unknowingly hypocritical and hence detrimental activity of trying to convince ourselves and preach others; that we are ATMA. SOULS, BRAHMA, YOGIS, SACCHIDANANDA i.e. the eternal bliss personified etc; when in fact we are in agony and misery.

MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN are actually the evolved states of being as we blossom; in the process of active efforts to implement holistic solutions to individual and social problems! The validity of this statement can be verified through our experience; but NOT merely by a casual approach and casual enquiry; without any study and practice.

One more problem is that of fear; but not of death, disease, dejection, debility etc; but of depersonalization; i.e. living without a particular identity; such as lawyer, artist, scientist, and farmer; because of MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN.

This is paradoxical! Every identity has some capability, some skills, some influence. But during STRESS the power becomes less, and the drawbacks and liabilities of the identity start mounting. Thus; a lawyer may lose his/her practice, artist may not lose his/her popularity, scientist may fail in his/her experiments and the farmer may suffer loss due to drought.

The reason we suffer and build up our STRESS; is not merely because of the financial loss; but due to the unbearable burden of the liability of our identity! Our identity is a part of our ego. Since the identity becomes a liability; our ego is hurt, which produces unbearable STRESS!

The solution to this problem is to retrieve the strength from the deepest core that is beyond our ego and identity.

Naturally most of the traditional and rational stress management experts advise the practice of MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN, which help us disperse the clouds of our identity and ego (akin to depersonalization); which is essential and inevitable for reaching our core; the source of light and power!

But since we are habituated or addicted to live with our identities; egos or personalities; we find it dreadful and insecure to live without them. We question; “How to (and also why) forget ourselves; in MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN? Isn’t it frightening to forget ourselves? Moreover, isn’t forgetting ourselves voluntarily; almost impossible? Besides isn’t it akin to a defeatist state of total self effacement, self denial, escapism and cowardice?”

This question is asked; especially because; MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN are devoid of any tangible assurance or support! They do not provide any sensory pleasure. They are neither pleasant to look at nor melodious to ears! Neither they have haunting smell nor do they have gustatory charm. Neither they are a matter of sexual excitement nor are they a matter of melodrama. Neither do they satisfy intellectual urge nor do they produce any humor! Neither do they bloat our ego nor do they provide any emotional solace.

When we begin the practice of MEDITAITION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; we are afraid of this life without any identity, ego; and without any concrete security and support! This appears like death!

We have to appreciate that; even as this peculiarity of MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; makes them dreadful; this very peculiarity itself makes us capable and empowered to live without any support! It is this peculiarity that makes them the most sought after and cherished treasure for the seekers of truth; through millennia and through out the world.

Let us understand that this “supportless living”; without the clouds of identity and ego; empowers us to be support ourselves! This life is not the same as; (in fact quite different from) debilitating depersonalization when we becomes oblivious to our personality due to dementia, unconsciousness or ignorance as well as state of getting excited, elated, disturbed, agitated or unhappy in a variety of situations due to our identities or ego.

In this state there is forgetting of all individual and subjective doubts and suspicions; while we are engaged in satisfactorily remedying the situations from the root cause! In this state; we are focused on; as well as active and in harmony with the controlling center (which is beyond the concept of change and often referred to as BHAGAVANT or PARAMATMA) of all situations, which are ever-changing and illusive (and hence often referred to as MAYA in Indian literature).

In other words; in this state of “being the support ourselves” we do not think that “we need support”, or “we provide support” as we feel when we are caged in our identities, egos and personalities. In this state of empowerment we have outgrown them! There is no “kick of doing”; but in stead; there is “ecstasy of being harmony”; with nature or God.

But mere intellectual explanations; and theoretical discussions, arguments and deliberations and controversies on the intricacies involved in stress management; without actual experimentation; are NOT useful. They do not reach the seeds of our being; the seeds of our happiness! The practice and propagation of NAMASMARAN; however; reaches and nurtures these seeds of our being and the happiness blossoms!

We need not believe or disbelieve in any of this blindly and impatiently! It is better accept provisionally; think over, study and give TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (the core of which is NAMASMARAN) a fair trial, if and when we feel the urge!

What is an iPad? Simple answer: It’s a cross between a Smartphone and a Laptop Computer – at least in size and weight. An iPad is classed as a tablet computer, and it is designed and marketed by Apple. It has a multi-touch display screen – which means it has the ability to recognize the presence of two or more points of contact (your fingertips) with the surface. This makes it really easy to do things such as resize photos on the display screen. You can easily access a vast range of content such as: books, movies, music, games and all types of web content. The iPad was launched in April 2010, and within three months Apple had sold over three million units. During 2010 nearly 15 million iPads were sold worldwide. These huge worldwide sales were due to the fact that business people and all types of professionals liked the iPad nearly as much as all those media junkies it was built for.

The weight of the iPad is about twenty five ounces so it is much easier to carry around than a laptop. The iPad connects to the Web by Wi-Fi or 3G allowing users to search the web, stream their choice of videos and music, and run many types of software. The iPad is also incredibly easy to manage and “sync” with your computer.

In April 2011 Apple released a new version of the iPad and named it the iPad 2. During the final quarter of 2011 Apple sold over 15 million iPad 2.

So what is the differences between an iPad and an Pad 2?

Well, here are the main features of the iPad 2.

The iPad 2:

1. is thinner and weighs less.
2. comes with a choice of two colors – black and white
3. has a dual core processor for speedier performance and faster response
4. has improved graphics to make gaming more enjoyable
5. has an improved internet browser. The iPad uses a browser named ‘Safari’
6. allows the user to control apps and games by movement of the iPad itself. This facility is known as 3 Axis Gyroscope
7. comes with two cameras that can record video in High Definition. One of the cameras is located at the front and the other at the rear of the device.
8. allows the user to make video calls to another ‘i’ device
9. can now be connected to a HDTV for playback of videos or photographs

The world now awaits the arrival of (in fact it has already arrived) the… you’ve guessed it, iPad 3, or as Apple prefer to call it; the New iPad.

An automotive wholesaler is a company that either sells full automobiles or automobile parts wholesale. Wholesale means that the sale of goods is usually restricted to other professional business users or to other wholesalers. In general, wholesale items are not usually sold to the end user but to another business entity who will sell them to the end consumer.

Automotive Wholesalers in particular usually deal in parts. So if your mechanic or auto body technician needs a part for your vehicle that is no longer made or unavailable or undesirable for another reason they could turn to a wholesaler to provide the part to them or they get them through a distributor who buys them from a wholesaler.

The chain of command has become a little more muddied since the internet started being used more often for search and find shopping. Many wholesalers now offer direct sales and drop shipping to end users and auto shops.

Wholesalers are usually exempt from charging sales tax because the product is going to be sold to a consumer later on in the buying process that will pay sales tax. However if you don’t have a state sale tax ID you will likely still have to pay sales tax to make a purchase directly through a wholesaler.

An automotive wholesaler usually specializes in something. Whether it be rims, tires, wiper blades, bed liners or oil filters most automotive wholesalers have a specialty of some kind. Many times wholesalers are also the manufacturers of the products. So they manufacture them and then sell them in bulk at a discounted price to standard retail leaving the person buying the parts some room to make a profit when they sell it.

There is another class of automotive wholesalers who deal in complete cars. These cars and sold at significantly less than retail to dealerships and other used car companies to then turn around and sell to consumers. Many times wholesale cars are sold at auctions and require you to have a dealers license to come in and view and bid on the wholesale vehicles available.

If you are in the market to buy parts in bulk or to try to get a significant discount trying to find a wholesaler may be a good idea for you although for the end consumer it’s usually going to be much quicker and convenient to buy from a retailer or auto shop.

The same is true with car auctions although you can save significant money you will have to either get a dealers license or get someone with a dealer’s license to get you in. So the same as with parts it’s much quicker and convenient to deal with a local dealer.

Get Started Making Cash Now on eBay

Clothing is a great item to sell on eBay. Every day, regular people make quick cash by sourcing and selling top clothing brands on eBay. Start with brands you are already familiar with. Let’s take American Eagle for our listing example. You have a pair of their Skinny jeans in great condition that you want to sell. First, begin with some quick research. Go to eBay.com and type American Eagle Skinny Jeans Size 6 into the search bar. Next, refine your search by selecting only Completed and Sold items. The items listed in green (for the price) are the sold items. Items listed in red did not sell. You want to ignore the Unsold Listings. Focus on the items that are most similar to yours and have sold recently. Check out the condition of those items. Is there visible wear? Any flaws? Worn cuffs? Also, write down relevant keywords the successful seller used in their title and description. If you are selling jeans, you need to know which style you’re selling. Are the jeans boot cut or skinny? Is the size Juniors or Women’s? Juniors sizes will be 00, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,11. Women’s sizes are listed in even numbers. A size 6 is a Women’s size.

Familiarize yourself with popular clothing keywords such as Rise and Inseam. You also need to be able to accurately describe the color of the wash of the jeans. Light or dark? Some brands have the wash color written on the care label. Other brands use codes with numbers and dates. Buyers will be on the lookout for particular washes. Expect to get questions from buyers asking you to describe and name the wash.

Buyers may be trying to find a discontinued favorite style. Help them out and provide as many Item Specifics as you can.

Get Accurate Measurements for Your Items

Rise is the measurement from the crotch seam (4 way seam at the seat) to the top of the waistband above the zipper. Front rise is a critical measurement. Most listings do not include a back rise measurement. The inseam is measured along the inside of the leg going from the 4-way center seam intersection to the bottom of the cuff. A regular inseam is 32 inches long. Be sure to list the size on the item’s tag as well as your measurements. Always include your own measurements because between brands and within brands, sizes vary. A 30 waist from one brand may be only 28 inches. Give your buyers enough information to help them make a good decision as to whether the jeans will fit properly. Better to include lots of measurements than to leave out important details. The buyer cannot try items on before purchasing.

Using Terapeak and Auctiva for eBay Sales

Terapeak is an online tool which shows you the best time to start your listing, which keywords to use, and how much completed listings sold for. Try a free trial of Terapeak to check it out risk-free. The cost is relatively low, about ten dollars per month, and you will definitely boost your item sales and profits by using the information provided. Terapeak is just one online resource for eBay sales.

Auctiva gives you professional-looking templates for your items. There are a wide variety of themes and backgrounds to choose from. Templates are listing in categories and you can save your favorite templates, change item description and information and quickly list hundreds of items for sale. Auctiva offers a scrolling gallery of your featured items to appear at the bottom of your listing. This allows you to sell more items through cross-promotion. It’s a great way to boost your eBay sales.

The Countrywide foreclosure list offers thousands of nationwide bank owned properties; many of which are sold at deeply discounted prices. Once the nation’s largest independent mortgage lender, Countrywide was bought out by Bank of America in 2008 for a whopping $4.1 billion. BOA assumed a massive portfolio of ‘toxic assets’ consisting of preforeclosure and foreclosed properties.

Today, the Countrywide foreclosure list is available to the public through the Bank of America website. Real estate investors and prospective buyers can use the list to locate single and multi-family homes, commercial real estate, vacant land and newly constructed houses.

Countrywide / Bank of America properties for sale include bank owned properties, foreclosure homes and short sale real estate. Buyers can locate a wealth of discounted properties and cheap homes for sale. Properties listed through the foreclosure list are sold through an independent real estate agent or directly thorough BOA’s loss mitigation division.

Purchasing Countrywide properties isn’t any different than purchasing real estate through realtors. Buyers are required to undergo the same home loan financing process as anyone else. However, individuals wanting to purchase bank owned properties through BOA are required to obtain lending prequalification to determine how much house they can afford.

Buyers of Countrywide foreclosure real estate may qualify for first time home buyer programs and tax credits. The home buyer tax credit was recently extended through June 30, 2010. First time home buyers are eligible for an $8000 tax deduction. Homeowners who have resided in their primary residence for five years or more are eligible for a $6500 tax credit when they purchase a more expensive home.

It is important to understand that bank owned real estate consists of foreclosure properties which did not sell through action. Also referred to as real estate owned or REO properties, these houses are sold “as is” and generally require some type of repair. Buyers must conduct due diligence and obtain a home inspection to verify the house is worth the listing price.

The primary difference between foreclosed and bank owned homes is once lenders take possession attached liens and judgments are removed and the house is sold with a clean title. This is especially beneficial for first time home buyers and those unfamiliar with the required process for purchasing foreclosure real estate.

Repossessed homes often make for good investment property that can be used as a rental or vacation home. Buying foreclosure property located in a popular tourist destination can provide the opportunity to generate positive cash flow.

Investors who utilize the Countrywide foreclosure list to scout out rental homes should take time to investigate the area where properties are located. Tenants with school-aged children generally are looking for high ranking schools. Others might desire easy access to interstate systems or shopping districts. Becoming familiar with the area and what it offers allows investors to find appropriate REO houses to attract the type of tenant they are seeking.

Buying repo homes does not always equal significant savings. Banks have already incurred a loss through the process of foreclosing on the property. Bank owned properties listed on the Countrywide foreclosure list have little room for price negotiation.