(ARA) – Modern home selling has gone way beyond the “for sale” sign on the front lawn. Nearly 90 percent of home buyers look online when shopping for a home, according to the National Association of Realtors. So your home-selling efforts need to cruise the Information Superhighway at top speed.

“Despite a slowdown in the housing market, real estate consumers have increased their usage of the Internet as their ‘go-to’ real estate information source in order to successfully find the home they purchase,” says Greg Healy, vice president of operations for ForSaleByOwner.com. “Consumers are becoming more independent in the home-buying process, and are educating themselves about real estate issues.”

The number of buyers who ended up purchasing a home they first saw online has soared — from just 8 percent in 2001 to 32 percent in 2008 — according to NAR statistics. Meanwhile, the number of buyers who found their homes through a real estate agent has dropped from 48 percent in 2001 to 34 percent in 2008. read more…

(ARA) – The economic health of the country is all over the news, and people everywhere are worried about layoffs, retirement savings and the state of their financial affairs. An unemployment rate above 8 percent has everyone looking over their shoulders and counting their pennies. If you’re worried about what to do if you lose your job or just looking for ways to save money, your first step should be to talk to your bank about how you can make the most of your banking relationship.

Here are some simple tips to help you make the most of your money and utilize all the financial tools available to you:

* Keep track of your money and every dollar you save with services like online banking and alerts. Banks offer alerts to help you prevent unnecessary fees and to give you added protection in case irregular account activity is detected on your account. Use online bill pay services wherever you can to help pay bills on time and avoid late fees.

* Look for easy ways to save. Bank of America’s Add It Up program is a free online shopping Web site that rewards customers with up to 20 percent cash back on everyday purchases. If you need to make a purchase, look online for good deals (that often come with free shipping). With the Add It Up program, when you pay with your Bank of America debit or credit card, you can track your savings online and get cash back to the account of your choice. Remember to use online price comparison sites to find savings as well.

“We’re here to help,” says Matt Boss, senior vice president, mass market customer segment for Bank of America. “We have several ways to help consumers get the most from their money — from innovative cash back programs like Add It Up to easy-to-use tools that show people how to keep track of every dollar.” read more…

(ARA) – Champagne, roses and chocolate-covered strawberries spell romance, but all can fade fast. A more innovative and enduring (not to mention budget-conscious) method for adding romance is to bring it outdoors. In fact, your own backyard can be a much more cost-effective and intimate date night.

When incorporating romance into the outdoors, remember a few key points. Generally, the same concepts that work for your home can also be applied to outdoor living spaces.

* The right lighting sets the mood. Gentle lighting, as opposed to harsh fluorescents, exudes romance. Bring indoor traditions like candelabras and miniature chandeliers outside to light your evenings, or hang diffused light via lanterns.

* Use existing furniture and decorate with romantic accessories that match the decor of your home and personality. read more…

(ARA) – We’ve all heard the bad news: There is a global recession, the housing market continues to decline, the banking industry is struggling and unemployment continues to rise.

But, if you are one of the many whose employment has been affected by the recession, there is a silver lining. Entrepreneurs account for 50 percent of the gross domestic product and 50 percent of job creation in America. Small businesses grew rapidly in the last two recessions. If you prefer being part of an existing company, many companies are looking to upgrade their talent, especially smaller companies who will value previous experience.

Ready to start your own business? A recent study by Network Solutions and the University of Maryland investigating the overall health of U.S. small business shows that 69 percent of small businesses were profitable in 2008 and, of those, 69 percent say their success was equal to or better than the previous year.

“This is a great time for personal change. Pursue a lifelong passion or turn your professional experiences into profit for yourself,” says Rebecca Rodskog, a corporate change management consultant and founder of Rodskog Change Consulting in New York. read more…