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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2564 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 More Sellers Turning To Real Estate Agents (NAPSA)—The number of people selling their home without the help of a real estate professional plummeted over the past year. Today’s challenging marketplace favors buyers—who are taking their time and exercising caution when investing in homeownership. But in this environment, sellers benefit from the knowledgeable guidance and advice that real estate professionals can offer. “Selling a home is a full-time job,” said National Association of Realtors (NAR) president Vicki Cox Golder. “Unrepresented sellers often don’t understand the complexity, range and timing of tasks they’ll have to perform. In a competitive market, sellers need every advantage they can get.” According to the NAR 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, “for-sale-by-owner” transactions dropped to a record low 11 percent, and almost half of those sellers sold their home to someone they already knew, such as a relative, friend or neighbor. On the open market, today’s sellers have to compete with bargain-priced short sales and foreclosures as well as other homeowners who may be trying to sell their homes. In addition, managing the appraisal process, inspections and buyer qualifications in a tougher credit market has become more complicated in this environment, adding to the already intricate transaction process. Without professional assistance, sellers are faced with a marketing disadvantage. The survey revealed that more than half of unrepresented sellers did not actively market their homes to potential buyers. Those who did used yard signs, Internet listings and print newspaper ads. Unfor- Money-Saving Travel Tips (NAPSA)—There are several innovative ways to spend less while traveling. 1. Know what’s on—Many of the best events around the world are free. Major travel destinations have festivals, public concerts and exhibitions almost every weekend. 2. Ditch the crowds—Expenses increase the closer you get to tourist hot spots. Look for offthe-beaten-path and off-season destinations and activities. Online resources can offer many tips to help you save money while traveling. Buying or selling a home with the help of a real estate agent can pay off more than many people realize these days. tunately, unrepresented sellers don’t have access to fundamental marketing services, such as a multiple listing service, and can’t list their homes there to reach a broader audience. Professional insights into preparing, pricing and positioning a home for sale pay off. In 2009, a typical property without professional assistance sold for $172,000 compared with $215,000 for the typical agent-assisted property. Golder believes the decline in “for-sale-by-owners” indicates a growing awareness of how complicated today’s market is. “A Realtor has specific knowledge of your market and can save consumers time and money,” she said. “They can help a seller set a realistic price and ensure that the proper paperwork and various disclosures and inspections are handled correctly. Sellers will get broader market exposure and are more likely to generate competitive bids by working with a real estate professional.” Spike Your Spuds (NAPSA)—The next time you enjoy a fine, filling potato, you may care to consider that the earliest evidence of potato eating was found in Peru and dates back to 400 B.C. Potatoes were eaten and even worshipped in Incan culture, and through Spanish exploration made their way to many shores. Still considered a star tuber, the potato is an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B6. It may be best known, however, for being tasty in a variety of dishes. The hands-down favorite combination is probably potato and cheese. This recipe marries red potatoes with supermeltable and deliciously nutty Jarlsberg cheese, a solid source of calcium. Spiked with fresh, aromatic rosemary and seasoned with dry mustard, this simply satisfying skillet dish will likely become a favorite. Jarlsberg Skillet Potatoes Online resources can offer many tips to help you save money while traveling. 3. Skip the rental car—Rely on public transportation, taxis, even walking. 4. Use the Web—Why spend $30 on a guidebook when you can find everything you need online? Sites such as www.NileGuide. com help you create a custom itinerary and print your own personalized guidebook for free. 5. Stay (at a) home—Book a vacation rental. Equip yourself with a kitchen and cut your bills. Try VRBO.com or HomeExchange.com. 11⁄2 pounds new potatoes 11⁄2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves 1 ⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1-2 tablespoons dry mustard, to taste Freshly ground black pepper 1 pound grated Jarlsberg (or Jarlsberg Lite) cheese Preheat oven to 425F. Slice potatoes wafer thin and drop them into cold water to avoid discoloration. Rub rosemary between fingers to break leaves and reserve. Heat oil in a 12inch iron skillet. Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly and add to skillet, cooking over medium-high heat. Occasionally shake pan gently to toss but not break potatoes. When potatoes are slightly limp, add rosemary Potatoes and cheese make for a nutritious, delicious dish. and sprinkle with mustard and pepper. Shake well to mix and press down with a spatula. Cook until brown and crisp on bottom, lifting carefully to check. Sprinkle grated cheese on top. While still hot from stove top, immediately place skillet in oven and bake 2-3 minutes, until cheese starts to bubble and brown. Slice and serve, 4 as a main dish, 8 as a side. Variations: • Instead of dry mustard, add a touch of saffron or smoked paprika. Top with grated aged Gran Maestre Manchego and cooked, crumbled chorizo. • Eliminate dry mustard and rosemary. Top with crumbled fresh Chevrai goat cheese and sprinkle minced fresh chives and cooked, crumbled bacon. • Top with grated Old Amsterdam (a Dutch-style Gouda) and thinly sliced, cooked kielbasa or smoked sausage. Thin, sliced tart apples are a delicious addition here and in the original dish, too (using fresh, chopped parsley or crumbled thyme, instead of rosemary). For more recipes, tips and entertaining ideas, visit www. norseland.com.
