The Semi-Catered Strategy ~ A Taste of The Carribean

Caribbean Nachos with Island Mango Salsa on Crispy SunDried Tomato Flour Triangles sounds like a delicious introduction to a Caribbean-flavored soiree.

Whether going island-hopping through the Caribbean on your sailboat, cruising the nearby Gulf of Mexico or simply chilling out at home, this island-style appetizer is sure to kick your menu off with panache.

This appetizer is available from The Main Ingredient, a Tallahassee Florida restaurant, bar, and catering company located at 1710 W. Tharpe Street.

Make sure to tell The Main Ingredient that Kathi Dameron sent you!

Need a customized menu for an upcoming shindig? Call Kathi Dameron at 850-422-3599

Kathi Dameron is a food writer, culinary artist, newspaper columnist (Entertaining with Kathi) and former caterer who is cooking up culinary collaborations throughout Florida's capital region.

Let's Entertain, Tallahassee: The Semi-Catered Strategy

Entertaining at any time of the year in Tallahassee can be a breeze with some Semi-Catered Strategies from food writer and caterer, Kathi Dameron.

If you are like me, the thought of firing up the oven, in the sizzling days of summer isn't high on your list of priorities.

The good news is we don't have to! With a little culinary collaboration and a bit of community support we can do our part to help keep our local businesses in the black during the dead days of summer.

So in the spirit of community and collaboration, I will be showcasing some delicious Semi-Catered Strategies. These are things that you can order to go from local restaurants, caterers and food purveyors to add a touch of edible pizzazz to your Tallahassee entertaining.

If you need help creating a Semi-Catered Menu or think that a certain business should be featured, call Kathi at 850-422-3599.

Watch this blog for featured foods that can be bought-to-go in Florida's capital region.

Cha-Ching

During a season when home sales in Tallahasee are sluggish and competition is fierce, the seller of real estate needs an extra advantage. Whether you are attempting to sell your house yourself or are a seasoned real estate professional, blog postings could be the extra tool that you need in your arsenal for times such as these.

"I can't afford the advertising," is a common complaint among sellers of real estate. "But, I can't afford not to advertise," is the flipside statement.

It makes little sense to invest big dollars in throw- away publications when the Internet offers solutions that work for you 24/7.

Whether you do a blog yourself or enlist the services of a professional blogger like Kathi Dameron, you are sure to hear a much quicker Cha-Ching on your listing.
Advertising prices with Kathi Dameron and Associates begin at $25

To get your ad up and running today call Kathi at 850-422-3599.

Advertising Opportunities Available

Why spend boocoos of bucks to spread the word through throw-away publications?

After being on both sides of the fence, I have come to realize that there are certain strategies that will give an advertiser significantly more bang for their buck.

It is smart business to invest your ad dollars in a way that they are not tossed away with yesterday's garbage.

Through savvy Internet Strategies offered through Kathi Dameron and Associates, your message can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year! Which is a lot smarter than rotting away in a land fill!

With over 100 blogs in the stable and several blind-copy blogs for corporate sites, Tallahassee-based content producer Kathi Dameron is helping businesses large and small to reach a global audience through the power of the Internet.

A regular newspaper food columnist, glossy magazine contributor and content writer for print and Internet, Kathi has the delicious and creative solutions to help anyones cash register go cha-ching!

Kathi Dameron and Associates can be reached at 850-422-3599

I think I spend more time in my home office, than I do anywhere else. Lately I'm thinking about moving and the biggest concern on my mind is finding a home that would be the perfect writer's retreat. Should I opt for the ease and low maintenance of a condo, townhouse or apartment?

I don't think I want to deal with the maintenance of a house anymore, at least not at this juncture of my life when birthing books is the most important thing on my agenda.

I scan the mahogany office furniture and wonder how it will work for me in a new setting. Ugh... the thought of moving. Yet, sometimes in life we have to make sacrifices if we are to achieve our biggest dreams.

My friends were looking for some theater seating for their new home at the beach, but could not find anything locally that met their requirements. Through my blogging I had become familar with Star Gate and the seating options that are available through their website. Now when anyone is setting up a media room in their home or office, I suggest StarGate.

While ink pens are a classic way to promote your business, have you considered utilizing the power of a blog to spread the word?

You can hire a blogger like Kathi Dameron to wordsmith for you.

Blogs are leveling the playing field and allowing big companies and small to compete on a global scale.

From sophisticated glossy magazine publications to viral Internet strategies, we have the solutions that just might launch your business into the stratosphere. When the synergy is right, the possibilities are unlimited.

Take my creativity and your financial backing, and we will be on our way to new galaxies!

Culinary Options In Tallahassee

Imagine opening your freezer to discover a gourmet collection of custom-prepared appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts.

Fabulous and infinitely interesting foods that were prepared with the finest and freshest of ingredients right in your own kitchen by one of Tallahassee's Favorite Chefs.

Sounds like a dream? This summer food writer, former caterer and Personal Chef Extraordinaire Kathi Dameron is returning to a few select Tallahassee kitchens to create culinary wow.

The lucky few will end up with a freezer cache of gourmet treats that will rival the secret stashes of the rich and famous.

Its time to do some market research. After defining my target market, I want to find out whether or not they are interested in the idea of having their properties blogged about. Comments?

Get Noticed!

List your products or services with the Real Estate Investments Magazine / For Sale By Owner Magazine and reach a targeted audience of homebuyers and sellers.

For advertising rates contact Kathi Dameron at 850-422-3599.

Thinking about selling your own home in Florida's capital region and saving bundles on the commission? The For Sale By Owner publication has a solution that will assist you every step of the way! For more information contact Kathi Dameron at 850-422-3599.

The following is an article that you might find helpful.


For Sale by Owner - How to Sell a House Without an Agent
By Greg Gralak

For Sale by Owner is money saving alternative to selling a house with an agent, and it is not so intimidating and difficult as it looks to many.

Property owners are motivated to take selling into own hands by three main reasons:
Saving money on commission seems to be the most important factor, and independent sellers can save more the more expensive their house is. For example, $200,000 house sells for $10,000 commission of 5%. Commission from selling $600,000 house jumps to $30,000 - 3 times as much.

Others may have even more compelling reason to sell privately if they accumulated little equity in their home. Let's assume you sell a house priced at $200,000 in which you have 20% equity of $40,000. Commission of 5% charged by an agent would be $10,000. That is 25% of what you actually own in the house.

A house is likely to sell for about the same whether sold privately or through an agent, since it is the market which determines value. Private sale becomes more tempting in seller's market where many people search for homes and finding a qualified buyer is much easier.

Think ahead of your FSBO strategy. Decide what you can do yourself and in what areas you need professional help. You should also have a contingency plan in case your house does not sell within reasonable time.

There are number of issues you should consider of when selling on your own :
Price Adequate pricing is critical to smooth sale. Have your house appraised, so you know the right market price you can ask for.

RenovationLight renovations like painting or floor upgrades will pay you off well. They are inexpensive and effective ways to entice buyers. Other good investments (but more expensive though) are renovations of kitchens and bathrooms. These areas attract a lot of attention and can influence buyer's decision. When you renew them you will improve your chance of selling well and can get a decent return.

It is important not to increase the value of your home beyond that of other homes in your area. Otherwise, you may price yourself out of the market. Big ticket improvements may be necessary if the home could not sell without them. When small living room or lack of extra bathroom discourages potential buyers you may have no other choice but to undertake major renovation.

AdvertisingFor Sale by Owner sign placed in front of a house can be very effective provided it looks professional. Avoid pre-printed signs sold in hardware stores since they look cheap and amateurish. Order or make your own sign looking similar to those used by agents. Provide basic information - for sale by owner, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, special features, by appointment, phone number. Make the sign double sided so that people driving by in both directions can easily notice it.

Local newspaper ad can attract many buyers. You can refrain from large size expensive advertisements. Small ads containing a photo and listing basic features can be very effective.
Do not forget traditional word of mouth either. Inform your family members, co-workers, friends and neighbours that you want to sell.

For better exposure (to reach people who want to relocate) you can turn to the internet FSBO websites. They offer variety of packages at different prices. Some of them will take house photos, prepare sale signs and provide professional support. Visit a number of FSBO sites to compare prices and services before you sign up.

Lawyer's AssistanceLegalities of real estate transaction and paperwork pose the biggest challenge for most people. Hire a lawyer to have a professional who will see to all documents and protect your interest. A lawyer will also increase your credibility since a buyer will feel more confident to make a deposit into your lawyer's trust account. Search for a good lawyer ahead of time and budget for this expense.

House Presentation
Show your home by appointment only. Scheduling visitors will give you time to get prepared. Receive a reasonable number of buyers at the same time to induce competition of offers. Schedule additional presentation dates if you have to accommodate more buyers. Remove all valuable items and let your buyers roam freely around the house. Once they take a look make sure to show them anything special about your property they might have missed, and answer all questions they may have.

Buyer's Agent
Private sale does not guarantee that you can sell your house without paying commission. Actually, your odds of not paying any commission at all are low. Most buyers have an agent because it is convenient and efficient, and it does not cost them anything. Since commission is usually split 50/50 between buyer's and seller's agent you can claim a half of commission rate for yourself, or even more if you are tough negotiator and market conditions are in your favour.

Real Estate Broker
Remember that selling a house is your top priority. If you cannot sell within reasonable time, consider hiring a discount broker who delivers selected services for reduced commission or flat fee. Discount broker can market your property on Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This database, which other agents are using to find homes for sale, is the most powerful selling tool in the real estate market.

FSBO can save you money, but you will have to work for it. Therefore, it is not for everyone. When you decide to sell by yourself you will have to become your own agent. That means you will have to learn the basics of real estate and devote your time to marketing the house. If you cannot make a commitment required by FSBO you may be better off by finding a good agent and selling your house the old-fashioned way.

Greg Gralak is the editor of [http://www.housepages.ca]www.housepages.ca - Canadian Real Estate Guide and Directory
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Gralak http://EzineArticles.com/?For-Sale-by-Owner---How-to-Sell-a-House-Without-an-Agent&id=627932

Life is filled with so many wonderful surprises and blessings. Sometimes we are called to move in directions that at the time might not make complete sense to us, yet for some mysterious reason beyond the full scope of our understanding, we allow ourselves to move in these new directions.

Such has been the case with me, as I have transitioned over the last few years, trying to humble myself to an inner call to learn new skills.

That journey has now delivered me to the opportunity to own my own magazine, something that I have always wanted to do.

This month I am taking over as the new owner of The For Sale By Owner magazine. The name is being changed and the format tweaked a bit. I hope you will join together with me as we launch off the brand new Real Estate Investments Magazine later this summer.

There will be advertising and editorial opportunities for a full and comprehensive range of ancillary products and services that are related to real estate and homes. From Mailboxes to swimming pools. From builders to mortgage brokers, etc. It is my desire to create one of the best real estate publications in the state of Florida.

Like the For Sale By Owner, our prices will be reasonable, and we will publish on a consistent monthly schedule.