law states http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for law states Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:17:32 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/law+states Global Top 10 Affordable and Unaffordable Real Estate Markets http://www.artwoo.com/article/global-top-10-affordable-unaffordable-real-estate-markets http://www.artwoo.com/article/global-top-10-affordable-unaffordable-real-estate-markets#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:27:03 +0000 housing affordabilitydemographiamedian house pricecanada 24 unitedrank 1united states http://www.artwoo.com/article/global-top-10-affordable-unaffordable-real-estate-markets Demographia International Survey 2007 rates the housing affordability in major urban markets across the globe. The survey included 159 major urban housing markets in 6 countries - Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the .

Demographia uses 'Median Multiple' to rate housing affordability which is calculated by dividing by the median household income. A higher median multiple indicates poor housing affordability. The survey data of the 3rd quarter of 2006 categorizes housing affordability into four -- affordable (median multiple at 3.0 or less), moderately unaffordable (3.1 to 4), seriously unaffordable (4.1 to 5) and severely unaffordable (5.1 and above).

Of the 159 major urban markets surveyed, 42 are affordable markets (with 35 in the U.S. and 7 in Canada), 36 are moderately unaffordable markets (28 in the U.S., 6 in Canada, 2 in the U.K.), 22 are seriously unaffordable markets (17 in the U.S., 2 in Canada, 2 in the U.K.) and 59 are severely unaffordable markets (27 in the U.S., 19 in the U.K., 7 in Australia and 2 in Canada).

The top 10 affordable global housing markets are:

- United States - Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a median multiple of 2.0 Rank 1 - Canada - Regina (2.0) Rank 1 - United States - Youngstown, Ohio, (2.0) Rank 4 - United States - Buffalo, New York, (2.3) Rank 4 - United States - Dayton, Ohio, (2.3) Rank 4 - United States - Indianapolis, Indiana, (2.3) Rank 4 - United States - Rochester, New York, (2.3) Rank 8 - United States - Akron, Ohio, (2.4) Rank 9 - United States - Grand Rapids, Michigan, (2.5) Rank 9 - United States - Omaha, NE-IA, (2.5) Rank 9 - Canada - Quebec, (2.5) Rank 9 - United States - Toledo, Ohio, (2.5) Rank 9 - United States - Wichita, Kansas, (2.5) Rank 9 - Canada - Winnipeg, (2.5) Rank 10 - United States Des Moines, Iowa (2.6)

The top 10 most unaffordable global housing markets are:

1.United States - Los Angeles-Orange County, CA, with a median multiple of 11.4 2.United States - San Diego, CA, (10.5) 3.United States - Honolulu, Hawaii, (10.3) 4.United States - San Francisco, CA, (10.1) 5.United States - Ventura County, CA, (9.4) 6.United States - Stockton, CA, (8.6) 7.Australia -- Sydney, (8.5) 8.United States - San Jose, CA, (8.4) 9.United Kingdom - London (GLA), (8.3) 10.United Kingdom - Bournemouth-Dorset, (8.2)

If you are considering buying or selling a home, condo, or any other type of real estate in any of these markets, be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent to advise you about local market conditions. http://www.sandiegocondos.name, http://www.university-city-home.com and http://www.universitycityrealestate.info ]]> Inside A United States Bankruptcy Court http://www.artwoo.com/article/inside-a-united-states-bankruptcy-court http://www.artwoo.com/article/inside-a-united-states-bankruptcy-court#comments Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:25:02 +0000 united states bankruptcy courtstates bankruptcy courtproper decorumattorneyscourt judgeramble onsafety in numbers http://www.artwoo.com/article/inside-a-united-states-bankruptcy-court United . The people's attorney will be there with their client and that takes away most of the fear involved with the court. When people go to the United States bankruptcy court, they are not alone with their attorney.



There will be several other with their clients. There always seems to be and there will be other people doing the same thing that others are doing. The person's attorney will tell them how to dress, what to say, and how to act. This is important because the judge is paying close attention to the peoples all around appearance.



Without the attorney being present it might attract the judge's eye because the person may wear something that looks expensive or they may say something that a judge might pick up on. There are people that will represent themselves in United States bankruptcy court and it is allowable to do so but it isn't really recommended for people to handle it by themselves.



The court is just another room with the judge and attorneys to do business in. Most people will stress out just knowing that they have to be there, but with adequate counsel from an attorney, people have nothing to worry about.

United States Bankruptcy Court Questions

When people show up for United States bankruptcy court, their attorney should quickly sit down with them and review all of the information pertinent to the court. The attorney will go over the possible questions that they may be asked and how to answer the judge with .



One question that the judge may ask people is if they understand why they are in the United States bankruptcy court. The attorney will brief their client to answer with yes and to not . The last thing someone should do is to keep talking after answering the judge's question.



Another question that a United States bankruptcy might ask is if this is the persons first time to file bankruptcy or not. If people have filed before and this is not the first time in front of a bankruptcy court, the judge will want to know when the person last filed for protection. As long as the allotted time has passed between filings, the proceeding can continue. Simon Peters is the owner of http://on-bankruptcy.com, it is THE best source for advice on the subject of bankruptcy, nothing to sell, just information . . .. ]]> Want To Live A Long Life? Top 10 States For Longevity! http://www.artwoo.com/article/want-to-live-a-long-life-top-10-states-for-longevity http://www.artwoo.com/article/want-to-live-a-long-life-top-10-states-for-longevity#comments Fri, 13 Jul 2007 07:10:06 +0000 longevity calculatorlongevity reporteonshawaii topsrespondentslifestyle50 states http://www.artwoo.com/article/want-to-live-a-long-life-top-10-states-for-longevity
If you are looking to live to a ripe old age, then check out these top U.S. states where people are not only living longer but also better. Inc. in its 2007 State of lists the top 10 and bottom 10 U.S. states where people's longevity is the highest. the longevity list with the highest calculated age of 91.98 years. The report also ranks the states based on behaviors that affect longevity such as the best attitude on aging, eating habits, amount of exercise and hours at work.

The longevity report was compiled from data provided from more than 450,000 , aged 50 and above, on various factors including their personal history, , nutrition, medical and family history. The report ranked all the based on the responses made on an online . The respondents received feedback on how to improve their behavior and lifestyle to maximize their lifespan.

Here is the list of top 10 U.S. states where people live the longest =96

1. Hawaii with an age expectancy of 91.98 years 2. Colorado with an age expectancy of 91.76 years 3. New Mexico with an age expectancy of 91.60 years 4. California with an age expectancy of 91.55 years 5. Arizona with an age expectancy of 91.39 years 6. Vermont with an age expectancy of 91.38 years 7. Oregon with an age expectancy of 91.36 years 8. Washington with an age expectancy of 91.30 years 9. Idaho with an age expectancy of 91.15 years 10. Minnesota with an age expectancy of 91.15 years

The bottom 10 U.S. states where people live the longest are =96

1. Kentucky with the lowest calculated age of 89.86 years 2. Pennsylvania with the lowest calculated age of 89.81 years 3. Ohio with the lowest calculated age of 89.80 years 4. Indiana with the lowest calculated age of 89.74 years 5. Oklahoma with the lowest calculated age of 89.73 years 6. Illinois with the lowest calculated age of 89.68 years 7. Arkansas with the lowest calculated age of 89.65 years 8. Louisiana with the lowest calculated age of 89.61 years 9. Missouri with the lowest calculated age of 89.60 years 10. West Virginia with the lowest calculated age of 89.52 years

It can be noted that the difference between the states with the highest and lowest calculated age expectancy is just below three years. http://www.sdhomedatabase.com ]]> Motorcycle Laws In Different States http://www.artwoo.com/article/motorcycle-laws-in-different-states http://www.artwoo.com/article/motorcycle-laws-in-different-states#comments Tue, 31 Oct 2006 02:27:05 +0000 motorcycle helmet lawmotorcycle helmet lawssafety helmetmotorcycle helmetswear helmetscalifornia georgia louisianaadult riders http://www.artwoo.com/article/motorcycle-laws-in-different-states motorcycle helmet laws that cater to their own residents and constituents. Motorcycle helmet law has been instituted to provide safety and protection to motorcycle riders from different states.

But the helmet law being followed in one state may not be the same as those followed in another. There are even other states that do not have their own laws governing the proper use of . There are currently 4 states that do not have their own motorcycle helmet law.

These are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire. Of the other 46 states, 20 of them follow full helmet law for all riders in their territory to follow. They are Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. But each of these states' may have differing definitions on what constitutes a .

In the other remaining states, 19 have helmet laws that exempt . These are usually those riders who are 18 years old and over. These are the states of Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

There are seven states that require adult bikers at the ages of 18 and 20 to still while riding their motorcycles. These states are Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas.

It is on these states that some bikers think that they are being discriminated upon because of the requirement for riders between 18 and 20 years old. But some motorcycle riders just would want to rid themselves of having to don their helmets while riding their motorcycles. But these riders should realize that helmets are there for their safety and protection.

Many motorcycle accidents have lessened rider mortalities, thanks to the protection offered by motorcycle helmets. DOT approved motorcycle helmets can help protect your head, most especially your brain from life threatening injuries in case of accidents. Your head is one of the most important parts of your body to protect while on a motorcycle because it houses the fragile brain.

Although your skull protects it, sudden jolts and stops can easily injure it. Such injuries can make your brain to swell due to internal bleeding and inflammation. And when it swells, it would not have enough space inside the skull for the extra volume and will bring more damage to some other very vital regions like the eyes. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Motorcycle Helmets and other useful information, please visit http://motorcycle-helmet.articlekeep.com ]]> Home Prices In 2006 Grow At Slowest Rate Since 1999 http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-prices-in-2006-grow-at-slowest-rate-since-1999 http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-prices-in-2006-grow-at-slowest-rate-since-1999#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:10:04 +0000 home price appreciationappreciation ratefreddie macannual growth rate4th quarterdeclinehome price index http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-prices-in-2006-grow-at-slowest-rate-since-1999 Freddie Mac's Conventional Mortgage (CMHPI). The U.S. home prices grew at an annual rate of 6.1 % last year registering the lowest growth rate since 1999 when the prices appreciated at 5.4 %. By comparison, the in 2005 was 13.3 %, more than twice of last year's home price appreciate rate.

Home prices rose at an annual rate of 4.9 % in the of 2006 from the revised 3rd quarter rate of 4.4 %, according to the Freddie Mac Index, but a slowdown in home sales resulted in the in home value appreciation. Home sales experienced a decline of 11 % from the 4th quarter of 2005 to the 4th quarter of 2006 largely due to a decline in housing markets that experienced high housing costs and a weaker economy, as reported in a statement by Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. Nothaft's predictions for this year's home price appreciate rate is pretty grim. According to him, 2007 will see a rate of about 3 %, almost one half of the annual home price of 2006.

The following are the different regions of the U.S. that had experienced home price gains during the 4th quarter of 2006.

The Mountain states registered an average price gain of 8 %. The South Atlantic states posted an annualized rate of 7.7 %. The West South Central states experienced a growth rate of 6.3 %. The East South Central states showed a home price growth of 6 %. The Middle Atlantic states had a growth in home prices at a rate of 4.7 %. The West North Central states posted a home price appreciate rate of 4.2 %. The East North Central states registered an average price rise of 3.9 %. The New England states showed an annual growth rate of 2.4 %. The Pacific states listed an appreciation rate of 2.2 %.

California, Hawaii, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island and West Virginia are seven states that have experienced home price declines during the 4th quarter of 2006. Michigan is the only state that experienced a year-over-year decline in average home values. http://www.sdhomedatabase.com ]]> All About Sweepstakes -- The Basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-about-sweepstakes-the-basics http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-about-sweepstakes-the-basics#comments Fri, 25 Aug 2006 06:27:12 +0000 sweepstakes prizescanadian sweepstakesmcdonaldsentercountriespostcardcontests http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-about-sweepstakes-the-basics countries. They are essentially lotteries which are free to . In the UK, they are usually called prize draws.



The prizes you can win in sweepstakes are widely varied -- every from cars to vacations to guns to cameras. The prizes will often be related to the industry of the entity sponsoring the sweepstakes.

The Economics Of Sweepstakes

Who pays for sweepstakes -- and why? Usually sweepstakes are sponsored by a business or businesses who receive promotional benefits from the sweepstakes. For example, you might be joining a mailing list when you enter the sweepstakes. Other sweepstakes encourage you to opt-in to magazine subscriptions when you enter.

Legal issues of sweepstakes

Sweepstakes are highly regulated in most countries. In the United States, many states have their own rules for sweepstakes, and a national sweepstakes must comply with each states' laws. In Canada and other countries, Sweepstakes must be at least nominally a game of skill, to avoid being seen as gambling. will usually require entrants to solve a mathematical puzzle to enter.

Well known sweepstakes

In the united States there are many well known sweepstakes that are conducted in a regular basis. Probably the two largest sweepstakes in the United States are the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes, the American Family Publishers Sweepstakes, and the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. Other large sweepstakes include ones sponsored by Pepsi, , and others.

Entering Sweepstakes

Most sweepstakes can be entered by mailing a with your name and address to the specified location. Some require you to hand print your postcard. This is designed to stop automated entries. Other sweepstakes do not care and you can easily enter through various automated means. Other contests allow entry vie their website, which can be even more convenient. Learn how you can enter in http://www.sweepstakewizard.com sweepstakes http://www.sweepstakewizard.com/sweepstake-prizes/win-car-sweepstakes.php car sweepstake http://www.sweepstakewizard.com/sweepstake-prizes/win-cash-prizes.php cash sweepstake and more. ]]> Do You Need A License If You're A The Travel Nurse? http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-you-need-a-license-if-youre-a-the-travel-nurse http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-you-need-a-license-if-youre-a-the-travel-nurse#comments Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:14:59 +0000 continuing education unitsnurse recruitmentrecruitment agencytravel nurseprogram statespermanent onereimbursements http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-you-need-a-license-if-youre-a-the-travel-nurse
However, if the state you're going to working in is not part of the program, the licensure process will differ from state to state, with differing CEU's (), processing time, cost and temporary license date expiration. Not many states offer permanent licenses.

Nevertheless, it shouldn't be difficult to obtain a temporary license from most states. Just be aware that the rules and regulations governing licensure for the non- will more likely than not be different. For instance, in most states you don't need to show your CEU's to get the license but you may do if you're renewing. To avoid being overwhelmed by the complexities of licensure in different states, the best thing to do first is to decide on a state you'd most like to work in and then do some research on how it works there.

One of the benefits offered by an agency is licensure , though it's usually a portion rather than the whole amount and paid once you've started your nursing assignment.

If you're with a travel agency, the agency should be able to advise you on the licensure required and how long it's going to take to get the license and what you need to do. If you can't wait and you're desperate to travel straight away, asking your recruiter which states offer the easiest and quickest process to get licensed would be a good idea. There are some states known as `walk through' states that can provide you with your license on the same day if you take the required paperwork into their office.

If you did have a choice to get a temporary license or a , there are advantages and disadvantages on obtaining one or the other. With temporary licenses there is a limited time period before the license becomes inactive, sometimes as short a period as 3 months. Therefore if you find yourself enjoying your work in that state and would like to extend your assignment or work in a different medical facility within the same state, at least with a permanent license, you have more flexibility.

There are benefits in renewing your license obtained in your home state. One is so that you can increase your tax benefits, but to do this, it means you have to keep a permanent residence in your home state and work from time to time. This is a possibility especially when you come home for an amount of time to see family and friends. However, you may not want to return to your home state and do not want the hassle of keeping a permanent residence, then if that's the case, you can just keep the home state license inactive. Making the license status inactive is probably a good idea because it doesn't cost anything to keep it inactive and the process is much easier if you want to re-activate the license than trying to reapply for your nurse licensure.

In the whole, the process of licensure is normally not a big problem that would stop you from traveling as the process is simple in the majority of states. It just helps to think about the licensure requirements when you're timing your nursing assignments and organizing your various nursing commitments. Penny Roberts writes articles for a number of websites. One of which is the 'Life of The ' website. http://www.lifeofthetravelnurse.com ]]> Several States Set Caps On Payday Loan Fees http://www.artwoo.com/article/several-states-set-caps-on-payday-loan-fees http://www.artwoo.com/article/several-states-set-caps-on-payday-loan-fees#comments Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:27:14 +0000 payday loanpayday loanscapsloan feesstateoccasionallypatronize http://www.artwoo.com/article/several-states-set-caps-on-payday-loan-fees states have set on fees and that's good news for people who need this type of short term financial assistance. These caps limit the amounts that payday loan originators can charge for such loans, also known as direct deposit cash advances. Though several states have set caps on payday , many have not taken this steps. Here are a few reasons why you should care.

The way it used to be

Before states began setting caps on payday loan fees, the fees being charged by a small minority of lenders were excessive. Some people who needed a loan and did not bother to look for a better deal from another lender agreed to the high fees. , they found they were deeper in debt than they needed to be as a result.

One thing that's important to understand is that even though several states set caps on payday loan fees, only lenders that have completed the steps required to register and become licensed to do business in such states have committed to abide by the payday loan fee caps. Companies can still conduct business in a state that has set caps on payday loan fees even though they're not licensed and registered in that state. Borrowers are advised to avoid these firms since the level of consumer protection afforded by them is unknown.

Choose your company wisely

If you're considering applying for a payday loan, don't the unregistered businesses but look for those that are licensed to operate in your state. If the company has taken the time, effort, and expense to register to do business in a particular state and, in doing so, agree to abide by that state's laws governing payday loans, there's a good chance you'll be treat fairly and honorably by that company.

Whether you pay attention to the payday loan company's licensing and registration in your state, it is critical that you be sure that you fully understand the terms of the payday loan before you agree to it. If you have questions, ask. That's the only way that you can protect yourself against being charged interest rates and fees that you cannot afford and perhaps finding that you have put yourself in a bigger financial predicament than you were before.

Another reason why you should care that several states have set caps on payday loans is because you'll have that state's government on your side should you need it. It's unlikely that you'll encounter a problem with fees on your payday loan, but, if you do, you'll want help in dealing with the situation. With the state on your side, you'll be able to make a better case against what you feel may have been unfair business practices.

States set caps on payday loans fees to protect consumers, not payday loan business owners. These states also want to protect consumers against becoming victims of fraudulent lending and similar abuses. Contact your state's Department of Banking if you feel that you have been such a victim. http://www.paydayloanlaws.com ]]> Conceal And Carry Laws--can I Carry My Weapon Into Other States? http://www.artwoo.com/article/conceal-and-carry-lawscan-i-carry-my-weapon-into-other-states http://www.artwoo.com/article/conceal-and-carry-lawscan-i-carry-my-weapon-into-other-states#comments Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:27:06 +0000 nra ilaaccostedarbitrarilylenientfifty statesconcealed weaponlegal jargon http://www.artwoo.com/article/conceal-and-carry-lawscan-i-carry-my-weapon-into-other-states
The first thing you will need to understand is a bit of , the difference between the terms "shall issue" and "may issue." "Shall issue" simply means that issuing officials need to have a good reason in order to deny a permit. Otherwise, you are issued the conceal and carry permit by simply going through the application process and meeting the state requirements. Thirty-nine of the have the "shall issue" law.

"May issue" laws require that the applicant show a need to carry a which leaves things pretty open to come up with reasons to deny permits. That is indeed what happens in those states.

Two states (Wisconsin and Illinois) don't allow any kind of permit to carry for someone who is not a law enforcement officer. I suppose to counter that backward thinking, two other states (Alaska and Vermont) allow anyone over the age of 16 and 21 respectively who is not a felon, to carry a weapon without any kind of permit. Of the "may issue" states, Maryland rarely issues permits, while Hawaii never issues them. Now that you have some background on which states allow what in terms of permitting CCW, now lets discuss where you can travel with your weapon without being by local authorities.

The answer is, it depends on which state you live in and received your permit from. The Mountain West and Southern States are all pretty with each other. For the western, mid-western and north eastern states, it's pretty much a crap shoot. I like to use the reciprocity map at http://handgunlaw.us to let me know where I can bring my weapon before I travel. If I'm just driving through a state, I like to refer to my copy of the "Guide To The Interstate Transportation of Firearms." on the NRA-ILA website.

Just because a state will allow you to carry a loaded firearm into their state while driving through doesn't mean that the city you're driving through doesn't have laws against it. Crazy, I know, but you will need to brush up on the requirements for any city you plan to drive through. And certain states will allow some firearms but not others. You know, it's kind of like needing to get a Trip Tic from AAA before traveling. Find out what you need to know before you go and you'll avoid trouble.

If you are flying, the FAA has rules about firearms on a commercial aircraft (no issues on a small aircraft unless it's a charter). You may not carry a loaded weapon in the cabin with you. Rather, you must place it in your checked baggage unloaded, and you must tell the security folks who are scanning your luggage BEFORE they scan your suitcase and throw you up against the wall spread-eagle.

There is a movement afoot (which I hope continues to grow) to create a standard federal law that will take it out of the hands of the states entirely and allow conceal and carry just for the asking and cause all states to be reciprocal with one another. The current laws make it confusing to go from state to state and municipality to municipality. Citizens have the right to arm and protect themselves and it seems foolish to keep weapons out of the hands of law-abiding citizens when criminals apparently have such easy access. Already, with the number of states allowing CCW, violent crime is down. Let's hope that trend continues. Brad Hansen writes articles for http://www.be-a-private-investigator.net ]]> Americans Relocating To Western And Southeastern States http://www.artwoo.com/article/americans-relocating-to-western-and-southeastern-states http://www.artwoo.com/article/americans-relocating-to-western-and-southeastern-states#comments Sun, 28 Jan 2007 02:27:32 +0000 migrationinboundunited van lineshurricane katrinamidwestern regionssoutheastern statesrelocation trends http://www.artwoo.com/article/americans-relocating-to-western-and-southeastern-states relocation trends of the people in the United States, it has been found that Americans continue to move towards western and southeast states.

According to trend analysis by , America's largest mover, Americans continue to gravitate toward the West and Southeast and away from the Northeast and Midwest. The company has been tracking moving trends since 1977 and has about 30 percent of the market for moving household goods. The recent analysis is based on an extended study of 227,254 moves handled by United Van Lines in 2006. The analysis looked at both and outbound moves in the states.

North Carolina emerged as the top state with the highest inbound migration. Of the total volume of moves in the state in 2006, 64 percent were those that were heading into the state. Oregon was at second position with 62.5 percent of moves that were heading into the state. South Carolina followed next with 60.6 percent of inbound moves in 2006. Rounding out the top five states that had the highest inbound migration were Nevada and Idaho with 59.9 percent and 59.3 percent inbound moves respectively.

It is not surprising that out of the top 10 states with inbound migration, 8 were from the Southeast or West. The District of Columbia and South Dakota with an inbound migration of 57.9 percent and 55.9 percent respectively, were the two exceptions that made it into the top ten list dominated by Western and .

Even California, one of the few Western states with moves leaving the state, had the lowest percentage of outbound migration in four years at 52.4 percent.

States that had the highest percentage of outbound moves in the country were all from Eastern and . An exception was Louisiana, which is yet to recover from the effects of , with the 7th highest outbound migration at 56.4 percent. Michigan and North Dakota had the maximum number of outbound migration with 66 percent of moves outbound. Missouri had 51.8 percent of moves that were outbound. In Kansas, 50.5 percent of moves were inbound.

Although the results do not through light on the reasons for the migration patterns, United Van Lines' study assumes significance for real estate firms and other financial institutions.

If you are considering relocating to another state, be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent to guide you through the process of buying or renting a home or condo in your new destination. http://www.sandiegocondos.name http://www.rancho-bernardo-home.com http://www.powayrealestate.info ]]> American Soccer Disappoints Again In The World Cup http://www.artwoo.com/article/american-soccer-disappoints-again-in-the-world-cup http://www.artwoo.com/article/american-soccer-disappoints-again-in-the-world-cup#comments Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:27:05 +0000 united states teamamerican soccerwomens soccer teamczech republicworld cuplacklusterfifa world rankings http://www.artwoo.com/article/american-soccer-disappoints-again-in-the-world-cup World Cup was going to be our year to show the world that we belong on the world stage in soccer. The Americans boasted a squad with quite a bit of international experience and a hunger to show the world that they belonged. Coming into the 2006 World Cup, the was ranked 5th in the world by FIFA. Another great sign of hope was that the Americans made it to the Quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, which gave everyone hope that this could be the year everything was going to come together. For one of the first times I could remember people in America were actually excited about the World Cup.

The first soccer match for the United States was against the dangerous . The United States gave a performance and was dominated by the Czechs 3-0. This loss was a huge blow to the psyche of the team, but it would help them focus in their next match. One of the best teams in the tournament, Italy was next in line for the Americans, so things looked grim. It appeared that the United States team was going to disappoint again. However, the American soccer team displayed the skills and toughness everyone expected to see from them this year, and fought for a tie against the Italians 1-1. With Ghana beating the Czech Republic, American soccer once again had an opportunity. If Italy beat the Czechs, and the United States won against Ghana, the Americans would be into the Quarterfinals of the World Cup again. Italy beat the Czech Republic, but the United States suffered a very disappointing loss to Ghana, 2-1.

After the disappointing first round exit from the 2006 World Cup, the American soccer team fell from 5th to 16th in the . This was a huge setback in the American's struggle to reach the pinnacle in soccer. However, we will not be disappointed for long, because the women's soccer team is tuning up to make their run at the upcoming World Championships. Once again we will have to pin all of our hopes on the women's soccer team to win on the world stage. Check out the Football Manager 2006 Computer Game, the Definitive Football Manager Resource. http://www.footballmanagers.org/ ]]> Where Is The Best Place To Live In The United States? http://www.artwoo.com/article/where-is-the-best-place-to-live-in-the-united-states http://www.artwoo.com/article/where-is-the-best-place-to-live-in-the-united-states#comments Sat, 09 Dec 2006 06:27:05 +0000 inbound tourisminbound touristranked north carolinareal estate investorstourist marketsresidential marketssimon anholt http://www.artwoo.com/article/where-is-the-best-place-to-live-in-the-united-states Simon Anholt, who developed the ASBI, notes that a State's brand value can be measured using six key verticals including place, potential, presence, pulse, people and prerequisites.

The ASBI provides a quantitative assessment of each State as perceived by Americans, and also across the top 15 countries that have the highest levels of . The survey was conducted among 21,410 respondents that included 9000 Americans who proportionally represented the population. Besides this, 12,000 people in 15 countries were surveyed to record their attitudes and perceptions of the 50 states in the U.S. The 15 countries were chosen to ideally represent America's top markets.

According to the ASBI, the top 5 states where Americans want to live are: 1) North Carolina, 2) Virginia, 3) Florida, 4) Colorado and, 5) Oregon. These five states scored consistently well with regard to quality of life, physical appeal, climate, infrastructure, educational opportunities, job opportunities etc.

While U.S. citizens and Virginia as first and second among the most desired states to live, foreign respondents rated California and Florida as the top places they would love to live in.

The ASBI could potentially be a very useful tool. For example, government officials in states wishing to improve their ranking could utilize the data to created targeted improvements and marketing campaigns. The ASBI could also be used by homebuyers to help them understand the strengths and shortcomings of particular . There are potentially many other uses of this tool by to size up different residential, condominium and home sale markets.

If you are considering buying a home, condo, or any other type of real estate, be sure to do your research about the cities under consideration. You should also consider using the services of a real estate agent, who can provide you detailed market data and neighborhood information for communities that interest you. http://www.sdhomedatabase.com http://www.tierrasantahome.com http://www.tierrasantarealestate.info ]]> Soccer And Basketball: The War Between The Two Of The Most Popular Sports http://www.artwoo.com/article/soccer-and-basketball-the-war-between-the-two-of-the-most-popular-sports http://www.artwoo.com/article/soccer-and-basketball-the-war-between-the-two-of-the-most-popular-sports#comments Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:27:07 +0000 professional soccer gameprofessional basketball playerssoccer in europeeurope soccerfootball basketballprofessional soccer playerspopular sports http://www.artwoo.com/article/soccer-and-basketball-the-war-between-the-two-of-the-most-popular-sports popular sports among the world's population. Although Basketball was created in the United States, and , the two have become increasingly popular in both countries.

Both sports require the athletes to be in shape and fit, but endurance might be more important among soccer players, while exquisite skill is the more important factor in basketball. Many of the major differences between soccer and basketball are being subdued, due to the fact that basketball is becoming more and more popular in Europe, and soccer in the United States.

In the United States, most of the sports television broadcasts on network TV are of sports other than soccer. You generally need to have cable to catch a glimpse of a , and even then only a portion of the games are broadcast, compared to a majority of games of other sports. In Europe, soccer is a favorite pastime, and most of the games are broadcast over other sporting events such as basketball.

However, the United States is becoming more involved in the soccer world since they introduced the World Cup, and maybe the gap between football and futbol is finally diminishing. It is still more likely than not that more American's, if asked to name 10 , then 10 , would have a much easier time naming the basketball players.

The fact still remains that American's simply do not consider soccer to one of the traditional, all-American sports that it does football, basketball, and baseball. Regardless of the fact that soccer has been around and played for many, many years, much like the sports that are considered to be favorite pastimes in the United States, it just hasn't been played religiously in the United States for individuals to simply give up our sports that consist mainly of players throwing balls, to players kicking balls instead.

It's projected that within a few more years, the exposure of soccer in the United States, as well basketball in Europe and other countries, will begin to gain to popularity and respect as a sport well played by athletes who train just as hard as any other professional athlete. The media can help to play a huge role in broadening the horizons of soccer by simply making broadcasts of games more readily available and easier to access, as well as on other channels rather than only cable. Lanny Hintz writes about http://www.nbagearshop.com/,http://www.nbagearshop.com/Coupons/Footlocker.com.html and http://www.nbagearshop.com/Coupons/FansEdge.com.html ]]> Hispanics Represent The Largest Minority Buying Group In The U.S. http://www.artwoo.com/article/hispanics-represent-the-largest-minority-buying-group-in-the-us http://www.artwoo.com/article/hispanics-represent-the-largest-minority-buying-group-in-the-us#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:20:00 +0000 hispanic populationcensus bureau estimatesu s census bureauhispanic residents300demographicu s census http://www.artwoo.com/article/hispanics-represent-the-largest-minority-buying-group-in-the-us Hispanic population within the United States continues to rise sharply. Just by sheer number alone, people who fall into the Hispanic represent a powerful purchasing group.

Let's look at some statistics. Of the approximately million people in the United States, the U.S. that about 44.3 million can be classified within the Hispanic demographic. That represents about 15% of the total U.S. population.

The City of Los Angeles (California) alone is estimated to have a Hispanic population of around 4.7 million.

And this population is on the rise. From the period July 2005 to July 2006, the Hispanic population within the U.S. grew 3.4%, making Hispanics the fastest-growing minority group in the country. The Census Bureau estimates that the Hispanic population in the U.S. could reach 102.6 million by 2050, which will constitute 24% of the total population.

So where do people who fall within the Hispanic demographic come from? The breakdown is as follows: 64% Mexican origin, 9% Puerto Rico, 3.5% Cuban, 3% El Salvador, 2.7% Dominican Republic, and 17.8% fall into the "other" category, which includes Central American and South American countries, as well as other Hispanic or Latino regions.

So which states have the most ? About 48% of the Hispanic population resides in California or Texas. California is home to about 13.1 million residents and Texas is home to about 8.4 million residents. Many other states also have a sizeable Hispanic population. For example, the following states have a Hispanic population exceeding half a million people: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Moreover, Hispanics are the largest minority group in 22 of the 50 states.

The combined buying power of the Hispanic population is also dramatic. In 2002, revenue generated by Hispanic-owned business reached $222 billion. The median income of Hispanic households was $35,967 in 2005.

These numbers are dramatic and provide impetus for businesses to create and implement strategies that will attract this population to their goods and services. http://www.sandiegocondos.name ]]> Fewer Real Estate Markets With Appreciation http://www.artwoo.com/article/fewer-real-estate-markets-with-appreciation http://www.artwoo.com/article/fewer-real-estate-markets-with-appreciation#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:30:00 +0000 adjustable rate mortgagessubprime mortgagemortgage ratesmortgage borrowersconventional mortgagemortgage marketsubprime loan http://www.artwoo.com/article/fewer-real-estate-markets-with-appreciation subprime mortgage melt down growing into the market, only a dozen states still have housing markets with strong enough appreciation to make the Housing Predictor appreciation list.

Housing Predictor forecasts more than 250 local housing markets in all 50 U.S. states, and provides real estate news.

Only 12 states remain on the list, the lowest number in more than a year, indicating a further weakening in the majority of real estate markets throughout the nation. Eighteen states had been on the list until nearly a month ago when weakness was determined to a high extent in four other states.

South Carolina and Louisiana markets have seen home sales slow and prices begin to fall, eliminating these two southern states from the list. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana produced a post natural disaster spike that sent prices upward in New Orleans and the surrounding area only to see sales slow. Louisiana perhaps more than any other state has seen its housing markets redistribute its population away from the Big Easy to other parts of the state.

After nearly five years of record appreciation in many parts of the country a majority of the nation's markets have seen sales slow due to higher and fall out from the crisis growing into the rest of the economy. However, there are 12 states, including many in the south-east and the north-west that are still appreciating with strong regional economies.

Housing Predictor has increased its forecast to 3-million homes to be foreclosed through 2009. Many are unable to make higher payments on on homes that have decreased in value in the last year alone. Another 2 million adjustable rate mortgages are due to be recalculated in the next two years, causing an additional onslaught of foreclosures.

A growing number of economists believe the U.S. economy will suffer a major economic blow from the foreclosure epidemic, which is growing daily. Mike Colpitts is the Editor of Housing Predictor. Check your market forecast and search real estate listings, including foreclosures at http://www.housingpredictor.com ]]> Saving For College is Easy With 529 Plans http://www.artwoo.com/article/saving-for-college-is-easy-with-529-plans http://www.artwoo.com/article/saving-for-college-is-easy-with-529-plans#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:43:17 +0000 minimum investment requirements529 college savingsqualified education expenses529 planssaving for collegemaximum amountst pay http://www.artwoo.com/article/saving-for-college-is-easy-with-529-plans Saving for college has never been a cinch, but the U.S. Congress has made it a little easier. Congress has made the tax benefits of plans permanent, which is great news for parents saving for their child's college education.

are tax-advantaged savings accounts for saving for college. A 529 account is opened on behalf of a beneficiary, usually a future college student. You invest money in the account over time and your returns grow tax free. The money is then withdrawn to pay for college or other education expenses and you don' income tax on the growth when you withdraw it. If you withdraw the money for an expense other than , there's a 10% penalty plus you have to pay taxes. However, 529 plans are usually transferrable between beneficiaries. So if you child gets a scholarship, you can move the rest of the money in the 529 plan to a sibling, cousin, etc.

All 50 states and Washington D.C. have 529 plans, and they each have slight differences. For example, some states offer state tax deductions or credits in addition to the federal tax benefits. They also have various and you can invest over the life of the account. Most of these minimums are small -- sometimes only $15. Maximums refer to how much you can invest in the 529 savings plan over time. This number is typically enough to cover even the most expensive colleges, and most states increase the maximum as college costs increase. The maximum amount you can invest in a 529 typically does not include your earnings. For example, if the cap is $300,000 and you invest $295,000 but the earnings are $50,000, you will not have hit the maximum even though you have $345,000 in your account.

Although your state offers a 529 plan, it's smart to consider other states' 529 plans as well. Some 529 plans underperform the market and others have high fees. If you decide to invest in another states' fund, keep in mind that you won't get the state tax benefits. Some states, such as Texas don't have income taxes, so residents of these states should shop around for a better deal on a 529 plan. Utah is an example of a state that has low fees for its 529 plans for both in-state and out-of-state residents.

Also, some 529 plans are "direct funds" whereas others are "advisor funds". A direct fund means you can invest directly with the state or the 529 manager. An advisor fund requires you to use a qualified financial advisor to purchase the fund.

Some states also offer a variation on the traditional 529 plan called a pre-paid plan. A pre-paid tuition plan lets you effectively "lock in" the future cost of a college education.

Regardless of which 529 plan you choose, investing in 529 plans is a smart move to invest for college. Between the low minimum investment amounts and the tax-free returns, a 529 is a great way to save for college.Andrew Allemann writes 529s.com, a site about 529 plans.]]> Buying Ranch Real Estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-ranch-real-estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-ranch-real-estate#comments Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:27:09 +0000 real estate agentranch real estatereal estate propertiesluckilyimpulse purchasefact of the matterarizona california http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-ranch-real-estate ranch real estate you are not alone. Over the past five to ten years this sector of the real estate industry has become increasingly more popular. Even though ranch real estate is not quite as common as others areas of the industry it is definitely moving up. , if you are in the market for ranch real estate you should be able to find what you need. The is that the market is not so saturated that buying ranch real estate is impossible.

Buying ranch real estate comes along with many details that you must be aware of. After all, it is not the same as purchasing a home in a city setting or large suburb. When you are looking into buying ranch real estate you have to know a bit about the industry if you plan on being a success. If you go into this process blind and make an you may not get what you were expecting in the end. For those people who are interested in buying ranch real estate the process should be fun.



The first thing that you should know about ranch real estate is that there are some states that are better than others. In other words, you are not going to find a lot of real estate that meets your needs if you are searching in areas like Florida and other eastern states. If you want to find ranch real estate you need to search in the Midwest and Western states. This is where you will find the largest concentration of properties. These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Of course you may be able to find some ranch properties in other states, but if you want to get serious these are the areas where you should begin your search.

When you have an idea of what state you want to search, the next step is to get a listing of all the ranch in the area. You can do this in one of two ways. You can either get in touch with a in the area, or you can simply search online yourself. Many people in today's day and age opt to search on their own so that there is no pressure and they can work at their own pace. The key is to make sure that you look at more than one property before you make a purchase. This is the only way of knowing for sure that you will get what is best.

Overall, buying ranch real estate is not a difficult task. This sector of the real estate industry is on the rise, and you should be able to get what you want if you put the time forth. Just remember to keep an open mind and search thoroughly before you make a purchase. Robert Flournoy writes about ranch real estate properties for http://www.ranch-estates.com/ . For more information on ranch properties visit http://www.ranch-estates.com/ . ]]> 4 California Cities Make Top 25 Most Populated List http://www.artwoo.com/article/4-california-cities-make-top-25-most-populated-list http://www.artwoo.com/article/4-california-cities-make-top-25-most-populated-list#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2007 01:30:05 +0000 states census bureauunited states census bureaumost populous stateranked numberunited states censusfact that manysan antonio http://www.artwoo.com/article/4-california-cities-make-top-25-most-populated-list States Census Bureau released data listing the top 25 most populated cities in the country. Not only is California the in the country with about 36 million people, it also has four of the most populated cities in the United States.

California cities that made the top 25 list include:

Los Angeles, 2 with about 3,849,378 people. San Diego, ranked number 8 with about 1,256,951 people. San Jose, ranked number 10 with about 929,936 people. San Francisco, ranked number 11 with about 744,041 people.

Texas, being the second most populated state in the country (25,507,783 people), had six cities that ranked in the top 25 list. These cities include: Houston, , Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and El Paso.

Listed below is the entire ranking of the top 25 most populated cities as of July 1, 2006, according to the Bureau.

Top 25 Most Populated Cities

1.New York (New York) - 8,214,426 2.Los Angeles (California) - 3,849,378 3.Chicago (Illinois) - 2,833,321 4.Houston (Texas) - 2,144,491 5.Phoenix (Arizona) - 1,512,986 6.Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) - 1,448,394 7.San Antonio (Texas) - 1,296,682 8.San Diego (California) - 1,256,951 9.Dallas (Texas) - 1,232,940 10.San Jose (California) - 929,936 11.Detroit (Michigan) - 871,121 12.Jacksonville (Florida) - 794,555 13.Indianapolis (Indiana) - 785,597 14.San Francisco (California) - 744,041 15.Columbus (Ohio) - 733,203 16.Austin (Texas) - 709,893 17.Memphis (Tennessee) - 670,902 18.Fort Worth (Texas) - 653,320 19.Baltimore (Maryland) - 631,366 20.Charlotte (North Carolina) - 630,478 21.El Paso (Texas) - 609,415 22.Boston (Massachusetts) - 590,763 23.Seattle (Washington) - 582,454 24.Washington (District of Columbia) - 581,530 25.Milwaukee (Wisconsin) - 573,358

To put these numbers in perspective, consider the of these cities have a larger population that several entire states. For example, while New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio and San Diego all have populations over 1 million, there are many states that have populations of less than 1 million. These smaller states with populations less than 1 million include: Montana (944,632), Delaware (853,476), Alaska (670,053), North Dakota (635,867), Vermont (623,908), and Wyoming (515,004). To keep updated on population estimates, visit the Census Bureau's web site. http://www.sandiegocondos.name ]]> 2006 Census Data: Fastest Growing and Most Populated States http://www.artwoo.com/article/2006-census-data-fastest-growing-most-populated-states http://www.artwoo.com/article/2006-census-data-fastest-growing-most-populated-states#comments Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:27:04 +0000 u s census bureaucensus bureau newscensus bureau estimatesu s censusjuly 1579311 http://www.artwoo.com/article/2006-census-data-fastest-growing-most-populated-states Census Bureau estimates and releases Census data of the country on a periodic basis. The Bureau uses the data available on births, deaths, migration and other administrative records and survey data to develop estimates of migration for the census.

In a recent survey report, the U.S has released a list of top five most populated states in the U.S. The report is based on population estimates taken from , 2005 to July 1, 2006.

According to the U.S. Census report, California tops the list of the most populous states in the U.S. with a population of 36.5 million. The second most populous state was Texas with a 23.5 million followed by New York in the third position with 19.3 million residents. The fourth most populated state in the U.S. as of July 1, 2006 was Florida with a population of 18.1 million. Rounding out the top five states was Illinois in the fifth position with a population of 12.8 million.

The report also provides ranking on the top 10 fastest growing states and the top ten numeric gainers. The following are the top ten states that had a faster pace of population growth.

Arizona is America's fastest-growing state with a population rise of 3.6 %. Nevada was in second place with a population increase of 3.5 %. Idaho is the third fastest growing state with a population gain of 2.6 %. Georgia ranked fourth as its population increased by 2.5 % followed by Texas which saw a population gain of 2.5 %. Utah is in sixth place (2.4 %) followed by North Carolina (2.1 %), Colorado (1.9 %), Florida (1.8 %) and South Carolina (1.7 %).

Among numeric gainers -- the states in America that gained more people between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006, Texas is in the first place with an increase of ,275 people. Second on the list is Florida with a population gain of 321,697. California stands next with a gain of 303,402 followed by Georgia (231,388). Arizona (with an increase of 213, people), North Carolina (with an increase of 184,046 people), Washington (with an increase of 103,899 people), Colorado (with an increase of 90,082 people), Nevada (with an increase of 83,228 people) and Tennessee (with an increase of 83,058 people), add to the top ten numeric gainers. http://www.sdhomedatabase.com http://www.university-city-home.com http://www.tierrasantarealestate.info ]]> Insurance Crisis Special Report Aids Home Owners http://www.artwoo.com/article/insurance-crisis-special-report-aids-home-owners http://www.artwoo.com/article/insurance-crisis-special-report-aids-home-owners#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:20:00 +0000 becoming more difficultinsurance crisishome owners insurancecatastrophic insurancerecord profitsthose suffering frominsurance rates http://www.artwoo.com/article/insurance-crisis-special-report-aids-home-owners Home owners insurance is to get for many home owners, if they can get it at all amid rising with less coverage. A national has developed as a result affecting many states, and the problem is only getting worse.

In a Special report Housing Predictor outlines the insurance crisis and provides a step by step "How to Guide" to help consumers get the least expensive homeowners insurance policy with the most coverage. Housing Predictor forecasts more than 250 local housing markets futures in all 50 U.S. states.

The insurance crisis is a growing epidemic amid insurance companies record all time high profits. The industry netted $58-billion in profits last year and has canceled coverage on tens of thousands of homeowners in more than ten states, including Florida, where many companies have either stopped writing policies or have pulled out all together because of reported fears of more possible hurricanes that could cause higher pay-outs.

The crisis has also grown into the north-east in New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York and even affects western states, including earthquake prone California and Washington. The problem has resulted in many homeowners being forced to sell their homes or to be foreclosed by lenders. The growing insurance crisis is quietly being suffered by hundreds of thousands of homeowners.

Congress has held hearings over the crisis and is considering a federal fund for major disasters, but has failed to yet come up with any solutions to help the crisis. In the mean time housing prices are being influenced, losing value in many states markets.

Laws to regulate home owners insurance rates are in affect in nearly all states, but in many cases the government regulatory agencies empowered to control the industry have failed and the industry continues to make . In most states insurance companies will not continue to write policies unless the companies can at least net 40% profit annually. The state laws written to protect the public are not working.

Housing Predictor is a growing resource for consumers, and is regularly consulted by Wall Street investment firms, real estate companies, mortgage companies and local governments for its forecasts, which may be found with real estate listings, including foreclosures on the web. Mike Colpitts is the Editor of Housing Predictor, which provides more than 250 local housing market forecasts in all 50 U.S. states. Read the full report on the home owners insurance crisis, check market forecasts, and search listings, including foreclosures at http://www.housingpredictor.com ]]>