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When Your Neighbor's Tree Is on Your Property
2007-05-16 00:02:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with us.Do you know where your property line is located? If your property was surveyed correctly and you have markers in the ground, you probably know.But if you don't have the property lines marked -- how do you really know?If your neighbor has a fence, don't assume that the fence is on the property line. It may be on the line. It may also be a few inches into your neighbor's property.Or your neighbor's fence may be partially or entirely located on your property.The same applies to trees and landscaping at the end of your property. What if they are on your neighbor's property but have grown onto your property? What if the tree that you thought was on your neighbor's property, is half on your property and half on his or her property? And what if is diseased, or needs pruning, or needs to be cut back?These issues re-occur all of the time. Prop ...
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Free Automated 411 Calls, Courtesy of Google in Ann Arbor!
2007-05-14 19:10:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with us! Next time you find yourself on the road and in need of local information, try Goog-411 (Google 's Voice Local Search). It is in experimental stage, but you may find it easy to use, and on target. You can try this service by dialing 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) from any phone and it's free.When your call is answered, the service asks your city and state (only US business listings now), after which you are asked, "What business name or category?" I searched a specific business name in my city. After being provided with the address and phone number, I could choose to be connected directly, or get the details by SMS if using a mobile phone by saying "text message".I called the service a 2nd time to search by category and asked for "restaurants". This time I was provided with a list of top restaurants in my city (#1: Excel...
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Signs of Low Inflation Keep Long Term Mortgage Rates Steady
2007-05-11 16:08:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with us. Mortgage Rates U.S. averages as of April 26, 2007: 30 yr. fixed: 6.16%15 yr. fixed: 5.87%1 yr. adj: 5.43% McLEAN, VA -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.15 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending May 10, 2007, down slightly from last week when it averaged 6.16 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.58 percent.The 15-year FRM this week averaged 5.87 percent with an average 0.5 point, unchanged from last week when it averaged 5.87 percent. A year ago, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.17 percent.Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.89 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, up slightly from last week when it averaged 5.87 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM avera...
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Explaining Real Estate to Kids -- And Their Parents
2007-05-10 21:28:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with us.It's going to be one of those days.I've agreed to speak to a couple of classes of fifth and sixth graders for career day in the morning and to appear on local television for a segment on home renovation projects that pay.Fortunately, I have no children attending the elementary school (my youngest is turning 18 next month) so I won't be compromising their social status by appearing. To kids, real estate sounds pretty boring, so I always emphasize the home-improvement part of the job and all the TV do-it-yourself hosts I've met. I bring along the technology I now use for multimedia presentations, the digital still and video cameras and the digital tape recorder, as well as the old standby reporter's notebook and pen.In the years that I've been covering real estate, both the National Association of Realtors and the National Association o...
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Consumers Want Digitally Tricked-Out Kitchens
2007-05-08 16:45:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with us.A new study reveals home owners want their kitchen, not the home office or the game room, to be the digital nerve center of the home, as well as a social hub.The finding was discovered after the Internet Home Alliance commissioned research and consulting firm Zanthus to determine how home owners wanted to customize their kitchens.The pollster put a host of questions to 602 home owners responsible for making household purchasing decisions about kitchen appliances and consumer electronics and the answers surprised the alliance."While we expected to learn that the kitchen continues to serve as the hub of the home, we were surprised to find that bigger kitchens aren't necessarily a priority for most U.S. homeowners," said Tim Woods, vice president of the alliance."For example, we thought that a desk or workstation would be a popular addition b...
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Ann Arbor Consumers Want Digitally Tricked-Out Kitchens
2007-05-08 16:45:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with us.A new study reveals home owners want their kitchen, not the home office or the game room, to be the digital nerve center of the home, as well as a social hub.The finding was discovered after the Internet Home Alliance commissioned research and consulting firm Zanthus to determine how home owners wanted to customize their kitchens.The pollster put a host of questions to 602 home owners responsible for making household purchasing decisions about kitchen appliances and consumer electronics and the answers surprised the alliance."While we expected to learn that the kitchen continues to serve as the hub of the home, we were surprised to find that bigger kitchens aren't necessarily a priority for most U.S. homeowners," said Tim Woods, vice president of the alliance."For example, we thought that a desk or workstation would be a popular addition b...
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Ann Arbor Buyers & Sellers Updated on Market Trends by Real Estate One
2007-05-07 20:43:00
If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next 45 days with usIf local Sellers or Buyers are looking for state of the art market updates, visit http://www.kathytoth.com/ and click on over the net evaluation. One prospective seller commented "I am amazed at the depth of graphs and information that she provides. The data is up to date and concise - better than all other local sites." We are providing real time MLS market trend information that speaks directly to users needs, complete with mapping, pictures, trend analysis including asking price vs. selling price. Once you complete the information, you will be updated. This is truly Web 2.0 servicing.Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
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MICHIGAN ECONOMY BOOSTED BY UTILITY OUTPUT
2007-05-02 15:59:00
REPORTS COMERICA BANK'S MICHIGAN BUSINESS ACTIVITY INDEXDETROIT/March 29, 2007 - The Mich igan Business Activity Index compiled by Comerica Bank rebounded 3 points in February to 104. The reading is down 1 point from a year ago and equal to the average for 2006."Strong weather-related gains in gas and electric utility output played a big role in the rebound of our index for February," said Dana Johnson, Chief economist at Comerica Bank. "With more auto sector job cuts likely to hit the numbers for March, next month's index probably will fall somewhere between the readings for January and February. Unfortunately, it is still too early to look for a bottoming out of Michigan's one-state recession."The Michigan Business Activity Index (MBAI) represents ten different measures of Michigan economic activity compiled monthly by the Economics Department of Comerica Bank. The MBAI is seasonally adjusted, corrected for inflation, and expressed as an index, with ...
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Google News Alert for: Ann Arbor
2007-04-30 20:24:00
I didn't realize just how big "Ann Arbor " actually is...By Rob(Rob) How come I didn't notice that Ann Arbor incorporated a small portion of Ypsilanti Township? I guess I gotta pay less attention to "American Idol" or the latest Anna Nicole news... Then I won't be clueless about an new "Ann Arbor" ...YPSILANTI AIRSHIP WORKS - http://themooringmast.blogspot.com/index. html Monday Hair o' the DogBy Maize n Brew Dave The Beilein Bandwagon continues to gather steam in the Ann Arbor/Detroit Press. Jim Carty's weekend column heartily endorses Beilen's candidacy, as does Eric Lacy's in the Detroit News and Michael Rosenberg of the Free Press. ...Maize n Brew - http://www.maizenbrew.com Amtrak Wolverine Service ChangesBy Scott(Scott) As of April 2, Amtrak is adjusting the schedule of the Wolverine, the train that gets the good people of Ann Arbor to Chicago. The new departure times are: Eastbound from Ann Arbor: 2:09pm 5:47pm 11:30pm W...
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Google News Alert for: Ann Arbor
2007-04-27 18:16:00
Few plastic surgeries after breast cancer United Press International - USAANN ARBOR, Mich., March 26 (UPI) -- Women might make different breast cancer treatment decisions if they were referred to a plastic surgeon prior to the ...Officials translate law on English Ann Arbor News - Ann Arbor,MI,USAEven some City Council members were a little surprised to learn recently about a little-publicized provision in Ann Arbor's taxi cab ordinance that mandates ...From the Daily: Expression repression Michigan Daily - Ann Arbor,MI,USAFor the past 45 years, the Ann Arbor Film Festival has cultivated creative expression by giving experimental artists a way to screen their work. ...Tainted no-well zone to expand Ann Arbor News - Ann Arbor,MI,USAThe area of well restrictions in west Ann Arbor, created to protect people from using polluted groundwater, is likely to expand for the first time since it ...Carl Welser: A2SO sharing stage with students Livingston Daily - Livingston,MI,USAThe orchest...
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Real Estate One Ranks 23rd in Annual Power Broker Report
2007-04-26 20:13:00
RISMedia's 19th Annual Power Broker Report and Survey is published which ranks the top brokerage firms according to closed sales transactions and volume. Real Estate One is ranked as firm number 23 for transaction ranking in 2006. Click Here to View the Rankings.For a complete report, just contact us at 734-669-0337 or email us at info@KathyToth.comKathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
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Dexter Chamber Update
2007-04-25 22:04:00
Chamber Update is now available on our website. To access it, please go tohttp://www.dexterchamber.org/doc/2007/A pril2007.pdf.We had a great time at our Spring Member reception and community meeting at North Point restaurant in the Monument Park Building, 5 - 8pm on Tuesday, April 17th. Sean, the manager did a great job of supplying a huge buffet of glorious creamy pasta, stuffed mushrooms, fresh vegetables and other goodies along with free beverages.MORE COMMUNITY EVENTSIce Cream Social - June 2Summer Membership Gathering - June 20DACC Golf Outing - July 27Dexter Daze - August 10 - 11Apple Daze - October 6Victorian Christmas - December 7-9Downtown Dexter Summer Series - TBAUPCOMING DACC MEETINGS & EVENTSDACC Board and Community Advisors - April 11North Point After Hours Reception - April 17DACC Board Work Session - April 25DACC Golf Committee Meeting - April 26For community tours, visit http://www.kathytoth.com/Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
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Should an Ann Arbor Buyer Have More Than One Buyers Agent for Different Nei
2007-04-24 22:00:00
A buyer can have more than one agent, but I don't recommend it:1. Neither agent will probably work as hard for such a client as they will for a client working solely with them. Put yourself in the place of the agents. Who would you work harder for, a buyer where there is only a 50/50 chance that you will earn a commission or a buyer with close to a 100% chance you will earn a commission?2. The more an agent works with buyers, the faster the agent learns what the buyers like and don't like which saves time for everyone.3. All agents have access to the same information, as long as you are in the same County, the same laws and practices apply, so having multiple agents providing you the same data is most likely duplicating your time.For information on Buyer Pitfalls, http://www.kathytoth.com/custompages_repo rts.php?key=b5Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
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Michigan Average Sales Price and Units Compared with Last Year
2007-04-23 16:51:00
The Ann Arbor Board reports a decline in units and in sales price compared to last year at this time. Not all areas of the State have declining unit sales.Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
More About: Sales , Michigan , Price , Vera , Mich

Ann Arbor Real Estate Sales Commissions Explained
2007-04-20 19:15:00
Real estate agents are paid on a commission basis. More often than not, both buyers and sellers commission are paid from the selling price of the home. Commissions are calculated from the percentage of the sales price of the sold home. Some firms charge a flat rate.The reason for the difference in rates is generally tied to the type of marketing done for the home. If the rate is low, less capital will be placed into marketing the home. If the rate is higher, generally more marketing will be done. This should be worked out clearly before hand with the agent. In essence though, you will often get what you pay for. Commissions are negotiable.Explanation of Commissions By using a 6% total commission pie as an example:In general, the buyer's agent will get 3%, and the listing agent will receive 3%. In greater detail though, the 3% Listing Commission is to be divided between the listing agent and his/her broker, usually at a 50/50 basis. This means the broker gets 1 1/2%, and the list...
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Bank of America Survey Results for the Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Market
2007-04-19 18:32:00
The report indicates agents across the United States indicated that traffic was down in March.We seem to mirror this National data in The Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Market . For neighborhood trends in your area, call us.We build trusting consultative relationships. We are expert facilitators who make the transaction happen by directing a team of skilled and resource-rich service partners. We are a leader in serving with single-source service, cost efficient and organized transaction, we are responsive and provide current information. For a list of market trends and reports visit http://www.kathytoth.com/Click here to view the full report. Kathy Toth &Team http://www.kathytoth.com/
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Would You Move from Ann Arbor to Live Here?
2007-04-17 21:24:00
WHAT ABOUT HIGH TIDE????THIS ONE AIN'T THAT BAD LEAST YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY BOUT BEING HOT IN THE SUMMER!!     &nb sp;      &n bsp; WEIRD LOOKING NEIGHBORHOOD IF THE CABLE SNAPS, UR SCREWED!!!THIS LOOKS COMFY!!WHAT'S THE WEIGHT LIMIT, LOL??TOO BORING FOR ME!!!NOT FOR A MILLION DOLLARS AND FREE RENT FOR LIFE!!!HOPE THEY DON'T GET TERMITES!!NO PLACE TO SEND THE KIDS OUTSIDE TO PLAY!!Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/  
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TV Opportunity for Ann Arbor Home Buyers!
2007-04-16 16:42:00
Any body who is buying a home through Kathy Toth and Team in the next 30- 60 days will be considered to be on HGTV network with the buyers agents, so if you are thinking of buying, and want to be FEATURED on national TV, call Kathy at 866-OWN -THIS , 866-696-8447 to take advantage of this opportunity!Sincerely,Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
More About: Home Buyers , Home , Opportunity , Ann Arbor , Buyers

FREE Ann Arbor Smart Home Buyer Seminar
2007-04-12 23:40:00
Please Join Us For a FREE Ann Arbor Smart Home Buyer Seminar When: Monday, April 23rd 2007Time: Private Pre Approval Starts at 6:30 p.m.Home Buyer Class Starts at 7:00 p.m.Location: United Bank and Trust355 S. Zeeb RoadAnn Arbor, MI 48103Space is limited - RSVP 734-216-2172This monthly seminar is posted on http://www.kathytoth.com/ if you know someone who might want to attend in the future. You can also check out many buyer reports on the site.Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/
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Sell Your Ann Arbor Home for More Money
2007-04-10 00:39:00
All sellers want to make more when they sell their home, but instead many literally throw away thousands of dollars. It's a problem that has a very basic solution."The key to understanding how to get your house sold quickly and for top dollar is to first understand that buyers buy emotionally not intellectually," says Michael Corbett author of Ready, Set, Sold!He should know. Corbett bought his first investment home at the age of 19 after his acting career in daytime soaps provided him with a little extra cash."I had a $10,000 check from my first soap opera when I was on Ryan's Hope and I thought what better a place to invest it than in buying a house. So I bought it and I fixed it up and then I put it back on the market and I made a lot of money," says Corbett.That experience encouraged him to found Highland Properties -- a company that has bought, restored, and sold dozens of homes and apartment buildings. Corbett juggled his soap opera acting jobs on s...
More About: Money , Home , More , Sell , Ann Arbor

George Fulton and Don Grimes Predict the Ann Arbor Area will Lose Jobs in 2
2007-04-05 01:22:00
Wednesday, March 21, 2007BY JENNY RODEGrady Burnett is right at home with the entrepreneurial spirit of his company, Google.As a youngster, he would sit in on business meetings with his father, himself an entrepreneur. Burnett took on kid-friendly business jobs like stapling papers and sweeping the floors. Those odd jobs eventually turned into creating marketing presentations and other worthy experiences.What he learned in the early days stuck with him, said Burnett, head of online sales and operations for Google's Ann Arbor office."That can-do attitude really formed who I am in a lot of ways,'' he told a crowd of more than 300 people at the Ann Arbor News' annual economic outlook luncheon Tuesday at the Four Points Sheraton. "Google gave the opportunity for me to participate in an entrepreneurial culture that fosters innovation and really allows people to create.''Burnett confirmed that the 8-year-old Internet search company, based in Mountain View...
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Ann Arbor Job Opportunities
2007-04-03 17:38:00
Join a Winning Team!Kathy Toth & Team is seeking professionals to join our expanding team and real estate leader, Real Estate One. We strive to focus the collective talents, expertise and experience of all team members as a resource for our clients and customers, and to create an environment in which each team member can grow professionally and be successful, productive and fulfilled. From our office, we serve all of Ann Arbor 's surrounding communities, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, Pinckney, Ypsilanti and many other great neighborhoods.Current Job Opportunities with our team:Licensed AgentsBuyer Partner or Listing PartnerReal Estate ApprenticeTelemarketing PositionCourier PositionPart-Time PositionsClick Here for More Info!Kathy Toth & Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.com/ 
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Ann Arborites can Save Money on Repairs!
2007-03-31 00:26:00
Hi. We just discovered a web site and thought of you. Researchers at Freddie Mac decided to put together a list of life expectancies of various home systems and major appliances and published it on The Old House Web at http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detail ed/267.shtml.This is good information whether you already own a home or are considering buying one. This will give you time to save towards repairs or replacements, which can be costly. It lists appliances, gutters and downspouts, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and roofs.We hope you also have a chance to visit http://www.kathytoth.com/.We're continuously adding information that we think you'll find useful. Because we're totally immersed in our profession, we can often find you information that you might not be able to locate otherwise. For example, we frequently know of Ann Arbor area homes that are coming on the market before they are advertised. This can be particularly useful if you are looking for a hom...
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Ann Arbor Real Estate Secret
2007-03-27 15:51:00
This message isn't about Ann Arbor real estate, but it is something we thought you might be interested in. You may have heard all the 'hooplah' about 'The Secret ' after it was featured on Larry King Live a couple months back, and then on Oprah. ‘The Secret' talks about The Law of Attraction, and how your attitude affects your life. I talk to my Ann Arbor, MI sellers about thinking positive thoughts about selling their home; every day when their feet hit the ground getting out of bed to feel gratitude for something. This day is a new day - it is the best day of our lives.If you haven't seen the movie as yet, you can check it out here http://www.thesecret.tv/ In the meantime, check out this quick 2-minute video. If you watch this video clip once every morning (maybe right when you sit down at work in the morning), it will definitely start your day in a positive way, and remind you how much power you truly have.Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth....
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Michigan Brief Reports 65,000 Michiganders Leave Mid 2005 to Mid 2006
2007-03-23 17:26:00
People in Mich igan are reacting to its difficult economic climate by voting with their feet, according Comerica Bank's most recent Michigan Brief. To view the entire release, please click here. Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.c om/
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Ann Arbor House Hunters can use PDA Mapping to Map Properties
2007-03-22 17:40:00
Google Maps can help REALTORS and Ann Arbor buyers find their next appointment or property. You can also check real-time traffic, detailed directions, movable maps and satellite imagery. Use your Blackberry's or Treo's browser and head to to download this free application. From your phone, go to www.google.com/gmm.For more information click here: Google Maps Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.c om/
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Ann Arbor Real Estate Buyer Traffic Report
2007-03-21 22:23:00
Click Here to view a survey which shows buyer traffic is slower than expected as of Feb 2007. If you need any other market date, visit http://www.kathytoth.com/ or call 734-669-0337 in Ann Arbor, MI.Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.c om/
More About: Estate , Real Estate , Traffic , Report , Buyer

Where do Ann Arbor Consumers Learn About Homes They Buy?
2007-03-19 17:20:00
Most Consumers Learn About Homes They Buy From AgentsSome 36% of buyers who bought a home in the last three years said that they first learned of the property from their real estate agent, according to a survey released by Prudential CA/NV/TX Realty. Thirty one percent of buyers learned about their home online or on a real estate web site, while only 5 % found their home in a newspaper. Other findings include that 18% of buyers surveyed found their home by seeing a yard sign or driving by the home and 9% of buyers heard about the home they bought through a friend. But why do buyers visit real estate web sites? Here are some of the answers:. Looking at property photos - 89%. Property search - 85%. Mapping a property - 77%. Financing information - 31%. Locating an agent - 26%. Career information - 11%When you are looking for extensive on line presentation of homes, click on the link below and scroll down to see neighborhood report, aerial view, community tours, disclosures, school lin...
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Women in Ann Arbor On the Move
2007-03-14 18:12:00
Kathy Toth and Team are seeing more single women purchase homes in Ann Arbor . According the National Association of Realtors profile of home buyers 2006, the number of single women buying their own homes has doubled in the last 10 years. More than half of all first time home buyers are women. Here's a timeline of some other interesting statistics:- 1999 - Twenty seven percent of all US home buyers were single; 40% women 33% men.- 2000 - Twice as many single women as men purchased homes. Single women purchased . 10% of all "second" homes or vacation homes.- 2001 - Single women accounted for 15% of all home buyers; single men were 7%.- 2002 - Single women bought one in every seven properties and accounted for 17% of mortgages.- 2003 - Single women accounted for 21% of all homes purchased and 75% of them did not have children.- 2010 - Women -owned households are expected to be 31 million, which makes up more than 25% of all home buyers in the U.S.Kathy Toth &Teamh...
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Craigslist Foundation for Ann Arbor Citizens
2007-03-13 19:53:00
I discovered Craig slist Foundation which is a resource center for Non Profit organizations if any of our Ann Arbor community members want to take advantage of these. There is a boot camp in San Francisco and a Newsletter if you are interested. This organization is providing free and low cost education opportunities to non profits. Check it out. I discovered this through ecademy, an international networking group, which is a topic for another day. Click here for more information. Kathy Toth &Teamhttp://www.kathytoth.c om/
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