27 October 2011

Quiz: What Type of Buyer Am I?


Do you let impulse rule your decisions, or are you a more methodical consumer? Your past spending habits have a lot to say about what type of home buyer you'll make.

Take this quick quiz to see your strengths and possible buying pitfalls.

1. I save money: (a) on a regular schedule; (b) when I have money leftover; (c) pretty much never. I have very little savings.

2. When I shop: (a) I use a list; (b) I do pretty good about remembering what I need; (c) I tend to buy things that catch my eye.

3. How important is it for you to appear well-dressed and successful? (a) I know it's important for things to look good, but I don't like to overspend (b) looking good is worth spending a little extra money (c) I live to look like a million bucks!

4. I tend to return purchases to the store: (a) not often; (b) once a month; (c) all the time. If you have a receipt you can return it!

5. I have a car that I: (a) own; (b) make payments on; (c) lease.

6. Before I make a big purchase: (a) I research the latest prices and trends; (b) I think about what exactly I want to buy; (c) I've generally just gotten a raise or bonus.

7. Large purchases make me feel: (a) like a grown-up; (b) a little uneasy; (c) successful and in control.

If you answered mostly a's then you are a careful, methodical shopper. Your strengths in the home buying process are clear. You won't make an impulsive decision. Changes are you'll shop around a lot before you make your final choice. You have plenty of money saved. You are very money conscious. You and homeownership should have a beautiful relationship.

If you answered mostly b's then you tend to pretty good with your money. You don't overspend, but you should focus on saving more. Homeownership comes with a lot of unexpected expenses. Build up an emergency fund and a downpayment account.

If you answered mostly c's then you need to beware. You could very easily be an impulsive shopper. Looking good is really important to you, so be careful not to overspend on a home. You also may have a hard time with commitment. You may lease your car or return items to stores. Be sure you spend time running real numbers and putting together a solid plan for buying before you start the process.



Via Realty Times. Cartoon ©Matt/Daily Telegraph

14 October 2011

Contemporary Art Museum, Raleigh, NC



Raleigh, NC, is going for architecture.

At least some times. (Endangering buildings such as the international-style offices at 419 and 425 North Boylan Avenue dull the shine a bit).

Aiming for good architecture is excellent. It's also more unusual than it sounds. Think "though the Spirit may be willing, the Flesh is weak".

A bit clearer: between politico lip-service, commitment and final action lie several abysses.

While architects and Raleigh's citizens are proud to watch Frank Harmon’s AIA-NC Center for Architecture and Design in Raleigh grow towards completion under much attention, a smaller gem has already opened earlier this year: The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) of Raleigh.

Local architects Clearscapes and LA-based Brooks + Scarpa got to work and re-adapted an existing warehouse CAM owns in Southwest Raleigh’s “Creative District” to become the museum’s main exhibition space. The new design encompasses 20,000 sf (1,900 sm) and features perforated screens on the entrance canopy, a signature Brooks + Scarpa element.
 
Curious? Read on here:


Details:
  • Project name: Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Raleigh
  • Client: Contemporary Art Museum
  • Location: Raleigh, NC, United States
  • Program: Exhibition spaces, archive and art storage, educational center, administrative offices, catering kitchen, sculpture garden
  • Area: Total Square Footage: 22,300 sf (900 sf new entry lobby)
  • Year: Completion 2011
  • Cost: $5,800,000
  • Architects: Brooks + Scarpa, Clearscapes 
 
Photo © John Edward Linden
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I.M. Mima, 22 Dec 1920 - 14 Oct 2006 




06 October 2011

I.M. Steven Paul Jobs



"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. 

And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

– Steve Jobs (24 Feb, 1955 – 5 Oct, 2011), American computer entrepreneur and inventor, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Apple Inc , at Stanford University Commencement Address June 2005.

The modern world owes him; immensely so.
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This blog created on a Mac, as is all my work since 1992.