Southern Maryland Homes for Sale

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The first house you see could be the one that is perfect for you...

I agree with the statement that sometimes it is the first home, sometimes the last home, and hey, sometimes it is the home in between. But one thing is for sure, after you have seen some, it gets very obvious when you find the right home for you.

Via Michael Delaware, CRS, e-Pro (Troxel Realty Co. LLC):

When you are at the point where you are looking at homes with a Realtor, it is important to realize a basic thing can occur.  The first house you see could be the one that is perfect for you. Especially if you gave your Realtor a list of the features that were most important to you, and they entered this information into the Multiple Listing Service to filter out homes that matched your criteria. 

The first house you see could be the one that is perfect for youYes, it is always good advice to look at several homes and get a feel for an area.  Seeing several homes will give you a feel for what the different homes are in the area, and what is available in your price range, school district, city, etc. 

However, there is always a chance the first house you see could be the one that is perfect for you.  It does not happen all the time, but it has happened so often with me that I feel it is important enough to mention. 

Let's say that you line up to see 25 home in the process of choosing the right home for you.  For the sake of example, let's say you have made arrangements with your Realtor to see this quantity of homes over a three day period. 

As a buyer, you need to realize that the perfect home for you could be in that group, and it could be number one, number 11, or even number 25!  I have seen it happen that the last one was the one that left no doubt that it was the right house for that buyer.  However, I have also seen it happen that the first one was the perfect one too. 

In some cases the buyer saw the house, knew it was perfect, and hesitated because they wanted to seeThe first house you see could be the one that is perfect for you the other group, and ended up losing the house to some other buyer who did not wait.  So timing can be everything with house buying. 

I had one buyer I worked with earlier this year that saw a home, and it was the first one we saw.  He liked it, and we wrote an offer, but the buyer insisted on going really low with his offer despite my advice to do otherwise.  His reasoning was that there were a lot of other houses available, and he wanted to take the chance on getting a great deal.  It turned out the seller did not counter, but rejected his offer.  They also received another offer at full price the next morning, and they accepted that one.  

I took my buyer to see the other 20 some odd houses on the list over the next two weeks, and none compared to that first one for him.  I listened to him asking me over and over again on several occasions if he could go back to the seller on the first one to get them to reconsider a full price offer, and it was not to be. 

So, remember: The first house you see could be the one that is perfect for you.  It does not mean it will happen, but be willing for it to happen, and be prepared to take the right steps if it does.  Consult your Realtor on this as well, as it does happen.

The first house you see could be the one that is perfect for you

 Looking for Southwest Michigan Real Estate? Just Call Michael!

He is your key to the best homes in the region!

2010 'REALTOR OF THE YEAR'

For the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors

Copyright © Photos and Content by Michael Delaware REALTOR® All Rights Reserved

Michael Delaware, Realtor

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

 - Mark Twain

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Day 30 of the 31 Days of December Challenge

Day 30 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge was a combination of working in my business not on my business PLUS attending to more clean up around Mosquito Gulch. The Kitchen and Garage have been attacked and cleaned and straightened. Tomorrow Stanley Steamer arrives to do some carpet cleaning.

I had a listing appointment, 7 homes to show, and a visit to the RE/MAX Office. Tomorrow's the last day of the contest. I am doing more cleaning, more straightening and more laptop reloading before I pick up a treat at Starbucks to close out the year. I usually like to pick up steamed shrimp, Godiva on sale, and some Beringer or a Starbucks Specialty drink to celebrate the preceding 364 days. Quite a ritual! Happy New Year to you all!

Retrieve Golden Results with Cheryl Ritchie, RE/MAX 100

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Day 29 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge

Day 29 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge meant the Jeep got detailed. Yep, it glistens GREEN just in time for a listing and showing appointment tomorrow. It looks like a youngster. It shines, it purrs, it looks wonderful. I am so proud of my wheels. The Jeep looks ready for business in 2011. Now I have to do the same thing for my house. I'm trying but it is slow going with all the laptop reloads and paperwork and year end books and year end planning. Lots to do in the last few days of the contest!

Golden Results

 

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Home Improvements: Is it Maintenance, an Upgrade or a Personalization?

Would you have done the repair if you knew you were going to sell the home? Did you do it with your personal style attached? Or does it add value? Is it done to maintain the home or upgrade the home? These are valuable ppoints to consider when assessing the value of your home.

Via Michelle Carr-Crowe, ABR ALHS ASP CDPE RECS SRES (Just Call ... (408) 252-8900 Altas/ Judy Carr & Asc., Inc):

Home Improvements: Is it Maintenance, an Upgrade or a Personalization?

by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Silicon Valley Top 5% Residential Real Estate Agent

When it comes to home values, comparables and owner changes, there is often a big disconnect between the seller's and buyer's opinions of value for the same items.

Here is a quick way for sellers to assess whether their changes are worth extra dollars to the type of buyers in their marketplace.

1) Is it Maintenance? Yes, a new roof is expensive and appreciated by the new buyer. However, it is a maintenance issue.

2) Is it an Upgrade? There are two types of upgrades - upgrades as compared to the original quality level of the home and neighborhood, and upgrades to modern tastes. For example, formica counters were common and popular in mid-century Eichler-style homes. Now, unless it's a designated historic neighborhood such as we find in Cupertino and Palo Alto, those original formica counters would be a negative and replacing them with granite, marble or tile is an upgrade.

3) Is it Personalization? Colors of paint and carpet are often personal - yet easily changed. While building a lighted, heated dog house big enough for you to sleep in may be a perceived plus to a new buyer, they will NOT pay more money for that feature. Not sure if it's personal? Here are some examples: sponge-painted walls, a uniquely-colored appliance (think fire engine red or retro aqua), a beer dispenser you can reach from the couch.

If a feature is so unique that people say, "It's so YOU," it's probably personalization. That means unless you find another buyer who is so much like you that they will have the exact same values and tastes, it may not add value to the price.

Regardless of how much an item cost, the only part that matters is how much a buyer is willing to pay for it in this market.

 

Aloha & God bless you,

Michelle

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, DRE #00901962, and the Get RE$ult$ Team (established by the late Judy Carr) are known as the "Lynbrook and Cupertino Schools Experts." Michelle is a creative catalyst for positive change in people's lives.She is a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant who works by referral only. Her designations include: Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS), Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE),  Property Marketing Expert (PME), Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). In addition, she is an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,000 traditional articles in print and online, as well as over 51,000 blog posts on Blogger, ActiveRain, MySpace, FaceBook, Realtor.com, Trulia, RealBird and others. She enjoys reading, traveling, animals, dancing, staging and praying. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com or www.lynbrookhighhomes.com. For RE$ult$ ... Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Facebook's New Profile Page - A Creative Way To Use It

Photojojo looks like a cool tool to add a creative and tech savy looking presentation of your five or so allowable photos on your Facebook page. Gotta check this out! I noticed FB arbitrarily selected a few photos for me so it will be fun to intentionally select some with this tool. I can already think what I want to do!

Via Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations):

Have you upgraded to the new Profile Page on facebook yet?  Instead of having only a profile photo, the new profile page has five additional photos across the top.

 

new facebook profileThe photos across the top are your five most recently tagged pictures.  If you want to remove any of these photos, roll over them and click the "x" in the top right corner.  These photos are only visible to the people selected in your "Photos and videos you're tagged in" privacy setting.

People who are not allowed to view your tagged photos see photos from your profile picture album instead. People who are not allowed to see either your tagged photos or your profile picture album don't see any photos at the top of your profile.

 

 

 

Thanks to Photojojo, I found a fun way to creatively use the new Profile format. 

With a free template from Pic Scatter you can choose one photo to fill all six photo spots on your profile.  This template allows you to control what will be in those boxes, instead of photos you're tagged in being put there automatically.

facebook profile

 

The template is very easy to use.   

1.   Click  "Create a Profile Picture"

2.   Click  "Upload Picture"

3.   Drag picture to position it.  Use plus and minus signs to change picture size.

4.   Use plus and minus signs to enter number of lines of text.   (this determines the position of the five small pictures) See my photo above - there are three lines of text under my name, so I entered 3.  If you want the row of pictures higher or lower, just change the number.

5.  Click "Publish to facebook"  

To return to displaying tagged photos - simply check the box  "Remove old scatters" and then click "Publish to facebook.

There are so many ways to have fun with this template! 

NOTE:  You must upgrade to the new profile before the template will work.

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LOGO     RESA-PRO

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth   Rye   Greenland   Hampton   North Hampton   Exeter   Dover   Stratham  

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_________________________________________________________________________________


You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Almost 400K Active Rain Points and 100 Subscribers

Almost 400K Active Rain Points and 100 Subscribers..Okay, that's a lot. Think about it. A hundred people a day are listening to my diatribes and tech tips and Southern Maryland Happenings. I think it has been a year and a half. That sounds about right. I gave up my day off for a very long stretch to learn blogging, social networking, and improved computer skills. That takes strong will and a chill from recharge time. But it was a special long term project and I am getting the hang of it with 400K and 100 peeps that selected my blog posts as Keepers...Jeepers what a compliment.

Golden Results

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Twitter Has You Confused Too!?!?

Twitter is really fascinating. I picked up Twitter for Dummies and Twitter Marketing for Dummies and both really helped learn the product. I want to browse through them again and learn it even better. 140 or less is sweet.

Via Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus/The Discovery Coach):

Yesterday I posted a blog titled:  What Do You Think About Twitter?

I have to admit that I did not understand Twitter when I started out on it. I just recently started to figure out what to do on Twitter and how to use it.

  1. I now look at Twitter like an online networking event.  If someone Tweets something interesting I either Reply to it or Retweet it.
  2. At least 50% of your Tweets should be a Reply!  Now that I know its about starting conversations online I focus on STARTING a conversation.
  3. Retweeting something interesting that someone else posts helps!  People are on there to market and build a business.  One way to do that is by getting their message spread through Retweeting.  Doings so opens the door for your Tweets to be Retweeted, thus connecting you with a larger audience.
  4. You want to follow people from your target audience.  If you wonder why you are not connecting well with people on Twitter are you hanging in the right crowd?  Find people in your target market.  You can do this by going to twellow.com and searching people in your area.  Or doing a search on Twitter to see who is Tweeting about things of interest to you.
  5. You want to post valuable content. Its tough in 140 words you might think, but really a great headline with a link to an article is a way to go.  This is one area I need improvement on.  For the most part now I am posting things that will help me connect with like minded people.
  6. Tag the keywords that you would like to be found in Twitter.  That's when you put a # in front of a word or phrase.  So when others search the same word your Tweet pops up and they connect with you.  For example I might Tweet:  Just saw a great house in #Cambridge,MN.  Only $55,000 and #BankOwned.  Here is a link to the listing (link). #Minnesota #Realtor.

Think about your offline marketing. People have to know, like and trust you to work with you. If you try to cram your business down their throat before building a relationship are you going to get a new customer.  The same is for online marketing. You need to be there. Then you need to engage your audience.  Start giving great content and interacting with people. 

I live in an area that there are not many people real active on Twitter. I still go on there each day and interact.  I want to be a leader in my area online.  I know it takes time to build that presence but by doing so I feel opportunities will come.  

You can follow me and I will follow you back just click here to find me on twitter!

 

 

 

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team(RE/MAX Associates Plus Inc.) in Elk River, MN.  Helping buyers, sellers and investors in great Minnesota counties like Sherburne, Isanti, Wright, Anoka, Chisago, Hennipen and Mille Lacs. He is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).

Contact Chuck by emailing him at chuck@thediscoveryteam.com or by phone at 763-635-7228. 

Find me on the following:     

The Discovery Team Fan Page On Facebook 

365 Things To Do Around Elk River, MN

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Day 28 and 29 of the 31 Days of December Contest

Day 28 and 29 of the 31 Days of December Contest...So the business preparation items for 2011 included more laptop reloading time. I got Tweetdeck, Dropbox, and Firefox loaded. I am bringing over my contacts that are on a cloud on to the Agent Office Personal Edition. Soon, this product, which replaces the old standby by Agent Office, can be used on multiple laptops.

I also took my Jeep into the shop for year end repairs before Spring Season. I straightened some closets. It is an organization time for my home and business. In a few days, we can all shout Happy New Year!

Golden Results

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Day 28 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge

Day 28 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge...Well Folks, I tend to think that January is going to be Spring Break after completing the December Active Rain Challenge. Just kidding. I always, always make December a rock em sock em preparation month for the following year. I start with a Client and Family and Friend Wreath Party, then deliver pop bys, then wrap up Paperwork and Transfer Files and load or reload laptops and the list goes on. It's a yearly goal to make the slow time busy time.

Tomorrow is MORE Laptop Load and Paperwork Clean Up Stuff. The focus will be on decreasing the piles and loading Tweetdeck, Dropbox, Google Desktop, Picasa3, REDX, Stumble Upon, Seesmic Desktop 2, Mozilla Firefox, Paint.net, Debut Video Capture, Jot, Aim, VSO Image Resizer, and whatever else I can tackle. It's a BUSY day ahead in Snowbound Southern Maryland!

Retrieve Golden Results with Cheryl Ritchie, RE/MAX 100

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You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults

Day 27 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge

Day 27 of the 31 Days of December Business Challenge was a SNOW bound Southern Maryland day which meant lots and lots got accomplished in the Paperwork and Laptop Reload Projects. Each piece of paper seemed to involve a project but while sales were rolling the papers just had to pile up. Now it is fish or cut bait time because January 4 is back to business for 2011 for this Southern Maryland Realtor.

I excavated some cool stuff. I found some itunes gift certificates, coupons, and a little cash. I even found the list of the remaining items to do for my laptop reload project. I had not one, not two, yep THREE laptops croak on me this Fall. So the reload is for all them plus the new one that has to toe the line this year.

I focused on all the basics for the reload one previous weekend . Today, I got the following working... or almost working: Xobni Plus, PDF Annotater, SnagIt, ITunes Update, Carbonite, Jing, GotoMeeting, and  Google Earth. More tomorrow.

The creative FUN stuff  next week to generate 2011 business means a lot of grunt work this week to be ready for the cool parts.

Retrieve Golden Results with Cheryl Ritchie, RE/MAX 100

 

_________________________________________________________________________________


You'll "Retrieve Golden Results" with my No Bones About It FREE and EASY Real Estate Tools!

Sign up for your Doggone Special Custom Real Estate Reports OR Custom Neighborhood Reports  

www.GoldenResults.net ORCall Direct 301-855-2010 OR Main 301-855-8600 X 2010

 
OR Visit my Digital Business Card at www.Follr.me/GoldenResults
 

When you've found Golden Results, go ahead and "Cher" (Share) your Golden (SOLD) Results

Or Visit my "Golden Results" Social Networking Sites

RSS Feed http://twitter.com/GoldenResults http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=23151495&trk=tab_pro http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/goldenresults/reviews/ http://www.facebook.com/goldenresults http://delicious.com/goldenresults http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenresults http://www.google.com/profiles/RetrieveGoldenResults