Severe climate jeopardizing Amazon forest, study finds

Jan. 18, 2013 ? An area of the Amazon rainforest twice the size of California continues to suffer from the effects of a megadrought that began in 2005, finds a new NASA-led study. These results, together with observed recurrences of droughts every few years and associated damage to the forests in southern and western Amazonia in the past decade, suggest these rainforests may be showing the first signs of potential large-scale degradation due to climate change.

An international research team led by Sassan Saatchi of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., analyzed more than a decade of satellite microwave radar data collected between 2000 and 2009 over Amazonia. The observations included measurements of rainfall from NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and measurements of the moisture content and structure of the forest canopy (top layer) from the Seawinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikScat spacecraft.

The scientists found that during the summer of 2005, more than 270,000 square miles (700,000 square kilometers, or 70 million hectares) of pristine, old-growth forest in southwestern Amazonia experienced an extensive, severe drought. This megadrought caused widespread changes to the forest canopy that were detectable by satellite. The changes suggest dieback of branches and tree falls, especially among the older, larger, more vulnerable canopy trees that blanket the forest.

While rainfall levels gradually recovered in subsequent years, the damage to the forest canopy persisted all the way to the next major drought, which began in 2010. About half the forest affected by the 2005 drought -- an area the size of California -- did not recover by the time QuikScat stopped gathering global data in November 2009 and before the start of a more extensive drought in 2010.

"The biggest surprise for us was that the effects appeared to persist for years after the 2005 drought," said study co-author Yadvinder Malhi of the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. "We had expected the forest canopy to bounce back after a year with a new flush of leaf growth, but the damage appeared to persist right up to the subsequent drought in 2010."

Recent Amazonian droughts have drawn attention to the vulnerability of tropical forests to climate change. Satellite and ground data have shown an increase in wildfires during drought years and tree die-offs following severe droughts. Until now, there had been no satellite-based assessment of the multi-year impacts of these droughts across all of Amazonia. Large-scale droughts can lead to sustained releases of carbon dioxide from decaying wood, affecting ecosystems and Earth's carbon cycle.

The researchers attribute the 2005 Amazonian drought to the long-term warming of tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures. "In effect, the same climate phenomenon that helped form hurricanes Katrina and Rita along U.S. southern coasts in 2005 also likely caused the severe drought in southwest Amazonia," Saatchi said. "An extreme climate event caused the drought, which subsequently damaged the Amazonian trees."

Saatchi said such megadroughts can have long-lasting effects on rainforest ecosystems. "Our results suggest that if droughts continue at five- to 10-year intervals or increase in frequency due to climate change, large areas of the Amazon forest are likely to be exposed to persistent effects of droughts and corresponding slow forest recovery," he said. "This may alter the structure and function of Amazonian rainforest ecosystems."

The team found that the area affected by the 2005 drought was much larger than scientists had previously predicted. About 30 percent (656,370 square miles, or 1.7 million square kilometers) of the Amazon basin's total current forest area was affected, with more than five percent of the forest experiencing severe drought conditions. The 2010 drought affected nearly half of the entire Amazon forest, with nearly a fifth of it experiencing severe drought. More than 231,660 square miles (600,000 square kilometers) of the area affected by the 2005 drought were also affected by the 2010 drought. This "double whammy" by successive droughts suggests a potentially long-lasting and widespread effect on forests in southern and western Amazonia.

The drought rate in Amazonia during the past decade is unprecedented over the past century. In addition to the two major droughts in 2005 and 2010, the area has experienced several localized mini-droughts in recent years. Observations from ground stations show that rainfall over the southern Amazon rainforest declined by almost 3.2 percent per year in the period from 1970 to 1998. Climate analyses for the period from 1995 to 2005 show a steady decline in water availability for plants in the region. Together, these data suggest a decade of moderate water stress led up to the 2005 drought, helping trigger the large-scale forest damage seen following the 2005 drought.

Saatchi said the new study sheds new light on a major controversy that existed about how the Amazon forest responded following the 2005 megadrought. Previous studies using conventional optical satellite data produced contradictory results, likely due to the difficulty of correcting the optical data for interference by clouds and other atmospheric conditions.

In contrast, QuikScat's scatterometer radar was able to see through the clouds and penetrate into the top few meters of vegetation, providing daily measurements of the forest canopy structure and estimates of how much water the forest contains. Areas of drought-damaged forest produced a lower radar signal than the signals collected over healthy forest areas, indicating either that the forest canopy is drier or it is less "rough" due to damage to or the death of canopy trees.

Results of the study were published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Other participating institutions included UCLA; University of Oxford, United Kingdom; University of Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom; National Institute for Space Research, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Boston University, Mass.; and NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

For more on NASA's scatterometry missions, visit: http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm . You can follow JPL News on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/nasajpl and on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/nasajpl . The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena manages JPL for NASA.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kO0w9g4g05E/130118111705.htm

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Myanmar's Kachin rebels say fighting continues

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) ? Ethnic Kachin rebels in Myanmar said clashes in the country's north continued Saturday despite a government promise to cease fire, casting doubt over hopes that the bloody conflict there could end soon.

Myanmar's military had declared Friday it would stop attacks against rebels around the town of Lajayang, near Myanmar's northeastern border with China, starting Saturday morning because it had achieved its goal of securing an army outpost there that had been surrounded by insurgents.

An official with the Kachin Independence Army confirmed Lajayang was quiet, but he said fighting was taking place in at least three other rebel positions in the region on Saturday. The official declined to be identified because he is not a spokesman for the rebel group.

The two sides have been fighting for 1 1/2 years, but the latest combat has represented a major escalation because the government began using fighter planes and helicopter gunships in its attacks starting on Christmas Day. Many of the skirmishes have centered on Lajayang, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Laiza, a town that also serves as a political headquarters for the guerrillas.

The upsurge in violence has drawn calls from the international community for the two sides to put down their arms and negotiate, but there was no public indication of any direct talks taking place.

Speaking at a development forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, President Thein Sein invited the Kachin rebels to an upcoming peace conference with 10 other armed ethnic groups, although no date has been set for the talks.

"I just want to stress that we continue to try to achieve genuine peace in the country," Thein Sein said, adding that he had ordered the army and other government agencies to seek peaceful solution.

But the Kachin rebels, he said, "will need to reciprocate in a similar way."

There was no immediate word on whether the Kachin would take up the president's offer.

Tension with ethnic minorities fighting for greater autonomy in Myanmar is considered one of the biggest major long-term challenges for reformist Thein Sein, who inherited power in 2011 from the army, which ruled for almost half a century.

The Kachin, like Myanmar's other ethnic minorities, have long sought greater autonomy from the central government. They are the only major ethnic rebel group that has not reached a truce with Thein Sein's administration.

A cease-fire that held for nearly two decades broke down in June 2011 after the Kachin refused to abandon a strategic base near a hydropower plant that is a joint venture with a Chinese company. The conflict has forced about 100,000 Kachin from their homes since then, and many are in camps near Laiza, where they have been digging bomb shelters and bunkers out of fear of air and artillery attacks.

The recent fighting flared after the Kachin rejected a government demand that they stop attacking convoys delivering supplies to the army base at Lajayang. The guerrillas contended that the convoys carried ammunition that could be used to attack their own nearby headquarters. The government then launched its offensive to clear the road to its base.

On Saturday, the Kachin rebel official said the latest fighting was taking place at Hka Pot and Hka Ya Bhum, both rebel-held hilltop posts located to the north and west of Laiza, respectively. He said fighting was also taking place in Hphakant, more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) further away.

He said the army had launched new assaults in each of the locations, but it was impossible to verify the claims.

Ye Htut, a presidential spokesman, denied the army was carrying out any new strikes, saying "we have completely stopped all offensives."

But he said the military would retaliate if attacked and said the army has "reiterated its commitment to the president's instruction to stop offensives except for self-defense."

Ye Htut did not directly confirm whether there was fighting Saturday, but he accused rebels of attacking a police station in Hphakant before dawn, killing two police.

He also said about 20 civilians were injured when a convoy of three passenger buses struck what he said was a rebel landmine on a highway at Bamaw, several dozen kilometers (miles) west of Laiza.

Min Htay, a member of the All Burma Students Democratic Front, a dissident group that is fighting alongside some KIA units, also said the army was shelling a rebel outpost at Kka Ya Bhum with artillery on Saturday. Myanmar is also called Burma.

"The government announced last night that they will stop offensives," Min Htay said, "But in practice, troops continue their barrage."

Min Htay said hundreds of government ground forces overran three rebel hill posts around Lajayang in fierce battles on Friday, forcing outnumbered guerrillas to retreat.

Friday's announcement that the army was ceasing offensives said that since December, 35 soldiers were killed and 190 wounded in Kachin state. The total number of Kachin casualties is not known, though the group's supporters said it included civilians.

The government also said that since the war reignited in 2011, there have been 1,095 skirmishes with the guerrillas, who it also blamed for blasting 133 roads and bridges with explosives and laying land mines that wounded civilians at least 30 times.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/myanmars-kachin-rebels-fighting-continues-092410772.html

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Colbert's sister entering SC congressional race

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) ? No joke.

While comedian Stephen Colbert once spoofed that he was running for the president of the United States of South Carolina, his sister really is earnestly seeking a vacant congressional seat in the state.

Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch plans to file next week to enter the race for the 1st District, her campaign manager Bill Romjue said Friday.

She'll join an already notable list of candidates.

Former Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, whose political career was derailed after he admitted an affair with an Argentine woman in 2009, announced his return to politics this week by entering the race. And Teddy Turner, the son of media magnate Ted Turner, is also running as a Republican.

Filing for the seat opened Friday and runs through Jan. 28.

Turner and Sanford are among at least 10 Republicans running in the Republican-leaning district.

The 1st District seat was left vacant when Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Tim Scott as the state's newest U.S. senator.

Colbert-Busch is a Charleston native like her brother and is development director at the Clemson University Restoration Institute in nearby North Charleston. She did not return messages from The Associated Press on Friday, but Romjue said the district, redrawn in 2011, is now more favorable to Democrats.

More conservative and rural areas along the state's north coast were replaced with the resort areas around Hilton Head and thousands of northern transplants.

"It comes out better on the Democratic-Republicans numbers and it's just a different electorate," said Romjue, who in 2008 was campaign manager for Linda Ketner, a Democrat who got 48 percent of the vote against then-incumbent U.S. Rep. Henry Brown.

A profile of Colbert-Busch three years ago in The Post and Courier described some of the tough times she has had in her life. She lost her father and two brothers in a plane crash when she was 19 and also was sitting in a building across from the World Trade Center when hijacked jets smashed into the Twin Towers in 2001.

At least one other Democrat is in race. Charleston businessman Martin Skelly announced his candidacy on Friday.

Three sitting state lawmakers are among the other Republicans running. State Reps. Chip Limehouse and Andy Patrick are running, as is state Sen. Larry Grooms. Former state Sen. John Kuhn has also announced his candidacy as have Charleston County School Board member Elizabeth Moffly and former member Larry Kobrovsky.

Former Charleston County councilman Curtis Bostic and Ray Nash, the former sheriff of Dorchester County, are also running.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-01-18-Colbert's%20Sister-Congress/id-10a8326dc30d4dea85b43458650adc0c

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SecureIT (2013)

Traditional antivirus comes as a yearly subscription, perhaps $30 per year. At $1.95 per month, the sales model for SecureIT (2013) seems more like what you'd expect for a mobile app. It's not all that different over the course of a full year, but you're free to choose it for a shorter period, if that's what you prefer.

Kaspersky and Norton recently dropped the use of a version or year number in their security products. SecureIT, too, comes without a number. The 2013 update displays improvement in a number of areas, notably antiphishing and malware cleanup.

SecureIT's installer offers a somewhat unusual choice. If you choose Fresh Start Installation, a SecureIT technician will use remote assistance to install the program, cleaning up simple problems and making sure there's no conflicting security programs. If you'd rather not spend $29.95 just to get the program installed, you'll want to choose Manual Installation.

Self-Help and Tech Support
SecureIT installed without incident on most of my malware-infested test systems. In a couple of cases, its main status indicator reported a problem. Clicking the handy Resolve Now button actually resolved those; nice! Another installation problem was solved by uninstalling and reinstalling the program.

SecureIT's malware cleanup caused a bit of collateral damage on two test systems. Removal of a keyboard-related driver disabled the keyboard on one test system. Using the built-in on-screen keyboard I managed a live chat session with tech support. The support agent took remote control of the system and solved the problem.

Removal of an important DLL wiped out connectivity on another test system, which meant I couldn't use live chat support directly. Working with a technician on a clean system I transferred diagnostic and repair tools to the afflicted system to restore connectivity. After that the tech fixed the problem remotely.

One test system simply can't boot normal Windows, because a ransomware program takes over. This system runs only in Safe Mode, and SecureIT won't install in Safe Mode. Other vendors whose product won't install in Safe Mode offer a no-install cleanup tool, a rescue CD, or some other solution. With SecureIT, the only solution is an extra-cost manual cleanup by the company's technicians.

I considered simply omitting this particular system from the test, not counting its resident malware one way or another. However, when I learned that the extra-cost cleanup costs $89.95 I decided to treat these three samples as missed by SecureIT. I can't picture anyone spending $89.95 to install a $1.95 product.

Improved Malware Cleanup
Even counting the three samples as missed, SecureIT fared better than when I tested the earlier version. Better, but still not good. It detected 66 percent of the samples, the same as Thirtyseven4 Antivirus 2013, but scored 4.9 points for removal where Thirtyseven4 got just 4.6 points.

Had I simply omitted the test system where SecureIT wouldn't install, it would have had 71 percent detection and 5.3 points. McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2013 also scored 5.3 points.

Looking specifically at malware samples that use rootkit technology to hide their nasty activities, SecureIT detected 80 percent and scored 6.0 points for rootkit removal. That's way better than the 3.2 points its previous version earned in this same test.

Even so, other products have scored much, much better. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2013 and Norton AntiVirus (2013) share the top score of 6.6 points. Quite a few current products detected 100 percent of the rootkits; Kaspersky Anti-Virus (2013) beat the rest with 9.4 points for rootkit removal. Clearly SecureIT still has room for improvement.

For a full explanation of my malware removal test, see How We Test Malware Removal.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/w_4FYDQqjvI/0,2817,2414386,00.asp

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'Glee': Romance for Finn, a Valentine's Wedding, Sam and Brittany Backlash and More Teasers

Finn will continue to lead New Directions, but it's a romance that will help play a role in his future, Glee executive producer Dante Di Loreto told reporters Wednesday during a visit to the Fox musical's Hollywood set.

During a Q&A with critics to help close out the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, the cast and EP confirmed the Valentine's Day wedding, defended new couple Brittany and Sam and teased that the Class of 2013 could follow in the footsteps of some of their former classmates. Here are 11 teasers from the cast:

STORY: 'Glee': A 'Bold Move' for Rachel, Tina's New Crush and 8 More Spoilers From the Cast

1. Setting examples: Darren Criss still wants Blaine and Kurt to wind up together, despite the recent addition of Kurt's new love interest, Oliver, in the Jan. 24 return episode. "The fact that they've been working hard to stay in each other's lives is a good thing to show, but of course I want to see them together in the end!" he told reporters Wednesday during the set visit. Criss added that showing the former duo's friendship and acknowledging that they're still in each other's lives is "a good example to set."

2. Wedding bells: Exec producer?Di Loreto confirmed Wednesday what THR reported in October: The Valentine's Day episode will feature a wedding. "It's fair to say that there is romance in the air. There is a wedding in the air, and what is exciting about the show is there's certain things about the show that are undeniable. ? There are also some things that are going to shock the heck out of you. That's a the really fun part and that's what's coming down the pike."

3. Class of 2013: Brittany, Tina, Artie and Blaine are among the seniors who will be marching toward graduation this season, with Di Loreto expressing confidence in the Fox musical's ability to capture its characters' evolution. He teased that New York could be in the cards for some of the Class of 2013. "I wouldn't be surprised if you find a few other castmembers in New York," he told reporters. "That story is yet to reveal itself, but it seems like one of those natural conclusions. They're all going in different places, just like we all do in high school, and hopefully those are stories that we can blossom."

PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 in Pictures

4. Finn's future: Finn discovered his passion and gift for teaching (despite New Directions' recent loss), but Di Loreto said it was important to show the journey of someone besides McKinley's students. "Revealing what the challenge is of being a teacher was really important to [Finn's] storyline," he said. "Romance is going to play a part in his future, too, and where that takes us has yet to be determined." Criss, meanwhile, said as of the Valentine's Day episode, Finn is "still going strong" at the helm of New Directions. "It's cool seeing him thrive and inspire," he told THR

5. Milestones and touring, oh my! After taking a year off, Di Loreto said the cast is open to touring again. "We had an amazing time during the last tour, and we'd all love the opportunity to do it again; it's really about finding time to fit it into our lives," he said. "There's a milestone coming up that you're all going to hear about very soon." Color us interested.

6. Minefield! Asked about Santana and Brittany's relationship, Heather Morris called the subject a "minefield." "It's like we were just best friends," she said of the former couple's romantic relationship. "I don't think they were great for each other even though they're best friends. Sam gives her more room to just be herself, and that's a lot of fun." Morris also said Sam allows the ditzy Cheerio more room to really be "weird." As for hope for the former lesbian couple, Morris told THR: "They're friends, but they won't get back together, I don't think." Sad face.

PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 Cast Portraits

7. Life after McKinley: Morris has hilarious plans for Brittany following her graduation -- that is if the second-year senior graduates. "I want my character to go to jail," she said to laughter. "There should be an episode where she raises her hand to go to the bathroom and never shows back up. Then you show her later and she's in jail." Hope her cellmate is equally amusing!

8. Backlash: Chord Overstreet says he understands the backlash to Sam's romantic pairing with Brittany. "People care about a lot of things because it speaks to them, and I feel like that kind of relationship a lot of people are invested in, so they hate to see it go away," he told THR of Brittany and Santana's split. "But I also think there has to be a little separation to have that kind of tension to, 'Are they going to get back together, or are they not?' It adds the drama you need. I don't know who's going to end up together, but I think Sam and Brittany is funny because it gives a bit of comic relief. At the same time, the story she has with Santana is super sweet. I don't think the fans should be as upset -- they should be more excited for what's to come for both scenarios."

9. "Tough" times: As for how Santana will take the news that her bisexual ex-girlfriend has not only moved on with a guy but with someone she knows: "The first person you really love sticks with you the most, so I think it's going to be tough for her," he told THR.

PHOTOS: 'Glee's' Season 4 Premiere Party

10. Back in business: New Directions lost its choir room in the winter finale, but Criss teased that their eviction won't last long. "There was some foul play going on with the Warblers, so that might have something to do with how they come back," he said, adding there's a great potential for growth in defeat. "I like the idea of these guys when they lose: Who are they, and what does a glee club do when they can't perform? What's really the story -- the glee club or the people in the glee club? It's cool to focus on what that's going to do for them, but they will continue to perform."

11. As for Blaine's new connection with Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) Criss said their friendship "takes an interesting turn." "Blaine and Tina take a new step in their relationship -- for better or worse."

Glee returns Jan. 24 on Fox. Hit the comments with what you're looking forward to seeing. In the meantime, check out a new promo for the "Sadie Hawkins" episode, below.

Email:?Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter:?@Snoodit

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/live_feed/~3/vaBssikbMiA/story01.htm

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Former UCI head defends money link to Lance team

In this Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 photo provided by Harpo Studios Inc., cyclist Lance Armstrong listens to a question from Oprah Winfrey during taping for the show "Oprah and Lance Armstrong: The Worldwide Exclusive" in Austin, Texas. The two-part episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter" will air nationally Thursday and Friday, Jan. 17-18, 2013. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Harpo Studios, Inc., George Burns)

In this Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 photo provided by Harpo Studios Inc., cyclist Lance Armstrong listens to a question from Oprah Winfrey during taping for the show "Oprah and Lance Armstrong: The Worldwide Exclusive" in Austin, Texas. The two-part episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter" will air nationally Thursday and Friday, Jan. 17-18, 2013. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Harpo Studios, Inc., George Burns)

Foto de archivo del 24 de julio de 2005 en la que Lance Armstrong gesticula tras su s?ptima victoria en el Tour de Francia. (AP Foto/Peter Dejong)

WENGEN, Switzerland (AP) ? The International Cycling Union's honorary president said Thursday that there was no conflict of interest when he invested in a brokerage account later linked to Lance Armstrong's team owner.

Hein Verbruggen told The Associated Press it was "cynical" for U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart to suggest to The Wall Street Journal that the business relationship "stinks to high heaven."

"Nothing illegal has happened, or ever did. The comments of Mr. Tygart, I would call them cynical almost," Verbruggen said in a telephone interview.

Verbruggen confirmed details in the newspaper article of his investment, while he was UCI president, with broker Jim Ochowicz from 1999-2004.

"I have given Jim a small amount of money to manage for me, and he moved to (work for) Thom Weisel" in 2001, said the Dutch official, whose 14-year leadership of cycling's governing body ended in 2005.

Ochowicz managed the Motorola team Armstrong rode for in the mid-90s. He then worked as a broker before joining investment bank Thomas Weisel Partners, and confirmed the fact of Verbruggen's investment to The Wall Street Journal.

Weisel was a major financial backer of Tailwind Sports, which owned the team sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service when Armstrong won several Tour de France titles.

"I didn't even know who Thom Weisel was," Verbruggen told the AP of his initial investment with Ochowicz two years before the account transferred to Weisel's bank. "There is no relationship whatsoever. You give a guy that you like a small amount of money to manage and 12 years later I end up in a doping case."

Verbruggen said he would discuss the investment with an independent commission set up to investigate the UCI's links to Armstrong, if it showed interest.

"I hope they are, and I will give the information myself," he said.

Verbruggen and his UCI successor, Pat McQuaid, are expected to meet with the three-member commission panel when it meets April 9-26 in London.

The UCI has asked the panel to examine allegations raised by USADA in its investigation of Armstrong and his teams that the governing body was complicit in a widespread doping conspiracy.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-01-17-CYC-Verbruggen-Armstrong/id-c25549cec6da42e88774c1f36bb83147

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Eric Chua : Life, Business and Real Estate in Singapore ? Buying ...

From securing financing to finding the right real estate to buy, the entire process of purchasing can leave you tired and frustrated. Preparing yourself to make smart real estate decisions through self-education is extremely important.

Be moderate in your real estate negotiations. Many times people are too aggressive because they are trying to get the best price, and they end up losing out entirely. Be clear about what you want, but let your lawyer and real estate agent negotiate, since they have experience with those types of negotiations.

Before you put the furniture in your home, and all your belongings as well, get some insurance. If you put off buying insurance, you?ll be sorry if there is an unpredictable act of nature that causes irreparable harm.

TIP! Never forget your primary goals while investing in property. Figure out whether you are trying to meet your long-term goals or your short-term ones.

Have a professional inspector look at the home you are interested in. Buying a house that requires renovations is a decision that can cost you a lot of money if you don?t know what you are getting into. This can cost you a ton and it could cause you to have to make other homing arrangements while the renovations are happening.

If you plan to purchase a house that has a nice view, don?t base your purchase solely on that fact. Even if you love the view, and you want to sell it later on, the buyer might not agree. Therefore, do not over pay for a home simply because you are entranced with the view.

If you made the seller an offer that was rejected, they may still find some way to make the home affordable so you buy it. Perhaps the seller will offer to cover the closing costs or pay for the some of the property?s needed repairs .

TIP! Ascertain that any real estate appraiser that you hire has a a minimum of five years experience. Never hire the appraiser recommended by your real estate agent.

When you are looking to purchase a new house, think about your long term picture. At the moment you might not have kids, but if this is a place where you plan on living for awhile then you might want to check out the local school situation to ensure it is suitable for your kids.

When purchasing a house, be sure that you are the one employing the professional workforce you need. It could be tempting to consult with house inspectors or appraisers that the seller chooses, but do not do it. Nobody likes to spend their money on things that they can get for free. However, the best option is to hire those individuals you feel comfortable with and have a level of trust with. This is one situation where learning the truth can potentially save you thousands of dollars and much heartache.

TIP! Before you start shopping for a new house, take a look at what?s in your credit report. Get a copy of the report and check it very carefully, report any discrepancies that are there.

You need to expect extra fees or costs if you are buying a home. The closing costs are usually calculated by adding the prorated taxes, bank points and down payment. Closing costs of a home can have extra things included like school taxes or improvement bonds!

Hiring a quality Realtor is a necessity for you when you are ready to buy. This information can be easily obtained through reviews on the Internet and also from the Better Business Bureau. You can also ask family, co-workers, or friends for recommendations.

Look for programs that assist with down payments. There are quite a few available, and there is sure to be one that is just right for you. When you add this with the seller taking responsibility for closing costs, you can greatly reduce the needed funds for making your initial home investment.

TIP! When negotiating your sales contract, ask for a home warranty. When you buy a brand-new home, get the builder to provide a warranty, or get the seller of a pre-owned home to provide you with at least a one-year warranty.

Research the properties you?re interested in prior to buying them. There are a number of features to look at when buying rental property. The most important feature is ease of maintenance. How is the condition of the property and how much upkeep will it require in the future? The second key feature to consider is the location of the property. Especially with property that you plan to rent, location can make all the difference. You need to ensure that your tenants can get to where they need to go and that the property is near commonly used retailers and service providers. Thirdly is the median income for the area. This differs from physical location since high rent areas are better locations than those with lower rent. Location doesn?t always matter as much in areas where the rent is higher then average. It can be much more of an issue when options are limited in areas with lower rents.

Use the information here as your initial vantage point in procuring the knowledge and resources you want in your search for a new home. Make certain that you use any information here that may be useful so that you don?t run into a lot of common problems. With this advice in mind, you won?t need luck to be successful in your search for a new home that will bring you happiness and comfort for many years to come.

Join me on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/maynaseric

Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/buying-real-estate-will-be-easy-if-you-follow-these-tips-3

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