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Refinance your Home Mortgage Loan or Home Purchase Loan for Debt Consolidation Ameriquest offers home purchase and mortgage refinanceloans. Refinance today to consolidate debt, lower your monthly paymentsand get cash out. Call for a Loan Today: 1-888-436-7571 Search Loan Purpose Refinance Consolidate debt Cash out Improve my home Purchase a home Other State AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY Ameriquest Racing Ameriquest announces its primary sponsorship of Roush Racing® in the 2006 NASCAR® Busch Series . >> Learn More RollingStones A Bigger Bang Get tour dates and other info about their 2005 North America tour . >> LearnMore Ameriquest In Your Community Making a Difference Where We Live! We support numerous community initiatives and encourage employees to participate in a range of worthy causes. >> Learn More Hurricane Katrina/Rita Assistance Ameriquest is committed to helping those affected by the hurricanes. Customers: If you have an Ameriquest loan and you have been impacted by the hurricanes, please call (800) 430-5262. >> Read More Associates: We are concerned about the well-being of our associates and we’re standing by to assist. If we haven’t been in contact with you since the disaster, please contact us at (800) 640-5262. Ameriquest has partnered with HomeAid. Join us in contributing to the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund. Use Our Online Calculators To: CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE BY RETIREMENT REFINANCE AND GET CASH BACK LEARN WHAT YOUR CREDIT CARDS ARE COSTING YOU Find a Local Branch We have more than 150 locations nationwide. Zip Code AsSeen in Money Magazine Mortgages 101: A Pocket Guide to Netting the Mortgage That's Right for You >> DownloadNow Best Practices Ameriquest is leadingthe industry with their Best Practices Policy. >> ReadMore Ameriquest Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Licensing | Legal © 2005 Ameriquest Mortgage Company. Trade/servicemarks are the property of Ameriquest Mortgage Company and/or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Ameriquest Mortgage Company, 1100 Town & Country Rd. Suite 1100, Orange, California 92868. (714) 541-9960. Refinance with Ameriquest Mortgage Company Ameriquest Mortgage Company specializes in refinance loans, homemortgage loans, and new home purchases. Ameriquest Mortgage can help you consolidate your debt and lower your monthly payments , evenif you have less than perfect credit or bad credit . Ameriquest Mortgage gives you everything you need to get the loan that's right for you – including your own Personal Mortgage Specialist . Fill out our easy loan request form and a local Mortgage Specialist will contact you about your loan options .They'll help you fill out all your paperwork, even your loan application . Refinance Now Refinance now while mortgage rates are still low. Getthe cash you need to make home improvements and consolidatedebt . Your overall monthly payments will be reduced and mayeven be tax deductible . Compare our interest rates with other top mortgage lenders such as ING Direct , eLoan , Countrywide , New Century , Full Spectrum , Ditech.com , and IndyMac Bank . Ameriquest Mortgage is a sponsor of Major League Baseball(MLB) including these teams: Padres, Angels, Dodgers, A's, Mariners,Twins, Orioles, Nationals, Mets, Astons, Rangers, Marlins and the DevilRays. Ameriquest Mortgage is a sponsor of the New York Jets National Football League (NFL) team. Ameriquest Mortgage is the sponsor of the Miller Lite / Ameriquestdragster, driven by Larry Dixon and owned by Don "the Snake"Prudhomme for the NHRA . Ameriquest Mortgage is the title sponsor of the Ameriquest300 NASCAR Busch Series race (September 3, 2006 at California Speedway.) Ameriquest Mortgage Company is proud to present the RollingStones A Bigger Bang Tour. The tour will visit more than 25 citiesin North America and kicked off August 21 in Boston's Fenway Park. Enterour sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for two to see RollingStones live in concert. The LuisMiguel Mexico En La Piel Tour is presented by Ameriquest MortgageCompany . As seen in Money Magazine . Download ourMortgages 101 booklet. This pocket guide will help you find the mortgagethat's right for you. At Ameriquest , we support numerous nonprofit initiatives includingHabitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Fulfillment Fund.Ameriquest also has 2 airships (blimps), AmeriquestAirship 'Freedom' and AmeriquestSoaring Dreams Airship . You may have also seen our Do the Math Infomercial with Chuck Woolery where the benefits of Refinancing are easy as 1, 2, 3. Calculate how much you can lower your monthlypayments by refinancing – and hear from real people who'vedone it themselves. Ameriquest Mortgage offers other consumer tools including a MortgageDictionary , and various mortgage calculators . Find AmeriquestMortgage.com and Ameriquest.com on themajor search engines and sites such as Google , Yahoo , MSN , AOL , Ask Jeeves , and Ebay . Ameriquest has over 150 local branches nationwide andoffers local branch listings includingdirections served by MapQuest . To request a loan , you canvisit one of our local branches , call us toll free at 888-436-7571or click here .

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The OurBroker® Real Estate Information Center NEW! -- Have a real estate question? Please press here . Amortization Ask Realty Times Associations Bookstore Calculators Commentary Credit Directories E-Mail Fed Sources Foreclosures Helpful Links Home Repair Gallery Government Library Loan Limits Maps Mortgages Moving NOTICES Phone Info Profession Privacy Reading Room Search Reviews Software TheStreet.com Taxes Trademark Translations Utility Savings Web Design Web Helpers Real estate successis a by-product of real estate information. Whether you're buying or selling,renting or investing, financing or refinancing, this is the top-rated consumersite where you can quickly find practical and usable real estate information. Have a real estate question? Our Consumer Library has dozens of categories and a huge number of answers. Wonder about mortgages? Try our easy-to-use calculators . Interested in what's new in real estate -- and why it's important? See more than 400 Realty Times columns or view today's Realty Times headlines . OurBroker® -- also known as Peter G. Miller -- is: The author of The Common-Sense Mortgage , a book with unit sales well into six figures. The sole author of four other real estate books anda guide to media and communications, all published originally by Harper &Row (now Harper/Collins). The original creator and host of the Real Estate Center with America Online. A regular columnist with Realty Times , the nation's leading online real estate new service. A columnist syndicated in more than 65 newspapers in the United States and Canada through Content That Works . A long-time columnist and contributor to the The Real Estate Professional , the largest independent magazine for leading brokers and salespeople nationwide. Use the keyword "OurBroker" to reach this site from AOL. For easy reference, be sure to bookmark this site now. Also, are you in real estate? Do you need newsletters, postcards and flyers? Do you need materials mailed at the lowest-available rates? If yes, please visit NetGram , the nation's leading discount printer. Search OurBroker.com © 2005 Peter G. Miller . All Rights Reserved

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Real Estate | Homes for Sale | Houses for Sale | RealEstate | REALTORs ® | Real Estate Agent Inventing a better way! RealEstate.com offers you a smarter way to buy or sell a home. We offer a complete set of tools, tips, and resources that you can use as you progress throughout your entire process -- from dreaming of owning a home to moving into a new home of your own. RealEstate.com serves as a personal guide to help you with everything you need along the way! Buying a Home | Selling a Home | Homes for Sale | Credit Report & Score | House Prices at Domania New Home Construction | Find a Mover | Find a REALTOR ® | Home Financing | Real Estate Learning Center Customer Service | Publications | For the Media | News Releases | Join Our Real Estate Network | Post Home Listings Privacy | Security | Terms of Use | Jobs | Disclosures and Licenses | Sitemap | Loans | Commercial Real Estate Houses for Sale in: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Charlotte | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Las Vegas | Los Angeles Miami | Minneapolis | New York | Philadelphia | Phoenix | San Antonio | San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle Washington, DC | Real Estate in More Cities LendingTree technology and processes are patented under US Patent Nos. 6,385,594 and 6,611,816. © 1998 - Real Estate.com, a service of LendingTree, LLC. All Rights Reserved.This site is directed at, and made available to, persons in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii only. Conversion to LendingTree, LLC We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTOR ® -- A registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS ® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all of the real estate professionals participating in the "Agent's Competing" program are REALTORS ® , which are members of the National Association of REALTORS ® . The Home Depot ® is not affiliated with LendingTree, LLC. The Home Depot ® is a registered trademark of Homer TLC, Inc. RealEstate.com is not sponsored by or affiliated with the parent franchisor companies of any of the participating members of its network. * Represents amount of consumer incentives and rebates (in the form of gift cards or other incentives) paid to consumers since August, 2000. ** Full Terms and Conditions Partner Sites: Citysearch | Expedia | Hotels.com | Ticketmaster.com | Hotwire.com | Entertainment.com | Match.com Home Shopping Network | ReserveAmerica | LendingTree.com | iNest | ServiceMagic | Ask Jeeves | Gift Ideas Mortgage Calculator | Refinance at GetSmart | LendingTree Mortgage | Free Online Credit Report | Home Equity Loans

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Amazon.com: Home Alone: DVD: Macaulay Culkin,Joe Pesci,Daniel Stern,John Heard,Roberts Blossom,Catherine O'Hara,Angela Goethals,Devin Ratray,Gerry Bamman,Terrie Snell,Hillary Wolf,Larry Hankin,Michael C. Maronna,Kristin Minter,Daiana Campeanu,Jedidiah Cohen,Kieran Culkin,Senta Moses,Anna Slotky,John Candy,Chris Columbus Your Store DVD See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Genres | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases | Television Central | Life & Learning | DVD Essentials | Blowout DVDs | Movie Showtimes | Used DVDs Search Amazon.com DVD Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . DVD Information Explore this item buying info editorial reviews customer reviews cast and crew fun facts Listmania! Top 10 Best Christmas Movies : A list by "mjp260" Add your List Ready to buy? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . MORE BUYING CHOICES 64 used & new from $11.00 Available for in-store pickup now from: $14.99 Price may vary based on availability Enter your ZIP Code Have one to sell? Home Alone (1990) Starring: Macaulay Culkin , Joe Pesci Director: Chris Columbus Rating: See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $19.98 Price: $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $6.99 (35%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Want it delivered Tuesday, January 3? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 64 used & new available from $11.00 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (DVD) List Price Price Other Offers: DVD Home Alone/Home Alone 2: Lost in New York $29.98 2 used & new from $59.99 DVD Home Alone Better Together Buy this DVD with Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York DVD ~ Macaulay Culkin today! Total List Price: $39.96 Buy Together Today: $25.98 Customers who bought this DVD also bought Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York DVD ~ Macaulay Culkin National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition) DVD ~ Chevy Chase The Santa Clause (Widescreen Special Edition) DVD ~ Tim Allen A Christmas Story (Full Screen Edition) DVD ~ Yano Anaya Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Video , and in Music Storyline Genres: Comedy , Crime , Family Tagline: A Family Comedy Without The Family. Plot Outline: An eight year-old, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars. Plot Synopsis: 8-year-old Kevin McAllister is accidentally left behind when his family takes off for a vacation in France over the holiday season. Once he realizes they've left him home by himself, Kevin learns to fend for himself, and eventually has to protect his house against bumbling burglars Harry and Marv, who are planning to rob every house in Kevin's suburban Chicago neighborhood. Kevin's mother Kate is frantic when she realizes that she and the family have unintentionally left Kevin behind in Chicago, and she tries to make it back to Chicago as fast as she can, getting help from a polka band leader named Gus Polinski. Plot Keywords: Blockbuster | Burglary | Christmas | Family | Home Alone | Kid Outsmarts Adult | Kids And Family | Famous Score | Booby Trap | Title Spoken By Character | Chicago Illinois | (Show all 97 plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Macaulay Culkin , Joe Pesci , Daniel Stern , John Heard , Roberts Blossom , See more Directors: Chris Columbus Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Widescreen, Ntsc, Widescreen Letterbox Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number of discs: 1 Rated: Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD Release Date: October 5, 1999 Run Time: 103 minutes Average Customer Review: Based on 142 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: English Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B00000K3CL Amazon.com Sales Rank: #243 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: November 16, 1990 MPAA: Production Company: 20th Century Fox USA Box Office: $286 Million Worldwide Box Office: $534 Million Budget Estimate: $15 Million Filming Locations: 656 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, Illinois, USA| 671 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, Illinois, USA| Chicago, Illinois, USA| Evanston, Illinois, USA| Grace Episcopal Church - 924 Lake St., Oak Park, Illinois, USA| Haven Middle School - 2417 Prairie Ave., Evanston, Illinois, USA| Highland Park, Illinois, USA| Hubbard Woods Metra Station - 1065 Gage Street, Winnetka, Illinois, USA| O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA| Panera Bread Company--formerly Hubbard Woods Pharmacy - 940 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, Illinois, USA| Paris, France| Trinity Methodist Church - 1024 W. Lake Ave., Wilmette, Illinois, USA| Wilmette, Illinois, USA| Winnetka, Illinois, USA Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Now and forever a favorite among kids, this 1990 comedy written by John Hughes ( The Breakfast Club ) and directed by Chris Columbus ( Mrs. Doubtfire ) ushered Macaulay Culkin onto the screen as a troubled 8-year-old who doesn't comfortably mesh with his large family. He's forced to grow a little after being accidentally left behind when his folks and siblings fly off to Paris. A good-looking boy, Culkin lights up the screen during several funny sequences, the most famous of which finds him screaming for joy when he realizes he's unsupervised in his own house. A bit wooden with dialogue, the then-little star's voice could grate on the nerves (especially in long, wise-child passages of pure bromide), but he unquestionably carries the film. Billie Bird and John Candy show up as two of the interesting strangers Culkin's character meets. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are entertainingly cartoonish as thieves, but the ensuing violence once the little hero decides to keep them out of his house is over-the-top. --Tom Keogh Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Home Alone 3 DVD ~ Alex D. Linz It's a Wonderful Life DVD ~ James Stewart Miracle on 34th Street DVD ~ Maureen O'Hara The Santa Clause 2 - The Mrs. Clause (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Tim Allen Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Music , and in Video Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 8 of 11 people found the following review helpful: Christmas Alone is a Laugher , February 9, 2004 Reviewer: rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews This Christmas classic is so enjoyable, due to the engagement between Kevin and two superb burglars (ala Pesci and Stern). In my view, these two burglars make it the great comedy that it is. There expressiveness in being duped by the redhead protecting his family home is creative and simply good comedy to enjoy. The neighbor with the shovel is another outstanding character that pops up in key spots in the plotline. Candy is so-so as the polka king. The mother played by O'Hara is authentic too in her concern, and the rest are just support cast in this. The plot is possible due to the setup of the busy family preparing for the trip with all the chaos and Kevin being somewhat of a sore-thumb in all this. The results are a howl! Enjoy watching this periodically over the years. Too my way of thinking, this makes a movie truly great, its ability to have lasting power. This might be one of those that endures the fads and all that make many flicks ok, but would one buy them or rent them or watch them again? Likely not. But this, this one I've did all three, finally purchasing a copy for our own collection. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: Be Careful What You Wish For! , October 31, 2002 Reviewer: L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews This review refers to the VHS(20th Cent Fox) edition... Second grader Kevin McCalister(Macaulay Culkin) is having a REALLY bad day. His family(including cousins, Aunt and Uncle) is getting ready to leave on a Christmas vacation to Paris. There's lots of activity, he is the youngest. He feel's picked on(and he is),and brushed aside. He has to actually do things for himself, unheard of in his 8 yr old world.His older brother scares him with stories of the neighbor being "The Shovel Murderer". He wishes they would all "JUST GO AWAY". The next morning he awakes to discover his wish came true. Jubilant he immediatly preceeds to do all the things he's not allowed to. Meanwhile, halfway across "The Pond", to Paris, his parents make the grim discovery that they have accidentally left him behind. Panic sets in! With the feeling of worry and guilt only known to parents, his mom(Catherine O'Hara) makes a hasty retreat back to the states, hitting road blocks all the way. Kevin settles in to life alone, waivering between being a kid and the responiblities of the household chores.Lurking around his house though, are two bumbling cat burglers(Joe Pesci/Daniel Stern).Kevin must protect his domain. He goes about setting his plan into motion,using whatever available means to thwart the bad guys.He also gets a little help from a surprise source. What follows is very funny, kind of three stooges action, as the burglers fall into every trap he sets for them. Kevin learns several lessons in his time alone. One is that he really loves his family,that he can take care of himself, and not to judge others. The music by John Williams,including lots of seasonal classics, will leave you singing Christmas songs, whatever time of year you watch it. Directed By Chris Columbus who really makes you root for the good guys. The supporting cast includes,John Heard, Roberts Blossom, and Hilary Wolfe.Look for the wonderful John Candy as "The Polka King". "Home Alone" will have you laughing throughout.It is a funny,sometimes poignant story, that will be enjoyed year after year by the whole family. There are 2 sequels,the first has most of the same cast returning to do it again, this time in New York City! The VHS has a very good picture. It is in Dolby Surround Stereo,(nice for the soundtrack). Have fun...........Laurie Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. Never knew Christmas could be this fun! , December 26, 2005 Reviewer: Kirs Mabitad "AnGeLkirs" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews First of all, the main thing about this movie is the irresponsibility of the parents. It angered me to know how they could just forget about their son like that. Overall, I thought McCauly Culkin was really great. He acted very naturally for a 9-year-old boy. The whole plot is fun for all ages. The music was very nice too. It gives you a christmas feel but at the same time, it makes you feel the cunningness of Kevin. I found it a very interesting movie...watch it! Kirstie Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Being Left Alone is like a Christmas Gift! , December 24, 2005 Reviewer: Massacre "Weird Al" (Dracut) - See all my reviews Way Better than the 4 and 3! Two Burglurs that break in a house of a 8 year old smart cookie boy is just funny Enuff! Get this for Christmas if you don't have it! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) HOME ALONE IS A HYSTARICALLY FUNNY MOVIE , December 6, 2005 Reviewer: BENJAMIN SANTINO FILIPPI "BENJAMIN" (BRECKSVILLE OHIO USA) - See all my reviews HOME ALONE IS A HYSTARICALLY FUNNY MOVIE DANIEL STERN AND JOE PESCI ARE HYSTARICALLY FUNNY YOU COULD OWN IT ON VIDEO CASSETTE AND YOU COULD OWN IT ON DVD IT'S VERY FUNNY PLEASE EMAIL ME bsfilippi@sbcglobal.net BENJAMIN SANTINO FILIPPI BRECKSVILLE OHIO Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 0 of 3 people found the following review helpful: Its a fun christmas family film but is not great , December 6, 2005 Reviewer: Jake - See all my reviews Home Alone is one of the top grosing films ever and is a family classic but it's not a great film. Yes the film is funny and it's a fun family film for the whole family but it's not a great film. Maybe I dont find it great becouse I've seen it so maney times and i dont find the traps funny anymore(I liekd the traps in the sequal better). The story is un beievale as a boy is left home alone by mistake during christmas and he sets the house full of traps to catch 2 bumbling robbers. Culkien is great and Stern and Pesi are funny. The movie is a good christmas film. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 142 customer reviews... Listmania! Favorite Movies 1989-1999 Part... : by "crgreen06172" 25 Cool Pre-Teen Kid Movies : by K. Ellis "kjjcellis" Top 10 Best Christmas Movies : by "mjp260" So You'd Like to... know the movies I like to watch : by Chris , As I said they are mostly comedies make your christmas DVD collection : by ldaman , DVD collector See Yet Another Essential Christmas Viewing List : by Devin Melancon , Cinema buff who won't shut up Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Awards Click here to see more Awards American Comedy Awards, USA: American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) BMI Film & TV Awards: BMI Film Music Award British Comedy Awards: British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Film Casting Society of America, USA: Artios for Best Casting for Feature Film, Comedy Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: CFCA Award for Most Promising Actor Golden Screen, Germany: Golden Screen Young Artist Awards: Young Artist Award for Most Entertaining Family Youth Motion Picture - Comedy/Action, Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Academy Awards, USA: Oscar for Best Music, Original Score, Best Music, Original Song Golden Globes, USA: Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical Young Artist Awards: Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Trivia Click here to see more Trivia The concept for this movie originated during the filming of a scene in Uncle Buck in which Macaulay Culkin plays a character who interrogates a would-be-babysitter through a letterbox. The movie that Kevin watches on video tape is not a real film, but footage especially created. It was called "Angels With Filthy Souls." Goofs Click here to see more Goofs Harry protects his burnt hand with a handkerchief when he climbs along the rope towards the tree house, but alternating shots show the tail of the handkerchief either sticking out or not. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections Followed by: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | Home Alone 3 Alternate Versions Click here to see more Alternate Versions Television airings edited the following: Kevin saying that Fuller will pee all over him after explaining to Kate that Fuller wets the bed; Kevin calling Harry and Marv "horse's ass"; when everyone glares at Kevin after the dinner accident, the second scene with Peter and Buzz looking at him was removed. Quotes Click here to see more Quotes Kevin McCallister : This is my house, I have to defend it. [to the Scranton Ticket Agent] Kate McCallister : This is *Christmas*. The season of perpetual hope. And I don't care if I have to get out on your runway and hitchhike. If it costs me everything I own, if I have to sell my soul to the devil himself, I am going to get home to my son. For more information about "Home Alone" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Look for similar items by category Browse similar items in: DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( B ) > Blossom, Roberts DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( C ) > Culkin, Kieran DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( C ) > Culkin, Macaulay DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( H ) > Hankin, Larry DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( H ) > Heard, John DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( M ) > Minter, Kristin DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( O ) > O'Hara, Catherine DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( P ) > Pesci, Joe DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( S ) > Stern, Daniel DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( W ) > Wolf, Hillary DVD > Directors > ( C ) > Columbus, Chris DVD > Genres > Comedy > By Theme > Mischievous Children DVD > Genres > Comedy > By Theme > Nothing Goes Right DVD > Genres > Comedy > Domestic Comedies DVD > Genres > Comedy > General DVD > Genres > Comedy > Series & Sequels > Home Alone DVD > Genres > Comedy > Slapstick DVD > Genres > Kids & Family > 10-12 Years DVD > Genres > Kids & Family > 7-9 Years DVD > Genres > Kids & Family > By Theme > Christmas DVD > Genres > Kids & Family > By Theme > Mischievous Children DVD > Genres > Kids & Family > Comedy DVD > Genres > Kids & Family > Family Films Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. 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BuyMyself - Canale, IRED Attitude & News Home Directories Int'l Realty US Realty BuyMyself Choosing A Real Estate Agent By Stephen M. Canale, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA There's a common saying in the real estate industry regarding the vast number of agents in the business: "If you don't have any friends who are agents, then you probably don't have any friends at all." With so many agent out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a franchise or an independent? While there's an exception to every rule, and every marketplace has its own nuances, here are some solid rules to apply when you want the best representation to protect your interests. Demand Experience The real estate profession is plagued by high turnover. This creates a workforce that is made up of many newcomers. While there are brand new agents with good intentions, why trust one of the largest investment you'll ever buy or sell to someone without experience? Always look for an agent with at least two years of experience. Anyone still in the business after two years has probably learned at least the fundamentals of real estate. Look for Commitment Another problem we have in the industry is a large number of part time and recreational salespeople. These folks have either retired from some other career, work in real estate seasonally or are earning a second income for the family and honestly don't need to work full time. No matter how long they have been in real estate, their lack of full-time commitment makes it impossible for them to keep up with the vast changes in law, marketing and business practices that are occurring in the profession today. If an agent isn't working at least thirty hours a week, fifty weeks a year, look for someone else. Consider Education In the majority of states, the requirements for real estate licensing are substantially less than those for cutting hair. In Michigan, for example, all that is required is a forty-hour class and a multiple choice test. You cannot rely on licensing to indicate competence. And, unfortunately, many agent's real estate education ends with their pre-license education. While there are numerous advanced real estate education courses available, the only technical and competence based program available nationwide is the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI) series, which is administered under the direction of the National Association of REALTORS®. A REALTOR® who completes the fifteen eight-hour modules, and passes examinations, may then use the designation of GRI. While only 15%-20% of agents have earned this accreditation, it should not be too difficult finding a GRI in your marketplace as they will commonly print the designation behind their name in advertising as well as on letterhead and business cards. Conduct Interviews Before you hire an agent to help you buy or sell a home, you should interview at least three agents in person. In order to do this, first get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Then look on the web, in homes magazines and the local newspaper to see what kind of marketing the various companies are doing in your area and call a few that impress you. Then make brief fact-finding calls to determine which of the agents on your list are full time, experienced and either hold the GRI designation or are at least working aggressively toward it. You will probably need to call ten to fifteen agents in order to find three that are worth interviewing. The interview itself need not be a formal one. It is simply an opportunity for you to meet the candidate and explain your needs; and to determine whether you would be comfortable working with them. Ask whatever questions you like, or simply explain your goals and listen carefully to what they propose to do for you in meeting your needs. The decision If you follow the suggestions above, you will find that there are excellent agents working for firms both large and small; both franchised and independent. Thus, the real decision must be made based on the competency of the individual agent you will be working with on a day-to-day basis. Stephen M. Canale is President, Broker/Instructor of Acclaim Residential Marketing Ann Arbor, Michigan | IRED Home | Search IRED | © 1995-2005 IRED.Com, Inc All Rights Reserved