There are a number of common myths about working with real estate agents that if not avoided may make the experience a far from productive one. Here are a few of them and what the reality about working with real estate agents is:

Myth #1: You’ll get the best deal on a property if you call the agent on the “For Sale” sign directly:

Quite possibly not. The agent listed on the sign works for the seller already, and although they can represent you as well they are already duty bound to consider the sellers needs and requirements first. They are trying to get the best deal [possible for seller and that is unlikely to include giving you, the potential buyer, any real room for price negotiation. Finding your own buyers’ real estate agent to represent your interests may be a better alternative.

Myth #2: The real estate agent I choose made me sign a Buyer Agency agreement but now I am unhappy but I am stuck with her.

It may take a couple of meetings before you can really decide if a certain real estate agent is the right fit for you. Before you sign any agreements like this ask the agent about alternatives. You could ask them to work on a verbal agreement for a short time (many states allow this) or write an agreement that only runs for a short period of time, just a few days or weeks. You could also inquire whether they would be willing to draw up a noon exclusive agreement that will allow her to work with you without you being prohibited from “seeing” other real estate agents.

Myth#3: I will find more homes for sale by calling lots of agents.

Not really. The Multiple Listings System that the majority of real estate agents work with gives each individual agents access to pretty much the same listings, whether they belong to them or not. Ask real estate agents what specific geographical areas they cover, some agents in smaller areas may cover several counties while urban real estate agents may work only in a specific section of a major city.

Myth #4: I should be working with the real estate agent with the most listings.

Maybe, maybe not. If an agent  has a great many listings that certainly means that they are good with sellers but how many of these listings do they actually sell? And if they have so many listings how much time will they actually have to spend on your particular real estate hunt. A new real estate agent can be just as good as seasoned pro. Getting along with your real estate agent is the real key to success, whether they have been in business for 12 months or 12 years.

After a lot of discussions and soul searching my partner and I have decided to have a baby, our first.  I’m so excited; I’ve been told that the miracle of birth can be the one most rewarding experiences I’ll ever experience.  There’s a lot to think; I want to give this little miracle the best start I possibly can.  How do I know if my body’s ready for a baby?

The first thing I did was talk to my doctor; we discussed the possibility of becoming pregnant.

My doctor started by giving me a complete check-up.  This included a series of blood tests to check for abnormalities such as anemia.  He said that my ethnic background would dictate other tests to be done.  For example, People of African or Mediterranean descent may be tested for sickle cell anemia since they are most at risk.

The doctor also checked my blood pressure.  The doctor explained that high blood pressure during pregnancy can cause organs to fail and ultimately lead to preeclampsia (toxemia); which can be dangerous to both me and my unborn baby.  Wow, I need to make sure I get my blood pressure under control before I conceive.

The doctor took a urine sample and asked me if I had any symptoms of a urinary tract infection; he explained that there are many problems such as miscarriages, low birth weight and premature labor that can be attributed to urinary tract infections (UTI).

We discussed preexisting conditions that ran in my family.  The doctor explained that people who have conditions such as epilepsy or asthma may need to adjust their treatment regime; some medications can’t be taken during pregnancy.  My doctor checked to make sure that I had all of my vaccinations.  Diseases such as rubella and chicken pox can lead to severe birth defects and miscarriages so it was important to get those vaccinations before getting pregnant.  I need to get the rubella vaccine (ouch) but will have to wait at least a month before conceiving since the rubella inoculation contains a live virus.

We then talked about the many screening tests available for diseases/conditions such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chlamydia.  These tests vary from person to person; we talked about my lifestyle and family history as these factors determined which screening tests need to be carried out.  He asked me if there were any genetic disorders that ran in my family such as lupus, diabetes or Down’s syndrome.   I was screened for parasitic infections like toxoplasmosis.  The doctor said that the infection is relatively harmless to me as an adult but can have a tremendous impact on my developing fetus; it can lead to neurological disorders and even stillbirth.

Lifestyle Changes:  In order to have a healthy pregnancy I’m going to have to make some lifestyle changes.

I need to get rid of those bad habits.  The doctor explained that if I were smoking or drinking alcohol; I would have to quit before planning to become pregnant.  Studies have shown that women who smoke during pregnancy have babies with lower birth weight.  Babies with low birth weights have a higher chance of developing an illness or disability.  I’m really going to need to cut down on the amount of coffee I drink; some studies have shown that women who ingest more than 300mg of caffeine a day have a 27% lower fertility rate.  Higher caffeine intake can also increase the risk of miscarriage.  Better to play it safe than be sorry later

The doctor advised me to consider taking prenatal vitamin-mineral supplements; nutrients such as folic acid, calcium and iron are pinnacle for the health of both mother and baby.  He explained that taking prenatal supplements can be an excellent way to guarantee I was getting all the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.  The synthetic folic acid commonly found in supplements is much easier for the body to absorb than the folic acid found in food.  Since prenatal supplements vary so much, a prenatal supplement that’s right for my body may not be right for someone else.  I’m glad I spoke to my doctor before taking these vitamin pills

My doctor and I finally discussed weight control and proper exercise.  Studies have shown that women who are overweight have an 18% greater chance of having a baby with heart problems than women of normal weight.  Women who are underweight before becoming pregnant are more likely to have small underweight babies.  The doctor explained that being physically fit can make the pregnancy and delivery easier.    He suggested I consider picking up a light exercise program and continue it through-out my pregnancy.  I’m going to start walking daily; I like to be outdoors.  My doctor told me to be very careful because over-exercise can make getting pregnant difficult and can also be dangerous during pregnancy.

I need to make these changes well in advance of becoming pregnant (a year if possible).  This gives time for the changes to take effect.

When the US first introduced the Social Security system back in 1935 it was a subject of much controversy. It was also a very different program than the social security system that is in place today.

Originally Social Security did not cover many professions agricultural labor, domestic service, government employees, and many teachers, nurses, hospital employees, librarians, and social workers were just some of the workers excluded, and as these were jobs held mainly by women or those of races other than white the discrimination involved with the Social Security act were obvious to many.  It would not be until 1954 before all of these professions were covered.

These days anyone who has paid in enough in social security payroll taxes will receive social security benefits when they reach retirement age. What that official retirement age is depends upon the year of an individual’s birth. It is possible to begin receiving partial social security benefits before one’s official retirement age and those who choose to carry on working beyond that date are eligible for continue employment credits that will increase the size of their eventual monthly payment until the age of 70.

Social security disability is a different kind of benefit and is technically available to any worker who has paid in the minimum amount social security payroll taxes five months after they have become “disabled” by way of an illness or injury and are likely not to be able to return to work. Obtaining such benefits is not at all easy though. Although the figure varies from state to state on average there is a 60-70% denial rate of initial claims.

There is a lot of talk about the current financial health of the social security system and whether or not benefits will be available to those young people working today when it comes time for them to retire, as the system now pays out more than it takes in. There are those who would like to see the privatization of the social security system, an idea which is very controversial.

Others would like to see social security benefits be reduced for those who are wealthy. Currently everybody receives benefits according to the number of years they worked and some feel that wealthier seniors should take a cut in benefits for the greater good. They argue though that their level of input while working was higher so they have already done their part.