Health Care Shopping Mall Includes Care Packages

Minnesota Health Care Providers Join in Launch of First-Ever "Online Shopping Mall" for Health Care

Carol, The Care Marketplace, enables consumers to shop for and eventually purchase bundled health care packages online as easily as they do vacation packages and other goods and services;

HealthPartners, Park Nicollet, MinuteClinic, Mayo Clinic Health Solutions among participants

January 28, 2008 - MINNEAPOLIS--A new Minnesota company today launches a first in health care: a retail marketplace that puts consumers in control of their health care decisions. Carol, The Care Marketplace -- www.carol.com -- is an "online shopping mall" that gives consumers everything they need to shop, compare and purchase health care services as easily as they purchase goods and services in other retail environments.

Thirty Minnesota health care providers have already joined the Carol marketplace. Participants include HealthPartners, Park Nicollet Health Services, MinuteClinic, Mayo Clinic Health Solutions, Ridgeview Medical Center, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Minnesota Oncology Hematology, Zel Skin and Laser Specialists, Southdale Pediatrics and many others.

Using Carol.com, area residents for the first time can go online to easily compare the cost and quality of more than 350 health services from local, competing health care providers and doctors and then select the option best suited for them. Individuals also can apply their health insurance benefits and instantly view base prices and estimated in-network and out-of-pocket costs for health care services prior to scheduling and receiving them.

Carol is a free service for consumers and is designed for all people -- those with and without health insurance. The Carol name was taken to honor the trusted family members, friends and associates people turn to when seeking advice or recommendations about health care. "We all know a 'Carol' in our lives."

"In most industries, information about services, price and quality are clear and available to consumers. But health care has always been different. We created Carol to help consumers do what they want to do -- change health care," said Tony Miller, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Carol. "Carol is the first service to connect individuals and families directly to multiple health care providers, while incorporating the realities of a consumer's health care benefits. We're excited to give people complete control of how they evaluate, choose and consume health services, and we strongly believe a more engaged consumer is the first step towards making health care more affordable, approachable and valuable."

Care Packages: Another Health Care First from Carol

One of Carol's unique offerings is the care package -- a bundle of related health care services. Working with Carol, each health care provider creates, markets and sells distinct care packages for chronic and minor conditions, routine examinations, and hospital-based services across the entire spectrum of health care. Care packages Carol will offer include: common immunizations, annual exams, neck and back pain diagnosis and treatment, heartburn diagnosis and treatment, health coaching, pregnancy classes, a year's worth of diabetes care, and in-home check-ups.

Consumers can compare specific care packages from various health care providers in a side-by-side view where they can see service offering breadth; the estimated cost (both base and out-of-pocket) of each package; package features; quality measures; location of clinics; appointment availability and duration; and related therapies and diagnostic services. When someone selects a care package, he/she will know the kind of care he/she will receive and approximately how much it will cost before his/her appointment.

"Carol provides individuals and families the opportunity and information to really own their health care selections," said David Wessner, president and CEO for Park Nicollet. "Patients will be better ready to experience care and participate in it, allowing us to meet expectations completely. Even at this early stage, we are already learning our care, quality and value are going to increase more quickly as a result of participating in the Carol marketplace."

"Carol is a cutting-edge development in health care and a new way of bringing value to consumers," said Mary Brainerd, president and CEO for HealthPartners. "People need to know how much health care costs and what they are getting for their money. Carol does that by creating care packages that are relevant to consumers and help people know what to expect and how much it will cost before they receive care. That's something that hasn't been available to individuals before, which makes Carol a great opportunity for HealthPartners and others to change health care."

A Tool To Manage Rising Health Care Costs

As health care spending continues to rise, consumers are ultimately left with more expenses and responsibility related to their health care decisions. However, consumers have limited visibility and tools to obtain information about the features, price and quality of health care services. According to a recent survey conducted by Carol1:

    * Nearly 70 percent of select Twin Cities residents agree that information about the costs of medical care services, such as office visits, procedures, etc., is confusing.
    * More than 60 percent of these same individuals agree it is not easy to compare medical services among different doctors, clinics or hospitals in their area.

"Because Carol conveniently compares similar services and prices among local health care providers, I can more easily research and select health care based on my personal preferences," said Lisa Hashbarger, a Minneapolis mother of two who participated in Carol's pre-launch testing this fall. "A service like Carol will be very helpful in the future as my family watches where we spend our health care dollars more closely and evaluates the care we receive."

About Carol

Carol, The Care Marketplace, (www.carol.com) is a privately held company headquartered in Minneapolis. Founded in 2006, Carol is an online marketplace where consumers can shop, compare and select health care packages provided by a variety of large, medium and specialty medical facilities in their communities. The company focuses on transforming health care by creating a marketplace in which consumers compare health care services from local clinics and hospitals prior to purchase, and health care providers compete for their patronage.

1411 Twin Cities' consumers (61 percent female/39 percent male) participated in a Carol-sponsored survey conducted in November/December 2007. Survey respondents reside in the 11-county metro area; are approximately 30-60 years of age; have household incomes of $40,000 or greater; are the primary or co-decision makers in their households with regard to health care; have access to the Internet and use it for gathering information or shopping on a regular basis; and were screened to meet attitudinal criteria such as engaged, empowered and progressive. Survey confidence level is 95 percent confidence level plus/minus 5 percent confidence interval.

Contacts

Carol, The Care Marketplace
Marcia Miller, 763-647-5519
Director of Marketing
or
Haberman & Associates
Jon Zurbey, 612-372-6446
jon@habermaninc.com

New Breakthrough Service to Help Sell Homes Fast

WeBuyHouses.com Provides New, Breakthrough Service to Help Sell Homes Fast

When most people think of selling their house, they think of the long process of getting an agent, showing the house, and negotiating with potential buyers. Newly launched WeBuyHouses.com has introduced a service that splits home selling troubles in half by connecting sellers with home investors who will buy your home fast, and often pay cash for it as well.

Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) January 19, 2008 -- Most homeowners love their home, which of course, is probably why they bought it in the first place. Sometimes, however, life happens--career changes, military moves, or even less fortunate situations come up--and those very homeowners find themselves in situations where they must sell their home right away. There are many options for homeowners to consider when they find they must sell their home fast. Perhaps one option that gets some of the fastest results is the newly launched WeBuyHouses.com.

WeBuyHouses.com is a home investment site designed for people whose goal is to sell and get cash for their homes quickly. Regardless of the size, price, or condition of the home, or even for the reason of the sale, this company is a good choice to get the sale done fast. The real estate agents there have the necessary experience to help homeowners accomplish this goal--no matter where the home is located. They have home investors in every city of the US who are ready and willing to help.

One of the main goals for their business is not just selling homes; it's about making the sale as quick and easy as possible for the home owner. This is a goal they take very seriously because the agents at WeBuyHouses.com understand how stressful selling a home can be--especially when people need to sell fast. They really aim to relieve the frustrated and anxious feelings that often accompany real estate sales.    

WeBuyHouses.com has a very user friendly website set up so that potential clients can see what the agents do there and how the company works. There are also great customer testimonials that speak of how simple it was for them to sell their home through We Buy Houses.

They make the process easy. All an interested seller has to do is visit their website, read what they are all about, and then fill out a short contact form. The contact form is secure, protected from spammers, and does not get placed on alternate mailing lists. An agent will contact that person and get the process moving. In fact, it is not unusual for them to be able to make a written offer within hours of making their initial contact.

Whatever the reason for needing to sell, WeBuyHouses.com makes the process quick and easy.

For more information on WeBuyHouses.com, don't hesitate to visit their website at http://www.webuyhouses.com.

Press Contact: Chris Hartwell
Company Name: We Buy Houses
Phone: 888-220-7361
Website: http://www.webuyhouses.com

Spring Break for Real Estate Investors

Austin is the 'Spring Break' Destination for Real Estate Investors Eager to Earn Mobile Home Millions

This April, hundreds of real estate investors will descend on Austin, Texas for Mobile Home Millions 6, the premier annual event for mobile home investors and industry professionals. Mobile Home Millions is a three-day knowledge and networking event presented by MobileHomeUniversity.com, the Internet's leading website for mobile home and mobile home park investor education.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) January 17, 2008 -- While millions of teens storm the beaches of Fort Lauderdale, savvy real estate enthusiasts will be heading to Austin, Texas for Mobile Home Millions 6 and a spring break dedicated to the art and science of mobile home investing. Mobile Home Millions 6 ('MHM6') is an intensive three-day knowledge and networking-focused event presented by Mobile Home University, the leading online website for mobile home and mobile home park investor education. This year's event will be held from April 18-20 at the Sheraton Austin Hotel, in the heart of Austin, TX.

Now in its sixth year, the Mobile Home Millions conference has established a powerful legacy of helping new investors get started in the business and existing investors increase the profitability of their investments. This year's event will be no different. Mobile Home Millions 6 will cover a wide range of subjects including how to get started with mobile homes and mobile home parks, how to obtain financing, and how to turn part-time investing efforts into a full-time passive income. In addition to the educational information parsed out during the numerous educational sessions, one evening of the long weekend will be devoted to one-on-one brainstorming with the experts. The event also includes a number of networking opportunities that will allow conference participants to build relationships with real estate entrepreneurs and investors from all over the country.

The MHM6 roster of speakers will include industry legend Lonnie Scruggs, the 'father' of the used mobile home industry, as well as Dyches Boddiford, Steve Case, Blake Donaldson, Tony Colella, Pete Youngs, and others. "Mobile homes and mobile home parks can be tremendous financial assets," reports Corey Donaldson, one of conferences featured investment gurus and co-founder of Mobile Home University. "Just ask Warren Buffett."

Follow The Leader
Since 2003, Warren Buffett has become the nation's number one manufacturer and holder of mobile homes notes by acquiring Clayton Homes for a cool $1.7 billion and bankrupt Oakwood Homes in 2004. "Manufactured housing...can deliver very good value to home purchasers,'' he explained in his 2003 shareholder letter. "Indeed, for decades, the industry has accounted for more than 15% of the homes built in the U.S.''

Mobile home parks, also referred to as manufactured home communities, are "a perennially stable real estate investment, as evidenced during 2006, by its improving 91.3 percent national average occupancy rate and attractive 41.1 percent average operating expense ratio." (Source: Allen Report, an analysis of more than one-quarter of the approximately 500 portfolio 'known' owners and operators of land-lease communities in the U.S. and Canada)

Rich Man, Poor Man
Donaldson is quick to point out that, "You don't need Warren Buffett's deep pockets to invest in mobile homes and mobile home parks." Whether you have cash, equity, or are "willing to put in sweat equity," says Donaldson, it is possible to use mobile home investments to create a lifetime of cash flow. "But you do need a solid foundation and education in the business."

For more information about Mobile Home Millions 6 or to learn more about the educational resources offered by MobileHomeUniversity.com, visit http://mobilehomeuniversity.com/mobilehomemillions/.

About Mobile Home University
www.MobileUniversity.com is the leading online website for mobile home and mobile home park investor education, providing hard-hitting advice and information to investors about the mobile home industry. Mobile Home University presents a full range of teleseminars, bootcamps, and live events, including Mobile Home Millions, now in its sixth year. Visitors to MobileHomeUniversity.com may access free articles, an active forum, and a topical and timely blog, as well as opt-in to a free investor's ezine.

Press Contact: Blake Donaldson
Company Name: Mobile Home University
Phone: 858-964-0870
Website: http://mobilehomeuniversity.com/mobilehomemillions/

Kitchen Tools Will Have Them Cooking

New Kids' Kitchen Tools Will Have Them Cooking Up A Storm

We all know kids love to mess around in the kitchen. Now The Chefs Toolbox has created some fantastic tools to help them nurture their inner superstar Chef.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) January 17, 2008 -- We all know kids love to mess around in the kitchen. Now The Chefs Toolbox, a party plan company specialising in high quality kitchenware, has created some fantastic tools to help them nurture their inner superstar Chef. The new range of quality kids' kitchen utensils will have them cooking up a storm in no time.

The Kids' Toolbox (RRP AUD$45) features safe yet functional grown-up tools in just the right size for little hands. There's a 1L melamine measuring jug with non-slip rubber base and a choc-chip recipe printed on the inside, as well as a silicone spatula, silicone whisk, rolling pin and four child-safe cookie cutters. Packaged in a gorgeous box, it makes a great gift.

The Flexi Shapes (set of 4) (RRP AUD$27.50) are brightly-coloured silicone pancake moulds in four fun shapes -- an aeroplane, a shoe, a footprint and a rabbit -- for making the coolest pancakes in town! The moulds, which come complete with a drawstring calico storage bag, can also be used to make frittatas, hash browns and rostis.

The Flexibake Teddies (set of 6) (RRP AUD$27.50) are flexible silicone moulds that are great for making cute cakes, muffins, chocolate crackles and ice-cream cakes. The set contains two blue, two yellow and two red teddy-shaped moulds.

The Kids' Apron (RRP AUD$20) will help the kids stay clean, even if the kitchen doesn't! It's 100 percent cotton, screen printed and double-hemmed for durability.

Cooking is one of the most fun and constructive activities you can share with your child: it unleashes their creativity, sets up healthy eating habits and teaches them a valuable survival skill for the future. If you teach your kids to cook now, they will eat well for life.

"With careful supervision, cooking can be just like an edible craft project," says Chris Chandler, cooking guru at The Chefs Toolbox. "If you need some ideas about what to cook, you'll find some great kids' recipes on our website, www.chefstoolbox.com.au".

The Chefs Toolbox kids' range can be purchased though their online store: Cooking Parties. The Chefs Toolbox will donate AUD$5 from every purchase from the kids' product range to the Children's Food Education Foundation.

About the Chefs Toolbox
The Chefs Toolbox brings new ideas to cooking at home by marrying great recipes with clever cookware to bring fabulous food into the home. The Chefs Toolbox offers top quality cookware through home cooking workshops and their online store. By providing free cooking workshops designed for modern lifestyles, The Chefs Toolbox aims to encourage an appreciation of great food and show that fabulous meals are easy with the right tools and a few simple techniques.

Press Contact: Felicity McDougall
Company Name: The Chefs Toolbox
Phone: 1300-135-816
Website: http://www.chefstoolbox.com.au/

Foreclosure Prevention Hotline Calls Double

 Nation's Foreclosure Prevention Hotline Shatters Previous Call Records

President Bush's announcement encourages more than 140,000 concerned homeowners to reach out for help

January 15, 2008 - MINNEAPOLIS - More than 143,000 calls from distressed homeowners were fielded by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation's Homeowner's HOPET Hotline in the fourth quarter of 2007, twice the number of calls received during the third quarter and nearly 10 times that of the first quarter of the year.

The Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) is a nonprofit organization that operates a national 24/7 hotline - 888-995-HOPE. The hotline provides free, bilingual, personalized assistance to help at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure.

In December 2007, the HOPE hotline became the primary contact point for homeowners with delinquent mortgages, as part of the HOPE NOW Alliance, the Administration's initiative to stem America's foreclosure crisis. HPF is a member of the HOPE NOW Alliance of mortgage servicers, mortgage market participants and counselors. According to HPF, more than 37,000 homeowners received counseling during the fourth quarter alone - more than three times the 10,000 completed sessions in all of 2006.

"We're encouraged because more homeowners are being proactive in reaching out for help," says Colleen Hernandez, president and executive director of HPF. "Mindful of the significant call volume following the President's announcement, HPF established a triage response system that offers resources to those who need information and directs callers who need foreclosure prevention counseling right to counselors, allowing us to operate more effectively."

Among homeowners who called 888-995-HOPE, 31 percent were less than one month behind in mortgage payments up from 24 percent during third quarter 2007.

"It's reassuring that homeowners are addressing their mortgage issues earlier, however we need to continue to reach out to troubled homeowners to let them know there is help available," said Hernandez. "No matter the situation, HPF can provide options and information to keep more Americans out of foreclosure."

Key Statistics - Fourth Quarter 2007

Foreclosure can happen to anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, demographic or type of mortgage. The following are current trends observed by hotline counselors:

    * California continues to be the top counseled state, accounting for 18 percent of the total call volume; Ohio ranked second (9 percent) and Illinois rounded out the top three with (5 percent).
    * Adjustable-rate mortgages, in aggregate, made up 48 percent of calls; fixed-rate mortgages accounted for 28 percent.
    * 61 percent of callers reported annual household incomes of less than $42,000; 15 percent of callers reported annual incomes of more than $60,000.

About the Homeownership Preservation Foundation

Founded in 2004, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing foreclosures and preserving homeownership for American homeowners. The Foundation partners with city, county and state governments; federal government agencies; community-based nonprofit organizations; and mortgage companies to offer creative solutions to preserve homeownership. HPF's cornerstone service is the Homeowner's HOPET Hotline, a foreclosure prevention counseling service available free to American homeowners by calling 888-995-HOPE. For more information about the Homeownership Preservation Foundation or the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline, visit www.995hope.org.

Contacts

Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Tracy Morgan, 612-230-4023
tmorgan@995hope.org

Details of One Woman's Tragic Mesothelioma Diagnosis

LegalView Continues to Track Mesothelioma Information with Details of One Woman's Tragic Diagnosis

LegalView's newly updated mesothelioma blog highlights the latest jury verdicts and asbestos-related information including the story of one individual's tragic childhood asbestos exposure. A woman who, after years of hugging her father as he returned home from work each day as a dockyard worker, was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer just after her father died from the cancer.

Denver, CO  - November 21, 2007 -- LegalView.com, the source for everything legal on the Web, continues to follow developments concerning the deadly cancer mesothelioma via its mesothelioma blog by tracking the story of a United Kingdom woman whose father recently died of mesothelioma. Even more unfortunate than the death of the woman's father was the news that she had been diagnosed with the cancer as a result of merely hugging her father each day as he arrived home from work. Philip Northmore was employed as a dockyard worker where he was exposed to asbestos over several years. Northmore died at the age of 68 just as his daughter, Debbie Brown, is diagnosed with mesothelioma as well. LegalView.com is proud to provide readers of its mesothelioma blog with updated information on Brown, who recently launched her own Web site, Mesothelioma and Me, to help victims of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare and often fatal disease in which victims often are unaware that they even suffer from the cancer until it is far too late for treatment. Mesothelioma is nearly always caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a fireproof building material that was used in structures such as schools, government buildings and homes. The asbestos fibers are inhaled and form cancerous cells on the interior of the lungs. Signs of the cancer take years, and in most cases, decades before becoming symptomatic in the body, at which time the success rate for treatments significantly decreases. Brown's case, in which she as a child merely hugged her father and breathed in the asbestos fibers found on his clothing, is one of many thousands of unfortunate individuals suffering from mesothelioma. LegalView is sympathetic to the needs of those enduring this deadly disease and therefore provides resources on finding a mesothelioma law firm via its mesothelioma information portal, alongside the mesothelioma blog.

LegalView's mesothelioma information portal can provide readers with details on treatments, various forms of the disease and information regarding attorney referral services particularly the best way to locate a mesothelioma lawyer.

In addition to the resources found at the mesothelioma site, LegalView offers a wide variety of practice areas on several legal issues affecting Americans each day. Such issues include details on finding brain injury attorney or where to find a Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis lawyer. LegalView also offers resources to locate legal advice for those who might need a construction accident law firm.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez Hodes; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.


Press Contact: Katie Kelley
Company Name: LegalView
Phone: 720-771-3246
Website: www.LegalView.com

Want To Sell Your House Fast?

Need To Sell Your House Fast? Breathe A Little Easier

SellHouseAmerica.com is offering a brand new service that connects home sellers to professional home buyers throughout the United States. Home sellers provide SHA with some basic information about the house or property they need to sell and it is instantly made available to a buyer looking for real estate in that area.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) January 11, 2008 -- For homeowners who need to sell their homes fast, http://www.sellhouseamerica.com offers a new online service connecting motivated home sellers with motivated home buyers. Finding a professional homebuyer may be just a click of your mouse away.

The grim outlook of the current real estate market has more than a few homeowners worried. For the average homeowner things may not be as bad as it is for a growing number of Americans who are couple late payments away from foreclosure. "We can help homeowners who not only want to sell, but need to sell, find a buyer fast," says Jon Christopher of SellHouseAmerica.com. If you are looking for a way to stop foreclosure, submit your information.

What does one do when they need to sell a house fast? The saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" comes to mind. Just a few years ago, simply putting a sign in the front yard would guarantee a quick sale. Those days are long gone; homeowners are at the mercy of buyers who are in no rush to buy. SellHouseAmerica.com puts home sellers in contact with professional home buyers who are looking for houses to buy in their local area.

If you want to sell fast, you must be prepared to sell at a discount when dealing with real estate investors. "The average investor is someone who relies on buying and selling homes as their income," says Jon Christopher, also a real estate investor, "Prepare to offer your home at a significant discount." Even if you have little or no equity in your home and you need to sell, a "short sale" can be done in many cases. This is when a real estate investor contacts the bank or mortgage company to negotiate a discount. A short sale is a very effective tool for someone who needs to stop or prevent foreclosure and preserve their credit.

Homeowners looking to sell a house fast can fill out a simple form with some basic information, and if it fits what an investor is looking for, they may be contacted immediately. Real estate investors subscribe to receive the homeowners information from different territories or metro areas by paying a small monthly fee. Investors are encouraged to use ethical business practices or can risk losing subscription rights to their area.

Sitting around and waiting for a house to sell can sometimes be out of the question, especially when a few months could result in losing your house. Contacting SellHouseAmerica.com can increase the odds of selling a house by connecting professional buyers and sellers of all types of real estate throughout the United States. Investors looking for real estate leads are encouraged to visit the site for more information and subscription prices.

About Sell House America:

SellHouseAmerica.com is offering a brand new service that connects home sellers to professional home buyers throughout the United States. Home sellers provide SHA with some basic information about the house or property they need to sell and it is instantly made available to a buyer looking for real estate in that area.

Contact:
Sell House America LLC
888-752-7056
http://www.sellhouseamerica.com
Email Us: info(at)sellhouseamerica.com

Press Contact: Jonathan Christopher
Company Name: Sell HouseAmerica LLC
Phone: 267-342-1856
Website: www.sellhouseamerica.com

Structured Settlement Company Reacts to Lower Interest Rates

Woodbridge Investments, LLC Reacts to Lower Interest Rates

http://www.woodbridgeinvestments.com/ has just announced that the recent announcement from the Federal Reserve will allow the company to lower their interest rates as well.

(PRWEB) September 30, 2007 -- http://www.woodbridgeinvestments.com/ has just announced that the recent announcement from the Federal Reserve will allow the company to lower their interest rates as well.

On September 18, 2007, the Federal Reserve surprised the world when it announced that it was taking an aggressive move in order to help fix financial markets in the United States. In order to help forestall negative effects on the economy, the Federal Reserve announced that it was going to cut interest rates by ½ point. Many industry experts expected that the rates would be cut by .25%, and were shocked when the Federal Reserve dropped the rate so much lower.

Scott Schwartz, the Director of Sales for Woodbridge Investments, LLC, has now announced that the declaration from the Federal Reserve gives Woodbridge Investments the ability to make their rates lower.

"Now is the time for people who are seeking a lump sum for a structured settlement, lottery or jackpot payment, or seller held notes on mortgage, to take advantage of lower rates to get the absolute highest value for their long term payout." Schwartz said.

Woodbridge Investments, LLC, is a company that is based in Studio City, CA. For over fourteen years Woodbridge Investments and their predecessor company has been buying lottery payments, annuities and structured settlements. They have quickly become one of the most active purchaser's of long term payouts and have always maintained that they have low prices and excellent customer service.

The company, available online at http://www.woodbridgeinvestments.com/ is excited to be able to offer even better rates for potential clients, thanks to the news from the Federal Reserve. The people working at Woodbridge Investments believe that the money made from a structured settlement, lottery winning or any other type of settlement belongs to the receiver, and should be paid on a schedule that is fitting for the payee, not the one paying the money.

For more information about Woodbridge Investments, LLC, visit http://www.woodbridgeinvestments.com/.

Press Contact: Robert Shapiro
Company Name: Woodbridge Investments
Phone: 866-865-7044
Website: http://www.woodbridgeinvestments.com

Debt Settlement Industry Adds Member

Leader in Debt Settlement Industry Adds Stellar Member to Executive Team

James R. Partridge is welcomed by Debt Settlement America (DSA) as their newest executive team member. Mr. Partridge is serving DSA as their Director of Finance and Human Resources.

(PRWEB) December 13, 2007 -- Debt Settlement America (DSA) is pleased to welcome James R. Partridge as their newest team member. Mr. Partridge is serving DSA as their Director of Finance and Human Resources. Partridge brings with him a wealth of industry operational knowledge from his experience at another Dallas based debt settlement company. He also brings with him years of extensive experience in the area of human resources.

Some of Mr. Partridge's career highlights include executive experience and leadership positions at companies such as TXU, EDS and Diamond Shamrock. He has worked in many areas such as: compensations and benefits, employee management and recruitment, risk management and safety, mergers and acquisitions, employee and labor relations, and finance and accounting to highlight a few.

New DSA Finance & HR Director James R. Partridge mentions, "I look forward to the tremendous job opportunity here at DSA and contributing to DSA's bottom line growth. DSA is a company that is committed to integrity and getting their clients successfully through the program."

Chris Kesterson, DSA's President & CEO, states; "James Partridge is a welcome addition to DSA's leadership team. His unique background and work experience makes him a valuable asset to our future vision."

DSA is an accredited BSI The Association of Settlement Companies (TASC) Best Practices company and is also a member of the Texas Association of Businesses.

DSA's mission is to help people from all walks of life get a fresh start with their personal finances. Its experienced staff takes great pride in helping individuals and families turn grim financial situations into a fresh start. Debt Settlement America's debt settlement and debt arbitration services provide immediate and practical relief from creditors and from the anxiety associated with having debt problems. DSA is a proven leader in the industry and bases its company culture on three qualities it has set as company standards: HONESTY, RESPECT and PASSION.

Debt Settlement America (www.debt-settlement-america.com) was established in 2004, celebrating their three year anniversary this past summer. DSA is a proven industry leader.

Press Contact: Kathy Ward
Company Name: Debt Settlement America
Phone: 214-975-3320
Website: http://www.debt-settlement-america.com

Tools for Car Repair Available

Diagnostic Tools for Car Repair Now Available at One-Stop-Factory.com

Every car owner can have a do-it-yourself diagnostic tool to detect and repair their own car thanks to the new section on One-Stop-Factory.com. With the new section, tools for car repair are now available at an affordable cost to the general public.

(PRWEB) January 6, 2007 -- Troubleshooting and car repair are now more accessible to the general public with the launch of an automobile diagnostic section at One-Stop-Factory.com (www.One-Stop-Factory.com).

Third-party car diagnostic tools are designed for personal car repair. These tools can be used in order to get a rough self-evaluation about the repair's cost before passing the vehicle to a repair shop.

Before the availability of third-party diagnostic tools, car diagnostic solutions were only available to a small group of people. Now, there are many different solutions available via One-Stop-Factory.com's user friendly interface.

Almost all famous European car manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Audi, supply built-in systems to detect errors in their cars' diagnostic systems. These systems quickly scan information such as data of the car's engine, AT, CVT, emission, temperature, driving speed, battery voltage, pressure, rotation speed, ABS, SRS, slip steering angle turning, Yaw rate and more. Many manufacturer diagnostic tools are available for authorized resell for car repair. However, these tools are often available for rent, not purchase. Second-hand tools from eBay are also available, but they often sell for more than 5,000 Euro.

With One-Stop-Factory.com, everyone now has access to a handy do-it-yourself tool. The market for diagnostic tools has started to boom, and consumers can now have their own diagnostic products at a much more affordable rate than before. In fact, most families can afford to own any car diagnostic tool as soon as they own a family car.

The car diagnostic tools market features various solutions from different developers, each with their own specific, unique features. Some popular tools available at One-Stop-Factory.com are Carsoft, OBD2, BMW Scanner, Uniscan / Euroscan, ELM, KWP2000, ALDL, LPG, TECH1, VAG and USB HEX CAN.

At One-Stop-Factory.com, consumers can find all of the above tools and more. As a manufacturer, the company produces and controls the quality and costs to make the products' prices competitive.

For more information on diagnostic tools necessary for car repair, visit www.One-Stop-Factory.com.

Press Contact: Henry Chu
Company Name: Teleway International Technology Ltd.
Phone: 852-96812328
Website: www.one-stop-factory.com

Investor Ranks Cash Flow Markets

NuWire Investor Ranks Top 10 Cash Flow Markets for 2008

NuWire Investor recently published its top 10 cash flow markets for real estate investors.

Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) January 7, 2008 -- NuWire Investor, an online financial news publication, recently released its rankings of the Top 10 Cash Flow Markets for 2008.

Appreciation is often the most significant form of profit for real estate investors, but it is harder to determine and higher in risk. Cash flow alone, rather than any potential for future appreciation, was used in ranking this list.

Rankings were determined based on an adjusted average rent payment for the area according to the rental vacancy rate. This value was compared to the amount spent monthly on mortgage payments and upkeep, including utilities, taxes and insurance. Mortgage payments were estimated based on an average loan and the median cost of a home in the area. Statistics were gathered from U.S. Census data.

Despite a slight population decline in the last few years, Rochester, N.Y., ranked number one because of its affordable housing prices, and low monthly upkeep and mortgage costs. Several Southern cities also made the list, including three from Texas. Texas also has an affordable housing market and many foreclosure opportunities for investors, particularly in San Antonio.

The Top 10 Cash Flow Markets are:

1. Rochester, New York
2. Montgomery, Alabama
3. Birmingham, Alabama
4. San Antonio, Texas
5. Garland, Texas
6. Buffalo, New York
7. Corpus Christi, Texas
8. Shreveport, Louisiana
9. Detroit, Michigan
10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

To view the full rankings, visit http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/top-10-cashflow-property-markets-51396.aspx

NuWire Investor provides investment news on a range of alternative investment topics, such as U.S. and international real estate, tax liens and deeds, lending, franchising and others. For more information, and to access additional analysis, research, commentary and expert interviews, see NuWireInvestor.com.

Press Contact: Marie Langhout
Company Name: NuWire, Inc.
Phone: 888.588.7826
Website: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/

Florida Foreclosures Increase 35%

South Florida Foreclosures Increase 35 Percent in 2007

Broward and Miami-Dade counties both see over 13,000 foreclosures.

Mt. Pleasant, PA  -  January 3, 2008 -- Default Research, the premier provider of lis pendens data in South Florida, is reporting that foreclosures are up 35 percent in 2007 in that area.    

According to Default Research, in Broward and Miami-Dade 1.75 percent and 1.45 percent respectively of households entered some phase of the foreclosure process in the last 12 months. Also in 2007, Broward saw foreclosures increase by 66 percent, while Miami-Dade had an increase of 27 percent.

"There is no end in sight for Florida foreclosures in 2008," said Serdar Bankaci, President/CEO of Default Research. "Median home prices are still decreasing as home inventories increase. That is a recipe for more foreclosures in South Florida. Last year we saw an average of about 220 foreclosures daily in our extensive coverage area in Florida."

Across the Sunshine State, the average median home price is $221,000. However, in the much more expensive South Florida, the average median home price in Broward and Miami-Dade is $346,800. The larger price tags for the properties in South Florida have, however, actually hurt the market and recovery.

"Many investors have been burned by the foreclosure crisis and are just walking away from the properties in South Florida," said Bankaci, who lists foreclosure sales two to three weeks ahead of the competition. "South Florida foreclosures will continue to rise as more ARMs reset and people are unable to make their payments. My statistics are showing that our bank foreclosure list will continue to grow and it is unlikely that South Florida will exit the foreclosure crisis in 2008."

Bankaci knows firsthand about the South Florida market because he lived there in 2004. He witnessed the "incredible" price increases and watched the number of condominiums increase almost daily. Unfortunately as the housing unit numbers grew, the demand and money began to decrease.

"There is significant demand for rental properties," said Bankaci, who offers his clients the freshest and most accurate foreclosures lists. "I urge our customers to buy and rent out properties while they weather the foreclosure storm. With foreclosure real estate selling for discounted prices, investors are buying properties, renting them and already getting a return on their investment."

Default Research is Florida's leader in foreclosure research. More information about Default Research can be found at its Web site: www.defaultresearch.com.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, or schedule an interview with Serdar Bankaci, please contact Josh Chernikoff at joshc @ defaultresearch.com.

Contact:
Josh Chernikoff
Default Research
Phone: 1-888-211-8396 x705
Email: JoshC @ defaultresearch.com


Press Contact: Josh Chernikoff
Company Name: Default Research Inc.
Phone: 1-888-211-8396 +705
Website: www.defaultresearch.com

Online Dating Industry Brand Equity

 

Email Data Source Ranks Email Brand Equity Of Online Dating Industry

Email Data Source, the leading provider of email competitive analysis data, released its study ranking the Email Brand Equity Index™ of marketers in the On-Line Dating industry.

New York, New York (PRWEB) November 29, 2007 -- Email Data Source (www.emaildatasource.com), the leading provider of email competitive analysis data, released its study ranking the Email Brand Equity Index™ of marketers in the On-Line Dating industry based on the quality and effectiveness of their email marketing efforts as well as the representation of their brands in third party emails.

Email Data Source monitors the email marketing campaigns of over 36,000 companies in 230 market sectors, providing data and analysis through its core product, Email Analyst ™.

The Email Brand Equity Index™ is determined by compiling historical data on email marketing messages and measuring a combination of factors including the emails' perceived effectiveness in driving website traffic and the quality of the delivered email.

Email Brand Equity Rankings- Online Dating Industry

1. Match.com    match.com   
2. Friendfinder    adultfriendfinder.com
3. Spark Networks    blacksingles.com
4. eHarmony.com    eharmony.com
5. Reunion.com    reunion.com
6. Cupid.com    cupid.com
7. True Beginnings    true.com
8. Family Friends    singlesnet.com
9. eCube Media    thirtyplusmatch.com
10. Beliefnet        soulmatch.com

"We are pleased to provide marketers a way of measuring their brand equity across all email marketing channels which reflects how the typical consumer may perceive that brand in their inbox. Understanding how consumers see them as a whole--through in house marketing, as well as 3rd party newsletter sponsorships and affiliate marketing efforts--can help marketers improve their brand equity and their ROI. It has been shown that consumers respond more favorably to email marketing efforts based on positive past email experience. The Email Brand Equity Index™ is the first score that reflects a 360 degree view of email marketing," said Bill McCloskey Email Data Source Co-Founder and Chairman.

About Email Data Source, Inc.

Based in New York City, Email Data Source collects, analyzes, organizes and archives millions of marketing messages, providing competitive intelligence and analytics to the email marketing community. The company has provided email marketing data as well as actionable insights and the intelligence behind them since 2003. Email Analyst TM, the company's core product, monitors the world of email marketing for advertising agencies, brand marketers, direct marketers and their affiliates and vendors. For more information please visit: http://www.emaildatasource.com

Contact:    
Michelle Hayden
(646) 403-3387

Press Contact: Michelle Hayden
Company Name: Email Data Source
Phone: 646 403 3387
Website: www.emaildatasource.com