But turn your attention to the mom-and-pop shops just around the corner from your house, or the local farmers’ market that sets up in a local lot on summer Saturdays. These independent small businesses are the meat and potatoes of your community, and keeping them alive is in everyone’s interest.

Make Your Money Count
Frequenting stores within a few miles of your home saves you time and gasoline. When you patronize businesses that sell products from local sources, like local organic farms, it’s a joint effort to save yourself and your neighbor’s hard-earned money. Saving auto expenses gives you more to invest in your hometown.

Hidden Rewards
Your consistent business to local shops helps keep them afloat, but it also means the products you need are there when you need them, virtually a walk or bike ride away, if need be. If you don’t see it, ask your local shop if they will stock it.

Boost Your Local Economy
Community keeps small town farms, artisans and employees working. When you buy from the people who live near you, support local government and independent businesses, you boost the vitality of your community, and make it an attractive place to live. Your neighborhood’s walkability also affects your home’s value. Having amenities within walking distance could boost your home’s value by as much as $3,000.

Connections Benefit Everyone
Independent owners have more freedom to work with a customer, and to develop a beneficial relationship. A lot can be said for good service, willingness to barter and a business that really knows you.

Whether you live in a small town or a big city, the tight circle of shops and businesses around your home is your village. Shopping locally makes a difference not only in a community that survives, but in a community that thrives.

It’s a Buyer’s Market, Folks
Many sellers have upgraded properties to increase curb appeal. Your next home most likely has new windows, a top-notch roof, energy efficient appliances, and a much nicer bathroom and kitchen. There is no need to worry about major home improvement projects; today’s homes are move-in ready.

A ton of brand new homes are on the market at great prices, too. Buy a new construction and be the first to park in the garage, paint the walls, and landscape the yard. A new home is your opportunity to put a stamp on something truly meaningful.

You Can Afford to Be Choosy
Your choices in the housing market may feel a little staggering. You have the chance to shop real estate until you find exactly what you want. Record low mortgage rates are a nice bonus that make your dream home even more affordable.

What About Expired Government Home-buying Incentives?
Think you’ve already missed a great deal? Actually, these incentives caused prices to rise for a short time, offsetting some advantages to buyers. It’s all part of the cause and effect cycle in real estate, and what you’re looking for is balance.

It’s Time to Buy a Home
Remember, you’re not buying a house—you’re buying a home. Weigh your options carefully, but don’t wait so long that you miss this good opportunity. Picture your family and friends relaxed and comfortable in every room and you’ll see yourself, proud of your smart investment.

Homeowners are always looking for new ways to create a “wow effect” in their outdoor living spaces. The outdoor experts at ConcreteNetwork.com point to five hot trends in patio design to help elevate your backyard patio from a nice patch of bricks to your favorite spot to entertain and relax:

1. Make the backyard a destination
More people are foregoing costly vacations in favor of sinking that travel money into creating a getaway spot in their own backyards. Enterprising homeowners are using decorative concrete to create mini theme parks with faux rock water features, sculpted pools with water slides and garden bridges.

2. Cost-sensible, eco-conscious
Environmental awareness doesn’t have to take a back-seat to luxury, homeowners are finding. Backyard oases must also emphasize eco-consciousness, incorporating environmentally-friendly materials like concrete, which is sustainable. But they also like the organic look and feel that the material can impart. Concrete patios can mimic the look of natural stone – even lava – without the eco-impact associated with quarrying the real thing. Plus, concrete costs considerably less than many natural stone products.

3. Furniture built to last and last
Anybody can go to the local home improvement store and pick up a patio set. The truly trendy backyard designer turns to permanent backyard furniture, custom-made to fit your yard’s style. Custom concrete furniture can take on any shape, from pool tables and benches to patio tables and planters. It lasts a lifetime and never needs to be painted or refinished.

4. Light my fire
When it comes to creating ambiance, few home improvements pack the wallop of a fireplace. Outdoor hearths are growing in popularity as homeowners continue to recreate all the appeal of their home’s interior outside in the backyard. Whether you choose gas or wood-burning, custom designed or pre-cast, adding a fireplace to your outdoor landscape is sure to light up its appeal.

5. Size and shape matter
We’ve all seen patio disasters – the sprawling slab that totally dominates a tiny backyard, or the postage-stamp-sized patio that appears lost in a sea of grass. Homeowners are no longer leaving patio size to chance. Instead, they’re putting a lot of thought and planning into right-sizing their patio to create a living area that meets their needs and fits the profile of their backyard. How the space will be used and how much space you have to work with will be main factors in sizing your concrete patio, according to Scott Cohen of GreenSceneLandscape.com. You can also find a patio size chart at www.concretenetwork.com/patio/size.html.

Whatever your personal style, and whether you’re aiming to improve your home’s resale value or enhance your enjoyment of your house, upgrading your outdoors is an investment that makes sense. Visit www.concretenetwork.com to learn more.

If you’re considering renovating your home to maximize sale profit, be aware that some renovations may not yield the returns you expect. The following five renovations are all projects that shouldn’t be undertaken merely for resale profit.

Swimming Pool
Before you invest in a swimming pool, study the market in your area. Depending on the region or even the neighborhood, a pool can add or detract from the resale price of your home. While you might see a pool as a luxury item that will provide hours of fun in the sun for you and your family, potentials buyers may see nothing more than high maintenance costs—not to mention a safety hazard for young children and pets. If you’ve got your heart set on a pool for your home, be prepared to reap little or no return on your investment when it comes to sale time.

Topnotch Accessories
Unless your home is awash with topnotch accessories, installing these items in one or two rooms only could be a mistake. You’re unlikely to see any return on your investment if you install high-end accessories such as a state-of-the art refrigerator or a fine Italian marble counter top in one room, yet leave worn and outdated accessories and fittings in others. Keep the same standard of appliances, accessories, and furnishings throughout your home and don’t push the value of your home to above 20 to 25 percent of the current value of the highest-valued homes in your neighborhood.

Wall-to-wall Carpeting
It’s always a good idea to replace faded and worn carpets, especially if you’re thinking of selling soon, but this particular renovation project is costly. What’s more, when it comes to selling your home you may find that potential buyers are put off by the carpeting, particularly if it’s in a color that doesn’t fit in with their envisioned design plans. A safer bet is to spend the money on either restoring the original hardwood floors you have in your home, or having hardwood floors, or a comparable alternative such as bamboo or cork, laid by a professional. Rugs can then be placed in those areas where you feel they’re needed when showing your home.

Elaborate Landscaping
Some potential buyers may see landscaped gardens, especially those incorporating water features, as requiring too much maintenance. Of course, carry out this renovation if you want to enjoy the results, but don’t expect it to increase the value of your home significantly, as you may not recoup even a quarter of your investment when reselling your home. The best landscape designs are simple and unfussy and allow a homeowner to enjoy his or her immediate environment without having to constantly preen it.

Home Office
While you may need space in which to work at home, if you go full out and remodel a room into a well-appointed office, one that’s specifically designed for work with built-in bookcases and the like, don’t expect to recoup more than about 50 percent of your outlay. Many buyers aren’t prepared to pay for something they may never use. You’re better off buying furniture and accessories that you can take with you when you come to move, and which will leave potential buyers with the option of using the room as an additional bedroom or family room should they wish to do so.

Although no one should decorate their surroundings to suit others, you may want to keep a few considerations in mind when renovating if you plan to sell your home in the not-too-distant future.

Weigh the cost of refinancing to determine whether a new mortgage will ultimately save you money. If you plan to move in a year or two, the cost of refinancing your home loan may not make it worth the expense.

Should you refinance?
Reducing the interest rate by a single point can make your payment more affordable. To quickly figure out the difference, note the savings between your current mortgage payment and the proposed new payment. Ask for a basic closing cost figure from the bank. Divide the closing costs by the savings between the two payment amounts. The resulting figure indicates the number of months required to break even to cover refinancing expenses.

What makes refinance worth it?
It depends on the homeowner. For some people, saving $150 per month is imperative. For others, $300 or more makes the expense worth it. Remember that many lenders include closing costs in the new loan to limit upfront expenses to customers.

Primary Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Lenders require individuals to place a 20 percent down payment on the home. A down payment of less than 20 percent requires the homeowner to carry PMI. As you make monthly payments, you chip away at the mortgage principal. Over time, homeowners build up enough equity to eliminate the need for PMI. Address the issue of PMI during any refinancing discussions with your lender.

Where to refinance
Call your current mortgage company first to check refinancing options. Don’t blindly assume they have the best rate. Investigate interest rates through the Internet and other banks. Some banks offer very low rates and extremely high closing costs. The flip side also features banks with no fees and a high interest rate. Check for loans that don’t require the payment of points (one percent of mortgage value) to buy down the interest rate.

What are reasonable refinancing fees?
Basic mortgage fees include application costs ranging from $250 to $400. Home appraisal fees run from $300 to $500. A title search allows the mortgage company to determine your legal right to the property. Lender fees also include origination fees at one percent of the loan amount and attorney fees to cover the full loan process.

MIAMI – Real estate agent, Izzy Buholzer, from Miami Real Estate Team, (R) shows a home that is in foreclosure to prospective buyers Louis Carrasquillo and his daughter Maria Carrasquillo on June 16, 2010 in Miami, Florida. A RealtyTrac report indicated that Florida continues to hold the number three spot when it comes to foreclosures in the United State. Only Nevada and Arizona were worse.

Foreclosure Rate In Miami Area Continues To Rise
MIAMI – JULY 29: Real estate agent Izzy Buholzer (R) from Miami Real Estate Team, Inc. shows a rental home to Dorothea Tittel July 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Many people are now considering renting instead of buying as the continued downward pressure on home values is felt. Today, RealtyTrac Inc. today annouced that South Florida ranks tenth in nationwide foreclosures and that the Miami metro area, which includes Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, led all regions with 94,466 homes in some stage of foreclosure from January through June.

The Vacuum Routine
Vacuuming frequently actually reduces your workload in the end. Dirt not only looks bad, it cuts your carpet’s fibers and ruins its texture. Fine grit filters through the backing until you’re walking on a potential mud puddle every time something spills.

Vacuum open spaces and everything that’s easy to reach once a week. Hit high traffic areas twice a week. Once a month, vacuum under furniture and around the baseboards and radiators using all those wonderful onboard vacuum tools.

Directing Traffic
High traffic areas wear quickly, so take steps to change traffic patterns occasionally. Rearrange the furniture from time to time, or add a small table in a hallway or entry. If the kids always use the same side door, change their habits to a different entrance. Perhaps most importantly, designate eating and drinking areas to avoid spills. If you can’t redirect traffic to protect your home’s carpet, use area rugs. Small rugs are excellent decorative items and much easier to clean than a whole carpet.

Minimizing Dirt
Perhaps the best way to keep your carpet clean is to keep dirt out of your home. Sweep outside walkways with a sturdy broom every couple of weeks. Put welcome mats at every entrance, both outside and inside. Consider a “no shoes” policy, and provide extra slippers so guests can feel comfortable.

Confine new pets to uncarpeted areas until they learn good bathroom manners. Teach your dog to stand patiently in the entryway until you’ve wiped its feet with a towel you keep handy by the door. This only takes a moment and prevents a trail of doggie prints across the living room.

The Wash Cycle
Shampoo the entire carpet in the spring and fall. Do it yourself one time and hire a professional the other time so your carpet gets a deep cleaning at least once a year.

Treat spills quickly to avoid stains. Keep a spill-fixing kit handy in a plastic bin so everyone in the house can clean spots easily. For an excellent list of items for your spot removal kit, visit Bob’s Carpet Care.

By taking these simple steps to maintain your home’s carpet, you’ll extend its life and save time and money. Be vigilant: it’s well worth the effort.

The EventGuide
SUNDAY
Fouth of July
July 4, 2010

Headliners
11:00 am-
9:30 pm July 4th Spectacular.
A DJ will host interactive games and contests for children of all ages. The celebration will continue with Coast 97.3 FM provid… Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Festival – Holiday Event / Party). 954-828-5363
6:00 pm-
9:00 pm July 4th Celebration.
The day features live music, food, children’s rides and an evening concert by ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ Journey Tribute Band, follo… Pines Recreation Center/ Pembroke Pines Optimist Club. (Festival – Holiday Event / Party). 954-435-6525
7:00 pm Fourth of July Dinner Cruise.
This cruise will feature an imported & domestic cheese display, vegetable crudites, top sirloin carving station with dinner roll… Biscayne Lady Yacht. (Dining – Dinner Cruise). 305-379-5119
8:00 pm Miami Beach July 4th Celebration.
This year’s Fourth of July patriotic celebration features a free concert with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and fireworks. F… Miami Beach. (Festival – Holiday Event / Party). 305-673-7400

Festivals
11:00 am-
9:30 pm July 4th Spectacular.
A DJ will host interactive games and contests for children of all ages. The celebration will continue with Coast 97.3 FM provid… Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Festival – Holiday Event / Party). 954-828-5363
6:00 pm-
9:00 pm July 4th Celebration.
The day features live music, food, children’s rides and an evening concert by ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ Journey Tribute Band, follo… Pines Recreation Center/ Pembroke Pines Optimist Club. (Festival – Holiday Event / Party). 954-435-6525
8:00 pm Miami Beach July 4th Celebration.
This year’s Fourth of July patriotic celebration features a free concert with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and fireworks. F… Miami Beach. (Festival – Holiday Event / Party). 305-673-7400

The Arts
Jazz Memories.
Works by Herman Leonard features photos of jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, C… Barbara Gillman Gallery. (Arts – Photography Exhibit). 305-538-5895
20(12): Twenty Twelve.
Sharing thoughts on our future, the eminent artists of 20(12) bring to life the fear, joy, and excitement of exploring diverse p… Miami Art Space. (Arts – Art Exhibit). 786-315-8369

Retail Events
8:00 am-
5:00 pm Miami Flea and Farmers Market.
A colorful market in the Heart of Miami. Find a variety of gifts and typical foods at this open market in the Heart of Miami.… Miami Flea and Farmers Market. (Retail – Flea Market). 786-712-7023

Community
9:30 am-
5:00 pm Art Deco District Audio Tour.
Walk through Miami Beach’s Art Deco District at your own pace, and learn about its architectural history using our iPod-based se… Art Deco Welcome Center. (Educational – Walking Tour). 305-531-3484
10:30 am Art Deco District Walking Tour.
This 90-minnute walking tour provides an introduction to the Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Miami Modern (MiMo) styles fou… Art Deco Welcome Center. (Educational – Walking Tour). 305-531-3484
11:00 am Thriller Miami.
Cruise Biscayne Bay Miami Vice Style in a customized built Hi Speed Catamaran. Skim the waters of Biscayne Bay to view the Mega… Bayside Marketplace. (Educational – Boat Tour). 305-445-8456
12:30 pm Natural Areas Tour.
A 1.5 mile guided tour takes you through the Deering Estate’s hardwood hammock, Cutler Creek, and Tequesta Burial Mound. Tours… The Deering Estate. (Educational – Walking Tour). 305-235-1668
1:30 pm Biltmore Hotel Tour.
Dade Heritage Trust organization takes you on one hour walking tour of this national historic landmark. The Biltmore Hotel. (Educational – Walking Tour). 305-667-5222
2:00 pm Thriller Miami.
Cruise Biscayne Bay Miami Vice Style in a customized built Hi Speed Catamaran. Skim the waters of Biscayne Bay to view the Mega… Bayside Marketplace. (Educational – Boat Tour). 305-445-8456
2:30 pm Biltmore Hotel Tour.
Dade Heritage Trust organization takes you on one hour walking tour of this national historic landmark. The Biltmore Hotel. (Educational – Walking Tour). 305-667-5222
3:30 pm Biltmore Hotel Tour.
Dade Heritage Trust organization takes you on one hour walking tour of this national historic landmark. The Biltmore Hotel. (Educational – Walking Tour). 305-667-5222
5:00 pm Thriller Miami.
Cruise Biscayne Bay Miami Vice Style in a customized built Hi Speed Catamaran. Skim the waters of Biscayne Bay to view the Mega… Bayside Marketplace. (Educational – Boat Tour). 305-445-8456
5:00 pm Raven Run.
Meet Raven at the 5th Street Lifeguard Tower in Miami Beach and run with him daily, 8 miles up and down the beach. Miami Metro Area. (Community).
Miami Duck Tours.
Enjoy a 90-minute fully narrated tour of Miami via land & sea on Miami’s only amphibious vehicle. Travel through downtown Miami… Miami Duck Tours. (Educational – Boat Tour). 877-DUCK-TIX
Sightseeing Boat Tours.
Bay Ex-Cape sightseeing boat tours departing daily from Bayside Marketplace open to the public, groups and private tours. Bi-lin… Bayside Marketplace. (Educational – Boat Tour). 305-445-8456
El Loro.
El Loro is Miami’s one and only Pirate Boat Sightseeing Experience. Cruise aboard this magnificent replica of an old Spanish Gal… Bayside Marketplace. (Educational – Boat Tour). 305-860-8854
The World of Giant Insects.
Get eye-opening insight into the anatomy and behavior of insects we encounter regularly through animated robotic insects, enlarg… Miami MetroZoo. (Educational – Science & Nature). 305-255-5551

Health & Fitness
7:00 am J45K.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida July 4th 5K. Run through the spacious tree-lined paths of Tamiami Park. Commemorative Aw… Tamiami Park. (Health & Fitness).

Miscellaneous
9:30 am-
6:00 pm Marine Animal Shows.
Watch as beautiful Dolphins thrill you with jumps, flips, and tail walks while powerful Killer Whales delight you with their bea… Miami Seaquarium. (Miscellaneous). 305-361-5705
4:00 pm-
6:00 pm Flying Trapeze School.
Take a swing on the flying trapeze with professional instructors. Classes for all levels are offered, as well as birthday parti… Bayfront Park. (Miscellaneous). 786-239-8775
7:00 pm-
9:00 pm Flying Trapeze School.
Take a swing on the flying trapeze with professional instructors. Classes for all levels are offered, as well as birthday parti… Bayfront Park. (Miscellaneous). 786-239-8775

Dining Specials
10:00 am-
3:00 pm Sunday Brunch at 94th Aero Squadron.
Sunday champagne brunch ($25.95 for adults, $12.95 children). Private party rooms & banquet facilities are also available. 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant. (Dining – Brunch). 305-261-4220
10:00 am-
2:00 pm Sunday Brunch at The Cheesecake Factory.
Classic brunch dishes with a unique twist served every Sunday until 2 pm. The entire menu is also available. The Cheesecake Factory. (Dining – Brunch). 305-792-9696
10:30 am-
3:00 pm Sunday Brunch at The Rusty Pelican.
Enjoy Sunday Brunch overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway while you enjoy a Hot Entree Station, Iced Seafood Boat, Cold Salads a… The Rusty Pelican. (Dining – Brunch). 305-361-3818
11:00 am-
4:00 pm Sunday Brunch at Gigi Bistro.
Features steak & eggs, strawberry French toast, eggs benedict, your choice of any entree on the menu and beverage. Gigi Bistro. (Dining – Brunch). 305-572-0015
11:30 am-
3:30 pm Blues Brunch at The Dining Room.
Features live blues music as you dine. Brunch includes one tropical mimosa. Reservations are strongly recommended. Essensia Restaurant & Lounge. (Dining – Brunch). 305-908-5468
12:00 pm-
3:00 pm Seafood & Champaign Brunch at Teasers.
Hosted by Lorenzo ‘Ice-Tea’ Thomas & Wylie K. Music by DJ Entice. Bring your Beach gear! Casual dress is a must!. Teasers. (Dining – Brunch). 305-673-0023
7:00 pm Fourth of July Dinner Cruise.
This cruise will feature an imported & domestic cheese display, vegetable crudites, top sirloin carving station with dinner roll… Biscayne Lady Yacht. (Dining – Dinner Cruise). 305-379-5119
12:00 am-
2:00 am 12 at 12.
Pizza or Salad + Imported Beer or glass of Wined. Fratelli la Bufala. (Dining – Dining Specials). 305-532-0700
Jazz Pet Brunch.
Enjoy a brunch prepared by Epicure for half price if you bring your dog, who will be offered a special gourmet pet menu, visit w… Epicure Gourmet Market and Cafe. (Dining – Brunch). 305-947-4581

Nightlife
12:00 pm-
5:00 pm Jazz.
Live Jazz every Saturday and Sunday. Cafe Milano. (Nightlife – Jazz). 305-532-0707
12:00 pm-
5:00 pm Jazz at Cafe Milano.
Cafe Milano. (Nightlife – Jazz). 305-532-0707
3:00 pm-
8:00 pm Happy Hour at Tavern in the Grove.
Tavern in the Grove. (Nightlife – Happy Hours). 305-447-3884
8:00 pm Ambience.
Attention Lesbians & Gay Men!! Come see our outrageous drag king & queen shows & our sexy go-go dancers. DJ VButterfly spins the… Uva Restaurant and Lounge. (Nightlife – Gay & Lesbian). 813-362-8177
8:00 pm-
1:00 am Soulcial Sunday’s.
Hosted by Ingrid B. A live music experience and dinner party. B.E.D.. (Nightlife – Live Music). 305-532-9070
8:30 pm Las Vegas Style Show.
Including showgirls, dancing and top recording artists Wednesday thru Sunday. Club Tropigala. (Nightlife – Theme Night). 305-672-7469
9:00 pm Karaoke at Titanic.
Enjoy karaoke every Sunday. Titanic Restaurant & Brewery. (Nightlife – Karaoke). 305-667-2537
9:00 pm The Kitty Lounge at Jade Lounge.
An erotic experience for incredibly sexy and open-minded bi-femmes, couples and sexy women. Uninhibited, bold, enticing, discre… Jade Lounge. (Nightlife – Adult theme). 305-695-0000
9:00 pm-
2:00 am Karaoke at Little Hoolies Pub.
Come witness the very best karaoke in Miami with your new host Kara-O-King! Happy Hour all night long!. Little Hoolies Pub. (Nightlife – Karaoke). 305-252-9155
10:00 pm-
4:00 am Hollywood Nights.
Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B. Complimentary addmission. Broadway Bar, Lounge and Billards. (Nightlife – Lounge). 786-357-2503
11:00 pm-
5:00 am Latin Party at La Rumba.
Salsa, Meringue, Latin Dance, Euro Dance, House, Techno, Hip Hop, Reggae, Latin Rock, Pop and more with DJ Lazrock and DJ Hyper. JoeCafe Restaurant Bar. (Nightlife – Dance). 305-331-5011
11:00 pm-
5:00 am “Made in Miami” Sundays at Mansion.
‘Made in Miami’ Sundays at Mansion featuring MURK aka Oscar G & Ralph Falcon (House/Dance Music in the Mainroom). It’s the last… Mansion. (Nightlife – DJ). 305-322-0583
Jazz & Blues Upstairs at the Van Dyke.
Upstairs at the Van Dyke features the finest in live jazz and blues nightly. Upstairs at the Van Dyke. (Nightlife – Jazz). 305-534-3600
Folk Music at John Martin’s.
John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. (Nightlife – Theme Night). 305-445-3777
Dixieland at Les Deux Fontaines.
Dixieland music featuring the Swingin’ Dixie Trio. Les Deux Fontaines Lobster Cafe & Bar. (Nightlife – Jazz). 305-672-2579
Jazz at The Loft.
Playing jazz on the weekends. The Loft Restaurant. (Nightlife – Jazz). 305-885-3435
La Rumba Llego at Bongo’s.
Dancing in the afternoon, indoor and on the terrace. Kids are welcome. Rumba, Mambo, Guaguanco and Latin Jazz featuring Rumba… Bongo’s Cuban Cafe. (Nightlife – Live Music). 786-777-2100
Bolero Night at 94th Aero Squadron.
Relax with your favorite drink while you listen to the song stylings of El Gran David. 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant. (Nightlife – Theme Night). 305-261-4220