coldwellbanker.com on the Blackberry®

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Coldwell Banker® has expanded its mobile reach to the Blackberry suite of devices. Now consumers can search for a home, agent or use the home value estimator tool right from their phone any time, any place to search for their next home on coldwellbanker.com.

April 5th, "Dream Home Expo 2008". Sponsored by Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools and the City of Royal Oak. The 10th Annual Dream Home Expo is on Saturday, April 5, 2008. It will be at Royal Oak Middle School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here you'll find information about adding to or remodeling your home. Architects, builders, home improvement and remodeling firms, financial institutions, landscaping companies, and the City Building Department will be on hand to answer your questions. Parking and admission are free. For further information, please call 248.588.5050 Ext. 200 or visit www.dreamhomeexpo.com. April 5th, "Pet Clinic". The City of Royal Oak will be hosting the annual Rabies Vaccination Clinic at the Department of Public Services, 1600 N. Campbell, southeast corner of Twelve Mile and Campbell Roads on Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check here for more details. April 5th, "Adventure Racing Clinic". Great Lakes Endurance Racing Teams, GLTeams.com LLC, will be hosting a "How To Get Started in Adventure Racing" at the World Gym in Downtown Royal Oak on April 5th, 2008. The Clinic will run from Noon to 1:30 PM and is FREE. We will cover, what is adventure racing, necessary clothing and equipment, training and nutrition, teamwork, and present an example sprint raceing event. World Gym is located East of Hollywood Video on Main Street, just north of 11 Mile Rd. Come check it out! www.GLTeams.com April 18th, “Nature Society Annual Fundraiser”. The Royal Oak Nature Society is hosting their 3rd Annual Fundraiser! Featured events include silent auctions, slide shows, hors d'oeuvres & deserts. The event will be held at the Royal Oak Elks Club on April 18, 2008. This is a chance to purchase some items that are especially fun to bid on and at the same time benefit a charitable cause! When: April 18 (Friday), 2008 Where: Royal Oak Elks Club, 2401 E 4th Street at Stephenson Hwy (See a map) Time: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door For further information, please call 248-246-3380, e-mail us at naturesociety@ci.royal-oak.mi.us, or download this event flyer and ticket ordering information. April 19th and 20th, "Park Cleanup Days". The City of Royal Oak is having “Spring Park Cleanup Days" on April 19th and 20th, 2008. The City is looking for volunteer groups to adopt a park for a day and clean up any debris and leaves they can find. Interested groups or individuals can contact the DPS any time before the 19th by calling (248) 246-3300 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to "Adopt a Park". Check here for more details.

From RISMEDIA, March 27, 2008 With the traditionally heavy home buying season just around the corner, now is the time to think about putting your house on the market. But with the housing market in a continued downturn, it’s more important than ever to choose home improvement projects that will not only add value to your home, but make it stand out in the crowd. Brad Staggs, HGTVPro.com and DIY show producer and host, and a licensed contractor, offers tips for homeowners preparing to sell their home. “The most important thing is to update the most visible areas, common gathering rooms like the den and kitchen. But don’t forget the front and back yards. Prime home-buying season coincides with spring and summer, and that first impression, your home’s curb appeal, can make all the difference.” 1. Molding: icing on the cake. “It’s amazing the difference a little bit of decorative wood molding can make,” says Staggs. “Frame out a picture window, add deep crown molding to a high ceiling, even a simple chair rail in a guest bathroom changes the entire look of a room.” 2. Front porch first impressions. Your front porch is often the first thing a potential homebuyer will see. According to Staggs, it should be in perfect shape. “Add a fresh coat of paint to brighten the front of your house. Nice wooden Adirondack-style chairs are welcoming, especially when enhanced by bright flowers in colorful pots. You want your porch to signal the start of something wonderful!” 3. Look behind you. Don’t neglect the backyard! Outdoor living spaces grow in popularity each year. Impress potential home buyers with a backyard to die for: overflowing garden boxes, some nice wooden outdoor furniture, a charming gazebo and perhaps a new deck. “Spend a few weekends dressing up the backyard before everything blooms,” suggests Staggs. 4. Floor them. Nothing says “welcome home” like the feel of smooth real wood floors. Easily installed and completely affordable, wood floors enhance any decorating style and evoke immediate “ahhhhs” from guests in your home. 5. Add a visual surprise. “Find something cool to add to a room in your home, a little visual pop no one will expect,” suggests Staggs. “Like adding beadboard panels to a kitchen island, then painting it a funky accent color.” Staggs also offers his thoughts on choosing appropriate building materials. “As a consumer, the most important thing you can do is buy sustainable. Choose natural building products, those that truly fit the definition of “green.” One of my favorite materials to use in any home improvement project is Southern Pine. It’s real wood, so it’s not just strong and beautiful, it’s also recyclable. Southern Pine in the U.S. comes from well-managed and well-maintained forests; forests that are in better health now than they were a century ago!”