A Brief History of Famous Cats

Chances are, at some point you have walked into a store, or other business establishment to be greeted by a locally famous cats. These elite, and yet unique mascots usually come with stories of being rescued from an animal shelter. Other owners will relate stories about how their famous cats simply decided to take up residence with them. Irregardless of how a cat comes to be a part of someone’s life, they often remind us of some of the most famous cats in history.

Recently, Oscar, the nursing home cat grabbed world headlines. This incredible cat not only knows when residents in the nursing home will pass on, he keeps vigil. While there are many stories about service dogs that make headlines on a daily basis, a famous cats with a job in the medical profession is often considered a rarity.

Oscar is yet another reminder of how these elegant animals seek to provide emotional support and friendship to humans. Frequently, family members have a difficult time coping with emotional impact of seeing a loved one experiencing the types of decline associated with old age. At the same time, a representative of one of the most “aloof” species of domesticated animals does not hesitate to keep people in nursing homes company during their final hours.

Few discussions of famous cats would be complete without mentioning Garfield. As infamous cartoon cats go, one must wonder how Garfield chooses between eating and sleeping. And of course, many love reading about the thoughts that go through his mind as he observes others doing things in non-cat optimized ways.

Historically, cats have been as revered as they have been hated. In the Middle Ages black cats endured a horrible tradition as famous cats. They were routinely tortured to death because of their color, and the association with witch craft. To this day, there are unsavory people that will try to adopt black cats to use all sorts of disgusting “ceremonies”. Still other people fear black cats, or will do anything they can to harm them. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that legitimate black cat owners will tell you these animals have some of the finest, and most intelligent natures amongst cat kind.

As you may be aware, cats were highly prized in ancient Egypt. Not only were they mummified with as much care as humans, it was against the law to kill a cat. In addition, a number of Egyptian deities were associated with cats. Bastet was keeper of hearth and home, while Sekhmet and Pakhet were often associated with medicine and warfare. Virtually all Egyptologists will acknowledge that famous cats played a key role in many aspects of ancient Egyptian culture.

Historically, many famous cats have cheered us up, and helped us to realize that our world would be a very sad place without their mischievous presence. Today, people all over the world keep cats as pets. While cats can be enigmatic and aloof, when they take a mind to be famous, they do it with skill and aplomb. One has only to observe famous cats like Oscar to realize that cats are capable of offering companionship to humans even when we cannot do it on our own.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 45 cat breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/cat_breeds_a_z.html

Should a New Energy Efficient Plasma TV Be in Your Future?

In increasing numbers, consumers shopping for a new television have the question of whether they should choose an LCD or plasma as their primary concern. Certainly, both plasma and LCD technologies offer excellent high definition viewing with respectable viewing angles and good color saturation and brightness. While plasma has the advantage in low light situations, LCD displays excel in rooms with brighter ambient light due to better protection against glare. The two television technologies also experience equivalent longevity making them dependable for many years. Both offer the same slim profile making them aesthetically appealing, modern, and unobtrusive within any living space.

However, plasma TV has lagged a bit with consumers in recent years despite its price advantage over LCD. This hesitancy on the part of consumers appears to be due to plasma’s early history of problems with burn in. This is unwarranted however, as the risk of burn in is very minimal since the technology for plasma has matured and such issues are essentially resolved.

There is however the lingering issue of excessive power consumption associated with plasma screens over the somewhat more energy conscious LCD displays. Plasma TV in fact, can be said to contribute unnecessarily to CO2 emissions based on their demanding energy needs. This powerful appetite can also eat away at a user’s pocketbook through their monthly energy bill. Recent developments however may put the reputation of power junkie behind for plasma TV and tilt the advantage back toward plasma.

Panasonic has developed a more energy efficient prototype plasma display which was introduced at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. Through the development of new phosphors and cell design technology, their new display boasts doubled energy efficiency. By reducing energy consumption in half, plasma will be on at least an equal footing with LCD displays in this respect as well. Aside from the positive environmental impact and the monthly energy savings for individual consumers, the new plasma technology will provide additional advantages.

With their new technology, Panasonic is now demonstrating ultra-thin display profiles which are less than one inch deep, screens which are increasingly larger; 105 inches+, and displays which are capable of brighter images and higher definition despite lower power consumption. In addition to the improvements in the already outstanding picture quality, Panasonic will be able to offer wireless HD which will allow installation minus the wires.

Certainly, the television viewing choices for viewers continue to improve. With new technologies such as FED and OLED on the horizon those choices are expected to continue to expand. However, some of the more standard technologies, such as plasma, continue to evolve and will probably be viable contenders for a long time to come if Panasonic’s newer plasma TV models are on the market as expected within the next 1 to 2 years.

The author invites readers to learn more about any type of television by taking advantage of information which can be found at her home electronics store, homemedias.info.

Flat Iron Buying Guide 101

Everyone asks me “Which flat iron is the best?” and I always answer, “What is your hair type?” before I answer with a specific flat iron. Unless you’ve tried it firsthand, chances are the iron you are thinking of buying might not be the best one for your hair. Let’s narrow down the choices with a few key questions.

Which plate width?
Determine which plate width you need - one inch does not fit all. Take the time to select a plate width for your specific hair length. Not all irons come in all sizes so this can help you narrow down your selection.

Fixed or variable temperature settings?
Flat irons come in fixed or variable temperature settings. The type that works best for you depends on your hair’s texture and your styling needs.

Is your hair thin, delicate, damaged or fine? Choose a flat iron with a variable temperature setting so you can control the heat and keep the iron from getting too hot.

Is your hair thick and hard to straighten? A fixed temperature would be a good choice for you so you can crank up the heat on those pesky pieces that just won’t straighten.

Is your hair is somewhere in between? Most likely you will be fine with either choice. My personal preference is a variable setting - I like control.

Does it create curls?
Most flat irons today will create curls, but (ahem) the curls are only as good as the user who creates them, so brush up on those curling techniques.

Which Technology?
Ok, this is really the source of most flat iron confusion. Most flat irons on the market today have similar straightening technology, but which is best? Again, that depends on your hair type and styling needs.

Ceramic/Ionic
Almost all professional grade flat irons are Ceramic and Ionic these days. This technology is important in generating negative ions to smooth the hair cuticles. What you may not realize is NONE of the flat iron plates are 100% Ceramic. That’s a myth. All plates are infused with Ceramic (and/or other materials) to straighten and smooth the hair. I kid you not!

Industry research shows that pure Ceramic plates would be too soft to get the job done, so all manufacturers (this means CHI, T3, Maxiglide, HAI - all of them!) use Ceramic along with a much stronger, heat conducting surface such as Aluminum, Titanium, etc. to straighten the hair’s cuticles. And boy do they work.

Aluminum
Some older, lesser quality flat irons are pure Aluminum. These irons are usually referred to as the “drugstore variety” and do not contain Ceramic. This is why you notice a huge difference when you upgrade to a pricier iron - the addition of Ceramic.

So you know what Ceramic does, but what about all of those other materials you keep hearing about? Tourmaline, Nano-Titanium, Nano Silver, Nano anything? These are additional materials used in the plates to enhance the smoothness of the plate’s surface, generate additional negative ions to smooth your hair quickly, and create a snag free glide down the strands. Here’s a breakdown:

Nano
This is a process where the material, say Tourmaline, is micronized into superfine particles and infused into the plate surface. Whenever you see Nano, think teeny, tiny pieces of a smoothing material infused into the plates. Nano-Ceramic, Nano-Silver, you get the idea.

Ceramic and Nano-Ceramic
Smaller particles of Ceramic to contribute to your smoothing process. This is good for every hair type. Most flat irons with Ceramic technology provide silky, straight results but there are a variety of price points. As for most irons I’ve tried, the pricier Ceramic irons really are better. Plus the more expensive irons usually come with additional features and benefits so be sure to look into this if you are considering a Ceramic iron. (Best Buy: ghd. See also: HAI, Paul Brown, CHI.)

Nano-Titanium
Super smoothing surface, great heat conduction, straightens hair up to 40% faster. Is it necessary? If your hair is hard to straighten, this is one of the best materials out there for you, newer technology but comparable to Tourmaline. If you want the latest technology you’ll like this. (Best Buy: Babyliss. See also: Hot Tools.)

Nano-Silver
A smooth surface that eliminates bacteria on the appliance creating a germ-free environment every time you use it. Great for a stylist, or germ-a-phobe. It straightens hair well, but do you have to have it? Probably not. (Best Buy: FHI Platform. See also: CHI Nano Silver.)

Nano-Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone known for its negative ion generating and smoothing properties, and is infused into the flat iron plates. This is earlier technology than Nano-Titanium and Nano-Silver. I sometimes find that Tourmaline causes static, but still a very good material for smoothing most hair types. (Best Buys: FHI, Bed Head. See also: HAI Elite, T3.)

Does it come with a warranty?
The warranty is another biggie to think about. Some manufacturers will only honor a warranty if you buy the flat iron in a salon. I would consider that a fine idea if the salon in my area carried every flat iron. Truth is, they don’t. But I have noticed the irons they do carry are way more expensive than online. What gives?

If you are buying a flat iron in a store or online, look for a flat iron that has a 1 year warranty or longer - think HAI, ghd, Babyliss. We’ve all heard the rumors about a certain flat iron that breaks after only a few months. Honestly, it does. You might want to think about it. ‘Nuff said.

If you use a flat iron every day you want it to last. Make sure you select a flat iron guaranteed to survive your daily styling habits. If you use a flat iron sporadically, go for a less expensive Ceramic iron without all the technological bells and whistles.

I hope you take the time to ask yourself these simple questions, the flat iron of your dreams is waiting for you!

Shelley Nicoletti, Beauty Editor for StyleBell
http://www.stylebell.com

Overcome The Problem Of Excessive Sweating - Quickly & Effectively

The general subject of excessive sweating is not a poplar one. Nobody exactly likes to talk about it as generally speaking it is embarrassing. Having sweaty armpits is not something you want to tell anybody about.

Just because you sweat excessively does not mean that you should retreat from society and do nothing about it. Some people are under the impression that they sweat too much due to having too many sweat glands. This is not so. The human body has millions of sweat glands. Beyond that you need to sweat as this regulates your body temperature.

The primary causes of excessive sweating are not exactly known however there are common patterns as to the secondary causes - such as anxiety and stress. While many look for quick fixes it is also worthwhile noting that other factors may be at play which is causing you to over sweat.

An example of this would be your diet. You see excessive sweating is linked to the sympathetic nervous system. When you sweat profusely this system is basically hyperactive. This can occur for multiple reasons. In my case if I was worried about something I would start to sweat excessively.

I used to do this job where I had to prepare presentations for people - the minute things got stressful I would sweat. Of course I drank coffee as well which did not help. You see the sympathetic nervous system not only controls sweat it also prepares the body for fight or flight.

So in my case when I would worry my body would come under stress and as a result sweating would occur. Other factors that contributed to this were my diet. Certain foods put my body internally under stress. So while antiperspirants and so on can help relieve your symptoms short term you should also note when you start to sweating profusely and under what circumstances.

By doing this you may see a pattern evolve that will help you to identify the cause in your given situation. Then you can address this and overcome the problem

Today You Can Discover the Tips, Tricks and All-Natural Techniques for Fast & Safe Relief from Excessive Perspiration - Learn How To Stop Sweating starting today! You can also learn how to Stop Your Armpits From Sweating In Less Than Two Weeks. Eliminate the stress that comes from worrying about underarm sweating with the Stop sweating start living technique.

A Personal Business Plan

Most people actually set out to have the things that they want to have in their lives. They set out to have more time, more money, improve their lives and become successful. The reality is, however, that most people are rarely successful. They end up endlessly running in circles, working harder, longer hours all in a fruitless effort to reach their goals. Most end up with a life that is completely out of balance, full of constant worry and stress, and the relationships never improve only worsen with the stress.

There is another way to get off the “mice wheel” and stop running in circles. There are many “success” formula’s out there, however, any that are effective boil down to some basic simple principles.

* Being you - Being Proactive - Being Positive
* Doing actions of proactive and positive nature
* Having your desires as a result of being and doing.

Sounds to simple to have any real power to change. IN order to have any significantly different results in your life the doing and being phases are going to require a great deal of change. Profound changes in fact, that will change the being that is is yourself. In some cases a dramatic overhaul of being yourself will have to be made.

In order to being the change of being, you need to know what sort of being that you need to be in order to come to a place of having everything you desire. Once you know who you need to be, the next step is to look at who you are and see what is it exactly that you need to change. When you realize where you are deficient it allows you to learn and practice any new knowledge and skills you don’t currently have. A new skill is not something that can be read once in a book or even heard once in a seminar, it is something that you need to learn, practice, internalize absorb and finally internalize it within so that it becomes a part of your being without thought.

This process can take a long period of time and will not happen overnight. Some of these changes will make your being a completely different being inside. It is this growth that allows the having to happen almost effortlessly. It is very much like setting up a business plan for who your being is and the objectives that need to be met in order to obtain your mission statement. If a plan is not laid out one can become lost and not be able to find their way back. In having a plan chances are less that you will not end up frantically trying to figure out how you got lost and how to get around the obstacle in front of you.

Some other things to consider in writing your personal formula or your personal business plan are:

* Focus - your plan has to have focus on where you are going and how it will draw you magnetically towards your destination

* Steps - your plan will have to show you step by step what needs to be done to break down the steps into manageable and achievable steps.

* Mind set - your plan needs to include positive reinforcement steps when any set backs occur. Plan for set backs and how you are going to handle them.

* Believe - you absolutely need to have a belief in the pathway you have laid out. Belief that it will work so that other fads won’t deter you.

* Milestones - your plan should have short term goals; as well as long term goals. This will allow you to stop and look back to see how you have achieved the milestones in changing your being. When a milestone has been reaching in changing something about your being - Celebrate it.

Remember, that nay plan is a living document. What this really means is that like any business plan, it may need to make changes and adjustments to the plan as you go along. That is the benefit of having it written down. By having the plan written out, you have all the information necessary to consider how to get around any given obstacle. Your plan will help you understand who you are, who you need to be, and how to get there. Arriving there means that you are doing all the things necessary to be having all the things that you desire.

Bright blessings,
Ashira
http://www.ashira.ws
ashira@ashira.ws
Ashira is a Practicing Pagan for over 15 years. Currently she is a featured columnist at http://Asknow.com
The Witches’ Child Author
Bacon Bits Author
FFWA Member
Cassel Network of Writers Member

Download Moonlight Episodes

How do you download Moonlight episodes for free? For your information there are various ways of downloading your favorite TV shows from the Internet. You probably use of at least one of them. You can go to iTunes or Amazon, pick an episode, pay about $3 and enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. However, that is not really the best to enjoy your favorite television series. Just think about how much money you actually spend on TV shows every month, every year? You see the picture now?

But imagine how much money you could possibly save if you knew how to download Moonlight episodes without paying every single time? And I am not just talking about this particular TV show, I am talking also about thousands of other shows you can download as easily as you download then on iTunes. The only problem most TV addicts like me and you have is that they simply have no idea that an alternative to iTunes exists. Well, that’s probably because they are not advertised as much. I personally been searching for week for a legitimate and reliable TV download site where I could simply download Moonlight episodes without spending hundreds of dollars.

Fortunately, I was able to find one and now I can download Moonlight episodes along with hundreds and hundreds of other TV series without worrying about paying for every single episode. The best part, of course, is that it’s is all legal and way less expensive than if you download from iTunes or Amazon. I simply cannot tell how much money I have already saved after a few weeks of using it.

I believe that if you are looking for a better way to download Moonlight episodes then you must take a peek at the web sites I am currently using.

Andy Hatford is a TV addict and he loves to download TV shows at the comfort of his home. Check out his favorite TV Show Download Sources!

He runs a web site about free TV show downloads and shares valuable information with other users.

Cosmetic Surgery - How Young is Too Young?

More and more, society places a high value on physical appearance. While good looks have been admired and coveted for thousands of years, in recent history the emphasis on physical attractiveness has increased. So much of what we are influenced by is what –and who– we see in movies, television, magazines, and even on the Internet. And the people we see in the media are becoming more and more perfect, with airbrushing and stylists and “starve yourself to perfection” diets. If you’re not perfect, you don’t fit.

Unfortunately, most of us were not born perfect. For many people, this can be a painful reality to face, especially if that person has a particular feature they’re not happy with. And nobody is affected more by concerns about their physical appearance than teenagers. Teen self image is especially delicate, and teens are particularly prone to feeling unhappy with the face (or body) they see in the mirror.

Cosmetic surgery can be a good option for those who are unhappy with their current appearance. But for teenagers, the line between an appropriate procedure to improve self image and an inappropriate procedure can be blurry. How young is too young for cosmetic surgery? How can you tell if your teenager is ready?

When determining if a patient is the right age for cosmetic surgery, doctors look at it from two angles– the effect the surgery will have on the patient physically, and the effect it will have emotionally.

Physically, the minimum age for cosmetic surgery differs from procedure to procedure. For some procedures, such as Rhinoplasty (nose job), patients can receive the surgery at a fairly young age. For Rhinoplasty, the minimum age of potential patients is 13 or 14 for girls, and 14 or 15 for boys. Another popular procedure, Otoplasty, which reshapes deformed ears or pins back protruding ears, can be performed on patients as young as four years of age.

There are many procedures, however, that are not appropriate for people who are not fully grown. Many of these are popular procedures that shape the body. Liposuction, for instance, reduces the amount of fat in the body. This is inappropriate for teenagers, as many people lose their “baby fat” at 17, 18, and even 19 years old. Another of the most-requested procedures that is generally inappropriate for teens is breast augmentation. Unless the procedure is used to make breasts more symmetrical, it is not recommended that girls under 19 or 20 undergo the procedure, as their breasts are still growing.

In addition to concerns about growing and changing bodies, surgeons must also look into a potential patient’s mental state. Are they emotionally ready for this life change? Many teenagers have a difficult time being consistent about what they want, and sometimes their gripes about their appearance are tied in more deeply with their self-esteem than with their physical attributes. Plastic Surgeons recommend that before performing any procedure on a teenage, it is necessary to ensure that their concern about cosmetic surgery is real and consistent.

We are pleased to offer our patients cosmetic surgery procedures such as cosmetic laser skin resurfacing, Face Lift, Eye brow Lift and many more.

How To Cure A Yeast Infection - A Completely Natural And Quick Cure For Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can be a very embarrassing ailment to suffer from, however, they are very common and there are lots of medications and treatments available to help overcome your yeast infection. This article will explain how to cure them by performing a candida cleanse, which basically washes all the excess yeast out of your system, restoring the natural balance of your body.

What are the causes and symptoms of a yeast infection: Candida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that is found in the intestines, genital tract and the throat among other places. Normally candida albicans is found in small amounts and is kept under control by other bacteria found in the body. However, when this balance is disturbed candida can increase in numbers leading to yeast infections. These have a number of different symptoms - in men they usually include abnormal fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, drowsiness, memory loss, depression, insomnia and mental fogginess. The symptoms women face from candida infections can include PMS (depression, mood swings, bloating, fluid retention, cramps, craving for sweets, headaches prior to menstruation), recurrent bladder or vaginal infections such as Thrush, and a loss of interest in sex.

Yeast infection (natural) treatment

If you are wondering how to cure a yeast infection, then you will be glad to hear that a simple course of action is often the most efficient cure, and there are plenty of natural treatments that you can use. It can take quite a lot of effort to overcome them, but the important thing to remember is that it is perfectly curable, so there is no need to suffer in silence. Many people feel that if they ignore the problem for long enough, it will somehow disappear on it’s own. This is not the case, so be sure you do something about it today!

One of the worst things you could do when you have a yeast infection is to take antibiotics, or other such medications. These will only encourage the candida and make your condition worse. There are also a lot of foodstuffs that you should avoid while treating candida, because many everyday products will in fact just encourage the candida to thrive. You should try to avoid yeast or fungus based foods, such as mushrooms, fermented foods like bread, pastries, cheese and beer. Avoiding any type of vinegar soaked products is a wise precaution as well as these tend to worsen candida symptoms.

One of the best herbal aids you can use to fight candida naturally is lemon juice; just remember to rinse your mouth out with a glass of water after drinking the lemon juice to protect your tooth enamel. Other natural treatments include garlic, which has strong anti-microbial properties along with other herbs which support healthy digestion and which are nourishing tonics, such as horsetail and stinging nettles.

Conclusion

Remember, when you are deciding how to cure a yeast infection, the goal is not to eliminate Candida from the body completely, but to reduce it to a manageable amount and restore the natural balance of your body.

Jason Davidson is an editor at Yeast-Infection- Gone.com. For more information on how to cure a yeast infection the natural way, visit our website.

Some Things to Consider When Purchasing Hairless Cats

Individuals that want to have cats may be unable to keep them because of allergies. Depending on the exact nature of your allergy, hairless cats, or Sphinxes may or may not be of help to you. These amazing cats have no hair at all on their bodies. Despite this, their skin coloring often mimics what their fur would look like. As an example, you might see hairless cats with white paws or splashes on their noses.

If your allergy is specifically related to cat hair, you may want to consider purchasing a hairless cats. Even though a hairless cat does not have fur, it still secretes oils that would normally be used to keep fur healthy and shiny. If you are allergic to these oils, or dandruff, hairless cats may even make matters worse.

Considering how expensive hairless cats can be, you might want to have some special allergy tests. If it turns out that the oils are setting off your allergies, you may want to pursue a tolerance improvement program. Typically, your doctor will give you a series of inoculations that will help you overcome the allergic response.

Aside from cost, it would be very unfair to purchase a hairless cat that you cannot care for properly. Among other things, their skin is delicate and abrades easily. Other pets, and even household items can easily tear at the skin. Even though hairless cats are hearty, you will need to make sure that they are protected as much as possible. This includes making sure that the home is warm enough for them. You may also need to give hairless cats an occasional bath to make sure that their skin stays as healthy. As may be expected, it is best to acclimate them to washing while they are still kittens.

As with any other pet, it is also important to understand that a pair of hairless cats is not a license to start a cat breeding mill. Today, hairless cats are an established breed of cat. Unfortunately, there are likely to be irresponsible breeders that force the mother cats to have too many litters. Others may inbreed to the point where the resulting kittens have health problems. If you are considering purchasing hairless cats, do not hesitate to ask about the family lines and health conditions of the parent animals. Similar to dogs, there is nothing more heartbreaking than taking home a new pet, and then see it suffer in later years with genetic ailments.

Today, many people operate under the false assumption that hairless cats will solve their allergy problems. Depending on what part of the cat you are allergic to, hairless cats may be an option. Because hairless cats require a good bit of care, you may want to make sure that you will not develop an allergy to them. Irregardless of why you want to purchase hairless cats, you will also need to carefully investigate breeders. Similar to purchasing a pedigree dog, you will want to know the health history of the kitten’s family, as well as the names of the cats in each parent’s blood lines.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 45 cat breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/cat_breeds_a_z.html

How Do Reverse Mortgages Work?

Turn on the television or open up your internet explorer and chances are you’ll see ad after ad for reverse mortgages, all of which are targeted toward senior citizens. With so many scams these days that revolve around mortgages, and those geared toward senior citizens, you do well to want to explore all the details of mortgages before ever signing on for such a deal. So, what are they and how do they work? And why are these ads only geared toward seniors?

First of all, it’s important to understand that reverse mortgages are advertised to seniors not because they are some type of scam but because they are only available to those 62 and over in the United States. Sorry, but you must be a senior to be eligible.

It’s also good to understand how a typical mortgage works. For a regular mortgage, the homeowner borrows a certain amount of money at a certain interest rate and pays monthly payments to the bank. Because of the way the loan is amortized, much of those payments go toward interest, but as the principal of the loan is paid down, the homeowner builds equity in the home. This equity is an important factor in mortgages. Equity in a home simply refers to the fact that the home is now worth more than what the homeowner owes on it; if he or she were to sell the house, that excess amount they would receive over and above the loan amount is equity.

In many cases, a person may buy a home when they are younger and as they pay over the life of the loan, by the time they are a senior citizen the mortgage may be entirely paid off. When they are in their 60’s, it’s assumed by many that they don’t have a mortgage or have very little of the mortgage balance left. The home by this time should have quite a bit of equity in it. This type of mortgages tap into that equity of the home by giving it to the homeowner by way of a monthly “allowance” or one lump sum. Rather than needing to be paid back to the bank every month, however, the mortgage do not become due until the homeowner dies, sells the home, or leaves the home permanently (such as to move to a nursing home or other full-time facility). If there is no payment arrangement at that time, the bank would then seize the home the way they would with a typical mortgage foreclosure.

The Pros and Cons of Reverse Mortgages

You might immediately be thinking of some drawbacks of reverse mortgages. For example, if the homeowner is getting this loan as monthly payments and then he or she dies, chances are there will be no cash reserves with which to pay back the loan. This means the bank is likely to seize the home. For those who had been looking to leave their home to their children or grandchildren as part of an inheritance, this can be a complicated problem. When the home is sold, monies owed for the mortgage get paid first; any and all equity above and beyond that go back to the estate, but this often takes time and of course there are always added fees and costs tacked on when the bank needs to seize a home.

However, reverse mortgages might work for seniors that need cash for their health care or other reasons. If they only take a small amount and leave other cash reserves, such as their 401(k), then there may be a cash reserve from which to repay any mortgage when they become due. Or, seniors who do not have children or do not plan on leaving the home to the children can tap into this money while they are still alive and may need it.

Examining all these details of reverse mortgages is the only way to really be sure if such an arrangement is appropriate for you.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on real estate investing. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to real estate investing. Visit Real Estate Investing