How to Add a Funny Quiz to a Course to Engage Learners

Making good eLearning courses is a developing art. A funny quiz can energize almost any content and produce powerful new understanding for your learners. Integrate funny quiz into eLearning course is an easy way to capture the attention of learners and make your course memorable.

1. Step 1 - Identify your course objective.
   Which objective you want your course to achieve after training, please take careful consideration. Specifically, what skills and knowledge do you want your learners take from your course. Then think about it how the funny quiz will help the learners meet the course objective.
2. Step 2 - make course plan
   After determining the objective, what you should do is making the lesson plan according to the course objective. Analyze and list the task you wish to cover in your course plan. Supposing you are going to explain the details about H1N1 flu in one course, you list would look something like this:
   course objective for swine flu knowledge: learners will be able to master the details about H1N1 flu.
   • List what is H1N1 flu.
   • List the Signs and symptoms about H1N1 flu.
   • Describe how to prevent H1N1 flu.
3. Step 3 - choose the funny quiz for your lesson plan
   The right funny quiz make a difference in motivate learners. Here are some criteria to select a right funny quiz:
   • Corresponding with the major lesson objective.
   • Create an opportunity to practice skills.
   • Challenge the learners intellectually.
4. Step 4 - Create funny quiz for your course
   After choosing the right funny quiz, the following step is creating the funny quiz with the questions you have prepared. Which quiz tool you should choose? Quiz in Flash format instead of plain text quiz would really attract learners' attention, especially for eLearning course. Luckily, some quiz tool could help you create great-looking flash quizzes in minutes without programming skills, such as QuizCreator.
5. Step 5 - place the funny quiz in your course
   Where the funny quiz should be in your course is also important. Generally, placing a funny quiz at the beginning of your course is a good way to take learners into your course. This starter quiz can establish a comfortable environment for learner. Learners will quickly access to the role of the course. On the other hand, you could integrate some outstanding questions into the funny quiz, these questions will cause learners to seek the solution in the course consciously.
   1. The end of the course is a prime time to place the funny quiz. You can add some questions corresponding to the starter funny quiz. This will help you test whether the learners acquire the knowledge or not. If they acquire it, you could advance to the next lesson, and learners will have the feeling of success and be interesting about the next lesson. If don't, you could direct the learners to review the course.

How to Catch Trout

Fishing can be great fun for you and your friends and family. However, it can easily be frustrating and very boring for the kids. Here's how to have a productive day of fishing for river trout and possibly some quality time with others.

1. Know the rules. Fishing is regulated by your state or province. You have to buy a fishing license. Most sporting goods stores sell them. Your state's wildlife management department also publishes a booklet on regulations,limits and restrictions. It is important to know and follow these--not only because it's the law, but also because a lot of time and energy is put into keeping fish populations and ecosystems as productive and balanced as possible.
2. Get your equipment. If you shop around, you can find rod and reel combinations starting at about twenty dollars. You will also need hooks, line and weights.
3. 

   

   Lots of trout
   Find a river. You need one that either naturally has trout or better yet, is stocked with trout. The Wildlife management booklet should have this information listed in it. Just pick one near you. Rivers with naturally reproducing trout populations sometimes have stricter tackle and bait restrictions, such as "artificial lures with a single hook only." These are much harder to use to catch trout.
4. Buy the right tackle. Light tackle is preferred for river trout. The fishing pole will have the weight range of the fish printed on it. You need to buy a rod that is rated up to 6lbs. Buying the rod/reel combo is usually the best and cheapest way to accomplish this. Some experienced anglers suggest that you stay away from the enclosed type fishing reel that has a button on it that you press to release line during the casting of the bait. This type of reel is prone to internal tangles, and will frustrate a new angler to the point of turning him or her away from the sport. On the other hand, closed faced reel are very easy to use. It depends also on the style of fishing that you will be doing. Closed faced reels are great for baitfishing, but are ill-suited for using spinners or other lures. On the other hand, open faced spinning reels work well for both styles. Next you want to buy 4 to 8 lb. test fishing line, #6 to #10 hooks, the "split shot" weights that are simply pinched onto the line, and a net. Reusable split shot is usually only a few cents more, and well worth it. You might wish to buy steel shot as some believe that lead weights can harm the fish and the environment. Though others question the idea
5. Rig up your tackle before departing. The easiest thing to do is to tie on a barrel swivel using a simple clinch knot. Under no circumstance should an overhand knot be used. This will cause the monofilament line to cut itself. Try tying one of these knots in the line and give it a quick jerk if you would like to see how harmful this knot is.
6. If you use bait you will usually need to attach weight to the line. This serves 2 purposes. First, it allows you to cast more effectively, and it allows you to control how fast your bait will drift, if at all. Be sure to pinch hard enough that the weights will not move on the line, but loose enough that you can adjust their position on the line as well. A pair of needle nose pliers works well. The rod/reel will may come pre-spooled with line, if not, you will have to spool the line on the reel. Many sporting goods stores have top quality line in bulk, and can spool it for you at a very reasonable cost.
7. Get bait. Check regulations to see what bait is permissible. Three popular trout baits are live earthworms, salmon roe, and canned corn kernels.
8. Small spinners, spoons and other lures can be used as well. If you are fishing in a small river, use lighter lures. An exception to this is small, fast moving rivers. These waters require heavier lures.
9. Always cast slightly upstream. This allows your bait or lure to drift with the current and appear more lifelike. A good rule of thumb for trying to catch visible fish is to go 20 - 50 feet downstream and cast upstream past the fish. This also serves two purposes. As stated earlier, you need to have a lifelike drift on your bait or lure. Also, most trout face upstream and wait for food to be washed towards them. That means that if you go downstream you are behind them and less likely to be seen. If you do spook the fish you should wait about 20 minutes before attempting to fish that spot. In smaller rivers it is also important to "rest" a hole after catching a fish. This entails waiting 15 - 20 minutes before fishing the hole again, or fishing a different spot for awhile before coming back.
10. Check your local weather forecast. Fish will bite in almost any condition, but you should at least attempt to remain dry. You can match your bait to the weather conditions. During a rainstorm and up to 24 hours afterwards many earthworms will be washed into the river. This is the best time to fish worms. On windy days baits like grasshoppers or crickets are effective. This is due to the fact that windy conditions cause these bugs to end up in the water.
11. Go to the river by yourself the first time out. When you get there, leave all of your fishing stuff in the car and go scout out the situation. Be mindful to look for other fishermen along the shoreline. Look for any nice clearings on the shoreline that are easily accessible. You'll also want to look for slow moving patches of deep water, or any area where the river goes from deep to shallow or shallow to deep. Converging currents are another good thing to look for. If it's a stocked river, there will be plenty of people fishing. In general, they are nice people, and if you stop and ask how the fish are biting or if they caught any, they will warm right up to you and are more than happy to explain to you where and how to catch fish in that particular river.
12. Go back and get your fishing gear and head to one of the spots you should have found when you were scouting things out.
13. Bait your hook. If you are using one of the worms, you need to push the hook through the end of the worm and work the length of the worm onto the hook until the worm gets to the end of the hook, then pull the tip of the hook out through the worm to expose it. Pinch off the remainder of the worm about 1 inch away from the hook so that a small part dangles from the end. If you are using the Roe or the corn, simply push a couple of pieces onto the hook just past the barb.
14. Cast away. This seems simple but can be difficult.
    
    
    • Again, the direction you need to cast on a river is up-river, then you allow the bait and line to drift downriver in the current. Cast to the 11 O'clock position as you are facing the river. If you are fishing a lure you cast to the same area, but pull the tip of your rod back slowly after the lure is in the water to get it moving before you reel in.
    • Bring the rod tip behind you slowly, and press and hold the button on the reel with your thumb. Quickly bring the rod tip around to directly in front of you and release the button in the middle of the cast. Be careful not to whip the rod to hard or your bait will get thrown off the hook.
    • If using a rod without a button, use your forefinger to hold the line, then flip the bail (the little bar) up and continue to hold the line. Follow same instructions as above, by holding on until the middle and letting it fly.
15. Let the bait drift, keeping the rod tip up and about face level. Once the bait gets past you, the line will start to tighten up, so keep your eyes on the rod tip and where the line is going in your peripheral vision. Any small pulls on the rod tip could be the bait bouncing off rocks or it could be a trout tasting the bait. Wait for the trout to take the bait. You will know when you have a fish on by the big pull on the rod tip.
16. 

    

    2.5 lb Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)
    Set the hook. Do this by quickly jerking the rod tip up 1-2 ft. If you've hooked the fish, your rod will be bent over constantly. Reel in slowly and keep the rod tip above your head. If you lower the rod tip, the fish can get off the hook as it violently thrashes about in the water. Once you have the fish reeled in to shore, take your net and gently scoop it up.
17. 

    

    Trout Dinner
    Decide what you will do with the fish. Are you going to keep it or release it? Once again, you need to know the regulations on what size fish you are allowed to keep. Stock fish are usually about 9 inches long and are too small to fillet, but are delicious when prepared whole. If you do not fillet the fish you will need to clean it (remove it's innards) before cooking it. Most people will just keep what they catch until they meet the limit for the day.
18. Protect the fish. If you do not wish to keep the fish, it is very important that you not handle the fish at all if possible. Trout, like all fish, have a protective coating of slime on them. Touching them removes the slime and will actually "burn" the fish where you touch it. Most trout do not survive being handled when they are released. To avoid this, wet your hands before handling the fish, try to keep the fish in the water and grasp the hook at the curve, either with your fingers or forceps, and jerk it away from the fish gently. The idea is to pull the hook out the same way it went in. If the fish swallowed the hook, you will have to cut the line and try not to pull on it very much as you will rip the fish's insides apart and it most likely will not survive. Be VERY careful not to squeeze the fish, as this will cause internal bleeding and a very slow, painful death for the fish.
19. Allow the trout to slip off the hook and back into the water. Support the fish upright gently, heading it upstream, until it regains its balance and it will swim away. Do not throw or drop the fish from very high as it may burst the air bladders the fish has to maintain buoyancy underwater.

How to Buy a Private Island

The process of buying a private island is similar to that of buying a house, only the cost is much greater. When considering a house, you check for the general condition, the foundations, if it has rising dampness, and if there are termites present. Buying an island is similar, but there are far more things to consider, and in most cases, the buyer of an island has no experience on which to base his or her judgment apart from an emotional attachment. Considering the amount of money that you have to spend to buy a private island, it's critical that you are aware of the following issues.

1. Set your price. It’s stating the obvious to say that the bigger your budget, the better an island you can afford, but some people have very unrealistic expectations of what they can afford. It’s better to spend as much as possible to buy the island, even to the extent of waiting until you have funds for development. Saving money in the short term will generally get you a poorer quality island and once you have bought the island and developed, there is no changing your mind. It's better to have a more attractive island than purchasing a poorer quality island just to save money.
2. Choose your location. The location of an island is one of the most crucial factors in most people’s decision to purchase. It’s very important that you strongly consider this when purchasing. You're not just buying an island, you're buying its surroundings. There should be a village nearby where one can get supplies and an airport close at hand, for instance. In other words, what makes an island feasible is the infrastructure that is available to it. Some islands are close to villages which is good because you can obtain staff and supplies, but on the other hand, it then lacks privacy. Again, islands that are remote offer complete privacy, yet at the expense of accessibility. An island that is in the middle of the ocean usually has no view, and islands that are located in bays have both shelter and nice views. Also, remote islands that are less sheltered are more prone to bad weather and rough seas.
3. 

   
   Make sure there's a reliable water supply. You'll find water is the most important element of living on an island, and the second largest factor affecting the choice of an island. In general, the smaller the island, the less water. This applies in reverse, except if the island is rocky (even large rocky islands have problems producing water). Every island has some variety of options to obtaining fresh water. Look for a ground water table high enough to dig a well. If a well already exists, have it inspected to ensure it's dependable. This can be done by pumping the well dry and seeing how many minutes it takes to fill again. The amount of water that you'll be able to get from a well determined by using this method will give you a figure called cubic meters or cubic feet of water. However, poor water supply isn’t as big a factor in the tropics, because a good rain water cistern can supply enough water over the dry season saved up from the monsoon season and the occasional shower.
   
   

   
   The tank can be topped up from the well, thus stopping the well from running dry and damaging the water table of the island. Check the annual rainfalls. The estimated amount of water needed annually for part-time island living is 30,000 to 100,000 gallons, which for full-time living will require about forty inches of annual rainfall. Technology has also come to the rescue and state-of-the-day desalination plants suitable for a normal house are now as cheap as $20,000. It should be noted the fresh water creates what is called the “Lens Effect". This means that a low sandy island just a few feet above sea level can have a water table which can be 3-4 times the height of the island because the fresh water forces the salt water out and creates a lens-shaped aquifer under the island. Another factor to consider is that if your island is close enough to a water source on the mainland or another larger island, you can run a PVC several kilometers as long as the water between is not too deep.
4. Choose one with a desirable climate. Islands can be divided into three climactic types: Temperate, Mediterranean and Tropical. In general, tropical islands are located between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer - this encompasses what is termed the tropics. Mediterranean islands can be deemed to be those that may fall in areas where there are high temperatures but low rainfall, this is typified by islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary islands, Bermuda, Bahamas etc. Temperate islands are basically those that are in an area where it is generally cold such as northern Europe, Canada and northern USA. You should consider carefully what type of climate you prefer. Each has its pros and cons and while many people love the tropics, some find the heat and humidity oppressive. One person may find temperate islands to be his or her idea of hell, but some people love the change of seasons and the variety that produces. Obviously, Mediterranean climate produces the best balance of heat without the high rainfall and humidity of the tropics. Always be aware that the first day you visit an island may not be the typical weather that the island experiences on a day-to-day basis. The weather could be particularly uncommon in regards to the fact that it may be exceptionally beautiful, or exceptionally bad. You should ask local people, especially fishermen are very knowledgeable about the weather, the typical seasons and weather patterns for the island and surrounding area. Islands in the ocean are prone to flooding, storms, drought, seasonal tidal variations and strong currents. Islands located in lakes are the least prone to problems because they have no tides or large storms, but can be prone to seasonal variations in water level if the lakes are dammed. Islands that are located in rivers are obviously prone to flooding and droughts. Talk to the local authorities and ask them for the highest and lowest recorded levels for the river. Good anecdotal evidence can be gathered by talking to local people as well. Islands are located in bays and estuaries with shallow bottoms are prone to tidal variations, and access to these islands may be very difficult at low tide. Offshore islands also experience the usual tidal patterns, and are the most prone to dangerous weather.
5. Check its accessibility.
   
   

   
   Accessibility is a prime factor in your choice of an island and directly depends on how much discomfort and traveling time you are willing to put up with. It also depends on how much experience you have with boats, and how comfortable you are with the ocean because the only way to get to an island is by boat. Travel time by boat is also affected by many factors such as what type of boat, its engine, and of course the seasonal weather conditions. You must take into account that no matter how sheltered an island may be, you must still put up with rough seas. If you are the kind of person who wants less traveling, you will find that the closer an island is to an established town, the more expensive it generally is.
6. Determine how you will develop the island. The style of development you plan for the island is very important when choosing what type of island to buy.
   • 

     
     Small Islands. For instance, if you only want a small holiday house, then an island between 1-5 hectares (2.5 – 12 acres) should be sufficient.
   • 

     
     Medium Islands: If you want a larger house and maybe some additional cottages for friends to visit, an island 5-10 hectares (12 – 24 acres) is best.
   • 

     
     Large Islands:If you are planning a small scale resort, then an island of at least 10-15 hectares (24 – 37 acres) should be the minimum. If you are planning a large scale resort, then an island of 15-20 hectares (37 – to 48 acres) should be considered the minimum, and you will need a minimum of at least 6-10 hectares (14-24 acres) of flat land for building. The type of construction and how remote the island is will also affect the price that it costs to develop. In general you can expect to pay 30% more for development on an island than for a similar development on the mainland. The cost of building is higher because all materials and workers must be transported to the island.
7. Note its anchorage.
   

   
   Anchorage is the island's firmness and stability to the ground. Select an island with good anchorage, because without this, it may be almost impossible to land on the island. Or, even worse, you may be stuck on the island and not be able to get off. A good anchorage should be sheltered from the prevailing winds, have a sandy bottom for good holding, and have a deep water access to the beach, without rocks or coral. If you aren’t experienced with boats, ask the captain that takes you to the island if he considers the island to have a good anchorage. Nearly all islands have some form of anchorage, but the quality varies dramatically. A good island should have a good gently sloping sandy beach with good access through the coral, and shelter from the prevailing winds. However, a mooring buoy and a tender can solve this problem. The ideal island should have both shelter and good spot to land a boat. So it's important to see the island at high and low tides.
8. Note its topography.
   
   

   
   Islands vary from the perfectly flat Caribbean style island to the rocky cliffs and mountainous types. If you have a preference, it's important that you tell brokers you contact of the type of island you want. Most islands aren’t flat, and on what are called continental islands (the drowned tops of hills) there is only a small area of flat land. In general, the area of flat land on a continental island is approximately 10-12% of the island and this must be taken into consideration when planning your development.
9. Find out about its beaches:
   
   

   
   Find out where the beaches are. In most islands the beach comprises only a portion of the island. It very rare to get islands with 360 degree sand. This means that where the beach is located is important. Firstly, the beach is generally on the opposite side of the prevailing winds, offering a sheltered anchorage. Most people prefer that island also have a western facing beach so that they can watch the sunset. But if this isn’t available, there may be hill or headland which offers a nice place to watch the sunset. While a western facing beach is ideal, sunsets only last for 30 minutes a day, and this should not be a deterrent when considering an island. The quality of the sand is another major consideration that most people dream of. Sand quality depends on two things, the degree of fineness and whiteness. The fineness of the sand is more important than color. Fine brown sand may be preferable to coarse white sand - it's not as nice to look at, but is nicer underfoot, and it's one of the joys of living on an island to walk barefoot along the beach at sunset and sunrise looking for shells. Another important factor you must consider is whether the beach is shallow or steeply dropping off and if it is rocky or sandy. Obviously the ideal beach is fine sand which drops off into deeper water ideal for swimming and snorkeling. If you have a preference that’s important you should inform your broker so they can take that into consideration.
10. 

    
    Analyze the existing infrastructure. An island with buildings on it will usually need an on-site caretaker, who will water the plants and keep the houses clean. Building infrastructure on an island can also be more costly than on the mainland as all supplies and workmen must be transported by boat. Many islands are virgin islands - they are completely natural, untouched and without infrastructure whatsoever. In that case, there's nothing to consider apart from the potential of the island. But if the island has existing infrastructure such as a resort or residence, then a detailed survey of the quality of those infrastructures should be undertaken before purchase. If you are buying an island with existing infrastructure, make sure that the buildings have all necessary government permits, and possibly take along an architect or building surveyor to give an independent assessment of the value and quality of the buildings, and any damage or repairs that may be necessary.
11. Employ caretakers.
    A good caretaker is the single most important thing you can do to protect such a large investment. Since an island is isolated, it is hard to protect while you are not there, and whether it is a short visit away, or you only visit the island seasonally, a caretaker provides much need protection. Most high-end island owners employ full-time caretakers (there's even a newsletter called Caretaker Gazette), while others pay local fishermen to keep an eye on things. Islands in the highly trafficked Caribbean are more susceptible to crime than those in entirely out-of-the-way locations, especially if they have a trespasser-friendly airstrip. Apart from securing the property against unwanted visitors and squatters, the caretaker can look after buildings and equipment, making sure they're all in good order and condition. This is especially important in the tropics where the monsoon can cause severe damage to buildings in a very short period if maintenance is not kept up regularly. While you are there, the caretaker can also act as gardener, handyman and obtain deliveries for you from town. Generally it's wise to employ a couple.
12. Observe its utilities:
    A prime consideration when purchasing an island is communications. An island is separated from the mainland, and thus communication is highly important; both for safety, and emergency situations, as well as just ordinary day-to-day living. It's extremely rare for an individual island to have regular utilities such as town water, electricity, telephone lines or even television reception. In the majority of instances, you'll have to be self-sufficient as far as water and electricity go, so that should be factored into your development costs. However, the island may have television reception, or access to a cellular telephone signal. Having access to a cellular network means that communication is cheap and readily available. In some instances, the cellular network can be used to access the Internet. It's a good idea when examining potential islands to take a cellphone, small radio, and hand-held TV set to see what signal is available. But even poor signal from a cellular network can be boosted by the use of an extension antenna. Telephone, Television, internet and radio are all relatively cheaply available nowadays using satellite technology. So don't worry if services are not available from the mainland.
13. Never ignore the land tenure:
    Determine your rights of ownership. In many countries ownership of an island only extends as far as the high tide mark, with the beaches below that belonging to the government. In general, this means that you own the island, but cannot develop below the high tide mark and the beaches may therefore not be yours. When buying islands in foreign countries, you should engage an attorney to do a full check of the island's documentation. At the time of inspection, find out who is living in the island, and if they have a legal right to be there. Squatters can be a problem, and great care should be exercised that they are not present before the deal is concluded.

How to Buy a House

1. Strengthen your credit. The higher your FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850, the better rate you'll qualify for. Get a free copy of your credit report so you can see what the lenders see on your credit history. Pay off credit cards and resolve any credit disputes or delinquencies.
2. Determine how much house you can afford, and how much you'll likely be able to borrow.
   
   
   • You will be expected to put down 10-20% of the appraised value of a home.^[1] (Note that the appraised value may be higher or lower than the selling price of the house.) If you have $30,000 saved for a down payment, for example, you can use it as a down payment for a home between $300k (10% down payment) or $150k (20% down payment). Putting down less often, but not always, requires you to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which increases your monthly housing cost but is tax deductible.
   • Find out what ratios lenders are using to determine if you qualify for a loan. "28 and 36" is a commonly used ratio.^[2] It means that 28% of your gross income (before you pay taxes) must cover your intended housing expenses (including principal and interest on the mortgage, as well as real estate taxes and insurance). Monthly payments on your outstanding debts, when combined with your housing expenses, must not exceed 36% of your gross income. Find each percentage for your monthly gross income (28% and 36% of $3750 = $1050 and $1350, respectively). Your monthly payments on outstanding debts cannot exceed the difference between the ($300) or else you will not be approved.
   • Calculate your expected housing expenses. Estimate the annual real estate taxes and insurance costs in your area and add that to the average price of the home you'd like to buy. Also add how much you can expect to pay in closing costs. (These take in various charges that generally run between 3 to 6 percent of the money you're borrowing. Credit unions often offer lower closing costs to their members.) Put the total into a mortgage calculator (you can find them online or make your own in a spreadsheet. If the figure is above 28% of your gross income (or whatever the lower percentage used by lenders in your situation) then you will have a hard time getting a mortgage.
   • Determine whether you need to sell your current home in order to afford a new one. If so, any offer to buy that you make will be contingent on that sale. Contingent offers are more risky and less desirable for the seller, since the sale can't be completed until the buyer's house is sold. You may want to put your current house on the market first.
3. Get pre-approved (not pre-qualified) to get the actual amount you can pay. Apply to several lenders within a two week period so that the inquiries do not damage your credit report. Do this before contacting a real estate agent so you have a firm idea of what you can afford, and you don't accidentally fall in love with a house that you cannot afford.
   
   
   • If you qualify, check out first-time buyers' programs, which often have much lower down payment requirements. These are offered by various states and local governments. You may also be able to access up to $10,000 from your 401(k) or Roth IRA without penalty. Ask your broker or employer's human resources department for specifics regarding borrowing against those assets.
   • If you can't afford a 10%-20% downpayment on your home, but have good credit and steady income, a mortgage broker may assist you with a combination mortgage. In that, you're taking out a first mortgage up to 80% of the value of the home, and a second mortgage for the remaining amount. While the rate on the second mortgage will be slightly higher, the interest on it is tax-deductible and combined payments should still be lower than a first mortgage with PMI. If you're buying new, consider the Nehemiah Program to get assistance with your down-payment.
4. Go house shopping. Unless you're under the gun time-wise, look at as many homes as possible to get a sense of what's available. Don't rush into buying if you don't have to. Read more in How to Find Your Ideal House.
   
   
   • Sign up for an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) alert service to search on properties in your area so you can get a feeling for what is on the market in your price range. (If you sign up through a real estate agent, it is poor form to call the listing agent directly to see a house. Don't ask an agent to do things for you unless you're planning to have them represent you--they don't get paid until a client buys a house and it's not fair to ask them to work for free, knowing that you're not going to use them to buy your home!)
   • Find a good real estate agent to represent you in the search and negotiation process. The real estate agent should be: amiable, open, interested, relaxed, confident, and qualified. Learn the agent's rates, methods, experience, and training. Go into exhaustive detail when describing what you want in a home: number of bathrooms and bedrooms, attached garage, land and anything else that may be important, like good light or a big enough yard for the kids. Read more in How to Select a Realtor.
   • Define the area you'd like to live in. Scout out what's available in the vicinity. Look at prices, home design, proximity to shopping, schools and other amenities. Read the town paper, if there is one, and chat with the locals. Look beyond the home to the neighborhood and the condition of nearby homes to make sure you aren't buying the only gem in sight. The area in which your home is located is sometimes a bigger consideration than the home itself, since it has a major impact on your home's resale value. Buying a fixer-upper in the right neighborhood can be a great investment, and being able to identify up-and-coming communities--where more people want to live--can lead you to a bargain property that will only appreciate in value.
   • Visit a few open houses to gauge what's on the market and see firsthand what you want, such as overall layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen amenities, and storage. Visit properties you're seriously interested in at various times of the day to check traffic and congestion, available parking, noise levels and general activities. What may seem like a peaceful neighborhood at lunch can become a loud shortcut during rush hour, and you'd never know it if you drove by only once.
   • If you are unsure about the price, have the home appraised by a local appraiser. Never buy the most expensive house in the neighborhood! When appraising a home, appraisers will look for "comparables" or "comps", homes in the area which have similar features, size, etc. If your home is more expensive than the comps, or the appraiser has to find comps in a different subdivision or more than 1/2 mile away, beware! Your bank may balk at financing the home, and you probably won't see your home appreciate in value very much. If you can, buy the least expensive home in a neighborhood -- as homes around you sell for more money than you paid, your home's value increases.
5. Make an offer.
   
   
   • Include earnest money with your offer.--usually $1,000 to $5,000. Once you sign an offer, you are officially in escrow, which means you are committed to buy the house or lose your deposit, unless you do not get final mortgage approval. During escrow (typically 30 to 90 days), your lender arranges for purchase financing and finalizes your mortgage.
   • Make sure final acceptance is predicated on a suitable home inspection. Request the following surveys and reports: inspection, pests, dry rot, radon, hazardous materials, landslides, flood plains, earthquake faults and crime statistics. (You will generally have 7-10 days to complete inspections--be sure that your agent explains this fully to you when signing the purchase and sales contract.) A home inspection costs between $150 and $500, depending on the area, but it can prevent a $100,000 mistake. This is especially true with older homes, as you want to avoid financial landmines such as lead-paint, asbestos insulation and mold.
6. Close escrow. This is usually conducted in a title office and involves signing documents related to the property and your mortgage arrangements. The packet of papers includes the deed, proving you now own the house, and the title, which shows that no one else has any claim to it or lien against it. If any issues remain, money may be set aside in escrow until they are resolved, which acts as an incentive for the seller to quickly remedy any problem areas in order to receive all that is owed.
   
   
   • Consider using a real-estate lawyer to review closing documents and represent you at closing. Realtors are unable to give you legal advice. Lawyers may charge $200-$400 for the few minutes they're actually there, but they're paid to look out for you.

How to Choose the Right Online Real Estate School

1. Accreditation - If your online real estate school is not accredited by a qualified accrediting agency, find another school. Why? Accreditation means the school operates on a sound financial basis, has an approved study program, has qualified instructors, approved recruitment and admissions policies and advertises its courses in a factual manner. Accreditation is your assurance that the course you're taking will lead to a viable certificate or diploma.
2. Student Support - What if you need assistance in selecting your online real estate course? A student support department helps your online experience run smoothly. Make sure your online school's support department is staffed by more than one person. Also, you should have multiple contact options including email, phone and fax.
3. Educational Support - With an educational support department, you're never alone during your studies. So if you don't understand the escrow process discussed in chapter six, an online school's educational support department will walk you through the steps.
4. Tech Support - The last thing you want to deal with while pursing a real estate license is technical problems. That's why your online school should offer a tech support department that quickly answers your questions and remedies your computer frustrations via phone, email or fax.
5. Guarantees - You did your research, but how do you know if the course you purchased is really worth it? Your online school should have a money-back guarantee that allows you to return the course materials within a specific timeframe. Make sure to inquire about your online school's guarantees and take the time to understand how they work.

How to Cast With a Surf Rod on a Beach

This topic will give you some basic information that will help you to cast a fishing lure or bait a long distance from a beach. Fish are often found out beyond the breakers and a fisherman who is capable of casting a long way can usually reach these fish. The basic equipment required is a long rod-8 to 12 feet, and spinning or casting reel spooled with good quality line rated for about 15 - 20 pounds. This article will focus on learning how to cast. Future articles will cover things such as knots, leaders, hooks, bait and other accessories that are helpful to have.

1. Begin by tying a 2 ounce sinker on the end of the line. Since this is just practice, don't bother with hooks or bait or any type of lure.
2. Reel in the line part way leaving about 2-3 feet of line from the end of the rod.
3. Hold the rod with both hands, with the right hand slightly above the reel and the left hand near the bottom of the rod.
4. Hold the line against the rod with your right index finger.
5. Flip the bail over using your left hand and then grab the rod again. The right index finger should hold the line in place so it doesn't come off the reel.
6. Stand sideways at the edge of the water with your left foot forward and closer to the water.
7. Hold the rod up vertically.
8. Dip the rod away from the water and swing the sinker up and away from the water.
9. Turn you body slightly to the right, away from the water, as you swing the sinker.
10. When the sinker and line swing close to horizontal, turn you body back towards the water.
11. Pull down with your left hand and push forward towards the water with your right hand.
12. Release the line from your right index finger as the rod swings forward towards the water.
13. Watch the sinker as it flies towards the water and keep the rod pointed in the same direction it was when you released the line.
14. When the sinker hits the water, flip the bail back down and reel it in.

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

1. First, check with your state's licensing board to see how you can obtain a 'trainee' license (see below for a link to your state's licensing board.) Find out the list of classes you must take to get to this first step. Then find where local or on-line schools are that give classes for your trainee license. It is possible to begin getting appraisal experience before getting a license in some states; California is one of them.
2. Next, work towards obtaing your trainee license. This is usually done by taking classes and passing a test, and/or having some experience in appraisal work. (Each state has their own criteria in obtaining this license - check with them).
3. After getting your trainee license, find an appraiser who can be your mentor. You'll need a 'supervising' appraiser to teach you the tricks of the trade and to help you with your experience hours that you'll need to complete. You may need two or more 'supervising' appraisers to help you on your journey. Work with a supervising appraiser who lives near you, as you'll have to spend time with this person in actual 'hands on' experience. Finding a supervising appraiser to help you will be the toughest part of the job, but it will be worth it. You'll need a supervisor though to sign all of your work as a trainee. You can also find a supervising appraiser before getting your trainee license, like a friend or relative who is already a working appraiser.
4. Get a trainee job at a real estate appraiser's office. This is one of the best ways to see if you really like appraising and to find out what appraising is all about.
5. Get a trainee position at a bank. Banks and savings and loans of all sizes hire trainee appraisers who have obtained their trainee licenses right off the street. Its a great way to get paid and a get education at the same time.
6. Network. Do what you can to work with or for other older and experienced appraisers in your area. Give them an incentive to hire you.
7. Find a loan broker you can work with to obtain work. Since most of our work is for a bank loan, find the people giving the loans and talk to them. A good relationship with a loan broker will go a long way.
8. As a trainee, your pay will be minimal until you obtain your normal license. It may take many months, but hang in there !
9. Get your real estate sales license even if you do not intend to work in sales. Your sales license may be needed to obtain MLS data for your appraisers, and it can't hurt.