Gainesville Sun Guide to Well-Being

A special supplement to

January 2014

A Guide to Enhancing Your Overall Well-Being in the New Year

2014 Guide to Well-Being

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JANUARY 2014page 2 GUIDE TO WELL-BEING

A new year often begins with good intentions, as thousands resolve to make positive chang-es in their lives. Resolutions are easy to make when one is toasting at midnight and ready to take on the world. But resolutions can be harder to keep as the days turn into weeks and weeks become months.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that 80 percent of resolution-makers have given up by Valentine’s Day. A January 2012 poll conducted in England found that, of the 3,000 respondents, roughly three-quarters of them admitted they were no longer confident they would stick to their resolutionss for the rest of the month.

There are several different reasons why resolutions fail, and recognizing poten-tial pitfalls can help people stick with their positive changes throughout the new year. The following are a few ways to ensure your resolutions last the year.

* Don’t make an unrealistic resolution. Losing weight is a popular resolution. Some resolve to drop dozens of pounds in an effort to completely transform their bodies. However, when the weight doesn’t magically come off, it can be easy to grow discouraged. Weight loss is not instantaneous, and healthy weight-loss plans advocate gradual weight loss, such as 1 to 2 pounds per week. It can take several months to see a considerable difference if you’re aim-ing to lose 50 pounds. Instead of setting such a lofty weight-loss goal, establish incremental milestones with tangible dates. For example, your resolution may be to lose 10 pounds by March 1st. That is an attainable goal.

* Don’t go it alone. You’re more likely to have success with keeping a resolu-tion if you have outside support. Enlist

Simple wayS to make reSolutionS Stick thiS time

continued on page 7

a buddy to go to the gym with you or provide support as you attempt to quit smoking. Hav-ing a support system in place can motivate and inspire, knowing someone will be keeping tabs on you may instill enough anxiety to propel you through your resolutions.

* Make resolutions for the right reasons. Mak-ing resolutions for the wrong reasons can be counterproductive. If you want to lose weight for cosmetic reasons and not to improve your overall health, you may find your motivation

waning as the weeks turn into months. Making resolutions for the right reasons often provides ample motivation.

* Avoid boring resolutions. Many people make boring resolutions that often focus on the mun-dane instead of more positive things. Resolu-tions need not be changes that profoundly al-ter your mental or physical well-being. Making fun resolutions will probably help you stick to them. Perhaps you will resolve to spend more time with the kids or promise to try more ad-

venturous activities. Maybe you decide it’s time pursue a hidden passion, such as music or art. Enjoyable resolutions are much easier to keep.

* Avoid expensive resolutions. Before making a resolution, research how much a resolution might cost. Gym memberships or new hobbies may stretch your budget, and if you cannot afford a resolution, how can you keep it? If money is a concern, choose reso-lutions that are fiscally possible.

* Keep resolutions private if you so pre-fer. Many people are compelled to share their resolutions with friends and family. However, that can lead to feelings of competition or animosity if someone is realizing goals before you. Feel free to keep your resolution private as you go through the process. Once you have met your goal, then you can share your success with others.

* Don’t give up too easily. Some people are up for a challenge and others are not. Resolutions typically require a little extra effort, especially in the early stag-es. Resolutions will not necessarily be easy to keep, but the longer you stick to a resolution the easier it becomes to make it a reality, so resist the tempta-tion to throw in the towel too early.

JANUARY 2014 GUIDE TO WELL-BEING

Florida Credit Unionwww.flcu.org352-377-4141

WHAT’S YOUR RESOLUTION?

The presents are all opened, the decorationshave been taken down and now the billsare starting to come in. The holidays canbe a wonderful time with family and friendsspent celebrating and usually, spending. Ifyour holiday bills are piling up, Florida CreditUnion can help.

Many people make resolutions each NewYear to get healthy, but how about a financialhealth resolution for 2014? FCU specializesin helping members save money and get outof debt. Imagine how good it would feel topay off those bills once and for all! A FinancialFreedom loan from FCU can help make thathappen. Or maybe you have to scrape upmoney each year for gifts, but would like tohave a better plan for next year. A HolidayClub Account will help you save all year long.The money is automatically transferred toyour FCU checking account in November tomake shopping a breeze!

If you’re looking to improve your credit score,call or stop by any FCU branch for a free creditreport analysis. A member service specialistwill go over your report and score, and giveyou tips on how to improve your score andsave money each month. Also, with FCU’sOnline Banking, you can use the budgeting

tool to see where your money is being spentand set savings goals. Plus, with the billpayer tab, you can make all of your electronicpayments in one convenient place.

The hardest part of making a New Year’sResolution is keeping it going all year long.It’s easy to start out strong in the beginning,but then lose motivation and slow down (notunlike those visits to the gym)! Visit the FCUblog at blog.flcu.org for financial tips andways to help you stay on track all year long.

FCU is a full-service financial institutionoffering banking products for consumersand businesses. In addition to traditionalloans and deposit accounts, we offer 24/7loan approval services by phone, online loanapplications, and life insurance products.Florida Credit Union Services are availableto all who work or reside in Alachua,Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie,Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lake,Levy, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, Sumter,Suwannee, Union and Volusia Counties.

Whatever your financial resolution, FloridaCredit Union can help you keep it! FCU waschartered for the sole purpose of helpingour members save money – let us show youhow.


Of all the plans people make at the dawn of a new year, getting healthier is often at the top of the list. Although many individuals are con-cerned about shedding a few pound, there are many other ways to focus on health in the up-coming months, including paying more atten-tion to dental hygiene. Proper dental care can not only keep a smile bright, it can affect other areas of the body.

Fluoride Benefits

One of the keys to oral health is the use of flu-oride to prevent dental caries. In fact, many health professionals will say that exposure to fluoride, whether through use of toothpaste or fluoridated water supplies, is probably the most effective cavity-prevention treatment available. Fluoride helps the teeth in a number of ways.

Fluoride can promote tooth remineralization. This means it attracts other minerals, particu-larly calcium, to the areas of the teeth where

emphaSize oral hygiene in the year aheadtooth decay can form, helping to strengthen teeth. Fluoride also helps to make teeth more resistant to decay. New tooth mineral created when fluoride is present helps to make teeth harder, making it more difficult for acids and bacteria to penetrate the enamel of the teeth and cause damage.

Another advantage is that fluoride helps to in-hibit acid creation. Dental researchers have found that fluoride can inhibit bacteria living in the mouth. That’s an important finding, as such bacteria can contribute to the formation of damage-causing acids that are notorious for wearing down tooth enamel, causing spots for more bacteria to congregate and form cavities.

According to the American Dental Association, individuals who find themselves prone to cavi-ties or whose dentists have deemed them at el-evated risk for developing cavities may benefit from fluoride application beyond the norm. This

may include prescription fluoride applied di-rectly to the teeth at home or procedures where dentists apply the fluoride in their offices.

Recent clinical recommendations from a multi-disciplinary expert panel convened by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs suggest that topical fluoride, used in conjunction with drinking op-timally fluoridated water and using toothpaste with fluoride, can prevent tooth decay. These clinical recommendations cover professionally applied and prescription-strength, home-use topical fluoride agents for cavity prevention.

The panel concluded that additional research is needed, but recommended the following prod-ucts for patients at elevated risk of developing cavities.

* Professionally-applied 2.26 percent fluoride varnish or a 1.23 percent fluoride gel every 3-6 months.

continued on page 5

Better caremeansa betterquality oflife.

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Education Program is acomprehensive guide tochronic kidney disease. Theprogram was produced bya multi-disciplinary teamof healthcare providersand health educationprofessionals who areteammates of DaVita, Inc.When people find out theyneed dialysis, they may notbe aware that several typesof dialysis are available tofit their health and lifestyleneeds. If you just found outyou need dialysis to treatkidney failure, or if you areon dialysis and would liketo explore other modalityoptions, learn more aboutthe dialysis modalities and

what each one may offeryou.Kidney SmartSM offers hopeand information to patientsdiagnosed with CKD tokeep them feeling vital andon a course to wellbeing.Courses are offered tohelp empower peoplewith CKD to learn all theycan about staying healthyand taking control of theirkidney disease. A dialysishealthcare professional willteach you about your stageof CKD, how to prolongkidney function, how totake control of your healththrough medications anddiet and how to improveyour quality of life.

When you come to a class,you’ll be greeted by youreducator who is a dialysisnurse, social worker orrenal dietitian. You and yourguest will join the class(class size ranges from5-15 people) for about oneto two hours of educationplus time for questions andanswers. You will receivekidney education materialsto bring home, including aHealth Diary to help you setgoals, keep appointments,organize lab values and takemedications.To find a current scheduleof classes, visit www.kidneysmart.org or call1-888-MY-KIDNEY (1-888-695-4363).

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* Home-use prescription-strength 0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste or 0.09 percent fluoride mouth rinse (for patients six years old or older).

* A 2.26 percent professionally-ap-plied fluoride varnish every three to six months for children younger than six years old.

Application of additional fluoride should not replace daily oral hygiene habits. It is still vital to brush twice a day, floss daily, eat a balanced diet, and visit the dentist regularly for checkups.

Heart Disease and Oral Health

The millions of bacteria that proliferate inside of the mouth and contribute to dental caries also can affect other ar-eas of the body. Evidence suggests the same bacteria that can cause plaque and gum disease may lead to cardio-vascular problems. According to infor-

mation from Harvard Medical School, several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart and elsewhere. This

plaque can lead to heart attack.

Although research is ongoing, there is reason to believe that oral bacteria could also harm

blood vessels or cause blood clots by releasing toxins that resemble proteins found in artery walls or the bloodstream. When the body’s immune system re-sponds to these toxins, blood clots may form more easily. Some evidence also points to a correlation between inflam-mation in the mouth and inflammation in the body.

With the new year upon us, now may be the ideal time for men and women to take inventory of their personal health. Schedule a physical examination with a doctor, visit an optometrist or opthal-mologist for an eye exam and remem-ber to visit the dentist for a cleaning, checkup and a possible fluoride treat-ment to protect the mouth and body.

Pharmacy techniciansare an essential part ofthe healthcare field andwork in a wide variety oflocations including retail/hospital pharmacies,insurance companies andlong term care facilities.As a pharmacytechnician, you willassist the pharmacist indispensing medications,keeping inventoryand tracking orders,counseling patients ondrug usage and manyother administrativetasks that make you anindispensable memberof the support staff.There are two ways

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a passing grade.Additionally, the onlinecourse has been approvedby the Virginia Boardof Pharmacy. Both theonline and live courseswill help you prepareto pass either of thetwo National CertifyingExams, the PharmacyTechnician CertificationBoard (PTCB) Exam orthe ExCPT Exam.Call an enrollmentspecialist and startyour new career today!1-888-511-8604 or formore information visitufpharm.org

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Although some are ready to say their fond farewells to 2013, thought needs to be given to the 12 months that just passed as tax-filing season approaches.

Tax season is a few months away, but it’s never too soon to begin preparations for filing income taxes. Some people prefer to toast the new year and then arrange appointments with their ac-countants, while others use the new year as an opportunity to get organized and start compiling pa-perwork and tax questions. Pre-paring for tax time at the dawn of a new year can make the process go more smoothly in the months ahead. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the upcoming tax season.

* Start a documents folder. Em-ployers, charitable organizations, banks and other financial institu-tions begin mailing out tax forms from the previous year in early January. Individuals should keep their eyes open for any mail that appears to be tax-related. Store these documents in a folder that can protect any sensitive information. Such folders also make in-formation more accessible as more and more documents arrive in the mail.

* Begin collecting receipts and item-izing expenses. Many expenses are tax-deductible. These can include edu-cation costs, moving expenses, home

how to prepare for tax timeimprovements, medical expenses, charitable donations and childcare costs. Store receipts and other docu-mentation, including canceled checks, with the other tax documents. These will come in handy should an audit ever be ordered.

* Create a spreadsheet of important in-formation. It is handy to have all finan-

Tax preparation software is available for those who choose to file their tax-es themselves. There also are walk-in centers that will prepare tax-filing docu-ments. Individuals also can visit a certi-fied public accountant. Whatever meth-od taxpayers choose, allow for ample time to gather information and get the taxes filed by the deadline. Leave some

wiggle room in case one filing method doesn’t work out.

* Start saving money. Although the goal is to get a refund each and every year, taxpayers some-times owe money, which can be troublesome for men and women whose budgets are stretched thin already. Those who owed money in the past should begin saving money for tax expenses as early as possible.

* Develop a good filing system. Many financial professionals will

advise people to keep financial records for 7 years. Any tax documents should be kept together should they need to be referenced or if an audit is ordered. Designate a filing cabinet or a box spe-cifically for tax documents.

Tax filing season is right around the corner, and the dawn of a new year is a great time for men and women to start gathering documents and preparing their returns.

cial information at the ready. Some ac-countants will lower their fees if people do some of the filing preparation work themselves. This can include creating a profit/loss statement on investments, or working up a tally of charitable dona-tions. Make an itemized list of all per-tinent information so it will be handy when tax-filing time arrives.

* Decide on a filing option. Technol-ogy has made filing taxes much easier.


Live Healthy. Age Healthy.Dr. Boggs employs a broad rangeof tools to address imbalancesthat, if they haven’t already,could result in frank illness.His caring approach combinesconventional, complementary,and traditional medicinetechniques—whatever best fitsyour needs and beliefs.

• Internal Medicine• Integrative/Holistic Medicine• Functional Medicine• Age Management• Hormone Replacement• Acupuncture• And much more...

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Call today for an appointment.352-682--2098 • drwillboggs.com

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What does it mean to behealthy? How do you getthere? Ask a dozen friends,and you’ll get a dozendifferent answers. And that’swhy your doctor shouldn’thave just one answer, either.

Complete health meansbeing well, happy, and atpeace. Most physicians aimto achieve the first goal,physical wellness, and to doso they use the 2 main toolsof modern, conventionalmedicine: drugs and surgery.There’s still little in the wayof prevention. Conventionalmedicine is great, as far asit goes. But when it comesto managing persistentpain, heart disease, highblood pressure, fatigue,

depression, and anynumber of chronic medicalproblems, these approachesoften fall short.

Complementary medicalt e c h n i q u e s — f r o macupuncture and agemanagement to functionalmedicine to yoga therapy—offer relief when drugs failor don’t go far enough. Andother medical traditions,from India (Ayurveda) orChina (Traditional ChineseMedicine), focus onpreventing you from gettingill in the first place. Nutritionand exercise can improveyour health, lengthen yourlife, help you manage yourstress, and even reduceyour need for medications.

Supplements and hormonereplacement can help restoreyour lost balance. Why notexplore all your options?

Happiness and a senseof peace may accompanyphysical wellness, but theycan also be realized in spite ofpain or illness or a stressfullife. Creative visualization,guided imagery, and variousmeditative and spiritualpractices can get you there.There’s every reason for youto live a better, fuller life.

An integrative and holisticmedical practice employs allthese tools and more. Let’stalk about what it meansfor you to be healthy, andtogether we can get youthere.

William M. Boggs, M.D.1705 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609

(352) 682-2098

INTERGRATIVE MEDICINEAnother Way of Looking at Your Health

Regular exercise can benefit the body in many ways, helping men and women maintain healthier weights and lower their risks for de-veloping potentially deadly diseases. Though many people are quick to associate exercise with its physical benefits, those hours spent on the treadmill also can boost brain power.

According to Dr. Barry Gordon, professor of neurology and cognitive science at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and coauthor of “Intelligent Memory: Improve the Memory That Makes You Smarter,” exercise has a di-rect impact on the brain. That’s because exer-cise works directly on brain tissue, improving the connections between nerve cells, creat-ing new synapses, growing new neurons and blood vessels, and improving cell energy ef-ficiency. So while many people may begin an exercise regimen with a goal of trimming their waistlines or toning their bodies, they might be happy to know that those physical benefits are

exerciSe benefitS the brain, toopy, or a placebo pill. Those in the exercise and antidepressant groups had higher rates of re-mission than those in the placebo group, and Blumenthal concluded that exercise was gen-erally comparable to antidepressants for men and women with major depressive disorder. In addition, in following up with patients a year later, Blumenthal found that those who contin-ued to exercise had lower depression scores than those participants who were less active.

Blumenthal’s study was not the only one to conclude that exercise can have a positive im-pact on mood. In a review of 11 studies that examined the effects of exercise on mental health, Boston University professor of psychol-ogy Michael Otto and his colleagues found that exercise could be a powerful tool when treating clinical depression, and even recom-mended clinicians include exercise as part of their treatment plans for depressed patients.

continued on page 5

accompanied by several cognitive benefits as well.

As the American Psychological Association acknowledges, the connection between exer-cise and mental health is hard to ignore, and the APA notes that the following are just a few of the mental benefits men and women might reap from regular exercise.

Improved Mood

Many people feel great after exercising, es-pecially if that exercise comes at the end of a particularly stressful day. However, those extra laps on the track or those hours spent on the treadmill don’t just pay short-term divi-dends. In a controlled trial overseen by Duke University researcher and clinical psycholo-gist James Blumenthal, sedentary adults with major depressive disorder were assigned into one of four groups: supervised exercise, home-based exercise, antidepressant thera-


Antidote To Anxiety

Some researchers, Otto included, have begun to examine the effects of exercise on treating and possibly preventing anxiety. The body’s nervous system responds quickly when peo-ple feel frightened or threatened, often causing the body’s heart rate to increase and sweat-ing and dizziness to occur. Those people who are especially sensitive to anxiety respond to these feelings with fear, and that makes them more likely to develop panic disorders. But Otto and fellow researcher Jasper Smits of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University studied the effects that regular workouts might have on people prone to anxiety. Since exercise pro-duces many of the same physical reactions, such as sweating and an elevated heart rate, the body produces when responding to fear or threats, Otto and Smits wanted to determine if exercise might help people prone to anxiety

become less likely to panic when experienc-ing fear or threats. In studying 60 participants with heightened sensitivity to anxiety, Otto and Smits found that the subjects who par-ticipated in a two-week exercise program ex-hibited marked improvements in anxiety sen-sitivity compared to those participants who did not take part in the exercise program. Otto and Smith concluded that this improvement was a result of the exercise group participants learning to associate the symptoms common to both fear and exercise, such as sweating and an elevated heart rate, with something positive (exercise) instead of something neg-ative (anxiety).

Regular exercise benefits the human body in numerous ways, not the least of which is its impact on the brain. More information on the link between exercise and improved mental health is available at www.apa.org.

Having a baby can be themost joyous—and moststressful—time of your life.Starting with pregnancy, andmoving into the young toddleryears, your body, moods andday-to-day life can undergosome major changes. This isadded to caring for a child (orchildren) 24/7. Could there bea more pressure-filled job?

The good news is you don’thave to do it alone. To helpfamilies get off to the bestpossible start, Healthy Startof North Central Floridaprovides free services topregnant women and infantsup to age three. Ask yournurse, doctor or midwifefor the Healthy Start screen,which is a simple set ofquestions, to see if you can

benefit from Healthy Startservices.Healthy Start of North CentralFlorida is a local nonprofitthat provides education andsupport services in childbirth,breastfeeding, parenting,tobacco cessation andwomen’s health. The programalso assists women and theirfamilies with care coordinationand informs them about otheravailable services. HealthyStart can help you to preparefor labor and delivery, carefor a newborn, quit smoking,gain breastfeeding know-how,plan future pregnancies andlearn about the developmentalstages of your baby andtoddler.While all healthcare providersin Florida are required to offer

new and expecting mothersthe Healthy Start screen,sometimes these forms getoverlooked. So be sure toask your healthcare providerabout Healthy Start.“Our goal for moms andbabies is to have the bestbirth outcomes and healthychild development,” said JulieModerie, the director of theprogram.Last year alone, almost8,000 women were screenedby Healthy Start of NorthCentral Florida, and of thosescreened, more than 6,000received services. HealthyStart of North Central Floridacan be the first step for ahealthy birth and beyond. Formore information, visit www.HealthyStartNCF.org.

Healthy Start of North Central Florida1785 NW 80th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606(352) 313-6500 • www.HealthyStartNCF.org

An Affiliate Partner of WellFlorida Council

HEALTHY START OF NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDAEvery baby deserves a healthy start


COMMUNITY BANK & TRUST OF FLORIDAWEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES

There are two things people avoidthinking about: death and what to dowith their money. Unfortunately, a lack offoresight can add immeasurable heartacheand complication to matters we’d reallylike to leave to someone else. Insteadof putting it off, what about actuallyleaving the details to someone else? Mostpeople think they would be just anothernumber to a bank handling their trustmanagement, investment management,or retirement planning, but CommunityBank & Trust of Florida disagrees. Theyhave a team of people working hard tomanage the assets of local residents.

“We really are able to get to know ourclients and their families personally,” saysLee Ebanks, the senior trust officer atCommunity Bank & Trust of Florida. “Wesee faces and know our clients. They arenot just another number.”

The bank offers programs that helpplan retirement and investments, and ithandles estate planning, too. It has all theexpertise and services of a larger bankbut takes care of each account personallyand specifically. With Community Bank& Trust of Florida, you won’t be pushedinto a programmed bundle for yourinvestments. Decisions are made withyou with your individual interests inmind. As an added bonus, you don’t haveto be ultra-wealthy to partake in theseprofessional services.

“Most big banks won’t look at youunless your investable assets are well intothe millions,” Ebanks says. “We have theflexibility to look at the individual needsand assets to get a complete picture.”

Their expertise in investments iscrucial, but so is the ability to handlefamily dynamics and differing needs offamily members. Because of their sizeand the limited number of clients theywill take on, they are able to navigatethe delicate work of estate planning andmanagement so that your wishes can beadhered to for you and your family overgenerations. Many people leave this toa family member, but Ebanks suggestsalleviating the strain upon those youwould leave behind.

“Many times a family member doesn’thave the knowledge, expertise or time todo it, and this could create conflict withother family members. The bank is anunbiased third party, with the knowledgeand expertise to properly administer anestate or trust according to the intent andterms of the document.”

With a local bank on your side, you willbe able to set out an agreement in clearlanguage and have it followed to the letter.Community Bank & Trust of Florida canalso help your family avoid estate taxes,but they say it should be taken care of inthe planning stages.

You are a big deal. Your life, yourmoney and your family are worth takingcare of. Community Bank & Trust ofFlorida will do that through retirementplanning, investment managementand estate planning so you can put theimportant decisions behind you, knowingit is in competent, caring hands. For moreinformation on these programs, visithttp://cbtfl.com.

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After flatlining during the economic downturn that began around 2008, housing markets in many regions of the United States and Cana-da have shown signs of recovery. Those in the market to buy and sell may find this year pres-ents an ideal opportunity to do just that.

According to the real estate listing Web site Zillow, home values rose 5.1 percent across the United States between February 2012 and February 2013. The latest forecasts from Canada Mortage and Housing Corporation in-dicate a strong housing demand into 2014, at which time a strengthened economy will ener-gize both resale and new housing markets.

Buyers will need to be prepared to purchase inventory right away, while sellers will need to price their homes right for the best chance of sale. The following are some guidelines.

Buyers

Having a plan is essential when buying a home, as such a purchase is not something buyers should take lightly. Establishing a budget is the first step. This means taking inventory of savings, expenses and borrowing power. It is adviseable to sit down with a lender and do a run-through of what you can afford. By provid-ing key financial information, including earning statements, existing debt and credit history, buyers can quickly learn how much they’re qualified to borrow and how much they are comfortable borrow-ing. This helps buyers zero in on homes in their price range.

Being preapproved for a mortgage is advantageous when it comes time to make offers on properties. It shows sellers that buyers are seri-ous and that they have been vetted by the bank.

Many buyers conduct a lot of re-search online prior to stepping into a home. This research lasts an aver-age of six to eight weeks, according to the National Association of Real-tors. Homework includes investigat-

begin the new year in a new homeing neighborhoods and school systems, com-paring the going rates of homes in the area, as well as figuring out which features are desired in a home.

It also is important to hire a buyer’s agent. Such professionals send buyers listings that fit their home-search parameters, which saves buyers a lot of time and effort. Some agents preview homes for their buyers, even going so far as to identify overpriced listings that can be avoided or finding sellers who are willing to negotiate. A buyer’s agent works for the buyer, meaning there will be no conflict of interest. Agents as-sist buyers in the negotiating process, using their knowledge of the real estate market to help buyers make realistic offers that are likely to be accepted while providing a wealth of in-formation about housing trends, area services and home improvement vendors.

When sellers accept buyers’ offers, buyers must then arrange home inspections. An in-spection is oftentimes included as a contract contingency, and buyers have a right to cancel contracts if inspections find that a home is un-satisfactory structurally.

Sellers

Sellers competing for business in a thriving housing market also have to do their share of work. It is unlikely sellers will be able to list their homes for sale one day and have dozens of offers the next. Today’s buyers are much more conservative, and homes will have to be pre-sented in the best light and listed at reason-able prices.

Sellers can start the process of selling their homes by researching recently sold homes in their neighborhoods, paying particular atten-tion to final sales prices. This information may be available through tax records, and some real estate sites publish the data online. Sell-ers can then compare this information to what they still owe on their mortgages if their homes are not paid off, and this should give sellers an idea of their potential profits.

Sellers also can benefit from working with real estate agents, as it can be quite difficult and stressful for homeowners to sell their homes on their own. Agents have access to multiple listing databases and industry contacts, infor-mation that is quite valuable when selling a home. Agent will do their own assessments of a home to help sellers price the home according-ly based on market conditions. In addition, real estate agents can inform sellers about which, if

any, repairs or changes may need to be made to make a home more attractive to prospective buyers. Real estate agents also help sell-ers through the negotiating pro-cess, finding a balance between what the buyer wants to pay and how much the seller wants for the home.

Housing markets are once again looking up. As the new year ar-rives, many people may find now is the time find their next homes. Understanding the process and getting guidance from real estate professionals makes the process of buying and selling a home that much easier.

Gainesville Sun Guide to Well-Being

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