The HowardCenter Child, Youth & Family Services is in need of about 100 backpacks to give to students for this school year that will otherwise go without.

I have seen first hand the power that a backpack can have on a student that doesn't have one. A few years ago, my friends 7 year old son who was in foster care had just come out of a residential treatment center and was assigned to the Baird school assessment classroom. He was incredibly sad and nervous about going to a "new" school. His whole body was so tense she thought he might snap. The only thing that made him smile that morning was the backpack that Ed Lord brought in for him. His sad face just lit up. The transformation was so incredible that his social worker and mother both cried. That is the kind of power that a backpack can have!

Donation Insturctions:

Drop off donations at my office: Geri Reilly Real Estate 205 Dorset Street Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm

Drop off donations to the HowardCenter: 208 Flynn Avenue Martie Majoros at the front desk

Mail donations to: HowardCenter 208 Flynn Avenue Ste 3J Burlington, VT 05401 Attn: Martie Majoros

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

The HowardCenter is dedicated to empowering people to get their needs met and to live full, rich lives. We believe everyone deserves support because sometimes we can't make it on our own. To learn more about the Child, Youth & Family Services provided by the HowardCenter, visit www.howardcenter.org/programs-and-services/child-youth-family-services

Beautiful Executive Home in St. Albans

Buying a home is a great way to improve your family's financial security. The main way this happens is through home equity. What is equity? The equity in your home is the difference between its market value and the balance on your mortgage. In other words, equity is the wealth built up in your home over time. If you could sell your home for $400,000 and the amount you owe on your mortgage is only $100,000, then your equity is $300,000.

Equity is built in three ways: down payment, mortgage payments, and market gains. Making a down payment is a reduction in your mortgage amount, giving you instant equity in your home.

Making house payments increases your equity as well, since every payment includes a portion for interest and a portion that reduces the amount of your loan amount (called the principal). Over time the amount of your payment that goes toward the principal increases and helps to build your equity even faster.

You also build equity as your home gains in value over time; this appreciation in market value can mean that you build equity simply by owning your home. Of course there are no guarantees that real estate values will continue to rise, but historically this has been the case. If your home is worth $250,000 and the market appreciates by 5% each year then after just two years you could add $25,000 in equity simply by living there.

Equity doesn't have to be an abstract concept; you can turn it into cash by applying for a home equity loan which uses the equity in your home as security and in many cases allows you to deduct the interest from your taxes, just as you do with your first mortgage.

Home equity loans are usually a cheaper source of funds than other types of credit (credit cards, for example) and can be an excellent way to pay for home renovation or to consolidate debt.

If you are considering buying a home, one of the first steps will be applying for a mortgage. Check out our Mortgage Application Checklist for tips on getting started. To apply for a mortgage or if you have questions about the entire process, we recommend contacting The Mortgage Guys at Spruce Mortgage. Visit them on the web at www.vermontmortgageguys.com.

Burlington Cape

Rest easy on your next vacation, knowing your house is in order--and ready for your return. If your home is on the market, you can follow these tips so Realtors can continue to show your property while you are away. These easy preparations will give you peace of mind so you can relax, enjoy your vacation, and have a smooth return. They may even land you a buyer while you're on vacation!

"It's hard to remember from trip to trip everything you need to do to get your house in order," says Laura Leist, certified professional organizer and owner of Eliminate Chaos, in Seattle. "Have a checklist of what needs to be done, and start planning a week or two in advance."

The below departure checklist will make it easier to get your home shipshape so you can enjoy a vacation free from worries. The return checklist will ease your transition back to the real world.

Prepare for Your Departure

1. Ready your pets: Give the pet sitter or boarding facility detailed care instructions. Make sure the one you choose has plenty of your pet's favorite foods, treats, toys, medicines and other supplies on hand.
2. Clean out the fridge: Throw away food that will expire while you're gone.
3. Tackle the laundry: Wash and put away laundry before you leave.
4. Prep your plants: Ask a friend or neighbor to water your plants, and be sure to leave multiple lists of all plants and their locations. Otherwise, invest in self-watering plant stakes.
5. Spray for bugs: Spray an insecticide in key areas so bugs will steer clear while you're gone.
6. Unplug and reset the thermostat: Temporality adjust the thermostat so the air-conditioner or heater won't waste energy by running in an empty house. Unplug unnecessary appliances in preparation for your absence.
7. Hold mail and newspapers: A call to your post office and news carrier will put your mail and newspapers on hold so they won't pile up in front of your house while you're gone.

Prepare for Your Return

1. Plan for your breakfast: Before you leave, stock your kitchen with cold cereal, coffee and a container of shelf-stable milk so your first meal back will be hassle free.
2. Keep the house smelling fresh: Plug in a scented gel warmer in your favorite fragrance, and you and prospective buyers be greeted by freshness when you open the door.
3. Change the sheets: Make up beds with fresh sheets for a welcoming first night.
4. Tidy the house: Sweep or vacuum floors; Do the dishes; Wipe down counters in the bathroom and kitchen with an all-purpose cleaner; Give toilets a quick clean.

In addition to creating a smooth transition back from your vacation, these steps will ensure that your house is in tip-top shape and ready to show while you are away. For more tips on how to prep your home to sell, check out Geri's Real Estate Tips.