Articles written by Matthew Marcus

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About me - Matthew Marcus

My wife, 5 month old daughter and I live in a historic home near downtown Phoenix, AZ. We enjoy travel, are vegetarians, and have been married for just over 6 years. I am a civil engineer, and I work for a real estate development company in scottsdale. In

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Personal Finance > Personal Finance (Other) Five mistakes to avoid when raising cash quickly: 3 of 34
You are standing on the side of the road watching the smoke come out from under the hood of your car, and you are wondering if your boss will fire you because you no longer have a means of transportation that can get you to work on time. You need cash to fix your car, or a loan to replace it quickly. This is just one of many ... More..
Autos > Buying Used Cars How to determine the value of a used car: 1 of 9
How to Determine the Value of a Used CarIf you are the seller of a used car, you have the chance to set the asking price of the vehicle. The appropriate first step is to find the Kelly Blue Book (KKB) website value. Go to the KBB website, and enter your location, and the model, make, and year of the car, as well as the mileag... More..
Relationships & Family > Romance & Sexuality A guy's take on women's sexuality: 9 of 45
In this new world of sexual freedom, are women compelled to push themselves too far just to get noticed, and if so, does this damage their marry-ability? Women are making out with their girlfriends for the camera phone at the bar, going home with strangers that they have just met in the club, and compiling long lists of ex-bo... More..
Business > Project Management Project management 101: 2 of 7
This is your shining moment. After years of following instructions, you are finally in charge of your own project. It is now your responsibility to make sure that client expectations are met, that the project stays on schedule and on budget, and that a quality product is delivered. QUALITY CONTROLYou have been selected for th... More..
Personal Finance > Mortgages & Home Loans Should you refinance your mortgage?: 4 of 13
SHOULD YOU REFINANCE YOUR MORTGAGEAccording to MSNBC, mortgage lending rates hit their lowest point since March of 2004 last week. For many people, now is the time to start shopping around to refinance your home. Expiring Fixed-ARMsIf you purchased a home in the last few years, it is possible that you have a "fixed-ARM" loan.... More..
Travel > Vacations Best vacation destinations for a nature-filled getaway: 18 of 51
The National and State park programs in the United States are the best in the world, and comprise a stunning variety of geography, climate, and ecosystems. Of the many terrific destinations for each season of the year, below are my topic picks for each.SPRINGHawaii, Big Island. White sand, crystal clear water, need I say more... More..
Home & Garden > Home Interior Top home improvement features in the luxury home industry: 7 of 19
Owners of luxury homes want to be noticed and admired for their taste. High end custom improvements for both the interior and exterior lend class and character to your home, creating a memorable experience for all who visit.It starts with the entry. A sure sign of a luxury home is its custom door. Think over-sized, especially... More..
Travel > Mexico Travel destinations: Cancun, Mexico: 8 of 13
There are plenty of people out there who want to go on vacation for a week to do nothing but get drunk and sunburned on really nice beaches. Cancun, Mexico can offer that. In addition, Cancun is also a great staging point for exciting adventures into the jungle that will uncover ancient ruins from native cultures, and for SCU... More..
Personal Finance > Real Estate Is there any profit to be made from the recent real estate slump?: 14 of 22
Many potential investors in the real estate market have been paralyzed, either by the fear that the market will continue on its downward slide, or by the lack of available financing. People that have been on the side lines, and are not already invested into the real estate market have a chance to make some money. Real estate ... More..
Home & Garden > Real Estate (Other) Phoenix, Arizona, real estate guide: 4 of 6
The Phoenix housing market is loaded with homes for people in every walk of life. In this beautiful desert metropolis, hundreds of unique homes are tucked away in historic districts, traditional neighborhoods, and modern developments, unknown to even people that have lived in the valley for many years.Take a look at the histo... More..