Property tax lien auctions are advancing more with the highest status in the industry of real estate. could the reason be that the economy is not at its unsurpassed and the rate of home foreclosures has never been so high? When houses are foreclosed upon and then repossessed, the homes are then sold during a Property tax lien auction to the highest bidder so the mortgage company can recoup its loss. Prior to foreclosure, some owners will go to auction with their homes to avoid credit problems. Over the next ten years according to some authorities, more than 35% of homes for sale will be bought at Property tax lien auctions.

Some benefits sellers have when they decide to use Property tax lien auctions to sell their houses is the sale is quick and you don't have to wait for 'pending financing' rules set by the buyer. The money from the purchaser will be present at auction time

Homeowner who intend to sell his house at action should ensure the participation of enough buyers who are either capable to pay from their source or who have got confirmed financing committment from financial institutions of repute. 

You can buy homes on auction in their current condition. This means that the bidders know that there are some things that need to be repaired and they have to take care of the aesthetic needs. The purchaser won't be worried with paying a lot for a new paint or carpet or even appliances before putting their home for auction. The buyer will be legally responsible for replacing the water heater if it is about to malfunction. Buyers understand when buying Property tax lien auctions they usually have a petite amount of time to check out the property before bidding. The fault lies with them, not with the seller, if something doesn't work because they were unable to bring along a professional home inspector. 

In addition to many other advantages to Property tax lien auctions for the sellers is that they aren't obligated to show the house according to someone else's schedule. Pets, lives, relatives -- sellers have these things too. The risk of getting a call at any time of day or night from an agent who would like to show the home is more than likely the hardest part about putting a house on the traditional market. Can they not accept this? Yes, certainly they can, but they are probably not going to sell their homes without looking at it first.

If an agent can not be shown the home, they won't come back to call again. You are chronically on edge because you never know when a realtor may call to show your house to a prospective buyer. The residence has to be immaculate at all times, and there must be somewhere that pets can be taken when the house is to be shown. Sometimes it is hard, such as when you're called during dinner or when friends are over.

A number of homeowners are unaware of the potential benefits of using property tax lien auctions to sell their homes. For homeowners needing to sell their house pithily, for whatever reason, property tax lien auctions is an easy option. Some homeowners think the advantages of property tax lien auctions outweigh the possible risk of a lower selling price.

Get more information about Pre Foreclosure Property such as purchasing tax liens where you'll find all you need to know about the Buy Tax Lien Laws and much more.

People In real estate are finding that tax lien auctions are growing quickly. Perhaps this is due to the failing economy and increasing rate for home forclosure. As homes go through foreclosure and repossession, the homes are sold at Property tax lien auctions to the person with the highest bid so that the mortgage companies can get back their losses. Since a foreclosure can look very bad on a property owner's credit report, most will avoid this by auctioning off their homes before it gets to this point. Over the next ten years according to some authorities, more than 35% of homes for sale will be purchased at Property tax lien auctions.

Some benefits sellers have when they decide to use Property tax lien auctions to sell their houses is the sale is quick and you don't have to wait for 'pending financing' rules set by the buyer. The money from the purchaser will be present at auction time
Homeowner who intend to sell his house at action should ensure the participation of enough buyers who are either capable to pay from their source or who have got confirmed financing committment from financial institutions of repute. 

Property tax lien auctions offer properties for sale "as is". Bidders know that they need to do some repairs and other things to take care of. It is not necessary for the buyer to be concerned about spending a large amount of money on paint, new carpet or appliances before the auction of their house. The buyer will be responsible for replacing the water heater if it is about to malfunction. Buyers understand when buying Property tax lien auctions they usually have a small amount of time to check out the property before bidding. By not relying on the professional services of a home inspector, the buyer, not the seller, is to blame if something malfunctions. 

One of the benefits of property tax lien auctions for investors is not having to worry about potential purchasers wanting to view the home at their convenience. Pets, lives, family -- sellers have these things too. The risk of getting a call at any time of day or night from an agent who would like to show the home is more than likely the hardest part about putting a house on the traditional market. Can they not accept this? While it is possible, it is very difficult for sellers to sell an unseen home sight. If an agent can not be shown the home, they will not come back to call again. The family and the house should always be at hand and ready for viewings. During showings, the owner must remember that their house is cleaned and tidy every moment of that day, also considering where they travel in order to take their pets along with them. Sometimes it can be hard, especially when the call comes when you are having dinner or when you have a visitor.

A number of homeowners are unaware of the potential benefits of using property tax lien auctions to sell their homes. Property tax lien auctions make it easy for homeowners to sell their home quickly for any number of reasons. The price may not go as high as the seller would hope but the advantage of Property tax lien auctions is worth the loss.

Get more data about Pre Foreclosure Property such as purchasing tax liens where you'll find many things you need to know about the Buy Tax Lien Laws and much more.

With the big crunch in the American Real Estate market, and the subsequent Canadian market slow-downs, the Real Estate professionals across America are turning to Social Media to gain every advantage to increase their competitive edge.

Visiting a Sr Analyst at Forrester Research: Social Computing blog of Jeremiah Owyang, the post The Questions Corporations ask about Social Media had the following comment posted in response to the blog noting Real Estate has become an Early-Adopter of Social Media Marketing.

Well, in Arizona (a town of mid-size businesses), nobody gives a damn about social media (yet) besides tech companies. Oh — and real estate brokerages, who are desperate for a way to increase business in an abysmal market and think making their agents blog is a good way to do it. This provides fodder for me as a consultant and as a conference-organizer. The real estate companies are now asking “how can I get this up and running and producing customers for me before I am crushed by the weight of my own overhead from the good old days.

In this example, I'm using another industry, but I'm sure you can be creative and think of ways to use this for your marketing.

How about searching for people on twitter that are talking about your city, or buying a home.

Get creative, these are direct leads that you can engage with directly.

A few months ago, I spoke to a room of people about web strategy for Realtors.

For some of you, it will be more of my same old shtick, but it is good basic stuff to review. If you're new to the whole internet marketing thing, then there is some real gold here that could change your business very dramatically if you implement it successfully. Our clients typically derive between %50 and %70 of their traffic from our Search Engine Tactics and I give it ALL away here, nothing is held back,. you just have to follow the road map and you'll see the same types of results, I have no doubt.

Someone was good enough to captured it on video and after reviewing it, I thought it would be good to share it here.



Learn more about how to find out what keywords to use by reading this post on Keyword Research

I'd like you to take a look at these tools and strategies carefully, we've taken a lot of time to create a custom system that embraces a lot of the principals I talk about here.

As a system capable of distributing your content over multiple domains, our system has proven itself effective for our marquii client, Rick Stonehouse.

As we roll it out now for more realtors, Karin Davidson, David Crawford, Toni Pohl, we are able to see the results that it's had on their business.

Consistently dominating the search engines due to our advanced strategy and built in functionality that enables you to claim top spots in the search engines while others simply don't give you access to the same tools.

Not all systems are created with the same focus, ours was made with search engine optimization in mind.

We are working towards offering a new real estate buying experience that embraces the life of the customer, not the deal.

Watch these screencasts to see how our system differs from others on the market.



Contact us early while we are still in pre release mode and help us to build a more versatile, powerful engine, we're looking for early adopters like you. Real Estate Marketing 2.0

Vancouver City Council unanimously voted on June 10 to adopt the EcoDensity Charter.

The EcoDensity Charter commits the City to make environmental sustainability a primary goal in all city planning decisions - in ways that also support housing affordability and livability.

The first two actions to be implemented by the City immediately are:
1. Rezoning policy for greener buildings: Applications for new rezoning will need to meet a minimum LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating, or similar equivalency in green design. The City will also be expecting that energy performance, water efficiency and storm water use be considered.

2. Rezoning policy for greener larger sites: Changes to rezonings for land that is two acres or more. A number of sustainability measures will be required for these rezonings, and for sites with housing, a range of types and tenures must be considered to increase affordable housing opportunities.

Longer-term actions that will receive priority include: an interim EcoDensity rezoning policy; options for backyard/laneway housing; more options for secondary suites; and removal of barriers to green building approaches.

Council initiated the EcoDensity program in July 2006. The final Charter and Actions incorporated public input from a Special Council Meeting that lasted seven sessions, amongst numerous other public consultation opportunities.

To view the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions and for more information: vancouver.ca/ecodensity

Federal Government Health Minister Tony Clements prefers overdoses leading to death, than safe injection interventions that could lead to health. Appallingly, the Federal Government has made a decision to take the province to court after the BC Supreme Court's decision to support Insite.

Living in Vancouver, it is clear that drastic measures, services, and programs are needed to solve the issues. What is seen on the surface, is rarely ever the cause. While Insite may not be perfect, and it may leave a lot to be desired, it is the first positive step taken in Canadian society to move further forward with progressive and proactive measures that could lead to recovery.

Saving lives from this affliction is far more complex than a safe injection site. That safe injection site, however, becomes a valuable gateway to intervention; coaxing jaded and cynical people off the street who have been abused repeatedly. They might consider surrendering their negative lifestyle to the possibility and hope that our society's limited programs and services can help them get their lives back together.

Change is work, and it is hard work. Every healthy person recognizes this, and when we have bad days, we know how much more difficult - sometimes impossible - it is to succeed with change. If society wishes for the addict, street person, prostitute, and other at-risk individuals to "do the work," then society and government at all levels had better be prepared to do-the-work that creates the systems and structure that ensure success.

Insite, with an average of 600 daily visits, intervened to resuscitate 900 overdoses since opening. Liz Evans, who runs Insite in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health says, "If those injections were taking place in back alleys, those people would go under. There would be no nurse there to help save their lives."

"I don't think anyone has ever said that Insite is a magic pill that will resolve all the issues around mental health and addictions," says B.C. Health Minister George Abbott.

"No one has ever said that. I see, and the government sees, the provincial government at least, sees Insite as part of a continuum of services aimed at assisting addicts through their life issues."

Regarding Ottawa's drug policies, Abbott said: "I don't think they yet appreciate that it is useful to have the opportunity to bring some stability into the lives of people who have tragically very little stability in their lives."

Local enforcement professionals also expressed varied opinions on the subject, both for and against what Insite offers. The against position rightly expresses the overwhelming level of 'tolerance' that allows inappropriate behaviour to continue unchecked and without adequate consequences (if any). A significant reason our social issues have spun out of control is the lack of accountability, along with actionable and achievable goals that empower change.

Our own complacency had most of Vancouver turn a blind eye to the issues, and the escalation we're experiencing has resulted in more discontentment. As people become discontent, therefore less tolerant, the voices are likely to start clamoring for change. Even so, as expressed by some residents, some professionals, and some government offices, 'we don't want to encourage that here!'

A walk through a local green-space on the edge of Strathcona and Chinatown often reveals many reasons for this attitude's survival. Mere steps into the park space, right along the sidewalk, a mound of hypodermic needles still fresh in their packaging, is found. On the way to work in the morning, homeless are now found sleeping and bundled in filthy blankets on common property on residential streets. Walking across town, men and women alike are accosted on almost every block by those wanting, needing, and even demanding a handout. Could this why Insite is not recognized as working?

On one hand, the Federal Health Minister Tony Clement wants it shut down. This is looking like a political battle, not a battle for lives nor solutions. With the majority of the Conservatives backed by tough-on-crime critics, supporting Insite may have offended their reelection. Here in Vancouver, the Mayor, Chief of Police, and others are in support; likely also seeking the popular vote of Vancouver residents and business.

What are your views, your expertise, or opinions about these people, this issue, and how it can be solved? Are politicians and our systems capable? If not, why and what can we do?
<!--- http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-DyXdbZ0zH3BUJsDxyAHpqYgcyQ -->

Dear SCG Members and Working Group Leaders;

1) Social Coordinating Group

It time again for our monthly Social Coordinating Group meeting - Native Education College (285 5th East Ave).

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Regular SCG Meeting #4

The Agenda: basically we will be hearing back from the four working groups on what they have been doing since April 8th. As SCG members you will be asked to comment on possible ways that you can help the working groups overcome any outstanding issues and concerns so that they can continue to move forward to develop and implement the local action plans. We have some new community faces coming out this time!

Pizza and refreshments will be served again, so if you have any allergies please let me know that when you RSVP back so that I can better meet your needs. Thank you. (please include your phone number).

2. Neighbourhood Clean Up

May 10, Saturday, 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon

A small, but very dedicated, group (Carolina Group) is hosting their annual neighbourhood clean up (10 years plus), and we are all welcome. Please let me know if you need more information. Hope to see some of you out this Saturday. Dana's cell 318-7460 (604). We are meeting up at Carolina and 11th Ave E.

3. Community announcements - of the Social kind

If you have an announcement(s) about an event or program that relates to the work that the SCG is doing and you want to share it with others please let me know. I am posting events to the Mount Pleasant community site to better keep us all in touch (an earlier suggestion made at a SCG meeting). http://www.vancouver.ca and look under "Spotlight"

That's it for now

====================

Dear Mount Pleasant CLG members,

Hi, everyone. We have scheduled our fifth meeting of the Mount Pleasant CLG for:

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Native Education College
285 East 5th Ave. (at Scotia St.)

Since our last meeting, we have completed Shopping Area Workshop (SAW) #1, with over 50 people in attendance. Participants divided themselves into groups according to the existing shopping area in Mount Pleasant they wished to discuss:

1. Uptown (Main: 7th to 16th; Broadway: Ontario to Guelph; Kingsway: 7th to 12th )
2. Broadway West (Ontario to Yukon)
3. Broadway/Fraser (Guelph to Prince Albert)

Following a site visit to the shopping areas, ‘creative sessions’ were held, facilitated by urban designers, to find out key concerns and aspirations held by workshop participants. Posters with potential options/directions and maps were used to encourage discussion and record people’s ideas. We are mailing you a draft transcript of the workshop (i.e., posters with comments, along with photographs of the maps produced by the groups).

Our CLG meeting will review SAW #1 results, and introduce the tasks for SAW #2 (taking place on May 25th; attached is a poster advertising the event). These tasks involve using criteria suggested by workshop participants, along with criteria contained in City policy, to begin evaluating the options which emerged from SAW #1. The CLG meeting will also touch on our preparation for the residential workshops beginning in the fall, the consultancy for a land use and urban design study of Main St. (2nd to 7th), and the work being done by the Social Coordinating Group.

If you are unable to attend this meeting, please call Angela Ko at 604.871.6598 and let her know. Thank you in advance for coming to the meeting.

Yours truly,

Peter Burch
Planner
Mount Pleasant Community Planning Program (MPCPP)

Vancouver City Council unanimously voted on June 10 to adopt the EcoDensity Charter.

The EcoDensity Charter commits the City to make environmental sustainability a primary goal in all city planning decisions - in ways that also support housing affordability and livability.

The first two actions to be implemented by the City immediately are:
1. Rezoning policy for greener buildings: Applications for new rezoning will need to meet a minimum LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating, or similar equivalency in green design. The City will also be expecting that energy performance, water efficiency and storm water use be considered.

2. Rezoning policy for greener larger sites: Changes to rezonings for land that is two acres or more. A number of sustainability measures will be required for these rezonings, and for sites with housing, a range of types and tenures must be considered to increase affordable housing opportunities.

Longer-term actions that will receive priority include: an interim EcoDensity rezoning policy; options for backyard/laneway housing; more options for secondary suites; and removal of barriers to green building approaches.

Council initiated the EcoDensity program in July 2006. The final Charter and Actions incorporated public input from a Special Council Meeting that lasted seven sessions, amongst numerous other public consultation opportunities.

To view the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions and for more information: vancouver.ca/ecodensity

Federal Government Health Minister Tony Clements prefers overdoses leading to death, than safe injection interventions that could lead to health. Appallingly, the Federal Government has made a decision to take the province to court after the BC Supreme Court's decision to support Insite.

Living in Vancouver, it is clear that drastic measures, services, and programs are needed to solve the issues. What is seen on the surface, is rarely ever the cause. While Insite may not be perfect, and it may leave a lot to be desired, it is the first positive step taken in Canadian society to move further forward with progressive and proactive measures that could lead to recovery.

Saving lives from this affliction is far more complex than a safe injection site. That safe injection site, however, becomes a valuable gateway to intervention; coaxing jaded and cynical people off the street who have been abused repeatedly. They might consider surrendering their negative lifestyle to the possibility and hope that our society's limited programs and services can help them get their lives back together.

Change is work, and it is hard work. Every healthy person recognizes this, and when we have bad days, we know how much more difficult - sometimes impossible - it is to succeed with change. If society wishes for the addict, street person, prostitute, and other at-risk individuals to "do the work," then society and government at all levels had better be prepared to do-the-work that creates the systems and structure that ensure success.

Insite, with an average of 600 daily visits, intervened to resuscitate 900 overdoses since opening. Liz Evans, who runs Insite in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health says, "If those injections were taking place in back alleys, those people would go under. There would be no nurse there to help save their lives."

"I don't think anyone has ever said that Insite is a magic pill that will resolve all the issues around mental health and addictions," says B.C. Health Minister George Abbott.

"No one has ever said that. I see, and the government sees, the provincial government at least, sees Insite as part of a continuum of services aimed at assisting addicts through their life issues."

Regarding Ottawa's drug policies, Abbott said: "I don't think they yet appreciate that it is useful to have the opportunity to bring some stability into the lives of people who have tragically very little stability in their lives."

Local enforcement professionals also expressed varied opinions on the subject, both for and against what Insite offers. The against position rightly expresses the overwhelming level of 'tolerance' that allows inappropriate behaviour to continue unchecked and without adequate consequences (if any). A significant reason our social issues have spun out of control is the lack of accountability, along with actionable and achievable goals that empower change.

Our own complacency had most of Vancouver turn a blind eye to the issues, and the escalation we're experiencing has resulted in more discontentment. As people become discontent, therefore less tolerant, the voices are likely to start clamoring for change. Even so, as expressed by some residents, some professionals, and some government offices, 'we don't want to encourage that here!'

A walk through a local green-space on the edge of Strathcona and Chinatown often reveals many reasons for this attitude's survival. Mere steps into the park space, right along the sidewalk, a mound of hypodermic needles still fresh in their packaging, is found. On the way to work in the morning, homeless are now found sleeping and bundled in filthy blankets on common property on residential streets. Walking across town, men and women alike are accosted on almost every block by those wanting, needing, and even demanding a handout. Could this why Insite is not recognized as working?

On one hand, the Federal Health Minister Tony Clement wants it shut down. This is looking like a political battle, not a battle for lives nor solutions. With the majority of the Conservatives backed by tough-on-crime critics, supporting Insite may have offended their reelection. Here in Vancouver, the Mayor, Chief of Police, and others are in support; likely also seeking the popular vote of Vancouver residents and business.

What are your views, your expertise, or opinions about these people, this issue, and how it can be solved? Are politicians and our systems capable? If not, why and what can we do?
<!--- http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-DyXdbZ0zH3BUJsDxyAHpqYgcyQ -->

RickStonehouse.com Mail - Welcome to the Jing Project! - rick@rickstonehouse.com

WHAT
Dear Neighbours, our outdoor movie night this year is scheduled for September 13th, 2008. Please invite family and friends to set out blankets and enjoy this one-night film festival together!

WHEN
Saturday, September 13th, 2008
Saturday, September 20th, 2008 Rain Date
8:30 - 9:00pm Shorts by Local Filmmakers
9:00 - 11:00pm Feature Presentation chosen by you

WHERE
McLean Park at the corner of Keefer St and Hawks Ave

HOW
To celebrate the Olympics, this year's theme is Sports Films. Please cast your vote at www.strathconafilms.org. To showcase local talent, we will also present shorts by local filmmakers. If you’ve made a short film (5 minutes max in length and family friendly), please email shorts@strathconafilms.org - Please include your name, phone number, name of your film, and a link to your film; e.g. website, YouTube, etc. Submissions must be received by August 31, 2008.

New Fall Events are coming as summer draws to a close, and the families and kids settle back into the routines of the school year. As for all the single folk, the camping gear is almost ready to be packed for the winter, and everyone reluctantly gets back to college, university, and work. Let's see what the community has in store for us in the coming weeks:

First Up is Justice Rocks
Fusing Pop Culture and Social Change

Free to All
August 30, 2008
12 - 8 P.M.
Strathcona Park

Performances By
Choir Practice
Run GMC
Fur Bearing Animals
Curtis Santiago
and more

Also featuring
Wilderness Committee
BC Civil Liberties
Portland Hotel Society
and more!

Kidz Zone
Noon to 3 P.M. with storytimes, activities, and fun stuff!
Visit www.justicerocks.org for more information about how to volunteer, sponsor, or support Justice Rocks - and for Information on the AfterParty!

Up Second is the Strathcona Film Festival

WHAT
Dear Neighbours, our outdoor movie night this year is scheduled for September 13th, 2008. Please invite family and friends to set out blankets and enjoy this one-night film festival together!

WHEN
Saturday, September 13th, 2008
Saturday, September 20th, 2008 Rain Date
8:30 - 9:00pm Shorts by Local Filmmakers
9:00 - 11:00pm Feature Presentation chosen by you

WHERE
McLean Park at the corner of Keefer St and Hawks Ave

HOW
To celebrate the Olympics, this year's theme is Sports Films. Please cast your vote at www.strathconafilms.org. To showcase local talent, we will also present shorts by local filmmakers. If you’ve made a short film (5 minutes max in length and family friendly), please email shorts@strathconafilms.org - Please include your name, phone number, name of your film, and a link to your film; e.g. website, YouTube, etc. Submissions must be received by August 31, 2008.

Up Next... Full Frontals, Rear Views

Louise Francis-Smith, a long-time resident artist of Strathcona has a collection of Strathcona photographs from many years past.

WHEN
October 3 - 19, 2008

OPENING RECEPTION
Friday October 3, 6-9pm

WHERE
RedIron Studio and Gallery
884 East Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, V6A 2X1
604-254-0585

LiveInStrathcona.com

I find it interesting that we have a few new coffee shops popping up in the hood.

We started with The Wilder Snail with it's earthy, organic vibe. Now, while they're more on the outskirts of Strathcona proper, we're starting to see other coffee shops popping up.

The Waves at Pender and Main is the most interesting from a visible social change level, the other one to watch which has had a brisk uptake in traffic is the new Bean Around The World at Union and Gore.

I did a brief cell phone interview with the owner Craig.


Interview with Bean Around the World Owner from Riel on Vimeo.

Peter R. points us to this innovative free service run by Peter Shankman.

You tell him your name and email address, and a few times a day, he forwards you a list of reporters looking for experts to quote for various articles in various media. Sort of like Daily Candy for publicity hounds.

It doesn't work if you answer all the queries. So be honest with yourself, save your time and the reporter's. Just speak up when it's helpful.

Joe Biden is long winded. His voters say so, so does the press. And now his new boss does as well.

The feedback couldn't be more clear. So why not fix it?

Verizon has mind-numbingly bad customer service. People hate to call them. People switch providers just to avoid this problem. So why not fix it?

DiFara's makes the best pizza in New York. But it takes 90 minutes or so to get a pizza. Everyone complains, so why not fix it?

In the case of DiFara's, the answer is easy: because fixing it would make it normal. It would take away what makes the place special. People wouldn't complain any more, but people wouldn't go, either.

If your 'one big thing' is a key part of what makes you successful, how dare you change it.

On the other hand, if momentum or laziness or lack of will (or focus) is the thing holding you back, it's time to get serious. When you remove the one big thing from people's list of objections, your career and organization will take off.

Joe Biden can carry a timer in his pocket. He can become reticent in public. He can, in just one day of hard work, solve his problem. Verizon can invest focus and and money and solve their problem. AT&T can invest and fix their wireless network. It just takes commitment, not a miracle.

New startups can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars racing after a dream: a giant splash on launch.

Just imagine... a big spread in Time Magazine, a feature on all the relevant blogs, a glowing review in the Book Review. Get this part right and everything else takes care of itself.

And yet.

Here are some brands that had no launch at all: Starbucks, Apple, Nike, Harry Potter, Google, William Morris, The DaVinci Code, Wikipedia, Snapple, Geico, Linux, Firefox and yes, Microsoft. (All got plenty of PR, but after the launch, sometimes a lot later).

I'm as guilty as the next entrepreneur. Great publicity is a treasured gift. But it's hardly necessary, and the search for it is often a significant distraction.

It works for movies, in fact, it's essentially required for movies. But for just about every product, service or company, the relentless quest for media validation doesn't really pay. If you get it, congratulations. If you don't, that's just fine. But don't break the bank or your timetable in the quest.