Auld Lang Syne

10-9-8-6....3-2-1!  After the count down and the ball in Time Square has descended, a traditional song is sung from the main stage above the many "HAPPY NEW YEAR" exclamations.  Auld Lang Syne is a song about old friends; friends who have parted and meet again.  They come together to celebrate and reminisce of the years past.  Cheers!  In case you don't know all the words, here are the lyrics and the translation. 

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl't in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint' stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Translation:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !

Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!

Happy New Year

“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.”  - Oprah Winfrey

The ringing in of the New Year is a time old tradition, celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a time of festivities, glad tidings and well wishes.  Most have a renewed hope in the future and themselves.  What will the New Year bring?  What will I accomplish?   Edith  Lovejoy  Pierce once said,  “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day”

If you are unsure of what resolutions you should make, the US Government has a list of the nation's top 10 New Year's Resolutions and way to achieve them.  Check it out!  

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml

Wish you all a happy, healthy and successful New Year!!  See you in 2012.

Understanding Real Estate: What are Deeds?

Quitclaim Deed

A quitclaim deed is a legal document that allows the owner (grantor) of real property to sign over all ownership interest to another party (grantee). The Grantor makes no warranties that the property is free of debt or other ownership. An example of when to use this is when transferring property within a family or in the event of a divorce and one party no longer has interest in the property.   For example, if a woman purchases a house where only she is on the mortgage but wants to give her husband ownership of the home as well, a quitclaim deed can be drawn up.

Warranty Deed

A warranty deed assures the grantee that the grantor (owner) does in fact own the property and has full rights to sell it. In this type transaction, with a proper title search performed, it will be known if there are any liens, mortgages, or other claims to the property before closing. This is most typical type of deed, although is not used when purchasing a bank owned property.  Bank owned (foreclosed properties) the bank makes no guarantee of ownership.

Special Warranty Deed

In a special warranty deed the grantor gives ownership of real property with a limited number of assurances. One assurance is that the grantor has in fact received title. The second is that the title was clear of defects while they owned the property. They warrant nothing prior to their taking title and ownership of the property. This type of deed is typically used when purchasing a bank owned property.