7. What to wear – avoid spots, stripes (including pinstripe shirts and suits) and small patterns – they make camera go squiffy (‘strobing’ to be precise). Also avoid all black and white.

8. Ensure that everything about you is congruent with message you are giving. If your message is sober, dress accordingly (leave Homer Simpson tie at home).

9. Remember that virtually everyone who ever appeared on television (including famous people) felt nervous beforehand. Nerves just show you that you’re part of human race. Use your nerves to create energy.

10. Use your appearance to give you most benefits. Tell your past, present and future clients all about it and if possible include a link to it on your website.

© Joanne Mallon 2005 – Extracted from The Beginner's Guide to TV Interviews – e-book available from www.MediaLifeCoach.com

Location of your new dream home is also a factor. Does neighborhood have houses similar to your style? Is there a variety of home styles? Do research on what type of neighborhood it is. Are there neighborhood, city or county ordinances that might affect your lifestyle? Make a list of all pro’s and con’s of each of your choices of sites, narrow it down to your top 3 to 5 and seriously think about all factors that might influence your decision. You don’t always want perfect size or shaped lot if there are ordinances that will effect how you use it. Be careful.

Make sure you have no surprises. Ask your real estate agent for a list of permits necessary to build your dream home on lot you chose. If they will not provide this, then go to your city and county and get list. Make sure your construction contactor provides all of these permits in their contract with you.

Local codes can also surprise a lot of dream home builders. Ask architect that does signed blue print on your floor plans to research local codes that may or may not affect your floor plan and dream home design. Homework pays. You can save yourself a lot of money and time if you do your homework up front.