Family and Home Tiding Newsletter December 2009

Tips for Choosing the Ideal Gift This Holiday Season

With the holidays approaching, it’s time to make a list and check it twice. But after a tough economic year, everyone is trying to get the biggest bang for their buck. So how do you pick the perfect present?

Planning and preparation are the keys. The following tips might also help:

Personality Matters: Take the time to learn what friends are interested in, then use the information to form the foundation for your shopping list. Make the gift meaningful by giving something that enhances the person’s life or solves a problem.

Dual Use: Gift ideas that fill more than one purpose are a great way to provide practical yet fun gifts, especially for college students or busy parents. Popular choices this season include MP3 players with built-in microphones, electronic reading devices like the wireless Kindle, and Portable Global Positioning System navigation devices.

A Little Luxury: Upgrade needed items by splurging on an extra-special version of common items. For example, first-time homebuyers may appreciate new linens, but they’ll really be impressed with extra touches like high thread count or monograms. Sheets, towels or even tools make perfect housewarming gifts and can be completely customized.

Sentimental Reasons: Get creative with a digital picture frame or commemorate an extra-special pet with a framed photograph. Try creating a custom T-shirt or publishing a bound book of family photos.

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How to Make Your Own ‘Bucket List’

In the hit movie The Bucket List, two terminally ill patients decide to go out in style after discovering they have only six months to live. To make the most of their remaining time, each patient creates a “bucket list” of things he or she wants to do before kicking the bucket.

You can also make each and every day of your life count by creating your own bucket list.

It’s Never Too Late or Too Soon

Remember those long-lost dreams? Drag them out of the closet and into the light of day by giving them another opportunity. Whether it was learning to dance or finishing a college education, time and technology may now provide new opportunities you never expected. Allow yourself the freedom to select whatever tickles your fancy without the obstacles of prior opinions of the naysayers.

Prioritize

Be honest about what you want the most, whether you think it is attainable or not, then share that information with others. You might be surprised how helpful others are when it comes to helping you realize your dreams. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunity. Sometimes help comes from the most unexpected situations.

Personalize

Make your personal list meaningful. Know why you want each and every item on your list and resist the temptation of doing or trying things that may seem popular but don’t truly appeal to you. Sometimes the simple things in life matter the most, so if you want to plant a garden and watch it grow, then do that rather than travel the world.

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Thinking of Selling Your Home? Get My Free Guide

San Antonio, Texas 210-734-5590

Buying your first home is a big step and one that is likely to impact your financial future for years to come. Make the process easier for yourself by asking for my free guide, “Great Ideas for Easy Fixes That Will Help Your Home Sell” Just call me at 210-734-5590 and I’ll send it right out to you.

How to Help Your Agent Build a Winning Sales Strategy

 

Communicating with your real estate agent is the key to developing a winning strategy to show your property in the best possible light. The following tips might help you avoid frustration and increase the odds of a successful showing:

Be Honest: The first step is to be completely honest with your agent. Make sure the agent knows about the benefits and pitfalls of the property in advance, including needed repairs and deferred maintenance.

Get Organized: The more information about the property you can provide, the better. Make a list of all past repairs, warranties that may still be in effect, improvements made to the property, and what is included or excluded in the

sale. Copies of receipts, warranty documents and other paperwork give your agent a great headstart.

Set a Schedule: Let the agent know the appropriate times for showing the home, as well as any other instructions. Notify agents of special situations well in advance, especially concerning pets or other important matters.

Knowledge and Network: Your agent is an expert in the local real estate community, so use him or her to your advantage. Allow the agent to develop a marketing plan and use local resources that maximize the appeal of your property. Likewise, ask the agent’s opinion about service providers and other vendors who may assist in the process of selling or purchasing property.

Wondering How Much Your Home Is Worth?

 

How has the price of your home changed in today’s market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for? If you're wondering what's happening to prices in your area, or you're thinking about selling your house, I'll be able to help. Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation.

I won't try to push you into listing with me or waste your time. I'll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value. And maybe I'll also give you the "inside scoop" on what's happening in the housing market near where you live!

Just give my office a call at 210-734-8890 to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office. The address is on the back page of this newsletter.

Quick Quiz

Each month I’ll give you a new question.

Just email me at info@satxproperty.com or call 210-734-5590 for the answer.

Oddly, Panama hats originated in what country?

Why Not Pass Me
to a Friend?

If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and found its information useful, please pass it to a neighbor, friend or co-worker.

And if you have any comments about it, don’t forget to give me a call or send me an email!

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Food Rules to Live By

Earlier this year, Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, asked readers of the New York Times to contribute “food rules” to live by.

Here are some of the contributions. Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/pollanrules

“It’s better to pay the grocer than the doctor.”

“Don’t eat egg salad from a vending machine.”

“No second helpings, no matter how scrumptious.”

“If you are not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you are not hungry.”

“Breakfast you should eat alone. Lunch you should share with a friend. Dinner, give to your enemy.”

“Don’t eat anything that took more energy to ship than to grow.”

“Avoid snack foods with the ‘oh’ sound in their names.”

“When drinking tea, just drink tea.”

Did You Know?

Can you answer these science questions? Answers below.

What is another name for trismus?

What causes an object to accelerate?

Which planet orbits the sun at the fastest speed?

What causes an echo?

Jonas Salk developed a vaccine for what disease?

An abnormally fast heartbeat is termed what?

(Answers: Lockjaw, force, Mercury, reflected sound waves, polio, tachycardia)

Source: coolquiz.com

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Ways to Figure Out If a Fixer-Upper Is Worth It

Deciding whether to purchase a fixer-upper or go with a home in need of fewer repairs isn’t always simple.

 

The following information can help you calculate the true cost of purchasing a fixer:

 

Supplies, Labor and Time: Whether you do the job yourself or hire outside labor, repairs and renovations are notorious for costing more than you planned. If the home can’t be lived in while repairs are made, the additional cost of covering the mortgage, taxes and insurance while the home is vacant can also substantially add to the total cost.

 

Taxes and Insurance: Improvements often add to the cost of property taxes and insurance, so be sure to consider the

long-term consequences. Properly performed repairs and renovations may help or hurt property tax values and homeowner insurance costs. It’s a good idea to get an estimate in advance. On the other hand, hiring outside crews to perform needed repairs can result in a tax write-off for investment properties.

 

Long-Term Profit Potential: Repairs and renovations can make your home more valuable, but only if the surrounding area is desirable. Whether investing for long-term appreciation or cash flow, carefully evaluate the desirability of the neighborhood.

 

Financing: Lenders often have different rates and requirements for properties in need of repair. Find out in

advance if you are eligible for special funding, grants or tax incentives, especially when working with affordable housing options or first-time homebuyer programs.

 

Building Codes and Zoning: It is imperative to understand local building codes and zoning regulations before purchasing a fixer-upper. Never assume you can modify a structure without considering the building code. Likewise, zoning may dramatically alter the ability to use a property in a specific manner or make certain changes or additions. It’s just one more reason it’s more important than ever to work closely with your agent when purchasing a fixer-upper.

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How to Check Your Internet Speed

In today’s hectic world, being stuck in the slow lane of the information highway is no fun at all.

If you find your Internet connection is moving at a crawl, there are a couple of websites that can help you figure out your upload and download bandwidth.

www.Speed.io - An easy-to-use website that includes ping time, number of connections made per minute and other useful diagnostics.

www.Speakeasy.net - Another super-simple speed test that takes less than a minute.

Either site will enable you to compare your Internet connection rate to others in your area. Remember, uploads and downloads differ dramatically based upon the type of connection, geographical area and surrounding usage patterns.

Commonly cited performance winners range from 5.5 megabits per second to more than seven megabits per second for downloads and slightly less for uploads.

If you discover that your connection is lacking, contact your Internet service provider. It’s often an easy fix and it might not even require an appointment.

 

Ask the Agent: This Month’s Question

As a real estate agent, you’ve probably seen lots of people move home. Any tips for me as the big day draws near?

Decide what not to pack: Now’s a good time to declutter your life by deciding which items you don't want to take with you. Decide what you want to give away, throw away, or sell.

Draw a floor plan and use labels: Create a plan of your new home that you can use as a guide throughout the moving process. Label each of your boxes according to this plan. List what's in each of the boxes.

What to pack first: Pack things you don't need often first. Books, out-of-season clothes, and memorabilia make good candidates to go into boxes right away.

Pack "essentials" boxes: Mark some boxes as "essentials" and put in them the things you need on your first night in your new home. Then you won't waste time (and valuable energy) trying to find important items.

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Fast Food Restaurants' "Secret" Menu Items

Fast food your way has never been easier.

Whether you need a super-fast pick-me-up or a healthy alternative at a notoriously unhealthy hangout, try one of these little-known menu tricks to enhance your meal.

Starbucks Shorts: Itsy-bitsy cups of coffee for those short on cash, or in need of a shot of hot java, or both. It’s not advertised, but give it a try next

time you’re in the mood for a quick cup.

Meat Cube (also known as the Wendy’s Grand Slam): For those who can’t get enough, try Wendy’s ultra-max, four-patty burger option.

Hypocrite: Hang out with your fatburger-lovin’ friends without compromising on your diet. Order a veggie burger or healthy alternative with a bit of bacon for extra flavor.

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Mission Realty December 2009 Sudoku

Sudoku instructions: Complete the 9x9 grid so that each row, each column and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains the digits 1 through 9. Contact me for the solution!

 

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Recipe: Citrus-Kissed Baked Chicken

Serves 4

· 8 skinless chicken thighs, bone in

· 3 tablespoons lemon juice

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 1/2 teaspoon pepper

· 3/4 teaspoon paprika

· 1 tablespoon olive oil

· 1 cup pitted ripe olives

· 1 cup chopped onion

· 2 tomatoes, seeded and sliced

· 1 1/2 cups orange juice

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a nonreactive bowl, marinate the chicken thighs in the lemon juice, salt, pepper and paprika for at least 30 minutes and up to two hours.

Heat olive oil in a skillet, and then remove the chicken from the marinade and brown on all sides. Place the browned chicken in a baking dish. Add the olives, onion, tomatoes, and orange juice.

Cover dish with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and, when pierced, juices run clear.

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Family and Home Tidings is brought to you free by: Roman Alfaro, Jr., & Randy Watson Mission Realty 7272 Wurzbach Rd., Ste1103, San Antonio, TX 78240 210-734-5590 info@satxproperty.com www.satxproperty.com Thanks for reading! If you'd like to tell us what you think about this newsletter, or if you're thinking of buying or selling real estate, please get in touch.   Peter DiBenedetto, Broker/Owner 210-687-9959

 

This newsletter and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible for errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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