Kirk and Terry Blog

• No More Soggy Pizza - Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove. Set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This will keep the crust crispy.
• Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket.  It’ll keep the mosquitoes away.
• Bed Sheets Trick- After drying your sheets, fold neatly in a square.  Put both sheets and one pillowcase in the other pillow case. When you change your sheets, just take the one pillow case everything’s inside.  No more searching for matches.
• Broken Glass Hint – Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken pieces of glass. The fibers catch the little pieces you can’t see.
• Fruit Flies Be Gone – Get rid of fruit flies by filling a glass with ½ c. Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. The flies are drawn to the cup and gone forever!
• Great Beach Tip - Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you’re ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin!

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away!

Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE.  See my “Free Resources Page” at www.MarcsHomes.Com

What do you think is the most common neighbor dispute?  Well, if you guessed “noise,” you’d be right. Whether it’s barking dogs, loud music, noisy cars…even wild birds, most cities have laws that protect you from noise above a certain level.  And if you live in a community governed by CC&Rs there are restrictions on noise levels.

Trees are the second big problem that causes neighbor disputes.  Generally, if the tree’s trunk is on your property, you own it and you’re the responsible party.  Some states have laws that require that you trim a tree that grows on your neighbor’s property.

Another common homeowner dispute —“views.”  Trees can impact views, but new buildings can block views.  Make sure there are zoning or building rules on the books to protect you.  If not, your neighbor or a developer can build an addition or a new building even if it blocks your sunlight and/or your views.  Know your legal rights before you purchase a house with views, otherwise one day those gorgeous views could vanish!

Learn How To Maximize The Value Of Your Home! 

Did you know there’s a free consumer report showing which repairs and fix-ups will net you the most value for your home?  It’s call the “Homeseller’s Guide To Money-Making Fix-Ups,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning on selling soon.  You can get a free copy by visiting our webstie at…

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Did you know that 85% of your ability to succeed at anything depends on your skills at positively influencing people?  Brian Tracy, author of The Power of Charm offers a few tips on how you can become more charming:

The key is to make others feel good about themselves.

• Greet everyone you meet as someone very special. Make people feel special by asking questions about them, and being enthusiastic.
• Find something to praise people about.  Everyone likes to be praised be it the grocery clerk, your accountant, or your boss.
• Show your appreciation. Tracy says, thank everyone you come into contact with for whatever you can think of…it boosts people’s confidence, and makes them feel good about themselves. It also makes you feel better about yourself.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

• To loosen a rusted bolt: apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
• You can remove grease from clothing by adding a can of Coke to a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The cola will loosen the grease stains.
• To bake a moist ham add a can of Coca-Cola into a baking pan, wrap in aluminum foil, and bake until 30 minutes before the ham is finished cooking. Remove the foil and allow the drippings to mix for delicious gravy.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Can fat actually be good for you?  In a recent study, scientists at Ohio State University found that a little fat can be good for you. Many of the healthy compounds found in vegetables are fat-soluble.  Researchers found that the body is unable to absorb these unless fat is present at the same time. When you add an avocado to salads the absorption of the nutrient lutein (good for heart and eye health) is 18 times greater. Add a little butter to your veggies, or salad dressing to your salad and the level of absorption of nutrients increases.

A handful of nuts can protect your health.  Scientists at the University of Barcelona found that eating a handful of walnuts every day helps the body maintain the arteries elasticity and protects against the damage of harmful fats that can damage the arteries. 

Rest, don’t nap. Close your eyes and allow your mind to relax for 5-10 minutes. You’ll be more alert than if you’d taken a nap.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Q. We are having our house appraised next month.  What do I need to know beforehand, especially if the appraisal is too low? 

A. The purpose of a real estate appraisal is to establish a property’s value for financing purposes. This is different from a comparative market analysis (CMA), which real estate agents use to estimate a true market value. Professional appraisers are licensed and regulated by each state and follow federal guidelines.

The appraisal is a detailed report that is required by a lender to secure a loan. The appraiser’s job is to determine the valuation of a property by inspecting the property, taking measurements, examining the location of the property, comparing it to at least three similar properties, and evaluating the real estate market in the area.  It’s important to note that an appraisal is not a home inspection.

If the appraisal comes in too low…keep your cool.  If the house appraisal is lower than the sales price, the loan may not be approved.  Many times there are several things you can do to fix or correct any problems and flaws that may have been found.

Learn How To Maximize The Value Of Your Home! 

Did you know there’s a free consumer report showing which repairs and fix-ups will net you the most value for your home?  It’s call the “Homeseller’s Guide To Money-Making Fix-Ups,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning on selling soon.  You can get a free copy by visiting our webstie at…

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Saving money is easier than you think.  In fact, you can find “66 Ways You Can Save” (from transportation, mortgages, banking, housing, energy, to insurance and more) at www.ftc.gov - Facts for Consumers. Here are a few simple ideas you’ll find:

1. Skip the ATM.  It’s amazing how many people burn up cash in a short time using the ATM. 
2. Track Your Monthly Spending.  When you know where you’re spending your money, you can make adjustments where necessary.
3. Pay Cash. You’ll save money by not paying interest on credit cards, and when you’re out of cash…you’ll stop spending.
4. Reduce Your Debt. Pay off your smallest balance first, then move to the next smallest debt, double the payment, and continue on until you’ve paid off your debt.
5. Lower Household Expenses.  Combine trips to save on fuel, and eat more meals at home.  Turn the thermostat down in the winter to save on home heating bills and you can save a bundle.
6. Look for the Deals. Shop discounts and closeout sales, and keep an eye out for coupons and rebates on items you plan to purchase.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Alright, alright. Its a new year and we know a lot of you have made new Year's Resolutions to shed some pounds. But if you’re like most people, losing weight is tough.  So what do “skinny” people do that others don’t?  Of course there’s the obvious…they don’t eat as much.  But is there more to successfully managing a healthy weight?  Here are a few tips we've found helpful…

1) Take action. When slim people start to gain a few pounds, they do something about it. They don’t let a few pounds creep up to 10-20 pounds. They begin by exercising more and eating smaller portions.
2) Don’t skip meals, and eat a healthy breakfast.  Eating small amounts of healthy food regularly manages blood sugar levels better, and stops cravings and binging. 
3) Weigh yourself daily. Painful as it can be, nothing stops overeating like reality staring you in the face.
4) Get more sleep.  Researchers have found lack of sleep leads to an increase in cravings for more carbohydrates. Instead of reaching for food at night, close off the kitchen and turn in an hour earlier.  You’ll be more rested, enjoying more energy, and you’ll be looking a little slimmer too!

If loosing some weight is one of your resolutions for 2010, make a simple plan utilizing these tips and stick to it. You'll soon be seeing a healthier and happier you!

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Q. What are the new trends in home building? 

A. Every new home buyer has their own personal preferences, but according to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, there are some new trends in the new home building market.

Buyers surveyed wanted spacious garages with lots of storage, and many buyers wanted space for a workshop.  New home buyers want high-tech wiring for sound systems, computer networks, and entertainment.  One of biggest shifts is buyers are looking for fewer open floor plans, and preferred partial walls that separate areas.  Activity rooms were also important to new buyers.  This included space for a home office, game rooms, exercise areas, home entertainment areas, or a family room/den. 

Storage areas (kitchen pantry, walk-up attic, large closets, and special cabinets) were particularly important to new buyers.  New home buyers also wanted homes with lots of natural light.  Fewer buyers were interested in two story homes and preferred the master suite on the main floor with a walk-in shower stall. 

If you are buying or selling a home and need competent and caring representation, please call me, Marc Austin Highfill, at (804) 527-EXIT.

Do you find yourself getting that urge to drop-into Open Houses, even when you’re busy?  You’re not alone.  Many homeowners visit open houses to get design ideas, or to see how their home compares in the neighborhood.

But if you find yourself attracted to Open Houses frequently, you might want to ask yourself “why.”   You might just find that, even though you’re happy with your current home, you might be subconsciously searching for your dream home.  Perhaps you want a bigger yard.  A quieter street.  A gourmet kitchen.

Whatever the reason, there are sophisticated tools that can help. A computerized “Home Search” system can scour the market finding the exact home you want – automatically. It can get you daily updates on the newest homes on the market, and since it is a computerized system there’s never any pressure from working with a person, just great service.  Even if you’re just “thinking” and want to know what’s “out there,” consider giving it a try. Feel free to go to my website and sign up at http://www.marcshomes.com or call (804) 527-3948.