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

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

The human mind is an amazing thing, and the words we use in our day to day lives can be powerful tools for how we affect it. By changing the words you use, you can change your perception of yourself, those around you, and even how you look at situations, say psychologists. You be the judge. Does your mother (or someone else) call too often to check on you? Do you call it nagging? Here are just a few examples of how you can shift your perceptions:

• Nagging or Connecting?  So your mother calls too much.  Instead of calling it nagging, call it connecting…she wants to connect with you.  You call her first, make her feel good, and control the conversation.
• Pushy or Direct? You think a co-worker is pushy. Change the word to direct and you can react to the person in a straightforward manner.
• Impulsive or Spontaneous?  Are you irritated by your mate’s impulsive behavior?  Choose to admire his or her spontaneity.
• Moping or Coping? Moping is a way of coping when someone needs help rebuilding confidence after a difficult time. Give a helping hand.

Most of the team members here on the Marc Austin Highfill Team are parents. We all love our families, but its not always easy to know if we're doing a good job. Helping kids grow up successfully is every parent’s goal, especially with such a bright and amazing future ahead of them.  Here are 7 valuable tips we found to help parents prepare their children to reach their fullest potential and enjoy that future:

• Let your child work things out without your help. At an early age, let your child find solutions to challenges he or she may face.
• Support your child’s interests and passions.  Praise your child for who he/she is becoming…not what you want them to be.
• Teach your child how to manage money. Teach them about saving (start with piggy banks and savings accounts), allowances, and earning money from doing household jobs.
• Let your child learn how to deal with disappointment.  Playing sports and board games teach kids how to handle disappointment.
• Teach your child how to negotiate conflicts. Teach your kids how to negotiate using words and how to resolve conflicts.
• Encourage your child’s dreams.  Be supportive of your child’s dreams, but help them set achievable goals along the way.
• Support their independence.  Increase your child’s responsibility a little bit each year. It’ll build a strong foundation for their lifetime.

We could all use tips on how to appear more confident once in a while, especially now when times are tough for some of us and confidence may be shaken.

There are simple but effective techniques you can use in your every day life to increase other people's good impression of you and boost your confidence level. Power schmoozing is what the experts call it.  Here’s what you need to know when you want to look more confident at a meeting, interview, or anytime you want to make a great impression:

• Get Closer. Stand up straight, or sit up with good posture and lean a little forward…you’ll command more attention.  People who are uncertain or fearful have a tendency to lean back in their chairs to create distance, says author Terri Mandell. 
• Look People in the Eye.  Averting your eyes or not making good eye contact can broadcast insecurity.
• Give a Compliment.  Nothing commands attention like making someone feel good.
• Ask For a Favor. When you ask for something, whether it’s a glass of water or a copy of a report, it helps to break the ice, and gives you an opportunity to connect. It also can help you to level the playing field says Pam Zarit, a New York media trainer.

Implement these easy steps and you'll see an immediate difference in your business and personal life!

Would you like the keys to financial freedom? Mary Farrell’s Beyond the Basics, outlines the characteristics of people who have achieved their financial goals. It’s no secret that people who achieve their goals have a plan – they set financial goals, save and invest their money, and they keep an eye on their investments. Here are five strategies from Fortune magazine for building wealth:

• Start early and save. If you save $1K a year at 25, you’ll have about five times what you would have than starting at age 45.
• Invest in index funds rather than individual stocks. They’re easier and safer for the average investor with little time for research.
• If your employer has a 401(k) plan, use it. Your employer’s contribution is like free money.
• Avoid mutual funds with a management fee higher than 1 percent.
• Get rid of your credit card and consumer debt. Pay off the highest rate card first, then work through your lower rate cards.

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 website at…

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Studies have shown that your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary.  Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

advertent (ad-vûr-tnt) adj.

Meaning:  attentive, heedful
 
Example Sentence:  The sea captain was advertent to the changing tides and shifting winds at dawn.

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

Take a tip from local pest control companies! Here’s an easy and SAFE way to get rid of those pesky ants.  Try sprinkling cornmeal anywhere you see ants. The ants eat it and take it back to their ant colony. They can’t digest the meal, so it kills them. This is a safe way to rid your home of ants without harmful pesticides that can hurt pets or small children.

With Halloween now behind us and the holiday season suddenly looming closer, another name for this season comes to mind: the STRESSFUL Season. Even if the holidays don't phase you, everyone sometimes finds themselves wound up tight and ready to snap in work or life once in a while. A little stress in life is OK, but if you’re finding yourself on overload, you can try these simple rules:

1. Learn to say “no.”  Are you a people pleaser? How many times have you volunteered to do something you didn’t have time to do, brought something to party you didn’t have time to make, or took on more responsibility than you could handle?  Just say no.
2. Stop multi-tasking. Do you feel a constant need to achieve?  Doing more than one thing at a time raises your stress level. 
3. Let go of worry.  Are you a perfectionist? Do you find you criticize yourself when you’re not perfect? Change your negative thoughts to positive beliefs about yourself. 
4. Schedule time for yourself.  Do you deny yourself time off? Allow yourself to be a kid again —give yourself special “you time.”  Get outdoors, paint, get a massage…relax and enjoy yourself.

Next time you're feeling a little stressed out, take a deep breath and try to implement at least one of these tips. Your state of mind will thank you for it!