Monday, December 20, 2010

December Monthly Newsletter

Please enjoy my monthly newsletter!
Feel free to pass it along!
If you would like to subscribe directly, send me your email address so you'll be among the first to receive it when it's published each month.
Enjoy!

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Monday, November 8, 2010

My Monthly Newsletter

Please enjoy my monthly newsletter! Feel free to pass it along!
If you would like to subscribe directly, send me your email address so you'll be among the first to get it when it's published each month!
Thank you!

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Thursday, December 10, 2009

10 REASONS TO LIST YOUR HOME DURING THE WINTER


• FEWER SHOWINGS - Yes, there are less buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.
• LESS COMPETITION - Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.
• JANUARY IS THE BIGGEST TRANSFER MONTH - Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of the year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter.
• TIMING - By putting your home on the market during the winter, you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
• MORE TIME TO GET TOP DOLLAR - By starting to market your home early, you may be able to secure a higher price.
• MORE ADVERTISING - Because most agent and offices have less inventory during the winter, your home may be advertised more often than during the spring and summer months.
• MORE ATTENTION - Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage.
• THE MARKET - Today's interest rates are at forty year lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
• GREAT TIME TO SHOP - If your home sells quickly, you will also be able to take advantage of finding your home during the winter.
• HOMES SHOW BETTER DURING THE HOLIDAYS - Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups!!

Another great recipe to add to your holiday fun!




Ingredients:
• 8 oz creamy or crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• ½ stick of butter – room temperature
• Chocolate pieces/chips/chunks (your preference)
Preparation:
Combine the peanut butter, sugar and butter to form a stiff mixture. Roll into logs approximately ½ inch in diameter, place on a tray covered in wax paper and refrigerate until firm. Slice into discs.

Melt chocolate, either in the microwave or a double boiler and pour or spoon into a squeeze bottle. Line a candy tin or small muffin tin with paper cups. Squeeze a small amount of chocolate into the cup, place a peanut butter disc in the cup, followed by more chocolate. When tray is full, tamp on the counter until chocolate is settled and then refrigerate the cups until the chocolate is firm again.
Remove from refrigerator and place in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Top 5 Steps Toward Improving Your Credit Score

Home prices and interest rates are down, and your desire to buy a home is high. But many of my clients worry that their credit score just isn’t good enough for lenders to see them as a worthy credit risk, especially in light of today’s tougher credit and lending standards.
As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am often asked if there is anything that can be done to improve your credit score. There are, in fact, several steps you can take. Here are five great suggestions from Bankrate.com:

1. Order your credit reports. You can do it for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com. If you've been denied credit, you are entitled to a copy of your report from the reporting agency. The company you applied to must supply the contact information and you have 60 days after denial to request a copy.

2. Examine your credit reports. Creditors do not necessarily report to each agency, so you may find differences in reports—and credit bureaus do not verify the information they get from creditors. Note any errors, such as incomplete or outdated information or inaccurate account histories. If you find errors, such as a paid-up account that was not reported or a difference in the amount owed, proceed to step number three.

3. Dispute and document. Complete the dispute form that came with the credit report or write a letter identifying each mistake and stating why it is wrong. Include a copy of the report with errors circled and copies of any supporting documents. Keep copies of everything you send. The credit bureau must investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving your letter. Items not verified as accurate by a creditor are removed and you will be sent a free, updated report.

4. Fix negatives. Call your creditors and ask for reduced monthly payments to help you keep current. See if the repayment schedule for fixed-rate loans can be extended. This may end up costing you more, but may keep you from being reported as delinquent. Arrange to pay off accounts in collection. Slowly close out unused credit accounts. Don’t cancel them all at once, as this may negatively affect your score. Remember, cutting up a card is not the same as closing the account.

5. Add positives. If you have a good credit history from a company that does not report to a credit bureau, ask them to do so. Apply for a secured credit card and build a solid payment history. Open a savings account to show creditors you are working to save and have reserves to help pay down debt.

Remember that your credit score is not always set in stone. There are actions you can take immediately to raise your score both in the short term and long term. If you would like more information on other ways to change your credit score, please e-mail me; and please also be sure to forward this important article to others who may be caught in the credit-score crunch.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Cranberry Apple Crisp!


Another great recipe from Heather, just in time for the fall harvest!

Apples are abundant this time of year, and Heather has shared another great recipe with us all to enjoy. This apple crisp puts a little tart twist on the traditional apple crisps we are familiar with by adding fresh cranberries! Yummy!

Ingredients:
• 2 cups cranberries
• 3 cups sliced peeled apples
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Preparation:
Combine cranberries, apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and salt; turn into a shallow, buttered 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Combine brown sugar, oats, and flour. cut in butter. Spoon over cranberry-apple mixture. Bake at 325° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until topping is crispy and fruit is tender.