Autumn Short and Long Trips

Holiday in Autumn   Why give summer all the credit? There are plenty of places to take day trips or vacations during the fall, and of course, they aren't as expensive as other "peak" vacation times. Here are a few ideas for fun family trips that will be easy on your budget! Fall foliage drives highlight the wonders of nature and spark imagination in adults and children alike, making it the perfect reason to take a road trip. Here are 10 scenic drives around the country you won't soon forget. Also make sure to download Yankee magazine's Leaf Peepr app, which crowdsources where foliage is currently peaking or just about to, making it easy to find the best locations. Corn mazes are cropping up all over. Find a local version, or check out one of the 11 most popular corn maze locations. A few tips: Bring good shoes, something warm to wear and fully charged cell phones in case someone gets lost. For larger mazes, it's recommended you start out no later than 1:00 p.m. And don't worry, these often have "early exits" in case you don't finish (as well as other activities like mini mazes, hayrides and pumpkin patches for kids.) Florida and Caribbean vacations offer tremendous bargains during fall for one reason: hurricane season. While hurricanes are a possibility from late summer through November, many hotels in the hurricane zone now offer hurricane guarantees that allow you to cancel without penalty if a hurricane is forecasted during your stay. Take a haunted hiatus at one of these 8 not-so-spooky spots including theme parks, zoos, aquariums and cruise lines, which offer special deals from mid-September through early November. You can also look up the coolest Halloween events in your area of the country for even more fun. Wear your outfit more than once when you visit a nearby Renaissance, Medieval or Pirate Faire! Affordable getaways may be found coast-to-coast, from September in Orlando toOctober in San Diego to those long Columbus Day, Veterans Day, or even Thanksgivingweekends. Or you can set up a Google alert to track Restaurant Weeks, Fairs and Festival announcements for the city or cities of your choice. Source: About Travel

Why We Work By Referrals

Relationships are more important than transactions.  You may have noticed that many real estate agents take the transactional approach to sales------identifying clients, closing the deal, and then moving on to the next one.  We choose not to work that way because we believe you deserve more from a professional you decide to work with.   That's why we work by referral.

Since our primary source of new business is referrals from people who know and trust us, We can dedicate ourselves fully to the activities that benefit you and your referrals most and always deliver exceptional service.

We pride ourselves on always being available when you need us.  We answer our phones, and call you back in a timely manner.  Most often we make ourselves available 7 days a week, We live, work, and play in the immediate area so we are usually just a phone call away.  

Please don't forget us when friends or  relatives talk about buying or selling a home.

Bob Vila's Fall Maintenance Tips

Fall is just around the corner: time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be one of the busiest seasons for homeowners preparing for winter, it’s also the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages before the first frost sets in. Here are some home maintenance ideas that will keep your home running in peak condition all winter long.

EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Check foundation for cracks and caulk around the areas where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, and around the windows and door frames to prevent heat from escaping. “Caulking and sealing openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs,” says Michael Hydeck, Hydeck Design Build, Inc., Telford, PA, and National President, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). “Openings in the structure can cause water to get in and freeze, resulting in cracks and mold build up,” he says. “Regardless of whether you live in a cold or warm climate, winter can bring very harsh conditions resulting in water or ice damage. A careful check of the outside structure combined with inexpensive maintenance can save you money in the long run.”

Install storm windows and doors and remove screens. Before storing, clean and repair screens, spray with a protective coating and place in a dry area of the basement or garage.

Slideshow: 10 Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Inspect exterior walls to see if any paint is peeling or blistering on the house or outbuildings. According to Carl Minchew, Director,Benjamin Moore Paints, “Peeling paint is a sign that the existing paint film is failing and can no longer protect the siding of the building. Left uncorrected, the siding itself will deteriorate, leading to expensive repairs in the future.”

Make sure the roof is in good shape. Inspect for missing and loose shingles. “Ice, rain, snow and wind combined with rapidly changing temperatures and humidity wreak havoc on roofs,” says Jay Butch, Director, Contractor programs for CertainTeed Roofing. “Your roof is your first defense in protecting your home. Without it functioning properly, water damage can occur. This causes deterioration to insulation, wood and drywall, making electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems vulnerable. It’s better to proactively deal with repairs in the fall than to discover a leaky roof during a snowstorm. For safety’s sake, have a licensed, certified roofing professional check the condition of your roof.”

After leaves have fallen, clean out the gutters and downspouts, flush them with water, inspect joints, and tighten brackets if necessary. Clogged gutters are one of the major causes of ice dams. Replace old or damaged gutters with new ones that have built-in leaf guards.

Examine your pool cover for damage and replace if necessary.

Weather-strip your garage door. Make sure the seal between your garage door and the ground is tight to prevent drafts and keep out small animals.

Inspect your driveway for cracks. Clean out and repair any damage with driveway filler, then coat with a commercial sealer.

INTERIOR MAINTENANCE 
“Heating and cooling amount to 47% of the energy costs in your home. Proper sealing and insulation can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs, or up to 10% on your total annual energy bill,” says Katie Cody, spokeswoman for Lowe’s. “Air leaks from windows and doors are easy to find by moving your hand around the frame. Applying weather stripping and caulk to these areas will help cut down on drafts.”

Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating contractor. Heating systems will use fuel more efficiently, last longer and have fewer problems if properly serviced. 

Get your woodstove and fireplace in working order. Gary Webster, Creative Director of Travis Industries, suggests that you examine your wood stove or fireplace insert’s door gasket for a tight seal. Also clean and inspect the glass door for cracks and have the chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep. “A clogged chimney poses the risk of a chimney fire, which can be ignited by burning creosote—a combination of wood tar, organic vapors and moisture buildup,” says Webster.

Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling.

Test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and keep extra household batteries on hand.

Check basement windows for drafts, loose frames or cracked panes.

Vacuum internal parts of air conditioners. Remove units from windows or wrap outside box with an approved tarp or plastic air conditioner cover in order to prevent rusting of vital parts.  

Clean your humidifiers regularly during the heating season. Bacteria and spores can develop in a dirty water tank resulting in unclean moisture misting out into your room.

YARD AND GARDEN
Organize your garage. Clean and store summer garden tools.

Clear leaves from lawn, reseed patchy areas, and plant spring flowering bulbs. If deer are a problem, start deer-proofing by covering plants with netting and chicken wire.

Prepare your yard equipment for storage. This includes draining fuel from all gas-operated equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and chain saws. 

Check to see that all of your snow equipment is up and running before the first flurry falls. Organize your snow clearing gear. When snow arrives you’ll want to have shovels, roof rakes and snow blowers where you can get to them. “Be careful where you store equipment,” says Travis Poore, The Lawn Ranger, a Home Depot Community Expert. “An outbuilding may not be as well insulated as a garage incorporated into a house. Equipment that is stored out in the elements, exposed to heat and cold extremes, can develop problems when the gasoline can no longer vaporize and flow into the combustion chamber of the engine.”

Drain garden hoses and store them inside. Also shut off outdoor water valves in cold weather. Any water left in exterior pipes and faucets can freeze and expand breaking the pipes.

Inspect and fill bird feeders. Keep in mind that once you start feeding birds you should continue on a regular basis throughout the winter months.

Fertilize the lawn with a high phosphorous mix to ensure healthy grass in the spring.

PORCH AND DECK
Check the supports, stairs, and railings on porches and decks. Make sure the handrails can support someone slipping on snow or ice. 

Clean porch and deck furniture, and look for any needed repairs. Cover and store outdoor furniture and barbecues in a protected area.

for more good tips and ideas visit:

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/1499-fall-home-maintenance-checklist/?bv=sm#.Ve9gDxFViko

How did The Housing Market Do In July?

This month's autumn equinox may usher in darker days, but the housing sector continues to shine brightly.

July Housing Starts, marked by when excavation begins, exceeded expectations, coming in at an annual rate of 1.206 million. This is a 10 percent increase from July 2014. Single-family housing starts led the increase—unlike June's numbers, which were led by multifamily rental units.

Existing Home Sales surged in July, reaching their highest levels since 2007. Sales of new homes rebounded in July after a decline in June, and were up nearly 29 percent from July 2014.

Research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices rose 6.5 percent in June, marking the 40th consecutive month of year-over-year gains. CoreLogic cited pent-up demand, affordability and a more robust labor market for the gains. Home prices continue to appreciate at what is considered normal levels, after double digit gains seen in 2014.

Economy "Springing" to Life
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) improved in the second quarter, rising by 3.7 percent, which was well above the 0.6 percent recorded in the first quarter. GDP is the broadest measure of economic activity, so this is a good sign our economy is headed in the right direction.

Will the Fed Act This Season?
The benchmark Fed Funds Rate (the short-term interest rate at which banks lend money to other banks overnight) made it through the heat of summer unchanged. So why is this rate important to homebuyers and homeowners?

The Fed Funds Rate has been called "the most potent tool" for regulating the U.S. economy. When the economy needs a boost, the rate is lowered. When inflation is too high, the rate increases. These shifts have a direct impact on spending, employment and other rates—including home loan rates.

Analysts disagree about whether the Fed will raise the Fed Funds Rate at its meetings in September, October or December of this year, or wait until next year. One thing is certain: the Fed will be watching all sectors of the economy as it evaluates this important decision.

The Bottom Line
For now, home loan rates remain attractive. If you have any questions about the housing market and home loans, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

As posted on You Magazine

Fannie Mae recently announced its new HomeReady mortgage that will replace MyCommunityMortgage, Fannie’s previous affordable lending product.  This new product will allow both first-time and repeat homebuyers to purchase a home using HomeReady with a down payment of as little as 3%.

The latest product is designed to help creditworthy borrowers with lower and moderate incomes access to an affordable, sustainable mortgage.

“HomeReady will help qualified borrowers access the benefits of homeownership with competitive pricing and sustainable monthly payments,” said Jonathan Lawless, vice president for underwriting and pricing analytics at Fannie Mae.

Read the full story here.

If you are interested in providing your insight into the market please email us at:  editor@RE-Insider.com and we'll be happy to feature you in our "Faces of the Industry" stories.

How to Get Hired

How to Get Hired   The competition for jobs performed by highly qualified people can become quite fierce. In this environment you need every possible edge to help you land the job. Here are eight of the most common trips and traps to overcome during job interviews. Not doing your homework. Employers want more than a warm body in their organization, so it's important to be prepared when you attend your interview. First, do a little homework about the company to make sure you know what they do and why it's a fit for you. Next, ask a friend to help you with a few practice questions targeted to your industry. You may be expected to prove your understanding of this company's business situation and why you're the best fit for the job. Getting too comfortable. Be relaxed but also professional. Don't allow yourself to become overly familiar and say something (even jokingly) that you might regret later. Pretending you don't have any weaknesses. Showing you're human doesn't mean surrendering the job. If you're asked, "What are your weaknesses?" don't pretend you don't have any. Instead, develop an answer (ahead of the interview, not on the spot) that illustrates how you have learned from past mistakes. Talking too much. It may happen—the interview goes silent and you sit nervously wondering if you should "add some color" and details to your last answer. It might also, however, be a tactic to see how you handle pressure. If you have answered the question, keep cool and keep quiet, or politely ask if there is anything else the interviewer would like you to explain. Talking too little. On the other hand, you don't want to be overly brief. Responding with curt "yes" or "no" answers makes the interviewer work too hard. Reply to each question thoroughly and confidently so the interviewer can tell if you're a fit for the position. Not asking any questions. Show your interviewer you've got "higher-altitude" questions about the job, the company's situation in its marketplace and the hiring manager's priorities. You can prepare questions ahead of time, but sometimes the best ones will come from paying attention to the interviewer and allowing questions to spring organically from your conversation. Groveling. Though you may really want (and even need) the job, don't overdo it with brownnosing or lavishing compliments. The key is to not act desperate—doing so can allow you to come across as wheedling and insecure. Being a robot. View an interview as a genuine conversation with someone in which you are truly interested. All you have to do is be yourself and participate. Don't follow rigid interview scripts; you will only make yourself more nervous by pressuring yourself to memorize words. Instead, show what you know and let them lead the way. Sources: General Employment Enterprises, LinkedIn

Thinking of Going Back to Work Now School Is In

9 Résumé Refreshers Refreshing your résumé is a task that should be scheduled at least once per year, early in the year, both as a reminder of where you've been and to give you a jump-start on a successful year ahead. Here are nine ways to make sure you stand apart from the crowd: Telegraph your passion. Your résumé should instantly communicate a laser-focused headline. In marketing, this technique is called "telegraphing." Here are some examples: "CPA Backed by Corporate Audit Experience" "Real Estate Professional 15 Years Locally" "Graphic Design and Animation Specialist" Open with a bang. Underneath your headline, in one or two sentences at most, summarize your best points and experience. If you're thinking about a career change, target the specific field in this section. Avoid making your résumé too general; broader is not better when employers are looking for specific skills. Upgrade the basics. Refresh your employment, skills and accomplishments so that any job changes, promotions, expanded responsibilities and new skills are included. Add professional activities. Professional development shows your passion for your career, so don't forget to include any activities completed, certificates, degrees, courses and in-service training. Mention memberships. Professional organizations, industry conferences, and training programs you've completed also show your commitment to develop into an asset that employers want to hire. Edit the old stuff. Adding new information to your résumé only makes it longer, so make sure to decrease the details on older or less relevant experience. Expendable items include obsolete technology, software and where you went to high school if you now have a college degree. Show it around. Don't rely solely on a spellchecker or your own eyes to proofread for mistakes. Ask a few colleagues and friends to look things over carefully. Collect your kudos. Start a file for your successes: performance reviews, complimentary notes, congratulatory emails, thank you cards, and especially details of quantifiable results such as percentages, dollar amounts, and before and after comparisons. With this information you can punch up your résumé at a moment's notice. Don't forget the web. Apply these tips to your online presence. Don't forget your LinkedIn profile, and also add any kudos received to a website or blog to give yourself a boost of social proof. Source: Monster