Charlotte's Blog

The Christmas season is here

The end of the year is near

The star is on top of the decorated tree

A wish list has been sent to Santa for me

The dinner is prepared with Christmas ham

Green beans, scalloped potatoes, and even the Yams

You can now settle down in a comfy chair

Grab some hot chocolate and let down your hair

Time to think of 2008

Was it a bummer or was it great?

It's hard to think its come to an end

It's time to see which habits to mend.

What are my goals, what do I want to do?

And of course how to get there , I must plan that too!

To resolve to make more money, , to loose weight

more family time , more savings, to change my fate.

Is not enough

I must have a plan when the going is rough.

It must not just have a destination

but also include a map to each station.

So excuse me for now, this time is mine

It's time to plan for "2009"!

Wishing you a Happy, Prosperous New Year!

Charlotte Rose Realty

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave 
emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency 
tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it: 


FIRST 
Emergency The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find 
Yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an 
Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to 
Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 
can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out. 

SECOND 
Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy 
someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys 
In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on 
their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot 
>From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock 
button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will 
unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no 
object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has 
the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). 


THIRD 
Hidden Battery Power Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the 
keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument 
will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you 
charge your cell phone next time. 

FOURTH 
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following 
Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the 
screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it 
somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider 
and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset 
so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally 
useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know  

that whoever stole it can't u se/sell it either. If everybody does this, there  

would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.  


And Finally.... 

FIFTH 
Free Directory Service for Cells Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 
411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not 
carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation 
even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information  

option, simply dial: (800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring 
any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now. 

As I got out of bed this morning and had my cup of coffee, I came across an article on the Orlando market.

Orlando home sales declined in July after a traditional peak in June.  Members Of Orlando Regional Realtor Association sold 1436 homes during July down from 1489 sold in June, a 3.56 percent decline in one month and 5.77  percent less than the 1524 homes sold in July 2007.

Year to date, sales are down , 8387 through July down from 11,1112  for the same period last year. But the gap is expected to close by the end of the year as the number of homes under contract is greater than the same period last year.   Pending sales are greater for the past three months than the same period last year.

The median sales price in the Orlando area declined to $207,500 in July from $216,000 in June.  The median price for homes has dropped from $250,000 for the July last year, a 17 percent drop.

Maybe there is a half full cup here, your home may sell sooner but for less.  Please keep this in mind when pricing your home.

I remember Grandma reaching up in her cupboard to get down her recipe box to make us one of her delicious dishes filled with recipes handed down from many generations.  Do you remember them?  The old metal boxes filled with her prized recipes?

Well today I have several of those boxes throughout my home and office, they are not full of recipes though.

Now I know you have your PDA's, Blackberries, and other high tech things but what happens if they fail?  You are stuck trying to reorganize all that info.

I use these recipe files.  They are great by the telephone for phone numbers and addresses.  I have two by my computer.  One has all my real estate web site addresses and passwords.  Say you get a BPO from a company, you do it, they don't pay, their website is too complicated, or they pey too little, you note it on the card.  They call again, you then know whether to decline or ask for more money.   The other box has my personal e-mails, web sites I use frequently, etc. 

They are also good for client follow-up.  Put the name, address, phone number, any personal info you need and track all contacts.  You can file by alphabetical order or maybe by when you need to contact again.  

The ones by the phone are great for phone numbers and addrsses.  They move, throw it away and make a new one!

Economical!  We need to save our money to pay for that all too expensive gas.  I know it will never replace all those high tech gadgets but it is a good backup.  My 9 year old grandson files his passwords and websites in my personal box so he can play while he is here.

I guess you could say "It's so easy a child could do it!"

Disclaimer:  All examples used in this are fictional.

Any resemblance to you is coincidental. The purpose of this is to inform not insult!

1) Leave the lawn, after all its the house they are buying.  No need to pick up all those little presents Fido has been leaving you all over the yard either.

2) Paint your walls in bright, vivid colors and patterns. After all everyone loves a red and purple room with green dots!

3) Leave out your dirty movies and magazines. No one will see them, its the house they are looking at.

4) What odors?  My house doesn't stink.  So what if I smoke cigars and Fido has an accident every now and then.

5) Leave dirty dishes in the sink and counter tops.  I was in a hurry!

6) No need to fix that hole in the wall where your little ones threw that ball.  After all they only broke the ceiling fan and left a 4 inch hole.  Anyone with kids will understand.

7) No need to fix that leak under the kitchen sink.  As long as I dump that bucket every two or three days, no harm done.

8) Leave those dirty, wet towels and clothes on the floors.  The alarm clock didn't go off this morning and I' not expecting to show the house today.

9) Fido is such a sweet dog, he wouldn't hurt anyone.  Let's leave him out of his crate today.

10) No need to clean that green slippery slime off the steps.  It's only slippery when its wet and I haven't fell yet.

If any of these remarks resemble you, sorry!  I hope you like your house.

Tomorrow is my grandsons 9th birthday!  Guess what he is getting this year-- school is starting on his birthday.  The lazy days of summer are over. 

Tomorrow children in Lake county and other counties across the land will be going back to school.  I would like to remind everyone to be careful.  Children will be out there waiting for the busses, walking and riding their bicycles.  Some for the first time.

Parents, remind your children to use the buddy system and to stay off the roads if possible.  Remind those that will be driving to school the rules of the road and how one careless mistake can ruin the rest of their lives -- be careful when changing lanes, radio channels, and no talking on the phone or texting while driving.  We all think they should know these things but sometimes we just have to remind them.

We have lost too many children needlessly.  And Parents, keep your eyes out too.  If you see some of your neighbors children exhibiting conduct which may be dangerous, let their parents know.  You would want them to let you know if your son or daughter was walking in the road, playing tag on the way to school, or something else which could harm them.

Oh,I almost forgot!   Happy Birthday Austin!  Nanna Loves you!

LIVING ROOMS AND BEDROOMS

The first room when they enter your home is the living areas.  This will be the first impression they get of your home.

As with the other rooms, windows should be clean and drapes opened to let in the sunlight.  Did you know that your drapes and carpets can trap odors?  Drapes and carpets should be cleaned if needed. Floors should also be free of toys and other things that someone could trip over.

Look at your walls.  Are there holes and marks?  If so, paint or clean as needed.

Arrange furniture so the room is easy to navigate.  Remove any furniture and other belongings which you do not plan to move. Now would be a good time to have a yard sale or to donate them to charity.  The more you do now, the less you will have to do later.

Does your home say " This is MY house?" Remove personal photos and breakables.  Are there things out that could easily be placed in someones pockets or broke?  Remember there might be children with the people looking at your house.  This will allow them to imagine it being their home.

Newspapers and magazines should be put up not left on the floor.

Clean out your closets. Pack your seasonal clothing. Less to pack later, more space in your closets.

Clean off your dressers.  Put away things that might distract them from looking at your home. 

Make your beds.  Remember to clear the floors-- no clothing, toys, shoes, or magazines which someone might trip on.  Drapes open!  Walls cleaned!

These tips will not necessarily add value to your home but will make your home more salable!  Then you might get the fold medal in the race to attract that potential buyer!

BONUS:  GARAGES

Clear out the junk!  Make sure they can see their car in there!  Discard or dispose of any chemicals and other things you are not going to move!  If you must put those boxes you packed in here, do it neatly on one wall ( a storage unit is better!).  Clean the floors, check the walls!

OK NOW:  LIGHTS, CAMERAS, SHOW THAT HOUSE, SELL THAT HOUSE!

KITCHENS AND BATHS

These are two essential rooms in the home, special attention should be paid to these.  Look ar your kitchen.

Are your appliances clean?  Inside and out?  Is there finger marks and food stuck to them?

Look at your sink.  Do the faucets leak? Are there drips under the sink? Is it organized under there?

Look at your cabinets and pantry.  Does things fall out when you open them?  Are there items in there that you will never use?  If so, donate unopened ones to food shelters, throw out the open ones. Arrange neatly. Are the handles loose?  Do the doors squeak?  Remember people will be opening them to see ow much storage space there is.Less is more, the less in there, the more space they see.

Keep garbage cans empty and clean.

Place your dirty dishes in the dishwasher or at least stack neatly in the sink if you must leave them.

Does your home have an odor? Are there odors lingering in the air?

Look at your floors and walls.  Clean as needed.

Is there a pile of mail and other clutter on the counters?  Clear them off, you want nothing to distract from the beauty of your kitchen.

Is your kitchen dark?  Open the curtains.  Make sure the windows are clean.

LOOK AT YOUR BATHS

Are the tubs, sinks, and toilets clean?

Is your tile and grout clean?

Are your mirrors speckled with toothpaste?   Does your shower doors have a soap film?

Do you need to replace your shower curtains and rugs?

Do you have prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet?  Remove any narcotic drug that could fall into the wrong hands and put in a more private place.  Arrange fo things do not fall out when the door is opened.

Check for leaks and drips.

Are your linen closets neat and orderly?

Is there plenty of light so the Buyers can see all your hard work?

Mop and wax floors.

 TOMORROW: Living areas and bedrooms

THE EXTERIOR

You only have one chance to make a first impression! Is yours going to be " Lets call to see this one" or "Lets pass on this one"?

Drive by your home.  Be objective.  If you can't be objective, ask a friend to help.  Look at your house.

Does it need to be painted or pressure washed?

Is the driveway clean?

Are there spiderwebs and wasp nests?

Are the windows clean?

How's the landscaping? Does it need sprucing up? Does the lawn need to be cut? Do you need to use an edger on the sidewalks and driveways?Do the flower beds need cleaning up?  Should you add some color?

         Does your front door need painting?  Is it inviting someone to come in?

                                               Look at your porches and decks.  Do they need cleaning ?

                                               Look at your fences, driveways and sidewalks.

                                               Are there lots of toys and other items in the yard?

Tomorrow : Kitchens and Baths

You are ready to sell your house but is your house ready to sell?  With so many homes on the market, will your home stand out?

Now is the time to take an objective look at your home and the others that are on market.  How does yours compare?

Start by doing a search of the homes available both in your neighborhood and in your price range.  You can do this by going to Realtor.com or any of the real estate web pages in your area.  Some of the hopmes will have virtual tours and multiple photos so you can get a feel of what the competition is.  That's what they are-- your competitor for the qualified home buyers.

How does yours compare>  If it was between your home and another, would they choose yours?

In the next few days, we are going to discuss how to get your home ready to sell.