Buying A Home Soon? Get my Free Consumer Guide, “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Buying Your Home.”  Call me right now at

12032433820 for details …


March 2022

New Haven, CT


 

HouseBig 

Rudolph Perkins Presents...

 

Rudy Perkins Realty Newsletter!

"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."


The Foundations Of Good Credit

 

     Buying a home may seem like a complex process. That’s because it is! There are many moving parts, one of which is the lending process. Did you know that lenders evaluate your financial status based on your credit history, income (or ability to pay the loan), and debt-to-income ratio?

 

     Lenders use credit scores as their primary because it gives them a quick picture of your credit history. Good credit health is critical to getting the loan you want. Here are some of the things lenders assess when deciding whether or not to give you a loan:

 

  • Credit age: Lenders will want to see a long credit history from various financial institutions. Lenders love to see cards that have been open for a long time, even if you don’t use them today—closing accounts when you pay off debt lowers this score (sometimes just temporarily). Think about keeping some credit accounts open that you’ve had for a long time, even if you don’t use the card.
  • Credit card utilization: Financial institutions will want to see a credit card utilization below a specific range, though each has its scale of what’s acceptable. It’s a good idea to use less than 30% of your available credit. Lenders want to see that you have a great history of paying down debt and keeping usage low.
  • A blemish-free history: Mortgage companies want to see that you’re able to repay loans. A missed payment will ding your credit score and show on your file for lenders to see. Always make payments on time.
  • Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Your credit utilization figure, total debt, and income will allow lenders to calculate your debt-to-income ratio. Your DTI will enable the lender to assess risk by assessing your capacity to repay a further loan. That’s why it’s essential to keep your file up to date and keep your debt low.
  • Collateral: Lenders will want to see what kind of assets you have that could be used to repay the loan should you default. Collateral could be equity in a house or business. This will provide security against the loan and increase the chances of an approved loan.

 

www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Thinking Of Buying A Home Soon?

If you’re planning to buy a home in the next six months, you’ll want a copy of my Free consumer guide, “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Next Home.” My report will help you avoid frustrations and costly pitfalls when buying a home.  Please email me to get a free copy at [email protected]
 

Word of the Month…

Studies have shown 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!)…

 

Meritorious (mair-uh-TOR-ee-us) adjective 

Meaning: Deserving of merit, honor, or high esteem

Sample Sentence: The President’s service to his country was meritorious.  

 

 

 

6 Self-Confidence Builders

Does a lack of self-confidence prevent you from asking for that promotion or raise at work? Research shows that confidence is an integral part of your health and well-being and driving your success. Here are six steps to improve self-confidence:

1. Make a list of all of your achievements and strengths.

2. List the adversities you’ve overcome.

3. Set some achievable stepping-stone goals and achieve them.

4. Practice talking about your career achievements more regularly.

5. Stop comparing yourself to others.

6. Fill your social and work circles with positive people who encourage your success instead of holding you back.

 

 

Have A Laugh...

What did the female buffalo say to her son?
Bison!

 

Quotes To Live By...

“Stop thinking you’re doing it all wrong. Your path doesn’t look like anybody else’s because it can’t, it shouldn’t, and it won’t.”

–Eleanor Brownn, writer

 

“Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”            –Lucille Ball, actress

 

“Live from the heart of yourself. Seek to be whole, not perfect.”

–Oprah Winfrey, TV host

 

 

Natural Perfumes & Colognes

          

     Did you know that a typical fragrance or cologne contains around 14 chemicals that the manufacturer doesn’t have to list on the bottle? Some of these chemicals are toxic and contain carcinogens — which can cause cancer — and other ingredients known to cause allergies and headaches, irritate your lungs, and exacerbate asthma.

 

     These chemicals can also harm the environment. To approach fragrance more mindfully and improve your health, you should avoid synthetic fragrances that contain these ingredients: styrene, ethanol, parabens, and phthalates. You can find a list with more detailed information about toxic elements on the Environmental Working Group’s website: ewg.org/skindeep.

 

What to look for when seeking a natural fragrance:

 

  • Ensure the ingredients are not synthetic, i.e., they exist in nature.
  • They should be alcohol-free.
  • Look at the color of the fragrance. It should not be brightly colored, but instead a mild yellow, white, or light green color.
  • Review the parfumier’s website and investigate their complete list of ingredients, looking out for the ingredients above.

Indoor/Outdoor Living

 

 Linking your indoor space to your outdoor area increases the size of your living space and brings the benefits of being outdoors. Benefits like fresh air and more sunshine provide extra vitamin D, which is excellent for your bones and immune system.

Here are three tips for creating a cohesive indoor/outdoor space:

 

  • Match the flooring inside and outside to provide continuity. When looking at the space, your eyes will naturally follow the flooring into the outdoors.
  • Add more light by increasing windows or adding a pocket door that can be folded back, creating a wall-less indoor/outdoor space.
  • Use plants! Add big plants to your indoor space like birds of paradise, palms, or fiddleleaf fig trees. Ensure they have access to bright natural lighting or use a plant light or plant bulb.

 

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

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. Ask about my “Insider’s Free Resources” by calling me at:

203-243-3820

DID YOU KNOW

Unlike most real estate agents, I DON’T spend my time pestering people with phone calls or bothersome interruptions to find good clients. Instead, I dedicate 110% of my time and energy to providing such outstanding service. People naturally think of me when a friend or family member needs help buying or selling a home. THANKS for your referrals!

Brain Teaser…

Which word doesn’t fit in this sequence? Abba, rear, sass, hose.

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

Real Estate Question?

Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or perhaps you need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner, or plumber…Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. And I’m happy to help answer questions you might have about anything relating to real estate or homeownership.


If you have a question, tip or idea, email me at [email protected]. I’m here to help!

Expert Painting Tips

Hiring a painter can be expensive when refinishing a whole room. It's considerably cheaper to do it yourself. Try these top tips:

-Always use drop cloths on the floor and cover furniture with a plastic sheet or paint cloth to ensure the paint doesn't spray across your valuable furniture.

-Wear a hat when painting the ceiling. It might seem like a roller won't spray, but it does, which you'll see on your hat and drop cloths.

-Paint the outer edges first to achieve a smooth finish

-Primer is your friend! It will make the paint stick and achieve a much better finish, even if the paint you buy is one of those "primer- and paint-in-one" products.

 

 

 

Science Websites

Want to learn more about science? Check out these sites:

 

stars.chromeexperiments.com – This great site gives the user a 3D visualization of the galaxy with 100,000 nearby stars. 

www.si.edu – The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum. Their site allows you to explore history, education, and research online.

 www.howstuffworks.com – Founded by Professor Brain, explains thousands of topics from flu to conspiracy theories.

 

 

 

Ways To Stop Feeling Guilty All The Time

 

    Let’s face it: we have all experienced regret in life. Perhaps you misbehaved as a teenager and have carried that guilt with you into adulthood, or maybe you feel shame about how a relationship ended. Either way, guilt is an emotion that can take up a lot of space. While it is a normal response that enables you to think about how not to make the same mistake again, it can also help you reflect on what you can do to repair any damage you’ve caused. Letting guilt fester can be an unnecessary emotional burden, though, so it’s best to work through the issue and move into the present.

     Here are some top tips for dealing with your guilt and moving on:

  • Please write it down: take a moment to write down precisely what made you feel guilty.
  • Allow yourself to feel the emotions that might arise, like shame, embarrassment, frustration, and guilt.
  • Think about the natural source of your emotions: is the source of the guilt something you may be responsible for, or are you feeling shame because you survived a trauma? This part of the exercise will give you a sense of strength because it helps you get clear on what you need to own and what isn’t.
  • Once you’re clear on the source of guilt, think about some possible solutions. For example, if you are a survivor, there is nothing to put right, but you may benefit from talking with a professional to resolve any shame you might have. If your guilt is something, you can take responsibility for —like treating someone poorly — then note how you could help make things right.
  • Make amends. From the list of guilts you are responsible for, make a plan to make amends, whether that’s apologizing or committing never to do something again if it is not possible to repair that particular relationship. If your guilt is about an event that harmed you, decide what you can do to heal and make amends to yourself for carrying responsibility for something that wasn’t your fault.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!Thank You! Thank you!

 

This is my way of acknowledging good friends and saying “thanks” to those who support me and my business with referrals, word of mouth, and repeat business. 

 

           

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Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services.

Brain Teaser Answer:

Hose. Every other word begins and ends with the same letter. 

 

Revitalize House Plants

Many plants go dormant over winter or get neglected and overwatered, resulting in brown leaves that fall off or even mold. Here is how to apply a little first-aid to your plants:

-Repot plants. Chances are they’ve outgrown their pot within a year or so. Be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole to avoid overwatering.

-Change the soil with nutrient-rich dirt, like EB Stone or one your local nursery recommends. Always ensure you choose the suitable ground for your plants. Succulents need cactus soil, orchids need an orchid mix soil, and philodendrons need well-draining soil with a lot of organic matter.

-Feed your plants. A nursery will have a good mix of food available. Be sure to tell them what kinds of plants you’d like to feed.

 

THANK YOU for reading Rudy Perkins Realty, my

 newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter with great content that is fun and valuable to you. Your constructive feedback is always welcome.

AND…whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, or just want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

 

RUDOLPH PERKINS

Rudy Perkins Realty

12032433820

[email protected]

Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.

Real Estate Corner…

 

Q: I’m selling my home. How can I be sure I have a properly written contract? 

 

A: The best way to protect yourself is to work with a skilled REALTOR® who will help you with the contract and walk you through the closing process. They will also ensure that you comply with specific disclosure rules that may apply to your state. To work together effectively, you should do the following:

 

  • Become familiar with contract language, such as terms, contingencies, and inspections.
  • Know what repairs and closing costs are your responsibility. A contract is a legally binding agreement, and the other party/parties will hold you responsible for it.
  • Review your title to ensure your property is not in conflict with local restrictions or laws.

     To learn more about how to sell your home, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “How To Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.”  I’ll send a copy to you. 

 

    Do you have a question related to real estate or homeownership? Please email me at [email protected]. Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

"Who Wants To Win

$50.00 Gift Certificate?"

 

Then be the first person to answer this month's Trivia Question correctly. 

 

 

LAST MONTH'S TRIVIA ANSWER...

 

Which common term has origins in 14th-century chemistry?

a) alchemy b) litmus test c) diffusion d) synthesis?

 

      The answer is b) Litmus test. Litmus is a substance created from the combination of compounds found in lichen, and in the 14th-century, scientists discovered that acid makes litmus turn red while alkaline makes it turn blue.

 

So let's move on to this month's trivia question.

 

How many athletes have won medals in both the
winter and summer Olympics?

 

a) 25 b) 10 c) 5  d) 45  

 

Please Email Me At [email protected]And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!