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!)…
 

Glade (glayd) noun

Meaning: A grassy, open space found within a forest.

Sample Sentence: After hours of hiking, the group of friends enjoyed a picnic in the sun-dappled glade.

Keep Your Grill Clean

Grilling outside is a summertime tradition. Hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob and even peaches — everything seems to taste better when it’s grilled. Just make sure to keep your grill in good shape! Here, some tips to keep your grill clean all season long.

•  Once the fire is burning, let the grill grate heat up and use a grill brush to get rid of any remaining food.
• Dip a wad of paper towels into oil and wipe over the grate, using tongs to avoid burning yourself.
• Though it’s tempting, do not clean the grate after you finish grilling. The charred food will help protect the grate until you grill again.

Did You Know?

The largest scoop of ice cream comes from Kemps Dairy in Wisconsin, in celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2014. The flavor of all 3,010 pounds? Strawberry.

Quotes To Live By…

“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.”

–Erma Bombeck, humorist  

“It’s always summer somewhere.”

–Lilly Pulitzer, fashion designer

“Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet

Recycle Your Electronics

     We’ve all been there.  You get a new TV, computer, video gaming system, or smart phone, but don’t know what to do with your old one.  Should you toss it in the trash or your recycle bin?  The fast answer — NO.  Our electronics contain myriad elements that are not only precious, like gold, silver and platinum, but can extracted and used again.

     These tips can help you find the best way to recycle your electronics. Also, check with your city to see what options may be available. Some cities provide drop-off points for residents.

• Clean It Up. Most of our electronics these days contain private information you don’t want to share if your hard drive goes to someone else. First, back up your drive to either the cloud or another drive. Then, read your owner’s manual (you can find these online) and perform a “factory reset” before recycling or donating.
• Return To Seller. If you bought your electronics from a big box store like Best Buy, Apple, Staples, Walmart and more, you may be able to recycle them there, too.
• Donate. A lot of us like to have the latest and greatest when it comes to technology, but that doesn’t mean our old devices are no longer useful.  Check with your local non-profit organizations and institutions to see if they accept donated electronics, like domestic violence shelters for cell phones or old laptops. Thrift stores may be another option. Computers with Causes  provides computers and tablets to those in need in all 50 states.
• Recycle Sustainably. If you do need to recycle on your own, be sure and find an organization recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). e-Stewards can direct you to the electronics recycling center nearest you.  Call2Recycle, Earth911 and GreenerGadgets by the Consumer Technology Association are other recycling clearinghouses that may be able to help.

 www.myclementeranch.com

A Heartfelt Message To My Special Clients and Friends ...

I want to share a little secret with you. I don’t spend my time cold calling or pestering people for business. Instead, I focus 110% of my efforts on giving such outstanding service that people naturally think of me when a friend, neighbor or family member needs a caring and competent REALTOR®.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank a few of the special people in my life who’ve helped build my business with their enduring support and referrals. I couldn’t do it without you!

Brain Teaser

What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

What's My Home Worth?

If you want to know your home’s current value, I will gladly conduct a Maximum Value Home Audit. Request this “no charge” in-depth home value analysis by calling me at: 480-448-2020.

Have A Laugh

Which bathroom appliance would be the worst life preserver?

 The sink.

Keep Your Produce Fresh

There’s nothing worse than buying fresh fruits and veggies only to have them go bad a day or two later.  Here are some tips that can help keep your fruits and veggies fresh.

• Place a paper towel in a bag or box of lettuce and greens to absorb moisture.
• Wrap cucumbers in a paper towel before putting in the fridge or on the counter.
• Place stems of herbs like cilantro and basil in a jar of water and keep in the fridge or on your kitchen counter.
• Mix one part white vinegar and 3 parts water, dip fruits and veggies and wash thoroughly to prevent mold and rotting.

Back-To-School Websites

It’s nearly time to go back to school.  These websites can help.

www.pbs.org/parents/back-to-school – Tips and games to help your kids get ready to go back to school.

www.edukitinc.com – Pre-packaged school supply kits

classroomzen.com – Bring a sense of calm to your child’s study space.

Do You Feel Drained After A Full Night's Sleep?

     If you wake up in the morning after a full night’s sleep feeling tired, or if your partner says that you snore overnight, you may want to take a look at your sleep patterns. Snoring and sleep apnea can quietly deplete your energy, and you may not even know you’re suffering. 

     The Sleep Apnea Foundation says that 10 to 30% of American adults may have sleep apnea, and not even know it. If you’re extremely tired during the day, experience morning headaches, or are told that you do snore, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which people stop breathing, bringing them into a lighter state of sleep or even awakening them from five to 30 to more times an hour. Many tech gadgets like an Apple Watch or FitBit may indicate interrupted sleep patterns and clue you in to a sleep issue.  

     After talking with your doctor, they may have you take a sleep test.  Depending on the severity of your case, you may use a device to help with air flow overnight (a CPAP). Less severe cases can be managed with weight loss, sleeping on your side and staying hydrated. 

 Keep Your Yard Green While Saving Green 

            The hot days of summer usually mean that we need to water our lawns more, and more often, if summer storms aren’t part of your everyday weather pattern. And watering more can wash more dollars right down the drain.

            Take a look at a few ways you can keep your yard green while saving some green at the same time.

1. If you have a sprinkler system, have an expert come out to take a look to ensure it’s performing to the best of its ability, and that it’s not spraying water onto undesired areas, like your driveway or the street.

2. Early-morning watering, before 8 a.m., is actually beneficial to your yard. A 15- to 20-minute watering session will enable the water to reach the roots, then the sun will dry it out a little to prevent fungus or disease.

3. Spreading a layer of mulch over your plant beds will help keep moisture in so you’ll need to water less.

4. Check in with your local city or county officials to see if there are any water restrictions to be aware of — the last thing you want to do is incur a fine for watering when you’re not supposed to.

 www.myclementeranch.com

Here's A Free, Valuable Resource...

Now You Can Search The Home Market, Get Helpful Community Information, AND Receive Important Resources For Saving Time And Money When Buying Or Selling At www.bengrahamrealtor.com 

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:

The future

Dog Days Of Summer

Having begun on July 3, the 40-day-long Dog Days Of Summer end August 11. This period of time is so called because of the rising of Sirius, or the Dog Star. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans thought that Sirius’ rise was the cause of the hot temperatures we usually experience in the summertime. Sirius is the second-brightest star in the sky, behind the sun.

August's Stars

Babies born in August fall into one of two astrological signs: Leo (July 23 – August 23) or Virgo (August 24 – September 23). A fire sign, Leo traits include vivacious, passionate and enjoy basking in the spotlight. An earth sign, Virgos are traditionally logical, practical and perfectionists at heart.

THANK YOU for reading my

Service For Life!® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and 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…

Ben Graham

Fiv Realty

480-448-2020

[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.}

How's The Market

- Active Listings: 17,677 vs. 11,241 last year - up 55%

- Pending Sales: 7,287 vs. 7,546 last year - down 3.4%

- Sold Listings: 6,199 vs. 5,915 last year - up 4.8%

- Monthly Average Sales Price per Sq. Ft.: $286.58 vs. $281.97 last year - up 1.6%

- Monthly Median Sales Price: $440,000 vs. $434,900 last year - up 1.2%

Though credit issues exist in other sectors, home loan delinquency rates remain low, indicating a stable market. Foreclosure volumes are minimal, and no increase is expected soon.

Current pricing is only slightly higher than last year, up 1.2%, making homes effectively cheaper in real terms. Mortgage rates have recently decreased, which may spur further demand.

Mortgage rates have dropped from 6.80% to 6.40% over the last three days. They could decrease further if the Federal Reserve lowers the base rate in September. If rates approach 6%, demand is likely to increase significantly.

Overall, the market is balanced, with slow trends towards greater buyer power, though supply is now falling, potentially increasing demand and prices.

(Courtesy of The Cromford Report)

 www.myclementeranch.com