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September 2024
Chandler, AZ
Volume 10, Issue 9
Ben Graham...
Your Neighbor & Realtor!
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
You might know what it feels like in your body when you get angry, but the impact of anger on your overall health may not always be obvious. When we get angry, your brain kicks production of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol into high gear as it anticipates the potential need to fight or flee. Simultaneously, other bodily functions are slowed dramatically to free up the energy needed for the stress response.
None of this is inherently bad—anger can be healthy and even necessary. But if we don’t give our bodies sufficient recovery time after anger it can, over time, contribute to ongoing physical and mental ailments.
There are several ways anger can physically manifest in the body as illness or injury, including heart disease, chronic pain, increased inflammation, breathing problems, weakened immune systems, and digestive problems. We’re also more susceptible to things like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. That makes it important to find healthy ways to dispel the stress when we get angry! Here are some of the options to try:
- Exercise provides an outlet for the excess energy that comes with anger. It also produces mood-improving chemicals in your brain, like serotonin and endorphins.
- Meditation and breathing exercises help restabilize your heart rate and breathing pattern (after anger increases both).
- Physically removing yourself from an anger-inducing situation makes it much easier to take a metaphorical step back to see beyond the anger trigger to what’s causing it (such as being overwhelmed, guilt, or disappointment).
- Freewriting (writing without worrying about grammar or spelling) can be incredibly helpful to get to the root of what’s making you angry, even if you don’t realize it until you read it later.
- The body’s unmet needs can contribute to a shortened fuse. If you feel like you’re quick to anger, think about whether you’re experiencing fatigue, pain, dehydration, or hunger at that precise moment.
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Learn How To Maximize The Value Of Your Home
Did you know there’s a free consumer report showing what to fix to net the most value for your home? It’s called “Make Your Home Show Like A Model Without Breaking The Bank” and it’s an essential guide to homeowner profits. You can get a free copy by calling me at…
480-448-2020
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!)…
ebullient (pronounced ih-BULL–yunt) adjective
Meaning: giddy with excitement; extremely enthusiastic
Sample Sentence: She was positively ebullient after getting an acceptance letter from her top college choice, shouting the news before she even came into the room.
Do You Want Fries With That?
Ketchup is among the most familiar condiments on earth, but it was once also said to have medicinal qualities.
Tomato ketchup was introduced in 1812, and by the mid-1830s an Ohio physician was marketing it in a pill form—he claimed it could cure indigestion and jaundice.
Ketchup pills didn’t last long, not least because they didn’t cure anything, and in some cases even made people sick. Some “medicinal ketchup” purveyors were found to be labeling laxative pills as “ketchup pills” in 1850, and that was the end of ketchup as curative.
A Chilly Dad Joke
Just-ice is best served cold. If it was served warm, it would be just-water.
Quotes To Live By...
“There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing.”
– Lorraine Hansberry, Playwright
“What is often called exceptional ability is nothing more than persistent endeavor.”
– Pauli Murray, Poet and Activist
“Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.”
– Dame Maggie Smith, Actress
You may love to travel, but airport security is still a hassle. Travelers today have a few options to make it less of a headache.
- TSA PreCheck (starts at $77.95): Expedited TSA processing, including keeping shoes on and laptops in bags; valid 5 years; operated by Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- Global Entry ($120): Expedited international arrivals processing at participating airports worldwide; includes TSA PreCheck; valid 5 years, operated by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
- Clear (from $189): Expedited security processing at participating airports, arenas, sports venues; valid 1 year; operated by Clear, a private company based in New York City.
- NEXUS ($120): Expedited car and pedestrian travel between USA and Canada, port entry from Canada to USA; may include TSA PreCheck; valid 5 years; operated by US CBP and Canada Border Services Agency.
- SENTRI ($120): Expedited car and pedestrian travel from Mexico or Canada to the USA; may include TSA PreCheck; valid 5 years; operated by US CBP.
Closet decluttering doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some tips from organization experts:
1. Prepare your space. Clear the bed to use for sorting piles. Bring cleaning and organization supplies into the room, including a box for stuff that belongs elsewhere in the house. Staying in the room means staying focused.
2. Empty the closet completely. Sort by category (jeans, dresses, formal, workout gear, etc.). Vacuum and clean while it’s empty.
3. Declutter ruthlessly. For each item, think about whether it fits you, when you wore it last, and whether you’d buy it if you were shopping today. If you’re really stuck, put it in a separate box and set a date to reevaluate the contents in 6-12 months. Anything you haven’t worn (or missed) in that time is probably safe to get rid of.
4. Put away what you’re keeping. Put the most-used items in the easiest reach. Label any bins or boxes you can’t see inside.
5. Adjust as needed. Check in after 3-4 weeks to see if the new organizational system is working for you or if you need to make some smaller changes. Repeat until it’s just right.
www.myclementeranch.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:
480-448-2020
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 energies 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…
I am so fragile that simply saying my name will break me. What am I?
(See below for the answer.)
Real Estate Question?
Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or maybe you just 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 home-ownership. If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at 480-448-2020. I’m here to help!
Here, Kitty Kitty
We’re all familiar with the purr of a house cat, but did you know that some bigger cats can also purr? The truly “big cats” (such as lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards) roar rather than purr—while bobcats, cougars, lynxes, ocelots, and even cheetahs can all purr but not roar.
Distraction-Free Writing Websites
Writing is hard enough without distractions. These websites help you to focus on whatever you’re working on, from a school essay to your next novel.
https://www.calmlywriter.com/ works online (free) and via an app ($14.99). It’s all writing space, no menus, and only a few formatting options. You can go full-screen to hide your browser tabs, too.
https://ommwriter.com/ is an app that combines a clean writing space (with a full-screen option) with visual and audio elements designed to inspire creativity. To download the app, there’s a one-time payment of $9.93.
https://www.novlr.org/ is writer-owned and particularly geared toward creative writing. There is a limited free version and two tiers of monthly pricing ($4 or $14) for more features. All versions offer full-screen view. There are also website builder tools, plus a community of writers to chat with.
Brain Teaser Answer:
Silence!
How's the Market:
A Positive Outlook
- Active Listings: 18,430 vs. 11,969 last year – up 54%
- Under Contract Listings: 6,658 vs. 7,111 last year – down 6.4%
- Monthly Sales: 5,683 vs. 6,267 last year – down 9.3%
- Monthly Average Sales Price per Sq. Ft.: $290.60 vs. $282.14 last year – up 3.0%
- Monthly Median Sales Price: $440,000 vs. $435,000 last year – up 1.1%
The market continues to present opportunities for both buyers and sellers. While inventory has increased, homes are still selling, and values remain strong. The average price per square foot is up 3% compared to last year, showing that properties are maintaining and even growing in value.
Buyer demand remains steady, though some are waiting for rates to trend below 6%. However, with rates already moving downward since July, we’re seeing signs of renewed interest, creating a window of opportunity for both buyers and sellers to capitalize on.
As we approach the final quarter, pricing remains solid, and homes are still attracting buyers. Now is a great time to get ahead of the competition and make your move while homes are holding their value, and rates continue their downward trend.
Despite the shifts in market dynamics, homes remain a solid investment, and with more listings available, buyers have more choices, while sellers can still benefit from rising property values. It’s all about positioning yourself well in this evolving market! (Courtesy of The Cromford Report)
Real Estate Corner…
Q: When I put my home on the market in a few months, how will market value be established?
A. Market value is simply what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. This answer assumes that both parties are well informed about closed home sales that are “comparable” based on four important factors:
1. Location. Even within the same city, different neighborhoods can have completely different market values. Compare prices of recent sales in the same community.
2. Age. Comparable homes should be built within a couple of years of yours. Building codes and style trends vary with time and greatly affect value.
3. Size of home and lot. Buyers are sensitive to the price per square foot. Your home may be unique but buyers will compare the price per square foot with neighboring properties for both the home and the land.
4. Property condition. As the seller, you have many opportunities to increase the attractiveness of your home by getting it in tip-top condition and staging the rooms before placing the home on the market.
If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next year, you need to know about my “Maximum Home Value Audit.” My audit is much more than a simple home valuation you’ll get from another agent. It’s a complete top-to-bottom analysis not just of the value of your home, but every aspect of your home. To request an audit, please call me at 480-448-2020.
www.myclementeranch.com
www.myclementeranch.com