Word of the Month…

Studies have shown that your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary. Here is this month’s word so that you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

stilted (pronounced STILL-ted) adjective

Meaning: overly stiff, formal, or pretentious
Sample Sentence: My favorite professors speak casually rather than using stilted academic language that can put students to sleep.

King Of The Jungle

Some national animals are mythical, but most countries adopt an animal that is native to the land or symbolic of national ideals. The most common national animal is the lion—there are 19 countries that have a lion (or a lion variation) as the national animal. In Czechia, for example, it’s a mythical two-tailed lion.

If You Like Wordle...

Practically everyone loves the Wordle game, so there are many imitators. Here are a few free options to check out.

- Lingle (iPhone, Android) offers 5-letter puzzles like Wordle, plus 4-letter and 6-letter puzzles.

- WordPlay (wordplay.com) is just like Wordle, but you get unlimited games without a subscription.

- Wordle! (iPhone, Android) adds multiple playing modes to the basic 5-letter word puzzle, like timed challenges.

Quotes To Live By…

“Wear your heart on your skin in this life.”

– Sylvia Plath, Poet

“People have discovered they can fool the devil; but they can’t fool the neighbors.”

– Francis Bacon, Philosopher

“Morning comes whether you set the alarm or not.”

– Ursula K. Le Guin, Author

Air Purifiers: What To Know

     Portable air purifiers can help alleviate asthma and seasonal allergies. They can also be incredibly beneficial if you have pets, live on a busy road, are high-risk for respiratory complications from COVID-19, or are in an area prone to smoke pollution from fires. Here are some things to know about air purifiers before you buy one:

• Air purifiers work in limited areas, usually a single room, so you'll need several to cover an entire home. Make sure each is designed to handle the room size it will be in.
• Purifiers that use True HEPA filters (not "HEPA-like") are best for home use. Machines often feature a few filter layers to remove different things from the air. Check the label to see what type of device it uses.
• Experts recommend changing the filters regularly. A filter's lifespan depends on its material, allergens in the home (pets, dust, etc.), and your air quality.
• An air purifier won't remove 100% of pollutants and particles; some (like mold or nicotine) are impossible to remove completely.

Compact Composting Choices

     You don’t need a big yard or garden to start composting—excellent composting solutions are suitable for apartment balconies or kitchen counters.

• Worm Bins: Also called “vermicomposting,” this method uses worms to produce a compost bucket in about 3-6 months. Buckets can be kept under the counter, and the smell is often described as “earthy” but not unpleasant (unless you add onions or garlic).
• Tumblers: Compost tumblers are insulated and sealed, so they don’t smell or attract rats. They need a bit more space, like a larger balcony or outdoor space, and the process can take as little as 2-4 weeks.
• Bokashi: This Japanese fermentation method requires an airtight container and a “bokashi bran” to feed the microorganisms that break down food scraps in just a few weeks. You get a solid and a liquid that can be used as soil amendments, though it’s not compost.
• Electric “Composters”: These can turn food scraps into powder in hours, but they’re not composters. They’re essentially dehydrators that grind the scraps, but the result isn’t as nutrient-rich as compost. It is an easy and odor-free way to dispose of food scraps.

For guides and other options: almostzerowaste.com/apartment-composting

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.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.RudyPerkinsRealty.com. 

Brain Teaser…

There is one five-letter word that gets shorter when you add two letters to it. What is it?

 (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 my good friends and clients. I’m happy to answer questions you might have about real estate or home ownership. If you have a question, tip, or idea, call me at (203) 243-3820. I’m here to help!

Plentiful Pyramids

Egypt arguably has the most famous pyramids in the world, but it doesn’t have the most. That honor goes to Sudan, which has roughly 220-255 (albeit smaller) pyramids. Egypt, by comparison, has around 118.

Crafty Websites 

Learning a new craft is easier than ever with the bounty of online instruction options. Here are a few sites known for their craft tutorials.

CreativeBug.com’s repository of online classes is vast, covering topics from abstract art to zoetropes and classes for various age groups. Some videos are free, but with a membership ($5.95-7.95/month), you can access not only all the site’s crafty videos but also live virtual events each month.

Craftsy.com has a fabulous collection of virtual classes for crafts like woodworking, knitting, cake decorating, jewelry making, and more. Some videos are free, some can be purchased individually, but membership ($8.99/month or $89.99/year) gives you access to the entire catalog.

TheSpruceCrafts.com offers more than 1,000 free DIY craft tutorials. These are usually more project-specific than general, such as making a macramé chair, building a headboard, or needle felting a tiny dog.

Should You Consider Debt Consolidation?

     Debt consolidation involves paying off several debts with a personal loan or transferring the debt balances to a credit card. The main incentives include reducing interest rates or monthly payments, and it can also improve your credit score and allow you to pay off debts sooner. But debt consolidation isn’t necessarily a good option for everyone. We’ll look at the two options, personal loans and credit card transfers, and a few ways to tell if debt consolidation is right for you.

     A personal loan can be used to pay off several types of debts, including (but not limited to) credit cards. Interest rates and payment schedules on these loans are fixed, so you’ll have the same monthly bill for the duration of the loan. Balance transfer credit cards should only be used to consolidate credit card debt. These cards usually charge a transfer fee (a percentage of the balance) but come with an interest-free promotional period (usually 1-2 years).

Debt Consolidation May Be Right For You If:

• You have multiple high-interest loans.
• Your credit score is better than when you took out the original loans.
• You can pay off consolidated credit card debt during the 0% interest period.

 Debt Consolidation May Not Be Right For You If:

• You haven’t reigned in spending habits that led to debt in the first place.
• You don’t have good credit.
• You don’t qualify for a lower interest rate than the one you already have.

     If you’re not sure, you can use a free “debt consolidation calculator” like this one from NerdWallet (nerdwallet.com/article/loans/personal-loans/debt-consolidation-calculator)—or you can discuss your options with your bank or financial advisor.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!...

 I want to thank all my clients and good friends who have supported my business.  And special thanks to everyone who thought of me with your referrals! 

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:

Short. It becomes shorter!

Easy Garage Door Updates

If your metal garage doors look tired, magnetic fixtures are an easy and quick way to upgrade their curb appeal.

-Magnetic hardware is available in handy kits with faux door handles and hinges in styles like carriage house, rustic, and modern.

You can also find magnetic faux windows or larger magnetic panels that transform the look of the entire door to something like a weathered barn.

-With a fresh coat of paint and some magnetic features, you’ll have a completely new (and budget-friendly) look for your home—one that can be changed later just as easily.

THANK YOU for reading 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 want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

Rudy Perkins

Rudy Perkins Realty

(203) 243-3820

[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 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 you are responsible for.  A contract is a legally binding, and you will be held to it. 
• Review your title to ensure your property does not conflict with local restrictions or laws.

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

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

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

“Who Wants To Win

A $50.00 Gift Certificate?”

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

Last Month's Trivia and Answer.

You may have honey in the cupboard, but you may not know all its mysteries. Which of these honey claims is not true?

a) Honey was an early chemical weapon. b) Honey is medicinal

. c) Honey never goes bad. d) Only bees make honey

        The answer is d) Not all bees make honey, but some honey comes from other insects, such as honey wasps and honeypot ants. So, let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

Not every country’s national animal is predictable—or even real. Scotland’s national animal is a unicorn, for instance! What three countries have some version of a dragon as their symbol?

a) China, North Korea, Wales   b) China, Greece, Hungary  
c) China, Bhutan, Wales, d) Bhutan, North Korea, Serbia

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