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!)…
 

Ameliorate (uh-meel-yuh-reyt ) verb

Meaning: To make or become better.

Sample Sentence: She found getting a good night’s sleep proved to ameliorate her mood during the day.

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Caring for hardwood floors will ensure they’ll last for decades.  Follow these steps to keep your hardwood floors looking their best.

1-Vacuum the floor to remove debris.

2-Mix warm water and a few drops of natural dish soap; add a bit of olive oil for a nice shine.

3-Dampen a microfiber mop and wash the floors, one small section at a time.

4-Use a dry mop to remove excess water.

Did You Know?

Frisbees as we know them today first flew through the air in the late-19^th century. Students in Connecticut used empty tins and lids from the Frisbie Pie Company as discs.

Quotes To Live By…

“Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

–Albert Schweitzer, humanitarian  

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”

–Margaret Mead, author

“A house is made of brick and beams. A home is made of hopes and dreams.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet

Free Fun On
Your Next Vacation

     Going on vacation is so much fun, whether you’ve opted for a staycation or are taking the trip of your dreams. Either way, if you do a little planning ahead, vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. To carry that travel euphoria with you long after you return home, try these free things to do on vacation the next time you head out of town.

• Take a Walk(ing Tour). Before you leave, conduct a quick search to see if your destination offers any free walking tours. Not only are the tours a terrific way to get the lay of the land, but for the most part, they’re led by locals who will share history and stories with you, and if you’re lucky, their favorite things to see and do. Try GuruWalk.com!
  
  
• A Free Ride. A lot of museums around the world, like the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the Paul Getty Museum in L.A., and the British Museum in London, are always free to enter. Many also offer free entry on select days or weekends, so take a moment to look and see if those days fall within your visit. Your credit card may also earn you free entry, or if you are a member of your local museum, you may be eligible for reciprocal entry into other museums when traveling.
  
  
• Go Old School. You don’t have to pack every moment of every day full while you’re on vacation. Take some time to go old school – sit in a park with the locals and soak up the ambience; wander through a farmer’s market or a street festival; or check in with the visitor’s center to see if they offer a map of street art you can discover on your own.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.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 thank all 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 word has three double letters consecutively?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

What's My Home Worth?

If you'd like to know your home’s current value, I'd be happy to conduct a Maximum Value Home Audit. Request this “no charge” in-depth home value analysis by emailing me at [email protected].

Have A Laugh

I gave my handyman a to-do list, but he only did jobs 1, 3, and 5. Turns out he only does odd jobs…

Welcome Home

If you’re adding a furry family member to your home, follow these tips to help you all acclimate to your new lives together.

• Just like child-proofing, you’ll want to remove toxic plants that can be nibbled on and keep potentially harmful items like cleaning products and food out of reach.
• Have a cozy bed, food and water bowls, and even a few toys to help your new friend feel at home.
• Discuss with your veterinarian the best food to have on hand, as well as treats to reward good behavior.
• Begin walks and potty breaks immediately to help establish a routine.

Stargazing Websites

These websites will help you make sense of what you’re seeing when you turn your gaze towards the night sky.

stellarium-web.org – This site calls itself “a planetarium running in your web browser.”

science.nasa.gov/skywatching – Tips for night skywatching, from the experts at NASA.

darksky.org – Find a dark sky, void of light pollution, near you. 

Spam, Spam Go Away

     We all have those days when the junk mail in our mailbox goes straight into the recycling bin. The same can be true of our email: we open our inbox and it’s filled with junk mail, or spam, that quickly finds itself in our desktop trash. Here, a look at how to lessen the spam in your inbox, and how to avoid being a spammer yourself.

• Be Selective – When you create an online account with a company, chances are you’re asked whether or not you want to receive promotional emails. By checking “yes,” you are opening your inbox to spam. 
• Use a Spam Filter – Email providers, like Google, may have a spam filter that you can lean on to move junk email into a spam folder automatically. These filters are designed to keep your inbox clean, but be sure to check your spam or junk folder periodically to ensure that nothing significant has slipped in by mistake. 
• Unsubscribe – The best way to stop unwanted spam is to unsubscribe simply. Yes, giving your email address for the 50% off offer was a good idea at the time, but if you’ve made the purchase and no longer want to hear from that company, go ahead and unsubscribe. 
• Avoid Becoming a Spammer – Sharing emails with others can be considered spam, so be considerate before hitting “forward” and “send.”  Ask yourself, do your friends and family want to receive that email?

 Keep Water Out Of Your House

     Our homes are typically our most significant investments, and we want to keep them in top condition for years to come. Water, on the other hand, can be one of our homes’ most significant threats. By following these five simple tips, you can protect your home from water damage, inside and out.

• Save the Wet Chores: Rather than starting a load of laundry or running the dishwasher as you walk out the door, save these household chores for when you’re home. This way, if something does happen and there’s a water leak, you’re home to address it.
• Clean the Gutters: Out of sight, out of mind, can lead to water backups if you don’t clean the gutters regularly. Take some time to get up on the ladder, sweeping gutters free of leaves and debris to ensure water flows through the downspout and to the ground.
• Caulk Check: Take a few minutes each year to inspect the caulking around your windows and doors. Loose or degraded caulking can lead to leaks.
• Stay Warm: If you live in a colder climate, insulate your pipes to prevent them from freezing and breaking in the winter.
• Shut It Off: In the event of a plumbing emergency, it’s essential to know where to find your home’s main shut-off valve. If you’re unsure, ask your plumber to point it out.

 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 

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? Thank you for keeping me in mind with your referrals and spreading the word about my services.

Brain Teaser Answer:

Bookkeeper

Help Plants Live Longer

If you find your houseplants are starting to droop in their pots, it may be time to repot them.  Not only does repotting plants give their roots more room to grow, but you’re also giving the plants more nutrients in the soil, too.  A good rule of (green) thumb is to repot every two years; be sure to use potting soil, which is specially formulated for indoor houseplants.

Nighttime Routine

Help your child have a good night’s rest every night: Establishing a consistent routine can help. Many experts recommend the 5 Bs: bath, bottle, brush, book, and then bed. A warm bath, a drink to fight the “I’m thirsty” right before tuck in, brush teeth and hair, a story- and off to dreamland!

THANK YOU for reading my newsletter. I wanted to create a newsletter that offers great content and is both enjoyable 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…

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 wasting money on rent and want to buy a home. How can I get help with a down payment?

A.   There are ways to get a down payment, including the following: 

• Look into local or federal government programs. They expire or change frequently, so ask your REALTOR^® about any programs that may apply to your area and situation.
• Have the seller finance you. Some sellers may be willing to help you buy their homes in something called a “seller take-back.”
• Use a financial gift from a relative. Tax law allows gifts of up to $19,000 a year in 2025 to be given without tax consequences to the giver or recipient (see IRS publication 950). You can receive a gift from each parent without incurring a gift tax, which increases the total amount to $38,000. Depending on the type of loan, who qualifies as a family member varies slightly, so be sure to read the IRS information.

For more information and tips on how to get a down payment to purchase a home, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “4 Quick Ways To Buy A Home With Little Down.”

Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to 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?”

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

Last Month's Trivia Question.

This musician once had the number one movie, album, and song in the country simultaneously. Who is it?

a) Beyonce b) Prince c) David Bowie  d) Dolly Parton

Answer: b) Prince’s “Purple Rain” was the number one movie and album the week of July 27, 1984, the same week the album’s single, “When Does Cry,” was the number one song. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question. 

What river starts in Montana
and joins the Mississippi near St. Louis?

a) Columbia River b) Mississippi River c) Missouri River 
d) Colorado River

 Email Me At [email protected]

And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!