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!)…

Undulant (UN-juh-lunt) adjective

Meaning: things that rise and fall in waves

Sample Sentence: I easily became entranced watching the undulant sheets in the breeze.  

Did You Know?

There is a lot of science behind the reds, oranges, and yellows of fall leaf color, but did you know that some colors depend on the amount of sugar in the leaves? The drier and sunnier the weather, the more sugar in the leaves, which makes them the vibrant reds and purples we all love to see.

Get Grout Stains Out

Use this simple solution to gently yet effectively clean grout between your kitchen and bathroom tiles:

• Combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, and one tablespoon dish soap, then pour into a squeeze bottle.
• Apply cleaning solution to the grout; let stand 15 minutes.
• Wipe the cleaning solution with a damp cloth. Do not scrub; that could scratch the tile.

Quotes To Live By…

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

–Helen Keller, humanitarian

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”

–Walt Whitman, poet

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

–Maya Angelou, poet

Stay Safe Out There

     Traveling can be a lot of fun: exploring new places, discovering new cultures, and making memories to last a lifetime. It is easy to get so wrapped up in what we’re doing that we can quickly forget to stay safe. These tips will make sure you’re making the most of it all, safely.

• Before you leave home, use your smartphone to take photos of your driver’s license, passport, and medical insurance card, just in case.
• Always make sure that someone who is not traveling with you knows your itinerary. Set a schedule to check in with them periodically.
• It’s easy to be distracted by taking the perfect selfie, but just like at home, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t fall and watch your belongings!
• If you are traveling internationally, check the U.S. Department of State website for any alerts that may affect your trip. Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) ensures you’re updated while traveling. mytravel.state.gov/s/step

Scrub-A-Dub-Dub

     Let’s be honest, there’s nothing glamorous about cleaning the bathtub, but it’s a chore that needs to be done. What to do, though, if there’s a stain that you can’t seem to get rid of?  This simple solution may do the trick.

1. Mix a squirt of dish soap with warm water, then create a 50-50 mix with white vinegar in a bottle. Shake well. Note: This mixture works well on all tub materials, but do not use vinegar on stone.

2. Spray or apply the mixture onto the stain; let sit 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Scrub and rinse the area, repeating if necessary.

You can keep bathtub stains at bay by being proactive, too. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water, and spray down the tub each evening, leaving it overnight. Before using the next morning, rinse and voilà, a clean tub in no time at all! Careful with vinegar on some fixture finishes, though, as it can corrode.

 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…

What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

 (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 any questions you might have about real estate or home ownership. If you have a question, tip, or idea, email me at [email protected]. I’m here to help!

Have A Laugh

Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.

Leave The Leaves

In recent years, there has been a backyard movement to shed our rakes and leave leaves where they fall. Why? Not only do the leaves supply nutrients and act as natural fertilizers for lawns and gardens in the wintertime, but they also create habitats for small critters who make their homes here, including butterfly pupae, worms, and other soil aerators.

Interior Design Websites

Before you redecorate your home, use these websites to see how your ideas will look in reality.

www.superdwell.co – Choose an aesthetic and color palate that suit your taste, and watch your space come to life, complete with a shopping list.

www.3dream.net – Helpful tutorials will walk you through the design process.

www.floorplanner.com – See how your furniture will fit into place to make the most of your space.

Making Sense
Of Food Labels

     One of the most significant aspects of healthy living is how we fuel our bodies, which can be a bit daunting. Food packaging provides a lot of information about what is in the items we’re eating, but it can be hard to decipher just what all the info means. Let’s take a look.

• Serving Size. One of the first things to look at on food labels is the serving size. For example, it’s easy to guzzle down an entire 24-ounce bottle of sports drink with a front label that reads 80 calories per 12 fluid ounces. Take a moment to spin the bottle to the back label, and you’ll find that there are actually about 2.5 servings per bottle, for a total caloric intake of 190 calories.
  
  
• % Daily Value. A good rule of thumb when looking at the % Daily Value in a food is that 5% or less of a nutrient per serving is low, while 20% or more is high. Note: Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
  
  
• Fat and Sugar. It can be tricky trying to determine the amounts of fat and sugar in food. Rather than focusing on the total amounts for each, look at the individual amounts. For example, saturated and trans fats: avoid trans fats as much as possible and limit saturated fats. As for sugar, try to limit added sugars, which can be masked as syrups, fructose, and juice, among others. 
  
  
• Beneficial Nutrients. Food labels can also help us ensure we’re getting enough beneficial nutrients each day, such as calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin D, and dietary fiber. To that end, the American Heart Association says adults need at least 25–35 grams of fiber daily to maintain good health.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

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

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 letter M

History Of Birthstones

Chances are, you know your birthstone, or the gem that corresponds with the month you were born. For example, November is topaz.  But when did this tradition start?  According to the International Gem Society, people in 16th-century Germany or Poland began the tradition of wearing specific gems for their birth months. Fast forward to 1912, when the National Association of Jewelers formalized a list of American birthstones and the months they represent.

Red Car Tickets?

People often say that red cars get pulled over the most, and some people even avoid buying cars that color because of this rumor! However, a recent report notes that WHITE cars are the vehicles most pulled over by police officers in the US. Why? Because it’s the most popular color of car (25% of all vehicles in the country are white).

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 just want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

Rudy Perkins

Rudy PerkinsRealty

(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: We’re considering hiring a REALTOR to list our property. What should we look for in a qualified and competent agent?

A: Just because someone has passed a state licensing exam doesn’t mean they are qualified to meet your needs. Not all agents are the same. Here are some key factors to consider when searching for a competent agent:

1. Specialization: Determine if the agent specializes in your area or the specific type of home you are selling.

2. Problem-Solving: Ask the agent how they have helped clients overcome specific challenges in past transactions.

3. Action Plan: Request a detailed plan of action outlining what they will do for you if you choose to work with them.

4. Experience: Inquire about how long they have been practicing real estate and the number of transactions they have completed.

5. Marketing Skills: Discuss their marketing strategies. While most agents understand the law and can handle transactions, not all have strong marketing training.

If you want to learn more, request my free consumer report titled “12 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent.”

If you have questions or need reliable representation, please call me at (203) 243-3820. I may even feature your inquiry 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.

What world-famous entertainer was such an animal lover that, at various points, they kept as pets a cheetah, a goat, and a pig?

a) Michael Jackson b) Josephine Baker  

c) Betty White d) Katherine Hepburn

      The answer is b) Josephine Baker. Her cheetah, named Chiquita, was part of her act and sported a diamond-studded collar.

This Month's Trivia Question.

What non-fruit plant are apples, peaches, cherries, pears, and strawberries all related to?

a) lichen b) sunflower c) ivy   d) rose

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