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!)…

Symposiarch (sim-poh-zee-ahrk) noun

Meaning: From the Greek word, symposiarchos, meaning the leader of a symposium. Also, the word can be used to describe a toast master.

Sample Sentence: During a debate, a symposiarch was elected to preside over the event.

Natural Remedies for Bug Bites

Are you out of bite gel, but have some essential oils on hand? Both lavender and basil essential oils will ease the sting and quell the itch.

Apply a couple of drops of either oil to the bite and repeat as necessary.

Witch hazel, an astringent, is also another good remedy for bites. You can find it at your local drugstore (it’s a great soothing toner for skin too!)

What A Pain...

Q: Did you hear about the painter who was rushed to the hospital?

A: Reports say it was due to too many strokes.

Quotes To Live By…

“The fellow who thinks he knows it all is especially annoying to those of us who do.”                                                          –Harold Coffin, humorist

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”                                                  –Norman Vincent Peale

“Who says nothing is impossible? Some people do it every day!”                                                     –Unknown

Home De-cluttering, Part 2

      De-cluttering is in! Last month we talked about preparing to de-clutter. This month we spring into action with a list of things to purge in the bedroom.

How to begin:

• Set aside time to de-clutter: an hour is plenty of time to start.
• Start by making your bed.
• Next, focus on an area of your bedroom that attracts the most clutter:
  • Put any clothes in the laundry, dresser, or closet.
  • Take books back to the bookshelf.
  • Throw away, recycle, or donate items that haven’t been used for a while and are just sitting there collecting dust.
• Then tackle your dresser(s). Review what items of clothing you haven’t worn for over six months. Just like the other unused items, donate or throw away what you no longer use.
• Consider re-organizing the drawers: instead of folding clothes on top of each other, roll them and insert them into the drawer vertically so that you can easily find what you’re looking for — this also allows you to fit more in the drawer.
• Next, focus on your closet:
  • Donate anything you haven’t worn for a while.
  • Place the same items of clothing together, or color-coordinate.
  • Throw laundry into the hamper.
  • Place items like socks and underwear in the dresser.
• Then de-clutter nightstands by removing anything that is dusty or takes up too much space. Discard anything broken.
• Lastly, clean. Wipe down surfaces, clean the floors, vacuum the mattress, and change the bedding.

Stay tuned for part three: Next month we’ll focus on the kitchen!

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Please Welcome New Clients And Good Friends Into
Our Real Estate Family…

I’d like to take a moment to personally welcome all of my newest clients and good friends who have supported my business over the years. And special thanks to everyone who thought of me with your referrals!

Brain Teaser

I left my campsite and hiked south for 3 miles. Then I turned east and hiked for 3 miles. I then turned north and hiked for 3 miles; at which time I came upon a bear inside my tent eating my food! What color was the bear?

 (See page 4 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 12032433820. I'm here to help!

How to Pick Tradespeople
Need work on your property by a professional plumber, electrician, arborist, or gutter person? Here are some tips to guide you:

• Always get three quotes.
• Ask for their business card and check if they are licensed and bonded by the city.
• Read Google reviews.
• Ask for recommendations on the Nextdoor app at: nextdoor.com

Did You Know?

In the town of Calama, in the Atacama desert of Chile, it usually rains a few millimeters per year. It’s close enough to a Mars landscape that NASA tests there!

Free Stock Photo Websites

Need a stock photo for a website or social media post but don’t want to pay a subscription? These sites offer free photos with zero cost.

www.unsplash.com – Free, modern, and bold photos to download.

www.pexels.com – Free, more widely-used photos. Also free for download.

www.canva.com – You can design images, which they size for social media, and use their bank of free photos.

Repair or Replace Your Car?

            
Is your car worth fixing up? Or is it time to trade it in and get a new one? 

Repair if your answers to these questions are mostly “YES”:

• Look your vehicle up on KBB.com. Is the cost of the repair significantly less than what the car is worth?
• Will repairing it give you more time to save up for a new car?
• Does it make more sense for your current financial situation to pay your older vehicle’s lower insurance and registration costs?
• Ask your mechanic about the cost of anticipated near-future repairs. Are they affordable, and do you think you can get enough time out of the car to be worth the cost?

If you do decide to get a new car, think about these bonuses:

• A new car generally comes with a certified warranty for three years, meaning no investment in repairs during that time.
• It’ll be equipped with newer safety features, which insurers like.
• Fuel economy has improved in recent years. If you’re putting a lot of miles on your vehicle, you can have significant gas savings too!

 How to Spot Bed Bugs
in Your Hotel

            It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare: finding bedbugs in your hotel. And it can happen at anywhere, even 4-star hotels! Here’s how to check:

1. Bring a small flashlight to inspect your room for bugs as soon as you arrive — before unpacking. And don’t put your suitcase on the bed yet!

2. Inspect the bed: around each corner of the mattress, the box spring/bed frame, be sure to look along the edging and seams and zips.

3. Check nearby furniture: framed pictures, furniture screws holes and joints, and other upholstered furniture.

4. Look out for signs of bugs: blood smears or black marks on the mattress — these can be signs of an infestation.

5. Inspect the luggage rack/valet, as bugs can be found in cracks.

Even if you don’t find any, it is worth taking some extra precautions: 

- Check the hotel reviews before booking. Look at bedbugreports.com which lists bug complaints in hotels.

- Never put your clothes on the bed and bring a large plastic bag with you to store dirty clothes – bed bugs are attracted to the odor.

- Vacuum inside and outside your suitcase when you get home, immediately discarding the contents in a sealed bag in the trash.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.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 emailing me at: [email protected] 

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!

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:

Answer: White. The only place you can hike 3 miles south, then east for 3 miles, then north for 3 miles and end up back at your starting point is the North Pole. Polar bears are the only bears that live at the North Pole, and they are white.

Inexpensive Alarm Systems Under $500
Just moved into a new home but can’t afford a state-of-the-art alarm system? Fear not. There are several companies offering DIY systems that don’t require installation by a professional, saving you money there too. According to consumer review sites systems under $500 with no requirement for a subscription include:

• SimpliSafe – starting at $229
• Ring doorbell – starting at $199
• FrontPoint Safe Home – starting at $99
• Nest – starting at $499

THANK YOU for reading Rudy Perkins Realty, my

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…

RUDOLPH PERKINS

Rudy Perkins Realty

12032433820

[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.  What important factors should I consider when selling a home?

A. Finding the right price point is the first consideration.  You don’t want to price your home too high or too low. The balance of the home should be paid with the money from the sale and you’ll want to make a profit to help with your next home purchase.  Here are a few other factors to think about. 

-Make sure you are ready.  You should be able to afford to get your

house sale-ready as well as to make the move to a new home.  The time of year can also make a difference in how quickly you can sell – spring and summer are usually better times to put your home on the market.

-Consider the condition of the home.  You may need to make upgrades or

repair cosmetic defects.  Remember, many homebuyers may not be able to get past the look of your home if there are major issues.  If your home is outdated, bringing in fresh appliances, new paint, and making exterior repairs can improve first impressions and increase the value of your home. 

-Having great exposure is necessary for selling your home.  The right

homebuyers must know about your property.  Those buyers will want what your home has to offer and be able to afford the price.  Your realtor will employ professional marketing tactics such as open houses, signage, MLS listings, and website exposure to ensure the perfect buyers see your home.

For definitions of these terms and more financing tips, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.”  I'll send you a copy!   Do you have a question related to real estate or home ownership?  Please email me at [email protected].  Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!

www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

“Who Else Wants To Win A

$50.00 Gift Certificate?”

Guess who won last month’s Trivia Question? No one won last month's prize. Be the first person to correctly answer this month's quiz question.

The oldest ice skates found so far date back to 2000 BC.
In what country were they found?

a) Canada b) Sweden c) Russia d) Finland. 

The answer is d) Finland. They were made from sharpened shinbones or jawbones of cattle. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

Which of these facts about pearls in NOT correct?

a) Only male oysters create pearls. b) Most pearls commercially produced are freshwater. c) The shells and meat
of pearl oysters are also used.
d) La Peregrina is one of the most famous pearls in the world.

Email Me At [email protected]

And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!