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!)…

Freegan (free-gan) noun

Meaning: a blend of words free and vegan, meaning someone who scavenges for free food that is also vegan

Sample Sentence: Freegans reject consumerism, choosing to scavenge food that might otherwise go to waste.

Free Weed Prevention

Did you know that arborists often struggle to get rid of chipped wood (left from cutting down trees)? These chips make a great mulch, and work much the same providing ground cover, or the base of borders around the garden. They can also prevent weeds popping up among your plants. Be sure to give your local arborist a call to see if they have some you can pick up. There’s even a service you can sign up for that helps connect you with arborists who need to get rid of wood chips: https://getchipdrop.com/

Time-Saving Tech Tip

To save time opening a new browser to search Google, simply highlight the word, right click your mouse and select “Search Google for ‘x’.” This feature works in multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari).

Astronaut Funny

Q: Did you hear about the astronaut suffering with claustrophobia?

A: He just needed some space!

Quotes To Live By…

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”                                                          –Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!’”                                                                    –Robin Williams

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”             –Eleanor Roosevelt

How To Land A Job When
You're Overqualified

    Sometimes, either because you’re looking for work to do in retirement or you’re just looking for a change, you may be overlooked by prospective employers because you’re TOO qualified. Here are some tips for tailoring your skills and resume to that job you want but might be overqualified for:

• Customize your resume: Instead of using the executive summary to list all of your skills, just align it with the skills required for the job you’re applying for (that’s a good tip for any resume writing!). Be brief in the rest of your resume and focus on specific and transferrable skills rather than managerial experience.
• Tailor your cover letter: Carefully research the company: look at the kinds of people they have previously employed and their areas of expertise. Identify any possible gaps of experience that you could fill. There is no harm in addressing that you’re overqualified for the job. You can use that information to your advantage: tell the employer why your experience makes you the right candidate for their job.
• Prepare for the interview: Consider possible answers to questions about being overqualified for the job. You can reiterate the points you made in your cover letter and also explain why you’re interested in this job. For example, you could explain that while you have years of managerial experience, you’re approaching retirement and looking for less responsibility but a steady and reliable job. Or, you could explain that matching your current salary isn’t a priority for you and you’re more interested in the prospects within the organization.
• Sell yourself: Use your research about the company and the job to sell your unique skills and experience.

 Remember: employers are focused on picking people who will stick around, not someone who will take the job until something better comes along. Be prepared to change their perceptions!

 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 would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank all of 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

A woman stands on one side of a small lake, with her dog on the other side. The woman calls her dog, who immediately obeys and crosses the water without getting wet. How did the dog do it without using a bridge?

(See page 4 for the answer.)

What’s My Home Worth?

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

Natural Insect Repellent

If you’ve created a beautiful front yard garden (see article to the right!), the last thing you want is insects eating your flowers or veggies. Here is an all-natural solution to repel insects and help your greens grow.

Garlic-Mint Insect Spray: blend a handful of mint leaves and a few garlic cloves in a food processor, add cayenne or pepper flakes, and a drop of dish washing liquid. Pour into a pan and bring to a boil. Turn off and let the mixture sit overnight. Strain the mixture into a spray bottle and it’s ready to use.

Gardening Websites

Learn more about plants (and the bugs that eat them), garden design, and how to develop a self-sustaining vegetable-producing garden.

www.garden.org – Home to the National Gardening Association. Here you’ll find an online library of plants, forums to ask gardening communities, and lessons to improve your gardening knowledge!

www.insectid.ento.vt.edu – This site is

an extensive online library of insects and pests (with images) and control measures to keep critters at bay!

www.vegetablemdonline.ppath.
cornell.edu – Cornell’s Online Vegetable MD! You’ll be able to spot problems with vegetables and you can download fact sheets packed with solutions.

Zero-Waste Items You Might Not Have Considered

     There are lots more than just reusable water bottles and grocery bags available these days to help you live a greener lifestyle. Here are a few that can save money AND landfill space:

• Ditch the zip-top baggies: Did you know you can now buy reusable storage bags for things like sandwiches, snacks, or leftovers? Try Amazon or a store like Target.
• Produce bags: Mesh produce bags can replace all those thin produce bags at the grocery store, and they won’t dump all your carrots. You can find these at Amazon or Target, too.
• No more cling film: There are handy wax fabrics you can replace your plastic cling wrap with now. Bonus: you just need to rinse dry to re-use, and it’s reusable AND biodegradable. Check out: beeswrap.com
• Use your own coffee cup: Take your own cup to your favorite café and ask them to save the paper cup. Keep a clean one in your vehicle for unplanned coffee runs.
• Skip the dryer sheets: Reusable wool dryer balls can soften and fluff your laundry without the chemicals commercial dryer sheets use. You can add your favorite essential oil if you want to a fresh scent. You can find them at most big-box stores and: MollysSuds.com

 Eat Your Front Yard

    The front yard has traditionally been more for beautiful and showy plants, and less for edible veggies. But can you have both? Here are some ideas for beautiful plants that grow to a variety of different heights, make use of your green space, AND provide food to eat!

• Corn: the plants grow into large dramatic shoots.
• Artichokes: produce big beautiful purple-tinged chokes that look like sunflowers.
• Rainbow chard: produces a range of colored leaves for much of the year.
• Chives: they aren’t as big as these other vegetable plants, but they produce beautiful little flowers and are low maintenance.
• Thyme: produces a lovely ground cover and caterpillars hate it, which will save your kale!
• Italian kale: will look great next to the rainbow chard. It’s hardy and will produce kale throughout the seasons, too.
• Peas: also have lovely flowers and will grow on a trellis at the back of your vegetable garden.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Would You Like To Know How Much Your Neighbor's House Listed Or Sold For?

Maybe you’re just curious.  Or maybe you want to know how much your home is worth.  Either way, I can help…with no “sales pitches” or run-arounds.  Email me at [email protected], and I’ll give you all the facts.

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 lake is frozen

The Origin of Bluetooth

The origin of the word “Bluetooth” has nothing to do with technology and actually originates from ancient times; specifically, the Vikings.

The interesting logo for Bluetooth that is used on tech devices represents the initials of King Harald Gormsson. King Gormsson ruled over Denmark and Norway between 958 and 970. He was most well-known for uniting the two countries and converting Danes to Christianity. He gained his nickname, “Bluetooth” from his dead tooth which was dark blue/grey in color.

Because Bluetooth the man was known as a “uniter” or great communicator, the term Bluetooth was chosen for a technology that began uniting communication in the 1990s.

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 things should I know when buying my first home?

A. Buying your first home is a big step and making mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars.  Here are three mistakes you should avoid: 

• Not having a professional home inspection.  Review the report carefully so you don’t buy a home with serious issues, such as pests, mold, or water damage.
• Not doing a “walk-through” before closing.  Visit the property after all the furnishings have been removed so you won’t have any surprises later. 
• Not understanding the contract.  A REALTOR^®  who serves as your “Buyer’s Representative” will help you understand your responsibilities and guide you through the process.  

Want to learn more?  Copy and paste the link below into your browser for my Free Consumer Report called “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid.”   https://www.rudyperkinsrealty.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/First-Time-Buyers.pdf

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

www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

“Who Wants To Win

$50.00 Gift Certificate?”

Nobody won last month’s Trivia Question? 

What was a 1962 Nobel Prize winner the first
to do in 2014?
a) Win the Nobel Prize for the same thing
b) Compete in the Olympics
c) Deny his scientific findings d) Sell his medal

The answer is d) Sell his medal. Dr. James D. Watson was the first living Nobelist to sell his medal citing financial issues. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

 Which country is the world’s largest producer of wine as of 2019?

a) Italy b) The U.S. c) France  d) New Zealand

Email Me At [email protected].

And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!