Budgeting forHomeownership

Home Talk®

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B uying a home is a big step. Be sure that you are prepared for everything that goes along with becoming a homeowner by planning for the following expenses:

Utilities – you’ll need to budget for electricity, gas, water and telephone. Other utilities include sewer, cable and garbage collection.Insurance – the cost of homeowners’ insurance will vary depending on the value of your home and type of coverage you select.Property taxes – to get an idea of the amount you can expect to pay, check a home’s listing information for the tax amount or ask for a copy of a recent tax receipt.Homeowners’ association dues – some neighborhoods assess association fees to help pay for such services as painting, lawn care, and other maintenance. Upkeep – every system within the home (from the gutters and shingles to the appliances and wiring) will require maintenance and occasional repair or replacement. So you’ll need a cash reserve for unexpected expenses.

When you are ready to buy or sell a home, call me. As your real estate professional, I am here to help make your dream of homeownership come true.

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484_1108 © The Personal Marketing Co. All Rights Reserved. Reproductions in any form, in part or in whole, are prohibited without written permission. The Personal Marketing Co.® and Home Talk® are registered trademarks of The Personal Marketing Co (TPMC). All products and services are provided by TPMC. TPMC and its products and services are not affiliated, sponsored or endorsed by any of the companies or franchises referenced in this newsletter. The material in this publication is for your information only and not in lieu of seeking additional consumer or professional advice. TPMC does not endorse and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor and service provider mentioned in this newsletter. This newsletter is not an attempt to solicit other brokers' listings. Equal Housing Opportunity. Recipe courtesy of the Mushroom Council.

Cool Your Home for Less

I t’s hot! But every degree that you turn the thermostat down is like throwing money out the window. How can you stay cool

without spending a fortune? Here are 7 tips:Use alternatives to your air conditioner. When the temperature allows, open windows and use portable or ceiling fans instead of operating your air conditioner. Even mild air movement can make you feel cooler. Make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer – you should feel the air blown downward. If you live in a relatively dry climate, place a bowl or tray of ice in front of a fan to cool you as it evaporates.Logical landscaping. Plant trees on the south and west sides of your home to help shield the sun’s rays. Just three trees, properly placed around a house, can save a few hundred dollars in annual cooling and heating costs. Also, plant a tree or shrub so that it shades your air conditioner without blocking air flow.Cool on a schedule. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature at night or when no one is home. Block the light. Keep shades drawn and blinds closed during the day. Light-colored shades and blinds will reflect heat, while dark colors absorb heat.Clever cooking and cleaning. Use a microwave oven instead of a

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Put on Your Dancing Shoes

conventional electric range or oven. Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle. And line-dry laundry instead of using your dryer.Save energy and avoid unnecessary heat. It may not seem like it but electronic equipment, like your DVD player or computer, emits heat, even when you aren’t using it. Plug electronics into power strips and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use.A little maintenance goes a long way. Have your air conditioner serviced periodically to keep it running efficiently. Make sure that your home is properly insulated and that you do not have drafts around doors or windows.

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Mouthwatering Mushroom Skewers

D ancing is a great way for people of all ages to get and stay in shape. It is a fun way to be social and reduce stress. But one benefit of dance

that you may not know is that it can actually make you smarter.Dancing increases serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter responsible for

enhancing many of the brain’s functions, both directly and indirectly. And increased serotonin levels enhance learning abilities and improve memory.

A 21-year study of senior citizens, aged 75 and older, led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, funded by the National Institute on Aging, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine objectively measured mental acuity in aging people by monitoring rates of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The study wanted to see if any physical or cognitive recreational activities influenced mental acuity. The study showed that some activities had a significant beneficial effect while other activities had none.

One of the surprises of the study was that almost none of the physical activities appeared to offer any protection against dementia. There was one important exception: the only physical activity to offer protection against dementia was frequent dancing which reduced the risk of dementia by 76 percent.

Preheat outdoor grill. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar, salt and black pepper; set aside. On four 8-inch or eight 4-inch skewers, alternately thread meat, basil, mushrooms and bell pepper, folding meat and basil to fit on skewers. Brush generously on all sides with oil and vinegar mixture. Grill until mushrooms are golden, turning occasionally, 6 to 7 minutes. Place skewers on a serving platter, brush with any remaining oil-vinegar mixture. Serve over steamed rice, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

1/3 cup olive oil1/3 cup red wine vinegar1/2 tsp. salt1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

3 ozs. sliced smoked turkey, cut in 16 (1-inch wide) strips16 fresh basil or small spinach leaves1 lb. small fresh white mushrooms1 medium red or green bell pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces

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Did You Know?

P illowcases can be used for more than protecting your pillows and making your bedroom more

beautiful. You can also place your delicates inside a pillowcase when washing to them from becoming

tangled. And try storing folded sheet sets inside a pillow-

case to keep them neat and organized.