Another tip courtesy of Myles Beresford and NAR

Add a Splash of Color Everywhere

"Currently over half the homes we list are vacant and can look very sterile in photos. We ask sellers to neutralize their wall colors and carpet, but then we discover all the photos of the interior look similar and boring. Our best staging tip is to add bright, bold colors to the kitchen and bathrooms with accessories, towels, and plants. Red is a call-to-action color. A vase with red flowers can add interest to the photo when placed on a kitchen island or bar. We like burgundy or black towels in a neutral bathroom and green silk plants in the living areas. A colorful picture over the fireplace mantle with a couple of vases on each side can make a great vignette in the family room."

It's a good time to buy!

1. Uncle Sam is willing to help. First-time buyers (defined as anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) are entitled to a maximum $8,000 tax credit; interest rates are at record lows; and the Federal Reserve is doing its best to make mortgage loans available.

2. People have to live somewhere. About 800,000 new households are formed each year in this country, ensuring that the housing market will tighten, even if the economy doesn't soar.

3. Borrowers leverage their investment. If you put $10,000 into the stock market and it earns 10 percent, you've earned $1,000. If you put $10,000 down on a home and its value increases 10 percent, you've made $10,000.

4. When prices come back up, you'll have instant equity. In parts of the country where foreclosures have driven down prices, better times will mean the price of the home you buy will rise rapidly.

5. Mortgage costs stay the same. If you get a fixed-rate mortgage, the monthly payment stays the same--while everything else, including rent, goes upward.

6. You own it. There is something comforting in the notion that your home is your own. You can paint it any color .

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Mortgage rates drop below 5%

Freddie Mac reports a drop in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.98 percent during the week ended March 19 from 5.03 percent the prior year, marking the lowest rate since 4.96 percent in mid-January.

Experts say rates could fall further in response to the Federal Reserve's announcement that it will add $1.2 trillion to the economy to alleviate the credit crisis.

Realtors and St Joseph

To all realtors (and clients) that have asked for the intercession of St. Joseph in the sale of a home. Today is the Feast of St. Joseph, a good time to thank him again for his help or to ask again for his intercession if his buyer has been reluctant to purchase your listing.

A Reflection on St Joseph

Joseph the just man, descended from the house of David, inserts Jesus into the line of David. Like his Old Testament counterpart, Joseph’s faithfulness extended even to his dreams. Joseph took Mary into his home as his wife, and loved her with a love beyond all human limits. “Joseph looked on the Blessed Virgin Mary as the high priest looks on the Holy of Holies” (Jacob of Serug). As a true father, Joseph gave his name, and rescued his infant Son from the murderous designs of King Herod. Saint Joseph’s silent obedience resounds in the Church he protects. (Magnificat Monthly Vol 10)St Joseph…pray for us.

A friend of mine sent me this letter. I don't know its origin, probably the folks that make WD-40, but this is handy to know.
I got up very early and went outside to pick up the Sunday paper, when I noticed someone had sprayed red paint all around the sides of my neighbors brand new beige truck. I went over and woke him up and gave him the bad news. He was, of course extremely upset and we stood there trying to figure out what we could do about the problem. We decided there wasn't much recourse but to wait until Monday, since nothing was open. Just then another neighbor came out of his house, surveyed the situation and immediately said to get his WD-40 out and clean the red paint off. Guess what! it cleaned up that paint without harming the original paint on the truck! I'm impressed!! Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chem ical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...' IT IS MADE FROM FISH OIL' . When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your stovetop... It is now shinier than it has ever been before. 1) Protects silver from tarnishing. 2) Removes road tar and grime from cars. 3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strin gs. 4) Gives floors that `just-waxed` sheen without making it slippery. 5) Keeps flies off cows. 6) Restores and cleans chalkboards. 7) Removes lipstick stains. 8) Loosens stubborn zippers. 9) Untangles jewelry chains. 10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks. 11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill. 12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing. 13) Removes tomato s tains from clothing. 14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. 15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors. 16) Keeps scissors working smoothly. 17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes. 18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks. 19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car. Removed quickly, with WD-40! 20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide. 21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers. 22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.. 23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open. 24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close. 25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles as well as vinyl bumpers. 26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles. 27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans. 28) Lubricates20wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling. 29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly. 30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools. 31) Removes splattered grease on the stove. 32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging. 33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs. 34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell). 35) Removes all traces of duct tape. 36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain. 37) Florida's favorite use 'Cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.' 38) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. 39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. 40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch. 41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag. 42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is gone! 43) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and allow the car to start. Keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring. Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL

Going Green

The next generation of homebuyers is going green. It's a responsible, forward-thinking outlook that declares, "There's no place like home - so save it." The key to green real estate is sustainability, living comfortably while minimizing your home's carbon footprint, lowering energy, and minimizing consumption and fuel needs. By giving consideration to green practices, you play your part as a responsible citizen of the planet. If you haven't already, get ready to go green.
Update insulation, which can help cut your heating and cooling energy costs and consumption.
Changing your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs will cut your energy costs drastically.
Modern appliances are now going green, as well: dishwasher, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers are now becoming energy efficient. By replacing your appliances with energy efficient ones you are appealing to the new eco-friendly buyers and making a great investment for the environment.
Low-flush toilets are the new rage, wasting less water in volume per flush.
Thinking reno? Nature's answer to interior lighting is the skylight: they help to illuminate rooms so you can keep those lights off.
Most importantly, going green is the way of the future. And it's here to stay. Green homes are not only less expensive to maintain, they also guarantee that there will be resources for generations to come.

People ask me," why sailing pictures on a real estate blog?" Because sailing is my adventure and experienced sailors have helped me enjoy that adventure. I will help others with the same care and safety that these sailors have given me.