Distinctive Homes Announcement
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
A Dog's Purpose
I'd love to take credit for this story but I can't. The Team Leader of my office read it to us at our meeting this week and I thought it was worth passing along:
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live..
He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.Love generously.Care deeply.Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog were the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.Stretch before rising.Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
A Dog's Purpose?.
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live..
He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.Love generously.Care deeply.Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog were the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.Stretch before rising.Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Best Priced Home in View Park
The Bates|Hennington Team has just listed a great buy in View Park. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is located at 3720 Homeland Drive. We're holding the first public Open House on Sunday, June 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Buyers Often Overlook Insurance Costs
Insurance is usually the last thing people worry about when they are buying a new home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, that's a mistake, because it will be an expense a buyer will have as long as they own the property.
Here are some key issues that the institute urges every buyer to consider:
• How far is the home from the fire department? A location close to the station usually means lower insurance costs.
• What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems? Older and poorly maintained systems cost more to insure.
• Does the property meet current building codes? Up-to-date properties are safer and also cheaper to insure.
• What about wind damage? If insurance against windstorms is required, is private insurance available or will the buyer have to rely on a state-run program? If there a windstorm deductible, how high is it?
• Is the home vulnerable to flooding? Floods aren’t covered under a standard homeowner policy, although most major insurers will provide it through the National Flood Insurance program. How much the insurance costs depends on where the property is. More information is available at FloodSmart.gov.
• Is there earthquake risk? Earthquake insurance requires an endorsement or a separate policy.
Source: Insurance Information Institute (05/06/2010)
Here are some key issues that the institute urges every buyer to consider:
• How far is the home from the fire department? A location close to the station usually means lower insurance costs.
• What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems? Older and poorly maintained systems cost more to insure.
• Does the property meet current building codes? Up-to-date properties are safer and also cheaper to insure.
• What about wind damage? If insurance against windstorms is required, is private insurance available or will the buyer have to rely on a state-run program? If there a windstorm deductible, how high is it?
• Is the home vulnerable to flooding? Floods aren’t covered under a standard homeowner policy, although most major insurers will provide it through the National Flood Insurance program. How much the insurance costs depends on where the property is. More information is available at FloodSmart.gov.
• Is there earthquake risk? Earthquake insurance requires an endorsement or a separate policy.
Source: Insurance Information Institute (05/06/2010)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Make Your Home Appeal to Buyers
In this current market, buyers have choices. If you're a seller and are looking to make your home more appealing than other comparable homes, Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, a company that conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences,identified these "must haves":
1. Large kitchens with islands
2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
3. Home offices
4. Main-floor master suite
5. Outdoor living space
6. Ceiling fans
7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
9. Community walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable
Maybe you can't change the exterior of your home or lobby for a community walking path, but with the help of an interior designer you can turn an unused space into a home office, install some ceiling fans and create a beautiful outdoor living space.
If you have a little more to spend and want to maximize the potential for sale, kitchens and bathrooms always provide a good return on investment, particularly in Southern California. Also energy efficient appliances and windows are high on the list as we're all becoming more conscious of our carbon footprint.
It's all about creating comfortable and casual spaces where people can see their friends and family coming together to share meals and celebrate events in a relaxing, beautiful and casual environment.
Source: Realtor Magazine
1. Large kitchens with islands
2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
3. Home offices
4. Main-floor master suite
5. Outdoor living space
6. Ceiling fans
7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
9. Community walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable
Maybe you can't change the exterior of your home or lobby for a community walking path, but with the help of an interior designer you can turn an unused space into a home office, install some ceiling fans and create a beautiful outdoor living space.
If you have a little more to spend and want to maximize the potential for sale, kitchens and bathrooms always provide a good return on investment, particularly in Southern California. Also energy efficient appliances and windows are high on the list as we're all becoming more conscious of our carbon footprint.
It's all about creating comfortable and casual spaces where people can see their friends and family coming together to share meals and celebrate events in a relaxing, beautiful and casual environment.
Source: Realtor Magazine
Friday, January 29, 2010
Walking Away From Your Home May Have Consequences
I read an article earlier this week* that encouraged distressed homeowners to walk away from their homes if they owe more than it's worth. The rationale was that a mass walk out would cause the industry to really address the problems with the housing and mortgage industry and claimed that it was actually an ethical solution to a problem created by the unethical practices of the mortgage lending business that got us in this situation in the first place.
As a philosophy minor and an enthusiastic student of Kantianism, I'm on the fence as to whether or not I agree with a mass walkout. If the premise is that walking out is for the greater good, then more concrete research would need to be done to determine the true numbers in terms of the people who are in distress or will be in distress soon and the actual resulting effect on the economy if these homeowners walked away.
In addition to the philosophical and ethical considerations of walking away, there are also possible financial consequences that should be taken into consideration as well. Here is an article that I read today that discusses the financial impact of walking away or short-selling your home:
Banks Seek Payback from Walkaways
Increasingly aggressive mortgage lenders are seeking to collect deficiencies from former home owners who walked away from their properties or sold them in short sales.
Many states, including Florida, give mortgage holders as long as five years to seek a deficiency judgment. If granted, the bank gets up to 20 years to collect and the option to renew for another 20 years if the debt isn’t paid.
About one-third of U.S. states, including California and Arizona, prohibit collection efforts after foreclosure, but home owners usually waive that protection in a refinance.
Most states allow collection on unpaid home-equity loans.
Banks are most likely to try to collect from people who walk away from a property in which they are still making payments.
“The bank is going to pull your credit report, and if you’re current on your other bills they are going to come after you and potentially ruin you,” says Larry Tolchinsky, a Florida real estate attorney.
Source: Bloomberg, Kathleen M. Howley (01/28/2010)
As a philosophy minor and an enthusiastic student of Kantianism, I'm on the fence as to whether or not I agree with a mass walkout. If the premise is that walking out is for the greater good, then more concrete research would need to be done to determine the true numbers in terms of the people who are in distress or will be in distress soon and the actual resulting effect on the economy if these homeowners walked away.
In addition to the philosophical and ethical considerations of walking away, there are also possible financial consequences that should be taken into consideration as well. Here is an article that I read today that discusses the financial impact of walking away or short-selling your home:
Banks Seek Payback from Walkaways
Increasingly aggressive mortgage lenders are seeking to collect deficiencies from former home owners who walked away from their properties or sold them in short sales.
Many states, including Florida, give mortgage holders as long as five years to seek a deficiency judgment. If granted, the bank gets up to 20 years to collect and the option to renew for another 20 years if the debt isn’t paid.
About one-third of U.S. states, including California and Arizona, prohibit collection efforts after foreclosure, but home owners usually waive that protection in a refinance.
Most states allow collection on unpaid home-equity loans.
Banks are most likely to try to collect from people who walk away from a property in which they are still making payments.
“The bank is going to pull your credit report, and if you’re current on your other bills they are going to come after you and potentially ruin you,” says Larry Tolchinsky, a Florida real estate attorney.
Source: Bloomberg, Kathleen M. Howley (01/28/2010)
Monday, January 25, 2010
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