6852 DALISA RD Milton, FL 32583

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/MN9KVL/6852-DALISA-RD-Milton-FL-545664

Recently updated Four Bedroom 2 Bath all brick home with study, split floor plan, and formal dining room. All new vinyl wood plank flooring throughout the home in contemporary washed finish compliments the freshly painted light walls ( through out the home) and white cabinets. Only minutes from the interstate, excellent location for military stationed at Whiting Field. Soaring ceiling in Great Room compliment the already generous proportions but the focal point is the gas fireplace. Large Master Bedroom with two walk in closets in Master Bath, Garden Tub, Separate Shower, Linen Closet, and Double Sinks. French Doors open onto Lanai with newly installed ceiling fans. All STAINLESS-STEEL APPLIANCES convey. Formal Dining room, breakfast nook and bar provide many options of where to serve your family and friends. Study/ Office opposite Dining Room; enter through French Doors please note this rooms barn door that provides privacy or easy flow into Great Room. Three additional bedrooms one with access to lanai. Main Bath with its own linen closet. Pantry and interior laundry /mud room. Great curb appeal with gorgeous mature live oak and entry porch large enough to contain at least four rockers.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 2,165

Price: $210,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5365851 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 545664

3125 ROBINSON POINT RD Milton, FL 32583

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/HW8TZX/3125-ROBINSON-POINT-RD-Milton-FL-545043

12+ serene acres with unique custom home. A dream property; think summer camp 365 days a year. Currently the home to 3 Hereford Cows but you might opt for horses or goats. Already contains poultry palace and two brooders. Out buildings include a deep 2 car garage (in addition to the homes self-contained 2-car garage) with ample work room space, built in circular saw and compressor unit. POLE BARN that will amply house your boat, tractor, trailers or a myriad of other equipment. A total of 3 PONDS one dedicated to the Geothermal system. Traditional, incredibly well-maintained home with metal roof. One of two stair wells in the foyer graciously curves to the second floor creating a spacious landing and a window seat in the front dormer. So many delightful details. The Great Room just past the foyer is cozy and inviting despite being 32 ft from kitchen back wall to the white washed brick fireplace. Built in wooden bookcase/ display unit. Kitchen with granite, tile back splash, and STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES ALL CONVEY. Plus, a generous island with ice maker and service sink. The breakfast nook opens to the exercise room; or perhaps the room you use as your office or craft room. Screened porch and series of decks give an amazing amount of entertaining space. Four bedrooms upstairs. One of the bedrooms has its own study with built-in desk & book cases.The guest bedroom has access to the THIRD FLOOR BONUS ROOM.(Your Man Cave, Media Room?) MAIN BATH RENOVATED 2016/MASTER SUITE AND BATH 2017. Master suite consist of sitting area with renovated bath (granite, tiled over-sized shower) on one side and on the other a large walk in with built ins. Custom Cabinetry throughout. New GEOTHERMAL UNIT 2018/ Septic Grinder /Pump 2017. Gazebo. Back side of property borders GARCON POINT CONSERVATION AREA.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 3,743

Price: $620,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5347634 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 545043

2232 KINGFISHER WAY Pensacola, FL 32534

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/HFNJGN/2232-KINGFISHER-WAY-Pensacola-FL-544605

PRECIOUS HOME GREAT LOCATION. You are going to love the easy access this home affords to the rest of the city. MINUTES AWAY FROM NAVY FED AND THE INTERSTATE Upgrades not normally associated with a starter home such as GRANITE in kitchen, INGROUND POOL, and DARK TONE BAMBOO FLOORING in Dining, Hallway, Great Room. And what a great room it is; the focal point a LARGE WOODBURNING FIREPLACE that will be so cozy for the nights you want to stay home and enjoy. Large enough to have two seating areas or use part as an office. Large window gives great lighting during day in the Dining room which flows from Great Room into the functional galley style kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Two bathrooms share the main bath with its own linen closet. At the end of the hall another linen closet. The third bedroom is a huge master with large closet. FULL MASTER BATH. Established yard with inground pool in back yard. 2 Car-Garage.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,448

Price: $145,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5333335 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 544605

9149 WOODRUN CIR PENSACOLA, FL 32514

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/NHTNFU/9149-WOODRUN-CIR-PENSACOLA-FL-543527

Well-Loved Cottage nestled in a great Nine Mile Road neighborhood. Immediately you will fall for this homes location; just far enough into the subdivision for no traffic noise but oh so close to all the lifes essentials that Nine Mile Road has to offer. From hospitals to shopping for shoes its nearby! You are going to love not making a production out of running to the store for that one ingredient you forgot. As soon as, you open the front door and enter the foyer your eye will rest upon the stairwell to the second-floor landing. Picture a lush, aromatic garland gracing the bannister at Christmas. This is the kind of cozy home where memories are made. A home with good bones is so versatile and if you wish this could be an extremely formal home. Its current family loves comfort and charm so the first room you step into is the light and airy family room with woodburning fireplace. From this room your eye will flow to the spacious dining room. a pocket door closes to give privacy to the adjacent gathering room. A second wood burning fireplace is the focal point of this room. If you have teens what a great place for them to call their own. It also opens into garage and the back yard. This could be the very yard you have dreamed about. From the gathering room is the eat in kitchen with recent addition of subway tile back splash. Solid Surface counter tops (durable Granit), Pantry, room for a generous table and chairs, plus windows over the sink so you can keep an eye on the kids while cooking. Two bedrooms and the main bath complete the first floor. Upstairs bedroom #3 (currently used as an office) could be the perfect spot for a nursery. Generous Master suite completes the second floor and it is wonderful all the space you could have asked for . Great storage not only in the bath but also access to attic storage.Termite Contract, insulated garage door, wood look- vinyl planking, plus home inspection prior to listing make this home a must see!

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 2,321

Price: $275,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5293628 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 543527

2420 RENFROE RD PACE, FL 32571

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/U3UQUZ/2420-RENFROE-RD-PACE-FL-541730

This home has it all. Not only does it have the land to finally get to do your own thing (2.1 acres, think horses or goats, chickens, perhaps a garden) it also has a home most of us only dream about. With over 3100 sq. ft you have the space and details not found in tract homes of comparable size. This is a true four-bedroom home with 3 full baths plus bonus room. Beautiful wood plank tile throughout the entire home makes maintenance a breeze. From the moment you step onto the front porch you will feel welcomed. Enter the large living space and your eyes are drawn to a bank of French Doors that bring wonderful natural light plus a stunning view. This design element is repeated in the hall to the bedroom wing of the home. French Doors give the option to close it off or leave it open to continue the amazing flow of the public spaces. The hall could be your gallery to display prized collections, or perhaps an additional way to reach the exquisite lanai which creates a fabulous entertaining space. Bedroom #1 is directly off the great room and has its own full bath. Currently this is used as an office, but for you perhaps the perfect guest room. The opposite side of the great room is beautiful dining space that flows into the kitchen. All appliances in kitchen convey. And yes, there is a window over the sink with a pass through and shelf to make out-door entertaining a breeze. The storage in the cabinets is gracious but you also have a walk-in pantry and a mud room for any over flow. The Bedroom wing features Bedroom 3 & 4 plus the comfortable master suite. One of the bedrooms has built in bookcases, both with generous closets. The Master closet is accessible with two doors which is the entire width of the room. Through the mud room and the garage is the bonus room with its own HVAC unit. So many options for this space.The screened 16 X 32 pool (dept 8) was purposely designed to be away from home so not to interfere with light flow and to insure safety of little ones.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 3,106

Price: $445,000,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5230048 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 541730

4109 WYNFORD CIR PENSACOLA, FL 32504

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/9UCLPZ/4109-WYNFORD-CIR-PENSACOLA-FL-540020

To understand the attention to detail that went into designing this home we suggest standing on the stairs. The kitchen and charming powder room float in between the large formal dining and living room spaces. Recently updated the kitchen has all new appliances, new granite counter tops and new pendant lights. You will appreciate the incredible storage and fabulous work space. Upon entering the residence, you will immediately notice the beautiful light wood floors that extend throughout the public areas and the custom wood plantation shutters on both floors. The formal dining is immediately to your left upon entering the home. It is a gracious space that could be used as a library or as a wonderful place to display your treasures as well as hosting family dinners. The living areas focal point is the vaulted ceiling and wood burning fire place. There is a media closet off the living room at one end and on the other a small office that offers tremendous storage. Sun porch leads out to the back yard which has the potential to be your oasis. It also boasts a brick detached craft or retreat room that is cooled and heated with the homes HVAC System. Re-enter the home but before going upstairs do not miss the master with its large en-suite bath, spacious walk in closet, and new carpet. Washer and dryer are nestled into and area adjacent to stairs and entrance to large 2 car garage. Upstairs you will not be disappointed with the well portioned bedrooms again you will love the storage space and the large bath . This is a must see in a fabulous location.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 2,576

Price: $290,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5169041 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 540020

5797 LORING DR MILTON, FL 32583

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/BZLQZ5/5797-LORING-DR-MILTON-FL-539454

Imagine your own ranchettewith a tad over .40 acre. The positioning of this home enables you to have that fabulous yard you have always wanted. You can tell the yard has been loved. The front is landscaped with a screen of flowering trees that provide privacy to the entry patio and front porch. Great screened porch on the back of the home could be your future Florida Room with not much work. Separate Dining Room or perhaps your home office since the Great room has its own informal dining space that leads into a galley style kitchen. New Glass-Top Rang (the Refrigerator stays) in galley kitchen adjacent to laundry that leads into 2 car Garage. Spacious Master that has two walk in closets in the bath plus a linen closet plus a garden tub. Split-floor plan allows children or guest to be on the opposite wing of the home. Highlights not to miss are wood laminate flooring, vaulted ceiling, massive corner fireplace, all in the Great Room /arched doorways leading to main hall and dining room /new carpet in Masterplus just minutes away from I-10

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,683

Price: $157,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5151007 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 539454

5342 ENGLISH OAK DR PACE, FL 32571

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/YF53XP/5342-ENGLISH-OAK-DR-PACE-FL-538028

In the heart of Pace this all brick 4 bedroom / 2 bath has everything you want in a 2500 sq. ft home. The best of both worlds combines the convenience of a traditional home with formal living and formal dining room with the addition of an updated style that features a spacious great room that flows beautifully from family room into casual dining space into kitchen. You will truly appreciate the abundant storage in this open kitchen with a wall of cabinets that seem to go on and on, which means you are going to have an amazing amount of work space ideal for holidays when all the family comes to visit. In addition, there is a pantry. Large two car garage opens into the laundry room that boasts enough space that you can have a folding table. Patio on rear of home. The fenced back yard has so much potentialyou will love the mature oak tree that is the focal point.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 2,583

Price: $215,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5096610 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 538028

3018 GRAND PALM WAY GULF BREEZE, FL 32563

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/L7S68Z/3018-GRAND-PALM-WAY-GULF-BREEZE-FL-537481

Picture Perfect our photographer exclaimed when he first laid eyes on this gorgeous 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath home. The beautifully manicured lawn, welcoming front porch, and the American Flag flying high creates amazing curb appeal. This one will not disappoint; this home IS as beautiful as the pictures portray. You will love the site lines in this home which translate into great flow. Upon entering immediately to your right an office or if your life style demands this could pitch hit as bedroom #5. To the left is the formal dining room but not the stuffy one your grandmother had; this is a very open space that is made for todays living. Notice the gorgeous hard wood floors that extend from the great room to dining out to the garage. The large living space affords all manner of furniture arrangement with floor outlets to eliminate ugly cords. From the massive great room your eye naturally goes to the informal dining area and the kitchen with gorgeous granite counter top cabinets. Storage will be no problem with all the cabinets and pantryplus so many other closets throughout the home (i.e. linen closets, hall closet, utility storage closet) The stainless steel refrigerator does stays. One wing contains three bedrooms two share a Jack and Jill bath. Bedroom # 3 and 4 share an arched hall way just off the kitchen . Adjacent is the main bath for the home. This wing also includes a generous size laundry which is a room unto itself. Not a walk through from the garage although the garage is close by. The opposite side of the home is dominated by the master suite. This dreamy room is so large there is ample space for a seating area or a very private office space. Fabulous ensuite has a beautifully tiled shower plus a garden tub2 walk in closets. Lovely covered lanai with two sets of French doors to enter and exit through great room or master. Fully fenced back yard with Lawn Pump and Irrigation System will make it a breeze to keep this lawn green.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 2,890

Price: $395,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5076409 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 537481

2673 WILDHURST TRL PACE, FL 32571

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/T37CU2/2673-WILDHURST-TRL-PACE-FL-536832

Consider a very special neighborhood, Ashley Plantation, that is the definition of peace and quiet. Just think about having of an acre of land that has a wide wooded belt at the back of the lot that truly makes your home feel that it not only is in the country, but you have room to breathe. Then imagine one of the prettiest pools possible with all sorts of water fall features. Then the icing on the cake a home only 5 years old. (Still 5 years on builders warranty, built to the latest codes.) Plus, all the room you can imagine having. Four Bedrooms, 3 full baths. There is a pad for your RV or your Boat behind your fence. This home has everything: that open feeling you want where the great room flows into the kitchen / Separate dining area / Separate Formal Living (this family has cleverly used the formal dining room as a library and the formal living as a sewing room). If a home has good bones, you can use it to suit your personal style. Elevated ceilings in public rooms make these areas already generously proportioned seem even bigger. Great Master Suite off to itself with tons of storage. A Florida room that has so many uses you are only limited by your imagination. So many lovely outdoor spaces: Generous front porch, patio that leads from Florida Room to the pool and hot tubin addition also a fire pit. At night you will be mesmerized by the pool display. This is a magnificent home a home of your dreams

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 3,060

Price: $370,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5051209 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 536832

1300 CREEK BRIDGE RD PENSACOLA, FL 32514

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/4BS8HG/1300-CREEK-BRIDGE-RD-PENSACOLA-FL-536448

Updated 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath home in Fox Run with inground swimming pool. You will adore living in this fabulous walking neighborhood. From the moment you enter the neighborhood you will see folks walking their dogs, riding bikes and enjoying the pleasant surroundings. today community means so much to most of us. This home boasts 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. A Traditional floor plan has been updated with crown molding, tiled showers, granite counter tops and beautiful cabinetry. But what you will adore is the screened enclosed pool area. What a fabulous place to entertain friends and family! Beautifully landscaped with mature live oak trees, the yard is just stunning. Whole house generator, new windows, stainless steel appliances, alarm system, new carpet throughout home, tiled outdoor wet bar, Rebuild NW Florida 2 years ago...this home is a must see.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 2,251

Price: $275,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephen & Annie Guthrie at 850-748-6659 or guthrieteam@gmail.com. You can also text 5038940 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).

See more listings at: GuthrieTeam.com

MLS ID: 536448

Foreclosures are down Nationwide is the headline.

Stats are just out stating that there is a considerable  difference between February 2012 when 3.5 % of all home sold were foreclosures and February 2013 we are down to 2.8% of homes selling were foreclosures. This is the lowest amount of foreclosed homes selling since 2007. Granted these higher stats are being seen in major cities with the Metro areas of Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater/ Orlando –Kissimmee-Sanford are leading the way. This is not to say we do not have a long ways to go but I am smiling!

Florida has had the highest total number of completed foreclosures for the last 12 months ending in February 2013(95,000). These statistics are understandable, since we have had the distinction of the largest percentages of mortgaged homes that were in foreclosure (9.9 %). Yes, my friends we have bypassed New Jersey, New York, and Nevada. The experts seem to think that these drops are the prelude to an increased in home buying this year and next.

Anecdotally, this concurs with what my friends have been saying in the Escambia / Santa Rosa Markets...No one wants to say it too loud but it feels like we are on the mend.  Thanks to Core Logic (a data and analytical company) who put this information in understandable terms.

FOR FURTHER REALTY INFORMATION CONTACT: TheGuthrieTeam.com

Compost, Cubic Feet & Goldie Hawn?




not our real truck but it is kind of cool!

 Amazing what we can find on the internet.....I want to buy some mushroom compost and it is sold by the truck load....So I am assuming I need to know what the cubic capacity is of our truck bed.

 I ask my husband how do I get that and he smugly said Google it! (I didn’t really Google it because I am now a devote’ of Bing, with those wonderful photos on their home page how could you not? So I Binged It?)

I actually tried this first on my I Phone but it was not being co-operative so I did it the old fashioned way I went to my computer. As soon as I hit search I am learning that it is Length x Width x Depth. All measurements need to be in feet so anything that is less than one foot divide by 12 to get the percent of feet. Simple actually...

This reminds me of when I was in school my Dad was always telling me to go look it up in the dictionary or the encyclopedia. Do they even make encyclopedias anymore?

                Funk & Wagnalls Logo                              

 Guess no one today would get the joke that was a running theme throughout  Laugh In, which was “Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls!"

If you are a COUGAR pretend you do not have a clue as to what I am talking about......
And if you are dating a much older man Laugh In was a TV show where Goldie Hawn got her start in the 70’s....

You do know who Goldie Hawn is, right? OMG ! 

 Guess I don’t even need to mention Will .....
















For Actual Real Estate info go to http://theguthrieteam.com/ and alsohttp://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/

CASH IS KING

Cash speaks volumes in this market. And when many short sales and foreclosures are being confronted with multiple offers Bank's love a sure thing. And a Cash deal means YES this is going to happen. No VA or FHA rules that at the last minute might halt the process….just good old green and be done with that confounding property once and for all.

And unfortunately there are many properties that just will not fit within guidelines of government backed loans. In a market where financing is tight this just might give your offer the edge that a financed offer does not afford.

If you do have the cash you might just get yourself a fabulous deal. There certainly are pitfalls, one of which is your offer might offend the seller so much they do not want to deal with you. But if you are dealing with a bank or a lawyer and emotion has nothing to do with the sale you might just have hit the jack pot.

Last year alone half of the houses sold were in the distressed category and from what The National Association of Realtors has projected this trend is not going to abate any time soon. This is clearly a problem for appraisers who have to take into consideration these homes even in a regular transaction. Often the appraisers just cannot find the comparative sales to support a NON –DISTRESS sale and the deal dies and the home goes back on the market. That is another reason that one third of all sales involved investors who were not hampered by appraisals and financing….. CASH is king!

Credit where credit is due…..this blog was inspired by a reprint from Florida Realtors News & Events of an article in the Minneapolis, Minn. Star Tribune

For Realty information go to :http://www.guthrieteam.com/ and for full IDX http://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/

As often is the case when I am at a loss for the topic for a blog, I go to my Photo Bucket Account to look at the pictures I have saved. Invariably I see one that inspires a thought…Luckily this picture is a thought… All the more easy to get started on what is probably going to be my last post for 2011......

I really think this verbiage is the essence of acceptance or as friends of Bill will tell you that is close to what page 449 in the Big Book is all about.  I think when you REALLY GET IT right down in the marrow of your bones you come to understand acceptance is all about learning to be grateful for your blessing and your own sack of woes. I learned many years ago that a gratitude list was the best way to get me out of a “slough of despond!” It is being able to realize without walking in the other guys shoes that he carries his own sack and when you get to know him, his is far worse than your own.. Over the last few years I have had dear, dear friends that were subjected to terrible diseases…some have lived but many have died. I am at the age where it is beginning to occur all too frequently. Once I wrote a bit about all my newly acquired friends must be very young, very healthy and not prone to accidents. But that just is not possible in the times we are living. Any moment someone can be killed in a car accident…..get cancer. It happens these days all too often…

“So what?” you may snipe back at my musings. But each of us eventually comes to the point where we find out (especially us boomers) that the Doris Day movies were not going to be our reality. I mean Hello how often on the big screen did she fall for ROCK HUDSON? Perfection and more to the point perfect happiness is not something that does not come with out a ton of emotional sweat equity. For me getting a personal relationship to God has made the process less painful When you have that you begin to see that life is what you make it. And these awful events that at the time seem so ridiculously uncalled for just might make us wake up and get on with our own happiness. Acceptance is all about being comfortable in your own skin.

Far be it for me to tell you to get religion but it is one of the only things I know of that can soothe our troubled souls….I do ask that at least you try it ….Who knows you might like it!.

For questions about real estate I suggest you go to http://www.theguthrieteam.com/ and for complete IDX and more Realty info

www.greaterpensacolahomes.com

Christmas Ornaments and Home Inventories? I don't get the connection!

“Tis the season to be Merry“….

Yes, my Christmas Tree went up as close after Thanksgiving as possible. Each year when I take out all my little ornaments it feels like I am saying hello to old friends. Some of these beauties I bought over the years by up and coming artisans (Christopher Radko, Patience Brewster for example) are now quite collectible. But if these were lost there is no way I could possibly remember the individual pieces or the artist that created them! Replacing them heaven forbid ...

This made me start thinking about home inventories. As a Realtor I know the importance of keeping records in case of disasters....I continually tell my clients about this very fact.
In the coastal south our big fear, as you must know,are the dreaded HURRICANES …..A close friend who lives on the water has a bag always packed of irreplaceable photographs, so as soon as she needs to evacuate she has her prized memories ready to go in a moments notice. But it is not just storms that can wipe our personal possessions out …it can be a fire…burglary….in Louisiana floods.

Replacing Frames of this size are expensive!

Most insurance policies today do replacement value on most of your home goods. It is always good to check and see just what the terms and requirements are on your home owner’s policy so you know you are in compliance and just what they will require from you. But say you have a loss and you cannot  remember all that precious "stuff." If you are caught without an inventory of your home a good way to show loss is with photographs. And they do not necessarily need to be specific ones you have taken for this purpose but ones of the kids that might show Aunt Susie’s prized cake plate in the back ground at a birthday party. Another solution is asking friends for photos and videos they may have been taken in your home. In the case of theft you can use the owner’s manual of that flat screen TV the hooligans took for your documentation!  Purchase receipts of electronic equipment are great. Alas, is there nothing we can throw away?

But the smart thing is to be to be pro- active! Make an inventory of all those precious things you have accumulated. Ideally, you should do a written one and also have photos for items that really have extra value. An excellent technique, if you do not want to photograph each piece,is to at least walk through your home with a video slowly scanning each room so though you do not have written evidence you have enough in the video to jog your memory of just what all you did loose. 

If you are young and just starting out in a new home do this right now and it will become such a rewarding habit as the years go by. Use the link to my inventory(.pdf) and start your list today. Things of real value like art work and jewelry deserve an actual picture or an appraisal. A home Inventory is an excellent item to put with all of your important papers like deeds, warranties and manuals in a home safe or a safety deposit box.

Argh ! Now after creating this wonderful form my husband is insisting I get started on ours …what is the saying? No good deed goes unpunished!


For Great Information on any real estate needs go to http://www.greatercrestviewhomes.com/ orhttp://www.theguthrieteam.com/

PLUMBING SPELLS CATASTROPHE

Want to strike fear into my husband… Just tell him we have a possible plumbing problem.  We all make compromises and at our home we are all about prevention.

Clogged drains can cause more problems than just interrupting your schedule. Backing up a pipe can put stress on it and shorten its life. So how do we achieve never ever having to call a plumber or worse yet hubby getting out his tools?

·   Keep Food Scraps out of kitchen drains…..Yes you really should scrape food debris from your dishes….Yes, Yes even if you have a disposal!

·   Never Ever put liquid grease down the drain…..that is what empty coffee cans are for…..

·   Cover drains in showers and tubs to keep hair out….one of the major offenders of clogged drains…..

·   Only put sewage or TP in toilets.

You might suggest that the chemical remedies would be the answer but no………..invariably there is a residue of the clog left ...you can never get it all. This means the clog will come back. The real corker is because of the caustic nature of the chemicals your pipes can be damaged….Now that should be a fun way to spend your house hold money on leaking pipes instead of drapes or upholstery.

Removal of a clogged drain by a professional can cost anywhere from $85-$325 The other alternative is to simply buy a manual auger or snake of your own for maybe $15 at the hardware store ….better yet don't allow one to happen in the first place!

based on a great article form house logic
for any type Realty Informations please go to www.greatercrestviewhomes.com or www.theguthrieteam.com

Argh ...New ways to check your credit!

Can you imagine Big Brother has found another way to peek into our personal lives.But when you are asking someone to finance over $100,000 this is what happens. In the past many items have been excluded from credit histories...But alas someone has a new brain storm.From the lenders point of few it gives a fuller picture of just who you are financially ....and really just what is your true buying power? Granted this is a crazy market and lenders are taking a risk with such incredibly low interest rates. However, often credit issues that dealt with medical bills were not weighted as much as some other payment defaults. Corelogic, the company whose brain child this is typically counts these aspects in it's new report. Do you pay your rent on time? Do you have Child Support and do you pay as promised? Have you ever been evicted.....? Understandably this does not paint a great picture if you are outed on these type of questions.............Most Loans are federally backed like Fannie, Freddie and FHA.....which account for 90% of the loans issued. And this new score will not affect whether you are denied or not ...but it could have a lot to do with Higher or Lower Rates and also Banking Fees associated with your loan.....it is never simple! 
Credit where credit is due this blog based on a posting in Inman News which sources the Chicago Tribune that its article was based.

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Lasagna Weed Prevention

Should we order a bottle of Chianti too?

I had heard of this method of choking out weeds before but just stumbled on a Fine Gardening*that gave this rather amusing name to the proceedure. It is similar to using a fabric shield to prevent weeds but if you have moved in the last ten years you probably have card board boxes languishing in your attic and free beats most any other price. Also some authorities seem to think the fabric can be problematic. Plus cardboard is so much more GREEN !

Removing the mulch to reveal the card board

The Cardboard was deteriorating after a month...

I did a modicum of weeding but by no means got all the yucky stuff out. I then started placing cardboard on the two beds I was working on. Ok I even used a small real estate sign but don’t tell Steve my partner! Then I began to liberally water down the cardboard until I got tired of doing that but probably the more water the better. Then I laid down about 3” of mulch. I used Cyprus but pine straw or anything that is appealing will work. My plan was to wait for several months to let the cardboard decompose. Generally that takes about 6 months. Not going to happen! Have those beds look like that for six months no way!  So after about 2 weeks could not stand how it looked and went into phase 2 get those plants in the beds….

Showing the loosened area around plant....this will be recoverd with mulch!

I removed the mulch in the areas the plants were going to live and then used a box cutter to make large X’s to pull back the cardboard. Piece of cake the cardboard was pliable and the ground was easy to dig into…..I first made sure to unwind any roots that were knotted in tight circles pulling  those out to allow them to grow and smoothed soil around them gently. Final step was to smooth the cardboard around the plant leaving a bit of space and then covered the area with mulch…..

I have since learned in another article that planting immediately is ok too! Whew! So let’s all have a glass of Chianti and watch our garden grow!



Lorapetulum



Juniper

For any type of Realty Issues please go to http://www.greatercrestviewhomes.com/ or http://www.theguthrieteam.com/

Realtor / Counselor .....NO WAY !

We all need someone we trust to give us advice .....

Just read the latest newsletter from FAR (Florida Association of Realtors). My eyes immediately went to an article discussing how this down market had changed Realtor's responsibilities. Probably the general public would be amused to find out the main difference is the amount of counseling this market requires agents to do.

We just returned from a listing presentation very different from the ones we would have given 5 years ago. Back then the emphasis was on service and pricing the house right. Today it is about comforting someone who is upside down in their mortgage but makes too much income to qualify for a short sale. Talk about donut holes…this is a big one!  It is more about making the client know he is not the only person in this situation. Trying to convince someone whose pride revolves around keeping the financial agreements they made and choosing options that would be best for their future.

Also, it is about covering yourself legally by making sure that they get proper financial (CPA) and Legal advice (Real Estate Attorney.) We try and keep ourselves as informed as possible about all the aspects a client may be faced with but it is always wise to send a client to the source for the complete story……and make them aware of the complete ramifications of what their actions might bring ( IRS for instance!)

The feel good part of this new role  is that you leave that client and you feel so grateful that you are secure enough in your own business that every client you meet you do not feel you just have to get them to list their home and that they have to do it right this moment. Yes it is a good feeling leaving someone knowing while you were there you told then exactly what you felt was the best thing for them to do……….

for further information on Real Estate go to http://www.greatercrestviewhomes.com/ or http://www.theguthrieteam.com/