Dear Friends,
This is the time of year when many of us are in the mood to celebrate the seasonal change, the holidays, & each other. The cooler weather means we will probably be spending more time indoors with warmth provided by a combination of a glowing fire in the fireplace, a good heating system, a seasonal beverage of choice, & good company. It is a time for family & friends, & a storing away of the summer’s harvest to get us through the winter. It is a time for reflection & for planning. Planning is an important aspect on many fronts if you want to have a successful life –in business as well as personal endeavors. Planning for your survival should come first & foremost. That’s why I want you to take a few minutes to think about the following paragraph.
Even if you don’t have a fireplace, please don’t forget the importance of changing the batteries in your smoke detectors & then testing them to ensure your family, pets, & home are protected while you sleep.
I do this twice a year when I set the clocks back and forward. Keep fire extinguishers easily accessible where they are most likely to be needed. Be sure you have a couple of escape plans in mind in case it’s too dark to see (this is often the case in a fire), & make sure that every member of your family knows what to do in a fire or emergency situation. Remember, proper planning prevents poor performance. I hope you never have to experience the tragic losses that occur each year as a result of a fires, but if it happens to you, performing well during a fire is critical. It will help your loved ones stay safe & alive. This is a sobering topic, but it’s real.
On a positive note, planning is also useful for parties! Halloween is just around the corner & my daughter, Kaila, is going to be celebrating her 2nd year of life in November, right around Thanksgiving. The theme of her birthday party will be centered around “Dora”, a cartoon character she really likes, & to whom I was first introduced about a year ago. It was interesting to me to witness the fantastic job that has been done in branding & marketing this character, who is very curious & playful, & who is like Kaila in many ways.
Play & laughter are essential ingredients in the socialization & the health of minds, young & old. Although children play often, it is important to recognize the importance of continuing to play & laugh throughout one’s life! If you visit the Dolphin show at the Aquarium at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, one of Kaila’s new favorites, you’ll see that dolphins play throughout their lives –& they live a long time! Kids & Dolphins should not have a monopoly on Fun! Here are some different ways of turning a typical, traditional dinner party into something a bit more exciting… something that will be remembered for a long time after it’s over.
Please enjoy the Fall months & stay in touch!
Dependably Yours,
Rock Brown & The RockinRealty Team
Honey, Stop The Car!
Dear Friends,
Television shows on decorating & home improvements have never been more popular; everything from Trading Spaces to Divine Design, Decorating Cents to Curb Appeal, & there are more of these programs popping up every day. One thing such Reality Shows make very real is the value that is placed on a home as a direct result of what the owner does or does not do.
Before I went under contract on my current home, the front yard resembled a jungle, not to mention several other major cosmetic issues. But through the jungle, I saw an opportunity in what remained hidden behind it. In fact, the listing agent, who had lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, confided in me that as soon as I chopped down some of the unkempt trees and bushes, I instantly gained about $15,000 in equity in my new home. I had a vision of what the property could be like, & now, after having spent a lot of time & money realizing that vision, the home is now worth a lot more than I paid, totally recapturing the costs of my improvements. This property could have sold for a lot more money & in a much shorter period of time if the owners had done some of the things I’m going to share with you in this month’s issue. So read on & take some notes!
Curb Appeal refers to the first impression visitors receive when arriving at your home. Having a home that looks inviting not only makes your guests feel comfortable but it can make you look forward to coming home to it every night. Having a home that scares people, will end up hurting you in the end! If you are considering selling your home, increasing its curb appeal can make a considerable difference to prospective buyers. A home that looks well cared for makes prospective buyers want to come in & look around.
Attached is a checklist of relatively low-cost projects that can add to the beauty of your home. If you need help finding a reliable contractor, house painter, landscaper, roofer, or other professional, many of whom I have hired myself, please call me. I’d be happy to give you a strong referral. Please keep in mind that some projects are worth doing simply because you will enjoy them. You may not recapture any of the money you spend when you’re ready to sell, but the enjoyment throughout the years will make the project worthwhile.
Oh, By The Way… Whenever you come across other nice people who are thinking about buying or selling a home, please forward their name and telephone number to me. I will gladly follow up and provide them with the same world-class service that I offer you.
Dependably Yours,
Rock Brown & The RockinRealty Team
My Thanks to You!
Dear Friends,
This season is great! I love going for a walk with my family on a cool crisp evening, enjoying the neighbors’ holiday d้cor –the faint smell of burning wood from a nearby fireplace. I love sipping hot Cocoa, or soup –straight from the bowl as my wife gives me that funny “confused dog” look. I love the thought of our daughter, Kaila, comfortably sleeping in her crib upstairs, wrapped in her favorite blanket with her little “Dolly” keeping watch! What a “blood pressure lowering” thought! Thanksgiving & the holiday season allow us a special opportunity to pause & reflect, & to remember all the good things that have happened over the course of the year, a lot of which involved you, my dear Friends & Clients. Because you are the reason for my success, I want to make sure you know about my commitment to provide each of you with continued, outstanding service & expertise.
When I look back upon this past year & the countless blessings I’ve been so fortunate to receive,
I count you as one of those blessings. Your trust in me never wavered, & your referrals added significantly to the growth of my business & the welfare of my family. My appreciation for your friendship & support is boundless. Recognizing the good in people brings out more of the best within them, & is a cornerstone of my business. This concept is important in keeping healthy relationships! When someone does something out of good will or kindness, they deserve thanks –so thank you!
Thanks in part to my relationships with you, I have come to the realization that you & I have the power within us to achieve things we never dreamed possible, especially when we team up! We go through life like rocks in a tumbler –chipping off each others’ rough edges & becoming more well rounded. We need each other to bring out the smooth, graceful, & refined qualities that lie dormant within us all. A Rock which stands alone will never be as smooth as one thrown into the mixing bowl. I believe I owe a debt of thanks to you for your help in refining both me & my business. This “refinement” has direct benefits to my current & future Clients, & you! The future holds great promise for us, & I wish you the very best as we enter into the holiday season & another fresh start. My best wishes to you & yours for a safe, happy, & “well-rounded” Thanksgiving Day. It’s a good life!
Oh, By The Way… Whenever you come across other nice people who are thinking about buying or selling a home, please forward their name and telephone number to me. I will gladly follow up and provide them with the same world-class service that I offer you.
Dependably Yours,
Rock Brown & The RockinRealty Team