April 2010 .
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April 2010 . |
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In this Issue:
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Ocala, Florida
Better than new 2/2+den home on golf course. One of Ocala's most prestigious 55+ communities. Upgrades galore, French doors, Plantation shutters, designer fans, 18" tile, 42" wood cabinets in kitchen w/plant shelves. Insulated lanai, custom closets, all on an oversized lot.
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Happy
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Ocala Dream Living
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A Word from Carol Features of the Healthiest Homes Today's homeowners are becoming increasingly concerned with the environmental fitness of their homes. Knowing what features contribute to the creation and maintenance of a health house will help you improve your home's value over time by upgrading its ecological rating. If you are building a new home or remodeling your current residence, use nontoxic materials whenever possible. Homes built before 1970's may contain lead-based paint and asbestos insulation, serious health hazards that must be removed and replaced by professionals. Choose carpet, backing and adhesive that
Pending Home Show Healthy Gain, Hint At Spring Surge (by Realtor.org) Pending home sales rose in February, potentially signaling a second surge of home sales in response to the home buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in February, rose 8.2 percent to 97.6 from a downwardly revised 90.2 in January, and remains 17.3 percent above February 2009 when it was 83.2. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which usually occur with a lag time of one or two months. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the improvement is another hopeful sign. “The rise in buyer contact activity may signal the early stages of a second surge of home sales this spring. The healthy gain hints
Cat Conversion Moving your cat indoors can extend your furry friend's life. Cats that spend time outdoors face an increased risk of injury and disease, and they are more likely to end up in animal shelters. Help your cat adjust to indoor life by keeping him or her active with lots of playtime, access to securely closed windows, and places to scratch and climb. Spending extra time bonding with your cat can help him or her adjust to indoor life, as well.
Learning From The Pros, The Edible Garden (by Home Depot) With spring soon approaching, it’s time to decide what to sow in your garden. If you want to try your hand at growing your own vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, follow the lead of The New York Botanical Garden, the largest in any city in the United States. The New York Botanical Garden is home to a curated living collection of more than 1 million plants, including the fourth-largest herbarium in the world. Here are the expert tips you need to start your own edible garden. The New York Botanical Garden’s Edible Garden The garden’s 250 acres not only include a huge array of herbs but also feature 30,000 trees, many of which produce fruit and flavorings such as maple syrup, and a vegetable garden that includes eggplants, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, chard, lettuce, garlic, radishes and zucchini. Committed to plants, local food and teaching the public how to grow their own sustenance, The New York Botanical Garden hosted an exhibit called The |
do not contain chemicals. An abundance of dual paned, low-E windows will refresh the interior with natural air circulation and reduce mold by providing plenty of natural light. The healthiest homes include heating systems that do not circulate dust and other particulates - a side effect of forced-air heat. New homes with radiant-heat concrete floors wall-mounted radiators and or a sealed combustion fireplace are in high demand with health-conscious home-buyers. If your home already contains a forced-air heating system, change the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter four to six times a year, and have the ducts professionally cleaned every two years.
The PHSI in the Northeast rose 9.0 percent to 77.7 in February and is 18.9 percent higher than February 2009. In the Midwest the index jumped 21.8 percent to 97.9 and is 18.7 percent above a year ago. Pending home sales in the South increased 9.2 percent to an index of 107.0, and the index is 17.5 percent higher than February 2009. In the West the index fell 4.8 percent to 98.0 but is 14.6 percent above a year ago. “Anecdotally, we’re hearing about a rise of activity in recent weeks with ongoing reports of multiple offers in more markets, so the March data could demonstrate additional improvement from buyers responding to the tax credit,” Yun said. (More)
Round The Bend A race around the block will always be won by your four-legged friend. Here's why.As dogs round a corner, their back legs propel them forward while their front legs maintain balance. Humans, on the other hand, rely on two legs for both forward motion and balance. To avoid falling in a tight turn, a reduction in your speed is required. But dogs can tackle corners closer to full speed.
The perks of growing food at home Growing vegetables and herbs saves money, allowing you to pick fresh produce from your own garden rather than buy it from the grocery store. It’s also eco-friendly when you use organic fertilizers and pesticides, such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Fertilizer and Milky Spore Grub Control, available at The Home Depot. When to plant In your garden, it’s safe to plant cold-hardy crops such as onions, peas and spinach as soon as the soil can be worked. Other cool-season vegetables such as (More) |
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Hi, my name is Patti, I am Carol's Virtual
Assistant. If you have information related to Ocala or Real Estate please email
me, and I will try and include it in the newsletter.
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Sudoku The New Addiction! Just in case you've never played before. The object of the game is to fit the numbers 1-9 in the correct orders. You need to fill a number from 1 to 9 in every blank cell. A number must appear only once in each row, column and 3x3 block. Sounds easy enough. Don't give up. Once you get the hang of it, its very fun and challenges your brain. (If you don't see the game on the left please try refreshing your screen. You can use F5 or your refresh button.) |
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Carol J. Van Wagner, GRI, E-Pro, AHS, CeMS |
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