Ocala Dream Living Newsletter

March 2010          .

 
In this Issue:
  • Win-Win Agreements
  • Pending Homes Sales Down...
  • Smarty Cat
  • Dog Disease
  • 5 Ways To Brighten Your Yard With Spray Paint

 

Ocala Homes

March Featured Property

$112,000 On Top Of World
 Ocala, Florida
 
Gently lived in home in immaculate condition in Avalon. This 2 bedroom + den, has 4 fans, wood cabinets, eat-in kit, gas stove, pantry. Great neighborhood, cul de sac. On Top of The World, 55 + community is gated and offers golf, restaurants, fitness center, clubs galore, shopping. Rent w/Option to buy.

Happy


St. Patrick's Day!

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A Word from Carol

Win-Win Agreements

When you are ready to negotiate a home purchase agreement, it’s important to remember that a successful negotiation does not necessarily mean everyone gets what they want and no one goes home disappointed. In a real-life “win-win” situation, a few compromises are inevitable. The secret to negotiating a satisfactory purchase contract is to expect to make some concessions at the bargaining table. Approach the meeting with a positive, open-minded attitude. Try to listen and stay sensitive to the other’s point of view.

 

 

Pending Home Sales Down, Severe Weather Impacting Market (by Realtor.org)

Pending home sales are down and additional declines are expected from abnormal weather conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in January, fell 7.6 percent to 90.4 from an upwardly revised 97.8 in December, but remains 12.3 percent higher than January 2009 when it was 80.5.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said weather is likely to impact housing data. “January pending sales, though still higher than one year ago, remain much

 


Lupo's News

(by CatAge & Dog Age )

 

Smarty Cat

Is your cat's behavior driven by instinct or by intelligent thought?

Cats rank among the smartest of domesticated animals, possessing a mind and the ability to think, according to a majority of people surveyed. As a cat owner, you're probably not surprised, having encountered behavior you're sure was the result of your cat's careful consideration. To keep your pet mentally stimulated, provide a variety of interactive toys, such as a treat tucked inside a paper bag or a laser mouse ready for the chase.

 

5 Ways To Brighten Your Yard With Spray Paint  (by Home Depot)

Spray paint instantly revitalizes plastic, wood, wicker and metal surfaces.

Outdoor beautification doesn’t have to cost a lot. A quick coat of spray paint, available at The Home Depot, can do wonders at less than $10 per can. Here are five wallet-friendly ways to make your property shine with this design essential.

1. Resuscitate Old Outdoor Furniture

Over time, outdoor furniture can lose its luster. Fortunately, spray paint transforms plastic, wood, wicker and metal surfaces, so you can:

Instantly upgrade lawn chairs with textured-finish Hammered Paint for Plastic in classic Dark Bronze.

 

 


The more you remain flexible, the better your chance for a fair compromise. Stay focused on what you feel is truly important. Too often negotiations break down because people become fixated on issues of lesser consequence. When you become stuck on a point of contention as minor as the cost of painting the fence be willing to split the difference. Above all, trust your real estate agent, who has the expertise to bring the proceedings to a happy resolution.

 

 

 

lower than expected given that a large number of potential buyers are eligible for the expanded home buyer tax credit. Moreover, the abnormally severe and prolonged winter weather, which affected large regions of the U.S., hampered shopping activity in February,” he said.

As such, abnormal swings are expected in housing data. “We will see weak near-term sales followed by a likely surge of existing-home sales in April, May and June,” Yun said. “The real question is what happens in the second half of the year. If there is sufficient job creation, housing can become self-sustaining with stable to modestly rising home prices because inventory has been trending (More)

 

 

 

 


Dog Disease

Dogs can transmit diseases to you and your family, so take these precautions with your furry friends.

Take your pets to the vet regularly to keep up with immunizations and check for problems such as rabies, tuberculosis, or worms. Keep your pets clean (nails, too!) and don't let dogs eat raw meat or waste, which are sources of E. coli and other bacteria. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet, and keep your pooch away from food preparation areas.

 

 

 



Give a refined patina finish to a metal dining set with Stops Rust Multi-Color Textured in Autumn Brown.

Protect wicker or wood conversation sets with chip- and fade-free American Accents Smooth Satin Finish Spray in a trendy summer-bright hue.

If you're building your own patio furniture, such as a picnic table, make custom paint the final step in your DIY project.

2. Refresh Dingy Railings

Once paint starts flaking off metal railings rust sets in, eroding the structure and downgrading your home’s curb appeal. Luckily, it only takes a couple of hours to fix an unsightly railing. After removing rust and grime, refinish the railing with American Accents Satin Finishes  (More)

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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Feb 10 Newsletter

Jan 10 Newsletter

Dec 09 Newsletter

 

 

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.)

 

Carol J. Van Wagner, GRI, E-Pro, AHS, CeMS
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty, Inc.
Cell: 352-572-4259
Office: 352-854-9717
Fax: 352-854-3189

Carol@OcalaDreamLiving.com