Want to bring some joy to a child who would otherwise not get any Christmas presents this year? You can through the Samaritan's Purse organization and the Operation Christmas Child project. Operation Christmas Child's mission is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
It's simple to do, just get a standard size shoe box, choose whether you would like to buy gifts for a boy or a girl and then pick which age bracket: 2-4 years, 5-9 years or 10-14 years. (You can print out labels on the website that you'll attach to the top of the box.) Purchase your gifts and then wrap your box--wrap the lid separately. You can include a personal note from yourself and your family if you would like.
Include $7 per box to help pay for shipping costs; simply fill out the donation form that's on the website--it's on the same page as the labels--and write a check. Put those items in an envelope and place them inside the box on top of the gifts.
There are several drop-off locations and next week, November 16-23, is the collection week. This is so easy to do and what a difference you could make in a child's life--think of the smile you're going to bring to their precious face when they see the goodies you've given them.
Be creative with your gifts inside the boxes...here's some ideas to get you started:
TOYS small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
In case you missed the link to the Operation Christmas Child website at the top, here it is again:
Good news potential home buyers!! The first time home buyer tax credit has been extended into 2010 and now there's even a tax credit for those current home owners looking to purchase a home as well!
First Time Home Buyer Extended Tax Credit Basics:
The $8,000 tax credit has been extended until April 30, 2010. As long as you have a written, binding contract in force by that date you have until July 1, 2010 to close.
You will not have to repay this credit as long as you live in the home as your primary residence for three years or more.
Eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, town homes and co-ops.
You qualify as a first time home buyer if you or your spouse has not owned a home during the previous three years.
Income limits have been increased: single buyers are now eligible with income limits of up to $125,000 and married couples are eligible with income limits up to $225,000
This extension was put into effect on November 7, 2009
Current Home Owner Tax Credit Basics:
Current home owners can get a credit of up to $6,500 when they sell their primary residence and purchase another home during the November 7, 2009 to April 30, 2010 time frame
You qualify to get the credit if you've used the home being sold as your principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight
The other factors such as which homes qualify, whether or not you have to repay the credit and the income limits are the same as the first time home buyer tax credit.
Now it's a great time to buy in Georgia whether you're a first time home buyer or one who's lived in your home for at least five consecutive years. I would love to help you buy a new home or sell your current one! If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
(Please note, information in this post was obtained from the article written by the National Association of REALTORS and can be found at this link: The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit.)
Also, if you have specific questions as to how this tax credit pertains to you or if you want more details please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800.829.1040
Last week I helped another home buyer successfully purchase their first home. It was a great little home perfect for their needs and I'm very excited and happy for him. I know that it'll be a place where he'll create many happy memories. In addition...I'm thrilled that he purchased it in time to receive the $8,000 tax credit! I can only imagine how happy he'll be when he receives that awesome check in the mail.
If you're considering purchasing a home, now's the time...especially if you're a first-time home buyer! I would be honored to help you through the very important and sometimes overwhelming home buying process. Please don't hesitate to contact me!
Here's the feedback I received from that client:
As a first time homebuyer, I was unsure about a lot of the process that went into looking for a home. Working with the Rains Team really made it easy and comfortable for me to look at several homes and narrow down my choices. The method of narrowing down choices really made me realize what it was that I was looking for in a first home. I was able to place an offer down fast with full confidence because of the time and effort taken by myself and the Rains Team in finding the perfect home. I am a big fan of communication and the Rains Team was up front about all matters when the buying process came and were diligent in keeping me up to speed about everything. I now own my first home with no regrets in the least! I would recommend the Rains Team to first time homebuyers and even seasoned buyers.
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
You probably already know that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It's where you entertain your friends and family, it's where a large part of your time is spent each day whether preparing meals or sitting around the table eating or helping your children with their homework. The kitchen is one of, if not, the most important room in your whole house, which is precisely why you should spend some time and money making sure it's looking its best.
Something to consider: does your kitchen already have great bones? Meaning, are the cabinets stylish, are the countertops granite and are the appliances stainless steel? If so, then you may just need to work on the details, which I'll get to in a little bit. If not, this is where you should really spend your time and money to begin with. Upgrading your kitchen is one of the rooms in your home that will give you a bigger return on your investment when you sell. People want awesome kitchens, is yours great or just mediocre?
Now if you already have great bones to your kitchen, then you may just need to get rid of the clutter and consider whether or not your kitchen is stylish and inviting. Do you feel like you've walked into the pages of a magazine when you enter your kitchen? You can enhance stylishness by adding details which can be as simple as adding beautiful glass bowls full of colorful fruit and vases of flowers. Use collections you already have such as great china pieces.
Another key to enhancing your kitchen is to change it up often. In doing so it will keep the room fresh and inviting, energizing and more appealing. This doesn't have to be fancy changes--maybe change out the decorations--use different flowers or different fruit or incorporate a different piece of china. An easy change to do is to swap out the drawer and cabinet knobs for more modern ones. Don't get stuck in a rut and don't be afraid to move things around.
The video below by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate shows exactly how to implement the upgrades discussed above. Enjoy and have fun decorating!
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
Who doesn't enjoy a good pot roast? There's just something about that tender, juicy meat that fills you right up and comforts you at the same time. I love pot roast, especially one that I can put in the crock pot in the morning and forget about until dinner time.
This recipe is so easy and delicious that I bet you make it this weekend! And it tastes perfectly when paired with garlic green beans and horseradish mashed potatoes. Doesn't that sound like a delightful combination?
INGREDIENTS:
One 3-lb boneless chuck roast
1.5 teaspoons House Seasoning (See note at bottom)
1/4 Cup vegetable oil (or extra-virgin olive oil)
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 bay leaves
3 or 4 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 10.75 oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 to 1/2 Cup Chardonnay wine
DIRECTIONS:
Sprinkle roast on all sides with House Seasoning; seasoning well
In moderately hot skillet, brown roast on all sides in oil
Place roast in Crock Pot
On top of the roast, layer onion, bay leaves, crushed beef bouillon cubes, crushed garlic and cream of mushroom soup
Add Chardonnay
Cover with just enough water to cover all the ingredients sufficiently
Cook on low setting approximately 8 hours
House Seasoning is made of: 1 Cup salt, 1/4 Cup black pepper and 1/4 Cup garlic powder. Stir all ingredients together.
I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe! Bon Appetit!
(Recipe is from the cookbook: Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics)
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
Whether you currently have your home up for sale or not, everyone can benefit from some great decorating tips for creating a warm, friendly atmosphere in their home. I found this video from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate that has some wonderful suggestions for making your family room a cozy space that encourages conversation and is perfect whether you're entertaining friends or just living your everyday life.
I hope you watch the video because the designer really has great ideas. Here's three tips that I found especially helpful:
Look for the focal point of the room, whether it be a fireplace or another unique feature, and build the room around that. Make the focal point be what pulls everything together.
Don't be afraid to bring furniture forward in the room, by floating the furniture in the room and not lining everything up against the walls it creates a more intimate and cozy atmosphere.
When you're ready to change up the look of a space, look around your home at pieces you already have. It'll save you a lot of money if you mix up your furniture throughout your home and will achieve the feel of a new look at the same time. Then you can use your money to either freshen up the paint, add a new coffee table or other accent piece or get some great accessories such as candles, lamps, books or other decorative touches.
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did and learn some neat decorating tips in the process. Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by! If you have any tips for improving the family room (especially Stagers--I know y'all will have wonderful ideas), please leave them in the comment section!
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today! 404.357.2231
The other day I was out showing a Buyer a few houses and the most embarrassing thing happened! We arrived at our final home of the day; I walked to the front door--rang the doorbell and knocked loudly (just in case the Sellers had not left the property yet), retrieved the key from the lock box and let ourselves in...
What we encountered upon entering took me completely by surprise...the stench that flooded our noses was disgusting, no lights what so ever were turned on. We creeped in a little further in the living room and about tripped over the mounds and mounds of dirty clothes, toys and other crap haphazardly tossed everywhere.
The place felt so dirty I was hesitant to even turn on the lights! My Buyer and I walked over to the kitchen...we had found the source of the smell!! Stacks and stacks of dirty dishes with leftover food stuck to the plates. Oh gross!
I cautiously looked over at my client to see how he was handling the place--one look at his face and I suggested we leave right then, no need to see the rest of the home! My client wondered aloud as we left "if that's the way they take care of their home, I wonder what maintenance and other repairs they've neglected to take care of." He is absolutely right!
Where is their pride of ownership? Has their agent not explained to them how a home should look for a showing...it's not like I didn't call two days in advance to schedule the appointment!! Do they not want to get their home sold?
I was completely embarrassed that I had chosen to show my client that home!! Especially since we had just come from a home that was perfectly staged and had great curb appeal--the owner of that home is also an agent, but still! Upon entering her home we were greeted by soft, pleasant music, the lights were on and the blinds were opened. It smelled good, but not too overbearing. And except for a few of the closets, it was clutter free! No dirty laundry, no gross dishes, everything in its place so the true features of the home could shine! Now THAT is how every home should look for a showing!
Sellers: If you want your home to sell, make it looks its best for showings! Agents: Please coach your client on what to do before a showing!
(Not an actual photo from the place, we weren't there long enough to take one!)
It's a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you're a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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