Tina's Blog

Found Something We All Need!

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:04:24 -0500

I found a business that we all need! It is just exactly what we, as realtor, bankers, etc need to be able to keep in contact with our clients. Handwritten cards, well, they are computer generated, but it can have your handwriting on them, real stamp also!

If you would like to try it, you can go to my gift website and send 2 cards on me. Call me if you have any problems, also if you like it or not.

I just love all the abilities we have with the website. You can plan a year in advance, never buy another card, address another card or lick another stamp! The program keeps all your contacts, reminds you, everything you should want! It is just exactly what every Realtor or anyone in a service industry needs.

So many cards to choose from and you can customize them to your style! If you are interested, send me an email @ tinas@cbunited.com or call me @ 713-503-5493. I will send you a card, with my own handwriting so that you can see what a wonderful service it can provide us with!

If you would like to send 2 cards to anyone on my account, click here https://www.sendoutcards.com/44038

If you have any problems just call me and I will walk you through it. I promise, you will not be disappointed. The program even has an address lookup feature, for free!

Be Careful!

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:26:53 -0500

Received this in my email today, we need to be careful, horrible that now people might not even want OUR business cards because someone else has been victimized! Please pass this on to everyone you know, just in case!!!

Last Wednesday, Jaime Rodriguez's neighbor was at a gas station in Katy, TX. A man came and offered his neighbor his services as a painter and gave her a card. She took the card and got in her car. The man got into a car driven by another person. She left the station and noticed that the men were leaving the gas station at the same time. Almost immediately, she started to feel dizzy and could not catch her breath. She tried to open the windows and in that moment she realized that there was a strong odor from the card. She also realized that the men were following her. The neighbor went to another neighbor's house and honked on her horn to ask for help. The men left, but the victim felt bad for several minutes. Apparently there was a substance on the card, the substance was very strong and may have seriously injured her. Jaime checked the Internet and there is a drug called "Burundanga" that is used by some people to incapacitate a victim in order to steal or take advantage of them. Please be careful and do not accept anything from unknown people on the street.

GPS

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:40:03 -0500

Real estate agents who leave their global positioning systems (GPS) attached to car windows and dashboards while they aren't in their vehicles are enticing thieves.

It used to be CD players, speaker systems, radar detectors, satellite radios. Right now, it is GPS systems. They want anything they can sell for quick cash.

Read this in the news this morning, the models they are after the most are the portable devices that typically sell for $200 to $600 but can go for as much as $1,000. GPS systems installed in the dash, which can sell for more than twice that amount, take more time and effort to steal, therefore aren't being stolen quite as often.

Thieves not only take the devices, they also smash our windows to get them. Police urge GPS owners to either take the devices with them or store them in the trunk.

Please, before it happens to you and cost you lots of money, make sure you take it out of sight and take away the temptation.

PDA Help

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:55:56 -0500

I am looking to purchase a new PDA, can anyone help me with which one is the best nowdays. I'd love comments on the pros and cons of all of them. The biggest problem I have had with the Treo 680 is the size, I don't like how thick it is and the buttons are so small

Thanks!! Hope everyone's day is going great!

Update house or give discount for updates?

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:01:45 -0500

Tell me which is better in your opinion.

If you are selling, it is better to go ahead and do all the updates to the kitchen and master bath.....

or price the house so that they can get it done, in their choice of colors, tastes, etc.

I know an updated house sells faster, but.....what is the real answer?! I know what I think, but need more

of your opinions.

Have a great weekend!

Wow!!! New Tech Tool!

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:24:04 -0500

I have just found a new tool that I think we could all use!!!! It's called Jott!! Set up a FREE account, import your contacts, call a toll free number and you can send emails or text messages to all of your contacts! From your phone, you speak, it puts it into the email or text. You really need to check it out, I love it, haven't gotten to play with it much but I will. http://jott.com/

Simple Energy Saving Tricks

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:29:53 -0500

I found this article today, it's what we all know, just need to refresh our memories every once in a while...so here it is! A few simple tricks can save you a bundle just in time for Summer!

When Mom told you to turn out the lights, she was thinking of saving energy dollars, not rolling blackouts and bankrupt utility companies. Rarely have Moms words of wisdom been as fitting as they are now and not just in California. Electricity rates are going up everywhere. Besides switching off lights, there are several other painless methods to conserve energy and save money on your electric bills.

Plug ins

Look for those electronic devices, especially those with digital time and date displays that are infrequently used such as alarm clocks, TVs and VCRs in a guest room and unplug them.
Unplug devices used to recharge electronics/batteries when they're not being used.
Transformers consume energy. Consider unplugging devices like calculators that are not in use.

Appliances

Wait until you can fill up your dishwasher before running it. And if you have a heated-dry option, switch it off. Prop open the door a bit after the cycle to air dry your load.
If you have an electric cooktop, turn the burners off a few minutes before the allotted cooking time. The heating element will stay hot long enough to finish the cooking without using more electricity.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators use more power than any other appliance in the home and deserve special attention. Although rushing out to buy a new refrigerator may not be in your budget, it is important to know that new models are more efficient and use as little as half the electricity of older units.
Full refrigerators run more efficiently than ones that are only partially full. So buy more food and save some energy.
If you have two refrigerators, or an additional freezer, decide if the extra expense is really worth it. Cram as much as you can into your primary refrigerator or consider disposing of two older refrigerators and replacing them with one larger, newer and more efficient model.
Make sure the refrigerator door seals are tight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.
Place food and liquids in airtight containers. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Move the refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils yearly unless you have a no-clean condenser model. Refrigerators will run for shorter periods with clean coils.
Maintain a consistent temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. Recommended temperatures are 37 to 40F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0F.

Lighting

Its obvious, but true: Turn off lights that are not being used. Consider installing timers or photo cells on some lights. And instead of constantly nagging the kids, try occupancy sensors that turn on and off automatically when someone enters or leaves a room.
Rather than brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops
Consider dimmer switches and three-way lamps. These provide low light levels when bright lights are not necessary.
Use linear fluorescent and energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in fixtures throughout your home to provide high-quality and high-efficiency lighting. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last six to ten times longer. Although fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they pay for themselves by saving energy over their lifetime.
Reprint From Realtor.com By Burt Ramone

21615 Falvel Sunset Court, Spring, TX 77388

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:47:06 -0500

I have just listed the perfect property for the people strapped for cash in their new home search.

Located at 21615 Falvel Sunset Court in Spring Texas. This is a D.R. Horton home that the homeowners have lived in only since Oct. 2007. It is better than new. First of all, it is my understanding that D.R. Horton will not be building any more homes in this sub-division, all the lots have been bought up by another builder. The home owners have put lots of love and care into this home with very nice wood blinds and decorator ceiling fans in the living room and the master bedroom.

Click here to view the beautiful home http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cfm?MLNUM=3801726

The reason this is for the cash strapped home buyer is they are willing to cooperate with a Gift Down Payment Program called Nehemiah. The sellers agree to gift Nehemiah (a non-profit organization) up to 6% to cover the closing costs and the down payment of the buyer. That 6% gift is then gifted from Nehemiah to the buyer! The buyer NEVER has to repay the seller or Nehemiah!

This is accomplished through an FHA Loan, if you qualify for an FHA Loan in the amount of $152,000. Nehemiah will pay at closing...for you...$4,560 in downpayment and $4560.00 in closing costs! We can get you into the home of your dreams without you having to come up with the 3% down payment or the closing costs!

If you are interested, please give me a call, my cell is 713-502-5493. I'd love to help you get into the home of your dreams!

Texas Friends of Wildlife

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:57:02 -0500

I have just joined a organization called Friends of Texas Wildlife. It is such an awesome group, they take in baby, abandoned or injured wildlife, rehabilitate it then release it back into the wild.

Have you ever wondered how you could help an injured baby bird, any kind of injured wildlife? Well, this is the group to call. They will take in the animal and nurture it back.

This is the website if you would like more info. www.friendsoftexaswildlife.org

You could also just call me if you find an animal needing help, I will make sure it gets to the rehabbers. My cell is 713-502-5493.

We are looking for anyone who might like to volunteer or become a member. It is non-profit, the only way we can cover the cost incurred with the rehabilitating is through fund raisers and membership. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, our next meeting will be July 12, the location hasn't been announced yet, email me and I will make sure you get the information as it is available.

If you have a soft spot in your heart for animals, we'd love to have you part of our organization. If nothing else, jsut pass this info along to your friends and family. The more people that are aware who to call to get the help the animal needs the better! By the way, the number to call if you find an injured or baby abandoned animal is 281-259-0039.

Thank you for giving our native wildlife a second chance!

Hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful weather we have been having.

Get your Home Ready to Sale! 17 Tips!

Tina Saalwaechter (Coldwell Banker United) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:04:16 -0500

Here are some easy, inexpensive fixes that will help create that outside appeal and get you one, giant step further to a sale.

1. Paint or stain the front and garage doors, especially if they show any weathering. These are the first visuals where a potential buyer focuses. If garage doors are metal and dented, they may need to be replaced.

2. Any old, basically abandoned sheds or small structures, must be removed, the area graded and the grass replaced.

3. Change any dated, outside light fixtures.

4. Fix that driveway. If it is blacktop, make sure cracks and crumbling areas are dug out and filled and then the whole driveway sealed. If it is cement, have large cracks filled and repaired professionally. The buyer must at least feel they can drive the moving truck in confidently!

5. Make sure landscaping bricks are in their proper placement. Mowing, weed-whipping sometimes moves them and this is something the homeowner rarely notices, but makes the property look unsightly.

6. Fill in bare dirt under large shade trees. Plant shade-tolerant plants in defined planters or groundcover. Landscape properly for that area.

7. All landscaping beds should be cleaned out and updated for the time of year it is in your region. Place new bedding material down.

8. Have trees and bushes pruned and trimmed. If a bush or tree is looking old or about to expire, remove it and replace it with a similar size and type if you can. If there is a tree limb(s) over the roof, have them removed.

9. If the house needs painting and a full paint job is not in the cards; have it touched up professionally in the worst, most visible spots. Paint shutters and fix them if they are hanging crooked. At least this may help get your client in the front door, even if they negotiate a full paint job into the sale later.

10. If the house is sided, have it power-washed and have gutters and windows cleaned. Window cleaning inside and out makes the house feel updated and fresh, rather than old and dingy.

11. Make sure grass is in good shape, weeds are removed, trimming done regularly. So many sellers fall down on this job the minute the house is listed, and this is critical to selling a house quickly, especially one where the owners have already moved out. In snowy climates, removal must be done regularly too. If owners have moved out, make sure you have an HWA Home Warranty to re-assure buyers.

12. Keep garbage and recycle containers inside the garage, along with all toys and equipment. Make sure the garage is neat and organized. Painted walls and floors also go a long way in this area and are inexpensive to do.

13. Decks should be washed and repainted or re-sealed; plantings around them cleaned, weed-free and looking good. Patio furniture should be in excellent condition. Even though it is in the backyard, this is the area where the family can envision enjoying the warm days and the new yard.

14. If the roof has missing shingles and they can be replaced inexpensively, suggest this be done as it may save negotiation over a completely new roof. Roof repair needs and costs should be minor or the homeowner might as well replace the entire roof.

15. If the homeowner wants to do a bit more, suggest solar lights lining the driveway or installing a more attractive front door with lead glass inserts and replacing plain doorknobs with something more custom.

16. If you have an evening showing, make sure lights are on outside and inside the house. This is warm and inviting.

17. If it's a holiday season, by all means decorate the home! Just like sugar cookies or vanilla scent on the inside of the house, this really says "it's a home" and I can see myself enjoying life here! In the least, always have some greenery or flowers for the season on the front step or porch; even a birdbath with a little garden around it says home.

Remember, most home buyers cannot visualize even these simple changes and clean ups in a house and the ones who can, will be looking for a reduced price. So to sell the house at top dollar and quickly, make it "appeal" to the many who will be seeing it rather than the few who are looking for a "fixer upper." These people know what they want, go after it and need less assistance.

Finally, have neighbors or friends look at the finished results to see if you or the home owner has missed anything key that would be quick and easy to do. Use this article in your listing presentations so they can get started right away on these easy, inexpensive fixes and adapt the ideas to their home. When that home looks fabulous, update that picture on the Internet! This is especially important if the season has changed too and it's a reward to your client too!

More info? Visit my Website: www.AskforTina.com