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Fed Raises Rates For Second Time In Three Months
The Federal Reserve this week announced the first interest rate hike of 2017, and the second rate hike in three months. The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its meeting with the announcement that the Fed will raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 1 percent. The last rate hike occurred in December, when the Fed moved to raise rates from .5 percent to .75 percent.
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| Try 'Home Refreshing' Rather Than Spring Cleaning |
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Too many people don't have the time or energy to do a full spring cleaning. Thankfully, a quick and simple home refresh will go a long way toward making your home look new without breaking the bank or your back.
In a Houzz article, Laura Gaskill outlines several easy ways to refresh your home for spring. For example, freshen up your entry simply by sweeping and mopping the front porch and adding a new welcome mat.
If you're fortunate enough to have a back entrance or mudroom, it's time to clear out all the remnants of winter. Consider adding extra storage with baskets, racks, or closet organizers to keep your newly tidied mudroom or entrance clutter free. And while you're decluttering, why not tackle clutter catchalls like junk drawers and countertops? You'll be able to find things again, and your space will feel brand new.
Can't remember when you last
cleaned your light fixtures? You're not alone; most of us miss this step during regular dusting.
By wiping down neglected lamps and sconces (and those ever-so-dusty light bulbs), you'll lose the grime that's accumulated over many months (years?). Your living space will suddenly feel so much brighter and lighter you may decide to tackle your mirrors and inside windows next.
It needn't cost the earth (or take forever) to change up your décor. New paint is great, but you can achieve a similar result with less work by applying one of today's trendy large-scale adhesive murals to a blank wall. The result: an instant accent space that's easy to switch up when it's time for a change. And don't forget greenery-add plants and flowers to your living space for that instant spring feeling.
As you can see, spring cleaning no longer has to be intimidating. With these simple tweaks, your home will feel like spring before you know it. |
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| Exercise = Weight Loss: It's Not That Easy |
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For years we've been told that weight loss is a simple equation: the more you exercise, the more weight you lose.
Sadly, it's not that simple. Exercise improves physical and mental health, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's. It's a stress reliever. But according to an article on Vox.com, some 60 studies have found that exercise's impact on weight loss is not that significant.
It's explained this way: We gain all our energy from food. But thanks to our basal
metabolic rate (over which we basically have no control), we use 60% to 80% of that energy just to function. We use 10% in digestion, leaving only 10% to 30% of energy available to be burned in physical activity (which includes exercise).
What works then? Interestingly, researchers have found that those who are successful in losing weight "weigh themselves at least once a week. They restrict their calorie intake, stay away from high-fat foods, and watch their portion sizes. They also exercise regularly."
Hey. We knew it all along. |
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| Tech Devices Can Teach Your Kids Money Management |
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Our kids may be computer whizzes, but chances are they're not very financially savvy. Money management is an essential life skill, and one that's not usually taught in school. But perhaps it should be; the consequences of not knowing how to manage money as an adult can lead to a host of money mistakes. Hence the introduction of device-based programs to teach kids about managing money.
One British start-up, Osper, has been offering a mobile banking service for children as young as eight that is designed so parents and children can work together to manage the child's money. It uses the technology that kids understand so well and offers parents the security of oversight.
The service functions like a prepaid credit card: The child is the cardholder and he or she can use it to make purchases in store, online, and for transactions at banking machines. Parents fund the card according to a budget they create with the child. An app helps them track spending,
and parents can lock the card if it's lost or stolen.
Bankaroo is a similar service and allows parents to keep track of their children's earnings from chores and allowances, and to follow their spending. A multi-child family account permits money transfers and tracks the children's individual financial goals. It's available in different currencies and languages, as an app for iOS and Android, and on desktop.
Good news: Bankaroo is now being offered in some North American schools. So tech-focused money management courses may soon be available at a school near you. |
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| Wondering How Much Your Home Is Worth? |
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How has the price of your home or rental changed in today's market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for?
If you're wondering what's happening to prices in your area, or you're thinking about selling your house or investment held property, I'll be able to help.
Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation.
I won't try to push you into listing with me or waste your time.
I'll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value.
And maybe I'll also give you the "inside scoop" on what's happening in the housing market near where you live!
Just give my office a call or reply to this email to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office. |
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| Shopping for a Home This Spring? Get a Credit Checkup |
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Spring may bring thoughts of your dream home - and what better time for a home search than now?
By the time summer comes you could be happily ensconced in your new home. Think outdoor living and a relaxed intro to a new neighborhood.
But before the dream turns into a full-fledged home search, there are several things to consider. One of the most important is your credit score and what that score may mean as far as your mortgage options.
To advance to the search phase, you'll need to know what your credit score looks like now and where it ultimately needs to be for you to be in a position to purchase a home. So now is an ideal time to contact your mortgage professional to review your credit.
Indeed, you can pull your own credit, but what you need is a way to interpret what's on the report and how it will impact you throughout the
lending process. Many things that you may see as minor on your report may actually make a significant difference in accessing the programs and interest rates you want.
For example, if you carry a lot of credit card debt or if one card has a higher balance than most lenders feel is appropriate, that's a negative. But if your mortgage advisor draws this to your attention, you'll have time to pay off or reduce your balance before you start to search.
And the sooner you start, the sooner you can be in your dream home. |
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Judy Stringari
REALTY WORLD Golden Hills
2680 South White Road
Suite 265
San Jose CA 95148
1-408-313-9067 Cell
1-408-223-3647 Office
1-408-238-6896 Fax |
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| www.JudyStringariRealEstate.com |
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| Judy@RWnetwork.comm |
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| Want to Sell Your Home Fast? Get My Free Guide |
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Preparing your home for sale can make the difference between getting the price you want " or ending up disappointed.
Discover some easy things you can do by requesting my free guide, "50 Tips to Prepare Your Home for a Speedy, Top-Price Sale." |
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| Just reply to this email and I'll send it right out to you. |
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| Click here to see a web copy of this newsletter |
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| Quick Quiz |
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Each month I'll give you a new question.
Just reply to this email for the answer.
Which Shakespearean play inspired West Side Story? |
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| Rosemary Balsamic Lamb Chops |
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| A spring favorite, this dish goes well with mashed potatoes and fresh peas, and can be served with reduced balsamic for a touch of sweetness. |
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| Serves 4 |
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| Ingredients |
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2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar |
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3 garlic cloves, minced |
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1/2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary |
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8 1-inch-thick lamb chops |
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| Directions |
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In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, garlic, and rosemary. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a plastic bag with the lamb chops. Refrigerate and marinate at least one hour, turning occasionally.
Turn on broiler. Remove chops from marinade and arrange on broiler pan. Broil for 5 minutes, then turn and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for medium. Rest meat for 5 minutes and serve. |
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| Ask the Agent: This Month's Question |
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I'm listing this spring; how can I enhance my home's exterior?
You're smart to think of this. One way to make sure your "For Sale" sign doesn't stay up very long is to pay attention to the lawn around it and the overall appearance of the house as seen from the street.
Exterior spring cleaning can enhance your home's curb appeal: maintaining the roof, cleaning windows and siding, cutting the grass and sprucing up flowerbeds.
Declutter outside, certainly, but why not do more while you're at it? Freshen the paint and upgrade the hardware on your front door. Put urns of flowers on the porch and add plants to the street side of your fence. Make the front look cozy; consider adding a swing or rocking chair to the porch.
Invest in large house numbers that everyone can read from across the road. And don't forget good outdoor
lighting. If the inside is as inviting as the outside, potential buyers may even want to stay past dark. |
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