Here in Florida we are in our drought season.  Water restrictions are cropping up everywhere, and one city in this state is predicted to run out of water by 2020.  We in the Active Rain community have been  blogging about water conservation, and all of us have come away with some new found ideas on how we can personally conserve.  One thing that I've been doing is to keep a bucket in the shower and while the water is running till it gets hot, it collects most of what comes out of the shower head.  On a daily basis our family of two collects three gallons of water.  That translates to roughly 21 gallons of water per week and 1092 gallons of water per year.  And that doesn't include what isn't captured in the bucket and goes down the drain.  A family of four would realize a savings of 218... 04/28/2007

Real estate marketing has a new weapon in its arsenal, its called STAGE it RIGHT! home staging and consulting!When it comes to real estate, the old adage, that you only get one chance to make a first impression is especially true.  But are your clients doing what needs to be done to make your listings stand out from the growing number of houses and condos for sale and for rent in Brevard County?STAGE it RIGHT! is a local company that helps you, an agent, and your sellers, sell homes at top dollar.  The best part for you, the agent, is that no money leaves your pocket.  Home staging is easy, it works, and best of all, its very cost effective.  The next best part is, the average cost for staging a home is around $250!  A small price to pay to present the house in the best possible light t... 04/26/2007

Here is another great product from Working Assets, the socially conscious and environmentally friendly provider of long distance and wireless phone service.  They offer a credit card with low APR, and they will plant trees, and donate to conservation causes based on your purchases.  I've had this credit card for several years, and the APR has never gone up.  In fact its the only credit card I now have. It's one credit card you don't mind using, and we can all use a break from high interest rates.  Check it out!  Don't want another credit card?  Then consider Working Assets as your phone provider.  You can check that out at www.workingassets.com, free cell phones provided with each new account!  And they will buy out your current cell phone contract to help get you started!http://www.wor... 04/21/2007

You've cleaned, polished and organized, and the house is complete.  Real estate agent has been over and listed the house, put the lock box on the door, and all is well.  You go to work on Monday, relishing the new face your house has to show potential buyers.  You're pleased with the outcome, and looking forward to arriving home to see how many showings you house had during the day.  You unlock the door, walk in, and find............ that your dog has done a little home staging of her own!STAGE it RIGHT! can "dress" any home and make it shine to potential buyers!  Call today for an appointment!  321-956-2495 04/15/2007

Your real estate agent is coming over in four hours, so you decide to do a little touch up painting. The phone rings.  When you finally get back to the task at hand you walk into the room and this is what greets you!We can only hope the paint is eco-friendly and easy to remove!  04/15/2007

As a home stager I have an eye, a knack, and a passion for staging a home.  What I don't have is an eye, a knack, and a passion for floral arranging, and I'm sure I'm not alone.  I can wander around Michaels for hours looking at the pretty flowers, wondering what I could do with them, if I only had an eye, a knack, and a passion.  Because I love to add beautiful bouquets to a staging, I've found myself paying more for a professionally done arrangement than my budget allows, till last summer.  I always take my camera with me and when I find an arrangement I truely love and know would work well with my current project, I take a picture of it, then proceed to walk the store and gather all the same elements that are in the finished product.  When I get home, I print the picture and set to w... 04/12/2007

I, like all home stagers, am constantly on the lookout for good deals on staging props.  Today in my travels, I stopped by a local department store, and started my usual path around the store, going from department to department, eagle eyed, checking for sales.  In the furniture department I spied a boxed set which contained a sofa table and two lamps.  The table is wrought iron and the top is wood with a glass insert, the lamps are brushed stainless with cream color shades.  The BIG clearance sign had these sets priced at $39.99.  A bargain!  So I load one up, should have taken two or more, and go to check out.  The register rang the sale up at $89.99!  I politely informed the cashier that the clearance sign said $39.99.  A call to the manager, a check of the sign, and he confirmed the... 04/10/2007

Several years ago while visiting friends in Colorado Springs, on our way to New Mexico, we decided to be tourists and head for Pikes Peak.  We checked out the routes leading out of there and decided the route down the mountain would be the most interesting choice.  I can never say enough about how interesting it was!  As a flat lander, I have seen mountains, been to mountains, been on mountains, and gone up and down mountains, while on driving trips through our beautiful country.  But, I had never been hanging off the edge of a mountain, in a van loaded with kids and dogs, until that fateful day when we left the Peak and headed to NM.  Now, its not too bad when you can hug the side of the mountain and travel at your own fast clip of say, 2 mph, but when you meet an on coming vehicle and... 04/07/2007

We all know the importance of curb appeal when selling a house.  Clean driveway, fresh plants, pulled weeds, swept entryway.  But how often do we think of the front door as a part of the curb appeal evaluation?  I recently staged two high-end homes, and as I was going in and out I kept thinking "there's something missing out here".  After several trips back and forth, I stopped and stood back to take a look at the entryway, and it hit me.  The door was almost the same color as the house and you couldn't see how pretty it was.  My contention is that the first thing a buyer sees should set the stage for what is waiting inside.  I advised the owner to have the door painted a deep red, not only to compliment the color of the house, but also because red is the color of money.  The paint, plu... 04/05/2007

Hurricane season starts today and it promises to be an active one.  Here are some things you need to do now to prepare:1. Photograph everything you own.  Open drawers, closets, storage containers, you name it and take pictures.  Make sure to include all furniture, electronics, appliances etc.  On the back of each picture write the approximate cost of the major items and when purchased.  It will save you hours and hours and hours of time should you have a claim, trying to recreate what you own and what it cost.2. Have at least two sets of photographs.  Keep at home sealed in triple zip lock bags in the fridge.  The fridge is waterproof and pretty much fire proof.  Or put them in a fireproof safe.  The second set is in the safe deposit box at the bank.3. Have duplicate copies of all impor... 03/29/2007

I'm sure we all have "kits" that contain various tools, cleaning products, etc.  In addition to the obvious I also carry along a bottle of lite olive oil.  I use this on dry furniture that needs a good oiling, dull hardwood floors, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, and in the kitchen to polish stainless steel appliances and sinks.  I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this eco-friendly polishing product, other than years ago I gave it a try on a tired looking stainless steel sink and it worked.  For furniture I apply liberally and rub in.  For floors I pour on the floor and mop it in with a waxing mop.  For stainless steel, a small amount on a rag, then buff off with a clean dry cloth.  It not only shines up the stainless but it removes all those finger prints that stainless steel is so fond ... 03/25/2007

We all know that a big turn off to potential buyers is the offensive smells some homes seem to exude.  As a home stager smell is one of the items I counsel homeowners about.  Barring a thorough pressure washing of the interior of the house, which is often needed :-) some of the tips I impart are:1.  Coffee in those sealed pouches strategically placed around the house and one or two attached to the A/C filter will filter out a lot of noxious odors without making the house smell like Starbucks.2.  Smokers, take it outside till the house sells.  A concerted effort to rid the house of tobacco smells works as long as the smokers keep it outside.3.  A product such as Simple Solution can be literally poured on carpets and upholstered furniture to get rid of pet urine stains and smells.  Its a ... 03/24/2007

I just read a blog regarding the difficulty of going "green", what with the paper, the gas, electricity, etc. we consume in our businesses.  There are two resources that can help you offset your "carbon footprint" on the earth.  The first is the Terra Pass.  You estimate the amount of electricty you use in a year then purchase the appropriate Terra Pass.  The money is used for alternative energy research and to support companies that promote alternative energy resources.  You can also purchase a Terra Pass when you fly, to offset the CO2 emitted by the plane(s) you fly on.  The other resource is Green Dimes.  They will contact all those junk mailers and get you off their lists. That includes magazines and catalogs.  Of course we all know the little everyday things we can do, like using ... 03/19/2007

"Florida law requires insurance companies to offer homeowners discounts or credits for existing building features or home improvements that reduce damage and loss from hurricanes.  Florida insurance companies are required to file these discounts with the Office of Insurance Regulation.  With the outrageous cost of homeowners insurance, you can save your clients money by recommending a wind mitigation inspection. Homes built after 2001 should receive a discounted rate on their insurance wind premium automatically. If you have any questions about anything home related call anytime. I'm here to help. 03/12/2007

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate stays the same during the life of the loan. With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the interest changes periodically, typically in relation to an index. While the monthly payments that you make with a fixed-rate mortgage are relatively stable, payments on an ARM loan will likely change. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of mortgage, and the best way to select a loan product is by talking to us. 01/02/2007

Generally speaking, you can purchase a home with a value of two or three times your annual household income. However, the amount that you can borrow will also depend upon your employment history, credit history, current savings and debts, and the amount of down payment you are willing to make. You may also be able to take advantage of special loan programs for first time buyers to purchase a home with a higher value. Give us a call, and we can help you determine exactly how much you can afford.Phillip LanierAccess e*Mortgage, Shore Point Financial GroupOffice:  (321) 956-0884Toll Free:  (866) 663-6898 01/02/2007

Think bankers have better prices and more mortgage programs? Think again!Mortgage Brokers make 65% all home loans closed each year. Have you ever wondered why your neighbors selected a Mortgage Broker as their mortgage provider? Because . . .Customer satisfaction is the key to a Mortgage Brokers livelihood and serving you is a Mortgage Brokers most important concern. He/She will treat you like a person, not a loan number. Your Mortgage Broker doesnt work bankers hours. They are available 24/7, not just 9 to 5 Monday through Friday!Your Mortgage Broker is your consultant, working with you as you determine your borrowing needs. With 100s of resources a broker can almost always match your borrowing needs with a program to suit those needs whereas most banks establish their own limited crit... 01/02/2007

Money Money Money! Current mood: accomplished Bringing wealth and management to Brevard County, as I have been asked to do larger work at the Women's Center.  I am proud to be a volunteer at the center for about 6 months. Today, I was asked if the center could advertise Higher Ground Financial Services as the Financial Advisor/Budget Workshop Moderator to the community. I will be continuing seminars once a month through the center. These seminars are free and held on the property at this time.  The Florida Today will run regular advertisment for the Women's Center.  I want to take this opportunity to invite you to the monthly meetings.  I will be adding additional workshops for seasoned clients, and one evening a month to accomodate the weekend warriors.  If  you would like to sign up p... 12/30/2006