Bacardi's Corner:Getting your Canine friend prepared for the Warm Season

Hey everyone it is Bacardi from Bacardi's Corner. I don't know why but Lynn has not ask me to write anything lately, so I figured I would step up to the plate. I know you all come here for great Real Estate tips, but I am taking it upon myself to make this checklist for all my canine brothers and sisters. Don't worry it some of the list will also help with your house keeping it cleaner and if you are selling that is important

-First thing you should do if you have stopped heart worm medicine for the winter, please start it back up,now is the time.

-Start back our flea and tick medicine, besides you don't want those bugs in your house, especially if you are trying to sell it.

-Have us groomed, remember dogs can only sweat through their tongues and paws.

-Please remember we get allergies also, so when we come in from outside wipe us down, we are constantly cleaning ourselves and will adsorb those allergens.

-Right now a lot of folks are doing yard work, spraying things on their yard, fresh mulch, please clean our paws good (it will also keep your carpet clean).

-Don't forget we like to exercise outside as well (been a long winter) so please if you take us for a hike or anything remember to pack some water and a dish for your canine buddy.

Well folks I have to get back to being a lovable, cute dog...Have a great week and feel free to leave me a comment on here.

Your Canine Buddy,       

Bacardi 

Bacardi's Corner: Sellers what to do?

Well Good Day: It is me Bacardi your friendly and hopefully one of your favorite canine. So Lynn is making me work today, oh the nerve of her, I wanted to be taking a nap. So I was thinking about what do people do with their dogs while a house is for sale??? Some folks just don't know, well never fear Bacardi is here to help.

Having a dog there at the house while it is being shown can be a real distraction, whether the potential home buyer loves dogs or is afraid of dogs. Here are my suggestions

1. Make sure that your Real Estate Agent has arranged it so that you have enough notice to take us out of the house during the showing.

2. If  an appointment has been set  during a time you work, one option have a neighbor or friend come and walk the dog or take it to a doggie daycare.

3. If you are going be home around that time take the dog for a walk until the showing is complete.

4. This one I love, the appointment is set and my owner takes me on a day trip, that is my favorite.

We are dogs and will protect our house most of the time, so for someone coming in and we are barking can be very bad for that person  and scary. Keep in mind it might of been someone that would of bought your house, and left really quick. So just go that extra mile.

As always if you have any questions contact us here at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

Yes They Are Booties on Bacardi

Hi All, Bacardi here from Bacardi's corner. With this drastic cold snap in most of the country, thought would be a good time to introduce you to an idea that may make life a lot better for your furry kids. 

As you can see I am wearing a pair of boots, Lynn calls them Uggs. Now at first I did not like them, and to be honest I tried to paw smack Lynn for putting them on. Once I got outside and my paws were not cold, I was like this is "Awesome!" The sweater nice added touch keeps me a little warmer and besides I am rockin' this look. I see other dogs out in this cold and they are limping trying to lift up there paws, trust me humans in the ice and snow are paws get cold. Also when there is ice you humans spread the ice melt, with these on I don't have to worry about it getting stuck on my paws and licking it off, that ice melt is poison to us.

So check your local pet store or go online and see what kinda of booties you can find for your four legged kids. Trust me they will appreciate. Until next time have a Safe and Happy Winter.



Thanks for stopping by our blog today and visit us on my website at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

7 Seven Tips For Staying Safe During a Storm

Hot off the press from ABC News with the winter storm thought this would be a great article for everyone out there


By Alyssa Newcomb

Jan 3, 2014 6:00am

(Image Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The first big snow day of this winter has arrived in the Northeast, bringing with it freezing temperatures and as much as 14 inches of fresh powder.

If you’re in an area being walloped by the winter weather, we hope you’re hunkered down somewhere warm (preferably at home) with a hot beverage by your side.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these emergency preparedness tips for staying safe during a winter storm:

• Relax, take it easy. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you must trek through the snow or do chores, dress warmly and work slowly.
• Be extra vigilant with the sources of heat in your home. Fireplaces, wood stoves and other combustion heaters should only be used if they have proper outside ventilation and there aren’t any leaks. Make sure space heaters are at least 3 feet away from anything that could catch fire, such as drapes or bedding.
• If there’s a power outage, use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns. If you must use candles, do not leave them unattended.
• Conserve heat inside your home by opening windows and doors only if necessary. 
• Check on elderly relatives and neighbors to make sure they have enough food, heat and supplies to wait out the storm.
• Try to prevent your pipes from freezing or rupturing by leaving all taps slightly open so they drip continuously. If your pipes do freeze, thaw them slowly with the warm air from an electric hair dryer.
• Avoid travel, but if you must, let someone know your destination and when you expect to arrive. Make sure you’re dressed warmly and your vehicle is stocked a winter weather survival kit, including water, matches, a flashlight, chains and emergency flares. Carry extra warm winter gear such as a sleeping bag and blankets in case your car breaks down and you lose heat.

Lynn Nichols Real Estate wishes you a very safe day today!!! Visit us at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

More Than 3 Million Regained Equity in 2013

For the year 2013 we have seen a jump in housing prices, which is great. Home owners for the most part have equity in their homes now. It is looking very promising in the year 2014. I also ran across this article in the Realtor magazine, and as always if you need any help or have any Real Estate questions please contact us at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 02, 2014

Home prices rebounded in 2013, helping more than 3 million home owners regain long-lost equity, according to CoreLogic’s latest MarketPulse report. 

"We’re encouraged by the improvements of the past year and have every reason to be cautiously optimistic about continued progress in 2014. That said, monitoring the current and potential headwinds the industry faces is critical," says Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic.

More than two-thirds of all homes with a mortgage now have at least 20 percent equity, giving home owners more options in the housing market in the new year and increasing their employment mobility. 

Still, 6.4 million residential properties have negative equity, and a third of those are concentrated in five states: Nevada, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, and Georgia. 

Some of the biggest jumps in home prices over the last six months has occurred in Chicago and Raleigh, N.C., CoreLogic reports. 

"That acceleration is consistent with our prior analysis, which showed that Chicago has had the most rapid growth of any market for owner-occupied purchase transactions in the past two years," the report said. 

Thanks again for stopping by today and don't forget to visit us at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

Happy New Year

                                                                              Lynn Nichols Real Estate would like to wish you a very                                                                               Safe and Happy New Year.

Job Growth to Drive 2014 Housing Market

Read a great article today about how the housing market will so be growing in 2014, only down side is that the mortgage rates will more in likely start to rise above 5% in the second half of the year, now is time to get off the fence. If you would like to talk about the housing market feel free to contact me or visit my website at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2013

The housing recovery is expected to remain strong in the new year, driven by economic growth and an improving employment picture, economists say. 

In fact, job growth likely will be one key to driving housing growth in the new year. An estimated 2 million or more jobs will be created in 2014, predicts Lawrence Yun, National Association of REALTORS(R)’ chief economist.

As employment picks up, greater demand for housing is expected to occur and a surge in homebuilding activity. Celia Chen, housing economist at Moody's Analytic, predicts a “homebuilding boom” in 2014 that will spark even more jobs -- from construction workers to manufacturers -- and bring about greater demand for housing overall. 

"The homebuilding boom in 2014 drives our strong economic forecast," Chen said. "Homebuilding generates a lot of jobs.

The housing recovery is expected to continue on its path in the new year with home prices continuing to rise (although at a slower pace); sales to rise slightly; and the foreclosure crisis expected to finally draw to an end. 

"For the general consumer, the market will be good in 2014," says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®. "Home values will continue to rise, but not sharply, but there won't be a decline."

Yun notes 2014 will be the second consecutive year of a “very respectable recovery,” marked by a 20 percent cumulative rise in existing-home sales over the past two years and nearly a 20 percent increase in home values. 

However, he notes that existing-home sales will likely plateau in 2014. Sales have already been slowing in the latest reports. 

Yun says home prices rose 11 percent in 2013, but growth will likely be slower in 2014 at a pace of 5 percent. The reason for the slowing pace of home prices, he says, is mostly being driven by “less affordable conditions from higher prices and higher mortgage rates.” Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages are expected to rise above 5 percent in the second half of 2014 (up from a current average of 4.47 percent this week).  

"While rates will be higher than what they were, they won't be at a level that will discourage home purchases," says Jay Brinkmann, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association. MBA is predicting interest rates to also average about 5 percent in 2014. 

Meanwhile, the distressed housing crisis is expected to fade away in 2014. Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac, says that 2014 will likely be the year “we transition back to normal.” About 85,000 foreclosure filings a month nationwide are expected by the first quarter of 2015. 

"The market has worked through most of the bad loans that triggered the crisis to begin with," Blomquist says. Still, some loans need to be “cleaned up.” 

Thanks for stopping by and visit us at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

Bacardi's Corner-Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pets

Well the season is upon us and here I am back again, Bacardi. Lynn thought it would be a great idea if I wrote an article about pet safety for Christmas. Well my first tip is I don't know if it is really about safety, but go easy on us on the clothes. I am so afraid this sweater makes me look fat, LOL. Well, onward with pet safety but to be honest I used an article that Dr. Becker wrote (don't tell Lynn though she pays me in dog biscuits). Everyone have a very Merry Christmas!!!

10 Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe During the Hectic Holiday Season

1. Secure your Christmas tree by screwing a hook into the wall or ceiling and running string or fishing line around the tree trunk and fastened to the hook.
   
   This will anchor your tree and prevent it from being tipped or pulled over by a curious cat or a rambunctious dog.
   
   It will also keep water at the base of the tree from spilling. Stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria and isn't something your pet should be drinking, so make sure it isn't easily accessible.
2. Place electrical cords, wires and batteries out of your pet’s reach to prevent a potentially deadly electrical shock or burns from a punctured battery.
3. Especially if you are owned by a cat, skip the tinsel. It’s a real temptation for kitties because it’s sparkly and fun to bat around. But ingestion of tinsel can obstruct your pet’s GI tract and bring on vomiting. Vomiting causes dehydration. And if the situation is dire, surgery could be required to remove the tangle of tinsel inside your pet and repair any damage.
   
   Also forego breakable tree ornaments. Glass shards can injure pet paws, mouths, and can be very dangerous if swallowed.
4. Candles are very popular holiday décor, but make sure to never leave lighted candles unattended. Use appropriate holders that prevent candles from being knocked over by curious pets. Take care when using scented candles, especially the food-scented variety, that the smell doesn’t encourage your dog or cat to sample the goods. Candle wax isn’t species-appropriate nutrition for your pet!
5. Pets and sweets don’t mix, so make sure your dog or cat has zero access to holiday goodies like candy, cookies, chocolate and other sugary foods, including any food that is artificially sweetened.
   
   And to be on the very safe side, also prevent your pet from counter surfing in the kitchen, sniffing the table at meal time, and nosing around in the garbage. Believe it or not, there's a long list of people foods that are toxic to pets, so don't even chance it.
6. Beverages should also be kept out of your pet’s reach. Beer, wine and liquor can make your dog or cat quite ill, and can even be life threatening.
7. It’s also a good idea to keep pets separated from tipsy guests. So if the party is getting lively, it’s your cue to tuck your four-legged family member away in a safe, quiet location of the house.
8. Provide your pet with a quiet place to retreat during holiday festivities. Dogs and especially cats get overwhelmed and over-stimulated just like kids do. Make sure your companion has her own out-of-the-way spot stocked with fresh water, a few treats and toys, and comfy bedding to snuggle up in.
   
   New Year's celebrations can be a special problem for pets, so keep yours a safe distance from confetti, streamers, noise makers and other dangers.
9. Resist the irresistible -- those cute and colorful pet toys and stocking stuffers that show up on store displays this time of year. No matter how adorable that stuffed dog toy is, chances are some part of it will wind up inside your pooch. Stick with safe, healthy dog gifts like all-natural dental bones, yummy high-protein treats, and stimulating puzzle toys.
   
   If there's a cat on your Christmas gift list, go for toys that stimulate his hunting instincts or how about a new scratching surface? You can also consider a toy that allows you to interact with him and gives him some exercise at the same time, like a laser beam toy or a feather teaser like Da Bird.
10. Did you know many holiday plants and flowers are highly toxic for dogs and cats? Holly is one. So are many varieties of the lily. Mistletoe is a no-no, as are poinsettias. Take a pass on live holiday plants and opt for silk or plastic greenery instead.

In addition to these tips, it's also very important for your pet's health and stress level to maintain her normal daily routine during the holidays.

Happy holidays to you and your pet!

By the way you can contact Lynn anytime you would like at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com, thanks for stopping by...