Subject: Are Hardwoods A Fit?

Hello NAME,

Are you thinking about installing hardwood floors but aren’t sure you’re ready to make the investment? Here are some pros and cons to guide you in making the right decision for your home.

Hardwood floors are durable, easy to clean* and have a way of making any room look good while adding value to your home.  Depending on the type of hardwood you select, expect to pay $6-$12 per square foot.

Hard flooring surfaces are a superb choice for those with allergies as they don’t hold dust and pet dander, which can build up in carpet. They can be noisier and cooler than carpet so that is something to consider based on your location and lifestyle. 

While hard flooring is a better option for cat-owners, dogs may slip and slide and scratch the floors with their nails.  You may want to invest in some rugs and runners to alleviate this issue.

A perk of Hardwood floors is they offer a variety of choices such as board thickness and stain colors. And if you decide to change the look in the future, you can simply strip the floors and apply a new stain.

If you are concerned about the cost of hardwood, consider the other options available to you such as bamboo, laminate, porcelain tile, vinyl planks, cork flooring, painted plywood, or linoleum. Most of these options offer the look of wood in various colors and sizes.

Not interested? You can always stick with carpet; a tried and true cozy and warm option for a home.

 *Cleaning hardwood floors

Sweep with a sweep cloth or vacuum your floor. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water in a bucket.  Ensure the mop is thoroughly wrung out before mopping. Mop in the same direction of the floorboards to prevent any streaks from showing.

Remember to always check with a professional prior to using any product on your floors.

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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Subject: Recycling questions? Get your Answers here!

Hello NAME,

We all know recycling is good for our environment and our communities, but it can get confusing. How do you know what can be recycled? And how should you recycle it? Check out our recycling tips below to answer these questions.

Paper: Paper is recyclable. Include mail, office paper and envelopes, booklets and magazines cardboard (free of food waste), cake, cracker and cereal boxes (remove the insert that held the food and flatten the box to save space). Paper you cannot recycle includes carbon paper, wax paper and tissue paper. 

Plastic: Plastics with a 1 or 2 on the bottom of the container are usually recyclable. These include beverage bottles*, shampoo bottles, cleaning bottles, and some food containers. Plastics not usually recyclable include margarine and yogurt type containers and plastic cutlery.**

Aluminum: Recycle soda and juice cans, aluminum foil, pie tins, bottle caps, and other aluminum items. To recycle cans, rinse them and remove any labels. Crushing them will create more space for storage.

Glass: Glass bottles and jars may be recycled once the lids and caps are removed. No need to remove labels. Typically, treated glass (like broken plates and colored glass), window glass and incandescent light bulbs are not accepted.

Cell Phones: Recycle your used cell phones by taking them to your service provider or a store such as Staples or Best Buy, which has a drop bin for phones. You could also find a local charity that takes used cell phone donations. Either way, make sure you clear all personal data and information from the phone before recycling it.

Because recycling materials and pick-up or drop-off locations may vary depending on where you live, check with your local recycling and solid waste office for information on your community’s recycling program.

*Ask your local recycling program whether caps are accepted before trying to recycle plastic caps with the bottle. Some want you to leave them on, some want them separated, and some want them discarded.

** It costs more money to recycle polypropylene than other plastics, so most utilities opt to skip recycling it altogether.

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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Subject: Painting your home? Here Are some Quick Tips

Hello NAME,

If you are going to invest in painting the inside of your home, prepping the walls is key.  Do not cut corners when it comes to prepping.

First, inspect your walls for dings, cracks, nail holes and dry wall imperfections. To repair a nail hole, push any remaining drywall into the hole. Fill in the hole with putty, let it dry and sand it so that it’s flush to the wall.

It’s important to caulk the casing of the windows, doors, and baseboards before you begin painting to add a clean, polished look.

Once the walls are patched and the caulking is completed, you are ready to begin painting.  Cover everything you do not want paint to get on. 

You may want to use painter’s tape for a nice straight line, especially if you are painting the ceiling or baseboards.  Be sure to apply your tape straight and to remove it only after the paint is dry to the touch (usually one hour).

If you want to paint the ceiling and it is flat, you should paint it first and use an extended roller. Wear an old hat or bandana over your hair, in case of any drips. Popcorn ceilings require certain steps so do your due diligence on the proper techniques or consider hiring a professional.

From there you’ll move on to the trim.  Then coat the walls, with a roller, rolling the paint into the edges and finish by painting the baseboards for a fresh completed look.

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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Subject: Is It Time for Your Annual Real Estate Checkup

Hello NAME,

Because your home is most likely one of your largest assets, it just makes sense to stay on top of its value. Don’t you agree?

Each year I offer my great clients and friends an opportunity to request a FREE, no strings attached, Annual Real Estate Checkup.

When you book your checkup I will come to you, take a quick tour of your home, and bring you a comprehensive market evaluation. This evaluation will be customized and prepared specifically for you.

At this meeting I will give you my opinion of the current values, share information about how the market is trending, and answer any questions you might have. The entire consultation will take less than 20 minutes, although I am happy to stay longer if you have more questions.

You might be asking why I would go through so much trouble to provide this valuable service for free, especially when you aren’t even selling your home. The answer is simple: I want to stay in touch and be valuable to you as your wise real estate advisor. This is how I hope you to earn your referrals and future business.

If you prefer, I would be happy to simply email the information to you and answer any questions you have over the phone.

Call or text me any time and we will set our appointment!

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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