Subject: Preparing for the purchase of a new home

Hello NAME,

Buying a home can be an emotional decision. As you plan to buy your new home, you will be thinking about the features, benefits, schools, amenities, and so on, and will likely end up with a big wish list.

However, one of the least exciting aspects of a new home purchase is also one of the most important steps, and that is selecting a mortgage lender, program, and qualifying for the home of your choice.

Even if your new home purchase is a few months or even a year or more away, now is a good time to get your finances in order. Consult with a quality lender and begin to resolve marks or issues on your credit report.

Financial to do’s:

1. Determine the budget/purchase price of your dream home.
2. Calculate the down payment you will be making.
3. Get your credit score and take steps to improve it.
4. Pay down debts.
5. Boost your savings account. Many lenders want to see a reserve account leftover after your down payment and closing costs have been paid.
6. Cut back on personal expenses to get used to an increased mortgage payment.
7. Select a lender, meet with them, and set your game plan.
8. Choose a real estate agent to help you identify your best target neighborhood based on your budget.

For a complimentary home buying consult and references to quality lenders, feel free to respond to this email. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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Subject: Would you like to be more optimistic?

Hello NAME,

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just flip a switch and suddenly feel more optimistic? Here are some surprisingly simple methods to fire up your endorphins and put you on a path to a more optimistic outlook.

• Don’t skip the coffee. Even decaf studies have shown that people who drink a couple of cups a day do enjoy health benefits and say they feel happier after their coffee break.
• Get outdoors. Just a short walk in the morning or a quick stroll outside on your lunch break will do wonders for your mental health. This doesn’t have to be about exercising; just simply being out of doors in the fresh air can give you the mental boost you need to relieve the tension of the day.
• Doctors say exercise is a powerful tool for altering your mood to a more positive state.Going to the gym is great, but working in your yard, taking a walk or playing outside with the kids counts too. Make it fun and easy to fit into your daily routine.
• Find a way to give back in a way which has meaning for you. Helping others can inspire and make you feel more appreciative of your own life situation.
• Be more social. After a hard week at the office it’s tempting to be a weekend  homebody  or  couch  potato. Research shows people who have more live face-to-face connections are happier and even healthier.

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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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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Subject: 3 Tips for a Healthy You

Hello NAME,

We all want to be healthy, but sometimes the idea of it seems overwhelming. You can make a few simple changes to your lifestyle that can increase your happiness and put you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Drink plenty of water. We all get busy and forget to hydrate. Get a water bottle that you can take with you wherever you go to help keep you hydrated.

2. Get enough sleep at night. Sleep is important to both our physical and mental health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommends that adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep a day.

3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly. For example, taking a brisk walk. The CDC also recommends some type of muscle strengthening exercise at least 2 days a week.

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

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