Welcome to this month's edition of the RealtyRave newsletter. We hope that you find it filled with interesting and useful information!
Please think of me with any real estate related questions you may have - now and in the future. It would be my pleasure to be of assistance to you.
The single highest and best compliment a Real Estate Professional can receive is a referral to friends, family or colleagues. As appropriate, please feel free to forward this Newsletter and/or my contact information. Thank you!
David Burke
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Are smart homes the key to unlocking relationship woes?
(BPT) - The American dream of owning a home comes with a large dose of reality - the often-overwhelming amount of time, energy and money it takes to maintain a property. Light bulbs burn out, furnaces strain and dishwashers leak.
Daily chores like laundry, washing the dishes and vacuuming can become points of contention between couples. The constant upkeep can lead to wear and tear on your relationships. Disagreements about chores with your significant other isn't romantic, and when there's so much to get done, who has time for date nights out, family game night or dinner with friends?
The good news is experts predict these dilemmas may not exist in the future. Smart home technology is developing rapidly, and it is dramatically changing the way households function. This equates to less stress and more time to spend with your loved ones.
Could a smart thermostat reduce the divorce rate? Could a connected fridge be the key to unlocking relationship woes? According to the findings of a new survey commissioned by Intel, 58 percent of Americans believe it can.
"Intel Architecting the Smart Home of the Future" delves into expectations for Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in our homes and reveals that people desire smart homes for many of the same reasons they seek work-life balance: for increased family time and fewer arguments with partners about chores.
The survey shows responden ts are optimistic that adopting smart home technologies will create tangible benefits like reducing the daily grind, improving personal relationships, lessening stress and increasing leisure time. And these benefits feel close to reality, as nearly one in seven (68 percent) are confident smart homes will be as commonplace as smartphones within 10 years.
With fewer household chores, Americans believe the number one benefit of the smart home of 2025 will be more time to connect to the things they care about. This includes spending more quality time with family and friends, with enough left over for a little personal "me time."
Just imagine your home having a sensor that doesn't only alert you of a leak, it calls a plumber to fix it, then unlocks the door to let him in. Experts note advancements like these will go beyond residential benefits. Intel envisions "a smart world where our homes, cars, neighborhoods and cities will talk effortlessly to each other."
Less stress and more time are obvious benefits of smart home technology, but will these changes really improve relationship quality? Professors at Carnegie Mellon University predict it will, saying: "We believe a smart home should provide families with a feeling of control over their lives: being relieved from breakdowns in daily routines, and getting emotional satisfaction from the things they value - identity, time, and relationships."
Not only can smart homes positively influence relationships, they may also boost your pocketbook. Intel's survey respondents noted they are open to receiving financial benefits in exchange for sharing behavioral data from their homes. In fact, 78 percent would like tax incentives to off-set install costs and 43 percent would like money.
With the smart home of the future there will be no need to argue about taking the garbage out - the smart home already disposed of it. Everyday chores and inconveniences no longer take up precious time so families can now enjoy life to the fullest, plus maybe get a little cash in the process. Learn more about current smart home technologies available today at intel.com/newsroom/iot.
HELPFUL HINTS  Winter woes: Dry eye more prevalent in cold weather
(BPT) - Our wardrobes aren’t the only things that change when the weather turns chilly. Our bodies are often affected not only by the outdoor changes, but inside changes as well. The body part that receives most of the brunt from winter weather is our eyes.
Between the harsh winter winds and the dry heat radiating inside, our eyes can suddenly feel irritated and scratchy this time of year. In fact, exposure to these atmospheres can cause moisture to evaporate inside our eyes. As a result, our tear glands cannot adequately produce the fluid needed to maintain the eyes’ protective, liquid coating. The result is itchy, dry eyes that can cause pain, blurred vision, a burning sensation or even watery vision as our eyes try to compensate for the dryness.
While it is difficult to avoid dry eyes altogether during the winter months, there are several steps that you can take to ensure your eyes stay soothed while indoors this season.
Help for the home
During the frigid winter months, a home’s humidity level can easily dip below the 30-55 percent range required for our eyes to stay lubricated. Offset this dry air by using a humidifier in your home. An alternative is leaving off the exhaust in your bathroom while you shower.
Also, refrain from using a ceiling fan while sleeping at night, as drafts can also exacerbate symptoms. To keep this culprit in check, light a match in the room you are in to find where the draft is located.
Fill up on fluids
Even mild dehydration can negatively affect how dry your eyes feel, as cold temperatures can dampen the body’s thirst mechanism and artificial heat hastens tear evaporation. Keep eyes hydrated by sipping water throughout the day. Also, increase your intake of fluid-rich foods like soup, fruits and veggies. Adding a cup of hot tea or water with lemon can not only keep you cozy on a chilly day, but ensure proper hydration as well.
Nourish your body
Many clinical studies show omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered essential fatty acids, may protect adult eyes from dry eye syndrome. Omega-3s support healthy tear production and keep eyes moisturized. In addition to omega-3s, other ingredients like Vitamin A, D3, green tea and evening primrose oil can significantly accelerate the time it takes to feel relief.
Watery eye help
In cold and windy conditions, many complain their eyes water more than normal. Typically the symptoms of watery eye are excessive tearing, which is made worse by being outdoors. Wearing spectacles will provide protection against the wind, even if you don’t usually wear them outdoors. In some cases, excessive watering of the eyes may be a sign of a blockage of tear ducts or infection of the eye.
If you are concerned about the health of your eyes — whether tear production is suboptimal or you suffer from watery eyes, visit your optometrist. Your eye care professional will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Garlic Cheddar Chicken
Makes 8 servings and ready in 55 minutes!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded thin
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, and cook the garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
In a shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano, pepper, and salt.
Dip each chicken breast in the garlic butter to coat, then press into the bread crumb mixture. Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle with any remaining butter and top with any remaining bread crumb mixture.t
Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
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Compliments of:
David Burke
Realty Executives Desert Lifestyles
78065 Main St. Suite 101
La Quinta, CA 92253
e-Pro
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Household Tips
Loose Drawer Knobs
Before inserting a screw into the knob, coat with fingernail polish to hold it tightly.
Leaky Vase
Fix a leaky vase by coating the inside with paraffin and letting it harden
Plywood Cutting
Put a strip of masking tape at the point of plywood where you plan to begin sawing to keep it from splitting.
Loose Screws
To make a screw hold tightly, dip it in glue before replacing.
Locating Wall Studs
Move a pocket compass along the wall. When the needle moves, usually the stud will be located at that point. Studs are usually located 16 inches apart.
Fraying Rope
Shellac the ends of rope to prevent fraying.
Fraying Nylon Cord
Heat the cut end of nylon cord over a match flame to bond the end together
Loosing Rusting Bolts
Apply a cloth soaked in any carbonated soda to loosen rusted bolts.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Did you know unless food is mixed with saliva you can't taste it
- Did you know the average person falls asleep in 7 minutes
- Did you know a bear has 42 teeth
- Did you know an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain
- Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries
- Did you know 8% of people have an extra rib
- Did you know 85% of plant life is found in the ocean
- Did you know Ralph Lauren's original name was Ralph Lifshitz
- Did you know rabbits like licorice
- Did you know the Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters
- Did you know 'Topolino' is the name for Mickey Mouse in Italy
- Did you know a lobsters blood is colorless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue
About Us
Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we are here to assist you in accomplishing your real estate dreams. Burke and Associates has been awarded the "Top Listing Agent, 2011, and 2012" by Keller Williams Realty. Call today and let us put our tools, techniques and skills to work for you!
Also, be sure to ask us about our monthly specials for our new construction developments!
P.S. Referrals are the highest compliment a sales professional can receive from a client. Please pass my name around to your friends, family, and acquaintances so that I can provide them with the best real estate experience possible!
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