Hi James
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
Top 5 most distracted behaviors and how to change them safely
(BPT) - With the average attention span only lasting eight seconds, and the need to multitask to keep up with an on-the-go lifestyle, it's no wonder so many of us are easily sidetracked during routine tasks. Here are 5 valuable tips to combat the five most distracted behaviors.
Running with headphones
Whether training for an upcoming marathon or jogging around the block, we often take the time to develop the perfect playlist to keep us going, but don't consider the risks of tuning out the outside world. Before you press play, consider your personal safety: leave the headphones at home, especially at night. If you're streaming music through your smartphone, make sure the volume is low enough to hear the traffic around you.
Texting while walking
Did you know that nearly 60 percent of pedestrians use a smartphone while crossing the street, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration? Combine that with the average five seconds a driver's eyes are off the road while texting, a statistic from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the results can be deadly.
Don't walk and text. If you need to take a call, move to the side until your call is complete. Always be aware of your surroundings. A distracted pedestrian can be an easy target for potential criminals.
Walking your dog at dawn and dusk
Fido requires multiple daily walks to stay healthy. If your schedule only allows for exercising him in the early morning or late evening hours, you may find yourself walking in the dark when you're overtired, which can delay reaction times when they're most critical.
Keep dogs on short leashes for more control in heavy traffic. If you walk your dog in the dark, wear light colored clothing with reflective strips so drivers can see you. LED safety lights bands that provide high and instant visibility up to 1,400 feet or a 1/4 mile from every direction. Available in wrist, arm and leg bands for you, and collars and leashes for your dog, these bands will help to provide safety for everyone.
Navigating the parking lot
Whether working late or tackling weekly errands, busy parking lots and garages can be dangerous if you are distracted by an armful of bags, children or technology. Leave the balancing act for a secure location to ensure you safely get in your car and on the road.
Before making your way to your vehicle, be sure your keys are in hand. Pay attention to your surroundings and other vehicles entering and exiting the lot. Consider walking alongside the aisle instead of taking the stairwell, or ask a security guard to escort you to your car. To buckle a child into a safety seat, get into the backseat with the child and lock the doors rather than doing so from outside the vehicle.
Zoning out on public transportation
One of the perks of public transportation is the ability to use your travel time to multitask, like getting a jump start on your day by checking work emails. While you may enjoy not paying attention to the road, don't let productivity goals get in the way of your personal safety.
Ride in the first car or closest to the operator (insider tip: the train conductor is usually in the second car). If you are traveling at night, do your best to avoid dark or isolated stops. Remain aware of your surroundings as you exit, with keys in hand when you depart from the stop or station.
Whether walking, running, driving or riding, incorporate these tips into your everyday habits to help keep yourself safe and secure throughout the day.
TECHNOLOGY  Wise up to the benefits of a smart home
(BPT) - Smart homes make life easier and more convenient. Who wouldn't love being able to control lighting, entertainment and temperature from their couch — or from anywhere for that matter? Whether you're at work or on vacation, smart devices alert you to what's going on at home and help you stay connected and protected.
“Since inventing the world’s first residential smoke alarm, First Alert has been at the forefront of advancement in home safety technology,” says Tom Russo, president of First Alert. “Smart products goes beyond traditional perceptions of safety products and ushers in a new era of inter connectivity between a home’s comfort level and people’s safety and lifestyle preferences.”
The following are just a few of the many benefits of giving your home a “smart” makeover:
Safety and security
Having the ability to monitor your home from wherever you are is one of the biggest benefits of a smart home. Devices that deliver notifications about everything from intruders to water leaks help homeowners react quickly and avoid major disasters.
For families with children, smart devices can provide parents with added peace of mind. You can safeguard doors and drawers, such as the liquor cabinet or gate to the pool, with connected contact sensors. With smart locks and cameras, you’ll know when your kids get home from school, and can ensure their safety when the doorbell rings with mobile access to live video. There are even smart safes with motion detecting technology and access notification that are ideal for keeping weapons and medications safely locked away.
Convenience and customization
Convenience is one of the most common reasons people purchase smart devices. These high-tech products streamline common tasks by giving users remote access to everything from heating and cooling systems to multimedia devices, kitchen appliances, security features and even a forgotten garage door. You have the ability to program devices to your family’s specific needs and preferences, and the flexibility to choose which features to integrate into your smart system to create a connected home custom designed to cater to your specific lifestyle.
Ease and expansion
Unlike their complicated predecessors, many of today’s smart home products can be easily installed, and you certainly don’t need to buy everything all at one time. One of the best places to start building a smart home system is with essential devices like a thermostat, or smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Energy efficiency and cost savings
A major part of what makes “smart” devices smart is their ability to save users money through improved energy efficiency. Lights can be programmed to turn off automatically when no one is in a room. A thermostat can be set to let the indoor temperature drop during the day before returning it to a more comfortable level just before residents arrive home in the evening. You can even track energy usage and expenditures to determine ways in which your family can reduce consumption.
In addition to all of these benefits, automated home products are fun to use. Whether setting lighting and music from your iPhone for a surprise romantic evening at home, or keeping an eye on your house from a tablet while lounging on an exotic beach, you'll find home automation easy and enjoyable.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Prize Winning Baby Back Ribs
Makes 6 servings and ready in 135 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 pounds baby back pork ribs
- 1 cup barbeque sauce
Directions:
- Preheat a gas grill for high heat, or arrange charcoal briquettes on one side of the barbeque. Lightly oil the grate.
- In a small jar, combine cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Close the lid, and shake to mix.
- Trim the membrane sheath from the back of each rack. Run a small, sharp knife between the membrane and each rib, and snip off the membrane as much as possible. Sprinkle as much of the rub onto both sides of the ribs as desired. To prevent the ribs from becoming too dark and spicy, do not thoroughly rub the spices into the ribs. Store the unused portion of the spice mix for future use.
- Place aluminum foil on lower rack to capture drippings and prevent flare-ups. Lay the ribs on the top rack of the grill (away from the coals, if you're using briquettes). Reduce gas heat to low, close lid, and leave undisturbed for 1 hour. Do not lift the lid at all.
- Brush ribs with barbecue sauce, and grill an additional 5 minutes. Serve ribs as whole rack, or cut between each rib bone and pile individually on a platter.
|
Compliments of:
David Burke
Realty Executives Desert Lifestyles
78065 Main St. Suite 101
La Quinta, CA 92253
e-Pro
 |
Household Tips
Dusting
"Don't wipe any surfaces taller than your tallest friend."
Eliminating Pet Hair
“To pick up cat hair, put on a wet rubber dishwashing glove and wipe your hand over surfaces. The hair will stick right to it."
Staying Focused
"I get very distracted while I'm cleaning, so I set a timer for 30 minutes. It helps me to stay focused, and I get more done in a short amount of time."
Storing Supplies
"I keep cleaning products in a shoe holder over the back of my laundry room door. They're easy to see and access, and it saves space."
Zapping Red-Wine Stains
"A dab of foaming shaving cream can help remove many red-wine spills from carpets."
Washing the Tub
'When it's time to clean my shower, I strip naked, hop in, and scrub, using any harsh cleansers with caution. When I'm finished, I step out and rinse it down, then take a shower myself to admire my handiwork."
Recruiting Help
"My sister and I help clean each other's houses. It's great to share the workload with someone who uses the same cleaning techniques, and it cuts the job in half."
Picking Up
"I leave a basket at the foot of the stairs and toss in any toys or miscellaneous items that were brought downstairs during the day. Whenever I go upstairs, I take the basket with me and unload. It beats running up and down the stairs all day."
DID YOU KNOW?
- Did you know elephants are the only mammal that can't jump
- Did you know a 1/4 of your bones are in your feet
- Did you know your tongue is the fastest healing part of your body
- Did you know on your birthday you share it with 9 million others
- Did you know 1 googol is the number 1 followed by 100 zeros
- Did you know a 1 minute kiss burns 26 calories
- Did you know you burn more calories sleeping than watching TV
- Did you know frogs don't usually swallow water (they absorb most of the moisture they need through their skin)
- Did you know at birth dalmatians are always white
- Did you know hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly backwards
- Did you know a duck can't walk without bobbing its head
- Did you know dragonflies have 6 legs but can't walk
- Did you know a crocodile can't move its tongue
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!
|
|
|
Comments
Post a Comment