www.FREEVirginiaBeachHomeReports.com December 17, 2012

Navigator H u m o r , H o u s e & H o m e

The

Real Estate

10 Quick & Easy Tips For Avoiding

Embarrassing Auto Troubles Is there any greater humiliation? You’re sitting in your car at a busy intersec-tion during rush hour. You’re at the front of a long line of cars all eager to get

home, and you can feel the tension.

As you sit there, you’re thinking of all the things you need to do as soon as

you get home. The kids. The shopping. Dinner. Then it happens. Sputter, chug…stop! Your engine quits. Your dash is lit up with glaring red and yellow lights. You panic.

Quickly you turn the key…but nothing happens. Right then, the traffic light turns green. Cars on all sides of you start rushing by. You feel your hands sweat-

ing as you fumble around your controls, trying anything to get your car going.

The car behind you surges forward. He starts to holler obscenities at you, as if you could control what’s happening. Through the glaring of horns, the pressure of people cursing you…you wonder why this happened. You scream at your car as you get out and try to move it to the side of the road or find help.

Most people don’t think about their cars much—until there’s a problem. And they usually surface at the most inappropriate time. Short of filling up the gas tank…perhaps only when it drops below “empty”…some people don’t give their cars a second thought.

But cars are like any other mechanical device. To keep your trusty steed in good shape, experts offer some tips on making sure your ride is dependable. Here’s a list of 10 simple check-ups you can do to avoid those stressful, embar-rassing moments when your car decides to die at the most inappropriate time.

Tip #1: First and foremost, change your oil frequently and regularly. Experts say the most important thing you can do to extend the life of your car is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three months. A quick stop to a Fast-Lube shop can extend the life of your car by years, and save thousands of dollars in the process.

Tip #2: Once a month, look under the hood. This 15-minute investment can prevent 70 percent of the problems that lead to embarrassing highway breakdowns. Check the fluid levels of oil, cool-ant, automatic transmission fluid, power steer-ing fluid, break fluid and windshield washer

fluid. If you don’t know where these items are located, ask a service station attendant for help.

(See Auto page 2.)

Inside This Issue:

Stumble Upon An Interesting Home? No need to guess its fea-

tures or wonder about the

price. No need to expose

yourself to some high-

pressure salesman or un-

wanted obligations. Just

call me at (757) 353-2786,

and I’ll tell you…with no

hassles and no obligation..

Volume VII, Issue 11/12 Monday, 1:42 PM

Virginia Beach, Virginia

I’m pleased to announce we have a

new name & new address!

Keller Williams ELITE, Town Center

One Columbus Center, Suite 1100

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

How To Avoid Embarrassing Auto

Troubles……………………..Page 1

The Subconscious Meaning Of

Visiting Open Houses……....Page 2

DIY Tips on YouTube……...Page 3 What’s In A Name?……..….Page 3

Vacationing? Safely Take Your

Pet With You………………..Page 5

How You Can Make Life Around

The Home Easier………...…Page 5

Real Estate in Pictures… ….Page 6

Four Tips For Getting Top Dollar

For Your Home…………… .Page 6

2 www.FREEVirginiaBeachHomeReports.com December 17, 2012

Tip #3: Never let your gas tank go to almost empty before filling up. The bottom

of your fuel tank is loaded with deposits, dirt, and residue that’s not good for your engine, fuel injectors, or carburetor.

Tip #4: Check tire inflation weekly, and alignment every six months. Properly in-flated and aligned tires last longer, save money, and are safer.

Tip #5: Change your vehicle’s filters. Changing the air, fuel, and oil filters extends the life of your car, and makes it operate more efficiently.

Tip #6: Change your engine coolant at least once a year, preferably every six months. But be careful, coolant can be toxic and harmful if ingested by children or pets.

Tip #7: Lubricate moving and rubber parts. This includes windshield wipers, door rubber, and exposed gaskets.

Tip #8: Get rid of rust immediately. Rust will eat away your car, causing a prema-ture demise. If you find a rusty spot, scrape it away and sand the area. Then protect the bare metal with primer and paint.

Tip #9: Wash your car frequently and keep it out of the sun. Driving a clean car (with clean windshield) improves visibility and enhances your safety. Plus,

ultraviolet rays can harm paint, especially metallic paints.

Tip #10: Most important: Schedule regular maintenance every 12,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. Scheduled maintenance will keep warranties valid and maximize the value of your warranty. Plus, it prolongs the life of

your vehicle and will increase its value when the time comes to sell.

No doubt, frequent auto maintenance can save you thousands, increase your car’s value…and most certainly remove the risk of sudden, embarrassing moments in traffic!

Dog-Gone Sheets!

If you’re like me, making up the bed

with clean sheets can result in disori-

ented bedclothes. To make sure your

feet will remain covered (as sheets are

put on sideways), simply stitch a few

strands of red thread to the middle of

the bottom of the sheet, blanket, or

comforter. That way you know which

end goes at the foot of the bed—the

first time!

Famous Quotes About

Taxes No one will ever come up with a

funny income tax joke. It does, how-ever, lend itself to some wry humor…

“There are two distinct classes of

men…those who pay taxes, and those

who receive and live upon taxes.”

(Thomas Paine)

“The hardest thing in the world to un-

derstand is income tax!”

(Albert Einstein)

“When there is an income tax, the just

man will pay more and the unjust less

on the same amount of income.”

(Plato)

“The government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the

support of Paul.”

(George Bernard Shaw)

“There is no art which one govern-

ment sooner learns from another than

that of draining money from the pock-

ets of the people.”

(Adam Smith)

“Like mothers, taxes are often misun-

derstood, but seldom forgotten.”

(Lord Bramwell)

“But in this world nothing is certain

but death and taxes.” (Benjamin Franklin)

“A taxpayer is someone who works

for the federal government, but who

doesn’t have to take a civil service

examination.” (Ronald Reagan)

And My All-Time Favorite… “The trick is to stop thinking of it as YOUR money.” (IRS Auditor)

The Real Estate Navigator is published monthly by David O. Booz, a licensed sales agent with Keller Williams Elite Town Center, One Columbus Center, Suite 1100 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 d.b.a.

Dave Booz, “The Real Estate Navigator.” The information contained herein has been obtained from

sources believed to be reliable. While carefully screened, the accuracy of this information cannot be

guaranteed. Articles represent the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of Keller Williams Realty, Inc. Neither the editor nor Keller Williams Elite Town Center is a legal advisor, registered investment

advisor, financial counselor or certified accountant. This newsletter reflects the sole opinion of David O. Booz and is not

endorsed by Keller Williams Realty, Inc. Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated.

“Auto” continued from page 1.

Are You Haunting Open Houses?

Do you find yourself getting that urge to drop-into Open Houses, even when you’re busy? You’re not alone. Many homeowners visit open houses to get de-sign ideas, or to see how their home compares in the neighborhood.

But if you find yourself attracted to Open Houses frequently, you might want

to ask yourself “why.” You might just find that, even though you’re happy with

your current home, you might be subconsciously searching for your dream home.

Perhaps you want a bigger yard. A quieter street. A gourmet kitchen. Whatever the reason, I can help. My computerized “Home Search” system can scour the market finding the exact home you want – automatically. I can get

you daily updates on the newest homes on the market, and there’s never any pres-sure when working with me, just great service. Even if you’re just “thinking” and want to know what’s “out there,” call me at (757) 353-2786.

The Real Estate Navigator

3 www.FREEVirginiaBeachHomeReports.com December 17, 2012

Are space heaters all expensive death traps?

Not necessarily! Let’s face it, the humble space heater gets a bad rap, but when used correctly it can represent a good option for taking the edge off winter chill. Here are some tips about how to safely use a space heater and when it’s a good choice:

Are you heating a whole house when the family is concentrated in the living room? Turn down the central heat and use a modern space heater rather than heat the empty rooms. 1. A space heater can be a wise choice when you live in an un-insulated or poorly insulated home. 2. Avoid unvented combustion space heaters. Instead, look for electric space heaters,

preferably with a fan to circulate the hot air. 3. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord. 4. Maintain three feet of clear space around the heater in all directions. Be aware of loose rugs, blankets, or other potentially flammable objects nearby.

5. Unplug your space heater when no one is around to keep an eye on it. 6. Do not use a space heater in a damp room (i.e. bathroom!) unless it is specifically designed for outdoor or bathroom use. 7. Don’t hide the space heater electrical cord where it might get torn or degraded under foot. Run it where it is visible, but does not create a tripping hazard.

8. If you’re shopping for a space heater, consider this handy Consumer Reports buying guide: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/space-heaters/buying-guide.htm By the way… heating and cooling a large home after the kids have moved out can be a waste of your retirement dollars. If you’re thinking it might be time to downsize (or right-size) your home, get in touch today.

“The best way to get a

good idea is to get lots of ideas.”

Linus Carl Pauling

(February 28, 1901 –

August 19, 1994)

American chemist, biochemist,

peace activist, author, and

educator.

Strange Animal Facts

Crocodiles, through their life grow

new teeth that replace the old set!

Gaggle is a group of geese waddling

on the ground. And the same group up

in the air would be renamed skein.

On an average, a hedgehog's heart

beats 300 times, per minute.

A coin is heavier than a hummingbird!

It would take just one night for a mole

to dig a tunnel measuring 300 feet in

length.

The longest slumber ever! A snail can

sleep for three years, at a stretch.

Here is some news for the left-handed

people – they are not the only ones, as

all polar bears are left-handed.

What’s in a Name? So YOU think YOU’RE name is ordi-

nary… how about these well-known

celebrities (before they were famous?)

Lauren Bacall = Betty Joan Perske

Charles Bronson = Charles Buchinski

Cher = Cherilyn Sarkisian

Tony Curtis = Bernard Schwartz

Rodney Dangerfield = Jacob Cohen

Bo Derek = Mary Cathleen Collins

Enya = Eithne Ni Bhraonain

Judy Garland = Frances Gumm

Cary Grant = Archibald Leach

Harry Houdini = Ehrich Weiss

Ice-T = Tracy Morrow

Boris Karloff = William Henry Pratt

Meat Loaf = Marvin Lee Aday

The Real Estate Navigator

Time to Upgrade or Renovate?

If you’re like many of my clients, you’ve come across a few things in your

home that you want to change. There are lots of projects that aren’t too complicated if

you have a good guide. In that spirit, I thought I’d share four great channels on You-

Tube full of home maintenance and repair videos. Here are my top four picks:

HomeAdditionPlus

http://www.youtube.com/user/HomeAdditionPlus

AskTheBuilder.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/AsktheBuilder

Ron Hazelton

http://www.youtube.com/user/ronhazelton

VideoJug

http://www.youtube.com/user/VideoJug

Good luck with your projects (...and be sure to let me know how they work out.)

4 www.FREEVirginiaBeachHomeReports.com December 17, 2012

The Real Estate Navigator

Free Consumer Reports: (order one or all, e-mail address required)

Ext. #5058 Seller’s e-Booklet: “How To Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home”

Ext. #5068 Seller’s e-Booklet: “Sell Your Home For Top Dollar, With Or Without A REALTOR®”

Ext. #5078 Seller’s e-Booklet: “44 Money-Making Tips For Preparing Your Home To Sell”

Ext. #5088 Buyer’s e-Booklet: “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When… Financing Your Next Home.”

Free MLS “Market Insider:” Ext. #5098

Free Consumer Resources: Ext. #5108 (money-saving guidance is just a phone call away!)

Please send me your special Insider’s Market Analysis showing home features, listing and sales prices for the

most recent homes listed and sold in ______________________________________________ (area or street).

Please call me to share your FREE, no obligation Maximum Home Value Audit to determine the top dollar mar-

ket value of my home, and share strategies for selling it fast.

Please call me to talk about your FREE, no obligation Automated Home Locator Service where your computers

will search the market for homes meeting the exact features, prices and areas I’m looking for.

Please tell me the listing price for the home at _________________________________________________

Please tell me how much the home at__________________________________________________ sold for.

Please call me to talk about the many ways to affordably finance my next home.

I need help finding a competent Service Provider for ____________________________________________

Thank You For Thinking Of Me! Ext. #5118 Dave, I know someone thinking of buying or

selling a home soon, and know you will provide

him or her with an outstanding level of service as a

caring and competent agent.

Share A FREE Subscription… Dave, Please send a FREE subscription of your

newsletter to the following person. Also, please send

them a friendly note with my best wishes, explaining

they can cancel at any time.

5 Ways To Contact Me For These Helpful Resources & Services: CALL My Fast Response Line (757) 353-2786 CALL My 24-Hour “House & Home” Community Hotline (800) 659-9097 (then follow system prompts) E-MAIL My Business Address davebooz@kw.com

FAX This Form To My Office (757) 499-9719

MAIL This Form To My Office KW Elite, One Columbus Center, Suite 1100 Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Name: ______________________________________

Phone: _____________ E-mail: _________________

Name: ______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: _________________ State: ___ Zip: ________

Phone: _____________ E-mail: _________________

“Here’s FREE advice and services for my friends and clients to help save you

valuable time and money. Never feel obligated, I’m here to help!”

CALL My Toll FREE 24-Hour Infoline (800) 659-9097 (then dial 4-digit ext.)

5 www.FREEVirginiaBeachHomeReports.com December 17, 2012

Did You Know….

It is possible to lead a cow up-

stairs, but not downstairs.

Coca-Cola was originally

GREEN!

Every day more money is printed

for the board game MONOPOLY

than the U.S. Treasury.

The first couple shown in bed

together on prime time television

was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

The smartest dogs are: 1) Scottish

border collie, 2) Poodle, and

3) Golden Retriever.

The dumbest dog: Afghan hound.

The Hawaiian alphabet has only

12 letters.

The TRUE Value Of TIME… We often forget how valuable our time

is, until we see it all in perspective.

Here’s what I mean…

To realize the value of one year, ask a

student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of one month, ask

a mother who has given birth to a pre-

mature baby.

To realize the value of one week, ask

an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one hour, ask

the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minute, ask

the person who has missed the train,

bus, or plane.

To realize the value of one second, ask

a person who has survived an acci-

dent.

To realize the value of one millisec-

ond, ask the person who has won a

silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every

moment you have.

Famous Quote…

“I went into McDonald’s yesterday

and said, “I’d like some fries.” The

girl at the counter said, “Would you

like some fries with that?”

Jay Leno

Internet Offers Pet Travel Help Going on vacation and leaving your trusted pet companion behind can be a trau-matic experience – for both of you. And who can bear the sight of sad eyes as your

pet watches you walk away from the kennel where you left them. Well, that doesn’t need to be the case. There’s a new resource for making your vacation as fun for your pet as it is for you. A listing of 25,000 hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, ski resorts, and campgrounds that welcome pets can be found at the Petswelcome.com web site. So there’s no need to leave Fido at home during

your vacation. The site also offers information on kennels, vets, and medical facilities for your pet when you are on the road. Also available are travel and moving tips, and other helpful information to pet owners on the road.

Helpful Tips For Around The Home

How To Remove Stubborn Burnt-On Food From Your Skillet: To easily

remove burnt-on food from a skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, and bring it to a boil on your stove.

Help For Today’s Domestic Baker. When a cake recipe calls for flouring a

baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead of flour, and there won’t be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Easy On That Salt! If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it is still cook-

ing, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt.

Soften That Brown Sugar. Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to

soften it.

Opening Tough Jars Made Easy. If you have trouble opening jars, try using

latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

The Real Estate Navigator

It’s an old axiom in real estate: location,

location, location. And we have a great

one at our new office in VB Town Center:

One Columbus Center Suite 1100

Virginia Beach, VA 23462.

6 www.FREEVirginiaBeachHomeReports.com December 17, 2012

Q. Will You Share a Few Tips for Selling My Home Fast and For Top Dollar?

A. If you’re thinking of selling your home, how you “position” it can mean the difference between getting a fast, top dollar sale, and having it sit on the market for a long time. If you’re thinking of selling soon, you must call and get my Free report, “44 Money-Making Tips For Preparing Your Home To Sell.” Just go to my “Free Insider Resources” page in this issue or call me directly at (757) 353-2786. Here are a few quick pointers…

First impressions are lasting. Look at your home as if you were driving up to

it for the first time. What does the home look like? The driveway? The lawn or landscaping? Pay particular attention to the entry walkway and the front door area. Make sure all curtains are open and lights are on.

Get rid of any odors. They’re a big turn-off. Smoking and pets are the most

likely cause. Have carpets cleaned and home deodorized before showing it.

A coat of paint in critical areas (kitchen, master bedroom and baths) can do

wonders to change the appearance and make the home look more valuable.

Get rid of that clutter! The way you live in a home, and the way you SELL a

home are two different things. You have to move anyway, so pack up all your clutter and get it out of the way. An uncluttered home looks bigger and more appealing. Ask me for tips on how to create the “model home effect.”

Please Call Me With ANY Real Estate Question At: (757) 353-2786.

Airline Story… An airline pilot reported that on this par-

ticular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline

had a policy that required the first officer

to stand at the door while the passengers

exited, give a smile and say, “Thanks for flying XYZ Airline.”

He said that in light of his bad landing, he

had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have

a sly comment.

Finally, everyone had gotten off except for this little old lady walking with a cane.

The little lady walked up to him and said,

“Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?” “Why no ma’am, what is it?” “Did we

land, or were we shot down?”

Thanks for Thinking of Me! Did you know I can help you or any of

your friends, family or acquaintances

save time and money when buying or

selling a home? Thanks for keeping

me in mind with your referrals…and

spreading the word!

It’s Printed On The Bottom A little boy returned from a trip with

his father to visit the neighbor’s new

kittens. He excitedly told his mother

there were four new kittens: two boys

and two girls. The mother asked him

how he knew which were boys and

which were girls. The little boy

replied, “Dad picked them up, and

looked under them. I guess it’s

printed on the bottom.”

THANK YOU for reading

The Real Estate Navigator, my

insider tips for healthy, wealthy and

fun living. I want to produce a letter

that has great content and is beneficial

to you. Your feedback is always wel-

come. AND… whether you’re

thinking of buying, selling, or invest-

ing in real estate (or just want to say

“Hi”) I’d love to hear from you.

Real Estate in Pictures...

Attitudes are definitely changing. Buyers (and investors) were making their move in 2012. Pending sales are up 12 percent year-over-year, exceeding the historically “healthy” level of 100.

kcmblog.com

Dave

Best Regards

Keller Williams Elite

One Columbus Center, Suite 1100

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

email me: davebooz@kw.com

The Real Estate Navigator

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