Are You Causing the Death of Your Appliances? Part One

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Ruth Bethem

Silly question.  But are ya?  I really haven’t given much thought to my appliances that were brand-spankin’ new with my home in Naples, however, after using two of them for just a few months, I set a goal as to when I could replace them. Then, I got a jar and put a quarter in it for every time I cussed it out, that’s how I financed my Alaska trip this summer.  No, I’m not intentionally sabotaging them, however, I know exactly where I will be the day they stop working and I’d even have a roadside funeral for them.  Hey, no judging, some things just are what they are!  I came across this great article in Shine at Yahoo and wanted to share.  So, if you love your conveniences and want to keep them around for a while, check out some handy tips.    From Forbidden Advice
DISHWASHER

How to ruin it:
Nicking the racks – One small nick in the vinyl-coated rack can start off rusting that may ruin a dishwasher. Once the metal inside begins to rust, you can’t stop it. The rust will stain the dishes until you replace either the rack or the machine.

Improper use – Incorrect loading and failure to use the correct detergent or keep the appliance topped up with rinse aid (available from supermarkets and department stores) are major factors in poor wash results.

Repairman’s tip
• Hand wash pans, colanders and other kitchenware that has sharp edges. Never force too many pans or glass items into a small space.

Bonus tip
• To keep the dishwasher at peak performance, ensure you use a lime remover once a month.

• To get a ‘squeaky’ clean finish on all your items, ensure that the rinse-aid dosage selector is set correctly. Small circular ring marks or colored ‘windows’ indicate that the setting needs to be increased (or the rinse-aid reservoir needs filling – spotting and filming on glassware are sure signs that rinse aid is low).

• Arrange sharp items in the cutlery basket so that they are not going to damage the racks or the door seal, and load sharpened kitchen knives with the handles pointing upwards. However, very sharp kitchen knives are best hand washed, not only to protect the dishwasher from potential damage, but to prolong the life of the knife blades. Repeated washing in a dishwasher blunts the sharp edge.

WASHING MACHINES

How to ruin it:
Coins and metal objects — Some parts are easy to replace, but damage to the inner drum or outer tub, caused by coins or metal objects left in pockets, can sound the death knell for your machine. Inner-drum damage can result in torn or pulled clothing, while outer-tub damage can lead to leaks. The high price of such a major appliance, plus the cost of installation, makes any repairs or replacement prohibitively expensive.

Repairman’s tip
• Never wash anything with heavy metal fasteners.

• Always check the pockets of clothing before placing them in the drum of your machine.

Bonus tip
• Overloading your machine may not ruin it, but it will create additional wear and tear on certain parts, such as bearings and suspension, making them prone to premature failure and forcing you to call the repairman or fix it yourself. Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for load size.

For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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Keeping Pace in the Naples Real Estate Market

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Ruth Bethem
Want some good real estate news?  Stop here.  Go no further.  This is your “holy cow, we’re back” report on Naples Florida real estate.  Forget what you hear from those that haven’t examined our real estate market first hand and go with what someone that is immersed in it is telling you:  there is good news around every corner, in every community and in every price point.  Hot off the press, I’m sharing a report supplied by our broker, Mike Hughes, on just how well we’re doing.  Remember the old adage:  when others run in fear, be greedy.  Well, there’s been many greedy investors from all corners of the world, in all shapes and sizes, with all different uses for their purchase that will be enjoying a nice little cash out when the time comes because they bought when others were afraid to make the move.  Don’t wait any longer folks, here’s why our confidence level has risen and we’ve made it through the toughest market Naples has seen in frankly, years!  What gives us this confidence?  Well, out of the 500+ real estate offices in town, Downing-Frye Realty has the #1 and the #4 spot for closed sales transactions.  We just scored our best January in five years.  Just today we had 36 pending sales contracts submitted to accounting.  And, most importantly, here is a historical snapshot of our Pending Sales Contracts over the last 5 years just for January:
2007 – 112 pending sales contracts
2008 – 110 pending sales contracts
2009 – 122 pending sales contracts
2010 – 230 pending sales contracts
2011 – 276 pending sales contracts
Plus, we added 18 real estate agents to our family just this month alone which puts us over 525 agents.  Yeah, I’d say that’s something to write home about!   If you’re sitting on the fence and need a little nudge, I hope this will be it.  For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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Great new Tex-Mex in Naples: Blue Agave

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Ruth Bethem
Strange Name. Great food.  Shimmy on over to Blue Agave in East Naples for traditional Mexican fare and the ever popular Tex-Mex for an evening of great food and tequila baby!  So, once I discovered what exactly Blue Agave is, it all made perfect sense to name this Tequila Bar and Grill this unforgettable name, which is a Mexican plant that is used as the base for tequila.  Every now and then, you come across a restaurant that hits it ”out-of-the-ballpark” and I think this is going to be one of those that will be hanging around for a while.  The interior is a well planned open space with half walls in the front areas for privacy, warm lighting with wood ceilings in the main area, sparkling dark ceiling tile in the front dining area with picture windows and just an overall warm atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a friend’s home.  The wait staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, without being pushy, and can navigate you through the well selected menu.  I can’t even tell you how many selections of tequila they have but if you’re a fan this is one place you’ve got to put on your list.  Everything from an appetizer of salmon & shrimp ceviche marinated in fresh lime juice and cilantro, to daily made guacamole, to mini tostada loca, there’s something for everyone to start your dining experience, not to mention the low-heat salsa & warm chips served upon seating.  My mother-in-law ordered the chicken chimichanga, and yes I did sample it and it was truly a gift from the heavens.  I rarely eat anything that is deep fried but felt I needed to sample it if I was going to talk about it.  My husband had the traditional beef tacos and I was served the Tex-Mex version of red-sauced chicken enchiladas.  The serving size of the entrée on all three, plus those that were eating around us, were all very ample and generous sized with the refried beans and rice just the perfectly sized duo meant to accompany, not overpower.  Next time, I think I’ll try their signature Blue Agave Salad with cactus, pinto beans and avocado tossed with blue cheese in a balsamic vinegar dressing.  This menu challenges you to actually pick just one entrée.  I’d suggest dining with friends that you don’t mind sharing with and enjoy their great selections because with a menu like this, you’ll need to go back weekly to sample everything.  All in all, it was a great dining experience and I just hope the owners, Judy Barney and Arturo Perez will stick around for a long time.  They seem to have the recipe for success at the Marco Island fav, Arturo’s Italian Restaurant, which has been around for 15 years.  Let’s hope word spreads on Blue Agave that’s only been open since mid-December.  I heard about it from a friend, who heard about it from a friend, who heard about it from a friend.  And so the story goes.  When you need a break from dining, let’s look at some homes for sale. For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

Posted in Around Town, Did You Know, Florida Info, Naples Restaurants, Naples Tidbits | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Nature’s Greatest Gifts

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Ruth Bethem

Conservancy of SW Florida
Conservancy of SW Florida
Conservancy of SW Florida

Conservancy of SW Florida
Conservancy of SW Florida

While finding their real estate property in Naples, I like to give my clients a little time to discover one of Naples’ greatest treasures:  the Conservancy of SW Florida.  After I take my clients on a tour of Naples, highlighting our beautiful beaches, amenity rich communities and unique real estate opportunities, they head out for a tour of a different type.  Marine life, terrestrial life, flora and fauna are all tucked away in one place known to Neapolitans as The Conservancy.  It’s been an exciting time for them as they have been undergoing some changes and renovations as part of their Sustainable Campus Initiative but still provide a memorable time at the Nature Center.   They’ll be having monthly eco-themes, a mini Nature Zone where many of the Discovery Center residents are located as they created the new Dalton Discovery Center.  They now have “Take Action Tuesdays” where you can get hands-on knowledge on preserving our paradise and “Sensational Saturdays” which is a celebration for the entire family.  This will prove to be a great year for the Conservancy as they’ve scheduled their Earth Day for April 16 and the “Magic Under the Mangroves” gala fundraiser in March, sure to be a success.  Try their “Dining for Wildlife” in April and the Red Snook Catch & Release Tournament in October.  A few days ago, as a volunteer for the Naples Chamber of Commerce, I was fortunate to participate in a get re-acquainted tour that included a 45 minute narrated electric boat cruise that took us through the winding backwaters off the Gordon River and provided us with a “boatload” of new knowledge.  The volunteers are simply a walking Wikipedia!  It was followed by a tour of the touch tank in the temporary Nature Zone that offered live encounters with a 6 year old sea turtle, a baby horseshoe crab and some slippery little reptiles.  It’s also a great opportunity to take a walking trail tour where I came across the Gumbo Limbo and the answer is no, just in case you thought it was the name of a new tropical cha-cha.  It’s actually a hardy, smooth-trunked tree that sheds a papery-thin red skin.  Some of you may remember that the Ritz-Carlton on the beach has a lovely little beachside cabana that serves great fare and refreshing libations of the same name.  Plan to be stay a while, in other words, pack a lunch, if you care to try to identify some of the 140 species of birds that have been recorded at the Nature Center.  The dozens of volunteers, interns, administrators and just some concerned citizens have joined forces years ago to make this a truly one-of-a-kind experience that melds learning and conservation so that our future generations will be able to enjoy the Naples we’ve come to know and love.  One of my clients commented just last week that she always had such a hard time describing Naples to those friends and family that hadn’t yet discovered Naples.  Then, frustrated because she just couldn’t find the right word that would sum up how she felt about Naples, she simply gave a heavy sigh and said “paradise.”  ‘Nough said.   For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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Inexpensive Improvements When Preparing Your Home for Sale – Part Two

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Ruth Bethem

Yesterday, I discussed Part I of inexpensive improvements you can do to have the best curb appeal when preparing your home for sale.  Click here if you didn’t see it.

A great, inexpensive weekend project that will bond a couple faster than anything else is tile.  Yes, guys, I said tile.  Many hardware stores have “How To” classes and you have many great sites on the internet to help you, try the DIY site for one.  Due to the small square footage of a bathroom you’ll stay within your budget & you will have an enormous impact on a buyer when they see you’ve updated but only you will know how fiscally responsible you were in achieving that great look.  Get rid of that old wallpaper that Grandma really thinks is pretty because it reminds her of her youth.  That should be a red flag.  Forget that, it should be a huge neon sign with a blow horn telling you to Rip It Down and if nothing else, paint the room a very neutral but warm color.  A light mushroom color always works.  I love, love, love showing a home that has the smallest trace of a fresh paint smell.  Ain’t nothin’ like it.  Amp up your light fixtures throughout the house and max them out.  Buyers like light!  Showem’ what ya got.  Soft mood lighting is great for a romantic evening, not so much when you’re trying to sell.  Since we know that kitchens and baths with improvements are the top two areas that sell a home and allows for about 80% recoup on that expense, doesn’t it make sense to look at yours from a non-emotional point of view to really get to the heart of what is reasonable for you to do, both with your budget and time allowed.   Also, don’t overlook your neighborhood and what level of improvements most of those have.  In some areas, rejuvenating by replacing old laminate may be all you need to do, however, other neighborhoods may have solid surfaces or granite.  Depending on your budget, think strongly about granite as most of it is competitively priced to match corian costs and what chef wouldn’t love a kitchen with granite?  Spend a few hours on a Sunday and check out open houses in your area to see what’s “under the hood” of your competition.  If you’re in an upper end neighborhood, it’s a good chance you’ll need to put in granite to stay with current trends and value.  You don’t want to be the big fish in the little pond though.  Stay reasonable in your improvements.  And lastly, check all your windows for functionality.  Buyers really do open and close windows.  I see it more times than not.  If it’s stuck or half goes up while the other half stays put, it’s always such a treat to see the expression on my client’s faces.  So, oil them if needed, but do clean them.  Put new weather stripping on your doors.  A significant portion of buyers are looking for energy efficient homes.  Make it more comfortable for you while you’re occupying it but make your property the one that buyer’s will put the offer in on by being the shiniest apple in the neighborhood.  For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

Posted in Naples Florida Real Estate, Naples Market Conditions, Naples Real Estate, Naples Tidbits | Tagged , | 1 Comment