How to Run Your Home More like a CEO

All successful CEOs have one thing in common: They’re able to maintain a big-picture perspective. It’s also something successful moms have in common, says Zenovia Andrews, a business strategist, speaker, author and mom who coaches entrepreneurs and CEOs on time and budget management.

Article Presented by::
Connie Farmer Ray
CEO/President Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners

“In business, CEOs implement a process that achieves efficient time and resource management in the most cost-effective way; sounds a lot like a mom, doesn’t it?” says Andrews, founder and CEO of The MaxOut Group, a company devoted to empowering and teaching entrepreneurs development strategies to increase profits.
“If every mom were a CEO, America would rule the world!”
Andrews, author of the new book “All Systems Go – A Solid Blueprint to Build Business and Maximize Cash Flow,” (www.zenoviaandrews.com), suggests the following tips for moms to better manage money and time.
• CEOs utilize apps, and so should CEO Moms. When a CEO’s personal assistant isn’t around or, if it’s a small business and she doesn’t have one, then apps do nicely. There are several apps for moms, including Bank of Mom – an easy way to keep track of your kids' allowances. Set up an account for each child and track any money they earn for chores or allowance. The app also allows you to track their computer and TV time as well as other activities.
• Measurement is the key to knowledge, control and improvement. CEOs have goals for their businesses and Moms have goals for their family members. In either case, the best way to achieve a big-picture goal is to identify action steps and objectives and a system for measuring progress. Want to improve your kids’ test scores, help your husband lose weight or – gasp – free some time for yourself? There are four phases to help track progress: planning, or establishing goals; collection, or conducting research on your current process; analysis – comparing information from existing processes with the new one; and adapting, or implementing the new process.
• Understand your home’s “workforce.” A good CEO helps her employees grow and develop, not only for the company’s benefit, but for the employee’s as well. Most people are happiest when they feel they’re learning and growing, working toward a goal, which may be promotion within the company or something beyond it. When they feel the CEO is helping with that, they’re happier, more productive, more loyal employees. Likewise, CEO Moms need to help their children gain the skills and knowledge they need not only to succeed in general but to achieve their individual dreams.
• A well-running household is a community effort; consider “automated” systems. In business, automated systems tend to be as clinical as they sound, typically involving technology. Yet, there’s also a human resource element. Automated systems are a must for CEO Moms, and they tend to take the form of scheduling at home. Whose night is it for the dishes, or trash? One child may be helpful in the kitchen, whereas another may be better at cleaning the pool.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Shanna Blackmon Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team in Savannah

Shanna Blackmon Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team in Savannah

Shanna Blackmon has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners 6349 Abercorn Street Office.  Shanna was previously a health care sales account executive and has over 10-years of sales and marketing experience.  She holds her Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Macon State College and enjoys volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.  “I am excited to represent a Brand that is internationally known for the excellence service they provide,” says Shanna.  She feels happy knowing that her clients will have an agent that truly cares about their individual preferences and circumstances.

Shanna Blackmon may be reached directly at 912.580.1481 or at shanna.blackmon@coldwellbanker.com.

 

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, established in 1995, is a full-service real estate firm with more than 100 sales agents strategically dispersed among its office locations stretching from Beaufort, South Carolina, through the greater Savannah area to St. Simons Island, Georgia. The company was founded by Connie Farmer Ray, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. In addition to listing and selling residential real estate, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ other divisions include commercial real estate, property management, relocation services and a publishing/media division. The company’s corporate offices are located at 6349 Abercorn St., Savannah, Georgia. For more information visit their Web site at www.MyCbpp.com or call 800.505.8111.

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5 Dishwasher Must-Haves

One of the smartest investments you can make when remodeling your kitchen is to replace outdated appliances. Sleek, modern versions instantly transform a tired kitchen into a contemporary hub of home activity. If you’re considering a new dishwasher, keep in mind these features before purchasing:

Article Featured by
Nancy Avery
(912) 223-3094

Speedy Cycles – This feature is a must for big families or households that entertain guests frequently. At the very least, look for a dishwasher that has a 20-minute quick cycle.

Time Indicator – Knowing how much time is left on a load is helpful if your dishwasher is loud. Many newer models have eliminated the timer, so be sure to shop around for one that offers a digital reading.

Soil Sensors – If you want to save on your utility bill, opt for a dishwasher with a soil sensor. Most come equipped with technology that automatically adjusts to a load’s soil level, conserving water and energy.

Adjustable Upper Rack – This one’s a no-brainer; an adjustable upper rack makes it easy to accommodate large dishes.

Alternative Flatware Storage – If you’ve ever been dissatisfied with the cleanliness of your dishes, choose a model with slots above the utensil baskets. This not only provides a thorough clean, but gives you the option to wash larger utensils.

Source: Consumer Reports
Published with permission from RISMedia.

4 Painless Ways to Pay Down Your Mortgage

4 Painless Ways to Pay Down Your Mortgage

Paying off a mortgage is a long-term commitment—30 years in most cases, and costing hundreds of thousands in interest. But if your goal is early retirement with a paid-off mortgage, you can meet that goal—and save many thousands in interest along the way—by paying down the principal with a few extra bucks here and there.

The caveat, said Moneycrash.com financial advisor David Bakke, is that you specify on these extra payment checks to your lender that the funds are to be used for principal deduction only.

Bakke offers four ideas for paying down your mortgage early while hardly feeling the pinch:

Article Featured by Char Hillosky
(912) 275-9011

• Lower the interest rate – Stay alert to opportunities to lower your mortgage rate. Dropping 1.5 to 2 percent interest from a 30-year fixed rate mortgage can lower your payment by several hundred dollars per month. That’s money you can put toward retirement savings, vacations, or kids’ college accounts – or toward paying down your mortgage even faster.
•  Turn a small luxury into an extra payment habit – Consider the small, perhaps daily luxuries you are willing to forego; the $4 latte every morning…a magazine subscription you don’t need. Stash that money and use it toward principal reduction.  
• Turn underperforming investments into equity - Many people have investments that are returning less, as a percentage, than their home mortgage interest rate is costing them. If that's the case, and you have no reason to think that the investment will turn around soon, it might pay to put that money toward paying down the principal on your mortgage. 
• Stash those regular or unexpected little windfalls – Got an unexpected tax refund? A larger-than-expected birthday check? Or perhaps you save a few bucks on groceries each week by using those clipped coupons? Stash the money you saved, or any other extra amount, and apply it each month to mortgage principal.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Prevent an Uncool Summer Air Conditioning Breakdown

Prevent an Uncool Summer Air Conditioning Breakdown
By John Voket

In a recent release from Lisa Townsend (westpearinteriors.com) your RIS Consumer Confidant was reminded that while we love our air conditioner on sweltering summer days, a lot of folks do not consistently maintain their AC system, resulting in very uncool situations.
The good news, Townsend relates, is that there are preventative measures homeowners can take to keep their A/C system in tip-top condition all summer long. Here's a list of five proven tips to help keep you cool all summer long:
1. Change your filter every 60 days. Townsend says some people will go an entire year without changing their AC’s air filter. As a direct result, their unit works harder using more energy, and it can cause the unit to spew tiny particles of dirt, dust and debris into the air, increasing indoor air pollution.

Article Featured by:
Dana Hill
(912) 272-4698

2. Monitor the refrigerant levels to ensure proper dehumidifying. As a direct result, you end up pulling some of the moisture out of the air and that helps to keep the rooms in your house comfortable, day and night, all summer long.
3. Clean the coils a couple of times per year. This can help keep the air in your house cleaner; it can reduce electricity consumption; and can also make your unit more efficient while increasing its lifespan.
4. Vacuum the air ducts. If you happen to notice that there is mold or mildew, or you have a clogged-up system, simply clean the air ducts. Townsend says you can do that by vacuuming them out. Many websites provide easy-to-follow instructions on how to accomplish this easy maintenance chore.
5. Have a professional check-up. The benefits of an AC tune-up are vast. Professional technicians can detect issues that you may not discover including small leaks or wiring problems. Townsend says set up an appointment with a reputable technician to come and check that unit out.

How to Prepare Your Home Before Traveling

Article Featured by
Rick Yelverton
(828) 674-7421

How to Prepare Your Home Before Traveling
By Michelle Sanchez

Summer has officially begun, and families, couples and friends are gearing up to get out of town for much-anticipated vacations. Orbitz reported that a record-breaking 88 percent of Americans plan to take at least one vacation this summer. The excitement involved in prepping for a trip can leave you passing over important actions to secure and protect your home. Whether hitting the road for a weekend getaway, or flying out of town for an extended vacation, it’s important to take safety measures into consideration to avoid harm to your home while you’re gone. The team at Renovation Realty recommends seven steps to assure your home is secure before skipping town.
1. Stop mail and newspaper delivery. A build-up of newspapers on your lawn or letters sticking out of the mailbox is a key signal to people passing by that you aren’t home and haven’t been for a while. Simply hold your mail and contact your local newspaper about holding as well. Expecting a package while out? Do the same for FedEx, UPS or any other large parcel delivery.
2. Store valuables – and not just electronics. Burglars are out for more than just jewelry and electronics these days. Lock away any highly personal information like social security cards, insurance and banking or credit card details to secure not only your identity but your cash flow. Move your computer’s hard drive to a safe area or lock it up since it contains sensitive information. You must protect your intangibles, too!
3. Empty refrigerator of perishable items. No one wants to come home to the stench of rotting food, or have to go on a cleaning spree immediately upon return. Stock up on a few nonperishable items in the house to ensure you have food readily available to eat and won’t need to dine out post-vacation.
4. Turn down heat or air conditioning (off if possible). Check the local weather before leaving and adjust heat/air accordingly to save money and prevent the risk of damage if something happens to the air system while you’re out. Since no one will be home, set the temperature higher or lower than normal, and if it looks like the weather will be pleasant while you are gone, turn it all the way off and smile at money saved.
5. Pay bills before traveling. Almost all electricity, water, credit, insurance companies, etc., allow you to schedule a future payment or pay in advance. Take advantage of this! You won’t have to worry about late charges, and will know ahead of time how much money you have available while on vacation.

6. Keep porch lights on a timer. Leaving porch lights on during the day is another obvious “I’m not home” signal. If possible, keep the lights on a timer from dusk to dawn, another preventative measure that can keep your home and valuables safe.

7. Ask a trusted friend for help! A close friend or family member can also manage preventative safety measures. For example, if you don’t have timers on outside lights, ask someone you trust to come by and turn them on and off. You can also ask this person to swing by every day for an hour or so to check up on everything and give the impression someone is home.

Source: Renovation Realty

Welcome Tracey MacDonald to our St Simons Island Office

Tracey MacDonald has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as the Office Manager at the St. Simons Island Office located at 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 102.  Tracey has been in the real estate industry for over the past 10 years; prior she was the regional administrator to the SE GA Regional Sales Coordinator of AFLAC.  She moved to the Golden Isles after relocating from Orlando, Florida in 2003.   “It is my goal for anyone who comes through our office doors to feel welcomed, attended-to and excited that our team will help them reach their real estate goals,” says Tracey. She continues, “I am thrilled to be a part of the Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners team because of the welcoming spirit of the Company.  It is so refreshing to be a part of an organization that strives to be the best they can be for their agents and their clients.  After I interviewed with the managers, I just knew this was the right place for me!” 

Surviving Hurricane Season: Prep for Older Americans

Surviving Hurricane Season: Prep for Older Americans

Article Featured by
Cheryl Fisher
(912) 996-3727

Hurricane season is upon us, and just two years after Sandy, AARP is reminding older residents, their families and friends to get ready early this hurricane season. While Sandy claimed victims as young as toddlers, it was crueler to the city's elderly, with 27 New Yorkers aged 65 or older perishing in the storm.
For older individuals who often times have limited mobility, delayed reaction, and reliance on prescriptions for their health, prepping in advance for extreme weather can mean the difference
between life and death.
That's why AARP is now offering key tips on how you can ensure the safety of elderly loved ones in the wake of disaster.
"Don't wait for the threat of a storm to start thinking about getting prepared. When power goes out, the elevator goes out, and many elderly are unable to make it down a flight of stairs in the dark to go grocery shopping for needed items, and when they run out of a prescription, it can become life threatening," said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York. "The simple act of checking in on the elderly can go a long way to helping them stay safe in times of a disaster such as Sandy, and in some instances may even save a life."
Before the first big storm of summer hits, AARP offers the following tips and resources for older residents:

• Check on Rx supplies: If they are running low, most pharmacies will provide a three-day supply (bring verification of prescription, such as bottle or script from doctor, if available). To find out a pharmacy's status, check here: http://www.rxopen.org.
• Groceries: Offer to assist with any grocery shopping. Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Meals: If the individual in need of meals is at least 60 years old, Meals on Wheels can be contacted here: http://www.mowaa.org/findameal.
• Medical Emergency: Call 911. Medicare patients in New York can also now receive non-emergency care at a nursing home without a prior three-day hospital stay.
• Personal Care Assistance: If an elderly loved one receives assistance from a home healthcare agency, find out how they respond to an emergency. Designate backup or alternative providers that you can contact in an emergency.
• Assist with Home Preparations: Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture and garbage cans, anchor objects that will be unsafe to bring inside, like gas grills or propane tanks, close windows and outside doors securely and move valuable items to the upper floors.
• Update your Evacuation Kit: Your Evacuation kit should include an ID or Driver's License, birth certificate; clothes, food and water (for at least three days); cash and traveler's checks; maps of the evacuation route, alternate routes and a way to get to local shelters; and your car keys along with a full tank of gas.
• Have a Supply Kit ready: Your Supply kit should include a flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, food, water and any medications you may need for at least three days.
• Plan for Pets: If a hurricane requires you to leave your home and you cannot shelter pets at a kennel or with friends or relatives outside the evacuation area, pets are allowed at all city evacuation centers.

Source: AARP

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Q: How much, on average, can I expect to spend on home maintenance?

Q: How much, on average, can I expect to spend on home maintenance?

Article Featured by:
Thomas Kersey
(843) 258-5597

A: Expect to spend one percent of the purchase price of your home every year to handle a myriad of tasks, including painting, tree trimming, repairing gutters, caulking windows, and routine system repairs and maintenance.
An older home will usually require more maintenance, although a lot will depend on how well it has been maintained over the years.
Tell yourself that the upkeep of your home is mandatory, and budget accordingly. Otherwise, your home’s value will suffer if you allow it to fall into a state of disrepair. Remember, there is usually a direct link between a property’s condition and its market value: The better its condition, the more a buyer will likely pay for it down the road.
Also, adopt the attitude that the cost of good home maintenance is usually minor compared to what it will cost to remedy a situation that you allowed to get out of hand. For example, unclogging and sealing gutters may cost a few hundred dollars. But repairing damage to a corner of your home where gutters have leaked can potentially cost several thousands dollars.

Ways to Protect Your Family Outdoors

Article Feature by:
Patrick Ozanne
(912) 222-3144

(Family Features) Before your family begins enjoying the great outdoors during this adventure-filled season, make sure your yard is properly treated to avoid the dangers of poison ivy, oak or sumac.

Learn the proper steps to keep the threat of poisonous plants away from your family and property. Ashton Ritchie, Lawn & Garden Expert and Author offers this expert advice for protecting your family:

Locating the danger

Keeping your family safe begins with proper identification of these harmful, rash-producing plants. In the right environment, poisonous weeds can grow and spread quickly. Using a photo or resource like StopPoisonIvy.com can help identify the various poison weeds and their stages (Poison Ivy often emerges red and only starts to turn green in late spring). Survey your yard once a month, keeping a close eye on these common areas:

* Ground Cover: A common area for poison ivy is along the edge of a wooded area or around any shaded and less maintained section of the yard.

* Trees: By disguising itself as part of a tree limb, poison ivy often climbs up trees situated in shady locations.

* Edges: If you find that poison ivy continues to invade your outdoor space year after year, you may be experiencing the "edge effect," a phenomenon that occurs when the wooded areas surrounding your yard dry out. Various weeds flourish under such conditions.

* Stumps: Dead stumps are also a common hangout for these harmful weeds.

Eliminate the Threat

Once you have determined where the poison ivy is located, you can work to remove it from your surroundings. Look for a weed-eliminating product that works double-duty, such as Roundup(r) Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer, which penetrates the waxy surface of poison ivy, oak, sumac, kudzu and other tough weeds, while also killing at the roots.

* Wear protection

Before contact with these poisonous plants, always wear the proper clothing and protection. Be sure to cover your hands with thick, long gloves and wear a long sleeved shirt and pants in case you accidently touch the plants.

* Choose the right time

Always choose a calm, wind-free day for applying products to avoid contact with other desirable plants in your yard. If you can, it is best to apply with a temperature above 60 degrees F.

* Apply a weed-killing solution

Spray a specialized weed killer on the leaves until saturated, taking care not to apply to nearby trees, grasses and desirable plants. You should always read and follow label directions.

* Wait for the plant to completely die

Perennial weeds such as poison ivy may take 4 or more weeks for a complete kill, so be patient and follow the directions on the specialized weed killer packaging.

* Regularly monitor surroundings

Keep new weeds from growing by surveying your outdoor areas at least once a month throughout the busy weed-growing months of May through November.

With proper application and monitoring, your family can enjoy all the outdoor fun without the worry. For more tips and tricks, visit www.StopPoisonIvy.com.

Source: Roundup

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

5 Upgrades for Your Outdoor Eating Space

Article Featured by:
Anna Malphrus
(843) 384-0352

SAVANNAH, GA, Jul 07, 2014—With summer fully here, the days are long, and the nights are warm. This means you're most likely spending more time eating al fresco. No longer does your outdoor eating area need to contain merely a grill and a picnic table. Whether you're prepping your home for sale, or simply looking to make the most out of your property, the following tips from Connie Ray, President/Owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners will give your home that high-end outdoor-kitchen feel.

1. Add a prep space. When manning the grill, it's important to have an area to rest your grilling accoutrement, and a space for doing prep work – skewering veggies or stacking burgers waiting to hit the flame. “This extra space will lend your stand-alone grill a real outdoor kitchen feel,” says Ray. Make space by finding a small, outdoor-friendly table that matches the height of your grill. Something with storage space for keeping utensils and grill-ware is an added bonus.
2. Add a roof. While most dining tables come with an umbrella, it's important to remember to shade the grill-master, too. If your grill is in an open area, consider adding a roof or simple overhead structure to provide shade and offer reprieve from any sudden summer showers. “Just be sure the roof is a safe distance from the flame range to negate any risk of fire, and remember not to edge your grill up to your house, which is a fire hazard on it's own,” Ray reminds us.
3. Add a window bar. While it's not a good idea to sidle up your grill to your house, consider renovating a window to create a window bar. If your kitchen is adjacent to your outdoor dining space, expand the window and add a bar top for a very cool retreat-like experience. Not only can you serve drinks and appetizers on the bar top, but you now have easy grill-to-kitchen access. Throw in a couple of outdoor bar stools and you have a new entertaining station.
4. Set in a sink. While many people have sinks in their laundry or mud rooms, a sink in your outdoor kitchen makes dish-washing and cleanup a cinch. “Adding a sink really lends that 'outdoor-kitchen' feel to your grill station,” notes Ray.
5. Add a mini-fridge. If you have a nearby power outlet, consider housing a mini fridge near your outdoor cooking spot to keep drinks, meats and dairy cool and ready for serving.
For more real estate information, please contact Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners at Connie.F.Ray@mycbpp.com, 912-352-1222, or Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners.

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, established in 1995, is a full-service real estate firm with more than 100 sales agents strategically dispersed among its office locations spanning from Beaufort, South Carolina, through the greater Savannah area to St. Simons Island, Georgia. The company was founded by Connie Farmer Ray, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. In addition to listing and selling residential real estate, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners™ other divisions include commercial real estate, property management, relocation services, a real estate school, mortgage lending, and a publishing/media division. The company™s corporate offices are located at 6349 Abercorn St., Savannah, Georgia. For more information visit their Web site at www.MyCbpp.com or call 800.505.8111.

To Go Solar or Not? That Is the Question!

By John Voket

I spend a lot of time monitoring the home solar industry and passing new information on whenever it develops. As more companies emerge to help homeowners with solar energy projects, and the price of related equipment continues to drop, more and more people are considering making this environmentally friendly idea a reality.
A recent email from a long-time friend and resource, Jim Simcoe - founder and CEO of Simcoe Green Homes - proposed a few of the questions homeowners need to ask themselves, and some of the considerations that need to occur during that decision-making process.
The single question Simcoe says he gets asked most often is from people who want to know if they should go solar. His response: when considering solar, keep in mind that while homeowners want to

Feature Agent
Janice Morgan
(912) 580-1833

save money, solar companies want to make money, usually by selling the largest system possible.
Simcoe believes that while sizing a solar system based on a homeowner's current usage is a common practice, it can be a bad idea.
A homeowner's solar needs should be based on the energy use of the home, when that home is operating at its highest efficiency. That means no air leaks, faulty insulation, duct work problems, etc.
With that in mind, here is the advice Simcoe gives people - usually resulting in saving thousands of dollars:
1. Prior to getting a solar bid, get a HERS rating done. A HERS rating is simply a home energy audit to identify any and all potential energy efficiency issues. To learn more and find an auditor, visit www.resnet.us, the nonprofit Residential Energy Services Network.
2. Review the HERS report and do the work recommended. Usually the repairs are minor and can be completed within a month.
3. When the repairs are complete, compare the next utility bill with a utility bill from the same period the previous year. Homeowners should see savings in the 15-45% range.
4. Now, contact solar companies and have them create a proposal based on the new usage instead of past usage. This will typically justify homeowners getting a smaller, lower cost system that more accurately fits their needs.
For more good information, or to contact Simcoe for advice, go to www.greensandiego.com

Non-Toxic Stain Removers That Really Work

By Barbara Pronin


Stains on clothing, walls or furniture can be difficult to remove – especially if you don’t like turning to extra-strong and environmentally unfriendly cleansers. But Melissa Maker at naturallysavvy.com tells us many of life’s most annoying stains can be safely removed with one of these five natural, non-toxic substances:

Article featured by
Ruth Ragland
(843) 271-1367

Baking soda – Because it offers gentle abrasion, a little baking soda mixed with a few drops of water is an easy way to remove scuff marks from the floor or crayon from the wall or tabletop. Dip a rag into the paste and buff out the stain in a circular motion and watch the stain disappear.

Extra virgin olive oil – The oil provides an easy way to shine up dull or streaky stainless steel or remove annoying stickers or price tags. For pots and pans, wash the finish with warm soapy water and buff dry, then pour a nickel-sized dab of oil on a paper towel and work into the steel for a smooth, polished shine. For sticker remnants, dab of bit of oil on the sticker and rub it in. Let it sit, then scrape off the sticker with a butter knife and remove the residue with soapy water and a clean cloth.

Lemons – Got dirty white socks that won’t come clean? Boil a pot of water. Halve a lemon and squeeze in all the juice. Add the socks and simmer for an hour. The acid in the lemon will brighten the socks and whiten the stubborn dirt stains. Dry the socks in the dryer or in the sun for extra whitening power.

Saliva – It may sound gross, but saliva contains enzymes that quickly break down blood stains. If you cut your finger and get a blood stain on your clothing, just spit on it, work it away with a clean cloth, and finish with a little soap and water.

Denture tablets – These powerful little cleaners can remove the crusty water rings from inside your glass vases. Put room-temp water into the vase to just over the water line, drop in a denture tablet. When it finishes fizzing, pour it out, rinse the vase, and it will look like new.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.