Happy New Year

                HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous 
New Year!
Auld  Lang  Syne

Merry Christmas 2011

It's almost Christmas.....the most wonderful time of the year!

These are a few of my favorite things!

2011 WVU Marching Band Armed Forces Salute

Thank you to everyone who has served our great Country!

Mortgage Rates Fall For The Second Time In History

Freddie Mac reported the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell this week below 4% for the second time in history.  Five weeks ago, the average mortgage rate dropped to a record low of 3.94%.

Current week's average....

30-year fixed.................3.99
15-year fixed.................3.30
5-year adjustable...........2.98
1-year adjustable..........2.95

 SOURCE:  FREDDIE MAC PRIMARY MORTGAGE MARKET SURVEY.

Veterans Day Salute

Veterans Day originally was called Armistice Day, because it commemorated the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, when the fighting stopped at 11 a.m., the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Take a moment this Veterans Day to remember the sacrifices of so many who are serving and have served.
They have given so much to protect the United States and have helped other countries all over the world to become free as we are.  
REMEMBER OUR VETERANS ON 11/11/11 AT 11AM

LET US ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR VETERANS

The Clocks Fall Back November 6th

Just a reminder that on Sunday, November 6th, Daylight Savings Time ends.  Don't forget to roll back that clock an hour on Saturday night or Sunday morning.  I also like to use the time change to perform some basic home maintenance tasks.
Perhaps this list will help you as well:

• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors:  Test batteries and replace.
• Interior Caulking:  Inspect caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks
• HVAC:  Change filters, if required.
• Toilet:  Check for leaks and water run-on.
• Dryer:  Vacuum lint from ducts 
• Washer:  Clean water inlet filters and check hoses

A little regular maintenance can save thousands down the road when you decide to list your home.

Halloween Trick or Treating in Linton Oct 29th and Oct 31st



 Two days of Halloween celebration are planned for Linton. October 29th and 31st.  No trick or treating on Sunday because many churches will be having Sunday evening services.  Trick-or-Treaters can go door-to-door from 6pm to 9pm on Saturday, Oct. 29th and 6pm to 8:30pm on Monday, Oct. 31st.

SPOOKFEST IN THE PARK

Don't forget the Sixth annual Spookfest in the Park.  Come out and see the Halloween parade through the park and the costume contest.

Top 10 Homemade Costume Ideas

1.  Animals  2. Cowboy or Cowgirl  3.  Pirates  4.  Princess  5.  Vampire

6.  Witch  7.  Super Hero  8.  Zombie  9.  Business person  10.  Ghosts

Enjoy the Monster Mash Video........

RECP Classes

Focus on Education.  What better way to serve my customers and clients, by staying informed and educated. I will be attending this session on Thursday.



Autumn on My Mind

"October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came - The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band."

Author: ~George Cooper

Linton vs Perry Central Class A Sectional 40

Good Luck Linton Miners!  Take Sectional 40! 

All The Way to State!!!!

Linton will play Perry Central tonight in the Class A Sectional 40 game against rival Perry Central at Roy Williams Field.  If you can't make it to the game watch it live at http://www.gcdailyworld.com/.

Halloween decorations and party recipes

PUMPKIN CARVING AND HALLOWEEN DECORATING CAN BE SO MUCH FUN!

Spiders and pumpkins and scarecrows OH MY!

My grandson's had lots of fun carving their Halloween pumpkins. This is a favorite receipe that I found in Familyfun magazine.

PUMPKIN TARTS

Ingredients 3 packages (15 tarts each) prebaked frozen mini pastry shells (we used Athens Mini Fillo Shells) 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin 2 cups (plus extra for garnish) frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 teaspoon (plus extra for garnish) pumpkin pie spice 1 (3.4-ounce) package cheesecake-flavor instant pudding and pie filling Mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions Remove the shells from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin, whipped topping, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth. Add the pudding mix and whisk until smooth and thick. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling into each of the shells (you can also pipe the filling with a pastry bag or a plastic sandwich bag with one corner snipped off), then top the tarts with whipped topping, a sprinkling of the pumpkin pie spice, and a mint leaf, if you like. Makes 45 tarts. I made these tarts for a recent reunion and they were a hit! I used fresh mint from my garden.

Indiana Association of Realtors 2011 Conference & Expo

I attended the Indiana Association of Realtors Conference this fall and it was well worth the time spent. I came away feeling grateful that real estate professionals from around the state can gather in one place to learn and exchange ideas. The caliber of speakers and topics were just great and can help advance any realtors career. Guest Speakers included-




BRIAN COPELAND. Brian is a fantastic speaker and quite the comic.
Owning Your Online Brand: Digital Reputation Management for 2011 and Beyond Brian's presentation was excellent and the course covered everything from handling your Google presence to Yelp, foursquare and MerchantCircle. Brian is one of Nashville's (TN) top buyer's agents and founded the university for his local boutique brokerage. He recently accepted a position on the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) board of Directors.

CHANDRA HALL was also a guest speaker from Colorado Springs, CO, she is the managing broker/owner of Colorado Mesa Realty, LLC.
Cracking the Credit Code: The Key to Buyer Recovery. Chandra explained the future homeowners challenge of tighter lending restrictions. Less-than-perfect credit resulting from foreclosure, short sale, bankruptcy and job loss for the would-be buyers. For real estate agents working with these buyers is not a question of "if" but "when". Agents can be prepared to help these distressed buyers.




LYNN MADISON is the owner of Lynn Madison Seminars, Inc., from Chicago, Il.
BPOs: Agent's Role in the Valuation Process: Lynn instructed realtors in understanding how to choose appropriate comparables, to what affects value through making the adjustments to create the BPO or CMA, this is a new certification course, BPO Resource (BPOR) providing REALTORS with knowledge and skills to increase opportunities to create professional and accurate BPOs and CMAs.
Who Shook the Tree? Who Gathered the Nuts? Lynn updated us with the National Association of REALTORS latest quidelines and checklists of our commissions - how we get paid, who's responsible for paying us, and what we do if there's a dispute.



The Recognition Luncheon - Guest Speaker Richard LeMieux author of "Breakfast at Sally's" - A Homeless Man's Inspirational Story was quite moving. Today Richard is writing a children's book about his beloved dog Willow, who died in 2009

The conference was great and I am planning on attending next year!!

It's a Fact

Mulching leaves where they fall

allows them to decompose faster

so their nutrients can be released

back to the underlying soil.

Source:

Scotts Miracle Gro

CRS Agent Best Person for the Job

Say Yes to CRS--------- Buying a home is one of the biggest and most emotional decisions you will ever make. So it’s important to work with someone who can provide sound advice and a steady, guiding hand when you need it. That’s why a CRS agent is the best person for the job. A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is among the top 4 percent of all agents in the country. CRS agents have achieved a high volume of transactions and advanced training in areas such as business planning, real estate investing, marketing and technology. They must also maintain membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and abide by its Code of Ethics. Why work with anyone else when you can work with a CRS agent?

Is Your Home Ready For Winter?

The change of seasons signals a time to prepare your home for winter, no matter what climate you call home. Taking the following steps now can not only save money, but provide added warmth and peace of mind. Clean the gutters. Remove leaves and other debris from the gutters using your hand, a scraper or spatula, then rinse down with a hose. Also check that the downspouts are carrying water away from the house’s foundation, where it could cause flooding or water damage. Seal the leaks. If your home feels drafty, cold air may be seeping in from around the window and door frames, electrical outlets and recessed lighting. Apply caulk around these areas, and use door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors. Test smoke detectors. Make sure smoke detectors operate properly and replace the batteries, if needed. Also invest in a carbon monoxide detector, and make sure the fire extinguisher works.

Take care of windows. In colder climates, remove window screens and put up storm windows, which will add warmth and protect your home from the elements. If you don’t have storm windows and the windows are leaky or drafty, consider updating to more efficient ones. Or for a low-cost solution, use a window insulator kit to keep out cold air. Inspect the chimney. Before using the fireplace, have the chimney inspected for creosote buildup, and if needed, cleaned. When the fireplace is not in use, keep the chimney damper closed to keep out cold air. Add insulation. Most homes in the U.S. need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in the attic regardless of the climate. Check the furnace. Before the coldest temperatures set in, turn on your furnace to make sure it’s working properly. Check the filters monthly and change them if they are dirty. A dirty filter impedes air flow and could cause a fire in extreme circumstances.

No Regrets About Homeownership

Despite the ups and downs of the housing market, most homeowners, including those who are underwater on their mortgages, don’t regret their decision to own a home. In a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, three out of four Americans believe that homeownership is the best long-term investment and is worth the risk. Some 95 percent say they are happy with the decision to own a home. That sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) believe owning a home is worth the risk of the ups and downs of the housing market, and 83 percent of say they are happy with their decision to own a home. Four out of five homeowners overall (80 percent) say they would advise a friend or family member to buy a home, while slightly fewer (78 percent) underwater homeowners would do the same. Only 19 percent of underwater homeowners believe homeownership is too risky.

Penny-pinching tips for using less energy and water at home

Save money by making a few changes in energy and water around the house. Here are a few penny-pinching tips.

Wash with cold water. Tide 2X Ultra for cold water is a top performer.

Put your computer to sleep. Use the standby or hibernating feature.

Line dry your clothes.

No prerinsing needed for the dishes. It is not necessary with most dishwashers. Just scrape and load.

Clean the refrigerater. Clean the coils behind and beneath the refrigerater.

Open the blinds and curtains. On a sunny winter day it will let in the solar heat. Close the binds and curtains at night to keep in the heat.

Upgrade your toilet. Low-flow toilets can save about 4,000 gallons of water a year.

Insulate and seal all heating and cooling ducts.

Plant shade trees on the west and southwest side of your house. This will help save energy by blocking the solar heat.

Change your showerhead. A high-efficiency showerhead will save on hot-water use by up to 50%.

Change your light bulbs. Switching to compact fluorescent lights.

By making a few simple changes around your house can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Many of them won't cost you anything.

Guitars, Cadillacs, Hillbilly Music

Dwight Yoakam Concert - September 2nd - Horseshoe Casino - Elizabeth, IN --------- I attended the Dwight Yoakam Concert with friends and we all had a great time. The concert was packed and everyone had fun singing and dancing to the music. He has several songs that are a favorite of mine. I started listening to his music back in 1995 when I was commuting to Bloomington in the evening, while attending Real Estate School at the IU Campus. It was so much fun to actually see him in concert for the first time.

Autumn

"Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits"

Samuel Butler

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

I see it!

Early morning riser

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!

QR Code

You can find the right home faster!

Quick Response Codes are popping up everywhere. It's a quick way to access information and Pafford Realty has created QR Codes for each of our listings. Use your smart phone to access these QR Codes. There are a variety of free QR Reader apps available.

Nationwide Open House

LOOK FOR THE BLUE REALTOR BALLOONS

REALTOR OPEN HOUSE

JUNE 5th - 1-3 pm -110 NE "B" St - Linton

PAFFORD REALTY

is participating in the NATIONWIDE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND

on Sunday, June 5th from 1-3 pm. The Open House will be at

110 NE "B" Street in Linton.

Come see this Norman Rockwell Traditional Style Home.

Memorial Day Tribute

This weekend take time to pause and remember the great sacrifices of our veterans and men and women that are currently serving in the military. If you know someone who served or is serving stop and thank them for their service for this great country we live in.

"My Old Kentucky Home"

The 137th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is Saturday at 6:24pm (ET). It has been several years since I've been to the Kentucky Derby. In fact, 1979 and Spectacular Bid was the winning horse. What memories it brings back to the beauty of this special event. Walking through the paddock area on the grounds and seeing those twin spirals was a special treat for me. People were dressed in their best, and seeing all the lovely hats made it seem more like a fashion show. The children were dressed in their finest as well.

The traditional singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" is sang while the horses are led in the post parade. This is the most memorable moment for me especially the chorus..

"Weep no more my lady Oh! Weep no more today!

We will sing one song for the Old Kentucky Home,

For the Old Kentucky Home far away.

Our seats were not far from the starting gate and the jockeys paraded their horses past us to the post. When everyone was in place they were off starting the most exciting and fastest two minuets in sports. It was such a beautiful site to see. Those beautiful horses running in all their glory to the finish coming down the stretch to be the winner and then being presented with a draped blanket of red roses.

I recently watched the video "Secretariat" and it was such an inspiring movie. It brought me back to the time I spent at my first Kentucky Derby "The Run for the Roses".

Realty Times - Home Inspections 101

Realty Times - Home Inspections 101

LINTON LADIES CIVITAN SAMPLE FAIR

May 7th 10 am to 2 pm

Greene County 4-H Fairgrounds

Admission $1.50

Hope to see you there lots of goodies from area businesses and organizaitons. It's always a treat to sample at the Sample Fair.

Tea and Crumpets Anyone?

ROYAL WEDDING CELEBRATION

It was an early wake up of Tea and Crumpets to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Catherine Middleton and Prince William at Westminster Abbey in London, England on this Friday morning, April 29, 2011. Rising at 4:00 am to see the entire gala event of the year was worth all the extra sleep I could have gotten. I loved seeing all the beautiful hats and the joy on the faces of the British people. What a day of celebration for their country.

This is the first time I've ever made crumpets and they were quite yummy topped with a bit of honey. I"ll have to admit I felt my English roots coming to surface especially after eating the crumpets and drinking my English Tea!

Linton Chamber Fish Fry

LINTON CHAMBER FISH FRY

FRIDAY, APRIL 29TH

ROY CLARK COMMUNITY BUILDING

Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children if purchased in advanced. Proceeds from this fish fry will benefit the Freedom Festival Fireworks. Tickets are available at the Chamber office or at Angell's Food Center.