Friday, July 11, 2014
3 Things a Realtor Should Do for a Renter before Invading their Residence
We're on vacation, ya (insert Swedish accent here)? We are renting Anabelle on Sanibel for 28 days. It's a beaut to say the least, on the market for $1.6 mil.
Now, before you jump to conclusions about how much it costs to rent this house for 28 days, let me tell you. It's cheaper to rent this home for 28 days than to rent a comparable home for a week in Destin, Grayton Beach or any of the panhandle locations in Florida.
Yes, it's oceanfront. You are looking at the front of the house. The view out of every window on the back of the house looks like this. OMG!
This afternoon I was playing in the ocean and noticed my hubby waving me in to the shore. He was on my phone sitting under the prettiest umbrella on the beach.
.JPG "beach umbrella")
I expected to hear one of my girls say "What chew doing mom?". Instead, I heard a realtor asked if he could show the house we're staying in tomorrow from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. He advised me that we don't have to leave the house, you can stay while we're showing. Awkward.
What would you have done? Leave me a comment and tell me if I did right or wrong.
Still scratching my head,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Yes, it's oceanfront. You are looking at the front of the house. The view out of every window on the back of the house looks like this. OMG!
I expected to hear one of my girls say "What chew doing mom?". Instead, I heard a realtor asked if he could show the house we're staying in tomorrow from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. He advised me that we don't have to leave the house, you can stay while we're showing. Awkward.
YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?
"It's your choice, of course" he said. Flabbergasted I said "Can you explain the situation? Can they see it another time?" He continued calm as a cucumber "They are flying in to see a couple of houses. This house is the one they REALLY want to see. At least that's what I understand." His voice sure was sweet.
Was this in my contract? Did I miss it? No one told me when I rented this house it was for sale. I'd used this company before without a glitch. I immediately sounded like my mom saying "Do we get a discount if we let you show it or some kind of concession?" He said sounding insulted "Not that I know of." REALLYY? REALLY? I asked if they'd be sending cleaning people and he said no. The viewers understand it is occupied. Do you understand it's occupied?
Because I am sooooo nice, I agreed. I also spent the afternoon cleaning the place more than I would have if it wasn't being shown. Argh! Why am I the way I am? Anyways, if any realtors choose to read this blog, I want them to know 3 things a realtor should do for a renter before invading their residence to show a home:
- buy a free lunch for the renters you are ousting, or
- offer a small refund for the time ousted (maybe the cost of dinner), or
- at least give the renter more than a 20 hour notice please.
What would you have done? Leave me a comment and tell me if I did right or wrong.
Still scratching my head,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Money-Saving Thursday #1: Things to Do for Free on Vacation
ROAD TRIP!
One of the best, least-expensive vacations I can remember is a road trip we took in 2009. I had just quit work for personal reasons. We needed a vacation on a shoestring. The trip turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever!
Our destination was Illinois for a Drum Corps International performance. What fun we had on the way! We happened upon Metropolis, Illinois, home of Superman. Who knew this town even existed? We had all this fun for FREE! Check out the Visit Metropolis website for lots of "Places to Play" around the novel city for FREE.
Next stop: St. Louis, Missouri. The Arch is magnificent. The downtown area has a beautiful park. We passed through quickly (no one to meet in St. Louie) but had a fun-filled day with everything we did again FREE! See me and my mom counting our money at Hooters! We stayed, ate and bought our gas on this entire trip for just over $500 for four people. Be sure to check out next Thursdays money-saving tips where I'll share how to accomplish this fabulous feat using my favorite restaurant clubs, hotel rewards and gasoline perks. Check out 25 Things to Do in St. Louis.
I love history and architecture! Our stops in Springfield, IL brought us to the Home of Lincoln and the Illinois State Capitol. You must visit the Lincoln House Museum (free), the Executive or Governor's Mansion (free), Dana-Thomas House, a Frank Lloyd Wright design ($15 for families) and the Illinois State Capitol (free).
CHICAGO has so much to offer! We simply spent a leisurely day on the waterfront FREE! The beauty of the area is worth way more than what money can buy.
We just couldn't get enough of this road trip. On the way home, we stopped at a Dairy Farm and finally downtown Louisville, Kentucky, again, all FREE!
We did SO much in seven days! I got exhausted making these collages. This blog was a great walk down memory lane for me. I had forgotten some of the amazing things we did for FREE on this vacation. I hope these links help you plan your trips to these locations. You can always find things to do for free on vacation!
Leave me a comment with your favorite free thing to do on vacation.
Good memories,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The Very Best Use of Sunscreen
As I sat on the beautiful beach of Sanibel this week, I began to think about how exciting it feels to go to the beach. Don't you just love the water, the waves, the sun, the sand, the sunset and everything that screams "We're at the beach!"
I did a quick mental inventory of the things in my beach bag. Why did I bring these things? We need sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun. I want a noodle or float to keep me on top of the water and waves. We need flip flops to shield my feet from the hot sand. We need sunglasses to protect my eyes from the glare of the sunset. Do we really fully experience the beach?
A comparison to church entered my mind. Are we so programmed to protect ourselves from the elements that we do the same thing with God? Do we put on "son"screen to keep his spirit from sinking in too deep? Do we wear "son"glasses to dim the glory of his light? Do we use a floatation device to keep our heads above the fountains of his grace? The Bible says in Chronicles 12:14 "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."
It's a good idea to prepare for the beach. Sunscreen protects against skin burn. It's an even better idea to prepare your heart with Jesus. "Son"screen protects against soul burn.
Protected,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Monday, July 7, 2014
Mom-ism #10: A popular momism debunked!
Did your mom ever talk to you about the birds, the bees and sumpin' about a cow? If so, you've probably heard
"Why buy the cow when you can get the milk free?"
The old adage seems lost when trying to discourage sex today. I understand the phrase to mean guys won't marry girls who enjoys promiscuity. This saying was probably powerful back in the day. I'm convinced guys prefer gals who are choosy and a bit selfish with private things. Double standards? Sure is but that's another mom-ism for next Monday.
Let's get this straight before I debunk this very popular mom-ism. I do not condone premarital sex. I simply want to defend our friendly cow population by nailing down some facts. When you look closely at this phrase, it really doesn't make sense.
According to the Midwest Dairy Association, females, prior to giving birth, are called calves or heifers. After they give birth, female dairy animals are called cows. Additionally, a female dairy animal or cow can only produce milk after they've given birth. About 10 months after giving birth, the amount of milk the cow gives naturally decreases substantially and the cow undergoes a "drying off." About 12 to 14 months after the birth of her previous calf, a cow will calve again, thus providing milk.
Let's get this straight before I debunk this very popular mom-ism. I do not condone premarital sex. I simply want to defend our friendly cow population by nailing down some facts. When you look closely at this phrase, it really doesn't make sense.
According to the Midwest Dairy Association, females, prior to giving birth, are called calves or heifers. After they give birth, female dairy animals are called cows. Additionally, a female dairy animal or cow can only produce milk after they've given birth. About 10 months after giving birth, the amount of milk the cow gives naturally decreases substantially and the cow undergoes a "drying off." About 12 to 14 months after the birth of her previous calf, a cow will calve again, thus providing milk.
So this phrase would only make sense if said to a gal who:
- has given birth; and
- is said to a gal within the first 10 months after she gives birth.
you are breastfeeding your newborn). People need to learn their cow and milk facts!
Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts. I think my self worth just went up knowing I shouldn't have been compared to a cow until sometime around July 1988.
b. t. dubya, Happy Birthday Sydnee!
Got milk?
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Sunday, July 6, 2014
This is What the Fourth of July is all About!
Our vision was interrupted by rain as Steve and I drove up Gladiolus Drive to the busy intersection of Boy Scout Road. Three large roads feed into the main intersection in the coastal town of Fort Myers Florida. It was getting late into the day, the day after the fourth of July festivities and celebrations. We saw an occasional decorated vehicle from the earlier parade sitting along the sides of the road.
Before coming to a complete stop at the red light, Steve noticed a young woman crossing the road at the busy intersection. His concerned voice fired off questions. "What is she doing? Is she barefooted? Why is she crossing the road in traffic?" He took in more about this woman in a single glance than I could answer with one look. She wasn't barefoot. She had on a pair of nude flats with a classic fit white dress that stopped just about her slim knees. She instantly reminded me of Allie Hamilton.
My mind now conjured the same questions Steve had asked. "Why is she crossing the road in traffic? What is she doing?" and....in the rain! The light turned green. As we got close enough to make out what she was doing, she was in the middle of the intersection bending down to pick up something. What had she lost? Whatever it was, it was laying slap dab in the middle of the road.
As we drove past, we caught a glimpse of what she was rescuing. Our hearts were touched. Our minds were amazed but mostly our American pride was stirred. Steve said "She must be in the military! If you want to blog about something, blog about THAT!" This young lady risked life and limb to pick up a small American flag that had been left or lost on the highway. Steve amused again said "You know you're not supposed to do that, leave a flag on the ground."
SHE DIDN'T! We know that "Old Glory" is sitting proudly in a place of respect and dignity. As Steve said "Now, that's what the fourth of July is all about!"
Before coming to a complete stop at the red light, Steve noticed a young woman crossing the road at the busy intersection. His concerned voice fired off questions. "What is she doing? Is she barefooted? Why is she crossing the road in traffic?" He took in more about this woman in a single glance than I could answer with one look. She wasn't barefoot. She had on a pair of nude flats with a classic fit white dress that stopped just about her slim knees. She instantly reminded me of Allie Hamilton.
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