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Happy Holidays to all:
 

The end of 2018…the last month of the year!  The hustle and bustle of the holidays are now in full swing.  

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkuh, we wish you a joyous celebration…and as the year ends – a safe, healthy and joyous 2019!

Al and Jean

FILL THE NEW YEAR BY BEING GIVING OF YOURSELF TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS...
AND EVERY DAY, GIVE A SMILE AWAY!
California Wildfires - Realtors Nationwide are Helping

2018 has been a year of great joy; but also great tragedy. Wildfires have destroyed homes and lives across the state of California. So far, the Camp and Woolsey fires have claimed many lives over 200 residents still unaccounted for, while destroying more than 10,000 homes and buildings across over 400 square miles. The Camp Fire alone flattened an entire city in Northern California, home to 27,000 people.

Such sudden destruction leaves thousands of individuals and families struggling to find a footing. That’s why the not-for-profit REALTORS® Relief Foundation was created to deliver housing assistance to those in need during the critical weeks and months after disaster strikes.

On Tuesday, Nov. 20, the foundation announced a joint relief effort with the California Association of REALTORS® Disaster Relief Fund, committing $1 million in aid to victims of the wildfires.

The RRF responds rapidly in a crisis. Over the past 17 years, the RRF has collected and distributed over $29 million in relief aid for more than 70 disasters in 37 states and territories. Not only that, but every dollar goes directly to victims of disaster. The National Association of REALTORS® covers 100% of administrative expenses.  We all feel helpless and such a sense of loss for all of those who have lost everything – we knew we wanted to help but didn’t know how or what organization to trust. There are always many Realtors in the background doing what we can to help.  We’ve given generously because it is important to help.  And this kind of support makes us very proud of our profession.  We all want to give - just be sure you give to a charity that makes sure the donation goes more to helping those in need than administration costs.


 

HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY:

"Residential fires during the holiday season are more frequent, more costly and more deadly than at any other time of the year. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports more than double the number of open-flame fires on Christmas Day than on an average day, and about twice as many on New Year’s Day. And when those fires occur, they do more damage: Property loss during a holiday fire is 34% greater than in an average fire, and the number of fatalities per thousand fires is nearly 70% higher. When the source of the fire is a highly flammable Christmas tree, the toll in property and lives is even greater"

  1. The top cause for holiday fires in unattended cooking. Bet you thought it was candles. We did! It’s easy to forget you have something on the stove – set a timer – take a pot holder with you when you step away from the kitchen as a reminder. Be alert - forgetting could be a costly mistake.   
  2. Candles – burning candles cause four times more fires in December than any other time.  Never leave a candle unattended – be sure they’re on a sturdy base and perhaps use a hurricane globe to protect the area.  Don’t place candles closer than 1-foot to anything flammable.
  3. Live Christmas trees – they can engulf a room with flames within 30 seconds.  Keep them well-watered and place away from any heat source.  And dispose when they get too dry.
  4. Outdoor lights - check for frayed/cracked wires and broken sockets before putting them up.
  5. Fireplaces – periodically get them professionally cleaned.  We had one we rarely used backdraft on us a few years ago – it wasn’t pretty.  You have no idea how much damage smoke can cause until you’ve experienced it.
Thanks to Carol Gross, our good friend, retired from the Phoenix Fire Department for reminding us about fire safety.

Heartwarming Holiday story (l950's Navy Ensign letters found by our son-in-law during a home inspection)
FACEBOOK POST by Bob Nau:"These letters were found in an attic in Mesa Arizona. They were written between a Navy Ensign and his wife after WWII. They are so lovely and even have negatives to family photos. We are looking for any relatives of Ensign Roger R Wright who would treasure these. Please share this as much as possible and help us give someone a wonderful Christmas present."  (to view the Channel 3 story, click on the link below)


Our son-in-law, Bob Nau, owner of NAU INSPECTIONS (home inspections) runs into all kinds of interesting situations when inspecting attics and other places people forget about. This was such an incredible testimonial to Bob's thoroughness - he found these letters under a pile of old Playtex baby bottles and boards while checking to see if home repairs had been done properly.  The odds of finding these letters were miniscule. Bob posted the above notice on Facebook on 11-24-18.   We suggested he contact a TV station for help in getting the word out in hopes of finding the family.  He reached out to Channel 3/Kim Powell [reporter] who aired the story with Bob and wife, Jill [our daughter]. Click below to view the TV interview on 11/26.

https://www.facebook.com/kimpowelltv/videos/575346202899499/

All of these letters were written between a young Sailor (Ensign Roger R. Wright) and wife (Eva) a few years after WWII ended (1945) in the 1950's.   Where is the family of Roger R. Wright? And wouldn’t they love this treasure trove of letters from such a different time in history.

Here's what they've learned.

  • Roger died on 11/28/1981 in the Mesa Lutheran Hospital (born in Buffalo, NY).
  • His wife, Eva, survived him but is now deceased
  • They had three children (Patricia, Florrie and Larry) (and 5 grandchildren at his passing in 1981)
  • Roger spent 25 years in the US Navy - member of the Fleet Reserve
  • They moved from Baltimore to Arizona in 1972 and lived in the home where Bob found the letters after Roger retired.

Great progress is being made in connecting to the family - Bob and Jill are working tenaciously to make it come together by the holidays.  This isn't the kind of gift one generally receives.  Making this happen would be fantastic for the Wright family...and one of great satisfaction for ours.  Great job, Bob, in finding the letters and setting out to make someone's holidays especially bright!

Hopefully there will be an answer to this story before the end of the year.  If so, you'll hear about it on Channel 3 with Kim Powell in a few weeks (we're all being very optimistic).  We'll update you in January on "the rest of the story," as Paul Harvey used to say.


Wondering How Much Your Home Is Worth?
 
How has the price of your home changed in today's market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for?  We're here to help. If you need current information about your area, or an area you're interested in learning about, email us to request a report: Al@AlandJeanBatson.com

Exciting news: Coming up next month, we will share information on how you can pull up information through our website as our gift to you. We know there are all sorts of websites people go as a resource because a) you’ve heard about it and b) it’s easy.

The problem is you may not be getting accurate or current information. We want to make the best possible information available to you. Al is currently working with ARMLS (Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service) and HomeSmart to completely revise our website so we can offer a significantly improved service. The information will be live.  More next month….


 
Winter visitor?  Check out this home in Sun City Grand.
Actually, a year-around retirement home buyer works just as well for this beautiful 55+ community in Surprise, AZ! We've got a listing waiting for the right homeowners - priced at $222,000 for a 1184 square foot, single story home with 2 bedrooms and 1.75 baths.  Two car garage with direct access to the inside laundry room (washer/dryer included), Great Room concept, block wall surrounds back yard with 20' x 10' covered patio.Note:  Recently replaced A/C and exterior paint.  Please contact us for further information.

Check out this link:

https://tinyurl.com/y7fzaduu

Come to Arizona to retire - there's no place like it!  
Tire Tips from Al:

It has gotten colder but that doesn't mean you don't have to monitor your tire pressure.  I just checked my tire pressure and found that all four were low by 4 pounds.  When the temperature cools, as well as the road surface, the pressure in your tires reduces.  Remember to check your tires before you drive very far as the pressure will build up as your tires get warmer from driving.

Don't forget your windshield washer reservoir;  it needs attention too.  This is especially true if you plan to drive into freezing weather.  The water in your windshield washer reservoir can freeze and crack the reservoir if it doesn't have some sort of anti-freeze washer solution in the water.  If the reservoir freezes, the spray lines to your windshield may freeze as well, preventing your windshield washers from working at all.  Any windshield washer solution will be an improvement over pure water.  You might also consider distilled water in your reservoir. Distilled water may help reduce water spots on your windshield.



While on the subject of vehicle safety: Vehicle thefts are on the rise - often from driveways.

  • ALWAYS use your turn signals to let your fellow drivers prepare for your next move.
  • NEVER text and drive.  Whatever text is coming in can wait - and help you and others on the road live longer.
  • ALWAYS lock your car, NEVER leave your keys OR the garage door opener in the car.
  • NEVER leave valuables in the car - if you must, hide them in the trunk.

Thank you!
The Batson Team HomeSmart
Jean Batson
Home Smart
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LITTLE SAUSAGE LINKS
We were given this easy, wonderful recipe by a friend last year - it's an absolutely delicious appetizer and...SO EASY TO MAKE. Shhh...don't tell anyone because they'll think you worked so hard.
1 tube of Crescent rolls and 1 package Little Smokie Sausages
 1/2 cup butter
 1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 TBS Brown Sugar
3 TBS honey
Directions
Heat oven to 400°. Grease a 9x13 baking pan. Use glass vs. metal.

  1. Once you’ve melted together the butter, pecans, brown sugar and honey and poured the mixture into your 9" x 13" baking dish; open the tube of Crescent rolls and separate the triangles.
  2. Cut the top triangle off the section; then cut the rest into strips to wrap around each little Smokie Sausage. As you wrap each one, place in the baking dish.  Put the seam side down.
  3. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
  4. Put a toothpick in each one so they’re easier to grab – serve hot. 

Ask Al & Jean: This Month's Question
Should sellers remain at home when their home is being shown.
To some sellers, it may seem perfectly natural to remain in the home when buyers view their property. After all, the seller can point out all the fabulous features and answer any questions the buyers have about the home, right?

Wrong. If buyers are coming by to see the property, sellers should vacate the premises. Why?

When sellers are around, buyers feel less comfortable. They are likely to feel rushed and will spend less time in the home, since their visit feels like an imposition on the sellers.

This is the opposite of what needs to happen to sell a home. Buyers must be made to feel as comfortable as possible. This will encourage them to take their time and truly consider the home for purchase.  Instead,the seller should tell their Realtor about all of the special features so he/she/we can share that information with buyers and other Realtors
________________________________
BOB NAU - the most thorough of home inspectors - anyone who could those letters is extraordinary. (see story)
So when you want it done right, contact: 480-226-7915 or bob@nauinspections.com
   
This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -To some sellers, it seems perfectly natural to remain in the home when buyers view their property. After all, the seller can point out all the fabulous features and answer any questions the buyers have about the home, right?

Wrong. If buyers are coming by to see the property, sellers should vacate the premises. Why?

When sellers are around, buyers feel less comfortable. They are likely to feel rushed and will spend less time in the home, since their visit feels like an imposition on the sellers.

This is the opposite of what needs to happen to sell a home. Buyers must be made to feel as comfortable as possible. This will encourage them to take their time and truly consider the home for purchase. What should happen is that the seller tells their Realtor about all of the special features so he/she/we can share that information with buyers and other Realtors

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