My World... My Words...

Franchise marketer in the real estate industry, technology geek, sports fan and music lover.

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Marble Counter Care

Your counters are the center pieces in your kitchen and bathroom, so keep them looking good with the following care and maintenance tips.

Clean daily with soft cloths and warm water and weekly with stone soap. Marble is more vulnerable to acidic cleaners than granite, and will also be dulled by regular use of soap.

Blot spills quickly because marble is sensitive to etching, particularly from acidic substances.

Do not cut directly on marble since it is softer than granite. Heat is unlikely to damage marble, but cracking from thermal shock is always possible with stone.

Regularly seal marble counters, avoids stains easier.

(Source: www.pillartopost.com)

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Indoor Air Quality

It might surprise you to hear that the air inside your home is often dirtier than the air outside.That’s because indoor air is made up of outdoor air plus all the pollutants and allergens generated from cleaning products, pets, dust, smoke, and so on. Fortunately, you can improve indoor air quality in ways that do not cost a small fortune.

Get the Dust Out Dust – a major irritant – includes lint, bacteria, pollen, plant and mold spores, pet dander, etc. Here are three ways you can reduce dust particles in the air:

1. Clean or replace the furnace filter every three months. Thick-media filters, such as the five- and six-inch pleated type, last longer than regular filters and filter better too.

2. We all create an invisible dust cloud just walking through our homes. While a high quality furnace filter will reduce dust, frequent cleaning and vacuuming is also necessary.

3. A poor-quality vacuum cleaner can also create dust clouds. Before you give up on vacuuming, two solutions can address this problem: either install a central vacuum system with the canister-air discharge piped outside the house, or purchase a high-quality, portable vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air ) filtration system.

Take Control of Humidity High humidity levels in your home can significantly contribute to mold and dust mite growth. Dust mites, however, are a fact of life; you cannot eliminate them entirely. But you can decrease their numbers. Dust mites thrive in humidity levels above 50%. Ensuring the humidity in your home is not higher than 50% will diminish dust mite growth. Here are a few ways to address humidity:

1. Buy an inexpensive hygrometer & measure the indoor humidity. 2. Ensure that your clothes dryer vents to the outside. 3. Bathroom and kitchen fans should direct moisture outside. 4. Fix basement leaks and deal with condensation issues. 5. Air conditioning systems and dehumidifiers can also remove moisture from the air. Keep in mind that dehumidifiers use a great deal of electricity and don’t provide any cooling.

More Efficient Air Exchange Some homes just need more ventilation. Heat-recovery ventilators, or energy-recovery ventilators are both effective ventilation devices. Choosing the right system involves careful consideration of your home and your specific situation. Improving air quality in the home is a goal that is easily attainable. Start with the little fixes and then undertake the more complex remedies as needed. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to improve the air that you breathe.

(Source: www.pillartopost.com)

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Cut Water Costs

Up to half of water consumed in your home is used in the bathroom. Here are some easy ways to save hundreds of dollars - and gallons of water from going down the drain.

Slow the flow. New toilets are equipped with water-saving, low-volume flushers. Have an older toilet? Save by filling a quart-sized plastic bottle with water and placing in tank. Flow should be reduced by 40%.

Cool the water. If your water heater is set higher than 120degrees F., water is hotter than you need for showers or hand washing. For every 10 degrees you go down, you save up to 5%.

Check for leaks. A leaky toilet can waste 250 gallons of water in a month. Test a leak by dropping some food coloring in the tank without flushing. If the color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak.

(Source: www.pillartopost.com)

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Four Magnificent Kitchen Fixes

Here are four “must-do” updates that ensure your remodeled kitchen will earn compliments from anyone who enters.

1. Faucet Facelift. Because of its constant use, updating the faucet will immediately improve the function and look of your prep space. Create a chic statement at the sink.

2. Amp up Accessories. Much like fashion, accessories can make a room. Hardware is the finishing touch that makes your space feel polished, but also serves a purpose.

3. Enhance the Lighting. Lighting is a critical element in kitchen design, both for its decorative and functional benefits. It can also make the space look roomier and more elegant. Install pendants over an island or countertop where the low-hanging fixtures won’t interfere with traffic flow.

4. Add Personality. Adding something pretty like a bouquet of flowers, new linens, or a bright new tea pot will bring life onto your space. You can also jazz up your kitchen with lively artwork. Whether it’s a professional painting or fun vintage posters, artwork helps complete your renovation.

Before starting demolition on your kitchen remodel, make sure the design is a reflection of you. By following these simple steps, not only will you have a kitchen that complements your lifestyle, you will also draw plenty of compliments from family and friends. So why not take your kitchen from make-do to magnificent.

(Source: www.pillartopost.com)

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Unstick Your Stuff

These simple strategies promise to get you out of some “sticky” situations.

• Remove pesky price stickers - with vodka. The alcohol in vodka dissolves the adhesive on the sticker. Pour a little on a clean cloth, then dab on to sticker. Let sit for a minute, then gently rub the sticker with the cloth and it should come right off.

• Slide a drawer smoothly with a candle stub. First remove the drawer and wipe the two wooden rails that support the drawer with a damp cloth to remove any dust, dirt or wood shavings that might be making the drawer stick. Next, rub the candle stub over the rails to apply a thin layer of wax. It should now slide smoothly.

• Get rid of gum - with ice. When you find gum stuck on your shoe or rug, put an ice cube on it for about a minute. The gum should harden and chip off right away.

• Peel away a bumper sticker - with a blow dryer. Pull into a garage, plug in a blow dryer, aim the hot air at one corner of the bumper sticker and blast away. The heat will dissolve that glue that is keeping it stuck and turn it gummy. Give it a minute or two and the corner will lift off.

• Zap a sticky stain - with hairspray. Have you spilled something sticky, like hot fudge sauce, on your clothes? Spritz a little hairspray on the area and let it sit for a minute. Then throw the garment in the wash. When you pull it out the stain will be gone. Hairspray contains rubbing alcohol, which will break down any stickiness and make the stain easier to remove.

(Source: www.pillartopost.com)

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Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same, it's your choice.

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Be A Clutter Buster

To be a clutter buster you’ve got to be able to identify which items are truly clutter, and which are not. Clutter can be insidious, because it can be almost anything, from obvious trash to the most expensive antiques.

The same object that may be clutter for one person is most certainly not for another person.

Here are five guidelines to use to decide if something in your space could be CLUTTER.

1. Clutter Can Be Anything - Cheap Or Expensive, Sentimental Or Throw Away Know what is, and is not, clutter. Many people’s preconceived notion of clutter is true trash and cheap junk that we don’t care about at all. But remember “One man’s junk can be another man’s treasure.” Don’t automatically overlook something because it cost a lot of money. Even the most expensive things can be clutter.

2. Too Many of a Thing - is Clutter Too much of a “good thing” happens when you amass a large selection of one particular item.

Collections can quickly turn from something that makes us happy into clutter if we’re not careful. Determine if these items are truly worth the while, or just items using up precious space.

A few of a particular item, such as shoes, clothes, or kitchen gadgets can provide temporary choice and variety. However, when you start to accumulate too many of a particular item it just becomes an overwhelming pile of clutter.

3. Items That Used To Be Functional - are Clutter It often happens that we use an item for quite a while, and then our circumstances change and it is no longer quite as useful to us anymore. That’s when the item begins to collect dust in a corner - becoming clutter.

That’s the thing about clutter - it may have been useful stuff in the past. Be ever vigilant and notice when an item is no longer of use.

4. If You Don’t Have Room For It - It’s Clutter You could have some really awesome stuff but if it doesn’t fit in your space, it’s clutter. This one is tough for even the most seasoned clutter buster, because people experience this all the time when downsizing. If it sits out collecting dust or becomes a tripping hazard, it just doesn’t belong there anymore.

Make sure you’re not devoting storage space to real clutter but make room for the important items. You only have so much space available. If you can’t make a home for something in your home, it unfortunately just doesn’t belong there.

5. If You Don’t Love or Use It - It’s Clutter Everything in your home or office should, ideally, serve a purpose so you can live clutter free. It either helps you with something in your life or makes you feel something positive each time you see it.

If you’ve got too much stuff you simply can’t use all of it. After all, you can only wear so many clothes or shoes in a year!

You can only truly love so many things, and take the time to care for them, before you just don’t feel that attachment to those things anymore. Keep what’s important and ditch the rest!

Home Storage Solutions 101

(Source: www.pillartopost.com)

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Create Call To Actions for Video Using OverVideo

What about the people who just scroll right on by the thumbnail and never watch the video, or never make it to the end and hear your call to action?

Overvideo is an iPhone app you can use to create visual calls to action when you post video to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

First, select a video from your camera roll and pull it into Overvideo. Next, create customizable callouts and graphic overlays for your video in just seconds. You can even select the moment you want a graphic or message to appear and disappear.

(Source: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/)

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Furnace Water Leaks

Look for leaks: water can leak down into your furnace several ways, ultimately causing failure. If you discover these leaks early it is an easy fix for your furnace technician.

• Check for water leaks from the air conditioning evaporator, located in the supply duct on top of the furnace.

• Humidifiers can also leak and damage the furnace.

• High-efficiency furnaces create a steady stream of condensation (water). If the drain tubes get disconnected, water leaks in and around the furnace. Since this condensate is also slightly acidic, it will corrode steel very fast.

(Source: pillartopost.com)

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Cornstarch Uses

That little box of cornstarch has a lot more uses than cooking. Why not give these a try?

Freshen your carpet. Sprinkle cornstarch over your carpet 20 minutes before vacuuming – it’s a natural deodorizer.

Comfy housework. Sprinkle cornstarch inside rubber gloves to make them easier to slip into.

Save your leather. To remove an oil stain from a leather jacket, shoes or furniture, sprinkle the area with cornstarch; let stand overnight to absorb the grease. Brush off with a clean cloth.

(Source: pillartopost.com)

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Granite Counter Care

Kitchen and bathroom counters are the centerpiece of the room. Keep your granite looking good with these care tips.

Use soft cloths and warm water for daily cleaning, and stone soap weekly. Acidic and abrasive products degrade granite’s sealant and soap causes buildup, dulling its shine.

Attend to spills. Acidic food and liquid spills need to blot immediately. Do not wipe.

Use trivets & potholders. Though highly heat-resistant, granite isn’t heat-proof.

Sealing slows the rate at which your granite absorbs liquid. When water no longer beads atop the granite, it’s time to reseal.

(Source: pillartopost.com)

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Humanize Your Brand Messages With Mindset Segmentation

by Kellie Cummings (@kellcummings​)

Your customers no longer want to be treated as if they are consumers who all think alike and look alike and are therefore replaceable.

Today, people are seeking value and meaning in many areas of their lives; unlike consumers in the era of mass consumption, today's customers expect brands to treat them as people first, and as potential buyers second.

For marketing teams, this shift in customer expectations requires an overhaul of customer messages. That overhaul begins with segmentation, which determines what companies know about their customers. The segmentation process is what creates a language and terminology for interpreting customers' needs.

The segmentation methods of yesteryear (demographic, geographic, and psychographic) created a language about customers that was rooted in brand value—not personal value. Those rational and logical customer descriptions created a view of customers that was merely a reflection of a company's brand.

To reach customers today, marketers must embrace a more human-centric and more customer-centric approach.

Three trends are influencing personal customer communications

Although emotions have long been derided in business, things are starting to change. Three prominent trends give emotions overdue credibility and lay the groundwork for personal customer communications:

Distrust: Lingering anger from the financial crisis, mounting privacy concerns, and fatigue from corporate scandals all contribute to a general sense of distrust toward business and government. That's a powerful headwind for brand marketers: Deeply cynical people tend to reject all efforts to influence them. To overcome cynicism and distrust, marketers must communicate more honestly, authentically, and openly. Technology: Every part of our lives is besieged by technology, which leaves everyone hungry for human interaction. As a result, customers are craving emotional connections with companies in the form of rich brand experiences and authentic communications. Small craft brands are making headway against the great marketing powerhouses such as Procter & Gamble specifically because customers want to interact with real people. Research: A growing body of research makes a compelling case for the role of emotion in customer communications. Research from the Corporate Executive Board and Google finds that emotions drive buying decisions—even for B2B customers. After surveying 3,000 B2B buyers from 36 distinct brands, CEB found that emotions trump rational motivators by a two-to-one ratio.

Products that offered buyers personal value in addition to product or service value achieved a 42.6% increase in commercial outcomes, the research found. (Personal value included emotional appeals, such as how to be a better leader, to feel more confident, or to improve one's self-image.) Products with purely functional benefits achieved only a 21.4% increase in commercial outcomes.

The research concluded: "Not only do emotions matter in B2B buying, but they actually matter even more than logic and reason." Adjust your segmentation strategy

Now that you're ready to connect with your customers on a more human level, it's time to learn about their mindsets. Following are five categories of audience segment attributes that are used in mindset segmentation:

Beliefs: To connect authentically with customers, it's essential to know their personal values and principles. Focus on customer attributes that reveal personal beliefs: Are your customers active in their community? Do they value loyalty from friends and colleagues? In what ways are your brand values aligned with their personal values? Hopes and fears: Psychological researcher Jeffry A. Simpson says trust is the juxtaposition of people's loftiest hopes and their deepest fears. Marketers who know people's fears also know how to avoid disappointing them and thus halt the erosion of trust. Likewise, by knowing customers' aspirations, marketers learn how to delight customers and fortify trust, because that information engenders empathy for customers by giving them a true human dimension. Emotional needs: Customers' emotional needs for security and self-esteem are often at the root of financial decisions. To explore undiscovered emotional needs, conduct qualitative interviews with open-ended questions: How do your customers want to be perceived by their friends and colleagues? What aspects of their personal dignity are occasionally at risk? Why? And so on. Expectations: We know that customer trust has less to do with a specific product experience than it does with customer perceptions of the parent company. Discover customers' rational and emotional expectations of your company. What types of actions would your customers consider unethical? What social value does your parent company provide that gives customers the greatest sense of satisfaction? Brand perceptions: How would your customers describe your company to their peers? Remember, the goal is to capture personal value, not functional value. How does your brand appeal to customers' self-image and sense of dignity?

Through mindset segmentation, marketing teams can develop a shared understanding of customers' personal aspirations and fears. Once that vocabulary is established, team members will be able to empathize with customers' personal needs and therefore anticipate customers' reactions to new products or service changes.

This segmentation process enables empathy, thereby humanizing customers in an otherwise rational and data-driven world.

Kellie Cummings is a business consultant specializing in practices that fortify trust with customers. Learn more at www.kelliecummings.com.

(Source: http://www.marketingprofs.com/)

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The $700,000+ mistake nearly 6 in 10 millennials may make

by Cathy Hill

Most millennials say they’d rather rent than buy a home — a decision that could cost them more than $700,000 over the course of their lives.

Nearly six in 10 millennials (59%) say they’d rather rent a home than buy one, with just one in four saying they are either very or completely likely to purchase a home in the next five years, according to a survey of 1,300 millennials released this week by EliteDaily and Millennial Branding. (This anti-home-buying trend can already be seen: Currently, only about one in four millennials own a home, down from about one in three in the mid-70s and early 80s, according to data from the Demand Institute.) That’s “bad news for the real estate industry,” the report concludes.

The reasons for this sentiment are many. More than six in 10 feel they simply can’t afford it, the survey revealed (whether or not they actually can’t afford it is another question entirely). Plus, millennials tend to marry and have children later (two events that often inspire home purchases) and are a generation that doesn’t like feeling stuck in one place, says Dan Schawbel, the founder of Millennial Branding.

Whatever the reason, this decision may be a costly one. “In most markets it is still cheaper to buy than to rent [each month]” — even when you factor in the insurance and property tax payments, in addition to the mortgage payments, says Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac. And because interest rates are so low, now is a good time to buy in many markets — at least if you plan on staying in the home over the long term (Blomquist says that, as a very rough rule of thumb, if you don’t plan on staying in the home you are buying for at least five years, it may make sense to rent instead of buy).

Plus, you’re working toward owning an asset when you buy — that’s not the case when you rent. Considering that the median home in America costs $190,000 and historic annual home price appreciation is around 3%, according to data from RealtyTrac, a millennial who bought an average home today (and put $19,000 — that’s 10% — down) with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 4% would outright own a home worth $426,000 in 2045, and pay a total of roughly $373,000 for it (mortgage, taxes and insurance included) — a difference of $52,000. Plus, after 30 years, the person could live rent-free — a compelling prospect for retirement.

If that same millennial rented — let’s assume he pays $1,312 a month in rent this year (which is the average fair market rent for a three-bedroom nationwide, according to RealtyTrac) — and his rent appreciates at a rate of 2.7% a year (the average increase over the past decade, RealtyTrac says), he’ll end up shelling out nearly $717,000 in rent over that 30-year period — all without an asset to show for it in the end. Of course, he can cut that by having roommates, but at some age, he’s probably going to want out of the roommate game, unless it’s a spouse or love interest.

That said, many millennials will likely rent now but buy a home down the road. But waiting to buy has its costs, too — interest rates and median home prices are likely to rise down the road. At current rates of appreciation, in 10 years the average home (now priced at $190,000) would be selling for about $249,000. If interest rates return to their historical norm (from over the past 15 years) of 5.6%, a monthly house payment (including mortgage, taxes and insurance) on a $249,000 home would be $1,574 a month, a 52% increase over the $1,037 house payment for a median priced home now; plus, over that 30 years, you’d pay a total of $566,640 (assuming you put 10% down) for a home worth $558,356 at the end of that period. “In this scenario you wouldn’t come out positive on your investment in the property until a year after the mortgage was paid off, in 2056 — at which point the home would have a projected value of $573,608,” explains Blomquist.

Of course, there are some compelling reasons to rent. You have more flexibility when renting, as you aren’t tied to a mortgage payment, and savvy investors can likely get higher than 3% annual returns elsewhere. And, quite frankly, “if you can’t afford it, don’t buy,” says Blomquist; you don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to foreclose on a home.

(Source: www.marketwatch.com)

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How Brands Can Connect With Millennials

newscred​ commissioned a study to survey 501 millennials and the results reveal that nearly two-thirds (62%) feel a direct correlation between content marketing and brand loyalty. The problem? They are turned off by the content they’re receiving. The survey also revealed 10 proven tactics that brands can leverage in their content marketing to successfully reach this elusive demographic:

1. Tailor content to individuals’ unique cultural interests


When it comes to engaging millennials, creating content tailored to their individual interests is extremely important. This means you need to keep in mind their age, location, and cultural interests at all times. You also need tools to help you develop a deep understanding of who they are, where they are, and what motivates them.

2. Make sure content is useful or helpful towards solving everyday problems of millennials


Creating content tailored to their individual interests is extremely important. You also need tools to help you develop a deep understanding of who they are, where they are, and what motivates them.

3. Avoid being sales-y or self-promotional 


In 2014, our average attention span is less than that of a goldfish. Does that mean every article should be a listicle? No. The days of long-form content are not over. This just means that content should not feel like an empty marketing ploy.

4. Keep it short

Despite the value of long-form content, 41% of millennials said the main reason they abandon content is that it's too long. Keep the context of your content in mind – are they on a mobile device looking for a quick distraction or researching for real, in-depth information?

5. Aim to be thought-provoking and intelligent


NewsCred’s survey found that 60% of millennials only share content when it is “thought provoking and intelligent.”

6. Be funny


Do you like to laugh? Great, so do millennials (and just about everyone). But it isn’t just about laughter, it’s about emotion. Millennials want a reason to connect with your content, and in turn, your brand. If you can build an emotional connection with someone, it means you can build trust.

7. Be authentic

Aside from your content inspiring, educating, or entertaining your audience, it also needs to be a positive reflection of your brand’s perspective.

8. Don’t bank on virality or social endorsements alone


When asked “What gets you to share?” over 50% responded “It’s relevant to my circle of friends.”

9. Ensure personalization by price point, location, race, etc.


Keep it personal – 
54% of millennials prefer content tailored to their age, 55% prefer content tailored to their location, and 63% prefer content tailored to their cultural interests.

10. Deploy formats that are easy to digest and share

The truth is, millennials consume content across a number of different platforms, and their favorite platforms change with the wind. Part of maintaining relevancy is putting your content on the right channel.

Read the full article here: blog.newscred.com

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Allergen Control

Ever find yourself sneezing, coughing and wheezing when the temperature drops? Airborne particles can trigger these symptoms. Known as “allergens” and “irritants” these particles exist both inside and outside the home.

Here are a few tips to prep your living space this season.

Shut your windows. The first step is to keep your windows closed. This will keep moisture levels between 40 and 50 percent, which will limit dust mites and mold.

Keep it clean. Keep on top of vacuuming and dusting as there are many allergens that are already trapped inside your home, from pet dander to dust mites.

Steam Technology. A new line of washing machines with Steam Technology can remove over 95% of common household allergens. These washers can handle anything you can throw in and will have you breathing easier in the comfort of your own home.

Wash Linens Once a Week. You spend a lot of time in bed and your sheets are a hot spot for allergens. Washing linens regularly helps reduce the accumulation of dust.

(Source: pillartopost.com)

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Valentines Day Cards for Real Estate Lovers!

Are you looking that perfect Valentines Day card for the real estate lover or Realtor in you life? Well the team over at buzzbuzzhome have you covered with this great collection of cards.

You can see and print them all out here:  https://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/valentinesday

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Slimmed Down Heat

Keeping warm in winter months can lead to big fat heating bills – unless you slim down using some of these ideas.

Buy a Programmable Thermostat Every degree you lower your thermostat cuts your energy bill by 3%. Turn down the heat at night or when you leave the house.

Reseal Windows Weather stripping around windows and doors wear down allowing cold air to blow inside. Seal gaps with self-sticky sponge insulation.

Change the Filters Replace or clean furnace filters four times a year to help your furnace run at peak efficiency.

Install Door Sweeps Add sweeps to your exterior doors to help save as much as 5% on your heating bill.

Insulate the Attic An attic needs at least 12 inches of blown-in insulation to keep the house warm. Your attic also needs to be sealed with a vapor barrier and ventilated so moisture can escape.

Seal the Ducts Inspect for escaping air by running a hand along the metal ducts while the heating system is on, and bond any breaks with silver metal tape.

Go Tankless Upgrade from a traditional water heater to a tankless model, which heats water only when you need it, not all the time.

Turn off Exhaust Fans Leaving kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans on for too long can suck warm air out of the house.

(Source: pillartopost.com/)