The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog

The scene we often envision at this time of year is one of family and friends sitting around a blazing fire with a brightly lighted tree, stockings hung from the mantel, and colorfully wrapped gifts adding to the cozy and festive atmosphere of your Mobile Eastern Shore home. A setting lovely to imagine–and to experience–but also one which requires awareness and safety precautions. Fires occurring during the holidays claim the lives of more than 400 Americans each year, and approximately 2 to 3 people per hour are treated in an emergency room due to “decorating” falls and other seasonal injuries.

At the time of year when lists–gift lists, menu lists, activities lists, and to do lists, e.g..–play such a large role in our lives, it is also necessary to establish a safety checklist to ensure an accident-free holiday for your family, guests, and even your pets. Suggestions for taking precautions include the following:

DECORATIONS

• Inspect lights for damage and link no more than 3 strands together. Use only UL approved and only as directed–indoor lights should not be used outside. Beware of overloading outlets. Don’t leave on when you’re not home.

• If you prefer a live tree, make certain it is fresh when you buy it and water, water, water!

• Use non-flammable or flame retardant decorations.

• Never leave lighted candles unattended, near combustible materials, or within reach of children or pets. Make certain to extinguish them before retiring for the night.

FIREPLACES

• Place the tree in your Mobile Eastern Shore home at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.

• Keep a screen in front of the fire to prevent flying sparks.

• If you hang stockings from the mantel, be sure to remove them when the fireplace is in use.

• Choose your decorating materials carefully, avoiding combustibles whenever possible. Make certain that ribbons and/or greenery are far from the flames.

• Never burn wrapping paper in your fireplace and risk a flash fire.
  Continue Reading »

Tags: holiday safety, mobile easterh shore home

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

7230 Rock Creek Drive, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 169036

• Magnificent Views
• Wonderful Privacy
• Tremendous Outdoor Living
• Covered Porch with Fireplace
• Kidney Shaped Pool
• Fabulous interior
• Remodeled Kitchen, SS Appliances
• Master with a dream bath, oversized shower, garden Tub
• Oversized rooms
• Bonus Room
• Office
• Room to Grow!

Learn more about 7230 Rock Creek Drive and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale.

Tags: 7230 rock creek, mobile eastern shore homes for sale

Yes, it’s that delightful time of year again, the time of shopping, decorating, baking, counting down the days, carols, entertaining, and making merry with friends and family. It’s a time of hustle and bustle–with so much to do in so little time! And so…it must also be time for some Christmas tips and time-savers to help you enjoy the holiday just a bit more–and to give you an excuse to sit down for a minute or two while you read this message! In an attempt to make life a little easier, I’ve organized my hints and suggestions into general categories. Unfortunately, this is the only thing I seem to be able to organize, as my own house is strewn with unwrapped gifts, un-hung decorations, and recipes for unbaked goodies! Maybe tomorrow…

SHOPPING AND GIFTS:

Little known trivia:  7/10 of all dogs in Britain receive gifts from their owners.

Who doesn’t like to save money? Sites for valuable coupons, codes, deals, and rebates for hundreds of stores.

Out of ideas? Need something unique like a ‘I Love You’ stones, a wine chiller, a deluxe valet or birthstone ornaments? RedEnvelope.com will surprise you with its offerings. Prefer something whimsical, geeky, or spiritual? Then go to Gifts.com.

There are ideas for those who are budget conscious and those with champagne taste. Many online shopping sites offer free shipping, and some will even gift-wrap for you!

Remember, you can rarely go wrong with a book and Amazon.com is a great source of seasonal favorites, new releases, or the perfect book for just about anyone, young or old.

Little known trivia: There are two Christmas Islands in the world–one in the Pacific and one in the Indian Ocean.

DECORATIONS:

Little known trivia: The first tree tinsel was real silver cut into thin strips.

Looking for new ideas to freshen up the holiday decorations in your home? Think about displaying seasonally dressed teddy bears, hanging small ornaments on house plants, using cookie cutter or foil-wrapped walnuts as tree ornaments, and tying ribbons and bows to the stems of wine glasses and around the handles of cutlery . These ideas and 95 more can be found at http://www.allthingschristmas.com.

Get suggestions for suggestions on both indoor and outdoor decorating, making wreaths, and creating themed trees. The site also includes some unusual centerpieces, such as a child’s pop-up book, an arrangement of green apples, cinnamon, and greenery, and colorful balls made from Christmas light bulbs. Ever thought about a sugar plum tree?

Little known trivia: 77 million Christmas trees are planted each year.

And speaking of trees, did you know that 5 miles of lights are used to light up Rockefeller Center?

You can also have a virtual visit to the White House tree in the Blue Room. And you just can’t miss the singing tree!

Singing! How could I omit the MUSIC category?

MUSIC:

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself around you like a shawl. – Bess Street Aldrich

The sounds of this holiday are like no other with pealing bells, children’s shrieks of delight and excitement, rustling gift wrap, whispered secrets and wonderings, and ever the Christmas songs inviting us to sing along in joy and celebration. In addition to the singing tree, you can join in, listen to, or hum with seasonal tunes. Think to about joining or forming a group to go out caroling some evening.

Perhaps it’s time for a lighthearted Christmas poem before we continue on our holiday journey.

Fall of the Snowman by Paul Curtis

Here is a thought of little worth
Snowmen start their fall to earth
From Heaven above unassembled
And like the snow globe it resembled
But if a snowman were then desired
Some assembly would be required.

Okay, back to the subject at hand. Now for…

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Tags: christmas, holidays, mobile eastern shore

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

18109 Woodland Drive, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 169274

Welcome home to this rambling ranch with direct views of Lakewood’s Pristine Golf Course.  This home boasts charm throughout, a Portico, his and her offices, and a fabulous master bedroom.  You will enjoy cooking on the gas and electric stoves in the kitchen and the stainless steel appliances.  Great entertaining flow.  Easy to show!!

Learn more about 18109 Woodland Drive and other Mobile Eastern Shore real estate for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore real estate for sale.

Tags: 18109 woodland, Mobile Eastern Shore real estate for sale

Many Mobile Eastern Shore home owners don’t want to sell during the holidays. They just can’t deal with the hassle of cleaning up for a showing or open house at the same time they are trying to celebrate, entertain, shop, wrap, bake and decorate with family and friends.

If you are selling during this holiday season, keep in mind these tips provided in an article by Alex Boyle at Courant.com.

• Keep your thermostat turned up, and light a fire in the fireplace or have your agent flip on the gas fireplace when showing the house. A lot of people turn the heat down while they’re at work. Keep the home warm and well lit at this time of year. There’s nothing worse than walking around a house when it is cold and dark.”

• Replace your dim light bulbs with higher wattage bulbs to brighten the room; raise the shades to let the most light in; and consider having your windows professionally washed to create even more sparkle.

• Yes, it’s a festive time of year, but you may want to leave the 10-foot inflatable snowman in his box while you are trying to sell your home. Too much stuff makes a house look smaller than it really is.

• If you’re Christian, most homes never look better than when they’re decorated for the holidays with the Christmas tree, the wrapped gifts — it’s just beautiful Holiday decorations are a form of staging, so set the table with china and crystal and make it look warm and inviting so clients can envision themselves in this home for the holidays. It helps. People today don’t have a whole lot of imagination. You have to draw them a picture.

• Pare down the clutter, and follow all the other rules for preparing a house for sale. Although there are so many fun yet time-consuming activities at this time of year like parties and visiting friends, don’t slack off on cleaning, and paint your home before putting it on the market.
  Continue Reading »

Tags: home selling tips, mobile eastern shore home, selling during the holidays, staging

Hello Potential Customers,

I’m Randy Niemeyer, and I will be contributing to the JudySells.com Blog. I have lived in Fairhope all of my life.  I have been a Realtor and broker on the Eastern Shore for over 25 years. I was a licensed contractor for 13 of those years. Additionally, I have a great deal of experience in Property Management. And, as you may have guessed by my last name, I am a family member of the Ashurst & Niemeyer team.

It’s time to buy something! Interest rates are at record lows, and while banks have upped the criteria for making loans, they are still very anxious to lend to qualified borrowers. The money you can now save with a low 30-year note is a fantastic reason to make an offer on a new home.

One reservation people have right now is that they feel they will not sell their current home for a premium price. No argument there. Prices are low and it’s humbling to see what your home is now worth on the market. But here is the good news… The home you want to buy is ALSO discounted, maybe even deeper than yours. Add those savings to the mortgage savings and you can afford to let your current home go for less.

Move to Fairhope. You will be glad you did.

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

105 Sweetwater Lane, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 170088

This is a great family home with an open kitchen and keeping room with a fireplace.  There are formal rooms and hardwood floors thorough out the main floor.  Upstairs the bedrooms have carpet.  One of the upstairs bedrooms is decked out and ready for your little princess.  The basement has an office and extra storage.  This one is a must see.

Learn more about 105 Sweetwater Lane and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale.

Tags: 105 sweetwater, mobile eastern shore homes for sale

The scene we often envision at this time of year is one of family and friends sitting around a blazing fire with a brightly lighted tree, stockings hung from the mantel, and colorfully wrapped gifts adding to the cozy and festive atmosphere of your Mobile Eastern Shore home. A setting lovely to imagine–and to experience–but also one which requires awareness and safety precautions. Fires occurring during the holidays claim the lives of more than 400 Americans each year, and approximately 2 to 3 people per hour are treated in an emergency room due to “decorating” falls and other seasonal injuries.

At the time of year when lists–gift lists, menu lists, activities lists, and to do lists, e.g..–play such a large role in our lives, it is also necessary to establish a safety checklist to ensure an accident-free holiday for your family, guests, and even your pets. Suggestions for taking precautions include the following:

DECORATIONS

• Inspect lights for damage and link no more than 3 strands together. Use only UL approved and only as directed–indoor lights should not be used outside. Beware of overloading outlets. Don’t leave on when you’re not home.

• If you prefer a live tree, make certain it is fresh when you buy it and water, water, water!

• Use non-flammable or flame retardant decorations.

• Never leave lighted candles unattended, near combustible materials, or within reach of children or pets. Make certain to extinguish them before retiring for the night.

FIREPLACES

• Place the tree at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.

• Keep a screen in front of the fire to prevent flying sparks.

• If you hang stockings from the mantel, be sure to remove them when the fireplace is in use.

• Choose your decorating materials carefully, avoiding combustibles whenever possible. Make certain that ribbons and/or greenery are far from the flames.

• Never burn wrapping paper in your fireplace and risk a flash fire.
  Continue Reading »

Tags: holiday safety, mobile eastern shore home