Scott Wells - Tampa Real Estate: October Newsletter

October Newsletter

Hello Tampa Deal Watch,

October 2018 Newsletter

Scott Wells Future Home Realty 813-961-6405 scott@infotampa.com Http://www.infotampa.com

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

- Winston Churchill

Pressed for Time this Halloween?
Here are Some Ideas for Easy but Creative Costumes

Whether you’re heading to a Halloween party or going trick-or-treating with the kids, dressing up for Halloween is a fun tradition no matter your age. Sometimes, however, the responsibilities of life pile up, and planning a costume is not a top priority. Fortunately, it is still possible to piece together a creative costume with minimal time and effort. Here are a few clever ideas:

404 error. With nothing more than a plain white t-shirt and a black marker, you can transform yourself into one of the most frustrating errors on the internet: the 404 error, which is shown when the web page you were trying to reach cannot be found. Consider writing “Error 404: Costume Not Found” on the t-shirt.
Identity theft. Affix a variety of name tags with other people’s names and fake social security numbers written on them and—voilá!—you embody the dreaded scourge of identity theft.
Static cling. Stick a few dryer sheets and mismatched socks on your clothing and call yourself “static cling.”
Pumpkin pi. Personify everyone’s favorite seasonal indulgence by donning a headband with a faux mini-pumpkin attached and an orange shirt with a large pi symbol drawn onto it.
Bread winner. All you need is a simple t-shirt, a fake medal around your neck, and a loaf of bread to carry around in order to show your fellow Halloween revelers that you are the one supporting your family.
Chip on your shoulder. Showcase your love of puns by hot-glueing a small bag of potato chips to the shoulder of your t-shirt.
When life gives you lemons. For another groan-inducing (but easy!) option, use a black marker to write the word “life” on a plain white t-shirt, and carry a bag of lemons to hand out.

Source: buzzfeed.com

Pumpkin Roll

Ingredients:

Cake

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Filling

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

Directions:

Cake

Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

Filling

Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Source: verybestbaking.com

7 Ways to Upgrade Your Home’s Style for $100 or Less

When enduring the chaotic (and expensive!) process of selling your home and planning a move, the last thing on your list of priorities is probably a home renovation. However, it’s also important to ensure that your home looks updated and attractive in order to appeal to potential buyers.

Are you looking to upgrade your home’s style, but facing a limited budget and timeline? Consider these seven ideas:

Add a fresh coat of paint to the front door. The front of your home is one of the first things that buyers see—and a negative first impression could cause them to just drive by without even stopping to see the interior. A quick and easy way to boost your home’s curb appeal is to repaint the front door with an eye-catching color. Paint is inexpensive, and a fresh coat will help your home look tidy, welcoming, and up to date.
Illuminate sidewalks with path lighting. Solar-powered lanterns that can be inserted into the ground are found at most home retail stores, and will add an elegant flair to your yard—particularly for buyers who view your home in the evening.
Replace cabinet hardware. Installing new cabinets in your kitchens and bathrooms can be a time-consuming and pricey process. An easier way to get a new look in these key rooms is to replace the knobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers. Whether your style is sleek and contemporary, rustic and vintage, or eclectic and decorative, you should be able to find inexpensive options at a hardware store or home retailer. Before undertaking this project, remove one of your existing cabinet pulls to see how many screws it requires and the distance between them; the new hardware should follow this same pattern. Another option is to tone down outdated brass hardware with a brass darkening solution, available for approximately $10 a bottle.
Create mood lighting. Install dimmer switches on lighting in certain areas, like hallways and the dining room, and dim the lights slightly before showing your home to buyers to create a romantic effect. Additionally, consider adding LED light strips under kitchen cabinets to highlight workspaces and create a contemporary aesthetic.
Frame bathroom mirrors. Simple frame kits are widely available at home retail stores, and should include everything you need to enclose bland, unadorned mirrors with a wood molding. This is a quick and inexpensive way to give bathrooms a more sophisticated look.
Conceal worn out couches with slipcovers. Although buyers should be focusing on factors like your home’s layout and location, unattractive furniture may leave a negative impression. If you have chairs or couches that have seen better days, consider covering them with a new slipcover. This is also a great way to brighten up a drab room with a splash of color!
Install mini-chandeliers in unexpected places. While a chandelier in your dining room or foyer may go unnoticed, small chandeliers in the bathroom, laundry room, or mudroom will instantly make your home seem more elegant. While these fixtures vary greatly in price and style, there are several options available for under $100.