The local volunteers for the AARP Safe Driving Class teach a class at Cherry Laurel, the independent living facility on Mahan at Concord Road the last Wednesday and Thursday of each month.
I'll be the instructor for the September classes on the 24th and 25th. I enjoy teaching them, not only because of the interaction with the participants, but it is a great reminder to me to focus on my driving and how important it is to be attentive on the roadways.
If you know of a individual 55 or over who would like to participate, contact me at 850-321-4666.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
AARP Bulletin
AARP no longer puts out the daily email Florida Aging News, but they do their new bullentin. Visit it daily at www.bulletin.aarp.org for daily info for mature adults. They've also set up a community board, like a facebook, myspace site. Check it out! You never know you you might connect with, a long lost friend or relative.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
New Laws Regarding Elder Abuse
Those of you who serve the older population know that serving this group of individuals takes additional caution.
That's partly why I earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation. I wanted to help insure that anyone of this group of individuals would not be taken advantage of, certainly if I could help it, because sadly, the elderly are preyed upon by those who do not wish to do honest work!
Anyway, Governor Crist has signed into law SB366 which increases the penalty for aggravated abuse of Florida's elderly and disabled populations from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony.
We can help our older customers and their families by being aware of this law and if we know or suspect elder abuse, contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).
We wish to live our lives with dignity, lets help make it so for this group of individuals too.
That's partly why I earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation. I wanted to help insure that anyone of this group of individuals would not be taken advantage of, certainly if I could help it, because sadly, the elderly are preyed upon by those who do not wish to do honest work!
Anyway, Governor Crist has signed into law SB366 which increases the penalty for aggravated abuse of Florida's elderly and disabled populations from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony.
We can help our older customers and their families by being aware of this law and if we know or suspect elder abuse, contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).
We wish to live our lives with dignity, lets help make it so for this group of individuals too.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Balance
I've been physically active all my life. Over 30 years ago I started running for my health. I'd quit smoking and knew I needed something to keep me from going back to it, so I took up running. I've added cycling and yoga to my routines to keep in shape.
Things happen though, we get used to our routines, the body adapts. In October of 07 I fell off my bike and cracked my pelvis. I'm back on the bike, back walking, working on my stamina for running and all in all in good shape. Yet, I recognize my balance could be better.
Yoga helps but keeping our balance is as important as keeping our flexibility. Our balance, like so many other things, tends to diminish as we age. Working to improve is a constant. So with any and all of your exercising, make balance exercises a part of your routine too. It may just help you stay on the bike!
Things happen though, we get used to our routines, the body adapts. In October of 07 I fell off my bike and cracked my pelvis. I'm back on the bike, back walking, working on my stamina for running and all in all in good shape. Yet, I recognize my balance could be better.
Yoga helps but keeping our balance is as important as keeping our flexibility. Our balance, like so many other things, tends to diminish as we age. Working to improve is a constant. So with any and all of your exercising, make balance exercises a part of your routine too. It may just help you stay on the bike!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Senior/assisted living housing market
Some of our area senior housing apartments and assisted living are seeing a slow down in occupancy. They tell me 40-50% of their residents come from out of town seniors moving to the area to be closer to family.
Listening to a new director recently, she was asking me how to get more seniors into her complex. I told her the seniors weren't coming because they couldn't sell their homes where they are to be able to move to our area.
No sooner did I convey this information to a couple of marketing personnel with assisted living facilitiles than the speaker at the luncheon we were attending (happened to be Florida's CFO Alex Sink) said the very same thing.
Okay, it just makes sense that this is the case, but it's nice to have those higher up the ladder (as in this case the State ladder) say the very same thing.
The housing market affects everyone, from those first time homebuyers, move up buyers to seniors wanting to shed themselves of their homes and or responsibilities.
Listening to a new director recently, she was asking me how to get more seniors into her complex. I told her the seniors weren't coming because they couldn't sell their homes where they are to be able to move to our area.
No sooner did I convey this information to a couple of marketing personnel with assisted living facilitiles than the speaker at the luncheon we were attending (happened to be Florida's CFO Alex Sink) said the very same thing.
Okay, it just makes sense that this is the case, but it's nice to have those higher up the ladder (as in this case the State ladder) say the very same thing.
The housing market affects everyone, from those first time homebuyers, move up buyers to seniors wanting to shed themselves of their homes and or responsibilities.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Real estate value
With rising gas prices, the higher cost of food, looming increases for taxes, insurance and more, finding value in our transactions and interactions with businesses, professionals and vendors makes good sense.
Using a Realtor is a great way of generating value for your time and money. An experienced Realtor will be able to help a buyer with assistance in finding a lender they can trust, a reputable inspector for that potential new home and look out for your primary concerns. I can't say for all cities, but here in Tallahassee, Realtors access to the Multiple Listing System allows us to send automatic notifications of properties of potential interest to buyers based on the criteria the buyer is looking for, such as bedrooms, baths, square footage, quadrant of the county and more. This alone is a value for the buyer, giving the opportunity to view homes from the internet instead of driving (and wasting gas and $$) to help determine if a house is one they want to see.
From a seller's viewpoint of value, especially in today's market, find out what the Realtor plans to do to sell your home. Over three quarters of buyers are looking on the internet first for a home and then calling a Realtor. A large web presence is essential to getting exposure to buyers. Marketing entails even more so ask what the Realtor plans to do to market your home.
Once a buyer is found for the home, there's much more work (much that goes on behind the scenes) that buyers and sellers are unaware that Realtors are ensuring are taking place to get a sale to closing. From contacting vendors for repair work to talking with lenders and title companies, and often times even more such as coordinating with movers, inspectors, appraisers to ensure everything that needs to happen does, in time for a smooth closing.
Using a Realtor, one of the best values around today!
Using a Realtor is a great way of generating value for your time and money. An experienced Realtor will be able to help a buyer with assistance in finding a lender they can trust, a reputable inspector for that potential new home and look out for your primary concerns. I can't say for all cities, but here in Tallahassee, Realtors access to the Multiple Listing System allows us to send automatic notifications of properties of potential interest to buyers based on the criteria the buyer is looking for, such as bedrooms, baths, square footage, quadrant of the county and more. This alone is a value for the buyer, giving the opportunity to view homes from the internet instead of driving (and wasting gas and $$) to help determine if a house is one they want to see.
From a seller's viewpoint of value, especially in today's market, find out what the Realtor plans to do to sell your home. Over three quarters of buyers are looking on the internet first for a home and then calling a Realtor. A large web presence is essential to getting exposure to buyers. Marketing entails even more so ask what the Realtor plans to do to market your home.
Once a buyer is found for the home, there's much more work (much that goes on behind the scenes) that buyers and sellers are unaware that Realtors are ensuring are taking place to get a sale to closing. From contacting vendors for repair work to talking with lenders and title companies, and often times even more such as coordinating with movers, inspectors, appraisers to ensure everything that needs to happen does, in time for a smooth closing.
Using a Realtor, one of the best values around today!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Westcott Lakes at Southwood
I lunched today with some of the folks selling the Life Fulfilling Community at Westcott Lakes at Southwood here in Tallahassee, FL. Westcott Lakes offers mature adults, those 62 and over, upscale living with impressive amenitites and a service-oriented "mindset". It is a community sponsored by and fully integrated with Florida State University through affiliations that provide numerous intellectual, recreational and cultural opportunities. It's not a community for the weak of pocketbook though. It's a retirement (they don't like to refer to it by this name), it's a lifestyle community that caters to the affluent. Construction hasn't begun yet as they must have 70% fill committment before the State of Florida will allow construction. It will be located on 100 acres at Capital Circle S.E. and Tram Road.
So if you know any mature individuals looking for a lifestyle that offers the opportunity for truly keeping active in every sense of the word, intellectually, physically, socially, then call me. I'll get the information they need about Westcott Lakes.
So if you know any mature individuals looking for a lifestyle that offers the opportunity for truly keeping active in every sense of the word, intellectually, physically, socially, then call me. I'll get the information they need about Westcott Lakes.
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