www.medicare.gov

There's a new service, quality star rating on this www.medicare.gov website for nursing homes. It rates the quality of the nursing home on a 1 to 5 star rating. Checking Leon County's 7 nursing homes, Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescence got the highest ratings in all categories for all nursing homes in the county.

Showed previous inspections too, and it looks like inspections are done yearly. Wonder if the nursing facilities recognize that it's time again for the auditors and attempt to improve conditions during the period they think they'll be accessed. Not trying to imply they would be less viligent in their care at other times, more concerned with just once a year inspections, random or not. Seems to me wouldn't take long for a negligent condition to affect someone already in compromised condition.

Just concerned for those who may not have a voice. Check out the site and see what you think.

Buyers searching for Homes in Tallahassee

There are many websites available for buyers to search the internet for properties for sale anywhere. The problem with many of these sites can be that the homes are no longer available, or prices have changed, or something has changed.

The smart way to search is to use a local Realtor who can load your email address and your search criteria on the local Multiple Listing Service. Let's say you want a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home in the northeast area of Tallahassee. The Realtor sets your email address so you receive all the properties presently on the market in that area meeting that criteria and after that initial emailing, you'll receive everything that comes on the market with that same criteria as soon as the Realtor inputs the information onto the Multiple Listing Service.

The benefit is that buyers get the newest properties available as soon as they become available. While that may not seem like such a big deal, if you've been looking for that "certain" home, you want to be sure and be one of the first to get notified it is now available.

It's estimated over 85% of buyers are looking on the internet for their home. Why keep searching when your search criteria can notify you when that house hits the market? Call me or email me to set you up for automatic notification. It's the way to house hunt!

Happy Holidays

I find that Thanksgiving has come and gone without my making mention of it. Obviously the holidays are here and I again find myself feeling behind on all of it.

While the holidays can be hectic with feeling there is so much to do with so little time, the key I am told is to limit your activities. Pick a couple of parties to attend, instead of all, cook a few less items, drink a little less and enjoy the season while it is here.

I know that the economy has affected most all of us and of course limiting one's budget for gifts is a smart thing. I'd like to recommend that if you are considering gifts for friends and family this season, consider a charitable gift of some kind. Many of the local United Way agencies are staging some type of event to garner funds for their respective charities. One opportunity for you to obtain a gift and do some good for the community is the Alternative Christmas Markets.

Shop the Alternative Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at John Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1689 Old St. Augustine Road.

If you are unavailable that weekend, check out the Market at Christ Presbyterian Church on Bannerman Road, which will be held the following weekend.

Tis the season. May you all be healthy, happy and stress free during this time.

Continuing Education

As a Realtor, besides staying up to date with the local market, I strive to learn more and keep up with my real estate education. Times change, the market changes, and taking classes to stay up on the latest changes is vital to helping my customers. I took a CRS Staging class this week to help me help my sellers to position their homes for sale. The class was taught by Martha Webb, author of Dress Your House for Success.

I learned techniques and skills that will add value to my ability to position my sellers homes in the marketplace. The class has helped me to look at my sellers property in a different way, the buyer's way, to best help the seller.

I look forward to increased sales due to this class.

First Time Homebuyers

I mentioned in an earlier post about my upcoming First Time Homebuyers Class. I thought I'd clarify for some folks what a first time home buyer is. True, if you've never owned a home and want to buy one, that would make you a first time homebuyer. You'd also be classified a first time homebuyer if you have not owned a home for more than 3 years. So let's say you owned a home 5 years ago, but your situation changed, got a divorce, moved and were unstable as to where you were going to live and decided to rent, then you'd still be considered a first time homebuyer if you have not owned for 3 years.

The advantage for some first time homebuyers are the programs available to assist in closing costs and down payment, although down payments guidelines have changed with the mortgage meltdown and in fact, mortgage guidelines are frequently changing.

There will be an experienced Wells Fargo lender available at the class to answer those questions about financing.

Tell everyone you know about this class and call me, Angie Goodman at Keller Williams at 850-321-4666 to join us on November 8, 2008.

SILVER ALERT

Governor Crist signed into law a new program to help older individuals with dementia disorders. Similar to the Amber Alert, this helps notify law enforcement officials and citizens of missing senior citizens. To learn more about the program, visit the FLDE site at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/press_releases/20081008_Silver_Alert.html
Let's hope this saves lives.

First Time Homebuyers Class

Since the FHA down payment guidelines are changing the first of the year, I thought a First Time Homebuyer Class would be appropriate before then for those wanting to save some money.

The class will be held at Keller Williams Realty, 1520 Killearn Center Blvd. Tallahassee, on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

Anyone interested in attending, please RSVP to me, Angie Goodman, at 850-321-4666.