Karen Butler, Fort Walton Military Specialist

I’ve heard this on more than one occasion from home sellers: We've done Lots of upgrades! NOT!! And while I appreciate the time hard work and money you’ve invested in your home, I am going to have to give you the disheartening news that all your “upgrades” are actually maintenance.

• New carpet throughout – 5 years old now, and the only reason your replaced it was because it was covered with so many stains you didn’t even want to walk on it in bare feet anymore
• New roof—You had to repair the leak. You got a new one after Hurricane Ivan in 2005!
• New furnace/ac system – it finally just quit working
• New water heater—you guessed it, it stopped working
• New kitchen appliances- 5 years old isn’t new anymore
• New electrical system- had a fire did you?
• Freshly painted—after your son left you could re-paint his black room
• New garage door- husband ran into the door one night with truck!
• New garbage disposal/faucets/shower heads- yeah… you get the point.

Folks, I hate to be the bearer of bad news…but these items are NOT upgrades, this is what’s called “deferred maintenance”. They are things we are required to do to maintain our homes. Things in our homes wear out or become outdated over time. They need to be replaced, (sort of like clothes and shoes. I know that suit is “like new” because you’ve only worn it 5 times in the last 15 years), but your stove isn’t and they do not add any additional value to your home as far as profit is concerned because you can’t add the cost of this maintenance to the price of your home and expect to get it back.

I know you paid $35,000 for that in-ground pool 15 years ago, and no we can’t add $35,000 to the price of the house for the pool after we’ve come up with value for your home. If your upgrade requires too much upkeep, buyers may view it as more of a nuisance than an asset.

An upgrade as defined means “to raise to a higher grade or standard” So some upgrades that might enhance the value of a home may include things like these:

• New roof (50 year, metal roof pays for itself and reduces insurance as well)
• New furnace (high efficiency, high-conductivity radiant warm board heating system)
• Freshly painted (“Green” feature with low VOC paint)
• New water heater ( again going “Green” high-efficiency, tank-less or heat-on-demand)
• New bathroom (walk-in tub, re done in marble or granite etc)
• Upgraded kitchen (Bosch ultra-quiet dishwasher, Viking gas stove with warming drawer, sub-zero refrigerator, New Cabinets)
• New windows (windows replaced with Pella energy star windows)
• New A/C system (upgraded from a 12 SEER to 18 SEER energy efficient system)
• New garage door and opener (insulated and exceeds hurricane standards garage door with whisper quiet opener)
• New Flooring (“Green feature” Cork, wood or tile)
• Counters (Granite, Concrete, Marble, other solid surface)

Note: if you replace laminate counters with new laminate… it’s not an upgrade. So like I said, if you replaced it because it was broken it’s called maintenance. If you replaced it with something better then it can be considered an upgrade. And believe me a buyer knows and upgrade when they see one and so does the appraiser who has to give it value. So wouldn't you rather me tell you in advance or have the appraiser reduce your value right before closing by several thousand $$$ and possibly cost you a home sale?

I posted last year, and probably will every year. I've enhanced and added, so if you can think of additional ways, please let me know, and I will add them. Remember always

"All Gave Some But Some Gave All!"

1. Take a Veteran out to eat; whether it is a fast-food chain or a fine-dining establishment.

2. Are you a knitter or crocheter? Make a scarf for the cold-winters ahead. Donate them at a local-VFW for a veteran in need or contact Operation Gratitude to see how to donate.

3. Listen to their stories with interest. If they are a war-veteran they have seen things you will never see. Listen and Learn.

4. Call and Visit a local nursing home or VA Hospital. Find out what you can do to help. If you quilt make a blanket for a needy veteran. If you bake call and find out if you can bring in something special. Bring a book to read to a veteran "ready and willing" to listen. We all have talents that can be used.

5. Send an 'E-Card' through the American Legion to the Veterans in your life that use email.

6. Support a Military Family through Operation Homefront. Watch their website for 'current needs': http://www.operationhomefront.net/currentneeds.aspx

7. Military-member at the same restaurant as you? Send them a drink or pay for their dessert.

8. Do you have a website? Make a page dedicated to our military. Need some help finding content for it?: For your site

9. Do you bake? Make an Apple Pie or another specialty and bring it over to a neighbor-veteran. Don't forget to grab a box of ice cream to take. Now I'm hungry!

10. Employers: Host a special luncheon for all of your veterans. Recognize their service to your company and your country.

11. See a veterans group selling poppy flowers? Purchase and wear one. Proceeds made from these sales many times go to disabled, needy, and aging veterans in VA hospitals, State veterans homes and domiciliary across the country.

12. Call them. A grandparent, uncle, aunt, mother, father. Take the time to call them, especially if they live far away, and find out how they are doing.

13. Send a note to your local school to urge the teachers to discuss Veterans Day. Visit Veterans' Day Teacher Resource Guide for some tips.

14. Recognize the Veterans in church on the Sunday before or after Veterans Day

15. Did you know November is also Military Family Month? By thanking the family, you thank the Veteran. Family Matters Blog: Nation Celebrates Military Family Month

16. Nearly 40 % of our veteran population is 65 or older, give a veteran your phone number and ask them to call if they need help around the house. Make a note to call them this winter to see what they need.

17. Have your children paint a picture or write a letter. Send it to your grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, any relative that is a Veteran.

18. Teach your children a patriotic song, like America the Beautiful or the Star Spangled Banner. Instill patriotism early.

19. Employers: Give the veterans in your company a paid afternoon off on Veterans Day.

20. Offer a Military Discount year round and include veterans. Don't forget a Military Discount equals a free ad on MilitaryAvenue.com.

21. Teachers: Invite a Veteran to speak at your school, in a class room or to the entire school.

22. Pray for them and their families, every day.

23. Start a Drive: Ask local businesses to participate in a drive for local veterans or deployed service-members. (Not sure how to send items overseas? Learn more at Give2TheTroops)

24. Know a military family with a deployed member? Take them a treat on Veterans Day as a thank you and ask what you can do to make things easier

25. Do you scrapbook? Make cards through the organization "Operation Write Home". They send them to the troops so that they troops can write letters home on them

26. Clean out your closets and contribute gently used household goods to Vietnam Veterans of America.

27. Do a random act of kindness for a vet or their family. Remain anonymous.

28. Say something to them on Facebook, Twitter, etc thanking them for their service (I recognize them several times a year)

29. Open up your house on Thanksgiving or another holiday to a few veterans (active-duty or prior-service) that don't have any family in the area. Make it a holiday none of you will forget.

30. Visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Wall, or any of the other War Memorials on your next trip to DC. (The Vietnam Wall and Future Generations)

31. Volunteer at a VA Medical Center

32. Help a deployed single-service member by taking care of their pet while they are gone; get involved with a pet foster care program.

33. Invite a few vets and friends over on Veterans Day and celebrate their service over beer or soda, a football game, movie or game of pool in the basement.

34. Participate in the 'Thank a Veteran at Work' program from the History Channel.

35. Did a veteran in your neighborhood just come back from a deployment? Send them a card of 'Thanks'.

36. Tell your Veterans friends and family about Veterans Services Websites that are available to them.

37. Talk to your children about the pride we have in the Military

38. Help a Veteran family-member or neighbor get to their medical appointments.

39. Visit your local USO. What do they need? A monetary donation or a gift of your time?

40. Fly your flag 365 days of the year. Don't forget to lower it when appropriate.

41. Teachers: Have your students write short articles of how veterans are honored around the world. And if you know any veterans locally, propose that your kids interview them about what it's like to serve in the U.S. military.

42. Participate in the 'Veterans History Project'

43. Are you a military-brat? Talk to your parents about the pride you have in their service

44. Hear the National Anthem playing? Stop what you are doing and think about the sacrifices of our US Military.

45. Wear an American flag on your clothing. It's a small way to say, "I am proud of my country."

46. Introduce your children to VA Kids, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

47. Have a pot-luck, at church or a banquet hall, for a group of local veterans. Invite the community to participate.

48. Listen to them. Some just want to share a story from their service

49. Vote. Don't let them sacrifice for naught. Be a good citizen and do your part to protect the freedoms our service-people have fought and died for.

50. Dedicate a patriotic song in a veteran's honor on the radio.

51. Tell your children all about your Veteran-grandparents. What made them special and what they did as a Veteran. Pass on a legacy.

52. Do you see a Veteran with a service related ball cap on? Use it to strike up a conversation about their service.

53. Pass out small flags around your neighborhood in honor of Veterans Day.

54. Support the children of deployed National Guard and Reserve soldiers. Fund raise or contribute to 'Our Military Kids'

55. What can you do for our Homeless Veterans? Organizations like the Home Depot Foundation, Volunteers of America, and The Mission Continues are great groups that you can help with. (Here is an excellent example: Motown has a new Veterans Homeless Facility and Park)

56. Give them a big smile as you walk by, sometimes that is all that is needed.

57. If you see a veteran with an old flag on their pole leave them a new one, with a note of thanks for their service.

58. Visit a veteran's grave. Even if you simply stand there for a moment of quiet reflection, you're honoring their service--and you're rededicating yourself to the freedoms we enjoy as a citizen of this country.

59. Find out which businesses in your community truly support veterans and the troops; become their customer, and tell them you appreciate their support to veterans.

60. Do you know the mom or dad of a veteran? Thank them for raising one of America's Heroes.

61. Ask your local VFW, American Legion or local Veterans Group if you can make a donation, either by money or donation of your time. If you have a family member that serves in the armed forces you could make a donation in their honor.

62. In the market to hire? Seriously consider a Veteran. http://www.dol.gov/vets/

63. Meditate on these words: "O Lord God of hosts, stretch forth, we pray, your almighty army to strengthen and protect the Soldiers of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of rest and training keep them safe from all evil. Endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen" - From the Book of Worship for United States Forces

64. Proudly display a "I support the troops" magnet on the bumper of your car

65. Order a shnazzy t-shirt or perhaps a tie that shows your thankfulness. Have one sent to a veteran in your family.

66. Read 101 Ways to Say Thank you to a Military Spouse. Thanking the Spouse is a Thank You to the Veteran.

67. During a family reunion recognize the veterans in your family. A special toast or a big family "Thank you!"

68. Find out how you can help with a Community Service Project through your local VFW.

69. Organize a group (boys scouts, girl scouts, classroom) to write letters to veterans. Bring the letters and cards to a local nursing home to be delivered to their vets.

70. Greet them on their special day with a smile and a thank you.

71. Support our troops this holiday season via 'Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes' program. Find out more here.

72. Read some of the veterans' stories at DAV Charitable Service Trust. This is just a small sample of the sacrifices our service-members have made for us throughout the generations.

73. Is it still warm where you live? Treat a veteran to a round of golf on Veterans Day or the weekend before or after.

74. Attend a local parade or ceremony on Veterans Day (mark calendar now)

75. Make a tax-deductible donation to 'Books For Soldiers'. They send books and other care-packages to our deployed service-members.

76. Help a veteran with projects around his or her house. Patching a leaky roof, moving heavy rocks or rearranging the living room furniture is easier for the 20-somethings than a 60-somethings.

77. Make a lunch date: Take your veteran-colleague out for lunch.

78. Learn more about resources available to our homeless veterans. Here is one great example: "It Was A Wet, Cold Day and the Homeless Veterans Came to the Stand Down"

79. Remember Veterans during other holidays, especially those without family. Send a Thanksgiving card, Christmas card or Valentines card, to either a Vet that you know or through a VA Hospital or VFW.

80. Learn to say Thank You in sign-language. The Gratitude Campaign.

81. Take pride in our history, in times of war and peace. Do you know the history of Veterans Day? Do you know what a Veteran is?

82. Ask your company to display a flag with lights at night. Offter to help with raising and lowering the flag.

83. Offer to take a veterans dog for a walk. Invite them to come along with you if they can.

84. Know a veteran's hobby? Send them a subscription to a related magazine.

85. Offer to babysit for a veteran-military family. Let the husband and wife get out together on Veterans Day or over the weekend. Perhaps it will be a great opportunity for them to reconnect after a deployment. (Active Duty Families have you heard of SitterCity? The DoD offers a free membership for you.)

86. Contribute your time, talent or money to Fisher House™ Foundation, "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. Eglin AFB has one in Fort Walton Beach, Fl. Look for one in your area. It's a place where families of wounded/hospitalized military members can stay while visiting.

87. Get involved and send a service-person a care package. Go to http://www.soldiersangels.org/ for a list of organizations with projects to support servicemen and servicewomen and their families.

88. Donate your airline mileage to the Hero Miles program.

89. Business Owners: What kind of Veterans Day special are you having for your Veterans? Is it from the heart?

90. If you meet a veteran on this Veteran's Day, or any day, just say thanks. They served you, and this nation, well.

91. Learn more about 'Honor Flight Network' and how you can help with this wonderful support for World War II Veterans. I have a close friend whose dad is a WW II Vet and participated in a trip to DC through Honor Flight. Karen tells me it was an /amazing/ and indescribable experience for her dad. Definitely an opportunity that I stand behind! But it can't continue without volunteers /like you/.

92. Visit Homes for Our Troops and learn if there are plans to build a home for in your area for a disabled Veteran. You can help with fundraising, skilled labor, or a contribution through the CFC.

93. Own a business? Hang a sign and invite all veterans in for something free. A cup of coffee, a flower, a massage. Something you can give from your inventory to show your gratitude.

94. Donate to or volunteer for a service-dog training program like Patriot PAWS Service Dogs or VetDogs that is geared for injured-veterans returning from war.

95. Another related idea, learn the etiquette of being around an assistance-dog so that if you meet a disabled vet and his companion you know how to treat them both with respect

96. Have you visited Applebees Veterans Site? Stop over and leave a message of support for our troops there: http://veterans.applebees.com/veteransday/honor-a-veteran/

97. Participate in "school drives" or start your own school drive for our deployed-troops or veterans. If your child brings home a flier or announcement from the school or PTA requesting donations for the troops participate. Pick up a few things for your child to bring in. She'll feel good about participating and you will feel good for helping our deserving military-members.

98. What various military support organizations are in your own neighborhood? The VFW and the American Legion are two great examples.

99. Learn more about Angel Food Ministries and their Thanksgiving and Christmas drive to support military-families at home.

100. Combat-related stress and traumatic brain injury is real. Veterans of World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and so many other conflicts still have symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and need our help. Educate yourself, support programs like the Home Base Program, and learn how you can help the veterans in your family and community.

101. To truly honor our veterans make the best of the opportunity the sacrifices of our fighting men and women have provided. Love your country with passion, and do what you can to make it a better place.

102. When travelling you will see many military members in uniform at airports, offer to buy them lunch. Either in the airport or on the plane. They are often times travelling with limited funds.

And a special thank you to our Veteran Realtors who are continuing to support our military.

As I continue to receive calls and e-mails asking the question, “is this for real” or “is this a scam” I’m amazed at the lengths companies will go through to make homeowners think the information they are receiving is from their own mortgage lender or the VA or another legitimate entity. While there are some companies out there that are trying to help, there are twice as many out there with ill intent.

While I try to advise people carefully, on these things, I was happy to find that Freddie Mac has identified the same things to people.

Following are six red flags identified by Loan Modification Scam Alert^TM, a national public education campaign, to indicate that you may be dealing with fraud:

• A company/person asks for a fee in advance to work with your lender to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage.
• A company/person guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get your loan modified.

(many have paid $1700 and more to have people tell them this, and suddenly there is a foreclosure notice on the door)

• A company/person advises you to stop paying your mortgage company and pay them instead.

(what causes the damage to your credit scores is the not paying the mortgage, not the short sale for example)

• A company pressures you to sign over the deed to your home or sign any paperwork that you haven't had a chance to read, and you don't fully understand.
• A company other than your lender claims to offer "government-approved" or "official government" loan modifications.

(If you receive something that causes you to raise your eyebrows... shred it!)

• A company/person you don't know asks you to release personal financial information online or over the phone.

Freddie Mac is the co-chair of the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network that is working with the new Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force and others to track and prosecute mortgage fraud.

Call your lender with questions about loan modification scams – knowledge is your best defense. You can also follow the fraud alert folks on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/loanscam

Karen@KarenButler.com

850-830-8780

Military Relocation Specialist

Fort Walton Beach, Fl

But I almost want to... You have got to be kidding me! I received an e-mail alert that someone mentioned me on Twitter today. Hmm, I wonder who, was it in response to something I posted earlier? Noooo, it said:

"Happy #FF to great local tweeps @KarensMyRealtor" Now I obviously have no clue to what #FF means, so like the good school girl that I've always been, I go and look it up. Sorry I GOOGLE'D it. LOL. Okay, I found a definition that says it means "follow Friday" WTH? Well that cleared things up for me... NOT! Okay, now I have to figure out what that means and why does it pertain to me? Let's look that up, and yes, I'm feeling like a caveman right now.

The definition of #FollowFriday is every friday you can use #followfriday to suggest people to follow, e.g. you would write #followfriday @sarahlane @KarenButler @JoeDonut.

And in case you didn't know this (#) is called a HashTag. You'll see something in a tweet that has # as a prefix. For example, if you've seen tweets related to the recent college football scandal you will notice some have a #Sandusky in them. So basically a hash tag is simply a way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic. Example, if you type in #Lost (it's not case sensitive by the way), a list of tweets related to the TV show. What you won't get are tweets that say "I lost my keys, my wallet or my dog", because they aren't precedd by the hash tag.

The flip side is that if you search using the #, and someone wrote a tweet about the show Lost without including it, that tweet won't show up in your result, even if Lost appears in the tweet eg, "Do you think Lost has more fans than project runway?"

So in essence, it gives you a way of doing some targeted searches like #Floridaopenhouse. Technology is only as good as what you can understand.

Now, don't we all feel smarter? I know I do!

When you retire from the military, you have the option of making one final move free of charge (courtesy of the military) back to your home of record. Speak to TMO (Traffic Management Office) about your plans to move back to your home of record, so that arrangements can be made to pack up your belongings and move you and your family back to your home of record. You have one year in which to complete your “final” move. You are entitled to keep your household goods in storage for 12 months from your original date of retirement if you need to. However, members on retirement orders may request extensions beyond the one year limit for medical, training, educational or other qualifying reasons.

You will need to contact the nearest TMO to verify your storage time, when the year is up and what the fees would be if you exceed the one year time period. As soon as you know that you are going to need an extension contact TMO as soon as possible in advance to avoid any last minute problems, confusion or delays. Put it into your calendar or your smartphone or both, because depending on someone to call and remind you…. Is not gonna happen.

Karen Butler, Military Specialist, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field

Coldwell Banker United Realtors, Fort Walton Beach, Fl www.KarenButler.com