Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I.

• Hiring a good moving company can take some of the hassle and stress out of your moving day. Moving companies provide a variety of services for a range of fees, so it's a good idea to talk with different movers to compare their services.
• To find the best movers in your area, ask friends and family about their experiences, you can also check the better business bureau or other consumer organizations in your local area.
• Always get an estimate of the price from at least 3 moving companies, a number of factors will determine the cost of your move including:
  • When you move (the summer season and first and last few days of each month are the busiest for movers).
  • Where you move (the distance between locations).
  • How much you are moving (charged are based on weight and distance).
• It's important to try to make arrangements for your move well in advance, at least four to six weeks before the moving date
• Find out what insurance coverage the movers offer for damages and loss and ask to see both proof of insurance and details of their coverage.
• After booking your move date, confirm with the movers one week in advance.
• Check with your home insurance to see what coverage they provide.
• If items are damaged or lost in transit, advise the movers and detail the damage on the driver's copy of the inventory sheet/bill prior to signing.
• If you notice damage after unpacking, you should notify the moving company as soon as possible.

Additional resource: Having trouble finding a moving company? Moveit.ca can help. You get the best rate because moving companies bid for your business. Simply enter your moving details on Moveit.ca and receive 5 estimates by phone or email from reputable moving companies

10 Tips for Mastering Phone Etiquette

You use the phone everyday in real estate but could you be turning off potential customers with your poor phone etiquette? Follow these basic strategies to make sure your phone behavior is up to par. ."

In fact, 68 percent of Americans say they observe poor cell phone etiquette-such as with overly loud conversations-at least once every day, according to a national poll from market research group Synovate.

Could you unknowingly be one of these offenders?

Here are some basic cell phone etiquette rules to keep in mind when interacting with colleagues and customers:

1. Remember who you're working with. How would you feel if you were having an important conversation with a sales associate, and she broke off the discussion every time her mobile phone buzzed? Your customers are your boss. They want your attention, and you're compensated for the time you spend with them. Block out all other issues while you're working with them and make sure you give them your full, undivided attention during the appointment.

2. Bluetooth headsets are not meant to be permanent. It's good to use hands-free devices such as Bluetooth headsets, especially when driving or multitasking-but they don't have to be affixed to your head 24/7. If you're showing a property, attending a meeting, or simply having lunch with a client, get rid of the headset! Bluetooth is fine when you're alone in your office or driving in your car, but try to avoid keeping it in your ear all hours of the day.

3. Talk at a normal tone. Seventy-two percent of people in the above-mentioned Synovate survey said the most annoying cell-phone violation is people who talk too loud. Most cell phones can pick up very quiet noises. Not to mention, most people around you don't want to hear your entire conversation. Some experts suggest a 10-foot zone, meaning you should try to be at least 10 feet away from other people when talking on your cell phone. While this rule may be difficult in some situations, try to practice speaking at a soft and normal tone.

4. Don't forget vibrate or silent modes. Next to the "loud talker," the most annoying cell phone habit is a loud, annoying ring, especially when it blares during a meeting or other relatively quiet function. Make it a habit to check your cell phone regularly when entering a meeting or important gathering to make sure your cell phone is either turned off or switched to the vibrate position.

5. Avoid goofy ringtones. Hearing your favorite song every time your phone rings may seem cute to you, but it could be construed as offensive, obnoxious, or simply unprofessional to others. Stick to generic-sounding ringtones when programming your phone.

6. Don't text and drive. Chances are that you've passed someone on the highway that is driving and trying to text. Don't be that person! (And don't be near that person, either!) This is dangerous and should be avoided at all times. Plenty of major road accidents involve texting. If you must text in your automobile, do so while your car is parked.

7. Don't reply to a missed call with a text. In general, if you miss a phone call from someone, avoid responding with a text like, "What did you need?" This rule can be broken in certain situations, however. For example, you might be in a movie where you need to reply with a text indicating you will call back as soon as possible, but do so sparingly.

8. Avoid talking on your cell phone in certain places. Most people will agree that certain places are off limits to talking on your phone-for example, at the movies, in elevators, while standing in line at the bank, and during a meal at a restaurant. If you have to think twice about whether you should use your cell phone, you probably are not in a good place to be talking on it-so put it away.

9. Don't multitask unless you need to. We've all done it, but it's bad phone etiquette, and the person you're talking to can tell when you're distracted. Sometimes its inevitable. But when possible, stop your other tasks, focus, and give the caller your full concentration.

10. Let callers know when you're using your cell phone. In many circumstances, it's good to remind or inform the other party that you're using your cell phone in case distractions or a disconnection arises. Plus, some information may be confidential, and your client or customer might not want to share sensitive information if she knows you are communicating through a mobile device. When applicable, take the time to let your callers know you are speaking on your cell phone, and if they have any important or confidential information they wish to share, you will call them back from a land line or meet them in person.

In any case, the next time you reach for your smart phone, be sure to remember some of these simple phone etiquette strategies-your customers, and those around you, will be glad you did.

Removing A Burn Mark From Carpet

• A small burn mark can be removed with the help of a disposable razor. Just razor out the area and level it by grazing around the burnt area.
• If your rug is very fluffy, cut a little fur from the area that is hidden or out of sight. After you have cut enough, paste the carpet fibers over the burned area, with the help of super glue. Secure the fur, by keeping a heavy object on it. Leave it overnight and find your carpet as good as new.
• Take sandpaper or steel-wool scouring pad and rub it over the burn marks, until the singed fibers are no longer visible. Now, with the help of a whiskbroom or a vacuum cleaner, brush the area properly. This will help you get rid of the burn.
• You can also remove the burn mark with the help of a carpet shampoo and soda water. Use the mixture to soften the fibers. After they have softened, cut the tip of the burnt area, with the help of a razor. If the burn mark is still there, cut some fibers from another old rug, of the same color. Stick them to the carpet, with the help of an adhesive spray. Now, use a blow dryer to help it stick firmly.
• You can also use a liquid shoe polish to remove the burn mark. Use a shoe polish that comes in a variety of colors. Buy it in the color of your rug. Cut the burnt tip of the carpet and then dab the polish over the area. Blend it with the help of an old cloth. Use the polish a few more times, the burnt area matches the other parts of your rug.
• If your carpet is made of wool, you can rub it with a silver coin. However, this method works only when you have a very small burn.
• You can also use a cookie cutter to cut out the burnt section. Cut a small part o the carpet, from an area that is hidden or out of sight and use double-sided tape to cover the cut-out part. You can also use thread of the same color as the rug, to patch it up.
• A concoction of five parts water with one part hydrogen peroxide is also helpful in removing burn marks from the carpet. Apply it generously on the burnt area and let it stand for fifteen minutes. Now, blot up the remaining solution with cotton or an old cloth.
• If nothing works, don't hesitate to take professional help. Ask your carpet manufacturer for best recommendations. You can also hire professional carpet cleaners to repair the burn marks.

Painting is a great way to refresh the looks of a room. Sometimes when a home is being prepared for sale, the dark colours can be daunting. People are keen about painting the walls of their home on their own, without hiring a professional. In this case, majority of them accomplish the task in a hassle-free manner and do the job with as much perfection as a professional. Still, there are a number of people who end up painting the room too dark, making the walls look very dull. If case you are one of them, you must be wondering how to tone down dark paint, without causing any damage to the original paint. In the following lines, we have listed a simple technique that can be used for toning down dark paint. How To Tone Down Dark Paint Things Required

• Faux finish glaze
• Light colored paint
• Paint brush
• Plastic drop cloth

Procedure

• Cover the floor and other items with plastic drop cloth. This is intended to protect them from any dropping of paint.
• Clean the walls thoroughly, before applying paint on them. Ensure that the walls are completely dry as well.
• Make the color wash glaze by mixing a quart of paint in a light color (beige or cream color) with a gallon of faux finish glaze. Make the mixture in a bucket.
• Dip the tip of a paintbrush in the color wash glaze. Remove the excess paint on the brush by striking it against the edge of the bucket.
• Apply the color wash glaze over the existing paint on the walls. The strokes should be random and applied at a medium speed.
• To soften the look of the dark paint further, apply the strokes by brushing them over the surface of the walls repeatedly, for two to three times, until you reach the desired tone of the original paint.

Recently a younger friend of mine (and I'm talking in her fifties) was diagnosed with cataracts and has to have them removed. She drives a lot for her business and the doctor told her she should be wearing good quality sunglasses to protect her eye outside. I know we drive a lot as well. Here is some information on sun damage to your eyes.

Potential Effects of UV Radiation

on Eyes

UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays, can

damage the eye, affecting surface tissues and internal structures, such as

the cornea and lens.

Long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts, skin cancer

around the eyelids, and other eye disorders.

In the short-term, excessive exposure to UV radiation from daily

activities, including reflections off of snow, pavement, and other

surfaces, can burn the front surface of the eye, similar to a sunburn

on the skin.

The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without

adequate eye protection can increase the likelihood of developing the

following eye disorders:

􀂓 Cataracts: A clouding of the eye's lens that can blur vision.

􀂓 Snow Blindness (Photokeratitis): A temporary but painful burn to the

cornea caused by a day at the beach without sunglasses; reflections off

of snow, water, or concrete; or exposure to artificial light sources such

as tanning beds.

􀂓 Pterygium: An abnormal, but usually non-cancerous, growth in

the corner of the eye. It can grow over the cornea, partially

blocking vision, and may require surgery to be removed.

􀂓 Skin Cancer around the Eyelids: Basal cell carcinoma is the most

common type of skin cancer to affect the eyelids. In most

cases, lesions occur on the lower lid, but they can occur anywhere

on the eyelids, in the corners of the eye, under the

eyebrows, and on adjacent areas of the face.