Check out our October newsletter!
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
OCTOBER 2022
205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM
A TALE OF TWO CLOSINGS!
Hollywood — Homewood ($26,500) | Liberty Park — Vestavia ($19,475) | Southlake — Hoover ($17,400)
All of the above were my listings that sold this year and the commission my sellers would have paid a traditional real estate agent. My fee was $3,500.
watering the lawn, and worked on many other improvements. In short, the home represents a huge emotional and financial investment that is personal for you. You hire a friend who happens to have a real estate license. You own one of the three homes (shown here in the photos). At closing, you write a check to your friend for $26,500 ( or $19,475, or $17,400). You tell them how grateful you are that they happened to have a real estate license and that you could give them a huge portion of your hard-earned equity. Best of Times You realize that selling a home is about the money! You make a business decision and call me. You save $23,000 (or $15,975, or $13,900) in commission. You call your friend (who has a real estate license) to celebrate the sale of your home. You take them out to a nice restaurant and spend $200 on a nice meal for them.
It was the best of times … It was the worst of times!
Worst of Times You have owned your home for 10 years. You have wonderful memories of Christmases past, your child’s first steps, birthday parties, and various celebrations. Over a decade, you have also remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms, put on a new roof, painted the interior and exterior, cut down trees, spent tons of money Every List Birmingham Client Made More Money Selling Their Home Than They Would Have Made With a Traditional Agent!
–Melvin Upchurch
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REUSABLE PRODUCTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORTH IT
Maybe reusable grocery bags aren’t your bag, but you still want to save the environment — or even save money. Fear not! These eco-friendly products are sturdy, reliable, and will reduce waste in your home. No. 1: Silicone Stretch Lids Never buy plastic wrap to cover your food again! If you’re always out of lids or food coverings, a silicone food lid might be the answer you’re looking for. A single lid can fit any size container — even stock pots or half a watermelon.
Is It Allergies — Or Poor Air Quality? 3 Reasons Why Indoor Air Affects Your Health
When the weather starts getting cooler, more people spend time indoors — and that’s when the sneezing starts. But the problem isn’t always the season. Sometimes, it’s simply your home air quality. Let’s break down the worst threats, plus some potential solutions. First, biological pollutants love homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to half of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage molds and bacteria to grow. This can cause major allergic reactions, including asthma. Other biological pollutants include animal dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin), dust mites, cockroach parts, and pollen. The solution: Remove or relocate air quality threats. Dust and construction materials (wood, wallboard, or insulation) contain nutrients that allow bio pollutants to grow. Firewood can also be a source of moisture, fungi, and bugs. Make sure your appliances (humidifiers, kerosene and gas heaters, and gas stoves) aren’t adding too much moisture into the air. You’ll be able to tell from musty odors, moisture on hard surfaces, or even water stains. Second, your home’s air circulation probably isn’t good enough. Most heating and cooling systems (including forced air heating systems) don’t bring fresh air into your house. Although cooking can smell delicious, it can introduce more smoke or air contaminants indoors. Hobbies like painting or welding can also add air contaminants. The solution: Because outdoor air tends to be cleaner, cracking open a window can do wonders to improve your air quality. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can bring outdoor air into your home. Third, test for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. The EPA estimates that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colorless, and odorless, and comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. While rising out of the ground, it can become trapped in your home. The solution: If your home has alarming levels of radon, installing a radon reduction system can pull the radon from the soil beneath your house, and release it outside. You can also seal cracks in the floor and walls, and improve air circulation with the steps above. According to the EPA, indoor air quality is almost always 2–5 times worse than outdoors. With the right steps, however, you won’t sneeze as much during the holidays. Great air quality will make your home feel like a healthy paradise.
No. 2: Reusable Swab A package of 1,000 Q-tips will tell you “Do not use this product to clean your ears” — but we know that’s what we’re using them for anyway. If you feel guilty about buying thousands of garbage-destined cotton swabs, give LastSwab a try. It’s an affordable, easy-to-clean, reusable silicone swab that’ll do the job — no guilt involved. No. 3: Dishwashing Soap – In Block Form Liquid soap has been the standard dishwashing soap for decades, but, believe it or not, a bar of dish soap is just as hygienic. Dish Block by No Tox Life is vegan soap that has no harsh chemicals or animal-based ingredients, and no excess plastic packaging. Just lather it against your sponge, and you’re ready to wash. No. 4: Bamboo Dish Cloth Did you know that microfiber cloths are non-recyclable microplastics? Instead, consider bamboo washcloths, which can be just as effective and longer lasting. They wash easily after use, and your paper towels will thank you. No. 5: Compostable iPhone Cases Don’t want your smartphone case collecting dust in a landfill 30 years from now? Consider a compostable case! Pela Case, for instance, uses Flaxstic, which is a flax straw-based bioplastic that is bendy and easy to grip. You might be surprised to find that Flaxstic will protect your phones for up to a 20-feet drop. These are just a few of the eco-friendly products sweeping the nation, but definitely some of our favorites. Giving them a try? Let us know what you think!
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HOW PEST CONTROL KEEPS YOUR HOME HEALTHY
5 Benefits of Winter Pest Control
your home is receiving regular treatment before warmer weather arrives. No. 4: Eco-friendly pest control services are safe and affordable. Concerned for your pets or children who run around outdoors? Don’t worry. Nowadays, many pest control companies offer eco-friendly, pet-friendly treatments that’ll keep your entire family safe. Whether your cat likes to explore every nook and cranny in your backyard, or your kids love playing sports outside, your property will be safe from unwanted chemicals. No. 5: Pest control services are humane. It can be tough to know what to do when bumblebees or wasps start making a home in a nearby tree, especially if a loved one has bee allergies. Luckily, many pest control companies can remove it for you, without risking the hive’s life. Plenty of pest control services strive to keep the environment in balance.
Bugs are unique creatures. They can be fascinating, spooky, even cute, but they can also be unclean. Insects are infamous for bringing all sorts of contamination and disease into our homes. Here are a few benefits of hiring a pest control service to ease your mind. No. 1: Now is a perfect time to hire a pest control service. Many homeowners see fewer insects in fall and winter, but it’s incorrect to assume all the insects have left. Many are simply hidden in a state of hibernation, called overwintering. This makes colder months the perfect time to prevent infestations — especially before spring and summer when they hop into action. No. 2: Stop bugs from bringing allergens and bacteria indoors. Even clean homes can attract cockroaches. At the end of the day, your home provides shelter from the harsh elements — and these unwanted house guests can cause major trouble. Insects can be carriers for allergens (or even salmonella and E. coli, in the case of cockroaches), and fecal droppings and shed skin can become airborne, contaminating the air you breathe. This is especially risky for those with sensitive medical conditions.
No. 3: Stop mosquitoes before they arrive. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so it’s often recommended that outside pots and containers be frequently emptied and covered. Since these insects drink blood, they can transmit all types of blood-related diseases. It’s better not to take the risk, and ensure
Don’t wait for the heat to kick in! Get rid of pests now, and you’ll be surprised how extra clean your home will feel.
TAKE A BREAK
Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
Inspired by Kenarry.com
Ingredients
• 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix • 2 cups cold milk • 15-oz can pumpkin purée • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg • 1/8 tsp ground cloves • 1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies • 8 oz whipped topping
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. 2. In a blender or food processor, crush vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs. 3. In small jars or glasses, place cookie crumbs on bottom, then pumpkin mixture, then whipped topping. Repeat these layers twice and end with cookie crumbs. 4. Chill until ready to serve!
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205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
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INSIDE
1
A Tale of Two Closings!
2
Is It Allergies or Poor Air Quality?
Reliable, Eco-Friendly Items You’ll Love
3
Do You Need Pest Control in Winter?
Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
4
Turn Your Home Beautifully Scary
3 Tips for a Jaw-Dropping Haunted House
First, add columns and arches to accentuate the height of the space. These features are commonplace in Victorian homes, a favorite for horror films. Temporary DIY options make them far cheaper to install, too!
Scary homes don’t have to be abandoned. They can also be stunning! Make a strong first impression for party guests and trick-or- treaters alike in three simple steps.
Second, create a creepy atmosphere with perfect lighting! It may surprise you how effective mood lighting can be. Anywhere can look scary with the right lighting — especially red, yellow, and silver hues. Third, feature an intimidating piece of decor/furniture. Whether it’s a grandfather clock or raven statue, make sure it’s seen and known. It just might attract a little extra wonder and imagination! Whether you want to create a spooky ambiance for the holidays or it’s your lifelong dream to live in a haunted house, we hope these tips help you have a merry, scary Halloween.
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Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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