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AUGUST 2024
Property Management’s Role Is to Keep It Sacred HOME … A SACRED PLACE
And all of these memories, these feelings, get imprinted on this house Anne and I, along with our children, have decided to make a home. “Make a house a home” is a funny phrase. But when you think about it, you do have to “make” it. It starts as a blank canvas. It is just a house. Over time you breathe life into that structure. You shape it, change it, and “improve” it. And different from the soulless, inanimate “house,” a home is brought to life by living your life within its walls. It hears the conversations, both loud and through whispers. It remembers the laughter and the tears. It takes the scratches, dings, and dents and wears them proudly. It knows it has been changed by its inhabitants and has changed those same inhabitants. “If these walls could talk” is such an appropriate statement. The home knows so much, has seen so much, and has heard so much. But it is loyal and, in its own way, becomes part of the family, at least for a time. At RCW, we are in the “Home” business. And that is wonderful, an honor, a weight, a joy, and rife with difficulty. Often, our clients come to us with their “homes” they have decided to rent out. Everything I have described above is true for them. They have lived and made memories there. They are truly invested in the house in a way that defies logic
I love my home. I haven’t always liked it, but I do love it. I know that is contradictory in a way, but it’s true. I get frustrated with the problem with the shower, the “missing” pantry, or the oversized bedroom at the expense of the undersized bedroom. Some things (like the siding with the new hole in it from the woodpeckers) can be fixed, but some can’t. But when I sit quietly in a room and look around, I smile. I really can’t help it. In that moment, I remember so much … both happy and not so happy. I remember rocking restless babies to sleep in the room David now has as his own. I remember sledding in the front yard and making snow people. I remember the kids marching through the kitchen wearing Anne’s high heels. I remember elaborate couch cushion forts in the living room. I remember playing in the sprinkler in April on the first slightly “hot” day of the spring. And I remember the meals around the dining room table, the birthday celebrations, and the breakfasts after opening Christmas presents. I also remember returning home for the first time after losing family. I remember feeling scared about a potential health problem of someone I love. I remember not being sure about the right next step in important life decisions.
I love my home. I haven’t always liked it, but I do love it.
(often even their own). It was an extension of their family.
Even if our client is an investor and has never lived in the rental house, the truth is that for the tenant, it will be a home for a period of their life. They will create memories and imprint themselves on the house as well. They will change it, and it will change them. We understand that we have to respect the “home.” It is a sacred place for many of our clients and for all of our tenants. Thank you for trusting us with your home. We don’t take it lightly.
To making a house a “home,”
P.S. While my “home” is wonderfully important to me, I understand the sentiment of Henning Mankell: “You can have more than one home. You can carry your roots with you, and decide where they grow.”
On balance, my joy far outweighs my sadness. I have a blessed life.
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A Fluffy Guardian Angel
How a Dog Saved Its Foster Family From Disaster
When a Virginia family of five decided to temporarily foster a dog in 2023, they weren’t expecting it to be a life-changing event. But they might not be here today if it weren’t for the Great Pyrenees named Moose that they took home for the weekend. Christopher Cushna and his partner, Sheila Janes, were looking for something fun and unique to do with their three children when they learned about the Paws Around Portsmouth program. This program allows people to foster dogs from the local Humane Society for a short time. They fell in love with big, fluffy Moose and decided to take him on a field trip around town. The family visited their own music shop, where Moose met potential adopters at an event sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The friendly dog later accompanied them
Unleash the Power of Baking Soda SAY GOODBYE TO GRIME
We’ve all been there before, scrubbing away at the bathroom and kitchen to no avail! It’s time to say goodbye to grime and hello to shine because the ultimate cleaning superstar is probably already sitting in your cabinet. Baking soda has the ideal texture and chemical properties for many household cleaning tasks. This inexpensive product is an environmentally friendly and effective alternative to traditional cleaning methods, from deodorizing smells to removing tricky stain agents. Get ready to shine with these surprising baking soda cleaning hacks! Unclog stubborn sink drains. When your sink gets clogged, don’t reach for the Drano. Instead, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and cover the drain. Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes, and the two products will mix and create bubbles. Those bubbles can help break down mineral deposits and gunk to reduce blockages. Finish by running hot water down the drain to flush out debris. Deodorize stinky trash cans. Baking soda can absorb foul odors thanks to a chemical reaction that changes the pH of a smelly compound, eliminating the smell. So, if your trash can needs a refresher, just sprinkle a little baking soda inside it. Alternatively, you can mix baking soda and water into a spray bottle to deodorize the outside of your garbage can or other items like coolers. Clean build-up on shower doors. Shower doors are prone to limescale and mineral deposit buildup, which can be challenging to clean. Once again, the powerful combination of baking soda and vinegar is here to save the day. Start by dipping paper towels in hot white vinegar and attaching them to the shower door and track. Let the vinegar sit for 30–60 minutes, allowing the acid to loosen mineral deposits. Next, sprinkle baking soda on a damp rag, gently wipe down the doors, and rinse. Next time you’re wrestling with household messes, remember the solution is simpler than you think. With baking soda in your washing arsenal, you can easily tackle the toughest grime.
to a farmers market, a community band concert, and a flea market, where they met a woman who wanted to adopt him.
Moose returned to the family’s houseboat for the evening since the adopter could not bring him home that day. As everyone slept, Moose
suddenly woke Christopher and one of their daughters, Anya. Though everyone figured the energetic dog wanted to go outside, he was persistent, and they quickly noticed a neighboring houseboat
engulfed in flames. As the fire began to spread, the family evacuated safely just minutes before the fire reached their boat.
“If Moose hadn’t gotten Anya and Chris up, we would not be here, as we were all sound asleep, and the fire spread very quickly,” Sheila said.
The family lost their houseboat and everything inside, but thanks to Moose’s heroic act, they are alive and grateful today.
“What I like to think about is that we saved Moose from the situation Moose was in, and Moose saved us on the boat,” Christopher said. Moose’s life-saving actions made big news, and a local woman adopted him. Now, the hero dog is living his best life on a 5-acre farm, complete with a swimming pool. For this family, who had no idea just how transformative a doggy day out could be, Moose will always be their knight in fluffy armor.
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EXTEND YOUR GROWING SEASON
EXPERT STRATEGIES FOR FALL GARDENERS
nutrients from the soil, so you should plant nutrient-rich options like beans or peas to preserve the soil quality.
Fall is one of the best times of the year for gardening, and now that summer is almost behind us, it’s time to prepare your fall gardens. Clean up leftovers from your spring and summer gardens, plant new seeds, and nurture your fruits, veggies, and flowers until they’re ready for harvest. If you’ve
Use Covers Pests are a constant problem for any gardener, especially when the plants you’re growing need to be pollinated. Thankfully, most fall vegetables don’t require pollination, so you can use garden mesh netting to keep those pesky pests at bay. These
ever tried to grow fall produce, you know it’s not as easy as planting and waiting. Gardens can be a lot of work! Thankfully, you have many strategies for keeping your garden in top shape. Here are three ideas you can implement this year to ensure a bountiful harvest.
covers are relatively inexpensive and available at any home improvement store or nursery. It’s Never Too Late You might think you missed your opportunity to garden once September ends, but that’s not always the case. Some plants like cilantro,
Timing Counts As fall progresses, temperatures will drop, making growing certain fruits and vegetables more difficult. Inspect your seed packets to see how long each item takes to develop and ensure you give your produce enough time to reach maturity. Additionally, some things will take more from the soil than others. Potatoes and onions pull many
kale, and radishes have a short growing season, so they’ll be ready to eat before you know it! You can also use plant covers designed for frost protection to extend your growing season by a few weeks.
TAKE A BREAK
Not Your Average Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup butter, softened • 2 cups granulated sugar • 3 large eggs • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended; then add vanilla extract. 5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients; mix until blended. 6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. 7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 8. Cool in pans, then invert onto a plate. If desired, frost and stack the cakes for a double layer!
Vacation Mustard Moon Sandcastle
School Backpack Zucchini Melon
Olympics Bees
Peach Twins
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INSIDE
1
Home … a Sacred Place
2
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks You Need to Try
Meet Moose, the Great Pyrenees With a Hero’s Heart
3
Insider Secrets for Thriving Fall Gardens
Not Your Average Chocolate Cake
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Level Up Your Lavatory
Transform Your Bathroom Into a Spa-Tacular Oasis Relaxation Station
and transforming your bathroom into a luxurious retreat is as easy as incorporating aesthetic and neutral elements in the space. Create an inviting and relaxing vibe by displaying some of your favorite spa tools , like a dry brush or glass jar of sea salt, and diffusing calming fragrances like lavender and eucalyptus. This style focuses on a clean, organized vibe, with earthy accents that make you feel massage-ready when you step inside. Another option is an aesthetic vibe. Bring in vine plants, plush towels , and natural materials like woven baskets or stone containers to breathe life into your bathroom. Then, add warmth with calming colors , plush slippers, and a robe for the total self-care setting you deserve.
Are you ready for spa-tacular pampering right in your own home? You don’t need a million-dollar makeover budget to upgrade your bathroom into a paradise,
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