Check out this gorgeous home!

This beautiful Snead Island home is located at 1760 Amberwynd Circle in Palmetto, FL. Enjoy this captivating 4 bedroom and 3 bath home with family and friends. It's perfect for entertaining! The big, aquarium style windows in the living area provides you with a stunning view of the surrounding real estate. Lets not forget- this home also has a secluded screened-in heated salt water swimming pool. Located only minutes away from Egmont Key and Anna Maria Island, this home is perfect for any family or even as a vacation home. Click the link below to see more information on this listing or give us a call at 941-585-8877.

http://www.annamariaislandrealestateforsale.com/paradise-home-sale-palmetto-anna-maria-life-and-billi-gartman/

To schedule a tour, gather further information on this property and to find similar listings, please contact Billi at 941-545-8877

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Is Your House Ready for Santa?

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

You’ve got your stockings hung and you’ve even put out some cookies to tide him over. But is your house really ready for Santa? He passed a message along that he really likes visiting homes that are safe. We’ve made you a list to be ready for St. Nick when he gets here.

• Holiday dinners: Every family reheats and passes the food around the table all the time; however, it is surprising that so many people don’t be come ill. Make sure to reheat your leftovers to at least 165 degrees F to get rid of harmful bacteria. If you’re saving a plate, make sure to wrap it up and stick it in the fridge to keep it safe.
• Winter Essentials: Make sure to grab all the winter essentials you may need such as salt and a shovel. By having these items you can make sure your family and visiting relative can make it to your front door safely.
• Watch out for the pets and kids: Make sure to keep small snacks like nuts and popcorn, decorative plants, and potentially poisonous foods out of reach of the kids and pets. Also, don’t forget that decorations and other things can pose a hazard for infants. Check out our blog, "How to Childproof Your Home for the Holiday Season", for more tips.
• Secure your home and belongings: Don’t forget to secure your garage, lock the doors, and arm your home security systems. This will keep out the people who will want to take advantage of the holidays. Don’t worry about Santa. He has magic to get the gifts inside homes for the good boys and girls.
• Don’t forget to water your Christmas tree. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the holiday season is the worst time of the year for home fires. Make sure you water your tree daily and keep it at least three feet away from any heat source.

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Winter is right around the corner. Is your house ready?

Winter is right around the corner for many people and I know they’re probably dreading it too. We’ve created a small checklist for you to use to prepare your home for the upcoming winter season. 

       Outside:

• Clean out your gutters- Wait till the last leaf falls around your home and get your gutters cleaned out. If you’re able to do it yourself or even get someone else to help, cleaning your gutters out will prevent blockage during the winter storms.
• Put away your outdoor items- We’ve all thought the same thing “I don’t want to clean or move the furniture”. I know. I felt the same way myself. However, it’s best to clean off all your outdoor items and store them or at least cover them for the season.
• Clean out your fireplace or wood stove if you love having a warm fire or if that’s your primary source of heat. Also have your chimney professionally cleaned and checked out.
• Buy the winter essentials before season hits; so that way you’re not fighting over stuff in the store.
• Check your roof- Grab a ladder or a pair of binoculars and check for damaged, loose, or missing shingles that may possibly leak during storms. Don’t forget to check your seals around the vent stacks and chimneys too. (If your roof is flat and surfaced with asphalt and pebbles, rake or blow off leaves and pine needles. Don’t remove the pebbles though. It will expose the asphalt to sunlight.)
• Water your outdoor plants- not a lot of people know to water their plants even up to the first frost. This will keep your plants from drying out.
• Drain your sprinkler and/or irrigation systems- If there is still water in these it could cause them to bust.

       Inside:

• Order a home energy audit- This is great, because the person performing the audit has a tool that shows areas that are loosing heat.
• Tune up your heating system- hire a technician and have them inspect your heating system to make sure it’s clean and in good repair. By having a technician check it out it also measures carbon-monoxide leakage.
• Reverse your ceiling fans- The fan will produce an updraft and push down into the room heated air.
• Swap out your bedding- Clean and store your summer bedding and get the down comforter or heavy blankets out instead. You’ll sleep much better and stay warmer.
• Swap out the clothing in your closet- Bring out your winter clothing and store your warmer clothing (unless you’re in those warmer states- Florida).
• Recaulk around your windows and doors- Check the space between the walls at the door frames and windows. If there is a space bigger than the width of a nickel you should reapply caulk. Check your weather stripping too.

If you click this link, it will take you to a pdf version of this article and you can print it as a checklist for you and your family/friends.

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Checklist: Who to Inform That You're Moving

Once you’ve decided on moving you should start planning on who you’re going to notify. It’s very important to let business know such as your insurance, internet, etc so that way you’ll still keep your product/service. The best way to tell who you need to inform of your move is to make a list. We’ve made a list that may be of some help; however, you may not need all of these.

• Friends and family
• Banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions
• Insurance companies
• Local government authorities as appropriate
• Tax authorities
• Utility companies (i.e. gas, electric, water as appropriate – in these cases you may need to talk to them direct to arrange disconnection/connection of services, account opening/closure etc)
• Phone companies – both fixed and mobile
• Satellite/cable TV providers
• Internet service providers
• Doctor, optician and dentist
• Veterinarian
• Schools
• Employers
• Regional driving license offices
• Magazine or newspaper subscriptions
• Clubs, professional associations, motoring organizations etc
• Rental companies
• Mail order companies

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How to Decorate Your Small Space Without a Christmas Tree

You may have run into the same problem that quite a few people have as well- you don’t have enough space in your home or apartment for a Christmas tree. I’ve looked around and found some easy ideas you can use to have a Christmas tree with any amount of space.

• Choose a section of your wall that you won’t mind painting and turn it into a canvas of wonder. Use a can of chalkboard paint on the wall and draw your tree, fireplace, and other holiday related themes on it. It’s great for the kids too. You can purchase a can of the paint online at Michaels’ for $7.99.   

• If you have loose branches lying around in your yard pick them up and use them to create a tree on your wall. Tie some string around them and mount them on your wall in the shape of a tree. You can even add ornaments to make it more like a Christmas tree.

• Choose your favorite picture of a Christmas tree (make sure it’s not copyrighted) or even a regular tree, take it to your local print shop, and have it enlarged to the size similar to a tapestry. Hang the print out on a dowel rod and place it anywhere you’d like. Check out Staples for a printout or even a local FedEx/Kinko’s store. 
• Add strips of crepe paper to your wall in the shape of a tree. Have the kids help out too. It makes a fun and creative craft for them.
• Make a tree out of Evergreen branches laying around or even go to your local craft store and attach them to dowel rods. This makes it more like a realistic tree and adds the wonderful scent of the outdoors to your home.
• If you don’t have the time to find some branches, cut paper, or paint check out your home for stuff you already have. If you have some shelves turn them into a festive display. Grab those old holiday greeting cards, mismatched gloves, and scarves.  

• Another great thing to try is the washi tape. They have many different colors and designs it makes it fun and interesting to try different combinations.
• Construction paper makes a neat crafting project for the whole family. Just cut some shapes out or even just a plain shape, tape them to the wall, and add cutout ornaments to it.

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Check out this cozy, island getaway villa located in Perico Bay Club!!

Are you looking for a home for you and your family located between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton? Wouldn't you like to live in a gated community? Are you looking for a home that has just the right about of space for everything? 1008 Ibis Court is the perfect place for you! This comfy two bed and two bath villa has tons of features. Turn the tiled lanai into a nice hobby room or even a sun room. This slice of paradise has a gate at the entrance/exit of the community, an over-sized garage, and community amenities. Perico Bay Club holds numerous meetings, parties, and events. The community clubhouse has an Olympic size pool, tennis courts, and a nice mini library. Easily enjoy biking, walking, or kayaking at the closely located Robinson Preserve and Neil Preserve. You can also catch a ride on the free trolley to Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. Click the link below to see the full listing for 1008 Ibis Court or give us a call at 941-545-8877.

http://www.annamariaislandrealestateforsale.com/cozy-villa-sale-perico-bay-club-anna-maria-life-and-billi-gartman/

  

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