Blog - Earl Sanders

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Carry a cellphone for quick communication.
• Remain on…

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11 ALTERNATIVES TO HANDING OUT CANDY THIS YEAR

Perhaps you're not feeling candy this year. Don't worry, there are plenty of things you can give trick-or-treaters instead of the sweet stuff. 

1. Glow sticks

Could there be a more perfect accessory for Halloween? Kids can light them up with a snap and wear them as bracelets, necklaces and crowns. Bonus: they make it easier for parents to keep their eyes on their kiddos.

2. Stickers

Choose from the assortment of ghosts, witches and pumpkins available in stores in October or go with stickers with year-round appeal, like super heroes and animals.

3. Bubbles

Hours – or at least a few minutes – of bubble-blowing entertainment in every little bottle.

4. Plastic spider rings

Kids love to wear creepy-crawly bling, making spider…

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TEN BENEFITS OF A VA LOAN

No down payment on VA loan – Most home loan programs require you to make at least a small down payment to buy a home. The VA home loan is an exception. Rather than paying 5, 10 or 20 percent of the homes purchase price up front in cash, you can finance up to 100 percent of the purchase price with a VA loan. It is a true no money down opportunity.

It’s easier to qualify for VA loans- Like all mortgage types, VA loans require specific documentation, an acceptable credit history and sufficient income to make your monthly payments. But, as compared to other loan programs, VA loan guidelines tend to be more flexible. This is made possible because of the VA loan guaranty. The Department of Veterans Affairs genuinely wants to make…

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OCTOBER FESTIVAL EVENTS COMING UP!

Virginia is a state known for Lovers therefore the amusements and the get-together's for you and your loved ones are never ending. There are numerous festivals held around the Hampton Roads Area each season. The events vary in activities insuring to appeal to any crowd interested. Summer has ended but the friends and family don’t have to! Don’t miss out in bringing in the fall with a bang.

Listed below are some of Hampton Roads most popular Fall Festivals and events that will peak the adventurer within for the month of October:

Annual Town Point Wine Festival 

Bacon Festival

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream

FilFest

Pumpkin Patches

Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival

ZooBoo

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6 WAYS TO HURRICANE PROOF YOUR HOUSE

1. Protect your windows and doors.

Whether with impact-resistant glass or shutters, protecting doors and windows against high winds and flying debris is imperative. Hurricane-force winds can hurl objects that act like bullets. Consider installing shutters or providing a system, such as a track, to easily install shutters in case of an approaching storm. Although the shutter wouldn’t be a permanent fixture on the exterior of your home, the track or other fastening hardware would be. So make sure the hardware is integrated with any other exterior improvements you plan to make. Garage doors are real weak spots for hurricane-force winds. If the door gives way, the winds can enter the house and cause the roof to be torn off. Prevent this by making…

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6 DECISIONS YOU NEED TO MAKE BEFORE STARTING YOUR HOME SEARCH

In the market for a new home but have no idea where to start? There are several decisions you should begin to make before you even start your home search. After considering all these factors, you'll be ready to start the home search with a clearer picture of where you're headed.

1. What's your budget? See how your finances stand up to the 28/36 rule, which lenders use to see what you can afford to pay each month. The "28" refers to the percentage of your gross monthly household income that should be allocated for housing costs each month, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The "36" represents the total debt that you carry. It shouldn't exceed 36 percent of your total income. A financial…

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UNDER CONTRACT? 5 THINGS NOT TO DO BEFORE YOU CLOSE

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9 TIPS FOR FERTILIZING YOUR LAWN

1. Fertilization
Fertilize your lawn properly, and you’ll be on your way to a healthy turf that maintains a deep green color and gives weeds a run for their money. Nitrogen is every lawn’s most important ingredient, and each type of grass demands different amounts to display peak growth and performance. How often you fertilize affects not only lawn appearance, but also maintenance level. The more you fertilize, the more you’ll have to mow, for instance.

2. Using a Broadcast or Rotary Spreader

A broadcast or rotary spreader works well when you’re fertilizing larger lawn areas. Before filling the hopper, make sure it’s closed. It’s a good idea to fill it on a tarp, so you can easily gather any spilled fertilizer. Apply…

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BURNING TO MOVE SOMEWHERE WITH A BACKYARD?

According to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects fire pits are one of the "hottest" requested design features. Whether your pit is a metal ring or an elaborate brick construction, follow these tips to stay safe while enjoying it.

1. Never build a fire pit with smooth river rocks. While aesthetically pleasing, they can heat rapidly and explode. Lining your pit with rough stones is a much safer choice.

2. Make sure to place your pit at least 10 feet away from any structures, fencing or other flammable material.

3. Check that your Home Owners Association (HOA) or local authority allows open fires in your yard BEFORE you install your fire pit.

4. Find a level place…

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New Home Checklist

 1. Change locks- Don’t assume the keys you’re holding make up the only existing set. Play it safe and have all of your locks changed.

 2. Reprogram the garage door opener -Again, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to security. Most remotes have a reset button, but if you need more instructions, contact the manufacturer to walk you through the steps for your make and model.

 3. Locate the water shutoffs - Find the main water shutoff as well as all outside water spigots. Ask the previous homeowner if you cannot find them.

 4. Locate the main circuit breaker -Check it out and make sure you fully understand the labeling. If it’s a new home and unlabeled, identify the circuits and make your own labels.

  5. Test the…

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