Spruce Up The Kitchen!

Written by Anita Bates
May 9, 2012 12:56 pm

Want a new look without spending a lot of cash?  Here are affordable ideas to spruce up your kitchen without a total remodel:

1.    Paint – always freshens the look and can easily be changed without too much expense

2.    Hardware – replacing the knobs and handles on cabinets is quick and relatively cheap.  The average kitchen has about 30 linear feet of cabinet space which equates to about 40 handles and knobs.  With an average price of $3 to $5 per piece, you can spruce up the cabinets for around $120 to $200.  Don’t forget to figure in hinges, if they are visibly mounted on the outside of the cabinets.

3.    Kitchen Faucet – Lots of options to look at here, including height, spout style, pull out hoses and folding necks.  Expect to spend upwards of $200 for a good quality faucet.

4.    Lighting – A popular feature is under-cabinet LED lighting.  The amount you spend will depend on type, quality and method of installation

5.    Countertops – Granite is beautiful but cost prohibitive for many so laminate is a great option and can look surprisingly like its more expensive counter cousins.  Many large “box stores” carry a good selection and can even help with kitchen design if you get carried away and want to replace your cabinets.

Color You Trendy!

Written by Anita Bates
12:55 pm

The Pantone Color Institute has proclaimed Tangerine Tango as the 2012 color of the year.  (think sunset orange J).    Consider these suggestions for incorporating the latest color trend in your home.

Bring color and light into a room with a minimum of work and expense by accessorizing.   Think pillows, throws, vases or other table top accessories, art, and flowers. 

Kitchens can be brightened up with linens, canisters, utensil holders, and appliances.

Finally, if you are brave enough, consider an accent wall in the entry, kitchen, or hallway to create an eye-popping burst of energy!

1st Quarter 2012 Market Overview

Written by Anita Bates
12:53 pm

(January 1 through March 31, 2012)

First quarter statistics are in for Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, & Wasilla, the 4 major south central Alaska communities.

Active inventory in Anchorage and Eagle River remained low through the first quarter with approximately 150 fewer active single family listings on the market. 

Palmer had significantly fewer homes on the market; 210 this year, compared to 271 in 2011.   Wasilla also exhibited a significant decrease in inventory with 584 active listings this year as opposed to the 642 homes on the market in the first quarter of 2011.

The average sale price showed slight increases in Anchorage and Eagle River, Palmer experienced a 7% decrease and Wasilla’s average sales price slightly down at -3%. The total number of sold properties in Anchorage and Eagle River is higher this year, while the number of days on market continued to trend downward in all 4 areas. 

As we move into the summer season, it will be interesting to see how the continued low inventory and

Favorable interest rates affect the market. 

*Rounded to nearest thousand of sale price.                           (Source: Alaska Multiple Listing Service)

Raisin Sauce

Written by Anita Bates
12:51 pm

½ cup packed brown sugar   

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon dried mustard powder 

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 cups raisins

½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 ½ cups water

Combine brown sugar, cornstarch, and mustard powder in a saucepan.  Slowly stir in vinegar, then add raisins, lemon zest, lemon juice and water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer till thickened.

Serve over grilled chicken, pork, ham or turkey. 

This versatile sauce was a gift from my good friend, Marjorie Beck, who lives in Florida.  Thanks for letting me borrow it, Marge!!

Got Your Dander Up? IT’S ALLERGY SEASON!

Written by David
12:48 pm

It has been just over a year since I closed my business because I began having respiratory problems which I found out was caused by an allergy to dogs.  Allergies can come on any time in life I found out and no one really knows why.  I have put together some information I have on dogs and allergies.

The following list is mostly based on dog breeds that are hairless or possess a single layer of coat and therefore usually produce less dander than double-coated breeds. I obtained the list from the AKC several years ago, but I added the two very rare hairless dog breeds, the American Hairless Terrier and the Peruvian Inca Orchid, to the list. These two hairless breeds are available in the U.S., although the numbers are low. When studying the breed list, please keep in mind that people’s allergies vary greatly, and that there is no dog breed that is truly non-allergenic!  The AKC allergy info page lists the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Bedlington Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Maltese, Portuguese Water Dog, Irish Water Spaniel, Xoloitzcuintli, and the Chinese Crested as hypoallergenic canine candidates.

 Notes: With hairless dog breeds, it is possible to have allergic reactions to the coated dogs and not to the hairless ones within the same breed. Some people are so supersensitive that even the hairless dogs can aggravate their allergies! After all, these dogs do still have skin cells and saliva. The hairless dogs have the added advantage of being very clean, flee free, and truly non-shedding! It has been found that the epidermal turnover is more rapid in breeds that are prone to the various forms of dry and oily seborrhea (term for any skin disease involving dry or greasy scaling), such as Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers, Chinese Shar-Pei, Basset Hounds, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Afghan Hounds, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. Instead of the normal 21 day cycle, the epidermal turnover of seborrheic dogs is 3 to 4 days and so they produce exceptionally large quantities of dander. (Allerpet Inc.)

 The breeds (e.g. Bichon Frise, Poodle, Schnauzer) with a reputation of being hypoallergenic are those that get bathed and groomed frequently. It is known that bathing cats decreases the amount of allergen on their skin, and it is assumed the same is true for dogs.

Have a Heart….

Written by Anita Bates
April 17, 2012 9:09 am

Please join our team for the 2012 Anchorage Heart Run.

 Last year was the first Bates & Associates, Realtors team participation in the Heart Run and we are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year.  We are excited to continue our involvement in this worthwhile charitable event that promotes heart health for adults and kids of all ages.  We would love for you to join us.  We’ll make it worth your while by providing you with a Bates & Associates Realtors Commemorative Heart Run T-Shirt and an invitation to the Appreciation Barbeque after the Run.  

This year, the Heart Run will be held on Saturday, April 28^th.  All you need to do is pay your registration fee, $15 for Adults and $5 for kids under the age of 18, which is tax deductible. 

Please email to anita@anitabatesrealtor.com or call 243-8777.   Let us know you are joining us and give us your T-shirt size.  We need to have your commitment no later than Sunday, April 9^th so we know how many T-Shirts to order. 

 Here’s how you can register on-line to be on the Bates & Associates, Realtors team

Log on to www.heartrun.com   and click the blue REGISTER button
  - Agree to the waiver

  – If you want to register one person (yourself) as a member of the team, choose Join a Team 
  - Type the name of our team (Bates & Associates) and click Search
  – Click Join Team next to our team name
  - Complete the registration form

  - If you want to register multiple people as members of a team at one time, choose

Register Multiple People
   - Choose Join a Team 
   - Type the name of our team (Bates & Associates) and click Search
   - Click Join Team next our team name
   - Complete the registration form for the first person
   – When you click Submit you have the option to register additional people
   - Once you register the last member, a single credit card transaction will complete the registration

Please call or email us if you have any problems registering.  We hope to see you on April 28^th!

A Special Concert of Solo Bag piping & Drumming Music

Written by David
9:07 am

 Please join Bates & Associates, Realtors, and the Alaska Scottish Club for a special evening of music performed with bagpipes and drums.  The event will be held on April 21^st, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 “N” Street. 

Admission and parking is free. 

Appropriate remarks by Master of Ceremonies, David Gillespie.

PET IDENTIFICATION

Written by David
9:05 am

Used with the permission of Pet Services Journal

Pets can unexpectedly escape through an open door or window, from a vehicle, or even by pulling the leash from your hand. Something really interesting on the other side of the fence might just be enough to entice your dog to jump or dig his way out.

Traveling with your pet by car provides a whole new set of circumstances that Fluffy or Fido might not be used to. If your pet escapes while you’re on the road, there may be little chance he could be returned to you if he is not properly identified.
Consider these measures to keep your pet safe and to find his way home again:

• Most dogs are used to wearing a collar, so make sure he has an ID tag with your name address and telephone number. If you are traveling, make a temporary tag with the destination address and telephone. Consider using a cell phone number that will remain constant, or perhaps a second number as an alternate. A few dollars for a new ID tag is a cheap investment in case of an emergency.

• A breakaway collar is a good idea for a cat when traveling. Though it would come off if caught on something, at least there’s a chance that someone would find your cat with the collar and ID intact.

• Leave the old license on your dog when moving, at least until you obtain the new one at your destination. Most townships and cities have a database to search the number, so if lost, at least someone could call your old number – and hopefully be directed to your new one.

• Microchip your pet. This is the ultimate identification of an animal, and many countries now require pets to be microchipped. Most shelters, humane societies and animal control agents have a scanner to read Avid and Home Again chips, the two most popular in the USA. The biggest problem is people do not register the chip with complete information (name, address and current phone number). Many pets have been found with chips, but without a contact in the database, little can be done to return them to their owner. Be sure to update your registration if you move.

• Tattooing is not as popular as it once was, but still serves as a method of identification. Most tattoos are done inside the thigh of the rear leg, or under an ear flap. Unfortunately, there is not a registration system for tattoos, nor is there one number for a person finding a pet to call (as with a microchip). You might want to keep a photo of the tattoo as well as of the pet, as proof that he or she is yours.

When traveling, it’s a good idea to keep photos of your pet with you, just in case you need to make up flyers on short notice.

Saying goodbye…again

Written by David
February 15, 2012 1:51 pm

We are sad to announce that we said goodbye to our dear little Turrean in January.    She was almost 15 years old and like Mr. Mac succumbed to kidney failure.  All breeds have vulnerabilities and with Shelties it is their urinary tract.

David adopted Turrean when she was just 12 weeks old and they began a special relationship that will always be remembered.  When we were first married, Turrean didn’t take well to the competition and tried very hard to get rid of this other female in David’s life.   It took some time, but after Anita implemented the proper incentives, (feeding & walks) Turrean finally accepted that Anita wasn’t going anywhere and acknowledged her as part of the family.

As his partner and friend, Turrean traveled all over the country with David while he attended various dog training schools and workshops.  She patiently tolerated, and adapted to, many new situations and environments while he learned his trade.  When David taught classes, Turrean was the example of proper dog behavior and students were always impressed with her confidence and calm demeanor.

She was never a lap dog but always wanted to be close or lying by our feet.  We still step carefully when we move our chairs or stand up for fear of stepping on her or her beautiful coat.

David was looking forward to one more summer of playing Frisbee with his little girl but unfortunately, that is not to be.  As when we lost Mr. Mac in September, we are again reminded that our time with our pets is very limited.   They bring us great joy and companionship while they are with us and we miss them terribly when they are gone.  We need to love and care for them and always cherish the special moments that make up the memories they leave us with. 

THINKING ABOUT VACATION ALREADY?

Written by David
1:50 pm

Don’t forget to plan for your pets.

By Train, Bus, and Boat
If you decide to travel by train, you may be disappointed – Amtrak does not allow pets of any kind, including dogs. (Seeing Eye dogs are permitted.) Local and commuter trains have their own policies.

Travel by bus may be equally disappointing – Greyhound and other bus companies that travel interstate are not allowed to carry live animals, including dogs. (Seeing Eye dogs are permitted.) Local bus companies have their own policies.

If you’re taking a cruise, you may be in luck. For example, the QE2 luxury cruiser, which sails from New York to England/France, provides special lodging and free meals for your dog.

Check with the cruise line or ship that you are planning to use for their policies. Smaller ships will usually not be able to accommodate your dog.

Lodging
If you plan to stay at a hotel or motel be sure to find out in advance if it allows dogs – many do not.
If your dog is allowed to stay at your hotel or motel, respect the privacy of other guests. Keep your dog as quiet as possible.
Do not leave your dog unattended. Many dogs bark or destroy property in a strange place.
Prevent any possibility of unwanted messes. You may want to keep your dog in its crate at night. Also, ask where you should walk your dog. The hotel or motel may not appreciate its grounds being used for this purpose.
Remember: to continue to have hotels accept guests with dogs, it is important to respect hotel property, staff and fellow guests.

International
International travel is much more involved than interstate travel. Each country has its own rules and regulations. Many countries have a quarantine period – the United Kingdom quarantines dogs for six months!  Check with the embassy or consulate of the country of your destination for details.

Other Helpful Tips
However you travel, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure your dog has a sturdy leash and collar. The collar should have identification tags, a license, and proof of rabies shots. Your home phone number should be on the tags as well.
• You may want to consider a permanent form of ID – such as a microchip – which can increase the likelihood of reuniting you with your dog if he gets lost far from home.
• Have recent pictures of your dog with you. If you are accidentally separated, these pictures will help local authorities find your dog.
• Take the phone number of your veterinarian and any special medication your dog needs. Some dogs can’t adjust to abrupt changes in diet, so pack your dog’s regular food, bowls, and a cooler of water.
• If you think you might need to board your dog at some point during your travels, be sure to bring your dog’s complete shot records.

Most Important – Have fun and have a great trip.