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Bellini, Daly, and Margarita With or Without Salt.
Some of the new twists to our favorite classics.
The summer is full of traditional summer nights with yummy family recipes and classic libations. The weather heats up, and our urge to create tasty, refreshing icy beverages seems to chirp inside us like the crickets, frogs, and possibly buzzin’ cicadas at night.
Summer traditions start over the campfires and backyard chats. Most of these family stories begin with a story “Once an Upon A Time,” “One day while playing insert favorite summer recreation,” or
“Yes, I like piña coladas
And gettin’ caught in the rain
I’m not much into health food
I am into champagne”
Here are the recipes and tales behind some of our favorite summer beverages.
The Bellini; Once A Upon A Time in Venice.
As recalled by Giuseppe Cipriani’s son, Arrigo, in the book “Harry’s Bar: The Life and Times of the Legendary Venice Landmark” in 1948, the Bellini is named after the 15th-century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini. He is the man to thank for one of the world’s great pre-noon cocktails. “I had no idea at the time that the pink glow my father had so admired in one of Bellini’s paintings would be the inspiration for his famous cocktail,” “He experimented by puréeing small white peaches and adding some Prosecco. Those who tested it gave it rave reviews. So he named it the Bellini, and from that day on, the pink champagne drink became part of the Harry’s Bar culture.”
John Daly; On time at the 19th Hole with Arnold Palmer
Have you seen the 30 for 30 Shorts on ESPN? The golfer Arnold Palmer used to order half lemonade and half iced tea, and named they were named soon later for him. Some have told the story of once being on the 19th hole and hearing, I heard Arnold Palmer, the golfer, order a drink he named after himself. You have arrived in your sports arena when a simple mixture gets you this acclaim from named sporting drinks to this next creation which is just your drink. Add your favorite alcohol, like vodka, and get The John Daly.
But Southern Living saves us with a better boozy version.
Margarita; Salt or No Salt; Depends on whose story you believe
The margarita story does not have a straightforward fairytale. Many people have tried to say that they were the first to this drink’s origins, but no one is sure from Tijuana to San Francisco. Somewhere along the California coast, the first margarita was made. The first time the recipe was published; in December 1953, Esquire, “Painting the Town” column, pg. 76, col. 3: POTABLES
Drink of the Month
She’s from Mexico, Senores, and her name is the Margarita Cocktail—and she is lovely to look at, exciting and provocative.
· 1-ounce tequila
· Dash of Triple Sec
· Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon
Pour over crushed ice, and stir. Rub the rim of a stem glass with a rind of lemon or lime, spin in salt—pour, and sip.
Enjoy these tremendous traditional favorites and their stores this summer with your family, friends, and trivia night.
Or enjoy a fresh one, a chilly beverage on your back deck.
Get Cash Back When Buying Your House
Really and Here is How!
The stress of buying a house starts with the fact that it is the largest financial purchase in one’s lifetime. The purchase of a home usually is in the top three or five for most Americans. There are lots of great financial advice on how to make this significant purchase easier with some planning.
Communities are built on helping the people that live in them. Companies and groups invest in people in their immediate city, town, and state. They know there are benefits to helping the neighborhoods, and they do offer options for cash backs at a house closing.
Are you taking advantage of these offers to make the best of buying your dream home?
No matter what reason you decide to buy a home, being smart about the money you are spending and not spending is the key to lowering the stress of it. Realtors have many options offered by community partners that can give you some money in your pocket after the closing for a well-deserved vacation, new furniture, or the money back into your savings. Your choice, your money!
The primary partnerships for money back at closing come from community partnerships with realtors.
Your bank and financial institutions have many options for home buyers for cash back at closing to have your money secure with them anyway. Checking out what they can offer to make this purchase smoother is always a good bet. One of our favorites is First National Bank;
People think there is a revolving door to employers these days, but many offer great programs to build the community in which they work and play as well. In the military, Navy Federal Credit Union has unique partnerships with securing military families to their safe space.
Ironically there is one more place to receive cashback on something you always pay. Long-time vendors that you pay monthly offer cashback incentives in home buying. Consumer products companies like Allstate, AARP, and AT & T offer programs when buying a home that leads to cash on closing day.
And Bonus: ERA Real Solutions Realty is a part of anywhere.re and ERA Real Solutions give many opportunities for rewards in programs like Family and Friends that help with the cost of buying a home. We have many reward opportunities that, if you ask your agent about them, can lead to a better balance of the money exchange the day you buy your dream home.
Yard #ERAEssentials
Many clients MUST Haves in their new home usually include one of these phrases:
1. A Yard
2. Grass for My Dogs and Children
3. Outdoor Space for Lounge
Whatever you call it, it can make or break for most homebuyers when looking for a new home. Everyone wants the grass like the fields on Major League Baseball’s opening day. Here are some tips from the grass we all envy!
Green Essentials
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
Sixteen MLB grass fields are made with Kentucky Bluegrass. In our hometown, Cincinnati, we mixed it up a bit. Ryegrass replaced Kentucky bluegrass on Cincinnati’s field in 2007, when a five-way blend was laid down before the season, with the grass a mixture of stuff called Exacta II, Fiesta IV, Linedrive GLS, Panther GLS, and SR4600. The original perennial ryegrass sod was used through 2012. When the Reds announced a new field of perennial ryegrass would debut in 2013, they noted it was grown at farms in southeastern Indiana.
2. Let’s Learn from the Masters of Greens
Ironically most other baseball grass fields are made with the same green grass you will see on the fairways and greens in Augusta National in a few weeks. They use Bermuda.
3. Because You Want Some Yard Crashers!
Here are some minor pointers on making your yard Green with Envy:
a. Simply trimming and mowing of your yard can make all the difference. Tips!
b. A place to lounge in your yard is essential. Best Lounge Chairs for Your Yard!
c. Or, repot some plants.
How to Repot Plants: https://www.hgtv.com/shows/yard-crashers/yard-crashers-videos
Making Your Pets Comfortable in Your New Home!
Tips on Making Your Pets Comfortable in Your New Home!
Finding a new home is easy with #teamERA, but unfortunately, moving into your home can find individuals in a very stressful state. The chaos and nervous energy affect our furry family as well. They know we are excited and anxious, so they likely feel the effects.
Here are some tips on transitioning our pets to our new home.
Before, during, and after the move, it is crucial to consider your pet as an individual. Is there a routine that can make your pet more comfortable? Remember their preferences as you pack up those last boxes and load the moving van for the final trip to the new house. Remember, the home is new for them as well.
Most pets have a schedule and do well when they do their routines. They like to eat simultaneously, go for walks, and feel safe through old smells, toys, beds, and daily activities. Even spending time on the new floor with your pets works to spread your scent and presence quickly.
3. Ensure all pets are healthy
If you are moving cross country or down the street, make sure that your pet is looked at by a professional to see if their shots are up to date, there are no unlying conditions, and feeling their best can lead to less stress. Also, knowing what plants in your new yard could be harmful and making sure the fence, if applicable, is stable and ready for outdoor play are essential things to consider.
Animals are our extended family. Their physical and mental well-being can make a move much easier if you put in specific strategies to make it comfortable for them. Make sure to include your furry friends in walks of the new neighborhood, introduce them to new friends, and make them comfortable in their new home.
In honor of our love for all animals, we actively support our local humane societies with their Amazon Wishlist and events to keep pets safe and healthy in our communities. If you want to know more about how to help your local chapter, find more information here.
Tips from the Best Remote Workers Around: Real Estate Agents
For agents, there tends to be great comfort in knowing they have an office to use should they desire.
Working remotely has its advantages, with location being no issue. Here are three tips from real estate pros about remote work.
Three Tips for Working from Anywhere!
1. Technology
The internet is an integral part of any business, and you’ll need it if you’re going to market in the real estate world. It is crucial for anyone who works remotely to have a reliable internet connection. When you are unable to meet with people in person, it becomes even more important to use conferencing technology to communicate with clients and team members. Being able to see their faces and talk through issues in real time can reduce the stress of relying solely on text and email communication while away from the office.
2. Be Organized
It’s crucial to stay organized no matter where you work. Being organized can help reduce the stress of working from different locations such as the beach, car or dining table. The most helpful tool to keep you organized is the calendar app on your phone or computer. Scheduling your time, and knowing when you can adjust things to accommodate new clients, calls or extra work, can help you manage last-minute requests effortlessly. No one wants to look at the clock at 4 PM and wonder where the day went, so staying organized is key.
Bonus Tip:
Do you have an appointment-based job? Apps like Calendly can help customers sign up for open slots on your calendar without the back-and-forth emails.
3. Bring Supplies and Plan Ahead
How many times have you found yourself procrastinating on an important task, even from the comfort of your own home? Maybe because you can’t find the right pen, the room temperature isn’t quite right, someone interrupts you, or you need a drink refill. Remote workers need to be prepared to tackle any situation that may arise during the day. You may not understand why they have a wine opener in their work bag, carry granola bars, or own a charger for every phone. But being ready for anything is how they get things done. These three tips are the key to success, whether you’re taking a client call in your car or attending back-to-back meetings while at the beach. Providing excellent service to your clients, regardless of your location, is how realtors have been doing it for years, helping them to secure the keys to their dream homes.
ERA Real Solutions is a top-10 ERA franchise systems brokerage. Our boutique approach allows us to maintain a 98.7% customer satisfaction rating. Our high-quality, full-time agents have quickly made us “The New Standard in Real Estate.”
April Showers Bring May Flowers!
Spring Cleaning is synonymous with April. We open our windows for fresh air and look outside to see our neighborhood’s blooming pops of colors. Having a home ready for the Spring is the same attribute as preparing your home for selling or what you desire when searching for your new home. Everyone thinks about Curb Appeal, but it is much more.
From Green to The Colors of Spring
The color of a green yard is undeniably the first thing people see when coming to a home for the first time—using flowers to give a home a little pop of color outside with some well-placed perennials is a great idea. Better Homes and Garden offers you a list of their top favorite perennials to give you a Spring look that will make every house’s curb appeal better year after year.
The colors should not stop there. Adding a little pastel to the home’s interior is a great welcome to your guests.
How NOT to overdo Color
If you do not know how to match color, do not worry about HDTV and the internet; the experts can promptly bring even the most straightforward home buyer to a trendy setter. No one wants their home to look like a pastel Easter Egg. You can add subtle tones of color that still reflect Spring but make your home feel like you.
We liked this color advice the best. We are partial to some Red.
IF YOUR WALLS ARE CRISP WHITE, TRY…
We have made the house visibly appealing. Do not forget to make sure it smells like a Bright Spring day. Air Ventilation is an essential aspect of a home. Proper insulation, airflow, and ventilation are vital to keeping heating and cooling bills at a minimum. Or you can do what everyone does in the Spring, open a window for ….
A little Fresh Air
How a green home really “breathes.” Six Great Tips!
There is so much to understand when buying or selling a home. Why not make it easier with some help from us?
“Have Our ERA Family on Your Side” is a slogan of ERA Real Solutions Realty, which is among the top-10 ERA franchise systems brokerage. Our personalized approach to real estate services has enabled us to maintain an outstanding 98.7% customer satisfaction rating. Our team of experienced and dedicated agents is committed to providing high-quality services that have made us “The New Standard in Real Estate.”
Spring Cleaning: Selling Your Home
It is no secret that Spring is coming, if we are ready or not. Are you prepared to sell your home? Spring is a great time to get everything to make the change. There are some great secrets to selling that everyone should know. The top three are below.
Secrets to Selling Your Home
1. Biggest Secret: The first impression is the only impression.
Everyone has different tastes. Your home on display to others has an impression with or without you present. People associate the house with the surrounding objects. Making sure you give your home’s first impression top priority.
2. Second Secret: Spring Cleaning is a great place to start.
There are few rites of Spring more satisfying than the annual deep clean. For many people, however, the pleasure comes only after the work is finished. Attached is a Spring Cleaning Checklist from Martha Stewart.
3. Secret Third: Find An Agent to Help Make Your Spring in a New Home.
Hiring an agent to help you find or sell your home this Spring will alleviate many lost hours of sleep. It will allow you to enjoy the new yard, kitchen, or neighborhood you always wanted.
Secure Your Sale with An Secret Agent;
Have Our ERA family on your side.
ERA Real Solutions Realty is a top-10 ERA franchise systems brokerage. Our boutique approach allows us to run at a 98.7% customer satisfaction rating. Our high-quality, full- time agents have quickly made us “The New Standard in Real Estate.”
The March Madness of Spring
If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb. Is there any truth to this saying? Weather folklore sayings are as colorful as our imagination. But if you agree with the Farmer’s Almanac or not, most people start stirring just like the hibernating animals for the warmth of the spring sun.
Some people can not wait for the sun to get warm to fulfill their needs. They instead engage in the time-old tradition of Spring Break or vacation to get away.
Did You Know?
Spring break started in the mid- 1930s when a swimming coach from Colgate University in frigid Upstate New York decided to take his team down to Florida for early training at a brand-new Olympic pool in sunny Fort Lauderdale. The idea clicked with other college swim coaches, and soon the spring training migration became an annual tradition for swimmers nationwide.
Maybe the stirring for you isn’t about the sun at all; perhaps it is the March Madness of college basketball. Filling in the brackets, watching the upcoming talent emerge, and hoping the Cinderella team you picked make you proud.
Did You Know?
Or – Are you a Wee Bit Irish or Not? Wearing green and celebrating the Irish tradition has been officially a Christian feast day since the early 17th century. It is a holiday across much of the world for many religions.
Did You Know?
Breaking out of the winter funk to the spring happens if we engage in the Madness of March, St. Patrick’s Day or a personal holiday. If you realized over the long winter haul that you need to move your home to Florida to an open concept, or maybe you decided you want to go tiny. ERA Real Solutions Realty can help you with your home needs.
ERA Real Solutions is a top-10 ERA franchise systems brokerage. Our boutique approach allows us to run at a 98.7% customer satisfaction rating. Our high-quality, full-time agents have quickly made us “The New Standard in Real Estate.” With offices in Florida, Kentucky, and Ohio, we can help you wherever your March takes you.
Is A Real Estate Career for you?
Team ERA has designed some great tests to determine if becoming a realtor is the right career for you. By taking short quizzes, you can experience a day in the life of a real estate professional, which will help you determine if this might be a career for you.
Take these three quizzes to see if you are a great fit.
- Is real estate your next career? Take the quiz.
- Do you have the personality to be a successful real estate agent? Click here.
- Do you have the sales skills to be an agent? Find out here.
Joining #teamERA and becoming a part of the team that will mentor and coach you to be an entrepreneur that protects their customers, provides for their community, and produces higher than most agents in the industry.
There’s nothing like being part of Team ERA! Our focus is always on our community of agents and the collaboration that makes up this excellent brand. We understand the benefits of networking and learning from each other. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us for more details.
Winterizing Those Chili Days!
It seems that all we can think of is spring and summer unless you love the snow, hockey, Go Columbus Blue Jackets, or winter activities in the crisp, pure air with six more weeks of winter.
The best way to soothe this feeling for or against the fluffy white snow is to know what winter essentials are vital to keeping you and your home safe, healthy, warm, and yummy.
Having a hot beverage warm on the couch means you have to be prepared and ready to keep snuggled up for the long haul.
Being prepared can make the long winter bearable and enjoyable.
- Hot Water – Flavor your hot water. The list is long: hot Toddy, Earl Grey, Hot Cocoa, Green Tea, Coffee, and Apple Cider. Purchase your favorite and have your mug ready to fill.
- Too Much Water -The snow is pretty, but ensuring your house is protected and winterizing on the outside is also critical. How Snow and Ice Can Damage Your Home (& What to Do About It)
- Cold Water- Finally, never turn off the heat when you leave home in winter. 55- 60 degrees is your best bet. We do not want to take our word for it. Ask Bob Villa!
Although, water can be a pain in your home if you are unprepared. One of the best preparedness for a snow day is the smell and warming feeling of chili simmering on the stove.
For those who hail from Ohio or have one in your local market in Florida, this Cincinnati favorite, Skyline, has been a staple institution since 1949. One of the unique features of this hometown favorite is its use of chocolate in the recipe, leaving an embedded flavor all it’s own. If you have leftover Valentine’s Day chocolates, add them to the recipe below.
The Best Kind of Preparedness for Chilly is Skyline Chili.
Here is a take on the Cincinnati classic from a native. Authentic Cincinnati Chili
We love our city’s traditions. Want to come to share them with us? We are here to help.ERA Real Solutions is a top-10 ERA franchise systems brokerage. Our boutique approach allows us to run at a 98.7% customer satisfaction rating. Our high-quality, full-time agents have quickly made us “The New Standard in Real Estate.”
