Kathy Hyatt

Kathy's Kitchen Makeover without Spending a Fortune

2012-01-09T20:30:00Z

Kathy's Kitchen Makeover without Spending a Fortune

If you are thinking of selling your home then you should know that the most important room if you ask most Buyers is the Kitchen. So it makes sense to spend time, energy, and even a little money to make sure that it sparkles and shines.

That thought can make some Sellers cringe. The thought of spending money to fix up a kitchen in a home that they're about ready to sell is unpalatable. However, it could make the difference between a Buyer making a higher offer or any offer at all.

Kitchen makeovers don't need to have you breaking out in a sweat or fearing the loss of money that will soon be drained from your bank account. You can tidy up your kitchen and even give it a fresh, stylish, updated look, on a frugal budget.

Let me show you how. It starts with simple things. The kind of tasks you can do yourself.

Deep Cleaning. Nothing beats a deep cleaning. This means pulling the refrigerator out from the wall, moving furniture and giving the floor, baseboards, crown molding, walls, back splash, counters and all surfaces a good scrubbing. It's amazing how much crumbs and other debris accumulate in the kitchen (even in a well-cared-for kitchen there's usually a fair amount hidden in between appliances).

Scrub down the appliances. It's so unattractive when you walk into a listed home and you can tell what the family had for dinner just by opening the oven. Think buyers don't open your appliances? Think again! They're considering your home as their own. They will check out your refrigerator, oven, kitchen cabinets, and your closets. So, be careful what you stuff inside them. I often caution sellers to remove medication from your cabinets before having an open house. I know its more work but it's safer and retains your privacy.

Buy hardware in bulk. You don't have to hire a remodeling company to come in and resurface your cabinets or replace them; that can be very costly. Giving them a deep cleaning or painting them (depending on their surface) can be an excellent way to freshen them up. Then, if you have worn-looking or outdated hardware, buy some knobs. When you buy the hardware in bulk you can often get a better price and easily replace them to give your cabinets a better look.

Experiment with custom high-end additions. Sounds like I'm talking about high-priced additions but actually you can head to a mass retailer and find additions like trim and even plate rack shelving that has a custom, high-end look at a moderate price. Then clear the clutter out of those cabinets and shelves and display beautiful plates in a spacious plate rack. Think of what you're used to seeing in a print or TV ads for home decor. It's like a computer ad that shows the solo computer without all the wires - clean, elegant and attractive.

Add molding to your cabinets. This can turn an every-day looking cabinet into a chic kitchen look. Painting your cabinets can give the entire kitchen an upscale look. However, be sure you know what kind of paint will adhere to your cabinets.

Custom-hood range. Adding a custom hood range–again it doesn't have to be outrageously priced–can really complete the look of your kitchen. It's a subtle difference that makes it look and feel more like a high-end remodeled kitchen.

A bit of planning and careful budgeting can go a long way in creating a kitchen that sparks an interest in prospective Buyers.

Have a Real Estate Question or Interested in Buying or Selling? Give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit: www.KathyHyatt.com

My Favorite Time of the Year is here!!! ___ Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show celebrating it's 52nd year

2011-10-04T14:22:00Z

It’s that time of year again, one of my favorite all time South Florida Events. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and this year it is going to be even more fabulous.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the “Yachting Capital of the World” will host the 52nd Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on October 27-31, 2011. This year the Boat Show will cover six locations with over 3 million square feet of space for everyone to enjoy. This year they will be featuring more than $3 billion worth of boats, yachts, super yachts, electronics and engines, and thousands of boating accessories from every major marine manufacturer and boat builder across the globe, as well as exotic cars, clothing and jewellery. Sure they have much smaller boats, but the eye-catchers are certainly the big boats. The ones you can only dream about owning. They are massive and extremely impressive.

Boat Show organizers have also announced that a block party — Boat Show Night Out — is set for 6-10 p.m. Oct. 19 in Esplanade Park on Second Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The free, open-to-the-public event, set a week before the 52nd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opens, will feature live country music, DJs and more than 20 gourmet food trucks against a yacht-lined New River backdrop.

All event proceeds will be donated to Riverwalk Trust.

This year Boat Show’s transportation has a great network of bus shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats ensures attendees can easily navigate the boat show and its expansive waterways system. Added attractions this year include The Blue Wild Dive Show; IGFA’s School of Sport fishing and Hook the Future’s Kids Fishing Clinics.

Look at what is new this year!!!

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show organizers announced the debut of MyBoatShow, the new smart phone app that will officially launch at this year's show.

The free app, available on iPhone and Android platforms, is designed to help people navigate the show's docks, land areas and tents. Attendees will be able to access show maps and search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size.

Itunes app:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-boat-show-events-from-show/id466328505?mt=8

droid app:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.seedlabs.mbs&hl=en

BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE:
October 27-31, 2011

SHOW HOURS:

Thurs. Oct 27, 10am – 7pm
Fri. Oct 28, 10am – 7pm
Sat. Oct 29, 10am – 7pm
Sun. Oct 30, 10am – 7p
Mon. Oct 31, 10am – 5pm

SHOW ADMISSION:
Prime Time Preview (Thurs. Oct.27) -
$34 Online and $36 on Show Site

5-Day Ticket
$85.00 Online – ($90 at show) Good for all 5 days

2-Day Ticket
$32 Online ($34.00 at show)

GENERAL ADMISSION:
Adults – $16 Online ($18.00 at show)
Children, ages 6-15 – $3 Online ($5.00 at show)
Children 6 and under are Free

Tickets (cash only, but ATM’s are nearby) are also available from the box office at the following locations on the days of the show: Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Las Olas Marina, Las Olas Riverfront (downtown Fort Lauderdale), Broward County Convention Center. There are no ticket sales at the Hall of Fame Marina, The Sails and the Ft. Lauderdale Hilton Marina.

SHOW VENUES:

Bahia Mar Hotel & Marina

The Broward County Convention Center 2011
Fort Lauderdale Hilton Marina 2011
The Sails Marina 2011

SHOW LOCATION MAPS:

Bahia Mar/ Hall Of Fame/Las Olas Marina Show Sites PDF map

The Broward County Convention Center 2011 PDF map

Fort Lauderdale Hilton Marina 2011 PDF map

The Sails Marina 2011 PDF map

Interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate? Have a Real Estate Question? Give Kathy a call and visit Kathy’s Website of: www.KathyHyatt.com

Foreclosure Market Update for 3rd Quarter of 2011

2011-08-31T02:25:00Z

Foreclosure Market Update for 3rd Quarter of 2011

If you have been following the News, you have heared that Foreclosures have declined dramatically here in South Florida during the first half of this year’s housing market, however some analysts say that it is not a good indication that the market is improving.

The reason for the decline is that banks are having a difficult time processing the many Foreclosures due to many “Foreclosure attorneys” “robo signing” and falsify foreclosure documents.

Banks have a huge amount of inventory of “stalled” foreclosure cases, and this is what I call the “shadow” inventory.

These are the inventory of foreclosure housing that have yet to hit the market which will cause another real estate bubble perhaps later in the year.

Another reason for the predicted downturn in the market is the major price declines in the past five years which have left many borrowers owing more on their mortgages than the homes are worth. That is the legal definition of a Short Sale. .When the borrower’s mortgage amount is more than the actual market value of the property, a short sale is one of the options a seller may be forced to enter into based upon various hardships that the bank considers acceptable.

Some attorneys believe that Short Sale Properties are here to stay and that the Market will continue to slide until the shadow inventory is sold off.

Homeowners who find themselves in a short sale or foreclosure situation, for whatever the reason should obtain legal council and should avoid relying on real estate professionals to negotiate a short sale. Real estate professional are professionals who market the property to the multiple listing service and various other marketing sources to obtain a buyer who is ready willing and able to purchase the short sale.

The benefits of a short sale are that the home owner is in control of the sale and not the bank. The homeowner is still the owner of the property and signs the listing agreement and agrees to market the property at fair market price.

When the homeowner receives an offer on the property and signs the buyer’s purchase agreement contract, the contract is therefore submitted to the bank’s negotiator to process the transaction. This is a complicated and time consuming process which is better handled by an attorney

For more information on how to successfully close a short sale property and be released from any deficiency of debt give Kathy a call, you don’t want a collection agency hounding you a few months after the closing. Trust me I have heard all of the nightmare scenarios.

Choose a Professional Realtor who has an understanding of the short sale process and an attorney who has experience in negotiating shorts sales. It is good to have the right team representing your side for a change.

Interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate, give Kathy a call and visit Kathy’s Website of www.KathyHyatt.com

Feng Shui Ideas to Help a Home Sell Successfully

2011-08-03T03:16:00Z

Feng Shui Ideas to Help a Home Sell

To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.

The first thing I like to do is look at the front exterior. First thing (and a given in feng shui) is to be sure there's a wind chime hung outside the front entrance. It needs to be hung on the side of the door that opens (handle side, not hinge). This is to attract Chi (positive energy) to the front door where Chi is said to enter.

Next I look at the door itself and the area surrounding it. Is it chipped or peeling? Does it look welcoming? The three colors to attract Chi to the door are red, yellow and purple. This includes various shades and hues of each color and can be the color of the door, or plants and flowers leading to, or next to the door.

Speaking of plants and flowers it's important they are healthy and lush. It's best to remove dead or dried plants because this can kill Chi before it enters the home. I advise clients to hang wreaths of silk flowers in the above colors on the door and to ALWAYS avoid hanging dried wreaths on the door as this too will keep Chi from entering.

Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” (chi is the “life force” of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It’s also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere.
Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms.
The Bed in the master bedroom should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It’s even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender.
The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners.
The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed.
Go for Good Energy. Most importantly, be aware of the very important feng shui energy triangle when getting ready to sell your house. The energy in the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom is either making or breaking the house sale. Buyers need to know they will sleep well, eat well, and well, unwind well if they choose to buy your home. Treat the imagination of your potential buyers with respect: know how to ignite it, know how to sustain it throughout your home, and also know when to step back and let them take it from there.

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in Buying or Selling a Home, just give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit Kathy’s Website of www.KathyHyatt.com

Termites, Do you know what to look for?

2011-08-03T01:47:00Z

Termites, Do you know what to look for?

If you own Real Estate in a warm to hot part of America, then I am sure that you have heard of the prospect of Termite Damage. Here in South Florida Homeowners have a high probability of getting termites.

Check out the Map to see what region you live in.

However, do you know which signs of termite damage to look out for? Do you know how quickly you can go from not having a problem to having a large infestation? And do you know how long it will take a major infestation of some termites, notably the Formosan termites, to render your building dangerous?

If you do not know the answer to these questions, then you have two choices, either to learn quickly or hire an expert. In regions of termite activity, it is suggested that every property is screened at least once a year. There are about fifty species of termites in the USA, so it is not an easy job to identify which species you have.

Having said that, subterranean termites are the most awful and the Formosan subterranean termites are the worst of that bad bunch. They can live in colonies of between several hundred and several million and if a million Formosans decide to dine on your house, then you will have to react very rapidly indeed.

Naturally, you don’t want to lose your home to a termite infestation, and neither do your neighbors. Since termites eat wood, amongst other things, the best thing to do is look for wood damage around your house.

Do not worry about what kind of timber, check it all, since there are termites that like dry wood, termites that like damp wood and termites that will eat anything.

If you suspect that a length of timber has or is being eaten, use a screwdriver gently to try to break it open. if you see white insects that look like ants, you have termites. Sometimes, flying termites swarm too, but so do ants.

Termites are white because they hardly ever see the sun, they do not like light, so they build so-called galleries to walk through.

These galleries can be through a length of timber or they might use chewed wood to make galleries leading to where they want to go.

For, example pencil-like galleries may hang off the underside of your floorboards to the ground or be attached to concrete walls.

These tube-like galleries can be abandoned or active. Snap a few and see. If they are brittle they have been abandoned, but that does not mean that the termites have gone.

Sometimes, the tubes are made of earth and this is a very bad sign, because it means you have subterranean termites, most likely under your house. If you knock these galleries off the walls, they will leave marks called etchings.

Have a Real Estate Question or Interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate, just give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit Kathy’s Website of: www.KathyHyatt.com

10 Great Designer Tricks to Make Rooms Look Larger

2011-06-07T14:27:00Z

10 Great Designer Tricks to Make Rooms look Larger

Most of the following Designer Tricks can be applied to any Room:

Everyone has at least one room in their home that is too small and possibly problematic to decorate. Here are Kathy’s Top 10 tips to improve the look and feel of your room:

1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.

2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.

3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A Torchiere Floor Lamp is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the room. Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.

4. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.

5. The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to "open up" the space above.

6. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size

7. Don't place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.

8. Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.

9. The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.

10. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep the appearance of an open and free space.

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in Buying or Selling a Home, just Give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit Kathy's Website of: www.KathyHyatt.com

10 Things to Remove the Trauma from Home Buying

2011-06-06T23:23:00Z

Avoiding Home Buyer Headaches When Moving Out

10 Things to Remove the Trauma from Home Buying

1. Find a REALTOR®, like Kathy Hyatt who you can relate to. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there is no “Right” time to buy, any more than there is a right time to "Sell". If you find a home, don’t try to second-guess the "Interest Rates" or the "Market" by waiting. Changes don’t occur fast enough to make that much of a difference in price & a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself— room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.

7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is "A Comfortable, Safe Place to Live and Enjoy".

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in Buying or Selling a Home? Give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit www.KathyHyatt.com

It's Official, Now is the Time to Buy!

2011-05-27T18:54:00Z

The Time to Buy is now, read below and find out why

The actual price of a home is only one of many factors to consider when purchasing a home.

Many people sell one house and buy another, all at the same time. That adds another dimension to the timing question. You don’t want to move twice and still need a place to stay. It is important to look at the real estate market as a whole and decide if this is the best time to do everything.

Here we are after the big crash. The real estate market is all but stagnant and interest rates and homes prices are low. This is the perfect time to move up to a larger home.

It’s no secret that home prices are down and have been for quite a while. The big question on everyone’s mind is what’s going to happen next? Will prices fall further? When will they start to rise again? If you were just buying your first home, you might be tempted to wait until prices are at their lowest. If you were just selling, you would hope for prices to peak. If you are doing both at the same time, it doesn’t really matter.

Move up Homes are priced very attractively right now. The difficult part for most homeowners is coming to terms with the current market value of their existing home. Homeowners know exactly how much they paid for their present home and how much monies they have invested in it.

They also remember what it was worth at the top of the Market, then add to that some pride of ownership and emotional attachment. You need to step away from that to make a smart decision about selling it. Your house is worth what the same model the next street over recently sold for. You may get a little more for major improvements like remodeled kitchens and swimming pools, but not as much for all that work you did decorating, reroofing or landscaping.

This is a major roadblock for many homeowners. Many homes sit on the Market with unrealistic listing prices because their owners can’t look at their homes objectively. If you know what your house is really worth to a buyer, you can sell it at that price and move on, even if you think the home is worth more.

Interest rates are crazy low. We have gotten so use to these low rates because they have been around for a while. This is likely to be the case until the real estate market starts picking up, and then rates will rise.

Low interest rates are important, possibly more important than price, for two reasons. How much home you can afford depends on the amount you can pay each month? The interest rate you are able to get has a huge impact on this number. Not convinced? Go to my On-Line Mortgage Payment calculator and find out what your payments would be with a 4.5% interest rate versus a 6.0% interest rate. Each percentage point makes a huge difference in your purchasing power.

Buying a House is a long term decision. You will be making payments based on that rate for 30 years. This opportunity isn’t likely to come around again. Low interest rates will also help you sell your old home by increasing the number of buyers who can afford it. They have to qualify for the monthly mortgage payment, and more people will be able to do that at 4.5% or 5.0%.

In addition to home prices, the number of homes selling each month is well below normal. The fact that buyers are scarce is good for you when you negotiate to buy your new home. In this Buyer’s market, sellers are offering incentives and reducing prices. Surprisingly the current market conditions put you in an ideal spot to sell your old home.

While you won’t be able to get the price you want because of Appraisals won’t support an inflated value, but you will be able to sell quickly. Here’s why. Many of the homes on the market today are distressed sales. There are foreclosures that have been vacant for months and are in desperate need of maintenance and repair. There are short sales which require lender approval, which may or may not be forthcoming. Many of Today’s Buyers have little interest in these types of properties.

If you are able to offer a well maintained clean house for sale and a buyer can move in within a couple of months, it will draw those starry eyed buyers like honey!

If you can look at the entire situation as a whole, you’ll see that this is the perfect time to move up to a larger home. If you’ve been waiting for the price on a new home to hit bottom or for your existing home to be worth a certain amount, you’re missing out on the perfect opportunity to make your move. I think you will agree that there’s no time like the present.

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in buying or selling Real Estate, just give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit www.KathyHyatt.com

Golf Course Living.... Awesome or Dangerous?

2011-05-26T02:24:00Z

Golf Course Living…. Awesome or Dangerous?

Have you ever thought of buying a Home on the Golf Course? Nothing but lots and lots of Green Space, the ultimate back yard and you don’t even have to maintain it. Sounds great, I agree. However you may want to think twice about this.

The reality is that depending on where the Home is located on the golf course may have a high chance of being hit by flying golf balls that could break windows, damage roof tiles or tear thru patio screen enclosures. Often damage created by Flying Golf Balls is the home owner’s responsibility. Because of High Deductibles on most home insurance policies it does not pay to make a claim.

There is also the possibility of having strangers lurking and hunting through your property on a search of their expensive $4 Titleists golf balls or worse, guys watering your bushes with the proceeds of their last Beverage.

I was recently showing property and while standing with the buyers in the back yard admiring the beautiful golf course, envisioning their children playing in the pool, and having friends over in the back yard for a bar-b-q and then a golf ball flew by my buyers head.

We were in shock. Did you know that a golf ball hit off the tee is driven on an average of between 100 to 140 mph. As I stood there looking around to see where the golf ball landed I notice something about the neighboring homes. Most of them all had their Shutters down covering their windows. Some homes even had these thick screens covering their windows. All I could think of was “Wow”.

Needless to say the Buyers decided against purchasing that home. If you are considering purchasing a golf-front property, look for insurance policies that give a good rate for unlimited window replacement. And most importantly, please do your research, Talk with your potential neighbors and try to get a feel for what happens in your new neighborhood.

Have a Real Estate Question, or interested in buying or selling a home here in Beautiful South Florida? Just give Kathy Hyatt a call at 954-347-0244 and visit www.KathyHyatt.com

Kathy Hyatt Sells Home!!!

South Florida's BEST Area Attactractions for Day Trips

2011-04-20T02:33:00Z

With rising Gas Prices many families are opting to stay close to home this summer instead of going away as in years past. People come to South Florida from all over the world and we as Floridians are fortunate to live here.

Did you know that South Florida is Home to the Best Zoo’s, Sea-aquariums and more. Matter of fact more and more families this summer are having what is known as “Stay Vacations” This is where a family stays and relaxes at home, possibly taking day trips to area attractions. Here is a list of the Best South Florida Attractions:

Jungle Island

. is an interactive zoological park in the City of Miami, Florida. It was originally Parrot Jungle and moved from the village of Pinecrest to its present location on Watson Island in the City of Miami and renamed as Parrot Jungle Island in 2007.

The theme park's landmark is its sails covering the Jungle Theater, an arena where visitors encounter wildlife from all over the world. On the other side of the theater lives Hercules, the 900-pound liger, a cross between a lion and a tiger. The park is also home to a trained bird show at the Parrot Bowl, and an exhibition of reptiles, penguins, flamingos and other animals at the Serpentarium.

In the Parrot Bowl, Jungle Island's "Winged Wonders" show highlights birds from around the world, including the Andean Condor, Cassowary, and King Vulture. The Jungle Theater has the "Tale of the Tiger" show, featuring large cats and wildlife. In the "Serpentarium", there is a wide spectrum of animals – from African Penguins to Alligator Snapping Turtles, Boa Constrictor snakes to lemurs.

MetroZoo.

is the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida, and the only tropical zoo in the continental United States. It is located on the old Richmond Naval Air Station. It houses over 2,000 animals on 740 acres, 324 acres of which are developed. It is about 3 mi around if walked on the path, and has over 100 exhibits.

The zoo has been consistently rated as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. There are four main exhibit sections in the zoo; Asia, Africa, Amazon and Beyond and Australia.

Africa The African lobe of the zoo offers animals from different locations on the African continent. Species include but are not limited to Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Giant Eland, Okapi, Pygmy Hippos, Crested Porcupine, Reticulated Giraffe (which can be hand-fed by guests), Ostrich, Gazelle, African Elephants, Black Rhinos, African Crowned Cranes, Stanley Cranes, White Storks, and the African Sacred Ibis. Andean Condors, Spider Monkeys.

Amazon and Beyond Amazon and Beyond is the newest exhibit, opened on December 6, 2008. This exhibit has 27 acres dedicated to the flora and fauna of tropical America. This exhibit is divided into four separate areas; Village Plaza, Cloud Forest, Amazonia, and the Atlantic Forest. Each area represents native habitats that are found in the Amazon region. Some of the featured animals in this exhibit are Jaguars, Anacondas, Giant River Otters, Giant Anteaters, Harpy Eagles, Bats, Basilisks, Orinoco Crocodiles, Freshwater Stingrays and Green Iguanas.

Asia The showcase of the zoo since its opening has been the white Bengal tiger exhibit, which is among the first seen by visitors and is at the crossroads of the entryways to the other sections. The zoo's Asian exhibit features dozens of animals such as Tigers, Orangutans, Onagers, Lions, Malayan tapirs, Asian Elephants, Bactrian Camels, Sloth Bears, Cuban crocodiles, Banteng, Gaur, Spotted Hyena, Nilgai, Gemsbok, Dromedary Camels, Indian rhinoceros, Arabian Oryx, Cape Hunting Dogs, and a Komodo dragon exhibit.

Australia The zoo's Australian habitat showcases Oceanic specimens including Koalas, Red Kangaroos, Tree kangaroos, Crocodile Monitors, and New Guinea Singing Dogs. Aldabra Giant Tortoises, Red River Hogs, Warthogs, Wattled cranes, and Black Duiker can be found nearby. Also, a large amphitheater (where many animal presentations are conducted) is located in this section of the zoo.

Butterfly World

. located in Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek, Florida, USA is the largest butterfly park in the world and the first park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, opening in 1988. The Aviary houses around 3000 live butterflies.

The Paradise Adventure Aviary includes fountains with ponds, and butterflies. Next is the Hanging Garden & Butterfly Emerging Area where cases with hanging pupa and emerging butterflies are on display. The Tropical Rain Forest Aviary includes a waterfall, tropical plants, free flying birds and butterflies

Miami Seaquarium

. A 38-acre oceanarium located on the island of Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States and is located near downtown Miami. It is the longest operating oceanarium in the United States. In addition to the marine mammals, the Miami Seaquarium also houses various fish, sharks, sea turtles, birds, reptiles and manatees. The park offers eight different marine animal shows and presentations daily and attracts over 600,000 visitors per year. The park employs over 225 full and part-time employees. It is the third largest contributor to Miami-Dade County’s revenue through land lease payments and taxes.

Monkey Jungle

. is a renowned 30-acre wildlife park established in 1933 for the exhibition and study of endangered monkeys in semi-natural habitats. Many novel and innovative projects have been conducted at the park, which is also a popular tourist attraction in the Miami, Florida area. The park is located southwest of Miami, west of the village of Cutler Bay on Southwest 216th Street near Southwest 147th Avenue.

The park has about 400 primates of 30 different species running loose. Guests walk through a series of tunnel cages. Its tagline is "Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild". It includes an Amazonian rainforest, the only semi-natural tropical rainforest found in North America.

Lion Country Safari

. is a drive-through safari park located in Loxahatchee (near West Palm Beach), in Palm Beach County, Florida. Founded in 1967, it claims to be the first 'cageless zoo' in the United States.

In 2009, USA Travel Guide named Lion Country the 3rd best zoo in the nation.

The original park in Florida consists of over 1,000 animals, kept in large fenced areas with approximately 5 miles of paved roadway running throughout. Visitors who purchase a ticket enter the park in their own vehicle, driving slowly at their own pace, and view the animals while listening to a recorded narration on audiotape or CD. Some animals, such as giraffes, rhinoceroses, and zebras, are allowed to roam freely, even crossing the road in front of vehicles. Others, such as lions or chimpanzees, are segregated behind fences or water barriers.

Visitors are warned to drive slowly and carefully, to avoid stopping too close to animals, and not to open their car doors or windows. The lions, whose ability to roam freely with cars was one of the parks original attractions, were separated from visitors by a fence around the road in 2005, due to visitors ignoring warnings and opening their car doors. A unique aspect of Lion Country Safari is the chimpanzee exhibit. The chimps live on an island system where they move to a different island every day, replicating their natural nomadic lifestyle. The chimps live in complex social groups, as they would in the wild. Because of this, Lion Country Safari has been useful to those interested in behavioral studies of chimps.

After visitors have driven through the park, they can visit Safari World, a theme park with some zoo exhibits, and amusement park fare such as a Ferris wheel, a petting zoo, a small water park, and a giraffe-feeding exhibit. Food is available at Lion Country Safari's main restaurant.

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate, just give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit Kathy's Website of: www.KathyHyatt.com

Ice Cube Trays are not just for "Ice" any more

2011-04-19T23:56:00Z

Ice Cube Trays are not just for “Ice” any more

Spring Time often is a time that many of us clean out the Closets and Get Organized. Did you know you can do this with Ice Cube Trays? Here are some Inexpensive and easy to find, ice cube trays that are useful in so many ways! From organizing small items to freezing flavorings, our six ideas will help you recognize the true potential of your trays.

Organize Craft Supplies

Use the compartments of your tray to sort small craft supplies. Next time you start a project, gather your supplies in a tray, using each compartment to store a different type of item.

Jewelry Storage

Place your ice cube tray in a drawer and use each space to house a different piece of jewelry. It’s a great solution for storing rings, pins, earrings and more in an easy-to-access location.

Save Flavorings or Sauces

Line your tray with plastic wrap, then fill each cube with a flavorful mix, like pesto. When it comes time to add a dash of flavor to a dish, pop out a cube and add it to your recipe!

Perfectly Portioned Snacks

When serving kids snacks, place a few treats in each cube and set the tray out during a play date or sleepover. You’ll limit excessive snacking while providing a yummy mini-buffet of options.

Office Organization

Give small office supplies a spot to call home by placing an ice cube tray in a desk drawer. The small compartments are perfect for storing items like paperclips, pushpins and even USB drives.

Frozen Juice

Fill your ice cube tray with leftover juice and place it in the freezer. Your juice cubes can be used in a recipe, to chill a glass of juice without diluting the flavor or to sweeten a glass of water.

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in Selling or Buying Real Estate? Give Kathy Hyatt a call at 954-347-0244 and visit www.KathyHyatt.com

Kathy's Top 5 Tips to Stage Your Home

2011-04-14T02:54:00Z

Kathy’s Top 5 Tips to Stage Your Home

Promote and make your home the first choice for every potential buyer in Today’s Competitive Real Estate Market. How? Stage your home right. Make the interior and the exterior desirable by un-decorating and letting go of any private or taste specific items so as to enable likely purchasers to basically feel neutral when they look at your home. There are so a lot of techniques on how to stage your home to make good impressions and achieve that drive-by curb appeal. However, here are the top 5 areas where you need to consider:

Exterior and Landscaping

Look at the exterior. Your home must be welcoming and appealing even when seen from the curb. Give the outside area a good and clean look by mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, getting rid of the trash and any unnecessary stuff from your garage. Smarten up your landscape with ornamental decorations like floral pots or hanging storage units on the porch.

Outside Structures

Repaint the doors or shutters to freshen up your house and not only that it adds value to your house even if you have to devote and exert added physical labor. But just before you coat the doors or fences; make sure to verify that the constructions of these items are in good condition.

Interior

What looks good on you may not be that appealing to buyers because the fact still remains that beauty is the eye of the beholder. So, understand that potential buyers do not have the same taste as you. You might like the color of walls, but they may not be that attractive to buyers. Try to paint the walls in neutral color instead. Moreover, clean. Clean. Clean. Clean everything especially the bathroom and the kitchen.

Organization

Have a place for everything and put everything in its place. Reorganize and de-clutter in such a way that a small room can look bigger or larger. Until the sale is finished, have some room or temporary storage for your personal things.

Details

Emphasize the strength of your home by inviting potential buyers to a specific area in your house like in the kitchen or living room. Add fresh flowers, scented candles, hand towels, or bowls of fruit to suggest an area in the house where the family can gather together.

Your goal in home staging is that you want prospective buyers envision the house as theirs. And don’t spend more money than you think is necessary to make it sell. Have a Real Estate Question, give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit Kathy’ Website of : www.KathyHyatt.com

Are you Registered? "Do Not Call List" for Cell Phones and Home Phone

2011-04-13T16:52:00Z

Are you Registered? Do not Call List for Cell Phones and Homes Phones

If you treasure your dinner hour and do not want to be bothered by telemarketers you’ll want to register not only your Home Phone Number but also your Cell Phone number on the national Do Not Call List. This is a Free Service and only takes a moment of your time.

There are many Websites and E-Mails currently circulating that are stating that soon Cell Phone Numbers will become public information with many Telemarketer Companies. While I was unable to verify the legitimacy of this information it does make you stop and wonder, could this happened to me?

Telemarketers must follow certain rules when calling individuals and are required to Log On and Update their systems every 31 days to make sure they have the most up to date list of numbers on the Do Not Call Registry.

Requirements of the Do Not Call Provisions Act

Professionals involved in sales and telemarketing practices must provide a truthful and verbal disclosure of the following…

Identity of the caller
The fact that the purpose of the call is to sell goods or services
The nature of the goods or services
Assurance that no purchase or payment is required to participate in any type of promotion

Violations

Use of threats

Placing calls before 8am or after 9pm
Making false or misleading statements
Requiring payment in advance
Charging a consumer for goods or services without consent
Failing to transmit a phone number so that it can be read by Caller ID
Initiating a call to a consumer listed on the Do Not Call Registry

Penalties

$11,000 for each violation and when violations continue, each day is considered a separate violation. Remember, you are in violation even if you are cold calling someone who is a mutual friend and they are on the Do Not Call List.

For more information about this, visit the Federal Trade Commision Website of www.donotcall.gov If you would like to register your phone number it is easy to and can be completed "On-Line".

Have a Real Estate Question or interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate? Just give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 and visit Kathy’s Website of: www.KathyHyatt.com

Why the Year End Holiday Season is an excellent time to Sell Your Home!

2010-11-06T16:34:00Z

Why the Year End Holiday Season is an Excellent Time to Sell Your Home!

I am often asked, “Is the end of the year a good time to sell my home rather than waiting for Spring”. The Answer is, Yes and here is why. People relocating for work often need to start their new jobs with the new fiscal year in January.

Buyers who are searching for Homes are typically not your “Looky Looky Buyers”, because this is a time of year that is hectic and they would not be looking if they were not serious.

People buy on emotion. Homes are often decorated and a Buyer is thinking, Wow, if I buy this house, look how nice it is, and I can put the tree in the same spot so forth and so on, and they envision the Joy and Warmth of the Holiday Season, which at any other time of the year, guess what? They're not getting it, so in that respect, it's actually helpful to have decorations up.

Here is my Top 10 Reasons, why the months of November & December are the time to Market and Sell your Home.

· TIMING - By putting your home on the market during the winter, you may be able to achieve your moving goals easier!

· FEWER SHOWINGS - Yes, there are fewer buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.

· JANUARY IS THE BIGGEST TRANSFER MONTH - Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of the year?

· MORE TIME TO GET TOP DOLLAR - By starting to market your home early, you may be able to secure a higher price.

· MORE ADVERTISING - Because most Agents and Offices have less inventory during the winter, your home may be advertised more often than during the spring and summer months.

· LESS COMPETITION - Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.

· MORE ATTENTION - Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have fewer clients to manage.

· THE MARKET - Today's interest rates are at a 40 Year low giving buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!

GREAT TIME TO SHOP - If your home sells quickly, you will also be able to take advantage of finding your home during the winter.

· HOMES SHOW BETTER DURING THE HOLIDAYS - Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations!

Interested in Selling your Home, Give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 or visit my website for everything Real Estate and South Florida

Awesome South Florida Living

2010-11-06T01:03:00Z

Awesome South Florida Living

I have been corresponding with a Buyer who lives in Massachusetts and is interested in moving down to South Florida.

He has lived in Massachusetts for about 15 years and is tired of the snow.

He has even made a list of pro and cons about Florida Living which I have to tell you I found completely humorous.

The one thing that may hold this Buyer back is our High Cost of Living.

It is true, Real Estate Taxes and Home Owner's Insurance alone is Real Pricey and before you know the Mortgage Payment has escalated higher than most people's comfort level.

However, you must consider this. South Florida has a much diversified culture attracting people from all around the world.

Throw in our Beautiful Weather, Many Shops and Fabulous Amenities and it is easy to see why South Florida is the place to Live.

Interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate, Give Kathy a call at 954-347-0244 or visit my website of: www.KathyHyatt.com