Month: June 2025

When is a real estate appraisal needed or required? Who is legally allowed to conduct a real estate appraisal? What does a typical real estate appraisal cost? So many questions to ponder – and I’ve got answers!

Calls to my appraisal office have often started with the person on the other end saying, “I need a home appraisal.” I would quickly respond, “Why do you think you need a home appraisal?” The answers I got were varied, and I found that many callers did not need an appraisal at all.

What Really Is a Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal is a process where a licensed real estate appraiser determines the fair market value of your home (fair market value is the determined price that a property will sell for in an open market between a willing buyer and seller, both of whom are reasonably knowledgeable about the property).

What if a local real estate agent or a builder estimates or evaluates the fair market value of your home, is that an appraisal? While your realtor or builder may have a good estimate of value, their valuation is not considered a home appraisal.

Home appraisals are counted as such only when they are conducted by a licensed real estate appraiser and clearly state that the value is an appraisal of the property.

When Do You Really Need a Real Estate Home Appraisal?

Mortgage companies, final estate settlements and divorces are common reasons why you may be required to enlist a home appraisal by a licensed appraiser. If you have a very unusual home or a home with extraordinary amenities, a home appraisal may be necessary to accurately obtain the fair market value.

Mortgage companies require appraisals to make sure the property they are loaning money against is properly valued to prevent loss in case of default. Estate settlements and divorce settlements most often require an appraisal in order to avoid potential family disputes.

When May It Be Unnecessary to Hire a Home Appraiser?

A real estate home appraisal typically is not required to place your home on the real estate market for sale or for simply preparing a personal financial statement of your assets/liabilities. Real estate agents’ or builders’ estimates can be provided in these cases.

Keep in mind that professional real estate agents or knowledgeable builders are not licensed appraisers and cannot legally claim that their estimate is an appraisal of value, though their estimate may be fairly accurate.

How Much Will a Real Estate Home Appraisal Cost?

In most markets, home appraisals can range anywhere from $200.00 to $1000.00 depending on the size of the home being appraised and the complexity of the appraisal needed. If your property is truly unique or difficult to access, the cost may rise even higher.

I once had an appraisal assignment to value a small home built in the middle of a lake. The appraisal was extremely difficult to inspect and took many more hours to obtain cost and sales data collection due to the rarity and complexity of the property.

Your best bet is to ask the appraiser for a quote or bid prior to them appraising your home so there will not be any surprises.

Another very important point to remember is that any real estate home appraisal is an opinion of value by the licensed appraiser appraising the property. Granted, the appraised value is the result obtained by a licensed appraiser based on the data they have collected during inspection, including history of closed sales, listings, and other data, however the estimated value is no guarantee that your property will resale for that exact amount on the open market.

What Preparations Should You Do If Your Home Is Going to Be Appraised?

An appraiser typically looks at a home improvement as if no furnishings or wall décor is present because they are not included in the home’s valuation. However, in reality, a well maintained home still is your best bet of assuring that your appraised value will be optimum.

A good rule of thumb is to take the time to look around your home for interior and exterior paint chipping, leaking faucets, scratched flooring, moldy showers, delayed landscaping and others, and spruce it up a bit if possible.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but making your home more presentable is always a good idea. Also write down a list of items to leave with the appraiser that have been repaired or replaced recently such as new roof, new appliances, etc.

Prior to your home appraisal, it never hurts to have closets, crawl spaces and attic accesses uncluttered where an appraiser can easily access them.

How Long Does an Appraisal Take?

An appraisal of your home should take at least an hour or more and you can expect results of the appraisal in a few weeks. I know that it is super tempting to ask the appraiser a value estimate when they are on site, but please be aware that your appraisal will take many hours to complete prior to the appraiser arriving at your estimated fair market value.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you considering having a home appraisal? Have you recently had a home appraisal and what was your experience? Do you think your home appraisal fair market value was accurate?

Everyone’s taking sides.

As women age, our bodies undergo numerous changes, both aesthetic and cellular, many of which may not be visible but can be felt in our everyday lives. Our circulatory system is a vital part of our existence, and our blood serves as a filtration system that provides essential oxygen and nutrients to every single cell, organ, and system in the body. This means that blood must flow efficiently from head to toe.

Signals of Imbalance

Our bodies consistently send us signs of balance and imbalance that may occur due to various factors, such as:

1. Sexual decline
2. Brain fog or cognitive impairment
3. Acid reflux or gastrointestinal imbalance
4. Insomnia
5. Fatigue or lack of energy
6. Poor blood flow in the hands and feet, often accompanied by numbness or tingling

These issues are not just uncomfortable, but they can also significantly impact our quality of life. The good news is that by understanding the underlying causes and taking proactive steps to improve our circulatory health, we can empower ourselves to address these challenges and regain control of our well-being.

Let’s explore each of these issues in more depth:

Sexual Decline

Reduced blood flow can lead to difficulties in achieving arousal and orgasm. Improving circulation may enhance sexual function and enjoyment, allowing you to reclaim your intimate life with confidence and fulfillment.

Brain Fog or Cognitive Impairment

Reduced blood flow to the brain can affect cognitive function, leading to forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. Enhanced circulation supports brain health and cognitive clarity, empowering you to stay sharp and engaged as you age.

Acid Reflux or Gastrointestinal Imbalance

Poor circulation can impact digestion, leading to issues such as acid reflux. Improved blood flow supports digestive health by ensuring that the gastrointestinal system functions optimally, helping you feel more comfortable and energized.

Insomnia

Inadequate circulation may contribute to sleep disturbances. Better blood flow can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, leaving you well-rested and rejuvenated.

Fatigue or Lack of Energy

Poor circulation can lead to feelings of exhaustion. By improving blood flow, you can increase energy levels and overall vitality, empowering you to live an active and fulfilling life.

Poor Blood Flow in the Hands and Feet

Symptoms like numbness or tingling can be alarming and uncomfortable. Enhancing circulation can alleviate these symptoms and improve overall comfort, allowing you to engage in activities and hobbies without limitation.

As we age, it becomes essential to take a closer look at our diet, lifestyle, and wellness routines. One key factor is our body’s ability to produce nitric oxide, which is naturally synthesized in the body and acts as a vasodilator. Nitric oxide is produced in the nasal cavity and plays a crucial role in improving blood flow and circulation. Research has shown that nitric oxide has significant implications for various health conditions.

The Benefits of Nitric Oxide

Sexual Health

Nitric oxide facilitates increased blood flow to the genital area, improving arousal and sexual function. By maintaining healthy nitric oxide levels, you can reclaim your intimate life and experience greater pleasure and satisfaction.

Cardiovascular Health

Enhanced nitric oxide levels promote vasodilation, leading to better blood circulation and lower blood pressure. This supports overall heart health and reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues, empowering you to live a longer, healthier life.

Nervous System Health

Improved blood flow aids in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to nerve cells, supporting overall nervous system function. This can lead to improved nerve function, reduced numbness or tingling, and enhanced overall well-being.

Brain Cognitive Health

Increased blood flow to the brain enhances cognitive function and memory retention. By keeping your nitric oxide levels optimal, you can maintain sharp thinking, clear focus, and a vibrant, engaged mind.

Respiratory Health and COVID-19

Nitric oxide has also been recognized for its potential in supporting respiratory health, particularly in the context of COVID-19. It has been studied for its ability to act as a vasodilator, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.

In clinical settings, nitric oxide therapy has been used to support patients’ pre- and post-COVID pneumonia, helping to improve oxygenation and reduce the severity of respiratory distress. It can aid in dilating blood vessels in the lungs, enhancing gas exchange and supporting recovery.

Restoring Balance in the Body Is Important for Longevity

Overall, sexual health is crucial for longevity because restoring balance to the body can reverse and restore several imbalances. Our bodies use about 90% of magnesium for heart health and muscle relaxation. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress and protects our cells, while vitamin B12 is vital for brain function and neurotransmitter health, also positively affecting mood. Additionally, potassium is necessary for overall bodily function and nutrient transport.

Aging does not mean that sexual health becomes unimportant or non-existent. In fact, it becomes even more essential to maintain regular checks and balances. While food offers many benefits for our diet, it’s also important to consider supplementation to ensure you are getting enough nutrients, minerals, and vitamins to keep your system healthy and functioning at optimal levels.

In Conclusion

By taking proactive steps to address your circulatory health, including promoting nitric oxide production through dietary choices (such as consuming beets, leafy greens, and citrus fruits), regular exercise, and possibly supplementation, you can empower yourself to lead a vibrant, fulfilling life, well into your golden years. Embrace this opportunity to prioritize your health, and remember that it’s never too late to make positive changes that can enhance your quality of life.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you noticed issues with blood circulation? How has this affected your everyday life? What imbalances have you noticed and how are you dealing with them?

Are you an exercise cheater? I know I am.

Given the chance, I always opt for the easier-exercise way out – whether intentionally or not. I just tend to want to get it over with quickly.

When I do sit-ups or some other exercise, I’ll often just count – but not necessarily one for each rep. When doing sit-ups, I may actually only perform 10 but yet I’ve counted 15. When I lift weights, I may not do the extension fully, or completely, yet still count them.

I’m also a big cheater when walking and biking. I love being outside and often will just start to enjoy the walk or bike ride and look at the trees, and the sky and birds, and before I know it, I’m either strolling or biking very slowly. This is fine to do sometimes, but I can’t really call it a ‘workout’.

Here are tips I try and do to stay motivated and get a good workout. Hopefully, you’ll find some useful tips to help amp up your own workout.

Modified Intervals

Modifying my intervals is the best method for catching myself slacking and pumping up my workout. It’s a less intensive version of high intensity interval training.

When I’m walking I’ll pick different milestones, e.g., the green mailbox, and walk quickly and purposefully, pumping my arms until I reach that green mailbox.

Once there I’ll continue my normal pace until the next milestone. I’ll do these small intervals throughout my walk to remind me I’m not there to merely enjoy the scenery, although it is quite pleasant. The same thing is true for running on a treadmill or biking. This is a surefire way to burn extra calories.

Increase Weights or Reps

I often wear a weighted vest when I walk as it gives my walks an extra little boost. The extra weight of 5-10 pounds is especially noticeable when I wear it hiking. Some people often carry small hand weights as well. Just be sure they’re not too heavy or you can hurt your joints.

Group Classes/DVDs/Streaming

A group exercise class is a great motivator for me. Being in a class with other people really helps me to perform my best – there’s an audience after all. It’s a great motivator by watching both the instructor and other class members. It’s great to know I’m not in it alone.

I find exercise DVDs or online yoga classes to be the next best thing. I need to have someone counting for me (hah) and doing the reps with me. It helps to keep me honest.

My group bike rides greatly help intensify my workout. First, they’re often longer than I normally ride on my own, but because I’m with a group having fun, I don’t even notice it.

There are always a few fast riders to help motivate me to try and catch up with them. Group bike rides are also a great way to make new friends.

Exercise in Front of a Mirror

This method helped me when I was doing physical therapy exercises for my broken arm. When I performed the exercises in front of my therapist, he would often point out where I need to exert more effort and control the movement.

At home, I found I did a better workout if I could see myself lifting the weights and pretend my therapist was there watching me. I would hear his voice in my head going over the tips he had given me as I aimed for full extensions and control.

Don’t Forget Concentric and Eccentric Motion

The concentric (or positive) contraction shortens your muscle, while the eccentric (or negative contraction) lengthens your muscle. For example, if you’re doing arm curls, you want to put as much effort into the descent of the weight as the ascent.

You don’t want to allow gravity and the weight to just pull your arm back down. You want to slowly drop the weight down and slowly lift it up controlling the motion.

Focus, Focus, Focus

If I’m planning my shopping trip or checking my phone, I’m not focusing on my workout, thus cheating myself of good exercise. To get my best workout, I need to be in the moment and focus on what I’m doing. This helps me get a more intense workout and reduces the chance of injury.

If you’re lifting weights and not focusing, it’s quite easy to injure yourself by even the smallest twist or turn. This is the time you took for yourself – make it your best workout.

Mix It Up

It definitely helps me to vary my workout routines and sometimes even add something new to the mix. I love to bike ride and have now switched to riding a recumbent trike which is perfect for me. Riding my trike has become my favorite cardio routine.

I’ve also added swimming since moving to FL, and I use my home TRX system for weight training during the week. The TRX system is convenient and easy to use and provides an excellent overall body workout.

Variety in your workout not only keeps it interesting and fun, but it’s beneficial to work different parts of your body. Trying new types of exercise is also a great way to meet new people, whether at the gym or on the trails.

Music

Sometimes it helps me to increase my motivation by playing my favorite upbeat tunes. The music should enhance your workout, however, and not be a detractor. When walking, fast tunes help me walk faster, or I’ll even use the song as part of my interval training, e.g., I’ll walk fast until this song is over.

Accountability and Monitoring

One motivational tip I’ve started to incorporate again is accountability and monitoring. I’ve started wearing a heart rate monitor to help me know when I need to pump up the intensity or slow down a bit.

Heart rate monitors come with instructions to help determine your normal range and how intensely you can work out. Some exercise classes even base their whole program on being in a certain range or color.

Monitoring your heart rate can make a big difference in your workout routine, especially if you’re an exercise slacker like me. I’ve started wearing my heart rate monitor again for walking and cycling to help me keep up a good pace.

There are also a lot of devices out there to further monitor your steps, your speed on the bike, walking or running and your mileage, etc. There are countless apps that link to this data as well.

For my cycling, I like to monitor my speed and cadence and heart rate. All serve as reminders to keep the intensity or slow down in the heat.

Sometimes even a simple timer can help by reminding me how long I need to work out. Many people also use scales for accountability. I haven’t been able to face that, but it can be a good control method.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What methods have you found to perform your best in your workouts? How do you keep motivated so you don’t fall in an exercise rut? Please share your tips in the comments below.

Even the smallest tweaks in our makeup application can make a major difference! So today I’ll share some mini makeup artist tips that make a maxi difference!

If – like many of us – you’re dealing with sparse brows and/or white and grey brow hairs and would like some help, this video will be a great resource and answer many of your questions. But today we’re going to specifically talk about eyebrow color. To find the right eyebrow color, it’s important to consider your hair color, skin tone and eye color and choose a shade that complements your natural features rather than perfectly matches your hair.

The Importance of Brow Color

Probably the most important consideration is finding a color that goes with the undertone of your skin. If you have a warm skin undertone, look for brow colors that contain warm undertones, such as blond or light or dark browns with golden or reddish hues. If you have a cool undertone like I do, opt for brow colors that have ashy or taupe undertones and avoid anything too warm that might clash with your natural coloring.

If you have a neutral skin tone you can experiment with both warm and cool brow colors. And if you’re not sure of the undertone of your skin, be sure to check out this video as well:

If you have quite a bit of grey or white in your brows, you can either go with grey shades or taupe shades. And by the way, if you’d like to find brow pencils and powders in a variety of grey shades, be sure to check out the products from Eye Embrace. It’s one of the few companies that specializes in brow products that work for those of us with white and grey brows.

Tips for Eyelashes

There are two tips that can really make a big difference in how our eyelashes look. First, it’s always important to start at the base of our lashes when we apply mascara, but it’s a little challenging to actually get down to that base or root of our eyelashes. So, lifting the skin of our eyelid with our finger or a brush so we can actually coat the bottom or root of our lashes helps our lashes look thicker, fuller, and more voluminous.

Second, it’s important to prevent mascara from clumping, so here are some tips. Swirl the wand inside the tube instead of pumping it to avoid introducing air, which can dry out the mascara and lead to clumping. Introducing air by pumping mascara can also increase the risk of bacteria growth which we definitely want to avoid.

This next step is hard to do since most of us want to apply our makeup quickly, but we can also keep mascara from clumping by building up the mascara gradually in thin layers and allowing each coat of mascara to dry before applying the next coat.

And this next step is also extremely important to prevent clumping: use a clean spoolie to comb through the lashes after applying each coat of mascara to separate them.

If you have sensitive eyes, you might want to check out this article: Best 10 Mascaras for Sensitive Eyes.

Help for Our Eyes

The next makeup tip is to apply an inner corner highlight to the inner corner of the eye. By doing this, we can make our eyes appear larger, more awake, and add a touch of glamour to our overall makeup look. The key is to use a small, precise brush to apply the eyeshadow and to blend it seamlessly in with the rest of our eye makeup.

I especially love this next tip for two reasons. First, it helps speed up our makeup application, and second, it helps fulfill the cardinal makeup rule of applying makeup in thin layers. This application technique is crucial for achieving a natural, flawless finish and to prevent a cakey or heavy appearance.

It also allows for better blending, prevents makeup from settling into fine lines, and enables precise coverage control. Here’s the tip: apply moisturizer – but mix a little highlighter into the moisturizer rather than applying the highlighter as a separate step.

Face Primer Hack

The next tip applies to face primer. If we want to ensure that our makeup stays in place longer, a good face primer can definitely make a difference. But you don’t necessarily have to apply it over the entire face. Instead, you can apply it to the areas of the face where makeup is most likely to move around such as around the mouth and nose. This is especially important for those of us with dry skin since dryness can cause makeup to separate in these areas.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Crucial Blush Tips

Next up is blush. This is another tip that can actually speed up your makeup application because it involves combining two products. And the look I’m able to create by doing this is especially important for those of us with mature skin since we lose some of that beautiful natural glow we had when we were younger.

So, adding some glow is a wonderful way to brighten our complexion so it looks healthier, softer and more supple and helps diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. In an earlier tip we combined moisturizer with a highlighter to create some glow. We can also add glow by combining a little highlighter with cream or liquid blush.

The most important tip for blush is how we apply the blush. Rather than rubbing it across our cheeks, we need to tap it into our skin. Tapping blush onto the skin minimizes potential irritation and is gentler on sensitive skin. It also allows for more precise application and blending which creates a more natural, subtle look and allows better absorption of the product into the skin. And most important is that the tapping motion doesn’t disturb any makeup underneath.

Tips for Luscious Lips

Although we most likely don’t want to go back to the dark, bold strong lip liner look of the 80s that was popularized by Madonna, defining the outer edges of the lips with a slightly darker color than our lipstick can help our lips stand out and look bigger. But to create a softer looking gradient, it can look really beautiful to fill in a larger area of the lips with a soft wash of lip liner and then apply a slightly lighter color over it.

But before I do that, I’ll enhance the look of my bottom lip by helping it look slightly larger. To do this, I’ll take a small amount of contour on a small brush and apply it just under the bottom center lip line. This creates the look of a shadow which expands the footprint of our lower lip so it looks larger. This can be an especially helpful tip as we get older since our lips do get smaller.

Next, I’ll outline my lips on the outer edge of my lip line with my L’Oreal lip liner and then fill in the lips softly with the lip liner. Over this I’ll apply a new product from Coloupop which is a shade extension of their Plumping Finish Gloss Bomb. These six new colors have a pearl glow and today I’ll use the color “Cyberstar” which is a pinky lavender.  

Tips for a Polished, Perfected Finished Look

Today’s final two tips are all about creating a perfected, polished finished look. Gently tapping a very slightly dampened sponge all around the face picks up any excess product, adds a slight bit of moisture to the skin for some additional glow and helps blend all the makeup colors together.

And the final finishing touch is applying this one-of-a-kind nothing else out there like it finishing powder from Hourglass. It’s their Ambient light finishing powder which comes in a regular or a mini size. What makes this product so unique is that it creates a soft-focus finish by reflecting and diffusing light and creating a luminous, airbrushed appearance. It’s designed to blur imperfections, pores, and wrinkles, and it works well for all skin tones. It does a subtle but truly amazing job.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are the things you do in your makeup routine that make the biggest difference? Which of the tips mentioned in this article might work best for you?