Category Archives: Uncategorized

7 Features Senior Buyers Should Look for in a House

An older man looking out the window of his home that includes the features senior buyers should look for.

Before 1960, when urban development began, senior homebuyers had a difficult time locating builders that could meet their unique requirements or build to suit. Today, there are still plenty of retirees looking to find their forever home. Seeing how more and more people choose to grow older in their own homes, it’s imperative that these homes meet their particular needs. Luckily, the market offers many options to help senior homeowners to live a quality life. With that said, let’s discuss the 7 features senior homebuyers should look for in a house.

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How to Make Home a Safer Place When Living with Kids

A family with two young children happy and safe in the home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that about 9.2 million children have to visit the emergency department for an unintentional injury each year. Unfortunately, the CDC also states that injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the US and Canada, too.

Children are curious, easily distracted, and more prone to injury than adults are. So, it’s important to take extra precautions to keep them safe, even in the home.

Thankfully, most of the accidents mentioned in the CDC’s research are preventable with the right approaches to safety. Here’s what you need to know to minimize risks and make your home a safe and hazard-free space for kids.

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5 Sensational End-Of-Summer Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes

Three ladies toasting with their cocktails for the end of summer.

Nothing says summer like the perfect beverage. Why settle for boring seltzers or the same old beer when you can impress your guests by cooling them off with a creative cocktail or mocktail? Get your end-of-summer parties started with these easy to make recipes for drinks like mojitos, martinis, and more.

Prep Work

Before you get started, it is helpful to have a few supplies on hand. Start your mixology sessions by making sure you have a cocktail shaker and muddle. These utensils seem a little over-the-top, but they allow you to make cocktails faster and easier. When you are choosing your shaker and muddle, think about how easy they are for you to use, clean, and how many drinks you plan to make at once.

You should also keep simple ingredients around like lemons, limes, and simple syrup. Cocktails and mocktails are often better with a unique twist. Think about keeping flavored syrups and fresh herbs to add in too.

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Checking the Air Quality in Your Home

Couple with masks on because they are concerned about the air quality in the home
Have you checked your home’s air quality lately?

Your home is a place of comfort and security. However, is this possible with defective indoor air quality levels? During wildfire and allergy seasons, you may notice air quality alerts. These put you at risk for harmful effects from your outdoor air quality. Regardless, throughout the rest of the year, your home’s indoor toxins, pollutants, and chemicals could be worse than the outdoor air.

If you’re unfamiliar with how your home’s indoor air quality affects you, it’s critical to learn more. There are adverse health effects resulting from exposure to poor air quality, and you should monitor for various symptoms and conditions that can occur. This information will help you to avoid, prevent, and stop pollution in your home. Read on to understand some of the major indoor air pollutants and what you can do to keep your home clean and healthy.

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Top Tips to Reduce HVAC Energy Costs and Lower Your Energy Bill

The average homeowner pays over $13,000 dollars yearly for electricity. This can mean at least five to ten percent of the homeowner’s income goes to electricity bills. The good news? There are countless ways to significantly reduce HVAC costs and your energy bills without sacrificing your comfort. For instance, you can dramatically reduce your energy bills by ensuring you schedule regular AC maintenance.

Although the HVAC system is deemed the primary energy guzzler at home, there are numerous ways you can lessen your HVAC energy costs and lower your energy bill. Read on for tips!

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It’s all light: a guide to getting better sleep with lighting

woman sleeping peacefully in the dark in her bed.
A good night’s rest can enhance your mental and physical state.

Getting better sleep. We all know that we need it, but do you know exactly why? Sleep is an altered state of consciousness in which we have minimal interactions with our surroundings and environmental stimuli. It might seem counter-intuitive, but our brains are quite active during sleep, carrying out a wide range of crucial functions.

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Pet safety: Summer fun with your furry friends

woman and golden retriever running down the beach
Spend some time enjoying the beautiful summer days with your best furry friend.

As the days get longer and the weather warmer, it’s easy to get excited about all the fun activities to explore throughout the summer months! With many restrictions lifted, there are more and more opportunities to get out compared to last year. As we are sure is true for many of you, spending time outdoors or on the road with your furry best friend sounds incredible. So, as you ditch your jeans for shorts and coats for swimsuits, here are ways to enjoy the season and keep your pets safe in the summer.

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pool safety best practices for a fun summer

Pool with 2 life preserver rings and summer pool safety text

Enjoying the cool splash of a swimming pool is one of the best feelings one could have during a heat wave, especially in the summer season. But the pleasure of the swimming pool comes with risks. To ensure your safety and the safety of the people around you, check out our tips and pool safety best practices for a fun summer.

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Broker/Owner Raye Mayhorn Receives Exclusive Luxury Training

Raye Mayhorn, Broker/Owner of Realty Executives of Killeen, recently completed the Luxury Livestream training offered by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, the premier source for training and certification of real estate professionals working in high-end markets.

The training builds expertise and skills to serve affluent clients in local markets and abroad. With her completion, Mayhorn has become an exclusive member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, giving her access to resources and a large network of professionals, helping her find qualified buyers and potential luxury listings in Killeen. 

“The luxury market provides new opportunities for realtors looking to expand their existing real estate business- but they must prepare if they want to be successful.” Alysia Heun, Vice President of Realty Executives International, said. “Our collaboration with The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing has allowed our Executives to access world-class training and resources that thoroughly prepare them to serve luxury clientele. Raye is a wonderful example to show that fantastic realtors never stop learning, and that client service is the number one priority.”

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55 Years of Realty Executives and Beyond

As we celebrate our roots and future successes, we take a look back at the history of Realty Executives and the significant times that changed our course and helped us get to where we are today.

Founded in 1965, Realty Executives is one of the largest and most established real estate franchisors in the industry. With over 500 offices and 8,000 agents, it is the only brand that is named after its people- the Executives. 

1965: Dale Rector launches Realty Executives in Phoenix, AZ and creates the first ever 100% concept in real estate

Dale Rector, founder of Realty Executives and creator of the first 100 percent commission concept, had a vision unlike any other. He wanted to create a company that put people first, the agents and brokers that built the brand, not the corporate office. He saw a pattern of high commission splits and low profits for agents that he knew was not the way business should be. He set out to make a change. Fifty five years later, Realty Executives continues to innovate, thrive and adapt to the market, with Dale’s vision in the forefront. Realty Executives started as an industry disruptor, became an industry leader, and continues the legacy of the most professional and productive agents serving home buyers and sellers throughout the world.

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