The Bob Abner Home Pros
Home Pros Quarterly W INTE R 2 0 0 7
Past, Present and Future This year has brought us lots of events and changes in our business and a few challenges in the real estate industry in general. First of all, we introduced Marley to you as our Public Relations Director. Nothing we have done in the past compares to the attention and amusement Marley brings to our team from the general public. She made her first public appearance at our first “Bi-Ennial Super Bowl Party” which turned out to be a huge success, attended by over 250 people. Past clients, family and friends ate, drank, played games, won prizes and oh yes, watched the game on a 10’ X 7’ projection T.V. In March, we began our very successful quarterly newsletter. And in September we launched our “new” website, www.BobAbnerHomePros.com. On the 4th of July, we partici-
pated in the Ft. Thomas Parade and were nearly “mauled to death” as we gave out 500 Frisbees.
In addition, we raised money for the Greater Cincinnati SPCA, and Friends of Homeless Animals. We sponsored and raised money for The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Newspapers In Education and participated in a toy drive for Shriner’s Burn Hospital. In an increasing effort to counsel our clients about the ever changing demands of the housing market, The Bob Abner
Inside this issue: Home Pros have been diligent in educating Sellers as to how to make their homes as marketable as possible and give Buyers the peace of mind they deserve by, being the first in the area to offer the “Pre-Certified Home”, Visual Tours on our residential listings, full color magazine advertising in Younique Homes and advertising extensively on Insight’s RETV (channel 9). From their first home to downsizing to their final home, we have helped countless Buyers and Sellers achieve their goals by successfully navigating them through the often difficult and stressful experience of buying or selling . We sincerely thank you for your business and your referrals are ALWAYS appreciated.
2007 Shriner’s Toy Drive The Bob Abner Home Pros supports an Annual Toy Drive which benefits children at the Cincinnati Shriner’s Burn Hospital. Most of the children at Shriner’s have been air cared here from other states and have little family and no friends around them to help them through what is probably the most difficult time in their lives.
Because of the long recovery process, children are often at the Burn Hospital over holidays, birthdays and special occasions. You can help put a smile on a child or young teen’s face by dropping off a “new” toy to any Huff office from now until Christmas Eve. Because the child’s environment must be as bacteria free as possible, please
Who Is Linda Sherman
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It’s A Dogs Life
2
How Can You Help
2
The Body Bar
3
Money Matters
3
Holiday Happenings
4
“We want to thank The Bob Abner Home Pros. They knew we had two mortgages and they did everything they could to help relieve us from our burden. They were in continuous contact with us and always provided us with options for ourselves and for potential buyers.” Mark & Sandy Whitford Cold Spring, KY
Shriner’s Burn Hospital do not donate stuffed animals. Toy ideas are: games, books, arts/crafts, 100-200 pc. puzzles, Xbox games, cd’s, dvd’s, etc. All donations must be G—PG– PG13 rated. Thank you in advance for helping this worthwhile cause.
We Care
If a child can’t have a carefree day, help us give them a special one!
Who Is Linda Sherman Linda Sherman is a native of Miami, Florida, and has resided in Florence, Kentucky for the past ten years with her husband Charlie, son Karl, and two Springer Spaniels. Her twenty nine year marriage has afforded her the opportunity to live and travel extensively all over the United States as Charlie pursued a career in the automotive industry.
Linda Sherman, e-Pro
Linda has been a Realtor for the past three years. Continually educating herself, Linda recently attained her e-Pro designation which is a program that trains real estate professionals in internet busi-
ness principles, techniques and tools to be at the center of the real estate transaction. In addition, she is an active member of the Northern Kentucky Board of Realtors, the Kentucky Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Prior to her real estate career, Linda worked as a leasing agent for AT&T for seventeen years. She and her husband are active members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Covington and volunteer on the church’s Outreach program which services the inner city of Covington providing meals and assistance to the homeless.
In her spare time, Linda enjoys boating, skiing, knitting and decorating. Being married to a sportsman who likes to fish and hunt has helped Linda expand her wonderful culinary skills. Linda’s willingness to do “whatever it takes” to get the job done is a huge asset to The Bob Abner Home Pros. Both Buyers and Sellers enjoy working with Linda because of her enthusiastic personality and her up front attitude.
It’s A Dogs Life—Marley I have run across something that really impressed me in regards to keeping us dogs (and cats) safe. Occasionally, some of us get an itch to wander off. Well, the PCPetID is a portable P.C. storage device. The PCPetID is shock resistant and requires no batteries or internet connection. It is weather/water proof and hangs from my collar. My important information is readily available in one place at all times.
Separate forms are stored on the PCPetID allowing my family to enter as much or as little information as they feel comfortable providing. Just plug the PCPetID into any personal computer’s USB port, and you can enter your pet’s and your owner’s information on short and simple to use Microsoft Word for Windows forms. Plus, unlike I.D. tags or implanted microchips, you can change the information as
often as necessary to keep it upto-date. Now I can play outside in the snow, go swimming, get a bath (yuck) and know that my information will not be destroyed My mom and dad got one for me and they can get one for you too. It would make a great Christmas gift. Just e-mail me from our new website www.BobAbnerHomePros.com for more information, or log onto www.PCPetID.com.
the PCPetID
How You Can Help just brings that out in us. The fact is, our community and individuals less fortunate than ourselves need our help all year around, not just a month or so out of the year.
For some reason, we always focus on others during the holiday season more so than any other time of year. Christmas time Page 2
Here I am wearing
Beginning in this issue, The Home Pros Quarterly will feature an article that will focus on ways you can help in your community. Whether it is volunteering once, or on a weekly or monthly basis, doing something
is better than doing nothing. Senior Services of Northern Kentucky seeks volunteers for grocery shopping, home repair, yard work, escort to doctor's appointments, delivering meals and nursing home visiting throughout Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties; Sonya Turner, 859-491-0522;
planning and working fund raising events; Dave Stigler, 859331-3055 or 513-207-0856. Kenton County Adult Education seeks volunteer reading and math tutors for its free GED prep and one-on-one adult reading and math tutoring; 859-4914483; 859-393-8316.
Kenton Paw Park in Covington seeks volunteers to help with Winter 2007
The Body Bar Soaps Bar event with packages suited to your need which could include manicures, mini-facials and Bath and Body Bar products they color and scent themselves.
The Body Bar Soaps is a family owned business committed to bringing you and your family the healthiest products possible. The Body Bar was created from what started as a hobby into a business after Michelle Westerkamp (the store’s owner) wanted to be a “stay at home mom” and leave her full-time position as a mental health case manager. After selling her products to friends and family, Michelle soon realized this was the perfect opportunity to be at home with her small children while also supplementing the family’s income. Thus, The Body Bar was established with its first products made in her kitchen. Since then, the business has grown from a shop attached to her home to its new location at 5 Uhl Road in Cold Spring, KY about 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati.
Stop by The Body Bar this holiday season and bring this newsletter with you and receive $5 off a purchase of $25 or more. For fundraising, Powder Puff Spa Parties or additional information about The Body Bar, contact The Body Bar brings back the Michelle Westerkamp directly at “fun” in Fundraising. Most prod859-371-4741. Or visit ucts can earn as much as a 50% www.TheBodyBarSoaps.com to profit making it a very easy and see a full line of Michelle’s produnique way to earn money for ucts and to place an order. your organization. In addition, Michelle carries soy tarts, candles and warmers, crackling wick candles and “just in” Clay Mates (found no where else locally). In November, The Body Bar began offering Webkins. What is a Powder Puff Spa Birthday Party? A one-of-a-kind Body
Have You Checked Out Our “New” Website? Phase I is completed and we are excited. Not only have we tried to keep you informed, and have an easy search experience, but we hope that you will be entertained by Marley. Check out
Marley doing her Vanna White impression and showing her love for the members of our team on the “Meet The Team” page. If you like to blog, Jane Yarbor-
ough blogs interesting community information and answers your real estate questions. The blog is a fun and entertaining way to communicate not just with us, but others in the community. Give it a try.
Money Matters—Brandon Barlow Enjoy a More Comfortable Retirement in Your Own Home with Reverse Mortgages
care benefits
You've worked hard to own your home. Isn't it time you began to reap the benefits? If you are age 62 or older, a Reverse Mortgage enables you to convert some of your home's equity into tax-free* funds.
Ownership - Your heirs can keep the property once the reverse mortgage is paid in full
Features Include:
Independence - You continue to own and live in your home
Home Pros Quarterly
Liquidity - Receive monthly payments instead of making them Simplicity - No income, credit or employment requirements needed to qualify
Choice - You may receive funds as a lump sum, in monthly installments, as a line of credit, or as an upfront sum plus monthly allotments
Security - Does not affect Social Security, pension or Medi-
Freedom - No repayment on your loan as long as you live in your home
*Consult a tax advisor. As always, contact me for additional information and Work with a Professional!
Brandon Barlow 859.442.4466
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THE B OB ABNER H OME PROS
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID
2808 Alexandria Pike Highland Heights, KY 41076
NEWPORT, KY PERMIT NO. 17
Phone: 859.442.4232 Fax: 513.332.9040 Email: BAbner@Huff.com
“Nobody Does It Better!” We’re On The Web BobAbnerHomePros .com
Historic Lebanon Christmas Festival
Lebanon
513-932-1100
Metamora
765-647-2109
Lebanon
513-933-8022
Let It Snow
Eden Park
513-421-5707
www.cinci-parks.org
Krohn Conservatory
Cleves Christmas in the Village
Cleves, OH
513-941-7268
Holiday Fest
Mason, OH
513-398-7946
www.thebeachwaterpark.com
Beach Waterpark
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Waynesville,OH
513-897-3055
Cinti. Zoo
513-281-4700
Aurora, IN
812-926-0087
www.lebanonchamber.org Metamora Christmas Walk www.metamoraindiana.com North Pole Express www.lebanonrr.com
www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/caesarck.ht Festival of Lights www.cincinnatizoo.org A Victorian Christmas www.dearborncounty.org/history/hillfor.html Light Up Middletown
Middletown,OH 513-423-1877
Festival Of Trees
Madison, IN
www.lanthierwinery.com
812-273-2409