Happy February!

Thought of the Day: "People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges." Joseph F. Newton

Celebrate Valentine's Day with These 4 Heart- Healthy Tips February is the month of candy hearts, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, and thanks to a 2015 federal initiative, awareness of the health needs of that vital organ. American Heart Month aims to direct attention to heart disease, the primary cause of death for Americans. Despite this alarming statistic, the specter of heart disease has a silver lining: it is often preventable through simple lifestyle modifications. This February, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of better health with these heart-conscious tips: When cooking, swap salt for spices. Spices enhance the flavor of food without the harmful effects of high sodium intake. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric are particularly beneficial, as they are known to have anti- inflammatory properties. Limit your intake of red meat in favor of leaner meats, fish, and vegetables. Incorporate exercise throughout the day. Doctors recommend that you engage in activities that get your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes at a time five days per week. It is equally important to punctuate long bouts of sitting with mild physical activity. When at work, standing up from your desk and walking around the office, or swapping your chair in favor of a stand desk, will help you keep heart health a priority even in the midst of a busy day. Give your heart a break. During sleep, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease, allowing your whole body a chance to restore itself. Being well-rested also supports heart health by helping you manage stress more effectively. Designate some technology-free time each week. In today's digital age, persistent notifications from email, social media, and the news infiltrate every aspect of daily life and make it difficult to truly destress. By carving out a narrow space in your routine that cannot be penetrated by technology, you may regain some control over the noise and boost your heart health through lower stress and anxiety.

Patty Fusco
GRI
What\"s Brewing in Real Estate? Fusco Realty
(602)370-4510 patty@pattyfusco.com www.pattyfusco.com

Spice-Rubbed Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Spinach
Ingredients
l 1/2 teaspoon salt, ground cumin, and ground cariander (each)
l 1/4 teaspoon paprika
l 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and black pepper (each)
l 1 (2 1/4-pound) skinless salmon
fillet
l 2 cups thinly sliced onion
l 1 teaspoon olive oil
l 2 garlic cloves, minced
l 2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby
spinach
l 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind l 1/4 teaspoon salt
l 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Directions
l To prepare salmon, combine first 6 ingredients; rub spice mixture evenly over fish.
l Place onion in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Place fish on top of onion; bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
l To prepare spinach, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add garlic to pan; cook 1 minute.
l Add half of spinach; cook for 1 minute, add remaining spinach; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
l Sprinkle spinach mixture with rind and 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir in juice; remove from heat.

Recipe from myrecipes.com

Spring into Action to Sell Your Home during the Year's Strongest Real Estate Market
In the world of real estate, spring has a reputation as the busiest time of year for home sales. From families with children that are eager to complete their moves before the start of a new school year to buyers who have waited until the end of the holiday season and colder winter weather to begin their home searches, various factors contribute to spring's status as the year's strongest real estate market. However, along with the higher prices and quicker sales that generally occur at this time of year, sellers and buyers alike face increased competition.
If you are hoping to capitalize on the prospect of a home sale this spring, now is the time to ensure that your property is poised to attract buyers. Here a few strategies to ease the process:
l Consult with your realtor to learn about the market conditions in your specific area. Some "spring" markets begin as early as February, while others do not pick up speed until April or even May. Your agent will be able to advise you on the optimum time to list and will provide you with other information, such as predictions for the strength of the market in your area this season.
l Begin with the right listing price. At any time of the year, it is critical to set an initial listing price that accurately reflects your home's value in the current market. If buyers overlook your home because it carries an overly ambitious price tag, your listing may quickly grow stagnant and be surpassed in favor of the newest inventory on the market.
l List early, when competition is lower. The spring real estate market may quickly become saturated with homes for sale. By listing early in the season or just before it begins, your home will enjoy a greater chance of attracting buyers' attention.
l Give your yard a spring makeover. As the weather warms and the landscape blossoms, buyers will be most drawn to properties that enable them to picture themselves enjoying the outdoors. Facilitate this vision by adorning your property with brightly colored plants and well- maintained, ready-to-use outdoor living spaces.
l Consider obtaining an inspection before a buyer makes an offer or even before listing your home. If an inspection reveals problems with a house, buyers may become alarmed and back out of the sale, causing the seller to lose valuable time on the market. Therefore, it is best to be aware of, and rectify if possible, potential issues before an offer is at stake.
l Spring cleaning takes on a new meaning if you are trying to sell your home at this time of year. Remember that buyers will be deterred by clutter or less-than-spotless conditions. First impressions are key, so getting your home in prime condition early in the process will increase your chances of eliciting an offer.
l Prepare for a quick sale. While there are no guarantees about what the market will be like from year to year, some spring markets have been characterized by dizzyingly rapid sales and even bidding wars. As a seller, you may want to begin packing and planning your move while your home is still on the market.