Rotary Weekly Update - July 28, 2016

 
Summary of Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Breakfast Meeting – July 28, 2016
 
This day in History: 1868 – US 14th Amendment Adopted. Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing to African Americans citizenship and all its privileges, is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution.
 
Monkey Joke of the Day: What do you call a happy monkey? A ‘chimp’ off the old block!
 
Happy Dollars:
  • Vernon’s wasp hive story
  • Peter – safe trip to Germany and France to visit family and friends
  • Ed – Food Drive on Saturday
  • Mike – thanks to Rotary Club financial contribution, which was matched by a corporate contributor
  • Greg – camping and fishing at Baxter State Park in Northern Maine
  • Travelling to Chicago to help daughter with move to Colorado
Announcements:
  • Vernon thanked Kathy Entwhistle for accepting the chair position of the Social Committee
  • Bill Haggerty is having/recovering from surgery
  • Thanks to Chris Stout for the laptop donation to the club
  • Presentation on the importance of ad sales for the annual calendar. Members received their ad packets.
 
Guest Speakers - Neal Lewis and Lisa Sammataro: preparing your home for sale and avoiding common pitfalls to maximize value
  • Neal – home inspection pitfalls
    • Asbestos on steam pipes
    • Knob and tube wiring in older homes
    • Mold
    • Leaking oil tank
  • Lisa
    • Right pricing versus over-pricing of the home
      • Important to price house right the first time and create market momentum
    • Take emotion out of the sale
    • De-clutter and de-personalize the interior
    • Stage your home
    • Don’t limit access to your property – be flexible in allowing buyers to visit home on their schedule
    • Avoid being present at showings
    • Upgrades such as front doors and garage doors generate good returns, other upgrades do not