Getting married to the love of your life is an exciting time no matter where the location.   If you and your soon to be spouse are looking for a nice place to become one, consider all of the benefits of a backyard wedding.  Below is a list of the many reasons why sharing your nuptials behind your home or your parents place may be a good idea.   

1.  The number one reason you might want to consider wedding your soul mate in the backyard  is because you can save a ton of money.  No need to book a church or a venue because you will just need to step outside into whatever type of wedding oasis you choose to create.  You can get as elaborate as you want or keep it scaled down to save even more.  

2. Choosing the date of your special day can sometimes be an issue if you are looking to book a certain venue.  During the summer months it can sometimes be difficult to find a place in which to wed because others have already booked them in advance.  If you are one that waits until the last minute to get things done, holding your ceremony on the lawn is a perfect answer!  

3. Decorating your outdoor wedding  will be a snap because you won’t have to abide by anyone’s rules and regulations, only yours and/ or your parents.  Let your creative juices flow as you turn the outdoors into all you have ever dreamed of.  

4. The reception will be easy to set up with a few tables and chairs. You can have everything catered if you choose or if you would rather keep it simple, the kitchen will be close by so that you can have someone cook and deliver it right to the tables.  Easy enough!

5. Your friends and family can be super involved in your celebration of marriage if you decide to go this route as well.  Perhaps you have some young kids in the family that would like to be ushers or help to serve the meal after the service. 

6. Committing your lives to one another is a sacred thing.  Doing so either in your parent’s backyard or your own is a great way to hold those memories very close.   

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

When: Sunday, August 13, 2017, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Where: Santa Fe River Ranch

Price: $10

Join us at The Summer Wedding Expo at Santa Fe River Ranch.  There will be over 25 local vendors.  Connect with local wedding professionals from Gainesville and the surrounding areas.  From food trucks to photo booths, find everything you will need to make your wedding the day of your dreams.  Enjoy free samples, giveaways and fun!  Don’t miss out on two chances to win grand prizes of $1000 value.

Event Website

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

Smart Gadgets are quite fun to look at and try out but have you ever considered purchasing a few for your home?  Why not take the plunge to make your home a more interesting place to be by purchasing a few or all of the gadgets mentioned below. 

1.  Many of you may have already seen or perhaps even tried the smart vacuum.  If you haven’t tried it you need to do so.  Just imagine pushing a few buttons and sitting down to relax while your vacuum cleaner does all the work for you.  What a revolution!  Be prepared to dish out $700 to $900, but it will likely be quite worth it in the end. 

2. Smart trash cans have perhaps not been as heard of as the vacuum cleaners but they are just as cool none the less.  If you are the type of person that cannot stand to touch the top of the trashcan due to the fact that it is loaded with germs, this may be just the thing for you!  Not only will you not have to touch the lid but some of these gadgets even tell you when the trash is full and needs to be taken out!  How do you like that for smart?! $150 to $200 will buy you this luxury item! 

3. Washers and dryers have had intelligent features for years but are beginning to add more and more as each year passes.  Some of them now have phone apps that let you remotely control them.  Some will sense when you are home and instantly begin using their quiet mode so as not to disturb you.  These types of machines will run you $1400-$1800 each but are well worth the money if you have it to spare. 

4. Even air purifiers have been added to the list of smart gadgets folks are buying these days.  These items puts your homes air through different filters, then analyzes the data and sends it to your phone to tell you what types of things are prevalent in your air such as pollen, dust, pet dander, etc.  These cost from $200 to $750.   

You may have thought that your home couldn’t be this smart but it can if you have the money to make it happen.  These items are so amazing that if you don’t currently have the money to buy them, you may want to consider saving up for one at a time.   

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

When: Wednesday, August 9, 2017; 9:30 to 10:30 AM

Where: Dudley Farm Historic State Park
18730 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669

Price: $5 per vehicle

Wherever corn was grown as a crop, children, in both Native American and Colonial American families, used husks to fashion dolls. We love the simple beauty of corn-husk dolls: they’re understated, easy to make, even for children, and truly ingenious — requiring not much more than some husks and twine. This is a child friendly workshop.

Event Website

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

Just because your home doesn’t have any major issues such as a leaky basement or a floor that is about to cave in doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot of little ways you are losing cash each month.  Below are a few small tips to help you save money at home that may eventually add up big.

1.  If you have yet to change your lights over to energy efficient ones you should do that right away.   This is an easy way to save a little bit each month that doesn’t take long at all to accomplish.  LED lights are going to cost you a bit more than regular light bulbs but in the long run they will be a big help to your budget.
2. Big ticket items such as air conditioning systems can cost you and your family a lot each year if you don’t do your part to make sure they work to the best of their ability.  Make sure to change your air filters on a regular basis and clean all the vents as well.  This type of maintenance should be done before the heat of the summer begins so that all will work correctly when it is needed most.
3. Another small way to save money at home  is to make sure you eat what you put in your refrigerator.  Wasting food is a big money pit that affects many Americans today.   If you buy a lot of produce and other perishables you need to be sure to put them at eye level so that they don’t get lost in your fridge only to have to be thrown out later.  If you have a small family you might want to purchase smaller amounts of foods that don’t have a long shelf live to avoid wasting each week.
4. If you haven’t already done so, get rid of your landline phone.  Most everyone these days has a cell phone and the need for a landline phone has almost become obsolete.  Save that $40 per month and put it towards something of better use.  You may be surprised at just how quickly $40 each month can add up.
5. Before you decide to bring a furry family member into your home, realize that they are quite expensive.   If you are trying your best to save money perhaps buying a pet might need to go on the back burner for a while.

These are just a few ways in which your pocketbook can get a bit of rest  on a regular basis.  Use the ideas you like and see what a difference they can make.

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

When: Monday, July 31, 2017 to August 2, 2017 – 9 AM to 3 PM

Where: Buchholz High School
5510 NW 27^th Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32606

Age Range: Children, Students, Teens

Price: $150

Join Corey for a fun filled three days of drill stations, 5-on-5 games, lectures, contests and education sessions!  Each camper will receive lunch, a t-shirt, pictures with Corey, awards, camp certificate and instruction from some of the top coaches in the region.  The camp is open to youth ages 9-17. All proceeds benefit the University of Florida Diabetes Institute.

Register Here

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

If you have decided you want to buy land to build on instead of buying an already built home, there are a few things you need to consider first.  The biggest thing you need to consider before buying land is whether you want to live in the country or the city.  Do you want acreage or do you want neighbors, or perhaps both?  Below are a few tips for buying land that may be of some help to you.

1.  If cost is important to you then you may want to purchase land  out in the country instead of the city.  The price for buying a spot of land in the city is a lot more expensive and the size of the land will be much smaller as well.  If you like to have your space then buying a lot of land out in the country may be just the thing for you.
2. Once you have decided where you want to live, city vs. country you then will need to go to the land you are considering and look around.  Look up and see what there is to see.  Do you see a lot of cars passing by or do you see a school close by or a factory?  All of these things can become issues for you when buying a piece of land so be sure to pay attention to all of your senses when on the land, sights and smells.
3. Find out what the zoning requirements are on the land you want to build on.  You may have plans to build a small home on your land when the zoning requirements are that you build a house that is at least 2,000 square feet.
4. Pay attention to how close the land you want is to water.  Are there any flooding problems?  Have there been problems in the past?  These are things you need to think about.
5. You also need to find out about the water quality on any land you are considering purchasing.  Find out if the water is pure or if you will need to purchase a water filtration system for your home once you build.  These types of things can be costly so be careful to ask as many questions as you need to get the answers you need.

Hiring a Real Estate agent to help you find land to purchase  is the best thing you can do because they already know all of these tips and can help lead you in the direction that is best for you and your family.

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

When: Monday, July 24, 2017 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Where: Hippodrome Theater
25 SE 2^nd Place
Gainesville, FL

DIRECTIONS

Join us for the inaugural year of Summer Shakes theatre festival for an adapted, all-female production of Shakespeare’s Richard III. Summer Shakes will also feature art and performances from local female artists.

There will be a showing on JULY 24 and JULY 25th. Doors open at 7 pm. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE HIPPODROME BOX OFFICE!

The event will be ticketed at a $10-dollar admission price with ALL proceeds going back to The Hippodrome Theatre to support art, theatre and culture in the Gainesville community.

Summer Shakes has set out to emphasize the importance of female acting, directing and producing in theater through performances traditionally performed by men. Summer Shakes hopes to reimagine Shakespeare through messages of empowerment and femininity while featuring female actors and artists from within the Gainesville community.

If you are interested in getting involved, please do not hesitate to message us via our Facebook page Summer Shakes Gainesville.

Event Facebook Page

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

Although moving from an old house into a new house can be an exciting time it can also be a very stressful time for those folks who don’t like to throw anything out.  Don’t worry you can keep most of your items but there are a few that should most definitely be thrown out before you move and those are listed for you below.

1.  If you have a lot of old towels and rags lying around your house, whether you use them or not, you might want to get rid of those before you move  into another home.  These types of things can carry bacteria on them and you don’t want to start out in your new place with dirty items when you can purchase new ones once you arrive.
2. Make-up is good to have but it does have a shelf life and once that has passed it isn’t really good to keep it around.  Avoid the compulsion to throw all of your old makeup into a box and take it with you.  Although you might perhaps use it once or twice there really is no need for it because it won’t look as nice as a new pallet of makeup.
3. Soaps, deodorants, nail polish,  and sunscreen maybe things you use on a regular basis but you really don’t need to take up space in your moving boxes for these types of items.  These things don’t cost a lot of money and can easily be purchased anywhere.
4. Once you start packing and you find a ton of USB cables, realize that you don’t need them all and get rid of a few of them.   You may have a friend in need of a USB cable that you can bless with one or two.
5. Don’t pack paperwork unless it is absolutely necessary.  Of course you will have to keep important contracts and tax information but most of the paperwork you’ve collected over the years is likely now obsolete and can be thrown out before you head out.
6. Last but not least, go ahead and let go of all of the clothes you can no longer fit into.  Donating these types of items can many times be a big blessing to others.

These are just a few ideas of things you might want to get rid of before you move.  By doing this you will avoid having to unpack all sorts of unnecessary items and will save yourself a ton of time in the process.

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.

When: Monday, July 17, 2017

Where: Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32611

The Florida Museum will open the “Discovery Zone”, a new, interactive permanent exhibit on July 17.  Designed for children 8 and under, the exhibition provides opportunities for families to discover and learn together.  It includes an area for infants and toddlers, as well as a vast array of touchable objects.  See a fully articulated human skeleton and a replica of a T. Rex skull. View items under microscopes and enter a forest habitat.  The exhibit is free. For more information, visit Florida Museum or call 352-846-2000.

Courtesy Gainesville FL Realtor Linda Luetjen.