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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | OCTOBER 2024 11 By Suzette Strauss, Resident Realtor Most people put a lot of stock in First Impressions, whether they are a true representation or not. I have found that when it comes to people, depending on the environment and situation, rst impressions are oen an incorrect evaluation of the person. As a personal example, many years ago I interviewed for a position with a large oce. Of course, I was fully decked out and hoping to impress because I was a single mom and I needed that job. I got it, and aer I had become friends with so many of the gals there, one confessed to me that her rst impression was that I must be a real (well I won't say the word) but she now knows she was wrong and we are still friends. Condence can easily be misunderstood as arrogance. On the other hand, in real estate, a rst impression of your house to a prospective buyer can make or break the deal. Few people can see beyond the clutter to the "Diamond in the Rough." So, I thought I would share a few helpful tips for those of you considering a change of address, or you have a friend in the process of considering the same. First, put away, or better yet, pack up all unnecessary items in every room to minimize distractions. Personal pictures should be eliminated. Buyers want to see themselves in that living space. Less is more. Every closet will be opened, so hide or pack all valuables. Your pantry will also be opened. Clean your house from top to bottom and ensure the front yard is inviting and the backyard is spiy. If there are minor repairs you've been putting o, now is the time to x them. Next, it's time to welcome buyers. Turn on all lights, empty all trash cans, freshly mop all oors, and vacuum all carpets. Remove all evidence of pets, including the little darlings themselves, for showings. Finally, leave the house. Buyers feel more comfortable roaming with an agent than an owner. Your agent can do the bragging for you. is can still be a helpful article if moving is nowhere in your anticipated future. My husband and I agreed aer our last move, which was two moves over 10 months, we should act like we are going to move every couple of years. Just think of all the needless things that sit in boxes or the back of the closets year aer year. If it hasn't come out in two years… it's a goner! Hey, why not start this year and take advantage of the Community Garage Sale this month on Oct. 19? e details are in this issue of e View, under Upcoming Events. FIRST IMPRESSIONS By Clare Mendez, Resident October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but you should be thinking about it and giving yourself exams regularly. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women (aer skin cancer). It is also the second leading cause of cancer death (aer lung cancer). Even men can get breast cancer. Unquestionably, short of prevention, the most important prognostic element for breast cancer is an early diagnosis. A timely diagnosis positively aects the outcome of the disease. May I suggest that when you are in the shower and sudsing-up, you consciously feel for lumps or bumps that weren't there before? Are there any skin changes such as dimpling, redness, or scaling? If you feel or see something new, tell your doctor and ask for a full exam. Screening and detection can be done with X-ray images and clinical breast exams. While there is a recognized genetic component to some types of cancer, there is no way to determine what causes each individual case. Beyond diet, there are other risk factors such as alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of physical activity. For women, there is early menstruation, late menopause, and having children late in life. ere are no guaranteed means of preventing breast cancer, however, lifestyle choices that benet your overall health – including consuming a healthy diet and being physically active – may lower your risk. Dietary patterns high in plant foods that include plenty of non-starchy vegetables and/or vegetables rich in carotenoids (like tomatoes, carrots, and other red, orange, and yellow options) are associated with a lower risk of multiple types of cancer. e prognosis for surviving breast cancer for 25 years or more is 85%, much greater still with early detection and considerably less with untreated breast cancer. Treatment options include surgery to remove cancerous tissue, radiation to target and kill cancer cells, chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells, hormonal therapy that block hormones that fuel certain types of breast cancer, and targeted therapy. is month, spread the word and wear your pink ribbons to increase breast cancer awareness. Surviving Breast Cancer

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