Fall 2018 Real Estate Sold Show for Cherokee County, NC

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Murphy’s Duke Street is a wildly popular for Halloween trick-or-treating spot and Real Estate Sold Show, and The Poltrock Team is always at the center of the action. Just click PLAY ABOVE to hear John’s play-by-play, and learn why the local market is DOWN 33% volume. Get the inside scoop here!

Don’t miss the next Real Estate Sold Show update—connect with our expert Murphy NC realtors for market insight and results.

Questions? Need Help? Call us at 1-866-Murphy-NC or click the buttons below. Need John direct? Call 828-557-2270.

Great Realtor Marketing and Seller Support for Marble, North Carolina mountain cabin

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When Robin Mattson developed the plan to sell her Marble, North Carolina mountain cabin, she was determined to work with a top-notch real estate agent with a reputation for achieving results through great service and innovative ideas. As luck would have it, Robin discovered The Poltrock Team via Internet listings, and she also enjoyed a lively, informative chat with John. Another seller’s positive recommendation sealed the deal, making Robin certain that The Poltrock Team was the right realtor for her needs.

Not surprisingly, The Poltrock Team hit the ground running. John Poltrock’s keen market knowledge, combined with a no-holds-barred property marketing and advertising strategy, set the stage for numerous showings of Robin’s house. While the property was on the market, Robin received regular status updates, making her an active partner in the sales and marketing process. Ultimately, The Poltrock Team’s efforts resulted in a buyer for Robin’s Marble, North Carolina home, and she can’t say enough about her positive seller experience.

“I learned about The Poltrock Team through the Internet, and I decided to work with them after speaking with John and receiving an endorsement from another seller. During our real estate transaction, The Poltrock Team was most helpful in providing quick status updates. The team also sent regular emails on our home’s lockbox use.

John Poltrock is a supreme marketer. He puts a lot of effort into understanding his market and promoting Re/MAX. This office gets good traffic from buyers! I would definitely use John again, and I highly recommend him.”

Ready to sell your Marble, North Carolina mountain cabin? Our trusted Murphy NC realtors are here to make it happen.

Robin Mattson
Midland, VA

Finding a Mountain Town to Call Home in Murphy, North Carolina

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You might say Jim and Vicki Nagle’s relocation plans took a rather fortunate turn. They were planning to move from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, Georgia, or Tennessee – but they hadn’t decided which state, county, or town was right for them. As luck would have it, a Jasper, Georgia realtor referred the Nagle’s to The Poltrock Team’s Kaitlynn in Murphy, North Carolina — and the rest is history.

During the Nagle’s first phone call with Kaitlynn, a Murphy, North Carolina native, her gracious Southern hospitality quickly made the couple feel right at home. When Kaitlynn invited Jim and Vicki down to Murphy for a visit, they gladly accepted her invitation and quickly made travel plans. When they arrived, Kaitlynn gave Jim and Vicki a warm welcome, showing them around town before making plans to visit nearby mountain cabins.

Thanks to Kaitlynn local knowledge, Jim and Vicki found the perfect property, located in a community just a short drive from the town of Murphy, North Carolina. And thanks to The Poltrock Team’s efficient support staff, the entire process came together quite smoothly. Even better, the team’s expertise and the magic of technology enabled the Nagle’s to close on the house while enjoying a lobster lunch during their Maine vacation. Jim and Vicki send a hearty “thanks” to The Poltrock Team for helping them to find their ideal mountain cabin in a beautiful place.

“We had planned to leave our Pennsylvania home, and search for places to live in North Carolina, Georgia, or Tennessee. A Jasper, Georgia realtor referred us to The Poltrock Team’s Kaitlynn, who hails from Murphy, North Carolina. When we spoke with Kaitlynn, she invited us to “…please come down so I can show you my Sweet Little Town.” We were hooked. Even better, Kaitlynn was there to greet us when we arrived for our first visit. As luck would have it, we also really enjoyed Murphy and Cherokee County, and knew it was the perfect spot for our mountain home.

During our real estate transaction, The Poltrock Team’s expert support staff guided us through each phase of the process. When our closing date arrived, we were vacationing in Maine and couldn’t make it down to the mountains of Murphy. So, we finalized our documents on the Internet while dining on a delicious lobster lunch. Can it get any better than that? And we couldn’t be more pleased with Kaitlynn. Kaitlynn was PHENOMENAL! If Kaitlynn is an example of what the Poltrock Team is about, then we would absolutely say, “PICK POLTROCK!!!”

Thinking about relocating to Murphy, North Carolina? Let our expert Murphy NC realtors help you feel right at home.

Jim and Vicki Nagle
Landsville, PA

Repeat Clients Have a Great Experience in purchasing home in Murphy NC

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When Doug Lee and Denise Aguiar decided to purchase home in Murphy NC, finding a realtor to help them become buyers was an easy business decision.Doug and Denise were well acquainted with The Poltrock Team, as this high-achieving group helped the couple to sell their previous residence.

Once again, The Poltrock Team came through, skillfully navigating the process from contract to settlement while providing the impeccable agent service that has become the team’s hallmark. Now, homebuyers Doug and Denise have happily settled into their north Georgia mountain cabin, and they send a sincere “thank you” to The Poltrock Team for their expert assistance.

“We previously used The Poltrock Team to sell another residence. We got such positive results that we decided to work with them to purchase our next home. During our real estate transaction, The Poltrock Team was most helpful in guiding us through the entire buying process, keeping us informed of every step along the way. We give them a “10” for their excellent customer service, and we would certainly work with them again.

Think of all the real estate companies in the Murphy area. If you are looking to buy or sell a home, you definitely need to speak with The Poltrock Team at Re/MAX. They are ‘on their game,’ and they get good results.”

Looking to buy your next home in Murphy NC? Let our experienced Murphy NC realtors guide you every step of the way.

Doug Lee and Denise Aguiar
Blairsville, GA

The Benefits of a New Survey When Buying Real Estate in Murphy and Western North Carolina

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When you buy real estate in Murphy and Western North Carolina, the question ought to arise whether you pay for a new survey. It doesn’t matter if you are purchasing vacant land, a home, or a commercial parcel; you’ll get many key advantages from a new survey if you choose to do it.

  1. Remarked lines – this is the most obvious advantage. As part of the survey, the surveyor will go through and mark the perimeter of your land. Common markers are yellow, orange, or pink ribbons on a tree, “blazes” where they hack the side of a tree and paint it with spray paint, iron rods, or fence posts.
  2. A “map” of your land – when complete, the surveyor will provide a plat of your land, which is a big map showing the dimensions, direction of lines, and more on the land. Want to see a sample of what you receive from a plat?
  3. Verification of any encroachments/structure locations – in determining and marking lines, the surveyor will discover if there is an encroachment by your property or from an adjoining parcel. For example, he might find the neighbor’s fence, house, shed, garden, retaining wall, etc. is on your property. Even worse, what if the house or garage you’re buying is partially or wholly on another property? While it may sound unlikely, we’ve seen entire houses built on the wrong parcel of land. Normally, it is a matter of locating and showing your structures on the survey map itself.
  4. Review of Right-of-ways/easements – if the property you are buying has a right-of-way to it or through it (or easement. They mean essentially the same thing, some folks interchange the words), it can be a good idea to verify the location of it. Some easement locations are extremely specific of where they are while others are beyond vague; it can be beneficial to make sure you have good access to reach your property or that an easement to another property through your property does not go through your buildings etc.
  5. Verify acreage – want to ensure the size of your land is accurate? The only accurate way is a new survey. If it hasn’t been surveyed in a long time, acreage can vary wildly. I’ve seen 50 acre parcels that were really 80 acres and 50 acre parcels that were really 34. If properties have been surveyed within the last decade or two, it is generally accurate and varies within 1/10th of an acre. The older it gets, the more it can be off.
  6. Title Insurance to include boundary coverage – when you obtain a new survey prior to a real estate closing, the attorney can add boundary coverage to your title insurance policy at no additional cost. This is a huge benefit, especially on larger tracts. For instance, what if a neighbor builds a shed on or stakes claim to a certain portion of your property? With boundary coverage, the title insurance company will step in and protect your interests. They will not do this without boundary coverage specifically covered in your policy. Because of that, be certain to prompt and verify with your attorney they have included it in your policy. They MUST send in a copy of the survey to the insurance company.
  7. A new deed description – sometimes this is a huge benefit while other times it is unnecessary. For instance, a home built in a subdivision created with in the last decade or two likely will not need a new description as the description is accurate. If you’re buying an “old” parcel that hasn’t been surveyed in a very long time, a survey is priceless. Some old deed descriptions literally have a description that goes to the “old hickory stump” then fifteen poles to a barb wire fence. Those definitely need a new survey to be able to accurately know where boundary lines are located and the true size of your acreage.

A quick story – I purchase a rental house in downtown Murphy and did not get a survey. Whoops. Turns out the last time it was surveyed, that I could find, was somewhere around 1960’s. The neighbor, who I was fortunate enough to know, pointed out to me the carport, which is attached to the house, was partially on his land. I immediately called a surveyor, had it surveyed, and sure enough! The neighbor was kind enough to deed a small <0.01 acre triangle to me to correct it. Had it not been him, I may not have been so lucky to have such a good resolution. Since then, I almost always get a survey when I buy a property.

What’s the approximate cost of a new survey? Every surveyor has a different price structure and every parcel of land is different so there is no normal pricing. As a general guidance, the minimum cost is $550 and can be in the thousands the larger the tract of land is. The only way to get a true quote is to send in the parcel info and have it quoted.

Need a good surveyor? Check out our Gotta Guy List for our recommend contractors, surveyors, and more.

Click here to see a SAMPLE of a survey.

Written By: John Poltrock, The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX in Murphy, NC 1-866-Murphy-NC

Want to search homes and properties for sale in Western North Carolina? Search all properties HERE!

Enjoy The Poltrock Team’s November 2018 Newsletter

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov. 22-29 – Mountain Country Christmas Lights GA Mountain Fairgrounds, Hwy. 76, Hiawassee, GA. Every Thurs, Fri.,
Sat. 6-9 pm.  $5.00 per person, children 12 and under Free.

Nov. 23 – Blue Friday in Blue Ridge, GA 10 am – 7:30 pm. All merchants will be offering discounts, and downtown will be filled with food vendors and live entertainment along with Christmas characters strolling throughout the day. SANTA arrives on the train at 11 am. 6 pm will start town-wide Christmas Caroling. Join the fun!

Nov. 24 – Christmas Parade Downtown Blue Ridge starts at 5:30 pm. The Great Tree Lighting starts at 7 pm. The GREAT TREE is back. It is 27 feet tall, and will wow kids and adults alike. Also, every Saturday from Nov. 24 – December 15, there will be entertainment and strolling Christmas characters around town and in the park.

Dec. 1- “A Very Murphy Christmas” Downtown Murphy 10am-8pm.  Vendor Festival, local shopping, and “Murphy Gets Lit”, our first lighted Christmas Parade starts at 6 pm. Annual Tree Lighting and Santa Photos!

Dec. 7 — Murphy Art Walk 5-8 pm Downtown Murphy. Stroll through historic downtown for shopping, live performances, working artists, fine dining, and more. Something for everyone!

MURPHY’S BULLDOGS COACH
NOMINATED FOR NFHS HALL OF FAME

Murphy’s High School football coach, David Gentry (left), was presented with a commemorative football in a pregame ceremony Friday night to celebrate his 400th coaching victory, which came on Oct. 19 against rival Swain High School. Presenting Gentry with the football is Murphy High School Principal Jason Forrister (right).

Gentry was nominated for the Class of 2019 National High School Hall of Fame. Only six other North Carolina residents have been inducted. Gentry will find out later this year if he is selected. We want to congratulate David, and wish him the best of luck in the selection process. Also, our own Donna Srabian’s son, Barron, plays tight end on the Bulldogs football team.

 

DID YOU KNOW?
The most popular Christmas song, “WHITE CHRISTMAS” written by Irving Berlin, wasn’t full of Christmas cheer. Berlin usually spent Christmas Day visiting the grave of his 3 week old son, who died on Christmas 1928, which explains the melancholy feel of the song. Bing Crosby made the song famous on a broadcast in 1941, just 18 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

AND HOW ABOUT….
Songwriter Hugh Martin was fooling around with a melody back in 1944, but it wasn’t working. He played it for 2-3 days, then threw it in the wastebasket. His writing partner made him get it out of the trash and it was a good thing……the song ended up being “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”.

FAVORITE RECIPE
Periodically we will post favorite recipes of The Poltrock Team. We hope you enjoy.

40 MINUTE SWEET YEAST ROLLS
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 – 4 cups flour
Instructions:
1.Combine the yeast, water, oil & sugar in a large bowl. Gently mix and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the salt, egg & enough flour to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured work surface, and gently knead in additional flour until your dough is no longer sticky.
3. Divide into 8-10 equal pieces, and form round balls. Place in an oiled iron skillet or round cake pan, and cover with a clean towel. Allow to sit for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
ENJOY! 

Thank you for your business and the opportunity to serve you! We appreciate your business, and please recommend us to others. We’re always here for you and never more than a phone call away.

www.iLoveMurphy.com       1-866-Murphy-NC      1-866-687-7496

View this newsletter PDF here.

John Poltrock (Again) Snags the “Best Real Estate Agent” Reader’s Choice Award

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When it comes to buying or selling a home, land, or commercial property, you want the very best real estate agent in your corner. You want them to be on top of local and regional market trends, have a solid grasp of technology, and provide top-notch client service from start to finish.

Here in Murphy, NC and Cherokee County, John Poltrock checks all these boxes and more. John heads up The Poltrock Team, a dynamic eight-member group working within Re/MAX Mountain Properties in Murphy. And, for the second year in a row, John Poltrock has earned the Cherokee Scout’s coveted “Best Real Estate Agent” Reader’s Choice Award. Once again, John faced stiff competition from other area agents – including three standouts from The Poltrock Team.

So, how did John Poltrock earn his “Best Real Estate Agent” award? The answer is simple: With over a decade in our regional real estate market, John has served hundreds of satisfied clients – and these happy buyers and sellers take every opportunity to give John the credit he deserves. This year (and also in 2017), John’s many supporters helped him dominate the field in the Cherokee Scout’s Reader’s Choice competition. John truly enjoys helping his clients achieve their real estate goals, and he’s grateful for their ongoing support.

John Poltrock also knows that many notable achievements are the result of impressive teamwork. On The Poltrock Team, each person has their own area of expertise, providing the agency’s clients with stellar service from the first contact through final settlement. John sums it up very clearly and succinctly: “There’s no doubt about it, it’s not just me. It’s the entire Poltrock Team. We have the best people!”

Looking for the best real estate agent to help you buy or sell in Murphy, NC? Work with our award-winning Murphy NC realtors and get proven results.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.ILoveMurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

7 Simple Tips for Winterizing Your Home in Murphy, NC

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Fall’s cooler weather and shorter days mean winter’s frigid temperatures are just around the corner. And when it’s really cold (and maybe snowy or icy) outside, you want to stay warm and cozy inside your Home in Murphy, NC. To ensure that your house is nicely buttoned up against the elements, here are seven easy steps for winterizing your home and property. And here’s the best part: you can prepare both large and small homes using the same guidelines.

Add Insulation in Strategic Spots
Adding insulation to your home can make the house feel warmer during the winter months. This is especially important in the attic, where beefing up the insulation prevents warm air from migrating to your roof, where it can lead to ice dams. Throughout every season, this extra insulation can help you conserve energy and save money, according to the United States Department of Energy.

While you’re focused on insulation projects, take steps to protect your water pipes and water heater. This is most important if your water pipes are routed through an unheated or very chilly basement, potentially leading to frozen pipes during super-cold weather. Taking time to winterize the pipes and water heater now can help prevent expensive repairs down the road.

Fix Those Expensive Door & Window Leaks
If your Murphy, North Carolina mountain home always seems chilly during the winter months, your doors and/or windows may have tiny cracks that allow cold air to invade your home (and allow warm air to escape). To find the leaks, do some quick low-tech detective work. Walk through your home barefoot one evening, and use your hands and feet to pinpoint cold air intrusion spots.

It’s relatively easy, and doesn’t cost much, to banish these chilly drafts. Seal the door and window leaks with weather stripping, spray foam, or caulk. If your home contains a basement with window wells, cover the wells with a heavy plastic sheet. Although keeping cold air out of your home will take some work, you’ll keep the heat inside and should see substantial savings on your heating (and cooling) bills. Finally, periodically check your home’s thermostat, as that can provide clues to your leak remediation strategy’s success.

Service Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Regularly testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors helps to ensure that the devices continue to function correctly, especially if you use a gas furnace or a fireplace. Equally importantly, change the detectors’ batteries during the twice-yearly Daylight Saving Time switch. Although you’ll need to haul out your stepladder for this bi-annual task, installing fresh batteries goes a long way toward keeping your family safe throughout the year.

Schedule a Professional Chimney Cleanout
If your Murphy, North Carolina home features a wood-burning fireplace, you know that yearly maintenance is key to the unit’s safe and efficient operation. A tidy chimney greatly reduces the chance of chimney fires caused by deposit build-ups and animal nests. As an added bonus, a clean chimney will boost your fireplace’s heating efficiency. So, hire a professional chimney sweep to thoroughly clean out your chimney before starting your first fire of the season.  Need a good chimney sweep for your home? Visit our Gotta Guy List for recommendations.

Clear Out Your Rain Gutters
Your Murphy, North Carolina home’s rain gutters can collect fallen leaves, twigs, and pine needles. When it rains or snows, clogged gutters can’t freely drain away the incoming water, potentially causing ice dams to form in freezing temperatures. This excessive moisture can also lead to mold growth inside your home.

To prevent these potentially expensive problems, scoop out the gutters and spray water through the downspouts until they’re free from debris. If you don’t have leaf guards on your gutters, repeat the process until nearby trees have dropped all their leaves. Finally, install downspout extensions to route water away from your home’s exterior. Want to save the trouble and install leaf guards? Visit our Gotta Guy list for our recommended gutter companies.

Perform Preventive Tree Maintenance
Howling winter snow storms can pack some hefty winds, potentially causing tree limbs to fall onto power lines that serve your home. Even worse, limbs can crash into your house, possibly resulting in damage that requires pricey repairs.

To prepare for these possible scenarios, trim all questionable branches that you can safely reach. Contract with a reputable tree service to remove the rest of the leafy green missiles. Eliminating these potential hazards is another of the ways to effectively winterize your property.  Need a good tree company for your home? Visit our Gotta Guy List for recommendations.

Assemble a Winter Emergency Kit
Winter power outages are significantly more than a nuisance – they can pose a health and safety hazard in our region’s cold (and often frigid) winter temperatures. With some advance preparation, however, you’ll weather the storm while staying safe and cozy inside your home.

Here are several ways to manage the situation. First, stock up on candles, an oil lamp, and a lighter or matches. Place the candles and oil lamp on stable, convenient tables; and keep the lighter or matches nearby. To access your well during a power outage, purchase a manual pump handle from your well-drilling company. If that’s not feasible, stockpile plenty of bottled water. Purchase a good supply of non-perishable food for yourself and your pets (if applicable). Keep yourself warm by piling on the blankets. Ensure that you have a well-rounded first aid kit with sealed containers that keep moisture at bay.

Purchase backup batteries for your computer and other electronic equipment. Keep your utility companies’ phone numbers handy (or store the data in your cell phone). Finally, if you have a landline phone, remember that these devices often continue to function even during a power outage.

Now that you’ve taken seven essential steps to winterize your Murphy, North Carolina home, you’re ready for our upcoming cold weather and snow storms. Relax and enjoy winter’s singular beauty from the warmth of your cozy mountain cabin.

Want to winterize your home for when you’re gone? Visit our Tips on Winterizing Your Home here and the best way to Unwinterize your home here plus How to Protect Your Well from Freezing Temperatures

 The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC Realtors – www.iLoveMurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Finding the Perfect Murphy, North Carolina Pastureland Property

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Ken and Wendy Braden’s search for the perfect Murphy, North Carolina Pastureland Property was quite a whirlwind experience. They thoroughly enjoyed working with Donna Srabian, who happily accommodated the couple’s tight schedule and shared their commitment to finding the ideal mountain acreage.

After trekking through several parcels of wooded land for sale, Ken and Wendy realized that they were really more interested in pasture land. Donna quickly switched gears, changing her schedule to allow a return to a property that deserved a second visit. As the Braden’s weekend trip wrapped up, they knew they had found the perfect piece of land that would be ideal for a house.

Ken and Wendy’s real estate transaction also moved along without a hitch – thanks to The Poltrock Team’s stellar client service. Today, Ken and Wendy are looking forward to the next chapter – in the beautiful Murphy, North Carolina mountains.

“We found The Poltrock Team on Realtor.com, and we decided to work with them because they listed properties that interested us. Donna Srabian showed us several pieces of land, and she was great working with our schedule, as we were only in Murphy and Cherokee County for the weekend. During our short visit, Donna climbed mountains, trudged through poison ivy, and walked through swamps in 90-degree temperatures to find a property we liked.

After we had climbed through acres of wooded properties, we changed our minds and asked to see pasture land instead. At the end of the day, we realized we hadn’t seen very much of the last lot, so Donna rearranged her plans so we could return on Sunday morning.

Once we found the perfect property for sale, The Poltrock Team was most helpful in communicating with the seller to answer our questions. Overall, we had a fabulous real estate experience with The Poltrock Team, and we would give them a “10” for their service. We would definitely work with them again.”

Thinking about buying or selling a Murphy, North Carolina pastureland property? Let the trusted experts at murphy NC realtors guide you every step of the way – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team.

Ken & Wendy Braden
Locust Grove, GA

Another Satisfied Real Estate Client

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After owning their Murphy, North Carolina cabin for several years, Charles and Jean Titcombe made the decision to sell their mountain property. Although they had their choice of real estate agents, the couple wanted to work with a highly successful agent with a proven record of results. Naturally, they chose John Poltrock and The Poltrock Team, and they’re delighted with the outcome.

In fact, you might say the Titcombe’s experienced the best of both worlds. After they had enjoyed their mountain home’s beautiful view and cozy ambience for several years, The Poltrock Team sold the very desirable property in just one day. Even better, the buyers happily paid the asking price – in cash. After the transaction was complete, Charles and Jean were very happy clients, and they gladly expressed their satisfaction with The Poltrock Team’s impeccable service.

“We learned about The Poltrock Team though a mailing, and we decided to work with them after visiting with John. From a client perspective, we were very satisfied with our real estate experience. Our house sold in one day at our asking price, and the transaction was a cash sale. You can’t get better than that!

During the real estate transaction, we found Cowan & Cowan, PA’s expertise most helpful, and Friends Moving Company provided us with terrific customer service. Everything was great, and we would give The Poltrock Team a “10” for their efforts. We would certainly work with them again.”

Ready to turn your real estate goals into success stories? Work with murphy NC realtors – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team, where results speak for themselves.

Charles and Jean Titcombe
Palm Harbour, FL