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USD to KYD Exchange Value: 0.82
USD To GBP: 0.76214
USD To CAD: 1.27998
USD To CNH: 6.3209
 
Here are more tips, to continue our previous blog, on protecting your privacy if your home is on the market. The first two were Hide your Mail, and Take Down Photos & Diplomas. 

3. Clean the closets and drawers 

If you have ever been to an open house or toured a home for sale, you can probably understand the desire to dig around. In most cases, prospective homebuyers simply open closets and cabinets to inspect the space or make judgments about the construction of the home. While most people who view your home will not try to snoop in your personal belongings, try to pack away anything that could tell an unwanted story about your life. 

You may want to clear out all drawers and closets entirely before the home is shown to buyers. After your personal belongings have been removed from the home or carefully packed away, work with your agent to stage closets and large cabinets. By replacing your own belongings with examples of how the home can be utilized, you will take the focus off yourself and help prospective buyers visualize themselves in your home. 

Bathroom cabinets have to be included here - hide or remove ALL drugs of any kind. Don't leave the temptation. 

4. Turn down the answering machine 

This final step is probably the most overlooked by home sellers. Just as you can not anticipate what arrives in the mail each day, you cannot predict when you might receive an unwanted phone call. If you are engaged in an open house or private viewing, you certainly don't want a prospective buyer to overhear a message from a collection agency or credit card company. Furthermore, as you are in the process of selling a home (and possibly buying another), you don't want buyers to know anything about your personal business. So, before any prospective buyers enter your home, mute your answering machine to prevent any uncomfortable exchanges. 

In conclusion, when you are ready to show your home to prospective buyers, try to remove anything that might drive a buyer away or create an unwanted bias. Whether it's as simple as removing your personal mail or staging the closets of your home's bedrooms, a bit of work can not only protect your privacy but can potentially help sell your home. 

USD to KYD Exchange Value: 0.82
USD To GBP: 0.76214
USD To CAD: 1.27998
USD To CNH: 6.3209
 
President Barack Obama offered a spirit of cooperation to America's hemispheric neighbors, listening to complaints about past U.S. meddling and pointedly reaching out to Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez, Cuban leader Raul Castro, and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega.  

"I have a lot to learn and I very much look forward to listening and figuring out how we can work together more effectively," Obama said. 

To Latin American nations reeling from a sudden plunge in exports, Obama promised a new hemispheric growth fund, an initiative to increase Caribbean security, and a partnership to develop alternative energy sources and fight global warming. 

Obama extended a hand to Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, whom President Ronald Reagan spent years trying to drive from power. At a luncheon speech to fellow leaders, Chavez said the spirit of respect is encouraging and he proposed that Havana host the next summit. 

Obama said he was ready to accept Cuban President Raul Castro's proposal of talks on issues once off-limits for Cuba, including political prisoners held by the communist government. 

The summit ended very positively, with high hopes by all countries that they will be able to work together more effectively in the future toward shared goals. 

USD to KYD Exchange Value: 0.82
USD To GBP: 0.76214
USD To CAD: 1.27998
USD To CNH: 6.3209
 
If your home is on the market, you have probably already taken great care in cleaning the interior and making necessary renovations that could help attract prospective buyers. However, before your home is shown to any buyers or agents, you should consider performing a few tasks to help protect your privacy. Not only should you try to remove personal items from tabletops or counters, but it is also wise to remember that potential buyers will open closets, cabinets and built-in drawers as they assess the property. To protect your privacy and prevent prospective buyers from forming any biases against you, you may want to follow these simple steps before showing your home.  

1. Hide your mail 

When dealing with your mail, you should either remove it from your home or place it where it cannot be found. If prospective homebuyers spot collection notices or excessive credit card bills in plain sight, they might immediately assume that you are in debt and need to sell your home quickly. Furthermore, as no one wants strangers to read any of their personal materials, you should try to conceal all of your mail, down to the last furniture catalog. 

2. Take down photos and diplomas 

While some home sellers feel that such personal documents could add an atmosphere of coziness to their property, you may want to consider clearing the walls. Following this simple step could help prevent any type of bias from prospective homebuyers. For instance, home sellers with recent diplomas might be perceived as deep in debt and willing to sell at any price. Likewise, wedding photos can reveal the homeowner's religion, which could influence certain buyers. Remember, you'll be moving anyway so it's time to start backing. 

Read more tips for your privacy next week. 

USD to KYD Exchange Value: 0.82
USD To GBP: 0.76214
USD To CAD: 1.27998
USD To CNH: 6.3209
 
The University College of the Cayman Islands and management in the local aviation industry have teamed up to provide an educational programme to develop air transport management. 

While UCCI will design the course, this is being done in consultation with local aviation stakeholders and experts. 

UCCI is looking at starting the pilot course from the first week in July this summer. The idea initially will be for middle/senior management within the industry to participate in the pilot so they can get the proper feedback necessary to amend the course and adjust it for various levels of training such as a higher level and medium level for those already working in the industry and a lower level for school leavers. 

The first programme will be an entry level programme on Fundamentals of Air Transport Management and will initially be a three day course. 

Acting President UCCI Dr. Brian Chapell, speaking about the relationship between UCCI and aviation stakeholders, said: "Everybody sees the need to improve the overall human capital strength in the field of aviation. I think a lot of people see it as a business opportunity to really advance the aviation industry on the island and I think that our involvement with it as the premier tertiary institution on the island is critical in making sure that this goes forward." 

Read more at CaymanCompass

USD to KYD Exchange Value: 0.82
USD To GBP: 0.76214
USD To CAD: 1.27998
USD To CNH: 6.3209
 
You never know who will find and publicize a local place, especially with our tourist trade here in the Caymans. Well, today Boston.com posted a blog on Roland's Garden, saying "one of the most unusual restaurants you will ever visit. It has no menu, no set prices, no alcohol (bringing your own is allowed), no roof, and no walls. And the food is terrific." 

You assume the blogger, Julie Hatfield, was visiting the Islands, and we certainly appreciate the great publicity. Here's a little more from her post, which you can read in its entirety at Boston.com: "Schoefer serves up delicious German-style, five-course dinners on his large garden grill. As he says, "Whatever I cook that's what you get." We had a chilled herring appetizer, perfectly grilled veal schnitzel, spitzle, and an apple cobbler. There are only five tables, so reservations are strongly encouraged, as there is always a waiting list." 

Thanks, Julie. 

Roland's Garden, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, 345-926-7670, www.chefroland.com

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