Archives for January 2019

Homeowners: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

Life changes, and the house that met your needs when you bought it may not tick your boxes now. Should you stay, or should you go? Ask yourself:
 
Are buyers out there?
Ideally, a homeowner should list their home for sale when conditions warrant a “seller’s market,” meaning there are more buyers looking to buy homes than there are sellers selling them. Generally, when demand exceeds supply, a seller can expect their home to sell quickly, and, in really tight markets, for more than its asking price. More buyers, essentially, equal more money for sellers.
 
Keep in mind a real estate professional is a valuable ally to have, whether you’re in a seller’s market or not. He or she can keep you abreast of market dynamics, offer insight into pricing, provide an upper hand in negotiations, and more.
 
Do I need the space I have now? Do I need more?
Your home was the perfect fit while your children were growing up—an ample yard, enough bedrooms, and a play room that you could close the doors on. A family-sized home when most of its members have left, though, can be costly and taxing to maintain. Simply put: Is your house too roomy now that the kids have moved out?

What about the opposite? Maybe your home isn’t spacious enough. You need an extra bedroom to accommodate guests and relatives, or plan to add to your family in the future, or want more in the way of entertainment or recreation. Is your current house bursting at the seams?
 
Where do I stand?
One of the key differentiators between renting a home and owning one is the ability to build equity, or the amount you owe on your mortgage versus the current value of your home. A homeowner with substantial equity may be in a better position to sell than one without. A real estate professional with knowledge of present market conditions can help you determine your stake—it can be financially advantageous to place your home on the market if the figures are in your favor.
 
Is now the right time to sell your home? Contact me to discuss your options. 

Source: realtor.com®

 

 

Raising Earth-Friendly Children

These days, most adults are well-versed in ways to respect and protect the environment. But what about the younger generation? Here, from Smart Playrooms, are some fun, easy ways to get involved in earth-friendly activities that your kids can be a part of, too.

Plant a Tree. By fostering trees, children can help reduce gas emissions from greenhouses and enable long-lasting biodiversity in their communities. This activity is appropriate for school-aged children as it is incredibly impactful but fairly simple to execute.

Host a Garage Sale or Clothing Swap. For many people, the things they don’t want or no longer need take up a lot of space and resources. Repurposing these items for those who can use them is an earth-friendly way of reinforcing recycling and generosity. Garage sales are fairly easy to coordinate and can be done at home or even in a school setting. Children can take the time to de-clutter their spaces and find a home for their old toys and clothes.

Community Clean-Up. Assembling a group of children together to pick up trash and waste in your neighborhood is a fun way to reduce pollution. This hands-on and collective effort beautifies local neighborhoods and bonds everyone in the process. Be sure to review your neighborhood’s restrictions and safety guidelines to protect both children and adult volunteers. Make sure you’ve carefully delegated tasks and your clean-up route to use your time efficiently.

Build a Birdhouse. Nature crafts are always a kid-favorite. Installing birdfeeders encourages the local bird population. To create the birdhouse, use recycled materials from home like guitar strings or juice cartons to drive home the importance of reuse. This is a project that will allow your children to express themselves creatively while nurturing our ecosystem.

Coordinate an Energy Conservation Campaign. Talk to your child’s school about coordinating a period during the school day to shut off the lights and computers in the classroom. Turning off the lights is not only relaxing, it shows children the importance of saving energy.

 

Healthy Snacks Kids Actually Want to Eat

Kids are naturally drawn to salty, sugary, calorie-filled snacks when hunger strikes. The key to winning the war when it comes to getting kids to choose healthy snacks over junk food is adding in some enticing, palate-pleasing ingredients. Here are five nutritious yet mouth-watering snack options, which, by the way, are great for grown-ups, too, so add a few to your own lunch box!

1. Innovative yogurt: Chock full of calcium and vitamin D, yogurt is a nutritious, grab-and-go snack that kids will find yummy with a few simple tweaks. Add honey for sweetness, fresh fruit and granola or your kids’ favorite healthy cereal. Or whip up a yogurt smoothie by adding 100-percent fruit juice and fresh or frozen fruit. 

2. Trail mix: There are many “over-the-counter” varieties of trail mix available, but try making your own healthier version, tailored to your kids’ preferences, with ingredients such as peanuts (if no allergy), dried fruit, sunflower seeds, white or dark chocolate chips, etc. 

3. Peanut butter sandwich: Rich in both protein and fiber, peanut butter sandwiches are a long-standing snacking tradition. Simply switch out the white bread for whole grain bread and pair the peanut butter with something special—think fruit spread, marshmallows, Nutella—and you’ve got a healthy yet super-appealing snack. 

 

4. Snack kabobs: When it comes to enticing kids, presentation can be everything. Stack fruit and cheese on thin pretzel sticks, plastic drink skewers or long toothpicks for older kids for a fun take on a standard fruit and cheese plate. 5. Dips: Who doesn’t love to dip? Whether it’s fruits into yogurt, veggies into hummus or flax chips into salsa, you name it, they’ll dip it. Keep a bottle of low-fat ranch dressing on hand for an instant dip any time. 

   Source: TLC