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Not Your Dad’s Real Estate Advice

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Dads have some of the worst jokes & best advice. In honor of Father’s Day, here are some of the best dad-isms to keep in mind for your real estate business.

Dad says: “Don’t take no wooden nickels” 

What he means: Don’t believe things that are too good to be true

Being a real estate agent calls for a healthy amount of skepticism. Your offers are only good if they’re put in writing, your buyer is only as valuable as their proof of funds or pre-approval letter, and the seller will almost always overvalue their property so you better come prepared with comps. It’s not that you have to distrust everyone, you just need to remember that you’re the expert and not everyone understands the process.

Dad says: “Work smarter, not harder”

What he means: You’ve got the tools to make your life easier, use them!

From tracking your mileage to showcasing your listings, there is a lot of technology out there for agents to use. These tools don’t have to be the most expensive things on the market to work — in fact some of the best ones are free! From having a social media page set up for your real estate business to allowing your listings to be syndicated to other sites through your MLS to partnering with pay-for-success marketing programs like Marketing Matters, there’s a lot of low-to-no cost options out there that are more cost and time effective than pouring money into lead gen systems or knocking on doors. 

Dad says: “Nobody said life was fair”

What he means: Don’t take it personally when things don’t go your way

Sometimes friends and family will choose someone else for their real estate transaction. It won’t feel good, but try not to take it personally. There can be many reasons they would choose someone else from an impending (yet hush-hush) divorce to a reluctance to mix business and personal lives to something completely different, but most of the time, this choice has less to do with you than it does them.  

Dad says: “Go get ‘em, Tiger!” 

What he means: Try your best, even if you’re not sure it’ll work

Whether you’re just starting out in the business or you’ve been an agent for years, everyone gets nervous before a listing presentation sometimes. Maybe you’re going up against a well-known agent for the listing or the potential client is a VIP hot-shot, but Dad would tell you to brush off those nerves, practice your presentation, and “Go get ‘em!” Remember, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” 

Dad says: “Money doesn’t grow on trees!”

What he means: Keep track of everything when it comes to your money!

From your tax deductible business expenses to your marketing efforts, what gets measured gets managed, and what gets managed doesn’t have money wasted on it. Don’t continuously pay out for services that don’t provide a good return, systems that don’t work, or extras that you simply don’t need. 

Dad says: “Safety first!”

What he means: Be Safe!

When you think of the most dangerous jobs, “Real Estate Agent” doesn’t tend to make the list, but that doesn’t mean there’s no risk. This job requires meeting people you barely know in places that are often vacant, secluded, dark, or all of the above. You may arrive to a showing and find that squatters have invaded a property. Or maybe you’re showing an occupied property and  tenants are not happy their home is being sold. Or maybe there is drug paraphernalia, chemicals, biological waste, or unsafe physical conditions — your day-to-day can involve a lot of unknowns and “It’s better to be safe than sorry!” 

Have you gotten any advice from your father that has helped you in real estate? Let us know in the comments below!

What Is Confidential Real Estate?

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When we think of selling a house, we think of the traditional: “For Sale” sign in the front yard, a social media post, a listing on a real estate platform, and maybe asking around for any realtor recommendations. This might be common practice, but it’s not always the best option for sellers (and it’s certainly not the only way).

Confidential real estate offers a more private alternative to selling, ideally without losing much buyer reach or selling potential. There are several reasons why a seller might go this route. Find out if working with a confidential real estate company is a better option for you.

Why do people choose to sell confidential real estate?

Selling isn’t always a joyous occasion that marks an exciting next chapter. For some sellers, putting their property listing out there for all the public to see is the equivalent of airing dirty laundry. Confidential real estate is a way for sellers to list their property with more discretion.

Who can sell their property confidentially?

There are several instances where people might choose to sell with a confidential real estate company:

Divorce

Moving is painful enough as it is, add divorce into the mix and you’ve got yourself a living nightmare. For many people undergoing divorce, listing their house traditionally means having neighbors, acquaintances, and anyone else in the area gaining access to news that they might not want to share. Confidential real estate offers some much-needed privacy.

Foreclosure

Just like divorce, there can be a lot of shame with losing a house to a foreclosure. The last thing anyone wants in that situation is for random neighbors or people at work asking them about their money troubles. Confidential real estate can stop someone losing their house from becoming the talk of the town.

Businesses

Businesses move and it might not always be for dire reasons — in a lot of cases, it’s to a better location or bigger space (all positive things). That being said, a “For Sale” sign in your favorite restaurant’s window can send anyone into a panic.

Business owners usually go the confidential real estate route — they don’t want to scare their clients into a panic. It’s why you’ll notice most businesses announce their move right as it’s about to happen, after the sale.

Are there any downsides to confidential real estate?

Yes, but only if you don’t work with the right company. We’ll dive into that in a minute, but in the meantime, here are some of the drawbacks a confidential seller might run into:

  • Less exposure: Keeping a house sale out of the public eye could mean fewer potential buyers.
  • Fewer resources: Homeowners don’t list with the MLS and Zillow doesn’t list commercial properties.
  • Lower offers: With less exposure, fewer resources and subsequently, fewer interested buyers, property owners might not get as high of an offer.

RealtyHive: An Unmatched Confidential Real Estate Company

Zillow can’t help business owners, but RealtyHive can. We frequently list commercial properties in a confidential manner, but that’s not all we do:

  • Non-MLS marketing: We provide strategic marketing to get your property the exposure it needs.
  • Selective listings: Don’t want to list your foreclosure in your neighborhood? No problem. We can exclude cities, states, and even countries from marketing.
  • Screened calls: Our customer service reps answer calls for you (or on behalf of your agent) for another layer of protection and privacy.

You deserve as much of peace of mind as possible when selling your house. RealtyHive makes that happen. Work with us to get the best confidential real estate experience possible.

The 5 Ws of Building a Custom Home

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We’d like to think that building a dream home is like building a LEGO home or a house on the Sims, except we all know that’s not the case. Building a custom home is a lot of work, but the rewards are pretty incomparable.

We’ve talked about the differences between buying and building a home in past blogs. But if you’re finding yourself more ready to take the leap, there are some essential questions to answer. RealtyHive takes a look at the who, what, where, when, why, and how of home building to help get you started.

Who should build a house?

You’d be a good candidate to build a house if you:

  • Meet all the financial criteria of home ownership
  • Are you looking to live in a developing area
  • Are excited by the idea of building
  • See an opportunity where the building is more beneficial than buying
  • Need or want a custom home (and buying an existing home and renovation would be more expensive).

You don’t have to meet everything on that list to qualify for building a home, it’s more of a guideline. If you have no desire to build, there’s no reason to force yourself to. However, if the type of home you’re looking for is so custom that it’s impossible to find (or way more expensive to renovate), then maybe you should consider the building after all.

What’s the cost difference between buying and building a home?

It depends. In most cases, buying a house is cheaper than building, but that’s not a guarantee. There are plenty of instances where people buy a house that needs a lot of work, and the renovations + house cost ends up costing more than if they had just built.

How do you pay for house building?

When it comes to building, you can get a construction loan that only requires you to pay the interest during the building process. The rest of the loan rolls into your actual mortgage at closing. If you’re worried that you can’t afford to build a house, just know that the payment process isn’t all that different from buying.

Plus, some states offer tax credits to alleviate some of the expenses that automatically apply for homeowners, but homeowners who built their home have to apply for. Homeowners in Wisconsin, for example, get a tax credit through the lottery system. Those who had their home built can get this same credit, but they have to send a form to do so. Do some research on what rebates exist in your state.

There’s another hack that many people are unaware of: you don’t have to put everything in all at once. Adding some things now that can set up for later is a huge cost (and time) saver. For example:

  • Don’t add air conditioning yet, but get forced air heating. Adding A/C later on is extremely easy if you already have forced air.
  • Don’t build the deck right now, but do install a patio door for it.

Where’s a good place to build a custom home?

Building locations depend from state to state — even if you own land, you’ll likely have to consult with local municipalities about building (or contact a general contractor with insight on building permits).

In the case of subdivisions, there are a couple things to note:

  • Builder exclusivity: Some subdivisions only allow you to use certain builders.
  • Restrictive covenants: You’ll have to play by the subdivision’s rules. Often this means no sheds or outbuildings or that your home exterior has to meet certain requirements (i.e. siding colors or incorporating brick for one-fourth of the exterior). 

When is the best time to build a house?

If time is of the essence, spring or summer is a good time to build. Except, of course, if you live in warmer climates, in which case winter might actually be more ideal.

However, if you’re not in a rush, you might want to talk to a building company about starting in the fall. In extremely cold climates, they might be unable to work through the winter. But the benefit to starting in the fall is that work and demand slow down a ton, which could lower your costs.

Why should you build a house?

Other than the appeal of building a custom home, there are several other reasons why people go this route:

  • Building for the future: You can create a highly sustainable, environmentally-friendly smart house from the start.
  • Meets your needs: Did you know that nearly 13% of the population has a disability? Not to mention, most of us eventually need adaptive assistance as we get older. Most homes are built assuming that homeowners can walk up and down stairs or have functioning hearing or vision. Building a custom home means many homeowners can have a home that truly adapts to their needs.
  • Houses are still in demand: The population continues to grow, and people need space to live. 

How do you get started?

You’ll want to have a general outline in mind. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Two-story, ranch, or split-level? How big of a plot are you looking for? In a subdivision or out in the country? What’s your time frame?

Next, do some research on building teams in the area (if building in a subdivision, talk to them directly). They’ll help you narrow down what you’re looking for and what they can provide, and hopefully have a crew that includes a surveyor, engineer, plumber, and electrician. They will help you clear the land to prepare the area as well.

But before you can jump into any of that, you need land to build on! Look through RealtyHive to find vacant land for sale, and best of luck in your building process.

Apartment vs. Condo vs. House: Which Is Best?

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The birds are chirping, the snow is (hopefully) melting, and that can only mean one thing: the May-June rush to find housing is nearly upon us.

Leases are ending, jobs are changing, and if you’re like one of the countless people in need of a place to live, you’re probably trying to decide between your three options. Should you live in an apartment, a condo, or a house?

Renting Out an Apartment

Pros

Less permanent. Renting an apartment is perfect for the tenant who doesn’t know how long they’ll be in this location. Even if you’re on a year lease instead of month-by-month, you usually have the option to sublease if something comes up and you need to leave. Apartments offer a lot of flexibility.

Less upfront costs. Apartments typically come with an oven, fridge, and access to laundry. Not having to pay for these appliances is a huge money saver.

Less responsibility. Leaking sink? Broken heater? Your landlord will (or at least, they should) take care of it. This frees up a lot of costs that, as a homeowner, you would otherwise have to pay for.

No property taxes. The average homeowner pays nearly $2,300 a year in property taxes. In states like Illinois or California, property taxes are even higher.

Location. You’re more likely to find apartments in the heart of a city or downtown area than you are houses. Apartments are ideal for the renter who loves being near the hustle and bustle. 

Cons

No equity. Oftentimes, monthly rents are not much different than a monthly mortgage payment. The difference is that with a house, you’re paying off a massive financial asset. Unlike an apartment, homeowners get something back for their money. 

More rules. Painting, pets, and even how you hang stuff up in your apartment are all subject to the landlord’s rules. There’s a lot less freedom in renting an apartment.

Buying a Condo

Pros

You own the unit. You can sell later on if you choose, you can potentially rent out this property down the road, and you’re definitely getting more of your money’s worth and building equity.

Less work than a house. No need to worry about shoveling, replacing the roof, or getting new siding. That traditional “Saturdays are meant for yardwork” mentality that many homeowners maintain can be replaced with lounging on your balcony and sipping some coffee.

Potential for more amenities. Condo complexes often are in highly desirable locations. They also sometimes have amenities like workout rooms or swimming pools (things that would cost homeowners much more to install).

Cons

Less privacy than a home. Hopefully, your neighbors are monks practicing an extended vow of silence and meditation, but the odds aren’t likely. Owning a condo still means you’ll have to share walls in most cases instead of having your own plot of land with a house.

Condo fees (and property taxes). Condo association fees are pricey — they range anywhere from $1,200 to $8,000 a year, on average.

It could be tougher to sell. Families, buyers looking for more space, or people wanting some distance from a city will likely lean towards getting a house than a condo. This isn’t to say selling a condo is impossible, but there might be limits on who’s in your buying demographic.

Buying a House

Pros

More freedom. Decorating, landscaping (unless you’re in an HOA), remodeling — the sky is practically the limit for how custom you’d like your home to be.

Equity. As soon as you start paying off your mortgage, you’re starting to build your equity. Owning a house (and making responsible, timely mortgage payments) also helps build your credit.

More space. Condos and apartments are less likely to come with yards. They also are typically surrounded by more tenants (and people in general). Houses have more space (both inside and outside) than apartments or condos.

Sometimes cheaper than renting. If your goal is to live in, say, the Chicago area, there’s a good chance that mortgage payments on a house will cost less than an apartment or condo — even if they’re smaller in square footage. 

This isn’t only true in cities, either. Mortgage payments usually aren’t that different from rental prices, but the difference is that one gives you equity and one does not.

Cons

More responsibility. We can’t stress this enough. Owning a house is a lot of work, a ton of maintenance, and if you’re not financially ready, it will sink you. Buying a house should only happen when you’re thinking long-term and have the foresight to take on the financial and laborious responsibility. Homeownership is highly rewarding, but not for nothing.

More permanent. If you plan on leaving your area and selling in the next few years, buying a house might not be the move. For one thing, many homeowners are subject to paying a capital gains tax if they sell before the 2-year ownership mark. 

Secondly, if there’s anything to be gleaned from 2020, anything can happen. The selling market can change pretty rapidly. If you’re dead set on moving in the next few years, owning a house will complicate things much more than leaving at the end of your apartment lease.

Finding a home and moving is stressful, but there’s some excitement in thinking about the future as well. If you’ve decided to keep renting for now, we wish you the best of luck. But if you’re ready to take the next step, look through our condos and houses for sale to find your dream home!

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Best Use of Space: Home Office Edition

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With the spread of the COVID-19 virus causing offices to close, it looks like we’re all gonna be working from home for a while. So, for productivity purposes, it’s a good idea to set aside a space in your home for a home office. But what if you don’t have any room for a home office? The answer is: you do. It doesn’t matter if you’re working out of your garage or inside a tiny closet, a home office is essential for productivity. With that in mind, here are 5 ideas for the best use of space for a home office:

Under the Stairs

It may seem a little unorthodox, but that little space under the stairway is a great place for your home office! It’s quiet, it’s out of the way and just by adding some office supplies and decorations, you can give it a workplace feel that’s just right for you.

Inside a Closet

For those of you with smaller one-story homes, this’ll be a good option. You don’t even need to have a walk-in closet for your work space to be effective, just add some shelving and other supplies and it’ll be like you never left the office!

In the Garage

If you have a garage – use it. The best home office spaces are spaces that you already associate with work. Put your office in a spot that you wouldn’t have to move around too much (like if you park your cars in the garage, make sure your office wouldn’t be in the way), and set your office up with comfy furniture and a work desk.

***Tip: when you’re going to work, act like you’re actually going to work, i.e. dress professionally, grab your lunch and briefcase and head out to your office

Out in the Backyard

It might be risky, because you never know what the weather will be like, but working from your backyard is a great way to be productive while also staying healthy. During times like these, its important to get outside as much as possible. So, if you can, set up your home office in the backyard!

Young woman walking in a field of tulips

Celebrate National Garden Month

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Greenhouses, xeriscapes, courtyards, who knew there were so many different kinds of gardens? This April, celebrate National Garden Month by planting your garden! Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a way to spruce up your front lawn, or you just wanna enjoy the beauty that springtime has to offer, take a look at these 8 different types of gardens for National Garden Month:

Vegetable Garden

There’s nothing better than the taste of homegrown fresh vegetables, and you can grow your own vegetables by planting your own vegetable garden! If you don’t like cucumbers, no problem! There’s so many kinds of vegetables you can grow, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, it’s up to you!

Backyard Garden

This one is self explanatory. Your backyard is the perfect place for a garden! Whether you want to plant flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, or create your own concoction, your backyard is the place to go.

Window Sill Garden

If you live in an area where the weather isn’t ideal for an outdoor garden, or if you don’t have a big yard, try growing a window sill garden! First, you need to find the window in your home that gets the most sunlight. Then, decide how you’re going to set up your garden. You can place a bunch of different planters on the window sill, or you can use a raised garden bed. The best part about window sill gardens, is that not only can you keep them year round, but you can grow whatever kind of garden you want – no matter the climate!

Pollinator Garden

A pollinator garden is a garden that is planted in order to attract pollinator animals like butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. Pollinator gardens aren’t just good for the environment, they are fundamental to the ecosystem. Plus, all the different colors and scents make some of the most beautiful gardens out there!

Herb Garden

Another type of garden you could plant is an herb garden. Herbs are good for cooking, flavoring, fragrances, dyes, they’re even beneficial to your health. Check out some of the different types of herbs you can plant here. 

Vertical Garden

A vertical garden is a technique that you use to grow plants on a vertical surface, like a wall or a fence. There are a number of reasons that gardeners use vertical gardens – one reason is to take advantage of all potential space in a garden. Another is to be able to have a garden in a place where there’s usually no room for one, like in a big city. No matter where you live, you can brighten up your home by making your own vertical garden. 

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Vertical garden | Madrid flashback

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Fairy Garden

It’s exactly what it sounds like. A fairy garden is a miniature garden that you keep in a container or a flower bed. It includes a bunch of tiny sculptures and structures along with actual living plants! Fairy gardens are super fun for both kids and adults to create, and you can keep them anywhere you want!

Xeriscape Garden

If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of rain, try xeriscaping! Xeriscaping is a landscaping process where you use plants that don’t require a lot of water, and they’re pretty popular in the western part of the US. Although people often think that xeriscapes just consist of desert plants (even though desert plants are pretty cool), most xeriscapes consist of a wide variety of colorful and vibrant plantlife. You just have to figure out how you want your garden to look!

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Soft morning light today ??

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Creating the Best Home Office for Remote Work

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Remote work has taken off in recent years as an overall trend. But with the current coronavirus pandemic, tons of people are sent home to work remotely for the foreseeable future.

Even when going to coffee shops and libraries to work is an option, we live at a time where it’s good practice to have a designated home work space. Working from home is cheaper than going to a cafe or driving to a library, and who knows? You’ll likely have a time again in your life (such as staying home during a blizzard or with a sick kid) when it makes sense to work remotely. 

But if you’re looking at your studio apartment or 3-bedroom house with kids’ toys everywhere and are wondering how to make a home office possible, fear not. We’ve got you covered.

If remote work is for 2+ weeks, designate a space for work.

When working remotely is super short-term (2 weeks or less), you probably don’t need to overhaul your home for the sake of an office. But no matter the amount of time you’re working from home, it’s good to set up a designated work space.

How to do this:

Where’s an area of your home that you could take a phone call without disruption? A room with a door that you can close is the best option (particularly if you have kids at home). If that’s not possible, find a quieter area where you can set up a flat surface for working. In a place where you share walls with neighbors, maybe go to the wall where your neighbor is the quietest.

In this designated space, it’s also good to remove distraction as much as you can. Interestingly enough, one of the biggest distractors is if your space is near the fridge. The second you get bored, it’s way too easy to get up and find a snack or beverage and it can be a challenge to refocus after that.

Don’t forget — just as you leave your desk at the end of the work day, leave this space too. Creating distance between your work and your home is essential for your mental health, especially when the two spaces coexist.

Try to be as ergonomic as possible.

As great as working from the couch sounds, your back definitely disagrees. Keeping good posture is sometimes easier at work when you’re forced to be at a desk; being in the comfort of your home is a different story. Considering office ergonomics makes all the difference for your body and overall health.

How to do this:

Ergonomic Ideas That Cost $0

  • Take frequent breaks (at least once an hour) to get up and move away from screens.
  • Follow the 20-20 rule for vision — for every 20 minutes of work, look away from the screen for 20 seconds.
  • Look up yoga poses or stretches that specifically help your back, neck, shoulders, and wrists.
  • Spend 30-45 minutes over lunch taking a walk, stretching, or doing yoga.

Ergonomic Investments

  • Buy a standing desk.
  • Purchase an ergonomic chair.
  • Invest in physical therapy at-home tools (such as foam rollers).
  • Buy a headset so you can walk hands-free while taking a call.

For the things that cost money, you might be able to write them off as tax deductions, or your company may consider reimbursing you. Keep receipts just in case!

Don’t overlook the lighting.

Working in offices with bright overhanging lights can give anyone a headache, but working in a dark, dimly-lit basement isn’t ideal either. Lighting makes a huge difference in our work day, whether we realize it or not. It’s important to create a space with ideal lighting — this impacts everything from our eye strain to our mood!

How to do this:

Download f.lux for free on your laptop — it adjusts your screen to warmer tones — or get blue screen glasses. You can also put a warm lightbulb in a lamp to set an equally warm tone to your workspace. If working near some windows, save on electricity by turning off lights and opening up the blinds for natural lighting.

Create boundaries between work and home.

It is extremely easy to “just keep working” when you work from home. There’s always something more to do, and it’s challenging to separate your work and home when they’re one in the same.

How to do this:

Use an online timer to track how many hours you work (if you don’t already have set hours). Even if you have set hours, still use a timer to remind you to take breaks, a lunch, etc. 

Additionally, decide on a time that you’re going to be done for the day and stick to it, as hard as that can be!

Working remotely for the long haul? Build an office (or find a home that has one).

If working remotely is going to be a long-term thing, it’s in your best interest to create a permanent home office. It’s not just helpful for you while living and working from home, it also adds value to your home. 

Or if you’re thinking about selling and don’t want to go through the trouble of adding an office this late in the game, keep that in mind before you buy. Look through some of our RH homes that have offices already in them!

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Family Bonding Activity

6 Awesome Spring Break Staycation Ideas for Families

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Since the spread of COVID-19 has been affecting travel all around the globe, it’s been difficult to plan for any sort of vacation. Between travel bans and cancelled flights, it seems that any hope of a fun family vacation abroad has been squashed. Luckily, it turns out that staying at home may be the perfect way for families to spend their vacation. There are a bunch of ways to have the best spring break ever right at home! Here are 6 super fun ideas for your spring break staycation:

Organize a scavenger hunt

A great way to keep your kids entertained is to organize a scavenger hunt. Not only are scavenger hunts a great way for kids to get outside and explore, but they’re super fun for kids to do. There are a bunch of different kinds of scavenger hunts depending on different ages, interest, locations, or other factors. Check some out!

Have a movie night

Don’t just plop a disc into the DVD player and call it a day – make an event out of it! First, pick out one night of the week to have a movie night. Next, have your kids pick out one or two movies to watch. Then, put on some PJS, set out some pillows and blankets and get the movie set up. You could also make some delicious movie snacks to make the night more entertaining. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could set up a movie projector and have an outdoor movie marathon right in your backyard!

Family game night

Another idea for a family staycation is to have a family game night. Break out the board games, playing cards or backyard games for a family-friendly competition! You could also break into teams to make the night even more competitive and exciting – the possibilities are endless!

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What is your favorite junior version of a board game? We made a top 10 list of junior board games – simplified versions of popular games – and it turns out they are some of our very favorite games to play with our kids by far. These games have great pedigree, and they open up the doors to fun for a younger generation. Which ones do you think are the best? Head on over to www.DadSuggests.com to read about all of our picks! #kidsgames #boardgames #familyboardgames #familygames #tabletopgames #bgg #familygamenight #gamenight #kidsboardgames #dadlife #parenting #dadsuggests @habausa @amongstmeeples @daysofwonder @pressmantoy @mayfairgames @hasbro @zmangames_ @ravensburgerglobal #boardgamenight

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Baking Treats

It may be risky, chaotic and messy, but baking treats with your kids is a great way to spend a day of your staycation. Baking treats is fun for kids because it gives them a chance to be creative and to make something they’ll love! It doesn’t have to be a super complicated recipe either, there are plenty of easy recipes for kids to be found online.

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פורים שמח! ???‍♀️ . הילדים בחופש השבוע ואתם מחפשים תעסוקה? . תוכלו למצוא בפוסט הבא מתכונים פשוטים, קלים ומזינים להכנה יחד עם הילדים במטבח. לינק לחיץ בביו. . חג שמח וטעים לכולם ? #נטורופתיה #נטורופתית #רפואהמשלימה #לייפסטייל #אמהות #אמהותמשקיעות #ילדיםזהשמחה #חגפורים #פורים2020 #מיינדפולנס #מודעות #ילדיםבמטבח #מזוןבריא #בייבילד #מתכוניםלילדים #naturopathicmedicine #naturopath #mindfullness #lifestyle #healthylifestyle #wellness #cleaneating #veganrecipes #kidsinthekitchen #babyledweaning #israelifood #israelikitchen #purim #aeonium_ii

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Create an obstacle course

If there’s one thing kids love, it’s climbing over, under or on top of anything they can get their hands on. That’s why a homemade obstacle course is perfect for keeping your kids entertained during a staycation. Try setting up a course of playground equipment in the backyard and have your kids race against each other – or assemble a maze of couch cushions in the living room and have them find their way through. No matter what you do, they’ll love it!

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It’s no secret that we love obstacle courses, and our friends @totsontarget do too! We’ve collaborated today to show you how easy it can be to create your own obstacle course with things you already have in your house. Cushions, chairs, blankets, pillows – so many skills can be practiced with just these simple items. 1️⃣ Build strength and body awareness by crawling under things, stepping over, going around etc. Try making a tunnel from chairs and a blanket or stepping over broom handles. 2️⃣ Balance! To help kids develop more control when walking, try stepping on couch cushions, pillows, stuffed animals, or blankets. These are super fun options to develop greater balance. 3️⃣ Crawling helps kids, big and small, develop more strength in their upper bodies and coordinate movement between both sides of the body-all needed for school based skills like writing. . . 4️⃣ Body Awareness: By carefully trying to NOT knock over something, children become more aware of where their bodies are in relation to other objects. This can hopefully transition over to understanding personal space in relation to their peers. Try setting up cups, block towers, or a broom handle and chairs and have your little ones go over, under, or around. 5️⃣ Strengthening!!! Strength-in the core, arms, legs, feet, hands etc.-is needed for all fine and gross motor tasks! Movement builds strength and kids just looooove moving through obstacle courses. So have a blast, get some ideas from our joint post, and tag us in your great homemade obstacle courses! #grossmotor #grossmotorskills #grossmotorskillsdevelopment #kidsobstaclecourse #childdevelopment #developmenttips #keepkidsmoving #kidsneedtomove #movementbuildsthebrain #skills4school #schoolreadiness #occupationaltherapy #indoorplayideas #preschoolathome #toddleractivities #toddlerplay #toddlerplayideas #letsmoveandlearn

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Have a backyard camp out

You don’t need to go all the way to Europe for vacation when you have your backyard! Pick a night out of the week that has the nicest forecast. Next, set up a tent in your backyard and gather up sleeping bags and pillows for your family. Then, build a campfire near the tent (make sure it’s not too close) and set up camping chairs around the fire. Don’t forget to bring marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate for s’mores!

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Top 5 reasons you NEED an Agent when buying a home

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Thanks to the internet, you can learn almost anything. While this is a great benefit, there’s a huge difference between knowing how to technically do something and knowing how to do it well. YouTube is filled with fail videos that prove the difference between knowing how to do something versus having the expertise to do it well. Buying a property is a much bigger commitment and investment than trimming your bangs, for example, but the consequences are similar. In either case doing it yourself can work out well or can cost you significantly more time, money, and heartache than you intended. Here are the top reasons to hire an agent when buying a home.

They Have Your Best Interest In Mind

The absolute best reason to have an agent assist you in buying a home is that they are licensed professionals who have a contractual obligation to put your best interests first. While an agent who is listing the property you’re interested in can draft up all the documents you’d need to complete the purchase, they are in fact, working for the seller. Having an agent working for you will mean that they are negotiating on your behalf and trying to do what is best for you, even if it results in a lower commission for themselves.

They don’t cost you anything

As the buyer of a property, you generally don’t pay anything for the using the services of your real estate agent. Property sellers are the ones who pay all agents in a transaction. Some sellers will price their home higher to account for these costs, but negotiating the final sale price is part of what an agent can do for you.

There’s a lot at stake

In most cases, buying real estate is going to be the largest, most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. How can you be sure you’re making the right choice and not getting suckered into buying a Money Pit home? What happens if you accidentally transpose the address and on paper, you just “bought” a home that the owner wasn’t selling? Having an agent representing you means that you’ll get sound recommendations on things like what kind of inspections you should have and who should do them and the errors and omissions insurance carried by real estate brokerages covers you in the event of a typo.

They do this every day

For most people, buying a house is a few-in-a-lifetime experience. The day you sign the closing papers will be a day you clearly remember, but for your agent, it’s likely just another day. While your agent will be excited for you, for them it’s business as usual, which is great news for you! This experience means they know how to handle unusual circumstances and they know what to look out for to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. In a straightforward transaction this experience might not seem that important, but this knowledge will be invaluable for situations that pop-up without warning.

They have tools you don’t

How do you know if a property is fairly priced? While the internet has some good tools for consumers to use, real estate agents have access to a lot of information that isn’t publicly available. They can tell you when the home you’re looking at was last sold and for what price, what comparable homes are going for in the area, and how this property stacks up. This can help raise red flags and let you know what to dig into more. For example, if the same home has been sold three times in the last two years or if a home sold for dramatically less than it previously had, you’re going to want to find out why.

Ready to get started? Find a top-rated local agent who will give you a cash back credit at closing by checking the newest RealtyHive program, Cashifyd.

3 Leaf Clover cookies with malt in a St. Patrick's mug

9 Party Ideas For St. Patrick’s Day

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Looking for clever ideas for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration? Look no further! From delicious treats to nifty crafts, here are 9 super fun ideas for your St. Patrick’s Day Party:

Design Your Own Invitations

Start off your party the right way by creating your own clover-themed invitations! You can use a template  or you can make your own design. Be creative!

DIY St. Patrick’s Wreath

Tis the season for the luck of the Irish! Welcome your guests into your home with a St. Patrick’s Day wreath! Not only does it make a cool decoration for the holiday, but it’s super fun to make! Plus, there are probably 1000 different ways you can make them. Check it out!

DIY Clover Pillows

Another DIY craft, these pillows are the perfect way to brighten up your home and get your guests in the spirit of St Patrick’s Day!

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Meet the St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ version of my cute little bunny pillow I shared last week! Isn’t it cute! ☘️ It’s great to tuck anywhere, or add a hole and some twine to hang on a door or wall! Check out my stories to see how I made this cute little no-sew pillow using a @dollartree fleece baby blanket! . . . #diy #diycrafts #stpatricksdaydiy #stpatricksdaypillow #nosew #shamrock #stpatricksday2020 #nosewpillow #dollartree #dollartreediy #dollartreefinds #dollartreeeaster #easydiy #springdiy #buffalobloggers #buffaloblogger #decoronabuget #dollartreecommunity #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdaydecorations #farmhousedecor #diyeaster #diyhomedecorating #buffalocheck #mybhghome #hgtv #bhgstylemaker #seasonaldecor #decorationideas #farmhousestyle

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Hand Out Gifts

Hand out some clover-themed prizes or gifts like these St. Patrick’s accessories as a fun way to entertain your guests!

DIY Charm Bracelet

Looking for a fun, neat way to entertain your guests? Try a DIY lucky charm bracelet! There’s a lot of different ways you can make them – you can have your guests design their own or you can find one online.

Lucky Charms Treats

If you want to serve a delicious St Patrick’s treat for your party, but don’t want to spend hours slaving in the kitchen, then try these Lucky Charms marshmallow treats! They only need 3 ingredients, and making them takes no time at all!

Copycat Shamrock Shakes

If you’ve never had a Shamrock Shake before – you’re seriously missing out! Shamrock shakes are these minty, creamy, delicious milkshakes that are only served during St. Patrick’s time. Homemade shamrock shakes are super fun to make – and they make a great treat to serve for a party!

St. Patrick’s Cupcakes

Another delicious treat you could serve are these St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes! Not only are cupcakes universally enjoyed, but they’re super easy to make! Even if you don’t feel like cooking anything, there are plenty of bakeries out there that make St Patrick’s cupcakes!

Pot-O-Gold Gift Bags

Make sure to send your guests off with these pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow gift bags! All you need are rolos, skittles, mini marshmallows and you and your guests are all set!