How to Decide Where to Live

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Maybe it was a breakup. Maybe you no longer want to live in the city you grew up in. Maybe you’re simply feeling restless. Maybe you just don’t want to shovel your driveway anymore!

No matter the reason, this blog is here to help figure out where to move next. Sure, you can throw a dart at a map of the US, but we figure going through the best places to live in the US might provide just a skosh more stability.

Moving Based on Climate

It’s true what they say — the grass is always greener. Desert folks want to escape the heat and see some beautiful greenery. Landlocked people want an ocean breeze. Here are some great places to live in the US based on climate:

Desert

Arizona is popping off right now, and for a good reason. The warm winters are what dreams are made of, and if you’re burning up in the desert, cool off just 2-3 hours north in Sedona and Flagstaff to cool off.

Phoenix and Tucson have tons of hiking trails to behold. Scottsdale is known for its trendy restaurants and great nightlife. Plan your move in the middle of a snowy January and we’re pretty sure you’ll never look back.

Ocean

If you think living near the beach can only exist as a pipe dream, you’re blissfully mistaken. To be sure, it’s a little pricier. But if you can’t manage to own a home in Hawaii or Beverly Hills just yet, consider somewhere that’s a hop, skip, and a jump from the ocean.

Brawley, CA is just barely two hours away from San Diego. Lake Arrowhead is an hour and 40 minutes from Santa Monica — plus, this beautiful lake will surely suffice when you can’t make it to the ocean.

Mountains

As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, people flock to Colorado in droves. While there’s nothing wrong with moving to this progressive and scenic state, there’s a city that’s less expensive and with equally stunning views — if not even better mountainous vistas.

Meet Livingston, Montana. An hour outside Yellowstone National Park, this city is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and rivers with great restaurants. It’s perfect for small-town living but attracts some big names — John Mayer has a place just 8 minutes away in Paradise Valley, MT.

Moving Based on City

New York, LA, Boston, Seattle — these cities are popular destinations for a reason. But there are plenty of smaller, lesser-known cities that deserve time in the spotlight:

  • Lincoln, NE is #9 on Livability’s 2019 list of most livable cities in the US.
  • Salt Lake City, UT has great restaurants and an incredible public transit system.
  • Milwaukee, WI is a bustling city — if it’s too bustling for you, settle in a nearby suburb like Waukesha or Pewaukee that has its own vibe.
  • Grand Rapids, MI is right on the water and has amazing historic neighborhoods.

Moving Based on Accessibility

Living in a rural place and dreaming of convenience? While the city might be too big for your next step (and that’s perfectly fine), imagine the convenience of nearby international airports, multiple grocery stores, and shopping centers.

Goodyear, AZ is 30 to 45 minutes from the Phoenix airport (Sky Harbor International) but has tons of shopping areas in close proximity. West Allis, WI is not even 15 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. Practically any suburb outside a bigger city will be a huge step up in convenience and accessibility.

Moving Based on Feeling

Countless people read about a city in a book or saw a place on TV and can’t get it out of their heads. While some might think it’s crazy to move based on instinct, we’re inclined to disagree. When you’re drawn to a location, you should honor your feelings and look into the possibility at the very least.

But here’s what we would recommend:

  • Check out the place first. Take a trip and see what you think.
  • Take your time, and don’t act too rashly. It’s super romantic to think about packing it all up and leaving. This quickly wears away if you get to a foreign place without a job or home lined up.
  • Consider others. Having a spouse or kids means you absolutely have to honor their needs. Moving at this point in time might not do that, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never get there.
  • Examine your “why.” Are you moving because you’re ready for a change, or because you’re running away? We’re not saying you’re wrong if your answer is the latter, but it’s something to think about. Know that your problems don’t magically disappear just because you’re in a new location.

When you’re ready to call a new place home, make RealtyHive your first step. Our listings are among the best places to live in the US, from places that are up-and-coming to homes that are practically off the grid. Find your new home with RH!

Home Staging for the Holidays

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Can home staging with holiday decorations help you sell?

As the holiday season approaches, home sellers wonder what to do with their holiday decor. Does stringing up holiday lights make your home stand out or will it turn a buyer off? Should you hang your stockings with care or keep them in storage as one less thing to pack? Will seasonal decorations distract a potential buyer from your granite counter tops or will it draw their eye to your Craftsman-style built-ins? 

According to REALTOR.com, 92% of realtors advise putting out some sort of decorations when trying to sell your home during the holidays. This home staging can range from putting out only non-religious seasonal decor (think snowflakes and ice skates) to putting out everything, including religious items like mangers or menorahs. When it comes to deciding what to do for your particular home, geography and local culture should be your guide.

Regardless of the specific type of decor you choose to use, here are a few tips home staging tips to make your place shine during a holiday-season open house.

home staged for holidays

Use the senses to your advantage

Scent is the sense most closely tied to memory and home sellers can use this to their advantage. Baking cookies is always a hit as it will make your kitchen smell divine. Use pre-made cookie dough so you won’t have dirty dishes to deal with and pop them in the oven just before the open house or showing begins to set a homey vibe.

Another tip is to light some seasonally-scented candles. The candlelight will bring a romantic flair to your rooms while the scent will add to the experience you’re creating. If you decide to set up an artificial Christmas tree, you may want to consider using a scent stick (available where most holiday decorations are sold) to really drive home the holiday smells, although be cautious of going overboard with this.

Assess your outdoor lighting

While you don’t need to string up lights (although you can if you’d like), you are going to need to make sure you have adequate lighting outside. As the hours of sun per day decreases, buyers are more likely to see your home in the dusk/dark so you want to make sure to have good lights. Not only will this help to showcase your property, it’s a necessary safety precaution.

A good rule of thumb is to use at least a 60-watt bulb, although if you have two fixtures together you can get by with 40-watt bulbs. These will provide enough light to show off your home without looking too bright or out of place. If your home is in a more remote area or you need additional light, consider using up to 120-watt bulbs in a floodlight fixture to really make your house shine.

Showcase the features of your home

The holiday season is the perfect time to showcase the special areas and features of your home. While you wouldn’t use your fireplace in the middle of August, lighting it up in December reminds buyers how nice a warm hearth can be. Have a built-in sound system? Show it off by softly playing some seasonal music. Have a lovely formal dining room? Set the table as if you were hosting a fancy dinner party complete with place settings and wine glasses. A little staging can go a long way to up the coziness factor throughout the home and provide the “wow” factor buyers are looking for.

While home staging isn’t required during any time of the year, it’s almost always a good idea. A trusty real estate agent can be a wonderful resource to help you find just the right amount of staging to draw in the best offers. Want to free up a little more cash for the holidays? Find agents who offer cash back to sellers through Cashifyd!

The Basics of Home Interior Design

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The basics of home interior design are very much the same as cooking. While many of us crave chocolate, would love some tacos but also wouldn’t pass up an opportunity for pizza, we’d never pour all of those into one dish, bake, then serve. Unless you’re pregnant, in which case you can do whatever the hell you want.

Like cooking, interior design 101 requires you to stick to a theme — a flavor palette, if you will. For example, ginger stays with Asian dishes, just like mid-century modern pieces don’t belong in a Victorian house. Even if you’re not an interior decorator, it won’t be hard to master the basics of design with this RealtyHive blog.

Tip #1: Respect the house.

The foundation of your house, its architectural bones — they’re everything. Let the house’s architecture guide your design. If you have dreams of a beautiful Mediterranean revivalist home, you’ll need a house that fits the bill. Trying to force Mediterranean vibes into a Victorian house will certainly feel off.

And before we dive further, remember that it’s not just about what feels right for you. Even if you have no qualms when a home’s decor and structure don’t match, most people won’t feel similarly. As we’ve talked about in the past, a home that’s too niche or personalized is more difficult to sell.

Tip #2: When it comes to boldness, pick one.

A boldly colored accent wall? Go for it! A boldly patterned rug? Why not! However, if you pair both bold things at once, you’ve gone too far.

Mixing bold colors and patterns is overwhelming — for some people, it’s practically an assault on our senses. We often forget that what we see impacts our mood, and overstimulating environments can negatively affect us. Granted, if you love the clash (and some people do), implement your style to a single bedroom or study instead of letting that chaos rule the whole house for the best of both worlds.

Tip #3: Less is more.

As renowned designer Coco Chanel once said about accessorizing, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Too many collectibles and knickknacks reek of clutter. 

On the other hand, minimal decorating provides a sense of calm and serenity that can’t be beaten. It’s helpful for those staying in your house, it costs less than overdecorating, and it allows you to focus on a few important pieces, which inevitably makes the value of those pieces more meaningful.

Tip #4: Consistency is key.

As we mentioned, it’s OK if there’s a bedroom or study or even basement that doesn’t fit your entire home’s scheme. You can’t force a teenager to decorate their room differently, nor would you want to.

That being said, consistency throughout the house’s main rooms provides a necessary flow. A modern kitchen next to a neoclassical living room is confusing. Stick with a general theme and even a color scheme that connects the rooms in your home.

Tip #5: Look at examples.

One of the best ways to improve your understanding of interior design basics is to simply look around.

Find what you like or don’t like. Study up on modern trends. Watch architectural or interior design videos on YouTube. Look to the environment outside you and play off of the colors, shapes, and textures you see. The world is your oyster for inspiration!

Whether you’re looking for a mid-century modern house, a classic Victorian home, a modest ranch, or a Mediterranean manor, RealtyHive has it all. Find your next dream home by looking through our listings!

What to Do With Real Estate When Getting Divorced

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Divorce is no easy topic to talk about. No matter if you’re glad for the split or devastated, divorce can be extremely hard. Sharing property usually only complicates the matter.

Nevertheless, if you’re trying to figure out what to do with your house during a divorce, let this blog serve as a guide. No matter what route you go down, know that we at RealtyHive are thinking of you, and wish you all the best.

Option 1: Continue owning the home together.

Sometimes marriages end amicably (or at the very least, without too much bitterness or resentment). If that’s the case, continuing to co-own your home isn’t out of the ballpark for dealing with real estate during a divorce.

This can work really well if it’s for a rental home or other investment property. It’s significantly more challenging (though not impossible) to navigate if it’s the home you’re both currently living in. Keep in mind that your emotional well-being is of the utmost importance. Don’t feel the need to force co-ownership if it’s more hassle than harmonious.

Option 2: One person stays in the house.

If both parties are deadset on staying in the house, here are a few scenarios to keep in mind.

When Kids Are Involved

While custody battles can be nightmarish, children often make determining who stays in the house at least a little easier. Typically, the parent who spends the most time with the kids (or who’s granted the majority of custody) will be allowed to stay in the house, if the house is in both parties’ names.

When One Person Owns the House

If the house is property of just one person, they might have the right to stay in the house. Separate property and a person’s right to them depends on the state you live in and date of purchase (see “equitable distribution” below).

When Both People Own the House (and Don’t Have Kids)

You and your spouse might reach an agreement of who gets to live in (and potentially own) the house. If that’s the case, good for both of you and your ability to effectively mediate.

However, many people are not in that boat, and that’s OK. Laws on real estate and divorce vary from state to state, which brings us to Option 3:

Option 3: Sell the house.

For the record, selling your house is not a last resort, nor is it a failure. Houses can unfortunately serve as painful reminders of memories you once shared. It’s completely fine — not to mention, usually recommended — to sell and start fresh.

How selling a house in divorce works depends on your state.

Community Property

If divorcing in a state that practices community property, all property of a married person is determined as community or separate property by a judge. Community property is typically divided between the divorcing couple. Any properties deemed “separate” stay with the spouse that it belongs to (ex. a husband buys a hunting cabin in his name).

The practice of splitting community property is found in the following states:

Equitable Distribution

All other states practice equitable distribution. This means that any property gained during the marriage is divided equitably between parties. Separate property is usually taken into account as well when dividing real estate.

You might be tempted to put your home on the market in the traditional manner of selling a house. Here’s why you want to sell with RealtyHive instead:

  • Faster: Your house could sit on the market for months or longer if you sell your house the old-fashioned way. Our time-limited events are exactly that — time-limited so that you can move on faster.
  • Risk-Free. Home doesn’t sell right away? You don’t pay until your home is sold. Had a change of heart and no longer want to sell? You don’t have to accept an offer!
  • Reduce Carrying Costs. Selling faster not only helps you start fresh sooner, it reduces your time paying for mortgage, insurance, etc.

You deserve to move on. You don’t deserve to feel shackled to the past and to a home that symbolizes something you’re no longer a part of. Work with RealtyHive to sell your home during a divorce and to start the next chapter of your life.

Investing in Real Estate vs. Stocks

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To invest in real estate or in the stock market: that is the question. Investing is perhaps the greatest way to truly grow your financial portfolio. But which between property and stocks, which route should you take?

RealtyHive is here to explore both investment options. Answer the following questions to narrow your focus!

Would you rather play it safe or take some risks?

A game of cards can tell you a lot about yourself. When betting, are you more likely to put it all on the line, confident that others’ circumstances will work in your favor? Or are you more likely to hold back and bet conservatively, even if you have a great hand?

Honor whatever your comfort level is with risk-taking and investing to some degree. Especially for first-time investors, this might not be the time to go all the way in — but it’s not the time to hold everything back, either.

For some, starting out small in the stocks can feel safer because they control how much (or how little they put in). For others, investing in real estate can feel safer because it’s an asset that they can tangibly see. If you’re more comfortable putting in a lot of money off the bat, a real estate investment might be best for you.

How much time do you want to spend on your investment?

Very little? Investing in the stocks is likely your best bet, especially if you’re starting out. Whether you hire a financial advisor or simply put money in the market and monitor it, investing in stocks will take considerably less time than in real estate.

Want to make this investment a side hustle, a passion project, or a full-blown career? Real estate investing is the way to go. Flipping or renting out houses takes a lot of time. While you could eventually get to a point of hiring a team of property managers, it will take awhile to get there.

What’s your timeline — how quickly do you want to see results?

This is a bit tricky to answer because seeing a return on your investments will undoubtedly take time. However, you have more control of when you want to pull out of the stocks than real estate investing. By that, we mean you could theoretically make a profit in a single day for your stocks and decide to sell (though most financial planners wouldn’t recommend this).

It will take longer to make money in real estate. Even if you’re into flipping houses, this takes longer than profiting from day trading. Most houses take years to gain value. If you’re impatient, investing in stocks might be the better solution for you.

What can you make better guesses on?

Have you done a lot of research and feel more comfortable starting out in the stocks? Are you living in an area that’s about to become the next trendiest city to live? It’s truly up to you to know which investment will have the best chances of panning out — though as always, there’s no guarantee.

What’s your end goal?

When do you want to retire? What’s the number in your bank account that you’re trying to hit? Where are you trying to travel to? What lifestyle are you trying to live? 

Figuring out your goals is a crucial piece to investing. If you love the idea of making small gains (and losses) over time, stocks are your best bet. If you’re looking forward to retiring with a hefty chunk of change from selling a property that has appreciated wonderfully in value, real estate is for you.

In the event that all goes well, you can make a heftier chunk of change from selling real estate later on than you can from stocks. But that comes with a hefty amount of work. Once you have some goals in mind, you’ll be more able to determine the best course of action.

We know that stocks and real estate investing are no small topics. As always, RealtyHive is driven to help people achieve their goals. Look through our listings today to find your next (or first!) investment property!

Are Tiny Houses A Good Investment?

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“We live in a tiny home.” A decade ago, this statement would have caused looks of sympathy. Now, it’s a topic of fascination and conversation — yet another example of how time changes all!

The tiny home movement has only continued to pick up speed. We all know the benefits: costs less to own and operate, takes up less space, encourages a minimalist lifestyle. But is owning a small house actually worth it? The RealtyHive blog is here to investigate.

Are tiny houses timeless, or simply trending?

Tiny houses are currently all the rage, but is this a trend that will last?

Historically, how people choose to occupy space is something that ebbs and flows. In the era of mass immigration during the 1800s, people flocked to New York by the millions, cramming into tiny apartments — sometimes shared by multiple families.

By the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, we saw a rise in Victorian manors and people moving westward, demonstrating a shift in people’s desire for more space. Row homes and single family homes grew in popularity in the ‘50s, only for sprawling mansions and bigger homes to be the trend of the ‘80s.

Based on these trends, it’s safe to predict that if everyone had a tiny home, we’d all eventually crave something roomier (or at the very least, future generations would). The resale value of a tiny house is remarkable right now, but down the line, this might not be the case.

Minimal size = minimal lifestyle?

Most of the time, tiny homes are depicted on the outskirts — both of society and societal norms as a whole. From gorgeous treehouse bungalows to shipping container homes in the Southwest, you’ll typically find these homes in more remote areas.

That’s great for the person living off the grid or the freelancer working from home, but what about the majority of people working 9-to-5s? Many subdivisions won’t allow tiny homes — there usually is a minimum square footage requirement. Longer commutes themselves are a nuisance, but for someone trying to lessen their carbon footprint, a tiny house probably isn’t the solution.

Tiny home expenses = tiny financial impact?

Certainly, this is one of the greatest advantages to the small-house movement. Building costs are likely less than buying a more traditional single family home.

With less room to heat/cool, light, and even clean than traditional homes, tiny houses will have substantially lower operation costs. Plus, less storage means you physically won’t be able to buy more stuff. People often forget that owning a house costs much more than just the down payment and mortgage — much of this can be eliminated with a tiny home.

More people = more problems?

This question goes in two directions:

Globally: As our population continues to grow, there’s a good chance that we will simply need to adjust to living in smaller spaces. For that reason, a tiny house could still have desirability in the future and positively influence your potential for ROI.

Individually: A tiny house is great for a person or a couple. It becomes significantly more challenging for growing families. As kids get older, space becomes a priority — not to mention more “stuff” (everything from toys to school papers) begins accumulating.

What worked for two people will be a massive challenge for three or four. If having a family is important to you, a tiny home might not fit your family’s needs.

For most people, tiny homes probably won’t work in the long run. But only you can decide if this is a worthy investment and lifestyle for you. Still on board with a tiny house? Check out our vacant land for sale to find the perfect place to build (oceanfront property in Honduras, anyone?). Thinking about finding a more traditional (yet modest) house? Look through the RealtyHive listings to find your dream home!

How to Avoid Home Buyer’s Remorse

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Here’s a quick quiz for you: What percentage of millennials regret buying a house?

a. 30%
b. 49%
c. 54%
d. 68%

The answer is d. Astoundingly, more than two-thirds of millennials have home buyer’s remorse.

You might be thinking, why would a real estate company write about people wishing they hadn’t bought a house? It’s because we don’t want anyone buying a house they’ll regret. We’re writing on this issue because you can absolutely prevent home buyer’s remorse — here’s how.

Think long-term.

Many people want to buy a house for one of the following reasons:

  • A house is a crucial step in adulthood.
  • Buying a house is a good investment.
  • I don’t want to rent anymore.
  • When having a family, it’s important to have extra space.
  • I want my own property, my own space.

Most of these reasons are great reasons to buy a house. However, most of these reasons don’t remind us that a house is a massive investment.

Home buyer’s remorse is the same as regular remorse: we regret how our past decisions have impacted our future. It’s critical to think of a house in the long-term — it’s better to wait on buying a house than to rush into an investment you’re not ready for.

Think big picture.

Owning a home means affording a down payment and monthly mortgage, right? 

Not at all. A lack of planning ahead leads to a lot of home buyer’s remorse. You should put at least 1% of your home’s value into savings each year, solely for repairs and annual maintenance. You probably should wait on buying if this feels like a stretch.

If you don’t burn through all that money in a year, consider yourself lucky, and keep saving. Having to suddenly replace your home’s heating or deal with a burst pipe is a lot less intimidating when you’ve put the money away ahead of time.

Don’t put too much down on a down payment.

CNBC reported that about 40% of millennials feel like they didn’t make good financial decisions when buying a house. That’s almost half of all millennial homebuyers.

A big source of home buyer’s remorse came from spending too much on the down payment. Reports showed that one-third of millennials were dipping into their retirement funds to pay for their house. This should be avoided at all costs — and if it can’t, nine times out of 10 you should wait on buying.

While a 20% down payment might seem traditional and best for paying off your house, it’s not the only way to go. FHA loans allow you to put down 10% or less. Conventional loans can be as low as 3% down. Research your options until you feel confident in how you’ll afford your home.

Do what’s right for you.

Are you more interested in traveling and moving around? Do you want to switch jobs or careers in the next year or two? Do you see yourself settling down into a different area than where you are now? Are you worried about managing a property? Would paying for a house feel more sacrificial than rewarding?

Just because your parents, grandparents, or even friends have bought houses does not mean you have to. There’s no timeline to home ownership — you can (and should) wait if you don’t feel ready. And even if you never want to buy a house, that’s OK!

Listen to your gut.

We’ve all been there — you want to buy something, it doesn’t feel *quite* right, but we’re already committed to the idea and don’t want to back down. In the event of a house, you should absolutely back down if something feels off. 

Twenty percent of millennials felt home buyer’s remorse when they discovered damages and expensive issues after closing. Order a thorough home inspection, read up on contingencies, hire an attorney or real estate agent to help you through closing, and remember — if this house doesn’t work out, there will be another one.

At RealtyHive, we will always work to help you find the best real estate situation. Whether that means selling your house through a time-limited event, buying your first home, or even getting cash back in both the buying and selling process, we’ve got you covered. See what’s currently on the market, and work with RealtyHive to truly avoid home buyer’s remorse.

Creating a Sense of Urgency to Help Sell Your Home

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“Buy NOW!”

“Going, going GONE!”

“One day sale only!”

Urgency is a sales tactic that we see everywhere. Creating a sense of urgency is an effective way to get people to act fast. But does this sales tactic work with selling your house? 

Not to spoil it for you, but the answer is yes, absolutely! Read on to find out why.

How Selling a House Is Different From Traditional Sales

In some ways, the sense of urgency in selling a house is reversed from traditional sales. Oftentimes, those selling a house are more in a rush to get their house sold than people are to buy it.

Not to mention, houses don’t “go bad” like produce at the grocery store or seasonal clothing at a boutique. But don’t worry — there are still plenty of ways that you can create a sense of urgency when selling your house.

List a deadline.

If you’re certain that you’ll have a ton of activity on your home, you can put “Presenting all offers on ____” your listing description. This can work super well if your price is slightly underpriced because you could potentially skip negotiating offers and escalation clauses.

However, we can’t stress this enough: only do this if you’re 100% positive your home is in high demand, otherwise this can backfire.

Live in a desirable area.

Living in an area where everyone wants to live practically creates the sense of urgency for you. Many homes out West (such as in Colorado and Montana) are selling like hotcakes because there is such high demand. If you’re in the buying stage, it’s to your benefit to pick a house that’s in an up-and-coming location.

Have a desirable home.

A property that meets the needs of a specific demographic or has some amazing assets is sure to be a hot commodity. Having an energy efficient or smart home is a definite plus. So is having a space that future owners can turn into a vacation rental, such as a home with a shed that can be converted into a home.

But what if you don’t have a super desirable property?

First off, there’s nothing to be ashamed of if that’s the case. We can’t all have the hottest properties on the market, it’s just not possible! 

However, we’re going to let you in on a secret: it is possible. Working with RealtyHive is a key way to create a sense of urgency for your home sale.

List in a time-limited event with RealtyHive!

Did you know that most properties listed with RealtyHive sell before a time-limited event takes place? It’s because these events are the definition of creating a sense of urgency for your home sale. If people wait until the day of the event, they’re at risk for losing the property, or for paying a higher price.

Just like many other psychology selling tricks, you don’t need urgency to create a sense of urgency. However, successfully creating a sense of urgency massively helps your property sell. Don’t worry about becoming a sales expert — just work with RealtyHive instead when it’s time to sell your house!

Preparing for Winter (In Places That Don’t Get Winter)

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In 2019, the city of Redding, CA received more snow in a single day than Boston had the entire season. Last year, sunny Tucson, AZ — where the average temperature is 84°F — experienced snow.

While every place experiences winter, being prepared for winter’s worst is no longer limited to northern states. Whether you’re in Albuquerque or Atlanta, San Antonio or Scottsdale, take these cold weather tips to ensure you’re ready for whatever comes this winter.

Slipping on ice — is not so nice.

Warmer states tend to have more of an ice problem than colder states. This is because these states and their residents are often less prepared to deal with ice and because temperatures can hover right around freezing. It might be rainy and in the 40s one evening in Georgia, only to freeze overnight and turn driveways into the world’s worst slip-n-slide.

Stock up on at least one of the following things — even if you don’t use them this year, they’ll last for years to come:

  • Rock salt: A bag of salt is your best bet because it melts the ice. Plus, there will be leftover traction (salt particles) once the ice melts. One downside: Rock salt doesn’t work as well at 10°F and lower.
  • Sand: Sand creates traction on top of the ice, but doesn’t melt it. Even in the coldest of temperatures, sand helps tires and boots grip better.
  • Kitty Litter: Kitty litter should really only be used in desperate times. It provides some traction but ultimately absorbs the water because it’s mostly clay.

A bag of water-softener salt can also work in a pinch, but your best bet is rock salt.

Put down some paper — invest in a scraper.

True story: this writer lived near Phoenix, AZ, then traveled to Colorado and learned the hard way that she didn’t have a car scraper.

A car scraper is a best and quickest way to eliminate snow and ice on your windshield. Even if you don’t use a scraper this year, even if you think defrosting will work fine, you never know! There are countless scenarios and places where a scraper will come in handy. Drop the 10 or 15 bucks now for a lifetime of protection.

Show your hands love — get some gloves.

Living in a warm place and buying the proper winter attire doesn’t make you weak, it means you’re smart! There’s no reason to suffer months of mild cold, because mild cold is still “cold.” Consider getting a warmer jacket, a pair of gloves, a headband or hat, and winter boots. Again, even if you don’t use them now, there’s a good chance you will eventually.

Traveling near or far — stock up your car.

Breakdowns do happen. Road closures occur. No one wants to skid into a ditch on a particularly frosty night, but unexpected occurrences don’t wait for when you’re ready.

Pack up your car with the following things to ensure you’ll be set for winter:

  • Blankets
  • Non-perishable food items
  • Water bottles
  • Reflective cones or signs
  • First aid kit
  • Paper towels
  • Phone charger (preferably a car charger, but consider buying a portable charger if your car doesn’t have charging capabilities)

Another true story: This writer was in a car that broke down on a country road at 8 p.m. on a Sunday in February. It took over an hour for AAA to arrive and the battery was dead. Everyone in the car was so grateful for the blankets!

Cold weather tips might seem pointless if you’re not in a place with cold weather, but recent years and patterns have shown otherwise. Ice storms, blizzards, and cold snaps can happen to anyone, anywhere. 

Wherever you are, RealtyHive is your local real estate expert. Whether looking for a home in super sunny El Centro or wanting to tough it out in Montana, our real estate listings have it all.

Smart Home Devices to Check Out

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The Jetsons or the severely underrated Disney original movie “Smart House” portray what life is like when technology makes its way into our homes. But in present times, these movies are closer to fact than fiction. 

While everyone knows about Alexa and Google Home, these smart home devices might not be common knowledge — but they’re certainly just as cool.

RealQuick: Why update to smart home devices?

Convenience: What is technology if not an improvement on the ordinary? Some of these smart home devices (like the speaker/bath fan combo) eliminate the need for multiple appliances or technologies.

Safety: Better technology can help improve our safety. An outdated garage door can be broken into; a lack of water monitoring system could lead to mold.

Be in the Know: Living in Florida for the winter? Renting out an Airbnb in Spain? Smart home devices help you keep track of your property, even when you’re away. 

Save Money: Smart thermostats are just one of the many forms of technology that improve energy efficiency. The more energy you save, the more money you save.

Bluetooth Speaker/Bath Fan Combo

Bluetooth speakers are great, but installing them in with your bath fan is next level. Bathrooms need fans to properly ventilate steam and moisture. This combination would be perfect for listening to your favorite album or podcast while taking a blissfully long shower, with the added benefit of clearing out all that humidity!

Smart Garage

Most garages operate remotely, but it’s getting better than ever. Smart garages allow you to open a garage door from a phone, tablet, or desktop, anywhere in the world! This is not just convenient for families, it also adds a layer of protection. 

Certain garage openers and garages can also automatically open or close once you leave or arrive home. You’ll never have to wonder if you remembered to close the garage door again.

Water Monitor

The average household with leaks leads to more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. This isn’t environmentally friendly, but it also isn’t very wallet-friendly, either. Oftentimes, we don’t realize we have leaks until there’s something noticeable (like a faucet or the development of mold).

Water monitors nowadays can both detect and even stop leaks from happening. This saves you countless dollars in repairs and wasted energy bills.

Smart Thermostat

Sure, you can program many thermostats to certain temperatures at certain times of day. But what about when you come home from a trip at a weird hour, or something else unexpected comes up?

Smart thermostats use an app on your phone to allow you to program your thermostat, whenever and wherever. Many also connect Alexa or Google Home so that your thermostat is voice-activated. Not too shabby for when you’re sick on the couch and don’t want to move!

Another benefit to adding all these smart home devices? You’ll improve your home’s value. A smart home is a major selling point in the market, and listing with RealtyHive makes the selling process easier than ever. Find your new home or sell your existing one with RH!