Category Archives: Family Home

Family Home, Homeowners

Landscaping Trends to Increase Home Value

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Your curb may be close to the drain, but don’t be confused: Putting money into curb appeal is in no way throwing money down the drain. Homes with better landscaping sell for a higher price — and few people would ignore the kind of value it can add to your home. Depending on where you are and how much landscaping you do, you could be talking about tens of thousands of dollars. Here are a few landscaping trends that increase the value of your home.

Sustainability

The low-maintenance, low-water and eco-friendly yard is not a myth. While a thick, green lawn is always appealing, you can always mix things up with xeriscaping elements or native plants to bring out the best in your yard. Sustainability has become a keyword in the landscaping industry. Clients want to see yards that add to the natural biodiversity of their neighborhoods. Another benefit? A yard that’s easy to keep up is a good selling point for potential buyers.

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Family Home, Homeowners

Spring Cleaning Hacks

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Spring motivates a lot of us to do some much needed deep cleaning. It’s a good idea to take a few days to really cleanse your space and revamp your style. Cleaning and decluttering is a great way to start off the new season and fill your time. Not only does it clear your house, it also clears your mind!

Clean Baseboards, Cabinets, Doors, Windowsills, and Walls

Sound like fun yet? These are not typically chores we do on a regular basis, but a lot of crud builds up here, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. 

Baseboards and window sills accumulate dust, dirt, hair and can become discolored. You’ll be amazed how much cleaner and brighter your space looks with freshly scrubbed baseboards and window sills. 

Don’t forget to do the ones in the kitchen, too. Sticky food residue easily accumulates here and can attract bugs when the warmer weather sets in. Wipe down your walls and doors to get off the dirt and grime, especially the parts closer to the floor where the foot traffic is coming and going. 

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Family Home, Real Estate

Are the Suburbs Right for You?

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Having a family and living a peaceful life in a beautiful suburban home is a dream for many. Your kids growing up with a backyard and playing around, breathing fresh air and enjoying the smell of freshly cut grass is one of the best things you could provide them with. There are, of course, a lot more options for living arrangements for families and not everything is going to be a good fit for everyone. However, if you’re leaning towards life in the suburbs or are simply unable to make a decision, keep on reading. We’re here to talk about the benefits of buying a suburban home. 

Why buying a suburban home is not for everyone

Let’s start off by saying that if you’re just not the type to live in a suburban home and lead a quiet life, that’s completely fine. There’s no one right way of living, choose what’s best for you!

Having to maintain your home

If you’re used to living in a bigger urban city, chances are that you used to live in an apartment. Although living in a house has a lot of perks, it has its downsides as well. Having to mow your lawn, fix your fence or clear snow off of your front porch and driveway can be bothersome. You might not be cut out for it and that’s completely understandable. 

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Family Home, Homeowners

Introducing Yourself to Neighbors After Moving

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Dear introverts, we know it’s difficult to read this, but getting to know your neighbors and allowing them to get to know you can truly be a lifesaver. Especially if you live alone in a new neighborhood like many students and young professionals. It’s overwhelming, true, establishing that initial contact with strangers who happen to live next door. However, the benefits far outweigh the anxiety you must be feeling. Indeed, extroverted people have it easier breaking the ice in a blink of an eye. The good thing is you can learn a thing or two from them.

Know thy neighbor and the best moment to approach

First things first. Before you rent an apartment, you should explore your neighborhood online. Find a platform with building or neighborhood reviews and go through them. They will give you valuable insight into what kind of community you can expect after you move in. 

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Family Home

Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Living

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Want a dog but worried they might not be happy in an apartment setting? No worries, there are plenty of dog breeds that thrive, living in close proximity to their human. When you look for the best breed to live with you in an apartment, there are a few things to consider. Not all small dogs make great apartment dogs, and not all large dogs are terrible apartment dogs!

You need to consider their energy levels, how much they bark (your neighbors won’t thank you for getting a loud dog in a smaller complex) and how much exercise they need. 

Here are ten of the best suited apartment dogs to keep you company in your small space. 

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Family Home, Home Design

Five Outdoor Features That Will Boost Your Home Value

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Home buyers are more than responsive and attracted to open, livable spaces that are both earth-friendly and stylish. Other than energy-efficiency, outdoor living features are another trend that’s changing the landscape of home design. 

Not only do these features optimize the home life of your family, they significantly boost the value of your home as well. So, if you want to turn your property in a home buyer’s dream and future money make, these are the five outdoor features you should consider adding to your home.

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Family Home, Homeowners

How to Make Moving With Pets Less Stressful

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It’s not surprising that moving home is one of the most stressful life events. All that organizing, packing, sorting and sometimes even new schools and jobs; there’s a lot going on! 

It’s often easy to forget that our pets can become stressed too. 

While you may have the most laid-back dog or aloof cat, studies have shown that both cats and dogs can pick up on how you are feeling. So instead of our pet making us feel better, we can make them feel worse.

Not only can they mirror our emotions, but they may also have some worries of their own when their bed and toys are being packed into a van. So how do we keep it as stress free as possible?

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Family Home, Home Buyers, Travel

How to Help Your Kids with Back-to-School Season After a Move

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Moving can be stressful for all members of the family, but especially your kids. No matter the age, kids can have a difficult time adjusting to a move, especially once back-to-school season rolls around. Since summer is the most popular time of year to move, starting a new school after moving can be challenging, so here are a few tips for helping your kids feel less alone when starting a new school this fall.

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Family Home, Real Estate

Best Time to Move With Kids

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The right time to move can be different for everyone. Depending on your job opportunities, the housing market, your timeline for moving, or your kids’ ages, there are plenty of factors to consider when deciding when is the right time to move with your family. But is there a perfect time to move with kids, and how should you approach the move? Here’s what to keep in mind when moving with kids.

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Family Home

How to Make Your Furry Friends Feel at Home

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We all love our four-legged family members, but sometimes your home isn’t set up for the hustle and bustle of pets. Whether its cats, dogs, birds or hamsters your family has taken in, all pets have different needs around the house.

Home builders are adapting by creating ways your home can be more pet-friendly and unique to each pet need. Below are a few amenities that families are opting for just to keep their furry friends happy.

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