CREATE KID-SAFE JACK-O'LANTERNS

Halloween is a great time of year to let the creativity go wild, and when decorating for this fun and family-oriented holiday, it really wouldn't be complete without a jack-o'-lantern or two!  

While carving pumpkins is the traditional way to create a jack-o'-lantern, if you have young children or kids who want to create jack-o'-lanterns without adult supervision, then it can be a dangerous and risky craft idea.  

You would be surprised at the number of kids, and even parents, who end up in emergency rooms each year from pumpkin carving related accidents.  So to prevent this from happening to your family, here are some safe carving tips and alternatives to keep little fingers safe!

Alternatives To Carving

While carving a jack-o'-lantern is the traditional way, more and more people are choosing to paint their pumpkins as a safe and kid-friendly alternative to pumpkin carving.  The easiest method is to use stencils similar to ones that you would use in carving, and simply paint the image in black paint rather than cutting it out.  

This can include things like simple faces, or more complicated images such as a silhouette of a witch flying on a broom or even a skeleton.  You can also get really creative with this idea and use other colors!  Try painting an entire pumpkin silver or gold, or even just let the kids go crazy and create a one-of-a-kind pumpkin masterpiece.

For The Jack-O'-Lantern Purist

If the idea of painting your jack-o'-lantern doesn't appeal to you, and you want the effect of the glowing light shining through on Halloween night, there are a few steps you can take to prevent injury.  Be sure that you always have an adult supervising any children who will be carving, and purchase a special carving knife that is safe for children to use.  

Also, you may want to do the actual carving yourself, and just have the kids draw on the stencil and scoop out the pumpkin.  Also, if you are going to light your jack-o'-lantern, be sure you use a flashlight, or even better a battery operated tea light, rather than a candle.  It will prevent accidents, and you won't have to re-light it throughout the night.

Halloween really is a great time for the family to get creative together, and keeping everyone safe while having fun will make the season most enjoyable for everyone! 

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A CONDOMINIUM OR TOWN HOME?

If you are buying a new home on a tight budget, one of the options that will come to your attention is purchasing a condominium or townhome instead of a standard single family home.  Because most of them share walls, condos and townhomes are more affordable.  But before you consider moving into a multi-family complex, consider both the down and the up sides to such a purchase.

The Difference Between A Condo And A Townhome 

New buyers may be confused as to the difference between a condo and a townhome.  Both are attached homes, where at least one wall is shared between two units.  One difference between them is that a townhome does not have any units above or below, only on the sides.  Townhomes are usually at least two stories, sometimes three stories.  Condos on the other hand are often single story-although not always-and may have units both above and below as in an apartment building.

But the truly important distinction between the two is in the ownership rights of the buyer.  Condo owners have rights that extend only to the walls of the unit, while townhomes usually have rights to the land as well.  This can become a little complicated in the legal aspects, but that is the basic difference.

Condo Associations

Condos usually have an association, run by the owners in the complex, that helps to take care of the shared areas of the complex and also maintain the standards set out in the rules.  The condo association usually handles such things as lawn and garden care, painting of the outside of the building, and roof repair.

Some townhomes may have a similar association as well, called a homeowner's association.  It handles things in much the same manner.  Associations require monthly fees, and all owners can take part in the decisions made by the board.

Things To Consider

Condos and townhomes have some potential downsides you should consider.  There are often rules about pets, so you may not be able to take your dog or cat with you.  You will also find that most such homes lack any sort of real yard, although some townhomes have a small yard.  Shared green space is often available, but you will not have the same privacy.

There are also some things about this type of home you might appreciate, such as not having to do the maintenance on the exterior of the house or the yard.

Condo and townhome living is very well suited to some people, and less so to others.  Consider all of the aspects when you are thinking of buying this type of home.

Can't decide which is best for you? Call a REALTOR® today!

IS YOUR HOME PREPARED FOR YOUR RETIREMENT YEARS?

Many people looking forward to their retirement years are perfectly happy to keep their current home. The real question to keep in mind is this: Is it safe? 

Check out this blog post on what you’ll want to check out if you’re looking forward to “aging in place.”

If you love your home and plan to live it in through your retirement years, you’ll want to be sure it’s safe for you as you face some of those little challenges aging presents. Assess your home and see if there are any changes you may need to make. Doing so will not only reduce the risk of injury, but it will also give your loved ones peace-of-mind, especially if you live alone.

Here’s what you’ll want to inspect as you consider aging in place:

• Bathroom handrails. Next to the toilet and tub are top choices. Not only are they there for moments of instability, but they can help you raise and lower yourself more easily. You might also consider converting to a walk-in shower with a seat.

• Non-slip surfacing. Showers and tubs are much safer if you reduce the chance of slippage. Having coating installed to facilitate your grip is a good idea.

• Stairway railings. Both inside and outside stairways should have sturdy, useful rails (i.e. not just decorative).

• Ample lighting. Consider adding lighting indoors and outdoors. Decreased visibility is a major contributor to falls. Lighting also adds security by deterring would-be burglars.

• Sharp edges. Tables, countertops, and other areas were sharp edges are likely to be found should be replaced with rounded surfaces.

• Flat thresholds. Transitions from room-to-room should be as bump-free as possible. You may be used to stepping over the occasional random stair or elevated threshold, but you might not be so agile as you age.

• Storage height. If you’ve been used to climbing up and down step ladders to access your storage spaces, look for alternative storage options.

• Furniture support. Is your couch too low? Do your chairs have arm rests for support? Are counter tops too high? Find the sweet spot where comfort and safety meet.

Home size is often an issue as well, especially if there are upkeep and maintenance issues to consider. Of course, if you've decided your current home isn't the greatest for an age-in-place approach to your golden years, I am happy to help you sell your current home or look for a new one.

Contact me today: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

PET SAFETY IN YOUR HOME

While there is a lot of focus on how to childproof a home, it's important to be aware that there are also pet safety issues in any home. Not only should you be concerned for the well being of your pet, but look also for problems that could result in your pet getting out or accidentally hurting someone.

Watch For Poisons

If you have a cat or dog, it's important to familiarize yourself with the plants and foods that could be detrimental to their health.  Certain plants can be poisonous to cats, who often chew on the leaves of houseplants.  Both azaleas and Easter lilies are toxic to cats.  Around the Christmas season, be aware that mistletoe and poinsettias are both poisonous as well.

There are also many foods that are bad for both cats and dogs.  Avocados, raisins, grapes, and chocolate are among the most common and can make an animal very sick.  Keep such foods well out of reach of animals, as well as of kids who might feed them to your pets.

Unexpected Dangers

Remember that dogs can get into things that we as humans would never think to eat.  They have been known to chew on dirty diapers, and the gel inside disposable diapers is very detrimental to their digestive system.  Keep them in a closed container.  They will also drink from toilet bowls, so keep the lid closed if you use cleaners that remain in the tank.  Keep garbage locked away as well; dogs will get into it and any number of things could make them sick.

If you have dogs or cats in the house, be cautious with things like irons or other corded heated items.  A dog or cat could knock it over and cause burns to themselves or someone nearby.  Dogs with long tails can also knock things on a coffee table over!

Secure Your Yard

Make sure that your yard is secure or you keep your dog leashed at all times.  If your dog escapes, it could be involved in an altercation with another animal or a person, resulting in injuries for which you will be held responsible.  And of course the dog could easily be struck by a passing vehicle and injured or worse.

Pet safety is an important consideration around the house, especially if your pets are members of the family.  And it's not just their safety to consider but others in the house and neighborhood, so keep an eye out for danger around the house.

REDUCING YOUR GAS CONSUMPTION

I am always on the lookout for information that allows me to be more efficient at my job, and I recently came across a great set of tips that I thought would also be useful to you.

If you are like me, high gas prices are certainly making a dent in your budget, and trying to juggle saving money and being more environmentally-friendly can be difficult.  

I hope that you find these tips useful, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for continuing to read my blog.

With gas prices still high and the economy slow to recover, tips on how to reduce the amount of gas we need for our vehicles is always helpful.  These tips can also help you do your part to make our planet a greener place!

Walk and bike whenever possible.  Most of us use the car to make trips that are within a mile or two of home.  By walking or riding a bike you'll use less gas, and get more active at the same time.

Combine trips that require the car.  We all have dry cleaning to pick up and groceries to buy, but by planning ahead and doing all your weekly errands in one trip can you can save both gas and time.

Clean out your car.  By reducing the clutter in your backseat and trunk you eliminate the extra gas needed to haul them around wherever you go.

Be sure your tires are properly inflated.  This simple measure can make a big difference in the amount of unnecessary gas you consume.

Follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule.  Not only is this good for your car, it will keep it running at its maximum efficiency and reduce the air pollution it produces.

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, consider a hybrid model.  Most automakers now offer a hybrid model, and this option is getting more affordable as well.

Follow these simple tips and save money for something far more important, your family!

valerie@valeriemcconville.com

UNDERSTANDING POCKET LISTINGS IN REAL ESTATE

Have you ever noticed new owners moving into a home you didn’t even realize was for sale? 

Have you ever wondered why some homes only appear on the market for “one day” in MLS databases? 

It’s time you understood what a “pocket listing” is in real estate.

Not every home sold gets a shiny new for sale sign out front. Some change hands quickly and quietly without any public advertising whatsoever. In the industry, these are known as “pocket listings.” Pocket listings are sometimes referred to as “coming soon” listings or “whisper” listings.

Pocket listings used to be the domain of the very famous or the very wealthy. People who liked to protect their privacy would typically work with an agent who could find a buyer among word-of-mouth networks of agents representing high-end buyers. Often this happened only in urban areas or in the luxury segment, but now in markets where inventory is tight and bidding wars are not uncommon, pocket listings are becoming somewhat more mainstream.

You might ask yourself: Why not advertise a home in a market where multiple offers are the norm? It can depend. In some cases, the seller may want a quick and painless sale, and would prefer not to go through the traditional process of cleaning, curb appeal sprucing, and open houses. When the seller’s agent happens to know the buyers directly, often a simple walk-through with prospective buyers is enough to secure one acceptable offer.

Sellers should understand that it’s possible for a pocket listing to generate a slightly lower price. While it’s not always the case, the trade-off for a quick, quiet sale may be worth it. If you’re considering a pocket listing, you’ll be asked to sign something which indicates your consent to avoid a wide-scale advertising effort. An agent has a responsibility to try and secure a seller the best possible price, and will want to make sure there’s a clear understanding.

One slight marketing advantage the pocket listing retains is the idea that buyers are getting special access to a property others will never know hit the market. For the seller, a pocket listing can also prevent the unfortunate experience of having a home’s value decrease because it sat on the market too long.

On the whole, casting the widest possible net for a buyer is the best strategy for securing the highest closing price, but if you’re more comfortable with a quick and quiet approach, you might want to talk to an agent about the prospect of a pocket listing.

Thinking of selling, but would like to have a conversation before you commit? Get in touch with me today: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

VIRTUAL HOME STAGING: PROS & CONS

Staging a home can be a great way to help buyers visualize the potential of every room and help sell your home faster. But if you’ve ever had concerns over staging costs, you may be interested to learn about a new trend in staging: Virtual staging.

When it comes to marketing and selling a home, staging can be a powerful tool. Some may argue that home staging isn't worth the cost, but there are many good arguments for making the investment in a professional home stager.  Staging not only helps a home sell faster in many cases, but it can also boost buyer desire for a home, resulting in a potentially higher closing price. What’s more, a commitment to staging can prevent you from procrastinating when it comes to decluttering. (After all, you need to have a nice clean canvas for a staging expert to work with.)

Now, though, some agents are turning towards virtual staging. Virtual staging, broadly defined, is the use of computer imaging technology to create realistic listing photos which display a staged home, even though the property itself is not actually staged. Photos of empty rooms are transformed through 3D modeling and photo editing. The results can be quite impressive.

Proponents of virtual home staging say the benefits are obvious. Not only is it less expensive than traditional home staging, but it can also be completed in less time. Stagers, on the other hand, feel the practice is somewhat deceptive. The main argument seems to be that buyers will be disappointed when they arrive at the empty home after seeing staged photos online.

Clearly, stagers don't want to see their business undermined by virtual competitors, but do they have a point? Are buyers put off by empty rooms after seeing virtually staged properties online? Is this disparity between staged online and empty in real life a deal breaker?

It might depend on your philosophy when it comes to staging. If your primary motivation is generating interest in the home online, you might want to go with virtual staging to create appealing photographs to drive more leads. If you want buyers to viscerally experience a home’s potential when they visit at an open house or walk-through with their agent, you’ll probably want to go for a traditional home staging.

In either case, it’s a good idea to view staging not as an expense but an investment, much like minor renovations you hope to recoup when the home sells for a better price. If you’re thinking of selling soon and would like to work with a stager, get in touch with me today. 

I can connect you to trusted professionals who will make your home look its best: valerie@valeriemcconville.com