BACK TO SCHOOL WITH NO STRESS? MAKE IT HAPPEN!

When the warm summer months begin to wind down and the days become a little shorter, you can almost smell it in the air--back-to-school time is here!

And just as fall and cool weather approach, so does back-to-school anxiety. Between kids fearing they'll miss the bus and won't make new friends, and parents feeling stressed about hectic mornings and carpooling chaos, how can anyone get excited about the first day back to school?

Parents however, can set the tone for a smooth transition from summer to the new classroom by proactively addressing their children's concerns.

Here are a few tips to ease your family's back-to-school anxiety:

• Be enthusiastic. If you are excited and confident, your child will be too.

• Prepare yourself. Note your child's reaction to separation. If possible, visit the new setting together and introduce your child to the new teacher in advance.

• Start Daily routines. Encourage kids to become involved by packing their own lunch and laying out their clothes. Also, begin an earlier bedtime at least one week before.

• Pack the night before. Kids should pack their book bag every night before bed. This eliminates the morning rush and trying to locate stray items.

• Always say good-bye to your child. Be firm, but friendly about separating. Never ridicule a child for crying. Instead, make supportive statements like, " I know it's hard to say good-bye."

• Send a photo of your family or write a reassuring note and put it in your child's backpack or lunch box.

At the end of the workday, put aside your work concerns and focus on being a parent.

Homework Hints (That really work!)

Here are some ways to make homework time easier for you and your child:

• Have a regular place for your child to do homework, a desk or table in a quiet room.

• Set a regular time for homework. You may want to make a rule: "No television until homework is finished." 

• Set aside ample time for homework and help your children plan on how they'll use their time.

• Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do the homework for children.

• To help alleviate fatigue, have your child close the books for 10 minutes every hour and go do something else. 

• If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help, a tutor can be a good solution. Discuss it with the teacher first.

• Have your child do the most difficult homework first. Save "easy" subjects for last.

• Praise your child's good work. Your interest will encourage good work.

Children and Moving

When a family move becomes inevitable, it is important to involve your children in the process. Since moving can cause some concerns for children--like going to a new school, leaving friends, and unfamiliarity with the new neighborhood--things will go a lot easier if your children support your efforts to get your current home sold. It is important that children keep their toys and clothes put away, and teenagers understand about keeping their room in "showing" condition. Also, showing a family home is much more successful for a realtor if the family is away. 

Make an effort to include everyone in the discussions about the move and your children on house hunting tips. Contact an agent who is comfortable with children and will be sensitive to their needs and concerns. 

New house, new school?

Try this...

• If possible, give your child three months notice before an upcoming move, so he has time to get used to the idea. 

• Explain the reason for relocating.

• Familiarize your child with his or her neighborhood ahead of time. 

• Emphasize the positive aspects of the move.

• Contact the school your child will be attending and arrange a time to visit.

Do you want to learn more about a particular community? I can help.

As a real estate expert, I can provide you with important insights into a range of communities so you can make a more informed decision.

The community you live in is just as important as the home you buy. That's why I'm committed to helping you make the right choice. So, visit my website and contact me today!

FINDING THE LIST PRICE "TIPPING POINTS"

Setting the right list price for a home is a mystery for many sellers. How do you begin to determine what buyers are likely to pay for your property? After all, no two homes are exactly alike.

Yet, setting the right price is crucial. You need to avoid the two price “tipping points” that, if crossed, can cause you a lot of problems.

The first tipping point is a price that’s low enough for buyers to begin thinking something is wrong. They wonder, “Why is your price so low? What are you not telling us about your property?”

But that’s not even the worst problem with this tipping point. If you do get offers at that low price, you’ll have a bigger issue – leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

The other tipping point is setting your price so high it discourages buyers from giving your listing a second look. When your price is that high, you’ll get few enquiries and even fewer people coming to see your property.

Of course, you can lower your price later, if necessary. But experience shows that reduced prices make potential buyers skeptical. Most sellers who price high in the hopes of getting a windfall actually end up selling for much less than they would have if they had priced their properties correctly in the first place.

So what’s the right price to list your property? The answer is somewhere in between those two tipping points.

Contact me today for help determining the right price for your property.

email: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

HOW TO HIRE A TREE REMOVAL SPECIALIST

Sometimes a tree needs to be removed, so how do you go about the task? In this article I discuss some tips on how to handle a troublesome tree.

If you have a troublesome tree on your property, dealing with it responsibly, economically, and safely is important. While you may own a chainsaw, tackling the project yourself can be extremely risky. Here are some questions to ask and tips for tree removal:

1. Make sure you need to remove it. Mature trees are good for property value. Before you go clear-cutting your property, be absolutely sure removing it is the right move. A certified arborist can help you make the decision between removal or sensible trimming.

2. Don’t do it yourself. What if the tree falls on your house? What if it lands on your neighbor’s car? What if you get crushed? Are you experienced enough with a chainsaw to handle it without injuring yourself? Hire a pro.

3. Hire a certified company. This means someone certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Tree Care Industry Association Accredited business. If the tree is near power lines, they’ll also need to be “Approved Line-Clearance” arborists.

4. Can you legally remove the tree? Be absolutely sure the tree is legally on your property before you take action. If you determine it is, find out if any permits are required to remove or trim the tree. Some communities have strict guidelines pertaining to tree removal.

5. Ask about trimming methodology. If the company handling your tree recommends “topping” the tree or uses spikes on their boots for routine tree trimming, find another company. Both can expose the tree to disease and result in serious wounds.

6. Get a detailed estimate from three companies. Nail down what they’ll do, how long it will take, and what equipment they plan to use. You need an apples-to-apples comparison to make your decision, and you might just find out one company takes greater precautions when it comes to safety.

7. Get references. Don’t rely on Yelp alone for a review of your arborist. Ask them for references you can speak to independently.

Trees are beautiful and essential to our ecosystem, but there are times when steps must be taken to deal with dead wood and other incursions. Do yourself a favor and treat your property with the respect it deserves.

Need a good referral for tree work? Get in touch: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

MUST - HAVE ITEMS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

Owning a few crucial items can make you happier, safer, and handier while living in your new home. Check out this list of must-have items for new homeowners.

While you may not be a big Do-It-Yourselfer when it comes to home repair and renovation, there are some must-have items for your home which can make you happier, safer, and a little bit handier. An informal survey of new homeowners I’ve worked with has revealed the following items to be among the most important when it comes to adding convenience and piece-of-mind to the home ownership experience.

You may already have some of these items, but when you move, the old versions may not quite meet the needs of your new space. Check out this list and see what you might need to add or update before you move:

1. Fire extinguisher. The kitchen sink spray hose or a bucket of water isn’t enough to put out a fire before it gets out of control. Do yourself a favor and refresh your fire extinguisher. Having multiple fire extinguishers is a good idea, as there are different types for different types of fires. Keep extinguishers designed to put out cooking oil fires in the kitchen and station a few more general-purpose extinguishers throughout your home.

2. Ladders. It’s a good idea to have a few ladders in your house. One for rooftop access, a sturdy step-ladder with four feet, and a smaller leaning ladder you can prop up against walls indoors. Be sure to check the weight ratings for the ladders to make sure you have one which will support your weight plus anything you may carry up with you.

3. Wet/Dry Shop Vac. It may sound like a luxury, but as many a homeowner will tell you the all-purpose shop vac van be a total lifesaver when it comes to cleaning up spills. Drop a bunch of small screws? No problem. Tip over a paint can? This can handle it. 

4. Extension Cords & Cord Organizer. Don’t be one of those people with a giant knot of cords tucked in a drawer. Instead, splurge on an extension cord organizer and make sure you have a range of lengths and uses available. Four or five should be enough, and make sure at least one of the cords is rated for heavy-duty usage in order to prevent accidental fires.

5. Bonus Tools. You probably have some of the basics such as a hammer, screwdriver, drill, etc., but there are a handful of helpers which can make all the difference in a minor project. For example: A headlamp can help you keep your hands-free while working in darkened areas such as under sinks and closets. A stud finder will allow you to hang shelves and art confidently. A crowbar with a curved end for nails and a flat end for removing trim and drywall will save you frustrating screwdriver work.

MEETING THE NEIGHBORS AFTER YOU MOVE

So you’ve just moved to a neighborhood you love, but you don’t know the neighbors. No problem! In this blog post I share some tried-and-true tips for connecting with the neighborhood.

If you’ve recently relocated to a new neighborhood, you may find yourself struggling to break the ice with your neighbors. It can be a little daunting to just knock on doors unannounced, and in today’s day of texting and “connections at a distance” could be considered outright rude.

Still, neighborhoods are only as good as their neighbors. In a world where so many people recognize neighborhood cars over the faces of people who live around us, there's a lot to be said for making an effort to connect with the people who live up and down the block. So how do you make those first few casual connections which lead to meaningful bonds?

Here are some tips for forming new connections with your neighbors:

1. Throw a "move in" garage sale. Yes, most people have garage sales before they move out of their old house in order to reduce the amount of clutter they have to pack, but garage sales draw lots of local foot traffic and present super opportunities to get to know who lives nearby. If you didn’t have a garage sale before you moved, or you think you might still have some stuff to unload, why not throw a garage sale in your new ‘hood? Bonus tip: Have some free refreshments on hand.

2. Stroll the streets. Want to get to know and be known? Get out there on foot. A routine morning or evening walk is a perfect way to say howdy and stop for a chat. Don't wear headphones. Be open to conversations. Observe who’s out and about and use compliments and open ended questions to spark a little small talk.

3. Be of service. If you have a skill you can share, offer it up to those nearby. This may be something small, like knife sharpening, or it may be a group project like power washing houses. Good deeds and shared labor build bonds. 

4. Start a group activity. Posting flyers for a book group, running club, or even routine cocktail hour or monthly potluck is a perfect opportunity to bring people together through a shared activity.

Step back from social media and make those neighborhood connections “IRL” (In Real Life). They can make all the difference when it comes to establishing yourself in the community.

Looking for a great new neighborhood? I’d be happy to help you sell your old home or find a new one: www.valeriemcconville.com Or, email me at valeriemcconville@gmail.com

SMART PARTNERSHIPS

A personal note from Valerie:

When you’re building a team, whether it’s in real estate, music, or sports, the players can’t be great at the same things. It seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people are drawn to form partnerships with people who are good at the same things they’re good at.

There’s a natural tendency for people to place a higher value on people who have skills similar to their own. Salespeople respect good salespeople. Writers value talented writers. It’s a form of self-validation. You’re predisposed to like those who mirror your interests and talents.

In the long run, though, you can’t form valuable partnerships if the skill sets of the players are the same. Six great salespeople can be a disaster if there’s not a rock solid office manager behind the scenes, keeping the sales team coordinated. A field full of quarterbacks might score occasionally, but they’ll never win the Super Bowl.

The challenge, then, in team building, is to set aside your bias for those things you’re good at, and learn to place a premium on people who excel at your weaknesses. You have to learn to overcome your insecurity enough to place fair value on talents that you yourself may not hold in as high esteem.

The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “No member of a crew is praised for the rugged individuality of his rowing.” We all need to partner with people who can cover our weaknesses. Not only will this prevent you from the frustrating experience of moving from “poor” to “average” in a particular skill, but it will also free you up to go from “talented” to “super genius” in the areas where you excel. If you spend 80% of your time further improving your strengths and 20% of your time finding the people who can cover your gaps, you’ll be well on your way to building a powerhouse team.

It’s always been advice which has helped me, and perhaps it will help you, too. Where you lag behind, find a partner who excels.

All the best,

Valerie McConville, REALTOR®

One Percent Realty

BUY A HOME FOR 50% OFF?

Please note: the following article applies to the United States only. To the best of the my knowledge, no such program as indicated in this article is available in Canada.

Think you can’t afford a home on a teacher’s salary? Think again. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can help you get into a house for 50% off the listing price. Learn more here…

Believe it or not, you might be eligible to do just that. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a program called “Good Neighbor Next Door,” designed to help put hardworking people in homes for a significant discount. From the HUD website:

“Law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return you must commit to live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence.”

(Source: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndabot

The program requires you to buy an eligible single family home in designated revitalization areas, and you may search for listings online using the HUD portal here:

http://www.hudhomestore.com/Home/Index.aspx

One of the real benefits to this program is the significant upside should you decide to sell the home after your three year occupancy. When you sell, you are entitled to keep the entire profit from the home, even though you purchase it for half of its listing price. You don’t even have to be a first-time buyer to participate in the program.

Details about financing, occupancy commitments, revitalization zones and more can be found on the FAQ page concerning the Good Neighbor Next Door program:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndfaq

Oh, and there’s also one more catch… you must work with a real estate agent or broker in order to buy the home. That’s where a good REALTOR® comes in! Your local REALTOR® would be happy to work with you in your search to buy a HUD home. Contact a REALTOR® today!