How Buyers and Sellers Feel About Today's Housing Market

(Family Features) In the hottest real estate market in a generation, homes are flying off the market at record pace, there’s fierce competition among buyers and there’s limited housing supply to meet growing demand.

Many first-time buyers are wondering how they’ll be able to achieve their dreams of homeownership while many sellers are in a bind and asking, “How will I find my next home?”

Leading digital real estate platform Opendoor has dug deeper into how the red-hot housing market is affecting Americans across the country. Now, it’s revealing the feelings of home buyers and sellers across generations, from Zillennials, the micro-generation born between 1993-1998, and Millennials to Generation X and Baby Boomers.

Housing Optimism on the Horizon
There’s no doubt about it: it’s a seller’s market. Most Americans predict the current state of the market will continue. In fact, across generations, 71% believe the housing market will get even better for sellers with most agreeing now is a good time to sell.

Despite rising home prices, the majority of those surveyed (73%) agree buying a home is also a good investment right now with 53% of respondents expecting the available inventory on the market to increase.

Overcoming the Homeowner’s Dilemma
While many homeowners have reaped the benefits of the seller’s market, two-thirds of sellers are also buyers, and they are feeling the stress of finding their next home. In fact, 32% of sellers said finding their next home is a top concern.

This is where Opendoor comes in, providing a simple way to buy, sell and trade homes in one seamless transaction. Homeowners can sell their homes directly, bypassing the hassle of staging, showings and conducting repairs. They receive a cash offer and can move on their timeline. Meanwhile, buyers have the ability to compete in today’s market by presenting a contingency-free cash offer.

Buying with an Edge
In this market, homes are going above asking price, and buyers are coming in with all-cash offers or waiving contingencies to make their offer stronger. However, not everyone has enough cash on hand.

However, buyers who use an Opendoor-backed offer provide the certainty of an all-cash offer to the seller, free of financing, appraisal and home sale contingencies, even if you need a home loan, with no surprises, extra work or additional costs.

The real estate market can be competitive, stressful and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Find more tips to navigate the home buying and selling process at Opendoor.com.

SOURCE:
Opendoor
 

KID-FRIENDLY SUMMER SNACKING

 

(Family Features) Summer sun means it’s time for warm-weather fun for kids of all ages, and all that activity and playing calls for snacks and hydration to recharge. Whether your children like to play poolside or take a bicycle adventure through the neighborhood, the right nutrient-dense foods can keep the fun going all day long.

For an option that quenches hunger (and thirst) without sacrificing nutrition, try an assortment of ways to enjoy watermelon. As a refreshing ingredient or standalone treat, watermelon includes just 80 calories and no fat while providing an excellent source of vitamin C (25%) and higher levels of lycopene (12.7 mg per 2-cup serving) – an antioxidant being studied for its role in sun protection – than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Plus, it’s made of 92% water, meaning it’s a flavorful way to encourage kids to rehydrate during some fun in the sun.

Make watermelon part of a balanced snack plate with this Kids Charcuterie Snack Board including assorted watermelon, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced veggies, sliced fruits, crackers, pretzels and more. In addition to the nutritional benefits, the simplicity of this snack means children can help assemble it while showing off their creativity.

Visit watermelon.org to find more kid-friendly recipe ideas.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Kids Charcuterie Snack Board

Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board

• Cubed watermelon
• watermelon balls, skewered
• watermelon wedges
• watermelon sticks
• flower-shaped watermelon cutouts
• peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, halved
• ham and cheese pinwheels
• sliced veggies, such as cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers and celery
• sliced fruit
• pretzels
• crackers
• small bowl of candy (optional)

1. Prepare watermelon, sandwiches, pinwheels, veggies, fruit, pretzels, crackers and candy, if desired.
2. On large board or platter, arrange all ingredients.

SOURCE:
National Watermelon Promotion Board

SUMMER TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS

Give your home some love this summer. Here are some few tips to make your home look great all summer long.

 

5 SIMPLE, SUSTAINABLE BACKYARD IMPROVEMENTS

(BPT) - One in three consumers say they have increased their efforts to incorporate environmentally friendly practices, and 70% prefer to purchase eco-friendly products, according to a recent Trusted Media Brands survey. Some of the easiest first steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle can be taken right in your own backyard. Create an outdoor oasis with these simple and sustainable tips - minimal green thumb required.

Save time - and water - with low-maintenance landscaping. Plant the seed for a hassle-free backyard by planting perennials or shrubs, which require minimal upkeep. Support your local environment by choosing native plants, as they typically require less watering, fertilizer and pesticides, and are beneficial to pollinators. Plus, native plants can store excess carbon dioxide for improved air quality.

Collect and reuse rainwater. Conserving rainwater is a simple way to make your outdoor space more sustainable. Install a reusable water drum in your yard below your gutter spouts to collect water when it rains. Once full, use the rainwater to water plants or clean exterior surfaces like decking, siding and outdoor furniture.

Choose energy-efficient LED lighting. Replace outdated, energy-draining deck and landscape lighting with energy-efficient or solar-powered outdoor lights. LED lights are extremely long-lasting, easy to install and use significantly less energy compared to more commonly used incandescent lights. Not only can you enjoy your yard long after the sun goes down, but you can feel good knowing you are making a sustainable choice.

Grow "up." A vertical garden can be an attractive, artful addition to any yard or deck, freeing up valuable ground in small spaces without compromising plush greenery. To start, build a frame against a wall or fence, or plant around an existing structure like a pergola or latticework - all of which work great for climbing plants such as vines, wisteria, honeysuckle and ivy.

Use wood-alternative decking. Among the greenest products available for the home is composite decking, such as Trex, which is manufactured from more than 95% recycled materials. Unlike wood, composite decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mold, and needs only an occasional soap-and-water cleaning. Since composite decking never needs to be stripped, stained or painted, no environmentally harmful chemicals are required. For green bonus points, take items such as plastic grocery bags and newspaper sleeves to one of the many NexTrex plastic film recycling drop-off locations nationwide. Instead of ending up in landfills, these polyethylene plastic films can be repurposed into high-performance composite decking.

These easy upgrades will not only benefit the planet but also create an outdoor space that will leave your neighbors green with envy.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP CHILDREN BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS

 

(Family Features) While adults may joke about needing to relearn how to be around others in a post-pandemic world, children can also benefit from a refresh of certain soft skills – especially young children who may not remember pre-pandemic life.

Building on these skills can also help children prepare for a successful return to school. In fact, data from Mintel shows parents’ top learning priorities for their children prior to entering grade school are how to play well with others (67%) and good manners (66%).

“Summertime is a great time for families to help their children focus on social skills that may not have gotten much attention this past year, particularly if families were social distancing or in quarantine,” said Taunya Banta, inclusion services manager for KinderCare Learning Centers. “Parents can set their children up for success when school starts again in the fall by helping them work on these soft skills in relaxed settings like family gatherings and on the neighborhood playground.”

Consider these ways parents can help their children build social skills.

Name emotions: Naming emotions is an important part of learning how to regulate them. If your children don’t understand what emotions they’re experiencing, they may be confused or upset by how they feel and that could amplify the feelings and make it more difficult to regulate the emotions.

Talk with your children about your own feelings, or the feelings of characters in books, to help them learn to identify emotions and appropriate ways to address those feelings. For example, “I’m sad, but I know a hug will help me feel better,” or “I’m mad and that’s OK. It’s not OK to hit, but I can punch a pillow or stomp my feet to get the feelings out of my body.” As a family, try practicing some simple emotion regulation strategies like deep breathing. To help younger children breathe deep, hold up two fingers and ask them to smell the flower as they inhale (one finger) and blow out the candle as they exhale (the other).

Play with other children: Play gives children an opportunity to freely express their emotions and thoughts, work out feelings and explore relationships in a safe, lighthearted way. If you feel comfortable and can follow health and safety guidelines, visit a playground or set up play dates with other children of similar ages then take a step back to let the children play together. If your children aren’t ready to play with others, allow them to stay close to you until they feel ready to join the other children.

Once the children are playing together, observe their interactions and talk with your children (in the moment or later) about how they felt. If they had fun, ask what they enjoyed. If disagreements or awkward moments came up, help your children problem-solve ways they could address those situations next time.

“Most importantly, remember children of all ages have an incredible capacity for resiliency,”  Banta said. “Just knowing they have a steady base to return to, a safe place where they’re loved and appreciated for who they are, can give children the courage they need to face the challenge of a new or uncertain social situation with self-confidence and courage.”

For more tips to help your children build or improve their social skills, visit kindercare.com.

SOURCE:
KinderCare

 

Restoring Coral Reefs Around the World

(Family Features) If the world does nothing, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, scientists estimate 90% of the world's tropical reefs will be gone by 2043, impacting nearly 500 million people who depend on them for food, income and coastal protection.

However, there are groups working to restore coral reefs around the globe. For example, the SHEBA® brand started work on the world's largest coral restoration program, which aims to restore more than 185,000 square meters of coral reefs around the world by 2029. Hope Reef, the beginning of this program, has been unveiled off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was built to spell out the word “H-O-P-E” on the seabed using restored coral to show the power of positive change and spark action.

Since the start of the project two years ago, coral cover increased from 5% to 55%, fish abundance increased and species such as sharks and turtles have returned. For more information and to help support the efforts, visit the Channel that Grows Coral on YouTube. All content views contribute money to coral reef regeneration.

SOURCE:
Sheba

 

Kid-Friendly Summer Snacking

(Family Features) Summer sun means it’s time for warm-weather fun for kids of all ages, and all that activity and playing calls for snacks and hydration to recharge. Whether your children like to play poolside or take a bicycle adventure through the neighborhood, the right nutrient-dense foods can keep the fun going all day long.

For an option that quenches hunger (and thirst) without sacrificing nutrition, try an assortment of ways to enjoy watermelon. As a refreshing ingredient or standalone treat, watermelon includes just 80 calories and no fat while providing an excellent source of vitamin C (25%) and higher levels of lycopene (12.7 mg per 2-cup serving) – an antioxidant being studied for its role in sun protection – than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Plus, it’s made of 92% water, meaning it’s a flavorful way to encourage kids to rehydrate during some fun in the sun.

Make watermelon part of a balanced snack plate with this Kids Charcuterie Snack Board including assorted watermelon, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced veggies, sliced fruits, crackers, pretzels and more. In addition to the nutritional benefits, the simplicity of this snack means children can help assemble it while showing off their creativity.

Visit watermelon.org to find more kid-friendly recipe ideas.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Kids Charcuterie Snack Board

Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board

• Cubed watermelon
• watermelon balls, skewered
• watermelon wedges
• watermelon sticks
• flower-shaped watermelon cutouts
• peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, halved
• ham and cheese pinwheels
• sliced veggies, such as cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers and celery
• sliced fruit
• pretzels
• crackers
• small bowl of candy (optional)

1. Prepare watermelon, sandwiches, pinwheels, veggies, fruit, pretzels, crackers and candy, if desired.
2. On large board or platter, arrange all ingredients.

SOURCE:
National Watermelon Promotion Board