THERE IS NO NEVER

When we’re pursuing our dreams, there’s a real hunger to make them happen as fast as possible. Whether those dreams involve a career goal, a creative endeavor, like writing a novel, or even buying that first home, working the long stretch to realize them can be frustrating.

The actress Solenn Heussaff once said: “There is no never… just long periods of not yet.” I like this quote because it reminds us that the best we can do is stay the course, work hard, and maintain our hope.

Earning the promotion, writing the next page, or saving up the down payment isn’t easy, but we must have a reason to sustain us. As the sculptor will tell you, sometimes it’s the 100th blow which cracks the stone.

When it seems like you’re facing “never,” try and remind yourself that it’s really just a long period of “not yet.” Remember you’re not alone. Everyone who has earned their way can remember their own version of “not yet.”

Do what you can do today, take the next right action, and with time and concerted effort you will learn to endure. The reward is all the more sweet for the time we spend chasing it.

Warm regards,

Valerie McConville

END OF SUMMER LABOR DAY GETAWAYS

As summer draws to a close and the new school year looms, many families look to enjoy one more summer getaway on Labor Day.  

While it's fun to see summer out with a bang, it can also mean crowds at popular destinations and overpriced hotels.  Enjoy a great Labor Day weekend with these simple tips.

Book In Advance

Hotels can book up fast for holiday weekends, so if that's your goal be sure to shop around in advance.  Last minute rates can also be higher than when you find a place early, so plan that end of summer weekend early in the summer to get the best deal.

The same goes for vacation rentals; this is a big weekend for them.  Book ahead of time to ensure your choice of locations.

Consider Alternate Locations

While many people head to the beach to enjoy the last days of summer, you may find fewer crowds in somewhat less popular destinations.  Head to the mountains to enjoy a peaceful spot by a stream, or choose a backwoods camping spot.

Another way to enjoy your Labor Day is to try the city.  While many are headed out of town for the weekend you can enjoy visiting another city while the locals clear out one last time.

The Best Labor Day Weather

The end of August is still incredibly hot in many destinations such as Florida and California.  The weather is at its best, on the other hand, in the Pacific Northwest.  Check out the beaches of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada.  You will find them far less crowded and the temperatures more comfortable than farther south.

Temperatures are also starting to cool on East coast beaches in the New England area, but you may still find them crowded on Labor Day.

Festival Fun

Many cities and small towns have great Labor Day celebrations to send summer out with a bang.  If some action on your last summer weekend is what you want, check out a local festival or try a smaller town where the festivities are a manageable size and so are the hotel rates.

Many state and county fairs are also running through this time, so check what's on before you pick a destination.

The perfect Labor Day getaway simply requires a small amount of planning and attention to the weather forecast.  Say goodbye to summer this year with a weekend in the sun that meets all of your expectations and fits your budget as well.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILDREN

For many families, a move to a new state or community means making difficult choices. Choosing from the wide array of options of appropriate day care for younger children or schools for the older ones can be a complex and time consuming chore. 

Parents need to examine their own basic values, their child rearing and educational philosophies, and each child's needs when making decisions that will affect their child's future.

For many parents, choosing the best schools for their children determines other life choices. Newcomers usually investigate the public school systems thoroughly before selecting an area in which to settle. Each school district determines its own curriculum, requirements, and special programs. However, individual schools within a district can differ because of variations in student bodies, individual principals and teachers, and parental involvement.

Neighborhoods with higher income levels and percentage of parents with college educations generally have schools with better test scores and a larger percentage of students going on to college. Real Estate agents are a good source of information in this area.

In comparing school districts and individual schools within each district, the following general questions should be asked:

• Is the physical location of the school adequate and secure?

• What is the school's teacher/student ratio?

• What teaching methods (traditional, open classroom, teamm teaching, etc.) are used?

• Observe classes if possible.

• What arts programs are offered?

• What are the special education facilities and programs in each school/jurisdiction?

• Is homework given and, if so, how much each night?

• Is there an adequate sports program?

• What extracurricular clubs and interest groups exist?

Parents of elementary school children should ask other questions:

• Can a young child walk to school safely without crossing main roads?

• Is transportation available?

• Is there sufficient space for recreation and adequate playground supervision?

• Are there after school / extended day programs?

Parents can use school profiles and interviews with principals or counselors to answer the following questions:

• Does the school have a good orientation program for new students?

• What courses are included in the basic curriculum?

• What elective courses are available?

• What Advanced Placement courses are offered?

• Is there vocational education for those students wishing to take a trade, skill or career course?

• How have students scored recently on standardized tests (such as the S.A.T.)?

• What percentage of high school students go to college? 

• How are college and career counseling handled?

Private schooling is another option to be considered. Classes are usually smaller, children may receive more individual attention, and collegebound students are given more personalized counseling. Schools sponsored by religious organizations are often less costly than other independent schools, but their classes tend to be larger.

Students interested in private schools should begin the application process early as the most competitive schools have February deadlines. Since many of the most selective schools require interviews, families should consider scheduling interviews before a formal application is made. It is unwise to apply to only one school. Because of space limitations, many bright children are denied entrance to the more popular schools. Some Catholic schools give priority to families that are members of the parish. Applying to four or five schools should prevent disappointment.

BONUS: 

Home Playground Safety Checklist

To make sure your home playground is a safe place to play:

Install and maintain a shock absorbing surface around the play equipment. Use at least 9 inches of wood chips, mulch, or shredded rubber for play equipment up to 7 feet high.

Install protective surfacing at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment.

Never attach or allow children to attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to play equipment; children can strangle on these.

Check hardware for open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends, which can be hazardous.

Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs; these spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.

Make sure platforms and ramps have guardrails to prevent falls.

Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.

Remove tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.

Regularly check play equipment and surfacing to make sure both are in good condition.

Carefully supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING?

HOW TO QUICKLY IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Need to quickly improve the indoor air quality of your home? 

Here are some things you can do to get results today:

There are many reasons why the air quality in your home may not be at its best. A faulty furnace or an aged carpet are just two potential culprits. 

Until you get those issues addressed, how do you make your indoor air healthier — today?

Here are some ideas:

Check the furnace filter. This is one of the most overlooked maintenance items in the home. Any furnace repair person can tell you stories about filters they’ve seen caked in dust. Make sure those aren’t yours. Air passes through those filters before circulating throughout your home. Replacing a filter takes less than five minutes.

Clean the drains. Drains are a surprisingly common source of odour in the home. Most people only clean them when they’re clogged, but they should be flushed thoroughly with a good-quality cleaner at least once a season.

Turn on the bathroom fan. Not only do bathroom fans remove odor, they also reduce moisture build-up. About 50% of air pollutants originate from some type of moisture; mold being the worst. Professionals recommend you keep the bathroom fan on for at least 30 minutes after a shower.

Clean your doormat. Even if your doormat doesn’t smell, it can be a source of air pollutants. When people wipe their shoes, they transfer pesticides and other outside ground pollutants from their shoes to your mat.

Of course, you can always open a window. That's the most popular way to freshen the air, and it works!

DON'T FORGET YOUR MOVING DAY SURVIVAL KIT

The little things make a big difference on moving day, which is why I highly recommend my clients prepare a “Moving Day Survival Kit” to make the move smooth. Here’s what goes into them!

Moving day has a lot of moving parts. Almost everything you own is stored for transit, and finding one or two essential items can be a major headache, even if you labeled your boxes.

To make the day as smooth as possible, I advise my clients make a “Moving Day Survival Kit.” It’s surprising how awesome having these items at your disposal is when you first land at your new home. From paper plates and plastic flatware for lunch to toilet paper for the obvious reasons, the Moving Day Survival Kit can be a real life-saver as you sort out where the furniture and boxes need to be. Here’s what I recommend you pack in your Moving Day Survival Kit:

• Paper towels
• Glass cleaner
• Baby wipes
• Sharpie marker
• Duct or packing tape
• Large garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Tape measure
• Picture hangers/anchors
• Needle nose pliers
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Pliers
• Box cutters (at least two)
• Scissors (at least two)
• Hammer
• Small level or download a leveling app on your smartphone
• Plastic silverware
• Paper plates
• Disposable / Solo cups
• Light bulbs in high & low wattage
• Extension cord(s)

An inexpensive plastic bin is a great way to assemble and store the kit separate from your other possessions. Feel free to add/omit items as you see fit, but with this list you’re sure to have everything covered.

I love to help buyers and sellers on their journey to moving day. Ready to move? Contact me today: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

DISCOVERING THAT A HOME YOU LIKE HAS "ISSUES"

You have been shopping for a home and you finally found one you really like. But you have some questions about the property.

How do you make sure there are no unexpected maintenance or repair issues after you purchase a home? Here are the answers:

Say you’re viewing a home and are impressed with how it looks. The walls are freshly painted. Everything seems bright and new. You’re considering making an offer.

Then, while standing on a mat in the kitchen, you hear a squeak below your feet. You lift the mat and see that some tiles are broken. Obviously the mat was there to, literally, cover up that defect.

A few broken tiles are not a big deal. But now you’re thinking, “What else might be wrong with this house?”

There’s no reason to worry that every home will have maintenance issues hidden from view. However, it’s smart to do your due diligence to ensure the home you’re considering is truly as good as it looks.

One way is to have a professional home inspector check out the property as a condition of your purchase offer. He or she will inspect the home from top to bottom, inside and out, and point out any issues you should address.

It’s also smart to ask questions. Find out the age of certain features, such as the roof, furnace, and appliances. Ask about any recent renovations, and determine whether they were done by a professional or by the homeowner.

Most importantly, work with a good REALTOR® who can provide you with information on the property that you would have difficulty getting on your own. Your REALTOR® has a stake in making sure you buy a home with your eyes wide open — knowing all the potential maintenance issues you’re likely to encounter.

Want to talk to a good REALTOR®? Visit my website: www.valeriemcconville.com then give me a call!