Category: News

Back to school season can be both exciting and stressful for children and parents. New teachers, new classmates, starting in a new school – this can all seem overwhelming and even a little scary. Here are some practical ideas for getting the new school year off to a positive start.

Chances are you and your family have strayed from school year routines over the summer. A week or two before school starts, get back to specific bedtime and wakeup schedules. Start having breakfast and dinner at the same time you will during the months ahead to get the familiar rhythm going. Reestablishing these routines will go a long way toward easing the transition back to the school year.

Get your children engaged with the coming year by shopping for school supplies together. Many schools provide a list of required supplies; take the list on your school shopping trip and let your kids help find the items in the store. Depending on the child’s age, your shopping trip can provide an opportunity to brush up on math skills – for example, studying quantities and prices to determine what the best deals are.

If you don’t yet have a designated homework area, establish one this school year. It could be the kitchen table or island, dining room, or a home office space – whatever you choose, it should be a quiet place with minimal distractions while work is being done. Be sure to communicate the importance of completing homework assignments. Many schools post homework assignments online so that both parents and students can keep track of what needs to be done and when.

Once school starts, ask your child daily about what they learned and how they feel about how school is going. Doing this allows him or her to voice any concerns, whether related to other students, teachers, or the trip to and from school. Asking consistently may make your child more inclined to open up to you about issues that are on his or her mind.

Be enthusiastic! If you show genuine interest and excitement about starting the new school year, there’s a good chance your children will feel that way, too. Keep your positive attitude going as the year goes on – children need to know that you’re supportive and interested in their progress and activities. With encouragement from you, they will continue to grow and thrive.

Many home sellers overlook easy and relatively inexpensive fixes and upgrades that not only increase visual appeal, but may also add real value to a home’s selling price. While major remodeling is costly and may not address the needs and tastes of prospective buyers, these maintenance and update suggestions have universal appeal and may help a home sell more quickly – and for a better price.

• The kitchen and bathrooms must get a deep cleaning. Sellers should consider having a cleaning company that offers “move in / move out” cleaning services to do the job.
• If kitchen cabinet exteriors are in bad shape, refacing may be an option. Far less expensive than new cabinetry, refacing can give old and worn cabinets new life and can visually update a kitchen. Even new paint can do wonders to boost that first impression.
• Consider replacing kitchen or bathroom counters with a neutral colored laminate surface if the current material is badly worn or stained. This gives everything a fresh look and prevents potential buyers from focusing on an eyesore.
• A stylish new kitchen faucet doesn’t have to cost a lot and can instantly update the look of the room. In the bathroom, new updated faucets and towel bars will have a similar effect.
• Fresh paint on the walls and ceilings will do wonders for all rooms in the house. Stick to neutral tones so buyers aren’t distracted by colors that make a statement. They’ll be able to imagine themselves and their furniture in the space much more easily.
• Take a look at the doorknobs and handle sets of the interior doors. If the hardware is dated, unmatched or otherwise doesn’t look its best, consider replacements. There are many attractive hardware styles available today that won’t break the bank.
• If carpet is covering hardwood floors, consider having it removed to expose the hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are desirable, so show them off! If the carpet is going to stay, it should be thoroughly cleaned.

Homeowners should save major remodeling projects – and the significant budget required – for their new home, not the one they are about to sell. But implementing some of the steps above can increase the appeal to prospective buyers without a huge investment in time or money.

The charms of living in an older home can be many – history, style, craftsmanship, quirks. But there’s no denying that living in such a home has its challenges. Maintenance can be tricky and expensive, especially if certain systems and features have been neglected over the years. Let’s take a look at some common situations found in many older homes:

• Energy inefficiency is probably the number one issue with older homes. Most older homes were constructed with single-pane windows; if these windows are still in use, they likely don’t fit very well. Replacement windows can be very expensive, but will contribute immensely to reduced energy use and lower heating and cooling costs. Most replacement windows are available in several styles and at different price points, so finding ones that suit the look of an older home is easier than ever.
• Like single-pane windows, poor insulation will also waste energy and money – and make living in the home uncomfortable. The most important and easiest area of the home to insulate is the attic, but walls and floors above ventilated crawlspaces should be insulated as well if possible. The attic may already have insulation but it may be inadequate by current standards.
• If the home has older water pipes, they should be checked to identify the material and determine if they need to be replaced. Some older materials such as galvanized steel, iron, and even lead are still in use today even though new construction doesn’t allow them. Replacement options include copper and CPVC piping.
• Outdated electrical systems can still sometimes be found in older homes and may not only be dangerous, they can make the house uninsurable in some situations. Even if no danger is present, we use much more electricity in our homes today and the capacity of older systems may be inadequate. Only a qualified electrician should attempt any repairs or updates to a home’s electrical system.

With careful maintenance and a nod to history, older homes can be comfortable, stylish, and even energy efficient in the right hands.