Whether you’re selling a home for the first or fifth time, you need to be acquainted with the local real estate market. Only after properly researching it will you know what buyers are looking for in a home. This will help you have realistic expectations and find the best ways to present your house to future owners. If you’re selling your home in a competitive housing market, the place will practically sell itself. But in more stable markets, you might need to find ways to speed up your house sale.

Figuring out your home value

Estimating your house value is perhaps the most challenging thing when selling your property. To do it, you need to have extensive knowledge of the current housing market trends. Naturally, it’s hard to set a price on memories and the emotional significance our home has. However, being realistic and objective during this step is crucial for a successful sale.

The safest way to set a reasonable price is to compare the costs of similar properties in your neighborhood

Sprucing up the place

No matter if new or old, every home could use a bit of “make-up” before stepping on the market. The mention of it might sound expensive, but many affordable home improvements could make a significant difference. Moreover, knowing what to upgrade and where to direct your attention will help you add more value to your property. Renovating the kitchen, bathroom, upgrading appliances, and remodeling the attic or basement will raise the price the most. However, such projects require time and money. Luckily, even when time is of the essence, there are simple upgrades and chores to do to better the appeal of your property. Some of them are:

• Energy efficiency upgrades – replacing the light bulbs with LED alternatives,
• Polishing the floors,
• Pressure washing the driveway,
• Painting the walls, windows, and doors,
• Planting flowers in the yard,
• Sprucing up the outdoor leisure area,
• And most importantly, keeping the place clean and neat at all times during the sale.

How to attract more buyers in a short time

Most of the home-hunts are done online. Therefore, presenting the best features of the property is essential to attract more buyers. You can achieve this through home staging and a good online presentation. Contrary to popular beliefs, home staging doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Sure, some agencies do a marvellous job in making the best of your home layout, but you can do it yourself with a bit of effort and creativity.

The most important thing about this step is to rid yourself of the useless stuff lying around. This will not only help with home staging but your upcoming move as well. The good thing is that decluttering before the relocation can earn you some cash as well. A lot of items could be sold online or through a garage sale. However, if you’re in a rush to sell, earning some extra cash through decluttering will have to wait. One of the best ways to remove items from the house is to hire moving services. They will provide all the help you need by transferring your possessions to a storage unit where they can wait until you have time to sort them. Your home needs to be clean, depersonalized, and ready for showings. Just add a few fresh touches, such as flowers or warm seasonal décor, to make it more inviting

Hiring reputable help

Enrolling yourself in endeavours you know nothing about can be stressful, even for the most motivated people. And even though selling a house is no rocket science, sometimes it’s best to ask for help from an expert. You need someone who can make this happen fast! From thousands of realtors in the Toronto area, you need to find the one with record sales. A reputable agent will help you take all necessary steps to speed up your house sale, from setting up a price to presenting and further negotiating with interested buyers.

The best way to make a good first impression

Photos and the description of your property are the main “bait” when trying to speed up your house sale. Thus, after sprucing up the place, hiring a professional photographer to take some photos is the next step. 

After getting a few good pictures, it’s up to you to work on the description of the house. Here, it’s essential to focus on the keywords for a targeted group of buyers. For example, if the housing market has the highest demand for family homes, make sure to mention that your home is suitable for family life. Mention the best features and potential your property offers, and you will surely attract a lot of buyers fast.

If you’re really in a rush to sell the house…

Whatever home-selling strategy you choose to speed up your house sale, you will probably need to compromise. Still, with a bit of extra effort in keeping the property clean and presentable at all times, you can have a fast and successful sale.

One of the hottest topics in the past few months was if foreign homebuyers can buy property in Canada. The provincial taxes for foreign homebuyers, which came into effect during 2016 and 2017, are the main reason why Liberals and Conservatives want to ban foreign buyers from purchasing residential properties in Canada for at least two years. Whether this decision will impact the housing market in Canada negatively or positively is yet to be seen. However, it seems that the ban will have more negative effects.

What is the current problem with the housing market in Canada?

One of the common concerns for people trying to buy a home in Canada is that the prices have been inflated ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in the prices has been by almost 32%. Canada’s housing market is going through a change, and the sales have also risen by more than 30% compared to 2019.

Some say this is happening because of the increased number of foreign investors that are inflating the prices. There are more than 80,000 Canadians on the waiting list to purchase subsidized housing in Toronto only.

Although this increase in the pricing is partially due to the rising number of foreign investors, that is not the root of the problem. The system in the background has significant issues, and imposing a ban on foreign homebuyers will not solve it.

How will the ban on foreign investors affect mortgage rates?

When buying a home in another city, one of the crucial things to consider is the mortgage rate. Price inflation is one of the critical factors that determine mortgage rates. If the housing market changes, that will affect mortgage rates as well. The real truth is that there is no certain way to predict what will happen to the mortgage rates in Canada. The best course of action is to closely monitor mortgage rates on a daily, weekly, and monthly level. There will be fluctuations, but this is the only way to proactively figure out how the entire situation will affect the housing market.

When foreign homebuyers buy property in Canada, that strengthens Canada’s economy

Considering how many Canadians have to wait to purchase a home while foreign investors have no problem doing so, it makes sense to approve the ban. The housing market will still need buyers, and people in Canada will find homes more easily. However, that does not mean that the economy in Canada would improve. On the contrary, we might see it going down, and here is why.

This has nothing to do with the nationality of the person buying a property. It has to do with how they use it after the purchase.

To give you an example, if a foreigner buys a condo in Toronto and rents it out, they have to pay a higher tax. Non-residents renting properties in Canada need to pay a 25% tax. As a result, Canada’s economy grows stronger. That also strengthens the housing market. Now, let’s say a local purchases that same property and wishes to use it from time to time as a vacation getaway. While it is a sign of luxury and provides a more comfortable life for that individual, this situation actually harms the economy. They will only use the property from time to time, and the income that the country generates from it will be lower.

Foreign investors spend more money, and they finance Canada’s economic rise. At the same time, the housing market is booming as a result. The ban on foreign homebuyers has a high chance of creating a decline in the housing market and cause more problems.

Will other countries retaliate due to the foreign homebuyers’ ban?

If we consider how many Americans buy properties in Canada, we have to ask ourselves what the US will do if their citizens are forbidden from purchasing Canadian properties? Will they impose a ban on Canadians to buy properties in the US? The same question applies to European countries and the countries from the rest of the world.

Canada was the number 1 location for foreign homebuyers. Canadians also desire to purchase properties abroad, and there is no way to tell if other countries will react to this ban and do the same on their end.

Even though this is a far-fetched scenario that is not likely to happen, it is crucial to ask this question. We can never know what the future holds, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Will the foreign homebuyers ban affect the moving industry in Canada?

The moving industry in Canada and the United States has had a lot of work in the past years. Due to the number of Americans purchasing homes in Canada and Canadians doing the same in the US, we must ask ourselves what will happen to the international moving industry.

The good news is that the moving industry currently works without any setbacks. If you manage to purchase a property in Canada, you can still have your belongings relocated with ease from the United States. Luckily, local relocations and specialized moving services like moving for work, college, or company relocation still work as intended. The moving industry offers multiple services, so there is always a way to fill the gap in the decline of international relocations.

A few closing words

There were are almost no restrictions on the types of properties foreign investors can buy in Canada. They could purchase:

• condos;
• luxury properties;
• equestrian farms;
• commercial properties.

The ban will affect the sales of all property types. For example, it is easier to sell a vineyard to a foreigner looking to build a business than to a local. Furthermore, foreign homebuyers buy property in Canada primarily for business purposes. That means the ban will affect commercial property sales as well as residential sales. Even though that sounds grim, we need to have our hopes high. The housing market is currently booming, and we are sure that, whatever happens, Canada will find a way to emerge victorious in the end!

Tips for buying a home in another city

House hunting can be a very overwhelming process if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. Dealing with the housing market research, moving, and all other things that come with it is even worse if you’re buying a home in another city.

Thus, the most critical steps of this process require a good plan and a budget estimate. Those are crucial not only for the purchase of the property but for sustainability in new conditions. Even though it sounds like a complicated endeavour, a proper strategy and thorough research can turn this real estate challenge into a success.

Research the local real estate market

This step is one of the main ones to take when starting your house search. To know what you’re dealing with, you need to research the housing market in the city you’re planning to move to. Luckily, in the past months, Canada’s real estate market has been cooling a bit.

 Start with an online review of the desired market to learn what kind of homes Canadian homeowners are looking for. Keep in mind that the cost and market success will depend on many factors, from population, employment opportunities, and workforce education levels to quality of life. Thus, if you have your eye set on a particular city, make sure to adjust your wishes and abilities to the local housing options.

Hire a local expert

Exploring the real estate markets and available funding options can be a time-consuming and daunting process. Thus, it is no wonder many future homeowners opt to hire the right real estate agent to navigate it. A recommendable professional knows the market and the best loan options based on your financial situation. From the house hunt to offers and closing costs, a real estate agent makes things easier since they’ve done it a thousand times in the past.

Explore the neighborhoods

After you’ve found the perfect area for your new home, it’s essential to find the right neighbourhood. The criteria for the search will entirely depend on you since only you know what your requirements are. Young professionals and millennials might prioritize proximity to work and social happenings while growing families usually opt for affordable and safe suburbs.

However, no matter what your focus is, remember that location can be irrelevant when commuting. Sometimes it will be easier to take a half-hour ride from the suburb to your job than cross a mile in the city center during traffic jams

Find out about the costs of living

Estimating your budget is crucial to know how much you can spend on a new home. However, it’s essential to know that buying a home in another city is only half the job. Every city or town has different costs of living. They include taxes, healthcare, housing, food, transportation, utilities, and other important expenses.

For example, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa have the highest costs of living in Canada. Quebec City and Montreal have surprisingly lower. If your current salary doesn’t match the numbers, you might want to consider some other place for your new home.

Start preparing for the move on time

Keep in mind that your real estate adventure does not end with buying the home because there are millions of other things to take care of before relocation. You will need to transfer all of your subscriptions and utilities to the new place, and such paperwork takes time.

Also, you need to research different moving companies in Canada, especially if you’re moving long-distance. Starting early will help you calculate the moving costs and find the right people to make this experience affordable and stress-free.

Spend some time in the city before moving

Before you take the next step of moving somewhere new, it’s always good to know what’s ahead of you. Cities are a melting pot of different cultures, people, and traditions, and each of them gives a different vibe. No matter how big, some provide a small-town feeling, while others are fast and alive. Nonetheless, each of them has something special, whether it is the local cuisine, places to visit, or things to experience.

Spending at least a week there might help you learn what awaits you but also help you adjust to future changes in your lifestyle. This is especially important if you’re moving with your whole family. Kids can have difficulties adapting to new places more than grown-ups do, so making the new city familiar can benefit everyone’s well-being.

Conclusion

Good property investment requires considering a lot of factors that will influence your future life. If you have a family and kids, you might want to prioritize healthcare, education, a friendly neighbourhood, and safety.

Whether you’re buying a home in another city, country, or across the street, you need to be aware that a good real estate investment is not only about research. It’s about becoming aware of concepts such as investments analysis, loan options, and risk evaluation. After you’ve made the decision and picked a property, ask your realtor to hire a home inspector to have your own independent assessment of the status of that particular home. Only then can you be sure of any outstanding repairs in order to avoid surprises about additional costs and home improvements in the near future.

There are many common concerns people are worried about when buying a home. Let us help you ease all your fears and concerns.

Tell us if the following cycle sounds at all familiar. You have decided to buy a home. Exciting times. It is a significant milestone in anyone’s life. More than just having a place to truly call home, it represents maturity, the peak of financial independence, and a sign that you are advancing along this intertwining path we call life. Then you start looking into it. Your initial enthusiasm begins to wane. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration…a lot. Then, during a conversation with friends who own their house already, a seemingly innocuous phrase comes up: ‘buyer’s remorse. That excitement is still there; it’s just manifesting itself as anxiety. There are many common concerns people are worried about when buying a home, and this is entirely normal. Let that be the first step, realizing it is natural. We are often afraid of the unknown, so let’s take that fear away.

Financial Fears

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. While there are many different concerns that people have when buying a home, money is usually the key one. In many cases, this will be the financial transaction of your lifetime. Mortgage pre-approvals and deposits, interest rates, and for some reason, Latvian television networks? This can seem overwhelming, but if we break down these worries one by one, it does not have to be so.

Mortgage

The last couple of decades have been rather turbulent, to put it mildly. Loan applications are being analyzed more carefully, and there are tighter requirements when it comes to mortgages. However, stricter does not imply impossible. If you cannot get the mortgage you want, maybe taking some time to stabilize your financial situation could pay dividends in the future. If you do not have the luxury of time, setting your sights on a more modest home with the intention of buying that dream house in the future is also a prudent call. Discuss your situation with a lender, weigh your options and make sure to get your mortgage pre-approved. If you place an offer on a home without this approval, you run the risk of wasting a lot of people’s time. The right option is out there; just approach the matter calmly and systematically.

House Prices 

House prices have been on the rise, which could make it harder to find a home in your price range. This does not mean panic should ensue; quite the contrary. It is essential to be realistic, set a feasible budget and understand your financial situation. Once you have established a realistic financial threshold, take your time to inspect the market or, to use a more user-friendly phrase, shop around. It is true, prices may be on the rise but remember the old saying ‘What goes up, must come down’. Take a look at expected trends and choose the best timing for your purchase.

Apart from setting a budget, a realistic must-have list is also essential. We all want the perfect home, but such a home is expensive. Think about what you really need and get rid of all the excessive preferences that you can easily do without, but are bumping the price tag of your ideal home into the stratosphere. A few trends have been noticed in what homebuyers in Canada are looking for when searching for the ideal house. Choose the ones that are deal-breakers and only those. Remember, it is a big decision, so staying cool-headed and grounded is the winning strategy here.

Competition and LTV

You are not the only one looking for that picture-perfect home. Everybody is. A house that is both affordable and offers excellent value is a great catch and highly sought after. Remember that mortgage pre-approval? It could give you the edge, as it shows you are well prepared and serious. Not everyone is. Buyer competition is a legitimate concern, but it can be beaten by staying calm and collected. This seems to be our ongoing mantra, doesn’t it? We have chosen it for a reason. Stress often depends on one’s approach to a situation. The less of it there is, the better the final decision will be.

On another note, LTV has nothing to do with broadcasting networks in north-eastern Europe; it simply stands for loan to value. It compares your deposit to your mortgage. The more money you put in initially, the less you need to borrow. A lower LTV will give better mortgage options, which is something to consider.

It’s All About the Money…Well, Not Really

Of course, there are other common concerns people are worried about when buying a new home, and we have compiled them below.

1. Neighborhood – A perfect home in a sketchy area is not the ideal solution. Again, it boils down to patience. Take the time to research the location and see if the surroundings are what you are looking for. Do not rush to make an offer, only to find out once you move in that the house next door was built on an old burial ground.
2. Poor condition – Sometimes homes have hidden flaws. And sometimes, those flaws are obvious, but we convince ourselves we can handle them. Is there room in the budget to fix that leaky roof? Have you taken off the rose-tinted glasses when inspecting your dream home and really had a proper look? Do not rush into anything. As part of my services I include an inspection report free of charge if the property owners did not provide one reliable pre-listing home inspection.
3. Delays – Almost inevitable. It is a complicated process. Often, you will not be the reason for the hold-up. Arm yourself with patience. If you know that it’s coming, it will not catch you off guard.

Think about the kids – Sounds a bit cliché, but moving can be challenging for young ones. Make sure they are prepared, as this represents a significant change for them. It’s all about making it as simple and stress-free as possible.

Buying a New Home Inevitably Means Moving

If you have made it through all of the above hurdles, there is still one more obstacle to overcome. The move itself. People often try to scam you; it is a fact of life. It is important that you can identify them in due time, and careful research goes a long way. There are many steps you can take to recognize fraudulent movers, and asking for recommendations can help tremendously. You can avoid problems during the moving process by carefully choosing who you will hire. You already made one huge decision, do not make a mistake on the next one just because it seems almost irrelevant compared to the previous one.

The Light At The End of the Hallway in Your New Home

There are many common concerns that people are worried about when buying a new home, and rightly so. Still, now that you know your potential challenges, it will be easier to handle them. Approach the manner in a calm fashion, seek the help of professionals in the form of reliable real estate agents, brokers, and surveyors, and there is nothing you cannot solve. The whole process does involve a lot of work, but all those troubles wash away with the first sip of the beverage of your choice on your newly-acquired front porch.

When looking for a home, especially if someone is planning on buying, a good location and affordable prices are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more things homebuyers are on the lookout for. For example, the perfect house should be close enough to the workplace, have enough space to meet one’s needs, have friends over, and be reasonably close to entertainment venues. However, different individuals will have different requirements. Therefore, the only opinion that matters at the end of the day is the buyer’s opinion. We’ve made a list of what Canadian home buyers are looking for to give you some guidance.

House features people are not looking for in 2021

Knowing what buyers don’t want is equally important as knowing what they do. These are some of the things people seeking a new house do not prioritize.

• living room with a formal look
• fireplace, elevator, wine cellar
• separate dining room, dual toilets in the master bathroom
• community clubhouses
• in-law suites

This is what Canadian home buyers are looking for, actually

Now that you know some popular turn-offs for home buyers, it’s time to dive into amenities they will prioritize. We have made a list of 8 essential features people buying a house want.

1. Affordability

It is excellent to own a home but at the right price. This is particularly true for first-time buyers and for anyone who wants to find a house but doesn’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars lying around. Therefore, affordable prices are a must. 

According to our research, Canadian houses within the lowest price ranges get all the attention. The cities with morea affordable prices are Saskatoon and Regina, SK, and Winnipeg, MB. A bit pricier, but still in the affordable range are Windsor and Ottawa, ON, and Halifax, NS. 

2. Updated kitchen and bathroom

Due to everyone’s addiction to Pinterest, it is easy to see what most people want to see in a kitchen. A kitchen island is a must since it offers more working space and makes the kitchen cooking-friendly. Stainless steel remains no.1 when it comes to kitchen appliances. Minimalistic cabinetry with clear lines and cool tones is what many are looking for. 

Both bathrooms and kitchens are used mainly by family members and tend to show wear quickly. That’s why it’s essential to invest in remodeling these two areas. In addition, home buyers are nowadays leaning more toward walk-in style showers and neutral cabinets that brighten up the place. It is good to maintain a spa-like environment with floating vanities and an overall clean and minimalistic look.

3. Natural paint

Neutral color schemes are usually preferable to the colorful, bold ones. Although unusual and creative paint jobs can add a statement to a home, they might not be to a buyer’s liking. It also might not be wise to have all the rooms painted in different colors since it might be visually stimulating and overwhelming.

Neutral Paint Colours

4. Open hardwood floors

After having your walls painted in neutral tones, the second most recommended house upgrade is flooring. Get rid of the dusty, old carpets and invest in hardwood flooring, which has been on the top of the buyer-seeking list for many years. Perfect flooring will be appealing to home buyers, whether they have a live or virtual tour around the house you are selling. 

5. Laundry room

Laundry rooms make it considerably easier to handle all those piles of clothes a family, especially with children, comes with. According to recent research, 91% of home buyers want a separate laundry room. This is probably due to the possibility of having a room dedicated to inevitable mess and, therefore, keeping it out of the living space. 

6. Walk-in closets and pantry

More space is always a good idea. Open shelves in a walk-in pantry will make the place more organized and unnecessary cereal containers out of the way.

 Needless to say, walk-in closets are on everyone’s wishlist. They not only add more space, they also add that special touch of luxury to any house, and that’s top on the checklist for Canadian home buyers.”girl’s dream. They also add more space. Additionally, a walk-in closet adds that special touch of luxury to any house, and it’s definitely on the checklist of what Canadian home buyers are looking for.

7. A well-kept yard

A back or front yard are places which gather family and friends. No one wants to see overgrown trees and lawns occupied by weeds. As a seller, you want to trim the trees, pull the weeds, install fresh mulch, and properly clean the place. You should also paint the front door and include plants that grow well in your area. 

If, on the other hand, you are a buyer, having a pre-prepared place where you can have an unforgettable housewarming party once you move in is a great advantage. When you decide to celebrate with friends, you need only to buy snacks and beverages. A fantastic venue is already there.

8. Low energy costs

The sole purpose of this feature is to save money, which everyone wants. If you are a seller, a valuable recommendation to take into account is investing in energy-efficient upgrades to attract buyers’ attention. 

Some of these investments include replacing your windows to allow in as much natural light as possible, attic air-sealing and insulation, and shading your home to protect it from the sun.

Final thoughts

Whether you are selling or buying, you will need to make many important decisions that fit your family’s current situation, your plans, and your financial wealth.

If you have children, try getting them involved in the process to ensure better mental preparation for the move. 

If, on the other hand, you are a seller, try looking back to this list of what Canadian home buyers are looking for to ensure a successful deal.

Remember I am here to help you. If you are thinking of making a move you can start downloading The Concierge Method Guidebook and let me know when you are ready to start working on your new move together!

Leaving behind everything you know to dive into the unfamiliar is stressful for anybody. Add kids into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a genuinely challenging situation. For adults, it’s a bit easier to deal with moving to an entirely new environment because they understand the reasoning behind it. Children, however, have a more challenging time accepting the status quo. Because of this, taking a few extra steps to ensure everyone’s feelings are heard and understood is essential. But how exactly do you prepare your kids for moving to a new home? Read on to find out.

Don’t keep your children in the dark

No matter how smart and mature we think our kiddos are, we often subconsciously underestimate them. However, when helping your child power through a stressful period, this is the last thing you want to do. Instead of dealing with everything on your own, try to include your children as much as you can. This doesn’t mean you should let them control the entire process, but you can allow them to participate in the discussion.

Inform your kids about the decision as soon as possible, and make sure to do it while they’re in a safe and comfortable environment. Explain why you need to move to a new home and listen to their opinion on the matter. Depending on their age, some negative feelings are bound to appear, so try to be understanding and make them feel heard. If they are interested, you can even include them in the house-hunting process. By doing this, you will make them feel like they have a say in this life-changing event.

Visit the new home at least once before you move

Once you decide on the neighbourhood you’re going to move to, start planning a visit to the area. By familiarizing your entire family with the new environment, you will make the uncertain future more tangible and exciting for the little ones.

When you visit the new home, help your kids imagine what their room will look like and point out everything you think they might enjoy about the place. If they know what is ahead, they will be less apprehensive about the changes.

Additionally, if you’ve chosen a new school, it might be a good idea to schedule a tour. The fear of the unknown is the main reason why children (and adults) feel anxious about moving. Therefore, by eliminating or at least minimizing that factor, you will drastically increase the chances of everything going smoothly.

Let your kids sort and pack their things

While you probably shouldn’t let your little ones be in charge of decluttering the home or packing up fine china, you certainly should encourage them to take care of their things. The sense of achievement they will get after going through and packing their belongings will make them more accepting and maybe even excited about the move. If your kids are too young to do that, you can always let them decorate the boxes or simply be present during packing. Any involvement, no matter how small, will help them feel included and thus take their mind off of the negative aspects of relocation.

Don’t neglect your routines

If you want to prepare your kids for moving to a new home, sticking to your routines is imperative. Any significant changes in your daily activities can potentially be upsetting in an already sensitive situation. However, avoiding variations in your routine during a relocation is easier said than done. If you’re planning to leave Toronto and settle elsewhere, it might be a good idea to hire trustworthy long-distance movers to assist you in the process. With professional help, you will have more time and energy to devote your attention to keeping your kids’ schedules intact.

Nonetheless, some shifting in your family’s daily activities is bound to occur. If and when it does, remember to take things slowly and remind your children how proud you are of their positive attitude.

Create memories of your old home

Leaving the place, you used to call home for most, if not all, of your life can be heartbreaking for a child. Remember – they’re not only leaving their house, but their school, friends, favorite parks, and ice cream shops as well. Besides their family, that is all a kid has and knows, so it’s easy to understand why some grief is expected.

While you shouldn’t try to make these emotions disappear, you should do everything in your power to make them more bearable. To do that, it might be a good idea to bring as many memories as possible of their old life into the new home. Whether you want to take pictures in your kids’ favourite places or pack a few items that will remind them of their old home, make sure they have something that can comfort them during the hard times.

Let your kids say their goodbyes

If you give your kids the opportunity to say goodbye to your old home and environment properly, chances are they will feel better about what is to come. Therefore, before you sell your house, make sure to invite your neighbours and friends to a farewell party. Explain to your children that the party is meant to help them say their goodbyes but let them know that they will still see the people they care about after you move. This will show your kids good things can still happen even after a chapter of their life is over.

Be a good listener

Listening to your little ones’ concerns and feelings is the best thing you can do if you want to prepare your kids for moving to a new home. Helping them feel heard and understood is crucial for their well-being during any life-changing event. Even if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed yourself, try to find the time to talk through any emotions as a family. After all, you are responsible for your kids’ happiness, so if you have to put them through a certain amount of stress, the least you can do is lend them an ear when things get tough.

This year has demonstrated, perhaps more than ever, the importance of our family, friends, neighbors, and community. It truly “takes a village” to keep a community functioning effectively, whether that’s by keeping our waterways clean, feeding the hungry, teaching our kids, or supporting small businesses. 

With the holidays right around the corner, December offers the perfect opportunity to give back to the place we call home. You might want to focus your efforts near home, expand to our larger community, or even help support the people closest to you. Whether you’re passionate about a particular cause or just want to get more involved in general, let these 10 ways, both big and small, inspire you to do good in your town. 

GIVE BACK NEAR HOME

1. Attract local wildlife. By making your neighborhood more wildlife friendly, you’re helping to  create a balanced and healthy ecosystem. Plus, many of the animals you can attract help with pest control and pollination.¹

Ideas: 

• Add a birdbath to your backyard or create a rain garden to attract wildlife (and filter out local pollutants).
• Place bird feeders on your property to feed birds all year long. 
• Tie corncobs to tree branches to feed squirrels. 
• Hang birdhouses on your property to provide shelter. 
• Use native plants in your landscaping to provide food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, and other critters.

Take action: While you might not be able to “break ground” until spring, start researching native plants now to design a landscaping plan that provides food, shelter, and water for local wildlife.

2. Clean up our community. Besides beautifying the area, picking up trash keeps it out of our local waterways, which means a cleaner water supply for all of us.

Ideas: 

• Whether you make this a solo effort or join in an organized group event, pick up trash in your neighborhood, at a local park, or elsewhere in our community. 
• Depending on your community’s regulations, you can recycle many home items such as paper, glass, and aluminum. 
• And don’t forget to clean the exterior of your home, where water runoff (such as on your driveway and sidewalks) can carry debris into the local sewer system.²

Take action: Check with your local municipality to learn about environmental clean-up efforts in our community, as well as recycling and composting.  

3. Organize or join a neighborhood watch. According to a recent report, neighborhoods with Neighborhood Crime Watch programs experience roughly 16 percent less crime.³ Keeping an eye out for each other instills a sense of safety and security in your neighborhood by increasing surveillance, reducing opportunities, and enhancing information sharing among residents. Even if your neighborhood doesn’t have an official program, you can still share crime information via a neighborhood Facebook group or apps like NextDoor.

Ideas: 

• Make a point of looking out for each other and being observant of what’s going on. 
• You can even make it official by joining a neighborhood watch program. 
• Don’t have one? Consider launching a neighborhood watch program with the help of other interested neighbors.

Take action: Some police forces use online mapping tools that provide crime alerts to people in neighborhoods where recent criminal activity occurred.³ Share this information with your neighbors.

HELP OUT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

4. Boost your civic engagement. Regardless of your politics, you can get more involved as a citizen to make a positive difference in our community.

Ideas: 

• Sign a petition to make a needed change in our community. 
• Join a peaceful march, protest, or rally to support a cause dear to your heart. 
• Attend local school board meetings, town halls, or city council meetings to understand (and have a voice in) local issues.⁴
• Watch (and read) a variety of local news sources to get balanced reporting on what’s happening in our community. 
• If you don’t know your neighbors very well, introduce yourself. 
• Then make a commitment to check in on those who might need help, such as an elderly neighbor. 
• Get plugged into the resources and events in our town by visiting local museums, taking historical tours, borrowing materials from our local library, and attending community festivals.

Take action: Do you know who our local leaders are, such as our mayor or city councilwoman? Get to know their names, their policies, and their stand on issues that affect our community. Subscribe to their newsletter and follow them on social media.

5. Support local businesses. Our community has been impacted by the pandemic, with many businesses being forced to limit capacity, instill social distancing efforts, and even shutter entirely in some cases. Help keep money in our local economy by shopping local instead of relying on online shopping from national chains.

Ideas: 

• From handcrafted soaps and one-of-a-kind apparel to locally produced chocolate and small-batch wines, you’ll find plenty of unique gifts at the small businesses that dot our community. 
• Consider purchasing tickets to attend live-streamed holiday concerts and shows. 
• Buy cookies and other baked goods from our local bakery. 
• Get takeout from our local restaurants. 
• Support local farmers by purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at community farmer’s markets.

Take action: If you’re concerned about shopping in person right now, many of these businesses, though small, offer online shopping, with options for in-store pick-up, curbside delivery, and/or mail options.

6. Donate to local charities. Nonprofits could always use your financial support, so consider making a monetary donation to help them carry out their mission in our community. But if money is tight (or you want to support in other ways), think beyond just donating dollars. 

Ideas: 

• Consider donating to a charity in someone else’s name as an altruistic gift on behalf of a friend or relative. 
• Give blood to our local blood bank.
• Donate new or used books to our community library.
• Send school supplies to our neighborhood elementary school.
• Help struggling neighbors by donating blankets to the homeless.
• Pick out toys to give to a charity that caters to families. ⁵

Take action: Many collection efforts run by charitable organizations and businesses take place during the holidays. Look to see what’s already taking place in our community and choose one or more to give to this season.  

CARE FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS

7. Organize a holiday food drive. This year, in particular, people are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. The pandemic has caused many businesses to close or reduce their staff size, putting many people out of work.

Ideas: 

• If you personally know someone who needs help buying groceries, reach out and offer to help that one family. 
• If not, partner with a local food bank, soup kitchen, nonprofit or community organization that feeds people in need. 
• Round up a few friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors to collect food for a few weeks. Then deliver the bounty in time for the holidays.

Take action: Take advantage of your grocery store coupons and buy-one-get-one offers to inexpensively stock up on nonperishable goods.

8. Adopt a family or an individual. The holidays can be a struggle, especially financially, for some families. They might not be able to buy a Christmas tree or presents for their children. Maybe their holiday meal consists of boxed macaroni and cheese because they can’t afford a turkey and fresh vegetables. You can make a difference by “adopting” a particular family (or even just a child) to help make their holiday special.

Ideas: 

• If you know a needy family, help them directly. 
• If not, ask a community group for the name of a family or individual in need. 
• Some businesses even sponsor toy drives or “angel trees” where you can pick the name of a needy family off the tree and buy from their wish lists.

Take action: This works great as a family project. Get the kids in your life involved to help make holiday cards and pick out toys to give to the children in the adopted family.

9. Volunteer. Depending on your schedule and your preferences, you might be able to volunteer in-person or from home, whether it’s a one-time effort or ongoing project. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people in your community as you make a positive impact together for a shared cause.

Ideas: 

• Give your time to a cause or organization that really matters to you, such as your local school, animal rescue organization, mental health awareness group, or environmental nonprofit.⁶
• Tap into a skill you already have, like creating videos, and offer your services.
• Or learn a new skill (like fundraising) to benefit your cause of choice.

Take action: Start with your local community to see where its needs are the greatest. Make a point to help this holiday season, perhaps extending your commitment throughout 2021.

10. Perform random acts of kindness. Don’t think you need to “go big or go home” in your give-back efforts. You can make a big difference one small act at a time.

Ideas: 

• Give a generous tip to a waitress.
• Pay for the coffee of the car behind you in the drive-through. 
• Take care of a neighbor’s pet while they’re out of town. 
• Send holiday cards to deployed military personnel. 
• Deliver a plate of homemade holiday cookies to our local fire or police station. 
• Smile at a stranger. 
• Rake leaves for an elderly neighbor. 
• Thank your child’s teacher for all their hard work this year. 
• Send an uplifting text to a friend. 
• Compliment someone. 
• Help a coworker with an unpleasant task.   

Take action: Need more ideas? Visit randomactsofkindness.org for hundreds of inspiring ways to make someone’s day a little brighter.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU?

As real estate experts in our local community, we’re tuned into the unique needs of the place we all call home. Reach out to us today to discuss more ways to make a positive impact in our community—this holiday season and beyond. And we want to make sure you’re taken care of, too. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home now or in the near future, let us help you!

Sources:

1. Redfin – 
   https://www.redfin.com/blog/attract-wildlife-to-your-backyard/#:~:text=Sow%20plants%20that%20provide%20essentials,these%20alternate%20natural%20food%20sources
2. The Groundwater Foundation – 
   https://www.groundwater.org/action/home/raingardens.html
3. The Globe and Mail – 
   https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/how-neighbours-and-online-maps-can-help-deter-break-ins/article34886427/
4. Parade – 
   https://parade.com/1083640/stephanieosmanski/what-is-civic-engagement/
5. MentalFloss – 
   https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/88663/15-ways-give-back-holiday-season
6. Together We Rise – 
   https://www.togetherwerise.org/blog/7-ways-give-back-community/