Sunrise Homes & Renovations, Inc.

5 Tips to Make Moving With Kids Easier

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5 Tips to Make Moving With Kids EasierSometimes a move is unavoidable, regardless of how much you or your kids’ would rather stay in your current home. If your young ones are not looking forward to a change in scenery, here are a few tips to help them make a smoother transition into their new home.

1. Involve Them

Involving your children in the moving process will not only help them to better understand the move, it will also make them feel as though they are more in control of the situation. By taking them to open houses they’ll become familiar with the neighborhoods you’re considering moving to, and will have the chance to see first-hand some of the benefits that a new home would offer over your current one.

2. Say Goodbye

Moving can be an emotional time for children, and it’s important to allow them to face and embrace their feelings. Hosting a goodbye party will provide closure to an important chapter of their life, and creating a memory book will offer comfort on days when they miss your old home. It is totally normal for there to be some sadness associated with a move, so do not feel guilty if your child is upset, but be there for them if they struggle with letting go.

3. New Beginnings

Although it’s okay for your child to feel sad about leaving your old home, it will help their transition if you give them something to be excited about, such as a new bedroom. By allowing your child to help plan and pick out the layout, paint colors, or bedding for their room, you will give them something to look forward to.

4. No Benchwarmers

When it comes to packing and unpacking, don’t let your kids sit on the sidelines as mom and dad do all the work. By helping you pack and unpack, your children will feel secure knowing that their belongings are all on their way to your new home, and will feel more welcome knowing where items have been put when they’re unpacked.

5. Make Friends

Being the new kid on the block can be lonely, which is why it’s important to encourage your child to socialize within your new community. Make an effort to meet the neighbors, enroll them in an extra-curricular activity, and schedule play dates with classmates if they have had to move to a new school. It can be intimidating for a child to socialize when faced with a whole new environment, but a little extra encouragement can go a long way.

Considering moving your family into a new home? Speak with your real estate professional who is experienced in family relocation today!

How to Gain the Upper Hand in Real Estate Negotiations Without Being Mean or Rude

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How to Gain the Upper Hand in Real Estate Negotiations Without Being Mean or Rude In a typical real estate transaction, numerous factors may be negotiated, and the terms of the purchase may be negotiated at different times throughout the process. For example, the contract may be negotiated at the time the original offer is made, but revisions to the contract may be negotiated after the property inspection has been completed. Both parties want to have the upper hand in negotiations, but those who focus on a few points are more likely to walk away feeling satisfied with the results of the negotiations.

Research All Factors Related To The Negotiation

A successful negotiation may be about achieving specific, desired goals, but in most cases, there will be a bit of give and take on both parties’ parts in order to find success. Those who have the upper hand in real estate negotiations will take time to research all factors related to the negotiations, and this includes everything from market conditions and how long the property has been on the market to how competitively priced the real estate is, how many other buyers there are and more.

Understand All Motives And Influences

Beyond outside factors related to the negotiation, there typically are personal motives and influences that must be considered. For example, a seller may be motivated to sell quickly due to a job offer in another city, or a buyer may be motivated because the property is the only one of its kind close to a great school. Real estate agents can often provide information about motives and influences that may impact the negotiations and that may reveal who has the upper hand in negotiations.

Consider Alternative Creative Solutions

After all external and personal factors have been researched and itemized, it may appear that one party has a clear upper hand in negotiations and the other party does not. However, in order to be successful in negotiations, typically both parties will need to feel as though they are getting what they want. After all parties’ motivations have been identified, it may be possible to think of creative, outside-the-box alternatives that may be agreeable to both parties.

When a buyer or a seller is preparing to negotiate with the other party, it is important that they fully understand all of the factors that may be at play in determining the outcome of negotiations. When buyers and sellers focus on these points before making an offer or counteroffer, they may find their negotiation efforts more successful. Contact your trusted real estate agent for more information.

Evaluating Neighborhoods: 4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Home

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Evaluating Neighborhoods: 4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a HomeFrom finding the right agent to discovering the home you can truly feel comfortable in, there are a variety of things involved in the home buying process. However, it’s important not to get caught up in the home and ignore altogether the community you’ll be living in. If you’re planning a move to a new neighborhood, here are some things you should look into before putting in an offer.

Local Amenities

A peaceful, picturesque community is ideal, but if there are not a lot of resources nearby for your family, it’s possible that your new neighborhood may not be the best fit. Instead of having to get in the car and drive everywhere, ensure you research nearby community centers, green spaces and recreational spots so your family has somewhere to spend their weekends.

Research The Crime Rate

You can certainly get a good sense of the well being of a community just by looking at it, but be sure that you’re informed about exactly how safe the surrounding area is so your family will feel at ease in their new locale. While you can easily research the community and find information online, websites like Neighborhood Scout and Crime Report also make it simple to discover the less well-known details.

Transportation And Accessibility

A community you love is ideal, but if you work in the downtown core or an area far away, it will be important to determine the effect this will have on the length of your commute. In addition, you’ll want to be sure there are local transportation options like buses and shuttles that provide access all over the center in the event that it’s needed.

Learn About The Locals

There’s something to be said for the perfect home, but you’ll also need to feel a certain sense of comfort in the place you live so ensure you choose a place with nice neighbors and a community feel. This may seem hard to determine before buying a house, but try visiting the local community center or knocking on a few doors for a quick impression of what the locals are like.

It can be easy to throw everything else out the window as soon as you’ve found the perfect home, but it’s important that your home is situated in a neighborhood you’ll feel comfortable in. Contact your local real estate professional for more information.

How to Design a Modern, Luxurious Home Inside of an Older Piece of Real Estate

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How to Design a Modern, Luxurious Home Inside of an Older Piece of Real Estate Newer properties may be infused with built-in designer touches that give them an instant sense of luxury, but older homes may lack many of these built-in features. Whether buying or renovating an older property, many people are interested in learning how to instill modern luxury in older property. The good news is that this is easier than it sounds, and it can be accomplished by following a few simple tips.

Make Thoughtful Upgrades

It may not be cost-effective or reasonable to upgrade the entire space with an extensive renovation, but making a few thoughtful upgrades can yield fabulous results. The light fixtures, faucets and hardware in the space should receive attention first, and homeowners should choose a modern finish that goes well with the rest of the home. If funds permit, consider upgrading the counter tops, sinks and bathtubs to further add luxury and modern style to the style.

Choose The Right Fabrics

When decorating the home, it is important to choose fabrics that speak to the luxury that is desired in the space. While some affordable materials have a luxurious look, it may be necessary to invest in premium materials like leather or upgraded upholstery in some areas to achieve the desired results. Think about the use of color, and layer fabrics for a truly upscale, finished look in the space.

Take Advantage Of Antique Charm

Most older homes have a special antique charm, and homeowners may have better results when working with this charm rather than trying to remove it from the space. Antiques can be incorporated with modern pieces to create a historic, classic or even rustic look to a home. Consider which aspects of the existing decor to highlight, such as gorgeous wood floors or an antique banister, and celebrate these areas while also including modern fabrics and other decorative touches to create the luxurious, modern look that is desired.

Decorating an older home can be challenging for many reasons, but it is possible to instill a sense of modern luxury into the space without a complete renovation. Some smaller remodeling efforts may be needed for the best results, and they can be incorporated with these tips to provide a lovely look that homeowners can truly fall in love with. Those who are thinking about buying an older home or renovating their older  speak with your local real estate professional for more information about thoughtful upgrades that can add value to the property.

Getting to Know the Neighbors: 3 Tips for Building Good Relationships

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Getting to Know the Neighbors: 3 Tips for Building Good RelationshipsOne of the factors involved in feeling truly comfortable in your community is the relationships that you’ve been able to establish with the locals in your neighborhood, but it can be hard to know how to nurture a good relationship. Whether you’re moving to a new home soon or are wondering how to make some nearby friends, here are some simple tips for ingratiating the ones that live closest to you.

Offer up Your Favorite Dish

It might seem like a bit of a risk, but one of the best ways to get to know your neighbors is to knock on their door and bring along your favorite treat as an offering. Whether it’s your famed banana bread or your best chocolate chip cookies, simply showing up on the doorstep with treats in hand will ensure your neighbors know that you want to get to know them, and they’ll likely be happy to return the favor down the road!

Throw A Little Party

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of taking treats over to all of your neighbors, you may want to consider throwing a party or backyard barbecue at your home for a more effective means of meeting everyone. By putting flyers around the community, you’ll easily interest other neighbors in your newfound presence on the block. As well, if you don’t want to go through all the planning of a big party, you can also make it a potluck style meal so everyone can share their own dish.

Make A Habit Of Neighborhood Walks

It’s certainly the least complicated of all the other options, but short walks through your neighborhood may also produce the most success in getting to know more about your neighbors. If you have a pet or a child, these tend to be automatic conversation starters, but a simple smile or ‘hello’ will also do the trick in making your face familiar. It also means you’ll get to know people over time and will be able to build a solid relationship.

It can often be hard to know how to integrate into a new community, but a simple smile or knock on the door can mean a lot when it comes to building a friendship with your neighbors. If you’re currently on the hunt for a home in a specific neighborhood, contact your local real estate professional for more information.

How to Plan for a Smooth Move-in

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How to Plan for a Smooth Move-inWith all of the rigmarole that goes into packing up your old home and moving into the new one, there are a lot of details that can get lost in the mix. From cleaning up the old house to handing over the keys, there’s no shortage of small tasks that need to be completed. If you’ll soon be prepping for the exciting move into your next home, here are some ways to prepare yourself for this busy time.

Do A Spring Clean, Even When It’s Not Spring!

Spring cleaning may be something that people only do once a year, but it’s actually a great way to prep for the move you’re about to make. Instead of thinking on a smaller-scale though, you’ll want to hit every room in your house so there’s less to pack up come moving time. While no actual cleaning will be necessary until you’re moving out, this pre-clean is the perfect opportunity to discard unwanted items, shred old papers and drop off any old and unworn clothes in the donation bins.

Write And Review Your To-Do List

Whether there are supplies you need to buy before the big moving day or a few minor touch-ups that you’d like to complete on your house, start compiling a list of all the things you need to do before and on the day you’re scheduled to move. While these small details can add up to a lot of work, a list will mean that nothing is left behind or forgotten that can create extra headaches when there’s no time to deal with them.

Keep A Separate Box For Essentials

Many homebuyers get so excited about the premise of packing that they stick a lot of important items in a box and send them along on the moving truck, but a few boxes with the much needed essentials should be brought along with you. Whether its cosmetics or available food items, having the things you’ll need is the only way to ensure a bit of added comfort on your first night in your new home.

Packing up your stuff and moving into your new home is a considerable task, but by being prepared and doing a little cleaning in advance, you can make the process a little bit easier for you and your family. If you’re currently on the market for a home, you may want to contact one of our local real estate professionals for more information.