When you’re a child she walks before you,
To set an example.
When you’re a teenager she walks behind you
To be there should you need her.
When you’re an adult she walks beside you
So that as two friends you can enjoy life together…
Anonymous
Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – April 29, 2015
MOVING WITH KIDS: GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE
Moving can be tough on anyone, but it can be especially difficult for kids who may feel the move is beyond their control. Make the process easier with these tips:
– If the house isn’t nearby, show your child photos of their new home and make a floor plan of their new room. Let them make paper patterns of their furniture so they can arrange it.
– Give your child an address book or download an app and encourage them to get addresses of friends, teachers and other people who are important to them.
– Let them plan a party to say goodbye to friends, but don’t force formal goodbyes; they can be upsetting to some kids.
– Get them involved in packing their own stuff and give them a box for their own essentials. Include games, toys, books or whatever your child needs to have fun and relax.
– Plan visits to special places they enjoy so they can take pictures or just create lasting memory.
– Let them explore the neighborhood online by visiting websites for the town, their new school and nearby activities like parks or clubs.
– Most importantly, be ready to answer questions and remember to be patient and reassuring.
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – September 10, 2014
MOVING WITH KIDS: GETTING SETTLED
Helping your child settle into a new environment is important to their health and well-being — and to yours, too. Here are some tips to help your child adjust to their new home:
* Unpack your child’s room first.
* Consider buying a small piece of furniture, new drapes or bedding, or another item of your child’s choosing to make the new space truly theirs.
* Walk around the neighborhood with your child and make a list of new places to visit.
* Visit a local park or school playground.
* Research community centers, clubs and sports teams before the move and sign up as soon as you arrive or earlier by email.
* Visit the local library and ask about kids’ programs. Get your child (and yourself) a library card to help them feel like part of the community.
* Ask about youth groups at your new house of worship.
* Make it easy for your child to have friends over by keeping it casual; have games and toys unpacked and establish neighborhood boundaries ahead of time to avoid embarrassment or conflicts when friends ask to go somewhere unfamiliar.
* Finally, make your child feel at home by setting aside family time to play games, watch TV and explore your new surroundings.
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 30, 2014
AFTER THE MOVE: MEETING THE NEIGHBORS
Outside of work, meeting new people isn’t always easy, especially when you don’t know the area. Here are four easy ways to connect with your new neighbors:
* Volunteer: Sites like VolunteerMatch.com or the United Way (www.uwnj.org) can help identify volunteer opportunities in and around your neighborhood, or ask if the local community center, library or town hall keeps a list of groups looking for help.
* Take a class: Sharpen your skills in an existing area, learn a new skill or uncover a hidden passion for a brand new interest. The Princeton area is filled with opportunities for all sorts of learning, and classes put you in touch with people with the same interests — always a plus when building new friendships.
* Join a club: From sports to reading to investing to knitting, clubs abound in Princeton. Find something that interests you and then find out how to join. Most clubs have websites with all the basic info.
* Check out online resources: Facebook offers lots of pages devoted to individual communities as well as businesses, schools and volunteer groups. Today, many planned developments have their own Facebook page.
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – March 26, 2014
SENIORS INFLUENCE HOME DESIGN
Consumer demand always drives changes, and senior consumers are commanding greater clout in the real estate marketplace these days. By year 2030, the senior segment will comprise 20 percent of our entire population. It’s no wonder designers are increasingly focused on homes that accommodate seniors.
Today’s seniors are generally more active than ever before. They love to travel and this translates to a home that is secure, one that they can lock-and-leave on short notice.
Most seniors prefer a single-level home without stairs. In some cases, they select a two-story home but reserve the second floor for guests and grandchildren. Those grandkids are a high priority in the homes of many retirees. A special “grandchildren’s nook” or play area is often included in the home, or backyard. Some even have a high-tech room for teens.
Gone are the days of secluded, institutional retirement facilities. Today’s seniors want an all purpose setting that allows for an active lifestyle with a rich, multi-generational social life.
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 12, 2014
SPRINGTIME IS THE BEST TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME
According to the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, spring is the time when a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. Turns out, spring is also the time when most home buyers turn their thoughts to searching for their next home, and that means that if you’re thinking about selling, this is the time to do it.
What makes spring so popular? For one thing, many buyers have children, and ideally, they’d like to time their move so that it coincides with summer vacation. Spring is also the time when tax refunds arrive, making it that much easier for buyers to handle closing costs and down payments. And, it’s also a season associated with starting fresh, especially following a bleak, cold winter.
Of course, that also means that spring is the time when competition heats up for buyers. That means that for buyers, it’s important to start working with an agent as soon as possible to let the agent know you’re looking for a home — as well as the type of home you’re looking for — so they can begin the search process early.
Couple of other interesting tidbits: Studies have shown that Wednesday is the best time to list your home – it’s close to the weekend but still offers plenty of time for buyers to schedule an appointment to see your property. For buyers, the best time to make an offer is a few days after the first of the month — right after homeowners have paid the mortgage on a home they no longer want to own.