What’s Your Home Actually Worth?

Posted on April 13, 2021 by johanna wells

It’s easy to know how much money you have in your savings account or the real-time value of your stock investments. But, determining what your home is actually worth is trickier.

As a seller, knowing what’s your home actually worth, helps you price it correctly when you put it up for sale. If you price it too high, it may sit on the market. But price it too low and you may be losing out on a good chunk of money (nobody wants that!). For buyers, it’s important to know a home’s worth before you make an offer. You want your offer to be competitive, but you don’t want to overpay for the property.

As a current homeowner you might just be curious about the value of your home. Keeping track of what’s your home is actually worth year over year helps you understand the trends in your market. So when you are ready to sell, you can take advantage of a good window of opportunity.

A trained real estate agent, who understands your particular neighborhood—can determine the true market value of your property … and at no cost to you!

THE THREE TYPES OF HOME VALUES

When buying or selling a home, you’ll frequently hear the words appraised value, assessed value, and true market value. It’s important to know the difference between each one so you can make better, informed decisions.

Appraised Value

A professional appraiser is in charge of determining the appraised value of a home. Lenders require appraisals when a buyer finances a property. And while the lender is the one requiring this information, the appraiser does not work for the lender.¹ An appraiser is a licensed professional who is impartial to the buyer, seller, or lender—no matter who pays.

An appraised value assures the lender that the buyer is not overpaying for the property. For example, imagine a seller lists a home for $400,000. They reach a deal with the buyer to sell the home for $375,000. Should the appraised value come in at $325,000, the lender will not lend higher than the appraised value of $325,000.²

Appraisers will compare similar homes in your neighborhood. Evaluating, location, square footage, appliances, upgrades, improvements, and the interior and exterior of the home.

Assessed Value

Your local municipal property assessor determines the assessed value of your home. This value matters when your county calculates property taxes each year. The lower your assessed value, the less property tax you’ll pay.³

An assessor evaluates neighborhood homes sold, similar to the size of your home, age, overall condition, and improvements made. Assessors have limited information as they don’t have full access to your home.

Annual assessments determine how much property tax you owe. Many counties use a multiplier (typically between 60%-80%) to calculate the final assessed value. When the assessor determines the value of the home is $300,000, and the county uses a 70% multiplier, the assessed value of the home would be $210,000 for tax purposes.⁴

If your assessed value isn’t as high as you envisioned, don’t sweat it. Many homeowners appeal their assessment in favor of a lower valuation so that they can save money on property taxes. Let us know if you want to appeal your property tax assessment. We offer complimentary assistance and would be happy to help you build your case.

True Market Value

Real Estate agents establish true market value. It basically refers to the value that a buyer is willing to pay for the property. A expert real estate agent determines true market value because they have hands-on experience buying and selling properties. They understand what buyers want in your market and know what they’ll pay for a desirable house, townhouse, or condo.

For sellers knowing the true market value importance helps you choose how much to list your property for. It also helps you know any improvements needed to your home before putting it on the market. Your agent can help determine which updates and upgrades will have the biggest impact on your true market value.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH ONLINE CALCULATORS?

You may be looking for answers from Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia to learn what your home is actually worth? When you use an online calculator to determine your home’s value on these sites, it is just an estimate. These sites use their own algorithms for coming up with their estimates. Zillow comes up with “Zestimates” by calculating “public and user submitted data, calculating special features, location, and market conditions.” ⁵

Online estimates can be a great starting point to a conversation with your real estate agent about your home’s worth. Zillow recommends that you use a real estate agent for coming up with the actual market value of your home. The site that after you get a “Zestimate,” you should get “a comparative market analysis from a real estate agent.”

It’s essential to have an agent involved in the process because they understand the market better than a computer ever could. They show properties in your city daily, and they know the particular preferences of buyers and sellers in the area. Young professionals, large families, empty nesters, and other groups are all looking for different things in a home. A local agent has buyers, they understand what every buyer segment in your market is specifically looking for.

HOW AN AGENT FINDS YOUR HOME’S TRUE MARKET VALUE

So, how does an actual real estate agent determine true market value to determine what your home is actually worth? They’ll start by doing a comparative market analysis (CMA). This means they’ll compare your home’s features to similar properties in your area. For the CMA, the agent looks at the below factors to influence their assessment of your home’s worth:⁶

Neighborhood sales – Your agent factor recently sold homes prices and what they have in common with your house.
The exterior – How does the house look when walking or driving?
The interior – This is everything inside the walls of the house. Square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, appliances, and more all influence the overall market value.
Age of the home – A newer or older home affects the list price as part of their assessment.
Style of the home – The style of your home is important because buyers in different markets have different tastes. If buyers prefer ranch-style homes and you have one, then your home may sell for a premium (aka more money!).
Market trends – An experienced agent knows your area’s trends and what buyers are willing to pay for a similar home.
Location, location, location – This one’s probably the most obvious. Your agent will think about how popular the area is, how safe it is, and what schools are like.

A computer algorithm simply can’t take all of these factors into account when calculating the value of your home. Nothing beats having a real estate agent or professional appraiser when it comes to determining a home’s true market value.

YOUR AGENT IS THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Determining a home’s true market value is a real estate agent’s forte. For seller’s, your agent will help determine your home’s market value so you can list it at the right price.

For buyers, your agent will help you determine the value for a fair offer and you don’t pay too much. They will set you up with an email search from the Multiple Listing Service of homes that meet your criteria. It will show what homes are available within your criteria and their pricing.

Get a Complimentary Report With Your Home’s True Market Value

Curious about your home’s true market value? Call us or fill out the form below to request a free, no-obligation Comparative Market Analysis to find out exactly how much your home is worth!

Sources:

Chicago Tribune –https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/chi-ugc-article-what-is-the-difference-between-market-value-a-2013-09-30-story.html

SFGATE – https://homeguides.sfgate.com/market-value-vs-appraised-value-1206.html

ValuePenguin – https://www.valuepenguin.com/mortgages/what-is-the-assessed-value-of-a-house

Movoto – https://www.movoto.com/blog/homeownership/assessed-value-vs-market-value/

Zillow – https://www.zillow.com/how-much-is-my-home-worth/

Realtor.com – https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/assessed-value-vs-market-value-difference/

What Is A Real Estate Bubble?

Posted on March 19, 2021 by johanna wells

💥 What is a real estate bubble? 💥

A real estate bubble occurs when there is a rapid and unjustified increase in housing prices. Often this is caused by speculating investors blowing some hot air 🌬️

Like an overfilled balloon 🎈, the bubble eventually pops, and then a swift drop 📉 in home values occurs. This leads to reduced equity or, in some cases, even negative equity 😱

Fortunately, economists don’t foresee that happening! 🔮

Prices are going up because there’s a very low supply (homes for sale) and high demand (lots of buyers). And those market dynamics aren’t expected to change any time soon.

🏁 Looking for guidance as you navigate this fast-moving market? Contact our team to learn more about current real estate trends and whether now is a good time to buy or sell.

Homeownership Resolutions for 2021

Posted on January 20, 2021 by johanna wells

The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from health and career to relationships and finance. But with historically low mortgage rates, increased home sales and price growth, and a tight housing inventory, the time is right to also make some homeownership resolutions for 2021. Check out how to discover key action steps to take to achieve your homeownership goals this year, whether you’re a home buyer, home seller, or a homeowner not yet planning on moving.

New Year, New Home? Set Homeownership Goals Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put

Posted on January 5, 2021 by johanna wells

Home buyers, is this the year you work to improve your credit score, pay down some debt, or save for a down payment?

Home sellers, we’ve laid out plans for you to get top dollar for your property, including timing your home sale, making your property stand out from the crowd, and investing in your extra living space.

And even if you’re staying put for awhile, homeowners, you can resolve to improve your status quo by evaluating your home budget, finalizing your home maintenance schedule, or maybe investing in a second property.

So no matter your homeownership status, we’ve got some ideas and advice for you to make this year your best one yet. Read on to learn more.

HOME BUYERS

Resolution #1: Qualify for a better mortgage with a higher credit score.

Your credit report highlights your current debt, bill-paying history, and other key financial information. Importantly for your home-buying journey, it is also used by lenders and companies to calculate your credit score, which partly determines if you are qualified to obtain a mortgage. Therefore, before you start house-hunting, make sure your finances are in the best possible shape by checking your credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (via AnnualCreditReport.com). You can also obtain your credit score for free from some banks and credit card companies.

Your credit score will be a number ranging from 300-850.¹ Generally speaking, a credit score of 740 or higher is considered very good to excellent.² If your FICO score drops below 740, you might need to work at boosting your score for a few months before you begin house-hunting. Ways to do this are to pay your bills on time every month, keep your credit card balances low, and avoid applying for new credit.

Resolution #2: Improve your credit health by paying down debt.

Do you have student loans, credit card debt, or car payments tying up your income each month? That debt is hurting your “buying power,” or the amount of home you can afford. Not only is it money that you can’t spend on your new home, but your debt-to-income ratio also affects your credit score, which we discussed above. The less debt you have, the higher your FICO score and the better mortgage you can obtain.

If you can, pay off some debt in its entirety—like a low balance on a credit card. Then apply that “extra” money you previously paid on that credit card to pay off bigger debt, like a car loan. Even if you can’t pay off all (or any) of your debt in full, reducing the balances of each account will help you qualify for the best possible mortgage terms.

Resolution #3: Create a financial safety net before applying for a mortgage.

Don’t forget that buying a home requires some cash as well. A down payment is typically 7% of a home’s purchase price, and closing costs currently average $3,700.^3,4 You’ll also need money for moving expenses and any initial maintenance tasks that might pop up. And as the pandemic taught us, you never know when an unforeseen event might cause a job loss, drop in income, or health scare, so having some liquid savings will ensure that you can still pay your mortgage if a crisis occurs.

Dedicate some effort to building up your reserves. Cut down on unnecessary expenses, and consider having a portion of each paycheck automatically deposited into your savings account to avoid the temptation to spend it.

HOME SELLERS

Resolution #4: Decide on the right time to sell your home.

If you’re looking to maximize profit on the sale of your home, selling earlier in the year makes sense. Listing prices historically increase early in the year, peak in May, plateau through June, and decrease for the remainder of the year.⁵ And, according to the National Association of Realtors, “[w]ith both mortgage rates and the number of homes available for sale expected to remain relatively low, home prices are likely to continue to increase. [In] mid-January, home prices typically begin a quick ramp-up in a normal year.”⁵

But sales price isn’t the only thing to consider. You might not be ready to sell your home yet because you don’t want to uproot your kids during the school year or because you need to tackle some minor upgrades before placing your home on the market.

This means that there is no one month or season that is the perfect time to sell your home. Instead, the right timeline for you takes into account factors such as when you’ll earn the highest profit, personal convenience, and whether your home is even ready to put on the market. A trusted real estate professional can talk you through your specific needs to clarify when to sell your home.

Resolution #5: Boost your home’s resale value by making your property shine.

Housing inventory is at historic lows across the country, and that means the market is fiercely competitive.⁶ Selling your home in 2021 has the potential to net you a huge return right now, and you can maximize that amount with some simple fixes to make sure your property outshines your neighbors’ for sale down the street.

In your home, you might need to tackle a minor remodeling project, such as upgrading the flooring or adding a fresh coat of paint. According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, simply refinishing existing hardwood floors recoups 100% of the cost at resale, and completely replacing it with new wood flooring recovers 106% of costs.⁷

Outside, you might consider improving your curb appeal by removing a dead bush, trimming a tree that blocks the front window, or power-washing your moldy driveway and sidewalks. In fact, real estate agents say cleaning the exterior of your house can add $10,000 to $15,000 to a home’s sale price.⁸ And according to a Virginia Tech study, improving a home’s landscaping may increase its value by 10 to 12%.⁹

A good agent should provide custom-tailored suggestions to ensure your property pops inside and out. Ask us about our local insider secrets that will make your home stand out from others on the market.

Resolution #6: Invest in your “extra” living space to meet current buyers’ needs.

Due to COVID-19, more people are staying at home to work, go to school, exercise, and stay entertained. And these lifestyle changes are showing up in home buyer preferences. For example, according to one study, buyers are looking more and more for homes with formal, outfitted home offices, private outdoor spaces, and updated kitchen appliances.¹⁰

So if you’ve got an underutilized room, consider turning it into an office, home gym, schoolroom, or multi-purpose room to meet current home buyer needs and attract better offers on your home. Got some underwhelming space outside? You could turn it into an outdoor entertainment area by adding a firepit, upgrading the patio furniture, or installing a grilling area. Be sure to consult with a local real estate professional before investing in a renovation, however, as each market’s buyers have different tastes.

HOMEOWNERS

Resolution #7: Evaluate your household budget to reflect financial changes.

After this past year, in particular, your financial picture may have changed. Maybe you were furloughed, had your hours reduced, or got a new job further from home. Perhaps you’ve kept the same job, but you’re now working remotely. A work-from-home arrangement could mean less money spent on gas, tolls, a professional wardrobe, and dining out for lunch.

But this could also mean new (or increased) expenses now that you’re working at home, such as new tech-related purchases, faster Wi-Fi, and higher energy bills. January marks the perfect opportunity to update your income and expenses and review last year’s spending habits, tweaking as needed for 2021.

For more specific ideas, contact us for our free report “20 Ways to Save Money and Stretch Your Household Budget.”

Resolution #8: Save money now (and earn more later) with a home maintenance plan.

Having a schedule of regular home maintenance projects to tackle will save you money now and in the long-term. You’ll avoid some surprise “emergency fixes,” and when you’re ready to eventually sell your home, you’ll get higher offers from buyers who aren’t put off by overdue repairs.

Even if nothing necessarily needs fixing right now, you can lower your energy costs by maintaining and upgrading your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, simple fixes add up: replace five most frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR ones to save $75/year; repair leaky faucets to save $35/year; replace older toilets with low-flow models to save $100/year; and seal air leaks to save $83-$166/year.¹¹

For a breakdown of home maintenance projects to tackle throughout the year, contact us for our free report “House Care Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Maintaining Your Home.”

Resolution #9: Invest in real estate for a better standard of living.

Even if you don’t plan on leaving your current residence, real estate is a great way to improve your quality of life in 2021.

Have cabin fever from the long quarantine? A vacation home in a getaway location you love lets you safely spread your wings. And if you have been looking for a second stream of income, an investment property might be your answer. Just be sure to consult with a real estate professional to get a realistic sense of a property’s true income potential.

Want more information on how a second property fits into your 2021 plans? Request our free report, “Move Up vs Second Home: Which One Is Right For You?”

LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR 2021 GOALS

Without a plan and a support system, 55% of Americans will break their new year’s resolutions.¹² Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or stay put in your home, it helps to connect with a trusted real estate agent to keep you motivated and on track.

As local market experts, we have the knowledge, experience, and networks to help you achieve your homeownership goals, whatever they may be. Reach out to us today for a free consultation and commit to a happy and prosperous new year.

Sources:

USA.gov –
https://www.usa.gov/credit-report
Equifax –
https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/what-is-a-good-credit-score/
NerdWallet –
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/the-20-mortgage-down-payment-is-dead
Zillow –
https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-learning/closing-costs/
Realtor.com –
https://www.realtor.com/research/we-should-be-in-a-buyers-market-right-now-but-covid-turned-everything-upside-down-best-time-to-buy-a-home
Business Insider –
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-2020-broke-the-housing-market-inventory-could-run-out-2020-9
National Association of Realtors –
https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf
House Logic –
https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/add-value-to-your-home/adding-curb-appeal-value-to-home/
Virginia Cooperative Extension –
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-087/426-087.pdf
HomeLight –
https://www.homelight.com/blog/top-agent-insights-for-q2-2020/
U.S. Department of Energy –
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/how-much-can-you-really-save-energy-efficient-improvements
Ipsos –
https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/urban-plates-ipsos-NY-Resolutions

Move-Up vs. Second Home: Which One Is Right For You?

Posted on September 17, 2020 by johanna wells

The pandemic has changed the way many of us live, work, and attend school—and those changes have impacted our priorities when it comes to choosing a home.

According to a recent survey by The Harris Poll, 75% of respondents who have begun working remotely would like to continue doing so—and 66% would consider moving if they no longer had to commute as often. Some of the top reasons were to gain a dedicated office space (31%), a larger home (30%), and more rooms overall (29%).¹

And now that virtual school has become a reality for many families, that need for additional space has only intensified. A growing number of buyers are choosing homes further from town as they seek out more room and less congestion. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 40% of urban dwellers had considered leaving the city because of the COVID-19 outbreak.²

But not everyone is permanently sold on suburban or rural life. Instead, some are choosing to purchase a second home as a co-primary residence or frequent getaway. Without the requirements of a five-day commute, many homeowners feel less tethered to their primary residence and are eager for a change of scenery after spending so much time at home.

If you’re feeling cramped in your current space, you’ve probably considered a move. But what type of home would suit you best: a move-up home or a second home? Let’s explore each option to help you determine which one is right for you.

WHY CHOOSE A MOVE-UP HOME?

A move-up home is typically a larger or nicer home. It’s a great choice for families or individuals who simply need more space, a better location, or want features their current home doesn’t offer—like an inground pool, a different floor plan, or a dedicated home office.

Most move-up buyers choose to sell their current home and use the proceeds as a downpayment on their next one. If you’re struggling with a lack of functional or outdoor space in your current home, a move-up home can greatly improve your everyday life. And with mortgage rates at their lowest level in history, you may be surprised how much home you can afford to buy without increasing your monthly payment.^3,4

To learn more about mortgage rates, contact us for a free copy of our recent report!
“Lowest Mortgage Rates in History: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers”

One major benefit of choosing a move-up home is that you can typically afford a nicer place if you spend your entire budget on one property. However, if you’re longing for that vacation vibe, a second home may be a better choice for you.

WHY CHOOSE A SECOND HOME?

Once reserved for the ultra-wealthy, second homes have become more mainstream. Home sales are surging in many resort and bedroom communities as city dwellers search for a place to escape the crowds and quarantine in comfort.⁵ And with air travel on hold for many families, some are channeling their vacation budgets into vacation homes that can be utilized throughout the year.

A second home can also be a good option if you’re preparing for retirement. By purchasing your retirement home now, you can lock in a low interest rate, start paying down the mortgage, and begin enjoying the perks of retirement living while you’re still fit and active. Plus, it’s easier to qualify for a mortgage while you’re employed, although you may be charged a slightly higher interest rate than on a primary home loan.⁶

One advantage of choosing a second home is that you can offset a portion of the costs—and in some cases turn a profit—by renting it out on a platform like Airbnb or Vrbo. However, be sure to consult with a real estate professional or rental management company to get a realistic sense of the property’s true income potential.

WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?

You may read this and think: I’d really like both a move-up home AND a second home! But if you’re dealing with a limited budget (aren’t we all?), you’ll probably need to make a choice. These three tactics can help you decide which option is right for you.

Determine Your Time and Financial Budget

You may meet the bank’s qualifications to purchase a home, but do you have the time, energy, and financial resources to maintain it? This is an important question to ask yourself, no matter what type of home you choose.

Most buyers realize that a second home will mean double mortgages, utilities, taxes, and insurance. But consider all the extra time and expense that goes into maintaining two properties. Two lawns to mow. Two houses to clean. Two sets of systems and appliances that can malfunction. Second homes aren’t always a vacation. Make sure you’re prepared for the labor and carrying costs that go into maintaining another residence.

Of course, some move-up homes require more work than a second home. For example, if your move-up option is a major fixer-upper, you’ll probably invest more energy and capital than you would on a small vacation condo by the beach. Have an honest discussion about how much time and money you want to spend on your new property. Would a move-up home or a second home be a better fit given your parameters?

Rank Your Priorities

If you’re still undecided, make a wish list of the characteristics you’d like in your new home. Then rank each item from most to least important. This exercise can help you determine your “must-have” features—and which ones you may need to sacrifice or delay. Here’s a sample to help you get started:

#	FEATURE
	Dedicated home office
	Extra bedroom
	Pool
	Walk to the beach
	Big backyard
	Close to friends and family
	Short commute to the office
	Investment potential

Explore Your Options

Once you’ve determined your parameters and priorities, it’s time to begin your home search.

If you’re still not sure whether a move-up home or a second home is right for you, we can help.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your options and help you assess the pros and cons of each, given your unique circumstances.

We can also send you property listings for both move-up homes and second homes within your budget so you can better envision each scenario. Sometimes, viewing listings of homes that meet your criteria can make the decision clear.

LET’S GET MOVING

Whether you’re ready to make a move or need help weighing your options, we’d love to help. We can determine your current home’s value and show you local properties that fit within your budget. Or, if your heart is set on a second home in another market, we can refer you to an agent in your dream locale. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation!

Sources:

10 Ways to Give Back to Our Local Community This Holiday Season

Posted on January 17, 2020 by johanna wells

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:

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

Johanna Wells

Home Staging | How To | Marketing | Resources | Tips and Trends

Tag Archives: westminsterrealestate

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Resolution #1: Qualify for a better mortgage with a higher credit score.

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Resolution #3: Create a financial safety net before applying for a mortgage.

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Resolution #4: Decide on the right time to sell your home.

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