Keeping Current Matters | Dec 24, 2024
Have you ever thought about packing up and moving to be closer to the people who mean the most to you? Maybe you’re tired of long drives to see your family or wish your kids could spend more time with their grandparents. Clearly, a lot of other people feel the same way.
According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the desire to be near family and friends is the #1 reason people move (see graph below):
That’s because moving isn’t just about finding a new house – it’s about living a life where you’re surrounded by the people who matter most. Whether it’s catching up over weeknight dinners, watching your kids play with their cousins, or just knowing someone’s there when you need them, living near loved ones changes everything.
Let’s dive into why so many people are making this move and how it could be the best decision for you, too.
Why Family Comes First
Living near family and friends is a universal motivator that cuts across all types of buyers, whether you’re buying your first home or making a big lifestyle change.
But it’s especially important to repeat buyers. Unlike first-time homebuyers, who may be more focused on looking in more affordable areas, repeat buyers often have more flexibility on where they live. Many Baby Boomers, for example, have built significant equity in their homes, giving them the freedom to prioritize what matters most – like retiring near their grandkids. As Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, says:
“25% of Baby Boomer households plan to retire near their children and grandchildren . . .”
Making a move to be closer to friends and family is all about creating a meaningful next chapter in your life where loved ones are just around the corner.
The Benefits of Living Near Loved Ones
But moving closer isn’t just a lifestyle choice – it’s a decision that offers real benefits:
- Spending More Time Together Whether it’s joining family dinners, going to weekend activities, or simply having someone nearby to talk to, these moments strengthen relationships and make life more fulfilling.
- Sharing Resources Living close to family can provide practical advantages, too – like sharing childcare, tools, or household items.
- Cutting Down on Travel Instead of spending hours on the road to spend time together, you can enjoy more spontaneous visits. This not only enhances your quality of life, but it also provides peace of mind in case of emergencies.
- Being There for Big Moments It also offers both emotional and practical support during life’s milestones. From graduations to tough times, being close to loved ones helps you feel connected and cared for.
Ready To Make Your Move?
At the end of the day, home isn’t just a place you live – it’s where your people are. Whether you’re looking to spend more quality time with family or enjoy the practical benefits of being closer to loved ones, the decision to move closer to those you care about is a deeply personal one.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about making a change, CA Real Estate Group would love to help. Together, you can explore neighborhoods that brings you closer to the people and places you love most.
Let’s Connect
Let’s connect and plan your next steps. Find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber RE Group
Christine Almarines @christine_almarines
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | (714) 476-4637
Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | (949) 391-8266
Letty Luna @lettylunarealestate
Realtor DRE# 02174000 | (562) 879-4181
PT Nguyen @sellsocalbuypt
Realtor DRE# 02223919 | (714) 756-0240
Goodhousekeeping.com | Oct 31, 2024
A Christmas Story and Home Alone are classics, but this list of funny, romantic and animated holiday flicks offers up some great alternatives.
Christmas time can be a little chaotic, a little messy, and the addition of new toys and other gifts might make your home feel extra cluttered. Having a concrete post-holiday cleaning and organizing strategy can help make the holidays feel less messy and more relaxing! This coming year, I’m determined to do a better job at cleaning and organizing my home. I’m notoriously bad at it, but I know that a tidy home helps me (and my family!) feel less stressed. I like to use lists to keep me on track – if I don’t write down a task, it never happens! – so today I’m sharing with you my post-holiday cleaning and organizing checklist with the hope that it will help some of you, too.
Post-Holiday House Cleaning and Organizing Checklist
The Christmas Decorations
Taking the time to put away your decorations with care will make next year’s decorating so much simpler and more fun!
- donate or discard any old or broken decorations
- label storage boxes clearly
- store decorations by room in durable boxes
- ensure that delicate, breakable ornaments are protected
- wrap Christmas lights around recycled wrapping paper tubes or pieces of cardboard to keep them from getting tangled
The Gifts
Being intentional about gift storage and making room for new things will keep your home clutter-free.
- determine a storage spot for all new gifts
- donate or discard any old toys, books, clothes etc. (purge one or two items for each gift received!)
- recycle Christmas cards after saving all of the mailing addresses; keep some for Christmas crafts for next year
The Food
There’s often excess food after Christmas parties, so make the most of it!
- prepare and freeze any leftovers to use for meals in the new year (i.e. cut turkey into bite-sized pieces for soups and sandwiches)
- make a meal plan for after the Holidays that’s easy and makes use of leftovers (like slow cooker meals and freezer meals)
The Cleaning
Doing an intentional deep clean post-Christmas will get you off to a fresh start in the New Year.
- deep clean the kitchen, paying special attention to the Holiday high-use items:
- the cabinet doors
- the back splash
- the fridge
- the stove
- clean the guest room after your guests have gone
- clean the main living areas and check for and treat stains from any Holiday parties
- deep clean the bathrooms, especially a main floor powder room that would have received lots of use
The Maintenance
Keep your home protected and safe for your family, as well as energy efficient.
- clean or replace your furnace air filters as needed
- test your smoke detector and replace batteries as needed
- check the exhaust duct of your clothes dryer and clean as needed
- dust or vacuum your refrigerator coils
- inspect your fire extinguisher and ensure it’s easily accessible
This is a big checklist, but I think it’s a thorough list that will help get us organized, ready, and safe for the New Year! Don’t worry about doing all of the items immediately. Simply go through the list as you have time after your big Christmas get-togethers to help get your home in tip-top shape.
It can be pretty easy to spot some of the most common causes of a cluttered home, from the array of kids’ toys all over the floor to the small army of appliances on your kitchen counter. But even after you’ve gotten rid of all that stuff, your home may still feel a bit too cluttered, thanks to some pretty surprising culprits.
If you’re ready to take that next step to a more calming home, see what the experts say may cause your home to feel overwhelming—and the quick steps you can take to make your home feel serene once and for all.
Meet the Experts:
01 of 07
Your Entryway Is Cluttered
Your entryway is the first thing you see on entering your home, and it sets the stage for everything that comes after it. “Keeping lots of shoes by the door will make footwear the first thing you and guests focus on, rather than the beauty of your home,” says Katrina Teeple, professional organizer and founder of Operation Organization.
Your fix: Because the entryway is typically a major drop zone in your home, you’ll need to stay vigilant to declutter, Teeple says. “Taking 10 minutes twice a week for ‘Tidy Time’—grabbing a laundry basket and thinning out the items in your entryway—will keep this area clutter-free.” That includes putting extra jackets in the closet, moving out-of-season items elsewhere, and reducing the number of shoes stored at the door. For a really serene entryway, Teeple suggests investing in a shoe cabinet or a bench with bins underneath to stash shoes.
02 of 07
You’re Into a Maximalist Decor Style
We all love a bit of maximalism—but if you’re looking for a calmer, less cluttered vibe for your home, a massive gallery wall and a mountain of pillows may not get you there. “Things on walls without a real purpose or anchor also feels like clutter,” says Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Clean Mama. “Don’t put things up just to fill a space.”
Your fix: Here’s a perfect opportunity to use that Marie Kondo decluttering strategy, and edit down the decor to only the items that really bring you joy. “Make sure it makes you happy and makes sense in your space,” Rapinchuk says.
03 of 07
Your Fridge Is Cluttered
Your fridge may need a major declutter—and we’re not talking about the interior. “It may be time to retire the look of novelty fridge magnets, grocery list notepads, and dare I say, your kids’ art from the fridge,” Teeple says.
Your fix: Move your must-have items from your fridge to inside a cupboard door. “That way, when you go for your favorite mug to drink coffee each morning, you’ll be greeted with sticky note reminders and your child’s latest drawing of a dinosaur,” Teeple suggests.
04 of 07
You Have Too Many Things on Your Surfaces
Clearing your counters and tabletops is essential for a more serene vibe at home. “It’s important to keep surfaces clean and clear,” Rapinchuk says. “This gives the home an overall feeling of calm.”
Your fix: Start with a really clean slate, Rapinchuk says. “To test this out, completely clear a surface and live with it empty for as little as 24 hours. See how it feels and slowly add items back in until if feels just right.”
05 of 07
You Don’t Have Enough Seating
Too little of something may seem like a strange thing that creates a cluttered vibe. But when guests have nowhere to sit, that can give off a bad impression. “Not having obvious places for company to sit down always feels cluttered to me,” says Cian Ballentine, professional cleaner and founder of Cannonball Cleaners.
Your fix: You may need to overhaul your furniture configuration—or add some unexpected seating, such as storage ottomans under a console—to provide easy-to-grab seating when friends arrive.
06 of 07
You’re Drowning in Doom Piles
Creating piles or baskets filled with stuff you don’t have time or energy to deal with may make your home feel a bit less cluttered in the short-time—but unless they’re dealt with, those piles can quickly weigh down the feeling of your home.
Your fix: Use doom piles only as a very temporary solution—such as scooping clutter into a basket when unexpected guests arrive. But make sure you make time to deal with the doom pile and make it disappear.
07 of 07
You Don’t Have Enough Storage
Even the best decluttering job won’t help much if you don’t have the right places to actually store the items you’re keeping. If storage space is at a premium in your house—too small closets, too few cupboards—you’ll need to figure out other spots that can house your items.
Your fix: Look for smart ways to incorporate more storage into your space. Think storage ottomans, closed baskets or boxes on bookshelves to hold small items, or even sneaky storage suggestions like putting out-of-season clothes or bedding into suitcases.
“Add storage furniture that is not only functional, but blends with your home’s aesthetic—like an affordable cubby shelving unit with decorative baskets behind a couch,” Teeple says. This provides a spot to stash your kids’ toys so they’re accessible but hidden out of sight.
Coast One Mortgage | November 27, 2020The holiday months and winter may not be traditional peak homebuying seasons – there are historically less homes on the market – but there are actually advantages to being a buyer during the holiday season. With less competition, tax benefits, and motivated sellers, the holidays are actually a great time to buy a home. According to a report from ATTOM Data Solutions, December 26 is the #1 day of the year to purchase a home. Think of it like the Black Friday of real estate.
Here are some benefits and tips on buying a home during the holiday season.
1. Have a clear focus
In order to take advantage of savings during this time, you need to be organized and have a clear idea of what you want in a home so you can act quickly if needed. Make sure you have all of your financial documentation ready, have saved up a down payment, and have your “wants/needs” list on hand.
2. Look for motivated sellers
Many sellers who list their home during the holidays are motivated to sell for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, you can benefit by negotiating a great price on the house. Consider other incentives to ask for, like an adjusted closing date that works for you.
Available homes might have been on the market for some time, or you could even come across an “old expired listing” that didn’t previously sell during the original listing period and is active again. Private sellers are not the only motivated sellers during this season. Banks and other financial institutions are motivated to get foreclosed properties off of their books before the end of the year. Ask your real estate agent about these types of properties.
3. Tax benefits
Depending on your financial situation, and what your tax liability looks like for the upcoming calendar year, you could qualify for some tax benefits purchasing a home this time of year.
If you itemize deductions when you file taxes, you may be able to deduct points purchased upon closing, property taxes, and mortgage interest rates. If you’re purchasing a home as an investment asset, and have a business entity, there may be even more tax benefits available to you. Make sure you talk to your accountant for specific details.
4. Work with a well-connected real estate agent
Since fewer properties are listed between Halloween and New Year’s, you’ll want early access to the homes you’re most interested in. If you have a connected real estate agent, they’ll know about available properties ahead of time and be on the lookout for hidden gems or unpublicized listings.
Make sure your real estate agent’s communication style gels with yours, too. If you’re trying to take advantage of holiday listings, you’ll want your realtor to be responsive to both you and the seller’s agent of the property you’re interested in.
5. Inquire about Pocket Listings
Pocket listings are homes not listed on the local MLS (multiple listing service) or otherwise publicized. Sellers who want to maintain a certain level of privacy will often put their home up as a pocket listing. This is when having a savvy, connected real estate agent will really help you. Less visibility also means less competition for you as a buyer!
If you’ve found a home you love, or are ready to purchase a home, now might be the time for you! With less competition, you might have more luck putting down a smaller earnest money deposit – something that could be less successful when sellers are fielding multiple offers during busier times of year.
Take advantage of the perks and don’t let the holidays deter you from making an offer on a home this season.
Keeping Current Matters | Dec 3, 2024
A lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to sell a house. And sure, buyer demand usually picks up at that time of year. But here’s the catch: so does your competition because a lot of people put their homes on the market at the same time.
So, what’s the real advantage of selling your house before spring? It’ll stand out.
Historically, the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the cooler months – and that means buyers have fewer options to choose from.
You can see how that trend played out over the past few years in this data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Each time, the supply of homes for sale dipped during these cooler months. And then, after each winter lull, inventory started to climb as more sellers jumped into the market closer to spring (see graph below):
Here’s why knowing how this trend works gives you an edge. While inventory is higher this year than it‘s been in the last few winters, if you work with an agent to list now, it’ll still be in this year’s sweet spot. So, while other sellers are taking their homes off the market, you can sell before the spring wave of new listings hits, and your house will have a better chance of standing out.
Why wait until spring when you can get ahead of the curve now?
Fewer Listings Also Means More Eyes on Your Home
Another big perk of selling in the winter? The buyers who are looking right now are serious about making a move.
During this season, the window-shopper crowd tends to stay busy with other things, like holiday celebrations, and avoids looking for homes when the weather’s cooler. So, the buyers out looking aren’t casually browsing—they’re motivated, whether it’s because of a job relocation, a lease ending, or some other time-sensitive reason. And those are the types of buyers you want to work with. Investopedia explains:
“. . . if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy.”
Bottom Line
With less competition and serious buyers on the hunt, you’ll be in a great position to sell your house this winter. Connect with CA Real Estate Group to get the process started. Call Team Lead Christine Almarines for a free consultation at (714) 476-4637.
Tackling these projects now will set you up for an even better New Year.
Test water quality
Checking water quality is one of those home maintenance tasks that’s easy to forget. But it never hurts to test the mineral content or hardness of your water, especially if you’re hosting guests for the holidays. “Testing your water is an easy, indoor home project to complete over the holidays,” says Chris Counahan, president at LeafFilter Gutter Protection. Purchase a water testing kit and follow the package instructions by filling a glass of water and dipping the testing stick in to assess the quality. “If your tests find hard water or contaminants, consider calling a professional to install a whole-home reverse osmosis system to ensure clean water throughout your home,” Counahan says.
Refresh the walls
Whether it’s wallpapering a feature wall in the primary bedroom or giving the bathroom a fresh coat of paint, try refreshing your interior walls over the holiday break. Painting projects can easily be done in a couple of days, depending on the size of the room, so they’re perfect for completing over a long holiday weekend. Wallpapering can be done in around a maximum of 8 hours, again depending on the size and number of walls you’re tackling. So, if you’ve been pondering a wall upgrade, the holiday break is the perfect time to check it off the list.
Patio or deck maintenance
For homes not covered in snow during the holiday season, exterior maintenance should be top of the to-do list. “Holiday breaks offer a great opportunity for homeowners to freshen up their outdoor spaces, and catch up on deck maintenance,“ says Michelle Hendricks, Deckorators’ category marketing manager. Cleaning rust stains, tightening railings or loose joints, reorganizing the deck box, or even refinishing deck wood can all be done over the course of a few days.
Deep clean floors and carpets
Not all home projects for the holidays have to be renovations—deep cleaning is just as important. High-traffic areas like hardwood floors and carpets can always use a deep cleaning. Aside from the usual sweeping and vacuuming, try using the wet vac for carpets and rugs. Target baseboards and try a carpet cleaner, especially in high-traffic areas used by people and pets.
Add insulation
Holiday breaks are the perfect time to work on energy-efficient upgrades. “With the colder temperatures that arrive before the holidays, homeowners inevitably start noticing how well their home holds up against the elements,” says DR Richardson, co-founder of Elephant Energy. “For many homeowners, that is the perfect time of the year to weatherize their homes by adding air sealing or extra insulation,” he says. Try weatherstripping to seal gaps where air can enter, window caulking to seal gaps or cracks, or adding insulation—professionally or DIY—to basements, garages, or attics.
Declutter
With days off on holiday break, there’s extra time to look around and notice items you no longer need. Spend some time decluttering neglected areas of your home. Closets, pantries, and home offices are often home to lots of outdated junk. Decluttering can make it easier to find items you really do need and to keep spaces clean. It’s also worthwhile to tidy spaces before guests come over for holiday celebrations. Try tackling one room at a time and have a plan. Have a pile for what you’ll keep, trash, and donate. For clothing and furniture, try organizing a pickup from a charity, so you’ll have a deadline for completion and no excuse to wave goodbye to items that will be put to better use elsewhere.
Revisit Landscaping
If you’re tired of spending time inside, it’s worth considering what upgrades you can make outdoors. Revisit your landscaping and outdoor living spaces. “Additions like outdoor heaters, fire pits, and lighting will help extend the use of your outdoor living space throughout the seasons,” says Hendricks. These features can make the outdoor space more comfortable just in time for the holidays. Lawncare, repotting plants, cleaning outdoor furniture, refreshing mulch, or finishing hardscaping features can set you up for success in the warmer months.
Upgrade light fixtures
Another easy project to take on during the holiday break is to upgrade indoor lighting. Get a new fixture above the dining table, bring a new lamp to the living room, or replace sconces in the bathroom. Replacing or refreshing lighting fixtures can completely transform the look and feel of your home. Usually, putting up simple task lighting does not require a professional technician, so you can try this fix yourself. If you need an electrician or lighting specialist, use the holidays to call around, visit showrooms, and finally place your orders.
Clean the fireplace and chimney
If your home has one, your fireplace will be the focal point of the holiday season. Cleaning up the fireplace area is more complicated than it looks. Even minor renovations can make a huge difference. Small upgrades include re-tiling the floor and redecorating the mantle. Cleaning the chimney, however, is a professional job. Doing regular maintenance can prevent allergens and fire hazards. Remember to plan and call ahead, as pros in your neighborhood may be in high demand this time of year.
Refresh the cabinets
Are your kitchen cabinets looking worse for wear? Refresh or refinish them this holiday season. Try replacing hardware, repainting, or refinishing cabinet faces. If you’re happy with the outside of your cabinets, try reorganizing the inside. Refreshing kitchen cabinets can bring new life into your space without hiring a professional to replace them. The same applies to bathroom vanities and storage cabinets, which are often neglected.
Good Housekeeping | Sep 11, 2024
Hosting a Thanksgiving that your family will remember for years to come includes more than just serving up an amazing meal. (Though, that’s still a major part of it.) What will really leave you and your loved ones with lasting memories will be the experience you have while spending time with each other.
That’s why Thanksgiving games are the perfect way to make Turkey Day tons more fun, especially if you have kids. We’ve rounded up a combination of festive crafts, engaging activities and challenging trivia that will keep the entire family entertained.
While bingo and scavenger hunts will almost certainly ensure a day full of fun for large groups or teams, there are also games like word search, “I spy” and Thanksgiving riddles that are still fun to play even with one or two people.
If your family happens to be partial to minute-to-win-it games, we have a few of those, too. Just don’t forget to give out special prizes to the winners. If you need inspiration, our Thanksgiving gifts can help with that.
