Timeout.com | Nov 8, 2024
The Getty and the Broad are two of my favorites, but almost every other museum in L.A. offers free admission, either on select days or all the time. You can always visit the Hammer Museum, MOCA Grand, California Science Center and CAAM for free, while LACMA and the Natural History Museum have free opportunities for locals on weekday afternoons. Botanical gardens tend to be a bit harder to book; spots like the Huntington offer a once-a-month free day that you’ll need to be quick to book.
*** Please look up the most current info and any restrictions before you head out! ***
You don’t have to pay a museum’s admission fees at these times.
LOS ANGELES
While the Broad, Hammer Museum, Getty Center, Getty Villa, California African American Museum, Armory Center For the Arts, Fowler Museum at UCLA, California Science Center, and MOCA are always free, the following L.A. museums offer days sans admission fees.
The Autry Museum in Griffith Park: Every second Tue 10am–4pm
Craft Contemporary: Sun 11am–6pm pay what you wish
The Huntington Library: Every first Thu 10am–5pm with advance ticket
Japanese American National Museum: Thu 11am–5pm
Kidspace Children’s Museum: First Fridays, 3-6pm
LACMA: Every second Tue 11am–5pm. L.A. County residents Mon, Tue, Thu 3–5pm; Fri 3–8pm
Museum of Latin American Art MOLAA: Free Days Sundays. Always free for youth 12 & under
Natural History Museum: Every first Tue (except July and Aug) 9:30am–5pm, L.A. County residents Mon–Fri 3–5pm
Pacific Asia Museum: Thu, every second Sun 11am–5pm
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum: Every first Tue (except July and Aug), every Tue in Sept 9:30am–5pm; L.A. County residents Mon–Fri 3–5pm
Skirball Cultural Center: Thu noon–5pm
ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA): Free admission; online reservation
Hilbert Museum of California Art: Free admission; reservations are required
Surfing Heritage & Cultural Center: Free admission; Tue-Sat 11am-5pm
Laguna Art Museum: Free monthly on the first Thurs 6-9pm
Sources:
https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/free-things-to-do-in-la
https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/los-angeles-life-hacks
https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/free-museums-in-la-best-art-history-and-more-for-free
https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/blog/you-can-visit-these-socal-museums-for-free-using-your-l-a-library-card-071217
New Year’s Eve traditions can be exciting for people across the globe. Below are some of the most common, organized by country of origin.
If you’re ringing in the New Year with loved ones, you may find it interesting to discover how traditions are carried out across the world. You might also become inspired to incorporate one of these customs into your own New Year’s Eve celebration.
From eating 12 grapes at midnight to jumping in the ocean, these traditions signify the beliefs and cultures of different people that are often tied to similar intentions. The many NYE traditions celebrated worldwide help unite people to promote hope and prosperity.
ARGETINA
Put Your Right Foot Forward
Take the first step into the new year with your right foot forward—literally. In Argentina, it’s believed that taking your first step with your right foot at midnight brings good luck.
BOLIVIA
Wear Red (or Yellow) Underwear
In Bolivia, the color of the underwear you’re donning as you enter the new year has a direct correlation to how it will go. Wearing red is supposed to bring love and passion into your life, while yellow or gold attracts money.
BRAZIL
Jump Seven Waves
In Brazil, it’s considered good luck to start the new year by jumping over seven waves. You get one wish for each wave, so be ready with your list for 2025!
Wear White
Some folks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are used to wearing white on New Year’s Eve. The practice is rooted in the belief that wearing the color will attract peace for the coming year.
Tossing White Flowers in the Ocean
Brazilians have a custom of throwing white flowers into the sea each new year. Doesn’t that sound so romantic? Residents will toss flowers and candles into the Atlantic Ocean as offerings to Yemoja, a god of water who can pass along good things in the upcoming year.
CANADA
Take a Polar Bear Plunge
All around the world, people will be kicking off 2025 by running into freezing cold lakes and oceans. The tradition was started in Vancouver, Canada in 1920 by a group of swimmers who called themselves the Polar Bear Club. In the U.S., these events are usually held to raise money for charity.
CHINA
Red for Good Luck
Red is a color that denotes good fortune and happiness, and in China, it’s a hue that’s often attached to New Year’s. You’ll spot decorations, fans, gift packets, and lanterns in shades of red.
CHILE
Dine on Lentils
The Chilean superstition of consuming lentils at midnight stems from the round legumes’ resemblance to coins. Eating a good serving of lentils is believed to bring more money into your life.
Sleeping in the cemetery to be with deceased loved ones
In Talca, Chile, residents gather in local graveyards on the last night of the year. However, their New Year’s Eve traditions are not considered sad or negative occasions. Instead, people sleep in these graveyards to welcome the New Year with their departed loved ones. Families gather at the gravesites, often with food and drinks, to stay overnight right beside the graves of family members. Some people reflect quietly, while others celebrate with loved ones, sharing meals and making toasts to honor those no longer with them.
COLOMBIA
Carry an Empty Suitcase
Want to go places in 2025? Take a cue from the Colombians, who walk around the block carrying empty suitcases on New Year’s Eve to bring a year filled with travel.
Three Potatoes
On New Year’s Eve, Columbians place one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half-peeled potato under their beds. When the clock strikes midnight, they pull out the first potato their hand touches, and the potatoes symbolize different things: a peeled potato means financial ruin. An unpeeled potato promises a good year all around. And a half-peeled potato is a mix of good and bad for the year.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Cutting Apples
While we might be used to cutting up apples for a pie, in the Czech Republic, cut-up apples hold unique significance when it comes to New Year’s. On New Year’s Eve, residents will cut apples in half and the shape inside denotes what one can expect in the coming year. For instance, while a star is good, a cross can foretell a future illness.
DENMARK
Leap Into the New Year
Have you ever seen someone standing on a chair at your New Year’s Eve celebration? Chances are, they’re celebration with a particular Danish tradition in mind where you literally leap into the new year at midnight for good luck. Why not give it a whirl?
Smash Dishes
This Danish tradition is a great way to take out any pent-up anger you don’t want to bring into the year. Smashing old or unwanted dishes outside your loved ones’ doors on New Year’s Eve is supposed to bring them luck—the bigger the pile of broken dishes, the luckier they’ll be.
ECUADOR
Burn Some Photographs
Everyone who has gone through a nasty break-up is familiar with this ritual. In Ecuador, it’s common to find photos of things or old memories you don’t want to bring into the new year and burn them before midnight to avoid carrying them along with you.
Burning scarecrow effigies
In Ecuador, people build and burn scarecrows that signify the past year. Ecuadorians start by constructing scarecrow-like figures with old clothes, paper, wood, or other materials. As the clock strikes midnight, Ecuadorians come together and set the scarecrows on fire. This activity is meant to symbolize the end of the past year, with the figures often resembling disliked public figures or the past year’s events.
ESTONIA
Feast All Day
For those of you with stomachs that never feel full, this Estonian New Year’s superstition will be the one to follow. In Estonia, there’s a tradition of eating either seven, nine, or 12 meals on the last day of the year in order to begin the next one with the strength of the same number of men as meals you’ve eaten. The more you eat, the stronger you’ll be.
GERMANY
Pouring lead to predict the future
One of the most common classic New Year’s traditions in Germany is Bleigießen. It involves pouring molten metal to forecast the coming year’s fortunes. While historically lead was used, today, safer materials like tin or wax are used instead because of health concerns. People may melt these metals in a spoon over a flame and quickly pour them into cold water. The solidified metal forms random shapes, which people interpret in different ways to predict future events. Commonly seen shapes and their meanings include, for example, a ship for travel, a ball for good fortune, and a tree for growth.
Lucky Pig
Pigs? And New Year’s? There’s actually a connection between the two, at least in Germany. Germans call this custom “Glücksschwein,” which translates to “lucky pig.” Pigs appear as marzipan treats, and noshing on them can foster good fortune in the new year.
Eat Herring
Whether you like your herring pickled or fresh, eating it in some form at midnight is considered good luck in Germany and Sweden.
GREECE
Hang an Onion on Your Door
It might not look or smell the best, but in Greece, hanging an onion on your door on New Year’s Eve symbolizes rebirth heading into the new year. As for January 1, parents are said to tap the onion on their children’s foreheads to usher in prosperity for the 365 days ahead.
Baking a Coin into a Cake
On January 1st, people from Greece celebrate St. Basil’s Day with a special cake known as “Vasilopita,” which contains a single coin. The person who finds the coin is believed to be blessed with good luck for the new year.
Smashing Pomegranates
No matter what time of year it is, pomegranates are very important in Greece. In Greek mythology, the fruit represents abundance and life, things that are tied to New Year’s there. Just after midnight, Greeks will crush pomegranates against their doors—the number of seeds that fall to the ground symbolize how much good luck you can expect in the new year.
IRISH
Put Mistletoe Under Your Pillow
Mistletoe isn’t just a Christmas tradition. The Irish believe that if you put a sprig of mistletoe, holly, or ivy under your pillow on New Year’s Eve, you’ll dream of your future love.
Bang Some Bread
You’ve heard of breaking bread, but how about banging it? Families in Ireland have a New Year’s tradition of banging loaves of Christmas bread against the walls and doors to ward off evil spirits and pave the way for a healthy and prosperous new year.
ITALY
Tossing old items out of windows
Like South Africa, Italy also literally casts off the old to make room for the new. Italians might dispose of old items by throwing them out of windows. This act symbolizes saying goodbye to negative experiences and making resolutions for the coming year. While not as commonly practiced as it once was, the tradition remains in some areas. It’s especially done in southern parts of Italy, where anything from pots and pans to clothes may find its way onto the streets.
Lucky Lentils
Italy is almost always known for dishes like spaghetti and linguini, but during New Year’s celebrations, it’s all about the lentils. Italians see lentils as mini, edible “coins,” and if you include them in your New Year’s Eve dinner, they’ll bring some luck into your life.
JAPAN
Clean Your House Before Midnight
In Japan, there’s a New Year’s tradition called “osoji” or “o-souji,” which involves giving the house a thorough cleaning before midnight. This practice stems from the belief that a clean home helps purify the space and prepare it for a fresh start in the new year. We could all use that!
Eat Soba Noodles
People in Japan traditionally eat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve. According to the superstition, the meal will melt away the pain and difficulties of the previous year.
Ringing bells 108 times
In Japan, the New Year’s Eve tradition, Joya no Kane, involves striking temple bells 108 times as midnight approaches. This ritual is a symbolic way to get rid of 108 earthly temptations or evil spirits that, according to Buddhist beliefs, cause human suffering. Temples nationwide participate in this ceremony, often attracting locals and visitors to collect lucky charms and experience the ringing that is said to purify the soul for the coming year.
Watch the Sunrise
Watching the first sunrise of the new year is called “hatsuhinode” in Japan. This practice is thought to bring good fortune for the year ahead, and many people rise early to find a picturesque spot, such as a beach or hill, to enjoy the view.
LATIN AMERICA
Throw Water Out of a Window
In Latin America, one New Year’s tradition involves throwing a bucket of water out the window to signify cleansing and renewal. What better way to prepare for a new year than by leaving the past behind you?
MEXICO
Eating a grape with each bell strike and making a wish
In Mexico, as the clock nears midnight on New Year’s Eve, families and friends prepare a cup or bowl of 12 grapes. With each of the twelve strikes of the clock at midnight, individuals consume one grape for each chime. This custom, known as “Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte,” translates to “The Twelve Grapes of Luck,” and it’s more than a festive activity. As the clock’s bell rings, people make a wish for every grape eaten, which represents each of the 12 months.
NETHERLANDS
Eating desserts for good luck
In many cultures, eating round foods or ring-shaped foods is a common way to commemorate the end of the old year. In the Netherlands, it’s traditional to eat oliebollen, a dessert similar to a doughnut made of fried dough. The tradition, which started as a way to protect oneself from evil spirits during Yule, continues to this day, and oliebollen are now a staple New Year’s food for many Dutch people.
PHILIPPINES
Wear Polka Dots
Here’s a New Year’s clothing tradition that doesn’t involve sparkles! In the Philippines, wearing polka dot-patterned dresses, shirts, or pants on New Year’s Eve is a tradition that’s believed to bring good fortune in the new year.
Find Round Objects
Round items are all the rage on New Year’s Eve, especially in the Philippines! Because the circular shape symbolizes money and wealth, it’s the more the merrier! According to this tradition, you can wear polka dots, carry coins, and eat round foods like donuts, bagels and cookies to boost your funds for the next 12 months.
POLAND
Wake Up Early
As the old adage goes, the early bird gets the worm. And if you’re up and at ’em on January 1, Polish tradition suggests that you’ll easily rise on the early side every day for the rest of year.
PUERTO RICO
Cleaning Streets, Cars, and More
At the start of the new year, Puerto Rico just might be the cleanest country around, since their tradition is to clean their homes and cities top to bottom, from indoor spaces to cars to streets. It’s a way to start out with fresh energy in the new year.
Step Backwards into the Sea
In Puerto Rico, some greet the stroke of midnight—and keep evils spirits at bay—with a quick fall backwards into the waves of the ocean. If you’ll be beachside for New Year’s, it certainly can’t hurt to do the same.
ROMANIA
Toss a Coin
Similar to throwing change and making a wish, many Romanians believe that tossing a coin in the river on New Year’s Eve will provide good luck for the whole year. So, gather your pennies and bring on the good fortune!
RUSSIA
Drink Your Wishes
Across the pond in Russia, it’s a tradition to drink your New Year’s wish! Over there, people write their New Year’s wish on a piece of paper, burn it, put the ashes into a glass of champagne, then drink it. Cheers!
SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES
Serve Herring
Consuming this silver fish at midnight is very common in Scandinavian countries. The shiny color is supposed to represent money, and it’s believed that eating it will bring luck and prosperity.
SCOTLAND
Carefully Choose Your First Guest
In Scotland, a tradition known as first-footing will supposedly determine whether your household has good luck or misfortune for the rest of the year. For prosperity in 2025, superstition says the first person to enter your home at midnight should be a tall, dark-haired male. He should also bring symbolic gifts like coins or black buns. It’s worth a shot, right?
SOUTH AFRICA
Throwing furniture out of windows
One common New Year’s Eve custom in South Africa is tossing furniture from windows. Johannesburg’s Hillbrow district is particularly known for this unconventional New Year’s tradition. The act symbolizes discarding old, unwanted items from the past year, making room for new opportunities and a fresh start. However, it’s not a chaotic free-for-all; the police have outlined safety and legal concerns while providing increased monitoring during the festivities.
SPAIN
Eat 12 Grapes at the Stroke of Midnight
Eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight is customary in Spain. With each chime of the clock at midnight, you have to pop another grape in your mouth—it’s no easy feat! Each grape symbolizes a month, and successfully eating all 12 promises a lucky year ahead.
SWITZERLAND
Throw Some Ice Cream
On December 31, instead of toasting with a glass of champagne, ring in the new year the Swiss way and throw a scoop of ice cream on the ground. Doing so is supposed to bring luck and prosperity.
Ringing the bells
While you may be familiar with setting off fireworks as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s, Switzerland, a country that is home to many Christian churches, takes a different approach. In both villages and cities, it’s traditional for the church bells to start ringing just before midnight, with many people going outside or opening their windows to listen and welcome in new year’s day.
TURKEY
Smash Pomegranates
Take a cue from Turkey and smash a pomegranate outside your front door to bring good luck in the year to come! The ruby red fruit is seen as a symbol of abundance, health, and prosperity.
Sprinkling Salt
In the United States, spilling the salt can represent bad luck, but in Turkey, sprinkling salt is encouraged. Turks will sprinkle salt on their doorsteps at midnight, something that can generate success in the new year.
OTHER TRADITION – COUNTRY NOT MENTIONED
Bang Pots and Pans
Before there were noisemakers, people made their own joyful ruckus by banging pots and pans at the stroke of midnight. This tradition was once thought of as a way to drive away evil spirits.
Sources:
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g34787153/new-years-traditions/
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g42156374/new-year-around-the-world/
https://www.housebeautiful.com/entertaining/holidays-celebrations/g46027278/new-years-superstitions/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/g42180424/new-years-superstitions/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/current-events/15-ways-nye-traditions-are-celebrated-around-the-world/
https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g29538911/new-years-superstitions/
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.
