Ways to Prepare for Back to School

It's hard to believe but the racks of school supplies are out and back to school is just around the corner! Help prepare your family and home for the best school year ever. Here are a few fun ideas we found on Pinterest to help you get organized and have fun!

Backpack organization with personalized bulletin boards

Bookshelf and homework station

Create homework caddys

Refrigerator snack area

National Hammock Day

In honor of National Hammock Day this week we want to celebrate the various ways of relaxing and enjoying your backyard!

Hammocks were originally created by natives of Central and South America for sleeping. Sailors adopted the tool as a way maximize space and for comfort out at sea.

Today, hammocks are a great way to lay back and enjoy the outside. Traditionally they are tied between two trees but if you don't have that available new models have their own supports.  Anyone can enjoy a hammock!

Other ways to enjoy your backyard this summer? We searched Pinterest and found a few creative options you may want to take advantage of!

Ways to Keep Your Home Safe

Did you know there are ways to make your home less appealing to potential thieves? According to statistics from the FBI, a burglary occurs every 14.6 seconds with 65% of break-ins occurring during the day.

There are some easy and inexpensive ways you can make your home less vulnerable. Check out the list below.

• Make sure all your doors are locked. Windows too! Don't leave a spare key in any obvious place - better to leave with a neighbor or family member.
• Don't forget to lock the door from the garage to the inside of the home.
• Keep decorative bushes and shrubs clear from doorways - making it hard for anyone to hide while trying to break in.
• Make sure the outside of your home is well lit and consider motion detector lights.
• Leave a secondary vehicle parked in the driveway so it looks as if someone is home during the day.
• If going out of town, stop the mail and newspaper. Have the garbage can brought back up to the home after pick-up by a neighbor.
• Install a home security system and advertise its presence!

There's no way to completely protect your home so have a list of all your valuables for insurance purposes. Keep valuables out of plain sight!

Hot Spring for Home Sales

The National Association of Realtors reported the 5^th consecutive month of increased pending home sales – the highest number since the peak of the housing boom in 2006!

Pending sales, or homes under contract, are up 10% over last year according to the latest monthly data from May of this year. These numbers round out a strong spring season with data showing the trend to continue through the summer. 

Sales volume is up as well as sales price. The average home price is up 7% over last year.  First time buyers are re-entering the housing market – making up 32% of all buyers – an increase of 27% from a year ago.

So what does this mean for you? Now is the time to buy! Home prices will only continue to rise as sales continue to increase. Enjoy the AC in your car and come look at our new homes this weekend!

Fireworks Safety this 4th of July

Besides red, white and blue, cook-outs, and the day off from work - the celebration of the 4th of July is synonymous with fireworks.

Whether you plan on attending festivities where fireworks will be featured or intend to shoot some off yourself, safety should be your top priority.

Heed these tips below to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th!

• Obey all laws regarding the purchase and discharge of fireworks
• Read labels on fireworks before lighting
• Have a bucket of water and water hose nearby in case of emergency
• Always light and shoot fireworks one at a time
• Never relight a firework that did not go off the first time
• Do not point a firework at someone or throw a firework
• Fireworks should be handled by adults only
• Avoid alcohol use when lighting and discharging fireworks
• Dispose of used fireworks by thoroughly wetting and storing in a metal trash can overnight