3 Tips on Home Buying to Consider

Today, I’m sharing on tips on home buying. Purchasing a house is a big step in everyone’s lives.  Especially,  if you’re about to start or recently started a family. It’s essential that you buy a place that makes you feel inspired.  Make sure it’s a place were you can see yourself hanging around for a long time.  And, where your kids can grow up without any issues.

Buying a house is an important decision.  There are many decisions to make and ensure everything is in order before  making your purchase.  After you purchase your home, you can make it feel like a home by adapting it to your taste and liking.

 

home buying tips

 

Structure 

Your tips on home buying is the  construction of the house you want to purchase. Especially, if it’s an old home.  Asking questions is imperative.  For example, which renovations were made and when?  When was the last time a new roof was added?  Is the structure capable of withstanding a natural disaster hit, and more.

The roof is important because an old one can cause health problems or your family and damage to the resistance of the house. Dominion Roofing Company states that keeping the roof in a good shape is essential for maintaining the entire structure of a house.

If you see that the home has issues, it’s best to keep looking around to find a better fit for you.

 

Security

The streets are not as safe as most of us think.  Dangerous things sometimes happen, even when you feel secure in your neighborhood.

Take a look around the neighborhood before deciding on buying a home.  Observe the behavior of the people living there. A good sign of safety is watching the people outside their homes and the kids playing on the front porches or yards.

If a place is unsafe people will be weary.  They may wonder who you are and why you’re looking for a place in that neighborhood.  Just remember, many neighborhoods are gated communities with their own security gates and private streets.  So, check those neighborhoods too.

Also, an important aspect to check is the security system installed in the house. Do your homework and be knowledgeable of how many camera should be in a house.  Having this information will help you determine if more cameras will need to be installed, and if it’s worth purchasing the home.

 

 

home buying tips

 

Entertainment 

Buying a “forever home” requires you to look at the home and the neighborhood and surrounding area where your kids will spend most of their childhood.  Having a park nearby is a great plus for every home.  Movie theaters, sport facilities, etc. should be considered.

We all know that kids love to play with technology, but as parents, need to make an effort to have them enjoy their childhood as we used to. Going to parks, getting dirty, and building memories is essential for their development.

 

Final Thoughts

Finally, purchasing a home is never a simple decision.  Especially, if you’re going to raise your kids there. You have to check for a lot of things, especially the neighbors, security systems, the structure of the home, and places for your kids to play and enjoy their childhood.

You may also like Tips for Buying the Perfect Home.

 

Tips for Buying the Perfect Family Home

Today, I’m sharing shopping tips on buying the perfect family home can be exciting, but it can also be daunting task.  It’s a huge investment, so you will want to get right. Searching for the right home for you and your family requires research and a lot of compromises. Be prepared for your budget not to fulfill all of your hopes and dreams.

 

 

home buying tips

 

 

You should spend some time with your husband or significant other and decide what’s a deal-breaker for your family when viewing properties.  You can eliminate wasting time on visiting properties that aren’t the right fit for your family.  Maybe you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors instead of a large living room area.  Or, perhaps you enjoy watching your children play while cooking.  So, you would like to have an open floor plan.  Put your thoughts down on paper.  You can check off your priority checklist when buying the perfect family home.

 

 

Buying the perfect family home:

 

Location 

Location is one of the first things you need to decide on when buying any home.  A family home should not only be close to high standard schools, but also be in an area where you can access local amenities.

Shops, doctors, dentists, hairdressers, and family activities should all be on the top of your location scout.  If you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors, then a compromise needs to be made to find the perfect location near open spaces.  But, one that’s also accessible to local amenities.

Do a quick internet search about the local area you’re interested in moving to. The majority of real estate agents in the area will produce a rundown of what the area has to offer for potential buyers. For example, Msyorkville.com mentions the importance of properties that are only 45 minutes from downtown Toronto and 20 minutes from the airport.

 

Size and Layout 

The next step to finding your perfect property is deciding what size is suitable for your family.  The number of bedrooms will be determined by how many children you have or plan to have and if you have frequent visitors. Whereas the size of your kitchen will depend on how much time you spend in there cooking.

The layout is also another crucial aspect to decide on. A closed plan property gives your rooms privacy and allows you to shut doors on mess and keep pets out of certain areas of the home. On the other hand, a popular option for families is an open plan concept where you can see different areas of the house from the kitchen or living room, for example.

An open plan allows you to keep an eye on your children as they play, and you can easily communicate between spaces. The concept you choose may depend greatly on the age of your children.

 

 

home buying tips

 

Outdoor Space 

Outdoor space is often a budget breaker. For most, it’s crucial to have some outdoor space attached to your property.  It gives your children a secure area to play in. Your garden is an extension of your property.  And, it’s a great place to spend time with your family and friends.

How much outdoor space you need is your preference. A large grass lawn, for example, is perfect for hours of endless fun and space for all sorts of play equipment but is a nightmare to maintain. In comparison, a smaller paved yard is simple to keep tidy, but it can be challenging to spend time with young children in a tight area.

The perfect garden for the average family is often one that’s comprised of sections. A sectioned garden gives children a place to play, but also an area for adult relaxation.

 

Security 

Security should also be considered.  Your potential home should have secure windows and doors.  A  fenced-in outdoor space is desirable as well as a safe neighborhood.

Make sure when you view any property that you check the locking systems and bonus points if it already has an alarm or CCTV system in place. Remember, once you have bought the property change the locks for added peace of mind.

 

Find a House You Can Call a Home 

By following these tips you will be on your way to buying the perfect home.  Most importantly, you will cut down on the worries and stress during your home buying experience.  Don’t be disheartened if you view a property and it isn’t right for you.  So, try not to rush the process and make the wrong decision.  Doing so will lead you to the house that fits your family!

 

You may also like How to Make Your House a Home.

 

Mother of the Bride Wedding Roles and Responsibilities

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on mother of the bride roles.  There are many mother of the bride roles.  I don’t think many people think of those responsibilities and duties that mom handles for her daughter’s wedding. So, it’s a big day for a mom too.  Planning a wedding takes a lot of effort.  So remember, before calling anyone else you should call your mom.  She can help you take care of every detail during the planning phase, and will do it without hesitation.  Most importantly, don’t forget mother of the bride dresses.  Mom wants to and deserves to look as pretty at your wedding too. 

 

 

Mother of the Bride

 

Mother of the bride roles:

 

1. Help with the Wedding Shopping:

Yes, your mother is the only one who can help and guide you during the shopping phase for your wedding.  Take her along and ask her opinion.  She wants the best for you, so she will never go wrong.  While shopping for your dresses, shop for mother of the bride dresses as well.

 

2. Helping the Bride to Get Ready:

A mother of the bride helps her daughter ready for her big day.  A mother knows what colors looks best on her daughter, what makeup looks best on her, and what type of dress can flatter her figure the most.  No one in the world can offer help like mom!

 

 

mother of the bride roles

 

 

3. Hosting the Wedding Reception:

The main responsibility of a mother of the bride is hosting her princess’ wedding reception.  She is the one who greets the guests and plans the theme for the party. She will also sit in front of  her daughter during the wedding ceremony.

Because the mother of the bride is the hostess at her child’s wedding, she has to look her best as well. She is the key person at the wedding after the bride.  Efforts should also be made towards purchasing gorgeous mother of the bride dresses.

 

 

 

 

mother of the bride roles

 

 

 

4. Communicating and Coordinating with the Groom’s Family:

Another responsibility of the mother of the bride is to communicate effectively with the groom’s family members. She has to ensure that everyone has a good time at the party and there are no complaints.

There are times when conflicts arise between both families, so it is the mother of the bride who ensures everything goes smoothly.

 

5. Looking Her Best:

The mother of the bride must look her best at the wedding too.  She should feel confident and happy from inside.  And, when a person looks good, she feels confident.  As a result, don’t diminish the mother of the bride dresses when you go shopping.

There are several options available in beautiful gold mother of the bride dresses that are trending.  Depending on her comfort and style, she can choose one. Gold mother of the bride dresses provides a classy and glamorous look at a wedding.

 

Conclusion:

So, these are some of the duties of the mother of the bride at her child’s wedding.  Apart from these, she has to always encourage her daughter and ensure that the vibes are position.  And, ensure the bride is happy and smiling all the time.

You may also like Selecting Wedding Flowers.

Gift Ideas For Babies This Christmas

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on gift ideas for babies.  Trying to figure out what gift to buy a baby can leave you feeling stumped.  Especially, when it comes to buying a Christmas gift.  So, we have put together a list of possible gift ideas that will help make your shopping trip easier.  

 

Here are a few gift ideas for babies and be sure to check out our Christmas morning tips:

 

Christmas gift ideas for babies

 

 

Sentimental Gift

Also, an item that can be kept and treasured is a nice option. It might not be able to be used in the here and now, but it’s a lovely item that they will appreciate when they grow up.  Sites like this have lots of things to buy for a baby so you could browse for inspiration.  It could be a special photo album, a piece of art or some kind of trinket.

A Gift Certificate 

Last, you can’t go wrong with a gift certificate as an idea gift for babies at Christmas. The parents could use the gift certificate for sales after Christmas.  A gift certificate can also be used toward a larger purchase that the parents were planning on buying.  Alternatively, you could purchase a gift certificate for sites such as Amazon. This gives them a wider selection of things to choose from.

 

 


 

 

A Donation To Their Savings Account

Many parents set up a savings account for their baby.  Instead of buying a gift, you could make a monetary donation.   Parents could use the donation toward their child’s education or an that the baby needs in the future.  It’s something that will make a substantial difference to their lives, and all of these smaller contributions add up over the years.

Baby Clothes

All parents need baby clothes.  A sweet outfit with booties and a hat wouldn’t cost much.  However, they grow so quickly.  Chances are the parents will be going through clothes like crazy.  Baby clothing of any kind will be useful and well used.

We hope you find our gift ideas for babies helpful.

5 Ways To Reuse Gift Bags

Did you know that you can reuse gift bags from birthday, Christmas, baby showers and any other occasion.  Today, I’m sharing ways to reuse gift bags. I have saved tons of gift bags, and reuse them regularly.  As a matter of fact, I replaced most of my wrapping paper with gift bags years ago. They’re easy to use, colorful, and come in a variety of sizes.  Usually, I purchase mine from the Dollar Tree.  So, we can throw inexpensive too.   Before you leave, check out my 8 Reasons to Use Gift Bags post.  

 

 

recycle, repurpose, gift bags

 

 

Here’s 5 ways to reuse gift bags:

1.  Reuse the bag for another gift giving occasion. – I reuse my gifts bags for birthdays, Christmas, or just because.  Make sure the bags are in good condition.  Nobody want to receive a wrinkles or torn gift bag.

2.  Donate to churches or other organizations that give gifts for Christmas or other occasions. – Many churches or organizations that donate Christmas gifts love to have Christmas or plan colored gift bags.

3.  Use as a decorative piece for canning jars.   Just cut out a piece of the bag in the shape of the center of the top and glue down. The jars can be filled with Christmas candy, party mix etc.  Adds a nice decorative touch to the jar.

4.  Use as gift tags or decorate scrapbook pages. – I cut squares or circles out of the bags and use them as gift tags.

5.  Great for storing paper, dolls yarn etc.  My granddaughter uses them to carry her dolls outside to play with the neighbors.

Try a few of our tips or come up with your own uses.  Also, ask family and friends to start saving their gift bags for you. Having a few gift bags around for emergency gifting or when you’ve running short on time can be a life saver too

13 Stocking Stuffers for Toddler Boys

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on stocking stuffers for toddler boys.  Are you in the holiday spirit, and looking for stocking stuffer ideas for toddler boys?  Look no further, I have a list of ideas for you that I used for years with my grandson.  They were a hit!  I love the holidays. It’s the time of year when I put my creative juices on full throttle.  I always set a budget for myself, and I strive hard to stay within it. I came up with a few ideas for stocking stuffers for my grandson when he was a toddler and I thought I would share them.

 

 

Stocking Stuffers for Toddler Boys:

 

  • Hot Wheels Cars
  • Plastic dinosaurs, army men, zoo animals etc. (Anything that can be used in a fight)
  • Movies
  • Books
  • Hat and gloves
  • Coloring books  and crayons
  • Lightning McQueen/Cars
  • Character drinking cups
  • T-shirt with their favorite character
  • Spinners
  • Favorite character eating utensils and plate
  • Dinosaur items
  • Colorful Bendy Soft Pencils
  • Action Figures
  • Tattoos
  • Slime

 

I was able to stuff his stocking with several of the items from this list. Before you head out make a list of your toddler’s favorites or a list of items that they need. This will cut down on your browsing time and help you work within your budget.  You can shop for most items at your local Dollar Stores.  The Dollar Tree has a great selection of Hot Wheels, dinosaur, army men and more.  You can also find coloring books and crayons, board books and more.

So, Wal-Mart and Big Lots have a great selection of Hot Wheels, Lighting McQueen and the other cars as well as plastic figures.  Five and Below has adorable hat and glove sets. Make sure the items you select are age appropriate and don’t have small parts that can come off and become a hazard.

Last, don’t forget, little boys like bath toys too.  My grandson loved playing with his army men and dinosaurs in the bathtub.  He also like bath crayons and his hot wheels in the tub.

Finally, we would love to hear any ideas you came up with for your stockings. Please leave us a comment.  You may also like Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddler Girls.

20 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teen Girls

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on stocking stuffer ideas for teen girls.  We know that teenage girls can be difficult to purchase for and are usually the last and most difficult to purchase for many. Shopping for my daughter and teenage nieces was a mixed experience.  Figuring out what to buy was difficult, but once I went into the stores to start shopping for them it was fun.

I’ve eliminated the what to get for you.  I’ve put together a list of what has worked for me.  So, if you’re strapped for time, pick a few items from the list before you head out.  This will keep you from wondering around the store and reduce your shopping time.

One thing that I learned is most teenage girls are into makeup, fashion, movies, music, boys, and good food.  Think about that.  What makeup are you comfortable allowing your daughter to wear, lip gloss, nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow?  Gift certificates are always a win.  

Google the top artist for teens, and listen to a sample of their songs.  Better yet, have your teen give give you a wish list.  Personally, I never asked for a wish list I ventured out on my own and must say I got lucky with my purchases.  

 

 

stocking stuffer ideas for teen girls

 

 

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teen Girls: 

 

  1. Nail polish in bright colors
  2. Gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure  (Big Hit)
  3. DVD
  4. Movie night gift basket or bag with Popcorn, Candy and a drink
  5. A Journal
  6. CD of their favorite artist
  7. Lip gloss
  8. Gift certificate to their favorite salon 
  9. Bath and Body products
  10. Loofah/sponges 
  11. Hand lotion for her purse
  12. Socks 
  13. Infinity scarf in her favorite color
  14. Perfume
  15. Hat and gloves
  16. Bangles
  17. Nail designs
  18. Gift certificate to a Cosmetic Counter such as Lancôme , Mac or Estee Lauder
  19. Pre-made Scrapbooks
  20. Magazine Subscription

 

 

 

stocking stuffer ideas for teen girls

 

 

Be sure to check out the bargain bins and clearance items too.  They have great deals on nail polish, movies, socks, hats gloves etc. Get creative and your imagination on a gift.