AW Realty Group

In the colder months, when people are less likely to linger at bus stops or the mailbox, it can be difficult to stay in touch with your neighbors. Rekindle connections by bringing everyone in out of the cold with a game night. Here are a few suggestions for hosting an evening of fun. 1. Try something new Ask your neighbors to bring over their favorite games. It will help you expand your horizons beyond Monopoly and Clue, and provide variety for your guests throughout the night. 2. Gather the pieces Double check that your games have all of the pieces before your guests arrive, and that extra paper, pens, die and whatever else games may call for are handy. 3. Serve comfort food Cooking up chili is an easy way to feed a large group of people and get cozy on a cold winter's night. Make your favorite recipe – and invite neighbors to bring over something of their own. 4. Award the winners Have a prize or two available to the winners of each game. Consider blue ribbons or...

It's often tough to be away from loved ones during the holidays. Fortunately, there are several ways everyone in your family, wherever they may be, can be included in celebrating the season. Here are a few. 1. Make time to video chat Plan ahead (maybe even send out an Evite) and schedule a virtual family reunion. Video chatting is easy – and free. Services like Skype, FaceTime and Google Hangouts allow you to talk to more than one person at the same time. Bonus: you can finally turn down the volume on the uncle who shouts during every conversation. 2. Share activities While everyone may not be able to do the same thing in the same place, you and your family members around the world can still share a holiday experience. For example, everyone could make the same treasured family recipe or create some DIY holiday decorations. Then, share the experience via phone or video chat. 3. Family Facebook Set up a Facebook page for your extended family for the holidays – and beyond...

Are you thinking about bringing home a furry family member this holiday season? Make sure you have the time, energy and space to give to a pet before deciding to adopt. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 1. Time From taking your dog out for walks to ensuring you're home to feed and spend time with your furry one, a pet can require a lot of time and commitment. Make sure your work schedule and social commitments allow you to be home with your pets to take care of them. If you don't have time during the day, consider hiring a dog walker or having a fenced-in backyard and a doggie door so you can easily let your dog run around outside. 2. Cost Speaking of dog walkers, those daily visits can add up fast. Run some numbers and make sure you're ready for all the costs associated with pet ownership. From buying food and cat toys or signing your pup up for training, pets can be expensive. In fact, owning a dog can cost an average of nearly  $900 per year . Make sure you hav...

Eat, drink and be tacky with your closest friends by hosting an ugly holiday sweater party. No matter what you celebrate this holiday season, there's a sweater for you. So hit the thrift store, the attic or one of the online stores and start planning. Here are a few ideas: 1. Your invite should make a statement Feature yourself – in your ugly sweater, of course – on a paper or online invitation (both  Evite  and  Paperless Post  have a whole section of pre-made options to choose from). 2. Decorations should reflect the Tacky occasion  Take it beyond the sweater. Shop the dollar store or thrift store for the most tacky holiday decorations you can find and go crazy. Wrap your doors and fridge in loud holiday paper and ribbon, transform a room with tinsel and don't forget the bathroom. Remember, you're aiming for over-the-top, so items like  this fun toilet seat cover  are just a start. 3. Award those that are into it Hand out prizes in dif...

Driving around, admiring the creativity (and craziness) of holiday lights is an all-American tradition that costs less than a Starbucks Gingerbread Latte. Just remember to be courteous while you enjoy the spectacle. For example…. 1. Don't block traffic You may be stunned by 2,000 tiny lights and a 12-foot Santa that waves, but don't stop in the middle of the street. Pull over. 2. Keep off the grass If you get out of your car to snap a photo or take a closer look, stay on the sidewalk. Not only is it respectful of your neighbor's property, it's also in your best interest – there could be electric chords and other tripping hazards. 3. Be mindful of your own lights Avoid shining your headlights directly into the front windows of the home you're admiring. Use your parking lights, if you must. 4. Don't idle (your car) Don't leave your car idling while you enjoy the display. Global warming hits the North Pole hard. 5. Chip in Some homeowners...

Looking for ways to give back this holiday season? Here are a few ideas. 1. Go for wags and wiggles Local animal shelters always need an extra hand, whether it's for walking dogs, socializing cats or the critical daily chores required to save homeless pets. 2. Yes you can Clear your cabinets of canned food and other non-perishable items – or fill a shopping cart at the store with items to donate – and drop them off at your local food bank. 3. Schmooze with seniors Volunteer at a local senior center and spend time with an older person who might be feeling especially lonely around the holidays. 4. Give fun The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation collects gifts for kids from needy families. Donation boxes can often be found at local businesses. You can also consider organizing your own collection. Learn more at  www.toysfortots.org . 5. Swing a hammer Santa's not the only one on the rooftops this time of year. The national nonprofit Habitat for Humanity always h...

Small Business Saturday – the Saturday after Thanksgiving – was created by American Express in 2010 to increase awareness of the impact of small businesses on communities. The event grows every year. In 2015, shoppers spent  $16.2 billion on Small Business Saturday , an increase of 14 percent from 2014, according to the  National Federation of Independent Businesses . It's a great reason to explore a new corner of your neighborhood and find ways to get involved in the community. Here are a few businesses to be sure to check out. 1. Coffee shop Look beyond Starbucks and find an independently-owned place for joe. Grab the local paper, stick around and visit with neighbors. If there's a community bulletin board, see what types of groups meet and what kinds of events are advertised. 2. Book store Independent bookstores often have shelves featuring local best sellers, in addition to the  New York Times' list. See what the locals are reading! Need help finding a s...

If you are considering buying a new construction home through a national or regional builder in a planned community it is very wise to have your own representation. Many buyers think they do not need representation when purchasing a new construction.  It's new construction, the builders rep has my best interest in mind, "what could go wrong?"  The answer is plenty. Many buyers do not understand the complicated paperwork.  A buyers rep can help with this. Many buyers do not understand non-refundable builder deposits.  A buyers rep can help with this. Many buyers do not understand the difference between standard features and enhanced/add on features that can run your costs up significantly.  A buyers rep can help with this. Many buyers do not understand the building and inspection schedules.  A buyers rep can help with this. Many buyers do not understand that in most cases it is wise for a buyer to get their own independent inspection.  A buy...