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Jerry Weaver's Blog: Tips to Help Kids Adjust to a New School after a M... : At any age, a move can be stressful. But for school-age kids, a major move means changing schools, adjusting to new curriculum and finding ...

At any age, a move can be stressful. But for school-age kids, a major move means changing schools, adjusting to new curriculum and finding new friends. Here are a few things you can do to help ease the transition and encourage kids during a school transfer. Acknowledge their anxiety. The first day of school is always knee-knocking and nerve-racking. The first day at a  new  school can be even scarier for kids. Let them know that their feelings are completely natural and understandable. Affirm their feelings, and then offer advice or personal anecdotes about times you have been nervous about a situation that turned-out O.K. Take a trial run. If the new school doesn't host an official orientation for new students, try to request a tour for you and your child. Younger kids can be comforted by seeing their classroom and playground, and learning the location of the bathroom and the bus port. Older kids may like to walk their first day's schedule: from the bus, to the locke...

These days, moving to a new home with your pet - whether furry, feathered, or scaled – isn't so uncommon.  Many find themselves looking for pet-friendly lodging on the road to their new homes. Here are a few tips from Kim Salerno from  Tripswithpets.com . Pet-Friendly Rooms Many hotels allow travelers to bring their pets into every room, while others have a certain number of pet designated rooms. Certain pet friendly hotels welcome pets of all breeds and sizes at no additional charge. Others have weight or breed restrictions, and may charge an extra fee when you bring your pet. Be sure to check your hotel's pet policies before you book your room to avoid any unwelcome surprises. Plan Early Pet-friendly rooms can fill up quickly. So, when you're planning your travel route, make sure to check pet friendly lodging availability and book in advance to avoid being turned away. Hiccups along the way are bound to happen, but good planning can help you save mone...

Looking for some dramatic home improvement inspiration? Cruise through the pins on the Before & After board on the  RE/MAX Pinterest page  for examples of how a bit of strategic work can make a big difference. Here are a few suggestions for projects that won't break the bank or steal more than a weekend or two. 1. Make an entrance The entrance to your home is a focal point and a few simple changes can leverage its impact. Sand and repaint your front door or invest in a brand new one. Add some bling with new address numbers, knobs, doorbells or knockers. Frame the door with planters to help complete the picture. 2. Class up your cabinets You don't need to buy new cabinets to give your kitchen a new look. Add a fresh coat of paint, or try out new cabinet hardware (buy knobs and pulls that are the same size as the ones you have to save installation time) for details that give the upgrade an added level of elegance. 3. Make a splash You don't need to be a pro to...

Imagine you finally find the house of your dreams. It has everything you hoped for in a home, from the right countertops to the right landscaping. You spend hours envisioning the parties you'll throw in the backyard and the baths you'll take in the clawfoot tub. But fate intervenes. For some unfortunate reason – perhaps a fierce bidding war or a fickle owner who decides to stay put – deal falls through. How do you recover? Here are some tips. 1. Get right back in the saddle If you must have a pity party, do it quickly. Perhaps a quick toast to what could have been, then dive straight back into search mode. In today's market, things move fast. You don't want to miss an even better home while you're mooning over photos of the lost listing. 2. Don't dwell on one dwelling Delete the listing of the home that got away. Erase the pictures you took with your phone when you toured. Do your best not to compare new homes to the one you lost. There are lots of home...

With warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get your yard in shape for summer. Keep this year's top five landscaping trends (according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals) in mind as you get started. 1. Going green (the color) Combine different textures and shades of green for a more dramatic lawn. Think of mixing leaves of different size and shape as well as plants with a variety of verdant hues. 2. Going green (the earth-friendly strategy) More sustainable landscape designs have been becoming more popular over the past few years. Why? They're better for the planet and can reduce maintenance costs. For example, more homeowners are planting "smart" lawns – varieties of grass bred to stay green with less water. 3. Giving bees a chance With bee populations in trouble, people are actually starting to welcome the stingers in their yard by planting native plants that provide the nectar they feast on. The ef...

When you hire a real estate agent to help buy or sell a home, they can help free up time you would otherwise spend on sorting through listings, scheduling showings, or trying to figure out paperwork.  You might even have time to focus on the fun parts of moving, such as: 1. Building a Pinterest board of décor inspiration Don't have a particular design style in mind? No problem. Check out the  RE/MAX Pinterest page  for ideas. 2. Clearing out the clutter with a yard sale Remember, each thing you sell is one less thing you'll have to pack – and unpack.  Here are some top yard sale tips . 3. Planning your housewarming party You'll want to show off the new place – especially after you've made it Pinterest perfect. Put together a Facebook event and start thinking about party favors to thank friends who helped you move in. 4. Bargain shopping for furniture There are plenty of options for you to furnish your new nest without breaking the...

Planning to remodel? While the total cost of your project will depend on its scope, materials and the fees of any professionals you hire, here are some suggestions for beginning to craft a renovation budget. 1. Determine where the money will come from Will you use savings? Or will you take out a home equity loan? Once you determine your source of funding, determine how much you want to spend on the project – and stick to that limit. 2. Set your priorities Before you pull out a calculator, clarify your reasons for renovating. Divide those reasons into "wants" and "needs." For example, reconfiguring your bathroom so that your currently questionable electrical and plumbing will pass an inspection is a "need." His-and-her water closets, a whirlpool tub and built-in towel heaters are "wants." Setting priorities will help you make decisions as you move through the renovation process. 3. Step away from the computer Visit show rooms, mod...

Sometimes, you decide exactly when you'd like to move. Other times, life swoops in and decides for you. Your company might transfer you, a family emergency might require relocation, or you might finally find the love of your life—three states over. Should you sell your house or hang on to it as a rental property? Here are 5 important considerations. 1. Are you gone for good? Or do you need an exit strategy? If there's a good chance you'll return to your current home in a year or two, the money and time you spend selling your home and then buying a new one might make renting it out a smarter option. 2. How's the rental market? Look at online rental sites to see what properties in your neighborhood and in similar condition to yours are renting for. Are there a lot of listings? Think about what you might charge and what you might have to do to bring your property up to the market standard. You can then get an idea whether your potential rental income will cover yo...

Trying to save money? Home maintenance is so much more affordable than emergency repairs. Here are five routine maintenance projects that can help prevent unexpected costs and save you money year round. 1. Clear out gutters Water from clogged gutters can overflow and leak into your home. Heavy, ice-packed gutters can tear away from your house in the winter. Grab a ladder, gloves and hose and clear them out while the weather is still warm. 2. Re-caulk windows Drafty windows and doors can suck money right out of your budget from high energy bills. Check the caulk and weatherproofing strips around doors and windows to make sure they're not dried and crumbling. If they are, they're easy (and cheap) to replace. 3. Clean the fireplaces Have your chimney professionally inspected and potentially cleaned annually to prevent creosote, a flammable byproduct of wood burning, from building up. It can create a fire hazard and elevate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before...

Getting ready to buy a house? Before you head out on your first home tour with your agent, arm yourself with the following advice. 1. Double check your credit If you're thinking about buying, you should already be "keeping score." Know your credit score, and make sure to rectify any credit reporting errors before lenders take a look.  Read more in  4 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success . 2. Understand the added cost of certain features As you make your list of "must-have" home features, be sure you consider the added expenses that may come with them. Your math should include things like the cost of landscaping maintenance for extra acreage and energy costs that come with added square footage.  Read more in  3 Home Features That May Not Be Worth the Work (or Expense) . 3. Discover where your dollars go Get up close and personal with your monthly budget and track every single thing you purchase over 30 days. Review your credit card and bank statements...

Fresh paint on the walls, professional staging and an asking price that ends in 999 — when you're selling your home, you'll do whatever you can to help it stand out and sell faster. Because the  National Association of Realtors is predicting modest growth  for the 2017 real estate market, as a seller you want every edge you can get. And on the heels of the popular Consumer Electronics Show in January, perhaps that edge is a smarter home. "Smart home features are designed to make homes more convenient, appealing, secure and energy-efficient — all of which are bonuses when you're trying to sell a house," says Geoff Lewis, president of  RE/MAX, LLC . "Sellers who want to move their homes faster may benefit from adding smart features that make their properties more appealing to tech-minded buyers." According to IHS Markit and CNBC, 80 million smart home devices were delivered worldwide last year. That's a 64 percent increase from 2015. Here are si...

Whether you have an upcoming open house or are simply trying to freshen up your home, try these suggestions for getting rid of odors from seven commonly smelly items. 1. Trash cans After rinsing out a stinky garbage can with soap and water, stash a few scented laundry dryer sheets at the bottom to absorb odor. 2. Freezers An old (clean) sock stuffed with coffee grounds can absorb the musty smell in your freezer. Coffee socks can also help de-mustify stale closets. Tie one to a hanger. 3. Litter Box Extremely porous activated charcoal is a big-time odor absorber. Pet stores sell versions made especially for pet odors. Keep it near the litter box. 4. Carpet When your carpet smells icky, try sprinkling baking soda. Let it sit for half an hour, then vacuum it up. 5. Dishwasher Who wants to use a dishwasher that never smells quite clean? Pour white vinegar into a dishwasher safe cup and stick it in the top rack. Run the machine through its cycle. Though your kitchen will s...

While house hunting TV shows tour the neighborhood, close the deal and throw a housewarming party in 30 minutes, real life is not as streamlined. If you're in the process of buying a home, here are signs it's time to call a realtor. 1. You believe everything on the internet While you can view tons of listings online, not all of the information is accurate or up-to-date. You'll see outdated comps, conflicting forecasts and different ratings. With access to the MLS and insight on properties about to hit the market, a Realtor will make sure you're considering  all  of the homes in your market that fit your criteria. 2. You're juggling a hectic schedule You don't need to spend time sorting through listings and contacting sellers. An agent will do the browsing so you only visit the homes that best fit your needs and price range. 3. The biggest thing you've negotiated lately was your kids' bedtime (and you lost) As professional negotiators with ye...

Is your home ready for overnight guests? Follow these suggestions to create the perfect guest room for friends and family. 1. Offer reading material A pile of recent magazines or a shelf of assorted books offers guests a way to wind down before bed. 2. Add flowers A simple flower arrangement adds class and color to any room. 3. Provide seating Make sure there's somewhere cozy for guests to sit if they need some alone time during holiday chaos. 4. Make wi-fi and ac power connection easy Leave a piece of paper with your internet server's name and password on the dresser so guests can easily access your wireless connection.  Add an AC power strip that is easy to access for charging. 5. Did they forget something? Fill a basket with sample-sized containers of essentials, like toothpaste, mouthwash and shampoo. 6. Add a luggage stand Put out a folding luggage stand where guests can prop their suitcases to avoid having to squat all the way down to the floor ev...

Thinking of selling your home on your own? Online listing sites may lure you into thinking that the process is simple. Take a few photos, buy a "For Sale" sign and wait for buyers, right? But the process is much more complicated than that. If you're considering selling your home on your own, here are a few sure signs you should call a professional real estate agent. 1. You're not sure what your home is worth Calculating the right price for your home is an art and a science. Price your home too high, and it can grow stale, sitting on the market. Price it too low, and you could leave money on the table. Agents have the most current information about how much comparable homes in your neighborhood sold for and how long they were on the market. Agents use their deep knowledge of local and national market factors and the nuances of your particular home to calculate the right price. 2. You're losing sleep because this sale will be the biggest financial transaction...

Demolishing your seventies kitchen and upgrading to stainless steel and granite can produce all kinds of happy feelings. It can also produce piles of materials you might not be sure what to do with. Here are a few ways to remove all those building byproducts. 1. Donate If your stuff's in half-decent condition, there's probably a drop-off donation center willing to take it. Habitat for Humanity has  a national network of home improvement stores  stocked by donations. They take everything from light fixtures and appliances to counter tops and windows. 2. Reclaim, reuse, recycle Roll up old carpet and use the  Carpet America Recovery Effort  website to find a company near you that will reclaim, recycle or reuse it. Check with your municipality to find out if they recycle any other types of construction material. The Construction and Demolition Recycling Association  can help you locate local companies that will take materials such as asphalt shingles,...

The list of famous people who kept journals is as diverse as it is expansive. C.S. Lewis, Ronald Reagan and even grunge rocker Kurt Cobain are all known to have kept a personal record of their lives. According to a recent Huffington Post article, the benefits of journaling are not exclusive to philosophers and creative geniuses. Here are a few ways writing daily can help you in life and in business: Achieving goals You can talk about your future plans all you want, but something about writing down your goals signals to your brain that it's a big deal, and you need to follow through. Journaling also provides an opportunity to brainstorm a pathway to get there. Emotional intelligence Writing down your frustrations helps you process them before you say something you'll regret. Once everything is out of your system, you can evaluate the situation with less emotion. Memory Once again, your brain picks up that if you're writing something out, it must be important. The mo...