It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love. Get gardening. Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area. GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS 3 FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR FALL
It’s often overwhelming to shop for a new home because it’s nothing like shopping for a T-shirt or even a car — it’s a purchase that can last lifetimes. What do you look for first? Where can you start? Here are three things to pay attention to as you begin searching for the perfect home. Are You Ready for Your Dream Home? 3 SIGNS YOU’RE BUYING THE IDEAL PROPERTY FOR YOU
No. 1: The historical sale prices (on the prospective property and local properties) have been on a consistent uptrend.
Traditionally, one of the safest investments a person can make is in real estate. Economic recessions can often flip the national and local markets upside down. That’s why historical sale prices can tell you about the general growth of your specific local area. Simply comparing properties to those currently in neighboring cities, or even nationally, might not give a full picture of the location’s long- term desirability. The rise in historical prices are what matter in a time where communities are recovering at different rates.
No. 2: The neighborhood has an influx of jobs and growing household incomes.
While the recent economic circumstances have made drops in employment a national phenomenon, a recent steady influx of jobs can indicate a path to economic recovery. Also, it’s good to keep in mind that a neighborhood with healthy household incomes can boost the home prices for the entire neighborhood as a whole, since wealthier homeowners will maintain and renovate their property. Use the census data to find the median household income in a potential area.
Pan for gold. Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/ panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard. Plan a fall photo shoot. It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.
No. 3: The homeowners have access to great schools.
A Realtor.com survey once found that 91% of prospective homebuyers report school boundaries as important to their home search. With or without kids, many find that a home’s resale value is greatly affected by the available access to the best schools in an area. Identifying the best schools, though, takes some diligence. Factors include graduation and college admission rates, as well as SAT and Advanced Placement exam scores. What clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities are made available for kids? GreatSchools. org will list schools and compare their test results, but it isn’t the best representation of the opportunities and outcomes a child will experience.
There’s so much more for you to consider, but hopefully this gives you a great place to start! Best of luck house hunting!
Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!
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