Donna Littlefield, Real Estate Agent & Broker in WNY

realtor in Pendleton

How to Reduce Your Stress Level When You’re in the Process of Moving

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If you could just wave a magic wand and say, “I wish everything got moved from my old house to the new without any stress,” wouldn’t that be great? Unfortunately, moving is rarely easy like that. In fact, it can be among the most stressful times of a person’s life, because everything is in a state of upheaval. Normalcy and routine are out the window. Change may be good, but it does bring stress with it!

How can you reduce your stress level when you’re in the process of moving? For starters, figure out a way to have less stuff before the actual move. While it’s easy to accumulate stuff over time, it’s also fairly easy to get rid of stuff quickly. Have a yard sale or donate a bunch of stuff you never use to your local charity/thrift shop. Throw away junk and/or pay to have someone come and haul it away.

Next, clear your calendar so that you’ve set aside dedicated dates and times for all that the moving effort entails. It’s better to know exactly when you’ll give your focus to moving than it is to be stuck with a whole bunch of extraneous chores and obligations at the same time you’re supposed to be packing and moving. Planning ahead is a good thing; waiting until the last minute is bad.

Involve your friends and family with the move, because having help is essential. Otherwise you’ll easily get stressed out and overwhelmed. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Don’t be afraid to delegate.

If you know you’re going to be moving in a couple weeks, get into moving mode. Collect boxes and bags from area stores, as well as neighbors who no longer need them. Make lists of what you want to accomplish. Remember to pack a suitcase or two of essentials that can easily be found that first night you’re in your new place because chances are there’ll be plenty of unopened boxes in the rooms and you’ll have neither the time nor inclination to search for certain stuff like deodorant and medicines you take daily.

Finally, anytime you feel overwhelmed, take time to breathe, spell out the word r-e-l-a-x audibly, and do something like watch a half hour sitcom to get your mind off the stressful situation. Little breaks from the moving process go a long way in helping reduce a person’s overall stress levels.

The Benefits of Living in a Buffalo Suburb

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Why do people move from the city to the suburbs? Usually, it’s because the lots are wider so they’re not so close to their neighbors, there’s plenty of room in the front, side and back yard for kids to run around and play, and the schools are above average. The Buffalo suburbs are popular precisely for these reasons.

Lots of married couples with little kids want the suburban experience. The suburbs aren’t lacking nearby amenities like rural areas often do, and they’re also considered safer than urban areas where people are living close together and there’s often concentrated poverty. Indeed, the suburbs of any city, including Buffalo, are generally safe, affluent, and loaded with quality shops and restaurants and schools.

As a realtor, Donna Littlefield specializes in Wheatfield, Pendleton and Amherst. These Buffalo suburbs are the epitome of what a foreigner would consider the typical, idyllic American suburb. People use cars to get to-and-fro, there are plenty of recreational activities available in nice parks and such, and things are generally kept-up, modern, and clean.

Amherst is home to the University at Buffalo, which brings a smart, diverse group of people to the area. The campus offers sporting events, concerts, art shows and more. Indeed, the university’s presence enhances the overall region with its brainy professors, creative students and many good-paying jobs for all sorts of people.

Wheatfield and Pendleton are a little more “sleepy,” in a good way. They’re the kind of suburbs people like to go home to in order to get away from the crowded, noisier urban areas. They offer nice, affordable homes. Being in between Niagara Falls and Buffalo, it’s a quick car ride to either for various entertainment options, from casinos to concerts.

Where would, for instance, soccer moms choose to live if they were moving to the Buffalo area? Wheatfield, Pendleton and Amherst are all great choices. Donna Littlefield is the realtor to connect buyers with homes for sale in these quality Buffalo suburbs. Call her today at 716-578-1788.

 

What is an Escrow Account Used For?

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EscrowAn escrow account is a bank account typically utilized by your mortgage lender to pay certain property-related expenses on your behalf. These expenses can include property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

If you buy a house and obtain a mortgage, you’ll typically make home loan payments on a monthly basis as well as put extra money into an escrow account. So, money is added to the escrow account every time a mortgage payment is made. That money goes toward covering real estate-related expenses as needed on a timely basis.

An escrow account usually deals with a person’s specific property. The escrow holder safeguards funds, handles those funds according to the instructions they’re given, pays bills as authorized, and can close the account when all provisions of the escrow have been complied with, complete with a “Closing or Settlement Statement.”

Escrow comes from the French word “escroue,” which means a scrap of paper. The term originally referred to the deed a third party held until a transaction was completed.

While the process of escrow is primarily connected to real estate transactions, escrow accounts can also be used to provide a reliable third-party means of completing a sale. It’s not unusual to escrow vehicles, websites, intellectual property, or commodities.

Now that the world is connected online via the Internet, escrow services have gone somewhat digital, though they’re still available through face-to-face, in-person dealings. It’s quite common for home buyers to obtain and use an escrow account.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home or land in Western New York, real estate agent Donna Littlefield can guide you along in the process, and help you figure out whether or not you need/want an escrow account.

Which Home Improvement Projects Add Value to Your Home?

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Home ImprovementIf you’re thinking about selling your home, what are some home improvement projects that can be done to add value to it so you’ll get a higher price for the property when it sells?

First, consider the exterior of the home. How does it look? People judge a home by the way it looks. Even before stepping inside or seeing pictures of the interior, a person can get a good idea whether or not they want to even consider a home based on its outward appearance. Therefore, exterior work like new siding or replacing windows can add value to a home. If the exterior needs repairs and/or a paint job, do whatever it takes so it looks its best when presented to potential buyers.

Next, consider some home improvements inside that will impress buyers. There are two rooms to seriously consider remodeling: the kitchen and the bathroom(s). These rooms matter the most. It may be time to update and replace all the fixtures, cabinetry and flooring so they look up-to-date.

Also, if you have the time and money to add on to your home, having more square footage and/or more bedrooms can easily increase the home’s value. Consider converting an attic space into a bedroom. Finished basements can also help sell a house.

Finally, something as simple and relatively affordable as replacing your garage door can help increase the value of a home. Over time, doors become old, with dents, discolorations, dirt build-up and other stuff that make them look worn. A brand new garage door is better than a beat-up old one.

If you’re considering selling a home in Wheatfield, Pendleton or Amherst, contact Donna Littlefield at 716-578-1788. She’s more than willing to look over your home and give you advice on what needs updating or changing in order to maximize your value.

Why Western New York is a Great Place to Raise a Family

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Western New YorkMost people like the idea of the American Dream, where parents and kids can live in a nice home on a nice street with a nice yard where they’re safe, comfortable, and there are lots of amenities nearby. The American Dream is alive and well in Buffalo and Western New York. And it’s remarkably affordable.

Why call the suburban areas of Wheatfield, Pendleton, or Amherst home? These are ideal places to raise families. You’ll enjoy lots of free concerts and festivals in the summertime. You’ll learn how to ski or skate in the winter. The smell of fallen leaves and bonfires and apples in the fall will become something you cherish, even if you’re not willing to admit it. And spring’s flowers, especially the tulips, add a nice touch each May. If you’re looking for a place that combines big city amenities with a small town feel, Western New York is that kind of place. Everything’s “20 minutes” away (or less) it seems and it’s the kind of place where if your car breaks down, someone’s liable to stop and ask if you need help.

Crime is low, schools are good, and the people are friendly and genuine. You’re likely to meet a lot of people who have deep roots in Western New York, and they’re likely to invite you over for a barbeque or pool party. Your kids and their kids will play together. People aren’t pretentious in Western New York. They’re, instead, comfy in jeans and sweatshirts, sharing the common love for the Bills and Sabres, even when they don’t make the playoffs, and there’s a real sense of “home.”

If you like that American Dream feeling associated with “Normal Rockwell” paintings, then Western New York is the kind of place you should consider moving to! Call Donna Littlefield at 716- 578-1788 to find a home you’ll love in a place you’ll appreciate.