Lisa M. Corr's Blog

Most new home buyers look forward to all the happy memories that will occur under the roof of their new home. Did you know there are ways you can set up your new home to help promote a more happy day to day environment for your family? Keep reading for tips and routines you can put in place to get more smiles and quality time with those you love most. Make the bed. Each morning have your family members make their beds. It seems like such a small task but it can actually help to improve happiness and productivity levels. By making your bed first thing in the morning you are already starting off the day with an accomplishment under your belt. This can help you feel more motivated to complete other tasks throughout the day. It also helps build feelings of productivity which can lead to tackling more tasks successfully, Plus, let’s be honest a clean and tidy room just makes you feel good! Everything in order. Speaking of clean and tidy, clear clutter every day. Clutter is chaos and can actually cause stress and decrease happiness. Take a few minutes before leaving a room to put it back to how it was, a.k.a how it would be arranged if you were to have some guests over. After all, why just keep a clean and tidy home when you only have guests over? You spend the most time in your home and deserve to have it at its best. Display your memories. Hang lots of family pictures and put sentimental items out on display. If you have children display the artwork they are proud of for all to see. Keeping all these happy memories out on display will remind you of the good times you have spent with your family and lead to good feelings. Invest in joy. When you go shopping invest in pieces that will help to promote moments of happiness for your family. Whether it’s movies and large tv screen to enjoy them on or lots of indoor and outdoor games for family game nights. You know your family best so think of what you have the most fun doing together and items that can assist in making those moments happen more. Buying a new home is an exciting time and one filled with anticipation for the memories to be made within its walls. Set your home up to make those happy times even easier to make by eliminating chaos and investing in activities you family loves to do together. And don’t forget to take pictures of your new memories along the way!

Are you on the fence about whether to buy a house with a big back yard? Although it's not always a bed of roses -- especially when it comes to upkeep -- the benefits can easily outweigh the drawbacks. Spacious yards are extremely versatile and can play a key role in creating fond family memories. Here's some food for thought on how you can use that extra outdoor space on your property to accommodate your interests, your goals, and your family's needs.

1. Cultivate a vegetable garden. If you have a green thumb and a passion for growing your own food, a big yard can afford you that opportunity. Backyard agriculture is something the whole family can enjoy and get involved in. It's also a fun way to educate your kids about nature, farming, and where their food comes from. As a side note: If you're serious about pursuing this hobby, you may want to have an adjacent shed set up to protect your gardening tools, fertilizer, and other supplies. Building a greenhouse for growing flowers is another option to consider. Once you get backyard farming down to a science, you can save money on groceries and enjoy an abundant supply of organically grown fruits and vegetables. There are many sources of helpful information, both online and off, including Cornell Cooperative Extension.
2. Special occasions: When you have room for a couple of picnic tables, a swing set, and a volleyball court (60 feet by 30 feet), then you have the basic ingredients for fun birthday parties, family gatherings, and backyard barbecues. Plenty of space also lends itself to frisbee games, badminton, Bocce ball, croquet, kickball, and anything else your group is up for. Whether you're planning a family reunion, a graduation party, a child's birthday, or a backyard wedding, a good-size residential property can provide the perfect setting.
3. Expansion is an option. When your new house comes with some extra outdoor space to work with, all kinds of options are available to you. The possibilities can range from the construction of a sun room or additional bedroom to an in-law apartment or even a guest house with rental income potential. If a new swimming pool is on your "wish list," a spacious lot can help make that a reality.
4. Room to run and play: You may have an energetic Labrador Retriever that loves to play fetch or a growing family that thrives on sports activities. Regardless, there's nothing like a big back yard to make all that possible. During the winter months, you can even use a multi-acre property for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Creating your own skating ring is yet another option.

If you're looking for a "park-like setting" for your next home, then a large suburban or rural property might be exactly what you have in mind. Depending on the layout of the property and its proximity to other houses, an acre or more of land can provide just the right amount of privacy, flexibility, and freedom from traffic sounds, sirens, and other noise pollution.