Mommy Life Hack

Category: Lifehacks

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  • Should You Wake A Baby for A Diaper Change?

    Should You Wake A Baby for A Diaper Change?

    We know how beautiful the new journey of parenthood is. Unfortunately, we also know the constant worry this stage brings. One of the biggest worries for new parents is their baby’s diaper changing routine. When is the optimum time to change their diaper? And do we wake them up for a diaper change?

    Fortunately, we have all these answers for you today. This article will highlight the various factors to consider if you think you need to wake your baby to change their diaper. We will also list the best times to change their diapers to allow them a peaceful nap. So, let’s get started!

    Things to Consider

    • Your Baby’s Skin Sensitivity

    Does your baby have super sensitive skin? If so, then they will be very much prone to diaper rashes. Also, if your baby already suffers from allergies or eczema, you have to change their diapers now and then. Just make sure to do it as gently as possible, and it won’t be a problem.

    • Type of Diaper You Are Using

    The kind of diaper you use is a massive factor in this debate. For example, if you use modern disposable diapers, you won’t need to change them very frequently. These are very absorbent, keeping your child comfortable and dry. Plus disposable natural baby diapers also lowers the risk of rashes on your baby’s soft skin.

    Again, if your baby’s diaper is too big or too small, it might leak often. Then you will have to change them to keep your baby dry. Also, cloth diapers are more problematic than disposable ones. They get wet faster and thus need to be changed frequently. We suggest if you use cloth ones during the day, switch them for disposable ones at night. At least the changing frequency will be less, allowing your baby some sleep.

    • The Wetness of the Diaper

    Several studies suggest letting our babies sleep unless they have pooped or are very wet. A little pee inside the diaper is fine, as it is made to hold a small amount of liquid. So unless you find the diaper to be soggy, no need to wake them up; your baby will wake up by themselves if uncomfortable in a wet or soggy diaper.

    • Whether It Is A Number 1 or 2

    If your baby becomes uncomfortable and seems a little fussy, check the diaper. If your baby has pooped, you have to change their diaper, as it now contains harmful bacteria that can cause rashes and infection.

    Again, if they pee a little, no need to change their diaper, but if the diaper seems wet, they have peed a lot, you have to change the diaper immediately. Even if it means waking them up in the middle of the night.

    Optimum Time to Change Your Baby’s Diaper

    • Before Bedtime

    Always make sure to put on a fresh diaper before your baby goes to sleep. This way, they can sleep longer without a change, giving them a peaceful nap.

    • During Their Feed

    If your baby only sleeps for 2-3 hours every time, the best time to change their diaper is during their feed. This way, even if they doze off during their diaper change, it will be with a relatively drier diaper. You can also change their baby diaper after the feed. This way, they will be semi-conscious and won’t be too difficult while you change.

    • Without Stimulation

    When you think you need to change your baby’s diaper during their sleep, try to change it without waking them up. Get the lights dim, and quietly and slowly do the work. Waking up your baby from their sleep will make them irritable, and it would be challenging to get them back to sleep.

    Conclusion

    And that’s all you need to know! We hope this article answered all your queries regarding baby diaper changing and when to do it. We wish you all the best on your new journey with your beloved little one!

  • 4 Must-Haves for an LDS Family Night

    4 Must-Haves for an LDS Family Night

    Why should LDS families set aside time each week to teach their children? Because learning the gospel of Jesus Christ is vital to developing faith in him and in his church, and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). What better way to do this than a designated family night? Here are 5 must-haves for your next family home evening:

    Something fun

    It’s important to note that while family night is traditionally based on teaching gospel lessons, it doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it shouldn’t be! Instead of focusing on just reading the lessons, choose activities that appeal to everyone in your household. If you don’t already have some favorites planned out, here are a few suggestions:

    Have a small play to reenact the lesson from the scripture. Play a game of jeopardy or do trivia challenges. You can even make bingo boards to go along with the lesson plan. The idea is to make sure everyone has fun together as a family— while learning something at the same time!

    Something educational

    While the activities are really fun and sometimes the most memorable parts, that doesn’t mean your family nights can’t also be educational. Be sure to include opportunities to learn more about your faith and how it impacts your daily life. There are many things you can do with your family to make these special experiences educational, such as bearing testimony to them of what you’re teaching, inviting them to answer questions, and teaching your children about service. Even simple conversations can be educational opportunities if you’re willing to listen and learn from what everyone has to say. You don’t need to do anything formal; often just talking casually after dinner or spending time reading scriptures together is all it takes to create a foundation.

    Snack and treats

    Let’s be honest, there’s nothing that gets kids more excited about FHE than the treats. You can assign a child to be in charge of helping make the treat to get them involved or plan your own healthy snacks to keep them happy during the lesson. Try these healthy (but yummy) treats: fruit chunks with sweet cream or whipped cream, popcorn, chocolate dipped pretzels, Rice Krispie treats, yogurt mixed with granola and fruit pieces, etc. You can find lots of yummy ideas on Pinterest. If you have time, you can even make the snack theme be something from the lesson plan.

    Lesson props

    Family members enjoy having lesson props, especially when it involves crafts. For example, have them make t-shirts to wear while they’re studying their lessons. Keep in mind that your family might be different and you may need to get creative. You could even build a theme into your family home evening and have all of your propsl fit nicely with your theme. Maybe you’re lesson is based on Joseph Smith and you have everyone dress up as pioneers. Or maybe you’re reenacting Samuel the Lamanite with nerf guns. The possibilities are endless; just remember kids often don’t need anything overly complicated for it to be memorable. If you’re looking for a classic representation of your faith to display around the house one of these Christus statues can spark conversation and can make any lesson memorable.

    Family home evening is a wonderful time to strengthen family bonds and really begin to learn about our gospel. To ensure your family night is effective, here are five must-haves that will help you create a positive learning environment in your home: communication, fun activities, meaningful discussion topics, ways to focus on prayer, and ways to connect with other people of our faith. By having these essentials in place, your family can truly be taught about our gospel through family home evenings.

  • 5 Ways to Ease a Painful Injury

    5 Ways to Ease a Painful Injury

    Facing injuries stands out as an uncomfortable experience if you have to deal with lots of pain or aches. Because of this, you may want to find different ways to alleviate the pain you experience to help you simplify the process and overcome it. If you want to relieve body pains, you can use these five tips listed below.

    Alleviate the Pain Through Your Actions

    You should start by identifying ways you can alleviate the pain on your own. For example, you could apply pressure and a cold cloth to your injured area to help you reduce the pain and swelling. This helps you to treat the painful part of your body since you can use the cold to reduce some of the heat you face.

    You must find other ways to alleviate the pain such as not walking around as much. Many times, sitting still and sleeping can help you reduce the pain, so you should make sure you rest your body. Doing so will give you time to recover and overcome the injury.

    Get an Attorney When Needed

    Keep in mind the pain you may experience from your injury can go beyond physical pain. Sometimes, you may struggle emotionally if you need to pay for the injury through medical bills and similar costs. If you find yourself in this position, you should see if you can contact an attorney to help you receive compensation for the injury.

    If you got injured at work, you can hire an L&I attorney to assist you. The right attorney can look into the laws in your area, let you know the best approach, and help you out. Since this varies depending on the area you live in, you should review your options.

    Talk With Your Doctor

    Sometimes, you need to talk with someone if you want to find the best way to alleviate the pain from your injury. If your treatments don’t work and you feel lots of pain, you should get in contact with a doctor about the situation. Doing so will allow you to overcome problems and identify the best ways to address the issue.

    Doctors have plenty of experience helping people overcome painful injuries, so make sure you consider their advice. Doing so will help you identify the best approach to treat your injuries and overcome the problem with your injury. Luckily, you can easily talk with your local doctor to receive treatment.

    Take Some Pain Medication

    Depending on the severity of the pain, you can see if pain medication can assist you. There are many types of pain medications including over-the-counter options, so you can get some basic ones to help you with light or moderate pain. On top of that, some of those medications may help with inflammation as explained in the link.

    However, if the standard medication doesn’t help with the pain, you can get some prescription painkillers. If you want to get a painkiller, you must follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid addiction and other problems. Either way, you can use medication as a form of relief for certain types of pain.

    Seek Physical Therapy When Necessary

    Sometimes, you’ll need to get further help when you need to recover from a serious injury. Because of this, you should seek out physical therapy to help you care for an injury that could become a permanent problem. Many times, doctors will recommend you to a physical therapist if you think you could benefit from some help with the recovery process.

    For example, the physical therapist may have you work out parts of your body based on what you need to recover. This can include walking, lifting light weights, and anything else to help your body overcome the pain. Make sure you seek physical therapy if you see no physical improvement.

    Conclusion

    As you plan to ease the pain you feel after an injury, you’ll make the process easier by utilizing the tips above. Each one helps you overcome the pain in different ways, so make sure you take advantage of the ones available. Because of this, you should review each option, use them as you can and make sure you can overcome your painful injury.

  • 10 Best Family Board Games You Should Try To Have Fun

    10 Best Family Board Games You Should Try To Have Fun

    Covid-19 has struck has us hard, with offices closing and employees working from home, many industries and restaurants shut due to restrictions and dearth of customers and the fact that people have stopped venturing out unless absolutely necessary. With external activities taking a back seat, it’s starting to take a toll on the mental health of many individuals.

    On the bright side, many individuals now get to spend time with the families. Also, those who used to travel long distances for work now save a lot of time and can put it to productive use.

    However, sometimes it becomes boring too. So, for your help and we have gathered some of the best family board games that are easiest and most entertaining ways to have great time. There are many board games out there but we have picked the best for you.

    So, Let Us Know The Best Family Board Games.

    #1. Clue: It is one of the best classic family board game that everyone appreciates especially those interested in mystery. In this game, you have to figure out which of the character committed the murder, in which room, and the murder weapon.

    #2. Throw Throw Burrito: If you want to have fun with a family, Throw Throw Burrito is one of the silliest games that guarantees a fun time. You can play with anyone. All you have to do is collect and match the cards. The winner of each round will be invited to a duel in which they will be able to throw adorable foam burritos at one another.

    #3. Heads Up: In card games you have many choices and categories to choose from. With Heads up, you and your family will have great fun. Moreover, you do necessarily need to buy the board and stuff. You can simply download this game on your Smartphone and start playing.

    #4. Yahtzee: It is like Ludo, but Yahtzee is the advance version. you can play the shake, score, and shout game. It is portable and easy to play. Well, it doesn’t use actual board, but a score board and dice. You can play it anywhere and with anyone, no matter the age.

    #5. Rummikub: It is more like the card game, rummy, but it played with tiles and some joker cards. It can be played with 2-4 players. Rummikub will be one of the best additions in your board game collection.

    #6. Ticket to Ride: This is one of the best family board games you can choose to have fun with your family. In this game, players build tracks to connect trains stations across the United States. Player have to build longest track to win the game.

    #7. Apples To Apples: This is yet another cool family board games that can be played by both adults and kids. In this game, each player takes turns being the judge and drawing a prompt card, while the others submit their cards anonymously to fill in the blanks.

    #8. Sorrry: Another classic game ‘Sorry’ is the best family board game. In this game, you have to you get your pawns to the finish line without being sent back to the beginning.

    #9. Connect 4: It is super easy game particularly designed for fun and does not have a bunch of complex rules. This is just like Tic Tac Toe, but little more challenging.

    #10 Operation: One of the best family board game ‘Operation’ is popular amongst the kids. It seems easy, but it is quiet challenging and would be fun to play with your kids.

    Conclusion

    We hope you have found the best family board games. Play and have fun!

  • What Benefits Do You Enjoy Out Of Hiring A Hot Water Service Agency?

    So are you wondering whether you need to hire a hot water service for your home? Well, let’s be honest here that you don’t have any other option left, isn’t it? This is especially true if the chilly winters are in full swing. You must ensure a proper and faster solution to the problem and this can only be guaranteed when you hire trained professionals for hot water supply..

    During the bone-chilling winters you will need plenty of hot water for your everyday household chores. So waste no time on checking your plumbing skills and don’t even try and think of repairing your hot water system at home on your own to save a few dollars because we recommend you to hire hot water service agencies from around town. If you are already into a contract with any reputed agencies then you know of the benefits of hiring professional services but in case you are looking to change the contract with your existing hot water servicing agency or looking to get into a contract for the first time then the rest of the article will come in handy as a reference for you.

    Let’s begin by knowing exactly what benefits you enjoy by hiring a hot water service repairing agency…

    An on-time faster solution to your problem

    When you hire a hot water service repairing company you are hiring professionals who have years or decades of knowledge in handling different types of water heating systems that are generally installed commercially in offices and industrial spaces or even in homes. Thus you can get a faster resolution to the problem. By hiring and involving experts in the job you get the most experienced people who will have a clue on the possible solution to the problems with your hot water system as soon as you state the symptoms of the hot water system.

    Ensuring maintenance and servicing in general

    In general most of the reputed hot water service companies in and around town will provide yearly servicing and maintenance contracts. If your existing water heater repairing company isn’t providing one then you can look for an agency that can offer you hot water heating repairing service along with also providing yearly servicing contracts. Getting into a hot water service repairing contract will help you to ensure regular maintenance, servicing, repairing, and inspection of the overall hot water system in your home and ensure smooth and efficient running. This will ensure the hot water system’s longevity.

    Ensuring the safety of the water heating system

    The water heater is extensively used during the winters. You of course need to ensure the safety of your water heating system to prevent any damage and the safety of your family. If you get into a servicing contract with a hot water service team then you can also make certain the safety of the system and your home in general and prevent any malfunctioning of the device such as leaky gas faucets and pipes, overheating of the system that may lead to fire hazards or even explosions and jeopardize your existence.

    Conclusion

    If you hire just about any plumber in town to repair your hot water system with any local parts then a warranty from the manufacturer automatically becomes null and void. Rather if you can get in touch with a reputed hot water service agency for repairing and maintenance then you ensure the warranty of the water heater system as they will replace the faulty parts with only compatible, and original parts sanctioned by the manufacturer.

  • 3 Gift Ideas for a Grieving Friend

    3 Gift Ideas for a Grieving Friend

    When a friend or loved one experiences the loss of a close friend or family member, it can be difficult to know what to say or do to comfort them. Oftentimes, you might not even know if they have suffered such a loss until it comes up in conversation. Being able to provide the right gift when the time is right can be very beneficial in helping your friend through their grieving process. Here are some gift ideas that may be appropriate for someone who has recently experienced the loss of a close family member or friend.

    Gifts they can use

    When someone is dealing with grief, it can be hard to know what gift to get them. Don’t just get something useless or sentimental because you feel like they need something. Instead, find something they can use. A gift certificate to a restaurant is more than just dinner, it’s memories and bonding time with friends. A new streaming service subscription means some me time in their favorite chair. A gift box such as these remembrance gifts from Laurelbox is curated with heartfelt messages and sympathy gifts for different types of loss.

    Gifts with memories

    The best gift you can give a grieving friend is one that reminds them of their loved one, not one that helps to fill a void. Gifts they can enjoy include a book about their loved one’s life, flowers from their loved one’s favorite flower shop, anything from their loved one’s favorite store or restaurant. Sometimes writing down your favorite memories of your loved ones and sharing them with them is all you need to do to remind your friends that they are still thought of and missed. A simple card saying, “We all have different ways we grieve our losses, but if there is any way I can help you honor your lost loved ones please don’t hesitate to reach out” can go a long way.

    Gifts for her

    If you have a friend who has lost someone close to them, there are some gifts you can get that will not only show your support but which will also mean something to her. It’s common to want to get a specific gift when someone is grieving, but it’s important to remember that grief is different for everyone. If you don’t know what kind of gift she would appreciate or what might remind her of her loved one, in particular, ask! She might find comfort in something simple and meaningful, like stationery with their loved one’s handwriting on it. Or she may want something fun and sweet to celebrate their life—in that case, try anything from wine or coffee mugs with his/her picture on it.

    Life is full of difficulties and everyone must endure tragedy from time to time. Whether it’s from illness, divorce, death, job loss or some other problem, friends and family members will need support to get through these tough times. Your support goes a long way in helping your grieving friend or family member heal. There are many gifts you can give to support them during their time of mourning, so take some time out of your day and think about what you can do to show them how much they mean to you. The gift doesn’t have to be anything materialistic but should instead be meaningful—this could mean something that comes from your heart or soul that only you can offer as an expression of yourself.

  • Back to School: 5 Tips to Help Your Kid Cope

    Back to School: 5 Tips to Help Your Kid Cope

    Getting back to school is an exciting time of the year, and it can be quite challenging as well. Younger kids can show a tendency to become more clingy or to show signs of separation anxiety, while older kids can be reluctant to jump back into the usual school routine.

    Some of the concerns could include the potential problems with the new teacher, fitting in with other students in the class, doubts about self-confidence and whether the schoolwork would be too difficult to follow.  Anxiety can show in different ways, so keep in mind that it can cause:

    • Headaches,
    • Stomach aches,
    • Problems with sleep,
    • Feelings of self-doubt,
    • Fear of separation,
    • Lack of attention etc.

    Fortunately, there are many ways to help your child overcome the difficulties and doubts. Read on to find out more.

    How can I help my child with getting back to school?

    Surely, you can recall your own school years with a variety of feelings. You can use that as a starting point, but keep in mind that your kid probably isn’t growing up in the same environment and probably wouldn’t recreate the same experiences you had in your own childhood.

    Here are some ideas how to cope and prevent anxiety from ruining the beginning of the school year:

    1. Make sure that your child is understood

    Always start by asking your child simply: “How are you feeling?” or “What do you expect?”. Encouraging your child to discuss possible situations, hers or his fears or doubts, should lead to acceptance. This means that he should have a clear picture that she or he is understood and that you know exactly what . This isn’t a small deal and make sure that set a stage for this before anything else. Also, make sure that you understand the concept of anxiety.

    2. Rehearse the school routine

    A week or two before school starts, make sure that your child sets the alarm clock right on time, to get used to waking up early. Also, teach your child to plan ahead, including school supplies and lunches. Make sure that your child chooses what to wear during the first day of school.

    If it’s hers or his first year, you can also drive to the school and take a walk around the classrooms, cafeteria, school yard etc. Also make sure to get most things, like school bag, books and lunch prepared well in advance, as this is known to give your child more time to catch a breath. Practice going to bed early and eating breakfast at home.

    3. Role play

    If your kids are anxious about returning to school, it’s not enough to just reassure them everything will be alright. If they’re worried about a specific situation that could occur in school, you can help by enactment. This can be a very useful technique, especially with new social environments.

    After a role play, it’s important to discuss different aspects of the imagined situation with your child. For instance, you can switch roles, give meanings to different situations, provide useful alternatives to aggression or rage, and teach how to balance between patience and curiosity. Equipping your child with strategies on how to act when put under any pressure, bullied against or criticized is likely to greatly reduce the level of anxiety and even turn it into a positive excitement.

    Younger children can use visual aids to show how they feel and what would happen on the first day of school.

    4. Encourage anxiety-reducing activities

    This could include reading an exciting book, enjoying a movie night, or a family picnic at a park. You should do this together, but also allow enough time for your child to explore and get some sense of independence. Another idea that could benefit your child is to visit a well-equipped indoor playground in Avondale that has enough amenities to satisfy your child’s need for physical activity and entertainment. On a playground, there are numerous possibilities, which can positively affect your child’s cognitive, motor and social development.

    You can make a meet-up with a couple of friends who will attend the same school and this will likely turn the anxiety into a positive anticipation.

    5. Focus on the timeline

    Make sure to monitor step-by-step as the first day of school approaches. Sometimes, anxiety can kick in on the first day. In that case, make sure that your kid goes to school with a friend, to bring something that reminds of home.

    If you have followed the first step, you have already established a level of trust between you and your child and you can give him cues. Remember, you shouldn’t put all that emphasis on your control, but your kid should feel free to tell you everything.

    Unexpected things can happen at school, but the point is to know how to name them and remain safe and sound. If anything becomes too overwhelming, it’s best to consult a professional.

  • Six Perfect Gifts for Work-from-Home Moms

    Six Perfect Gifts for Work-from-Home Moms

    You have a friend or loved one who is a work-from-home mom. You want to give her a gift, but you are not sure what will suit her fancy. The good news is that there is a large assortment of gifts that a work-from-home mom will greatly appreciate. Here are six good ideas to get you started.

    Lap Desk

    The best part about working from home is that you can work anywhere your heart desires. If the weather is right, you can take the computer out on the deck or do your work from the park. Work-from-home moms often find themselves having to get creative about where they work. Sometimes, they must hide themselves away from the kids or must work next to a sleeping baby who has separation anxiety. Lap desks make the perfect gift for work-from-home moms because they can accommodate a laptop and be used in any location.

    Essential Oils

    Working at home is outstanding because it promotes a better work and life balance. Moms can also enjoy more time with the family. Work-from-home moms also must contend with stress. These moms not only have to get their work tasks completed, but they also must juggle caring for the children. According to CNBC, 53% of parents say that the mother is the primary caregiver in the home, and what this means is that she has a significant number of responsibilities on her shoulders. Essential oils are excellent for helping work-from-home moms relax. These hard-working mothers can add a few drops of essential oils to their baths to help them unwind at the end of a hard workday: or, they can rub the oils on their wrist and temples to facilitate relaxation while they work. Additionally, these mothers can put essential oils into a diffuser and enjoy relaxing aromas to aid in calmness.

    Instant Pot

    For a work-from-home mom, an Instant Pot is a must. Work-from-home moms are always on the go as they work full-time and must care for the needs of the family. The Instant Pot is a lifesaver for work-from-home moms because they can make dinner using the slow cooker feature while they work. This way, dinner is ready as soon as the workday is done. With the Instant Pot, dinner will be one less task on their plates.

    A Cute Mug

    If the work-from-home mom in your life is a coffee or tea drinker, then a cute mug is an absolute must. Get this work-from-home-mom a mug that fits her interests or describes what is most important or dear to her. If she is all about animals, you can get her a mug that has a cute saying about animals on it. If her children are the center of her world, get her a mug that has a catchy saying about the kids. Surely, you will win her heart if you get her a cute mug that she can use to sip her coffee or tea while she works. If you know for sure that the work-from-home mom in your life happens to be a coffee drinker, you can gift her some coffee along with her mug for a nice touch. Colombian coffee brands are among some of the tastiest coffees out there, and she will appreciate some Colombian coffee to go along with her mug.

    Pretty Pens

    You may not think that pretty pens will make a difference to work-from-home moms; however, the contrary is true. Because work-from-home moms have so much on their plates, they are always having to write things down to keep track of the action items they need to complete. Writing agenda items will not feel like such a chore if these hard-working mamas have pretty and colorful pens they can use.

    A Cute and Efficient Laptop Bag

    Sometimes working from home can become monotonous, making a change of scenery necessary. When work-from-home moms need a change of scenery, they will leave the house to work at a location of their choosing, such as a tranquil park or a local cafe. In situations like this, work-from-home moms need a laptop bag that will double as both a laptop bag and a purse because the less they must carry along with them, the better.

  • 5 Important Steps in the Homebuying Process

    5 Important Steps in the Homebuying Process

    There’s a lot of myths that surround the homebuying process.  People like to think that they know what to expect, but without properly researching it, you may skip steps or try to do this out of order.  Each of the following actions is necessary to buy a home, except for one, and they all can improve the process and make it go as smoothly as possible.

    Here’s what to do when buying a home!

    Secure A Loan First

    Before you look at any properties or try to window shop Banff homes for sale, you have to secure a loan.  Don’t go with the first lender who approaches you, instead try to find someone whose interest rates are appealing to you, who’s been doing this for long enough that you can trust them, and who is thorough in what you should expect from each other.

     

    Without securing the loan first, you may not be taken as seriously, and you could lose your chance at fantastic properties. So take care of this first, and then move to the fun parts.

    Find an Agent or Realtor

    This is the one step that isn’t necessary for everyone but is still highly advised.  When buying a home, try to find an agent or realtor who seems to recognize your wants and needs and knows what they’re doing.  These professionals can work with you on what your budget looks like, can help you understand why you shouldn’t spend at the top of it, and can help check out the difference between your wants and needs when it comes to houses. In addition, they’ll guide you through the process and protect you along the way.

    Look at A Selection of Properties

    Don’t stop at the first home you see!  Instead, shop around like you’re looking at used cars.  Listen to what flaws they may have, consider the distance they are from the locations you go to most and put in the effort to see what living there would look like for you. So many people don’t find their perfect home, but they can make a great home they find and turn it into their ideal home over time.

    Put in a Competitive Offer

    Accepting the listing price is a mistake that you have to be better than.  Instead of taking this high price, try to put in an offer tens of thousands of dollars less and see if they’ll play.  Of course, whatever you offer should reflect what type of market you’re in.  If you’re in a buyers’ market, you can ask for far more, but in a seller’s market, you should be more cautious, or the home may be snatched out from beneath you.

    Be Flexible With the Seller

    If the seller seems stuck on a price ten thousand above what you want to spend on the home, consider requesting perks to make that price something you like. For example, ask if they’ll throw in the furnishings or if they would cover your closing costs.  These are both fantastic middle grounds that can help you get a great deal on a home while also moving forward with the seller.

  • Why a Home Out West is for You

    Why a Home Out West is for You

    People have been moving out west ever since… well… ever since the Westward Expansion. There’s a good reason for that, too, and it’s not just because of the 1800s gold rush. Wondering if a home out west might be right for you? Here are five reasons why the West Coast really is the Best Coast.

    The Arts & Entertainment Scene Kicks Butt

    One thing you can be sure of wherever you are on the West Coast, whether you’re looking at Los Angeles, Portland, or Las Vegas houses for sale, a good time is never far away. From the star-studded nightlife of Hollywood to the punk-style DIY art ideology of Washington state to the neon-lit playground of Sin City, there’s always something awesome to see or do. Even better, if you’ve got a touch of creative spirit yourself, living out west gives you plenty of opportunities to show it off.

    The Entrepreneurial Spirit is Alive & Well

    Google. Tesla. Apples. Amazon. YouTube. Facebook. Twitter. Microsoft. What do all of these companies have in common? Well, for starters they’re all entrepreneurial success stories that have gone on to become indispensable parts of American life. But also, they all have their headquarters on the West Coast. That makes the western US the undisputed leader in technological and commercial innovation.

    The Weather is Good Even When It’s Bad

    Despite what you may have seen portrayed on TV, it’s not sunny, warm, and beautiful 100% of the time here in the west. More like… 99.9999% of the time. Sure, we get rain. We get storms. Especially in areas like Seattle and Washington, just because you’re living out west doesn’t mean you’re living in a constant tropical paradise. But snow is a rarity and even the coldest winters are pretty mild compared to those on the East Coast. In other words, if you hate shoveling, you’ll love the west.

    The People Are All About “Live & Let Live”

    The western half of the United States may just be a road trip or plane ride away, but it might as well be a whole other world when compared to life in other parts of the country. The stereotype of the carefree beach bum surfer dude is a cliché, but there’s a kernel of truth at the bottom of it. West Coasters really are more relaxed and laid back. We pride ourselves on embracing others as they are and, in the process, fostering a diverse, tightly knit community.

    The Natural Landscapes Are Second to None

    From the shimmering blue shorelines of California to the rustic, rolling forests of Washington to the iconic red-stone buttes of Utah, the west is full of eye-popping natural landscapes that you’ll be hard-pressed to resist filling your phone with snapshots of. If the outdoors is your thing, there’s simply no replacing the gorgeous sights of Vasquez Rocks, Monument Valley, and the frost-kissed Rocky Mountains.