All posts by Alysia Heun

How to Make Home a Safer Place When Living with Kids

A family with two young children happy and safe in the home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that about 9.2 million children have to visit the emergency department for an unintentional injury each year. Unfortunately, the CDC also states that injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the US and Canada, too.

Children are curious, easily distracted, and more prone to injury than adults are. So, it’s important to take extra precautions to keep them safe, even in the home.

Thankfully, most of the accidents mentioned in the CDC’s research are preventable with the right approaches to safety. Here’s what you need to know to minimize risks and make your home a safe and hazard-free space for kids.

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Buying a Condo vs. Buying a House: Key Differences

a condo building next to a single family home, representing buying a condo vs. buying a house

Buying your first home is an exciting time. You’ve decided to step out of the comfort of renting or staying somewhere rent-free and step into a place you can truly call your own. But if you’re not interested in a large space, is owning a condo the same thing as owning a house?

Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, but it ultimately comes down to what you value in a home. You must choose which option fits you correctly, or you might find yourself thinking the grass is greener on your neighbor’s lawn.

We’ll walk you through the process and differences of buying a condo vs. buying a house.

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Lisa Glombowski Named Eastern Thumb’s Realtor of the Year

Lisa Glombowski, Realtor of the Year
Lisa Glombowski of Realty Executives Home Towne

Realty Executives Home Towne of Port Huron, Michigan, is pleased to announce that Lisa Glombowski has been honored as the Eastern Thumb Association of Realtors® 2021 Realtor of the Year.  This award recognizes the behaviors and attributes that make a real estate professional shine: service to the community and the association, ethical behavior, commitment to bettering the profession, and participation in civic and charitable opportunities. Nominees for the award were submitted by peers in the association. The final selection was made by an anonymous vote by the Board of Directors.

Looking back, Glombowski says she carried an unexplainable attraction to real estate for years before deciding to make a career switch. Despite having multiple people try to dissuade her, she obtained her license in 2013. “I was working at an orthodontist office, my kids were off to college, and I felt that I finally had the time to commit to starting my own business,” she said. “What was the worst that could happen? No matter what, I was going to gain knowledge.”

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Granny Chic Design

a granny chic designed living room
Granny chic combines the new and old by throwing out the rules when it comes to blending colors and patterns.

If you’ve scrolled through Pinterest lately, chances are you’ve seen pins for granny chic design. Sometimes referred to as grandmillennial style, granny chic design combines traditional American interiors with modern touches. Think of it as grandma’s house on steroids where excess is everything. Here’s how to bring together new and old for a grandmillennial win.

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How to Find Your Perfect Vacation Home

a vacation home on the coast overlooking the ocean

As vaccines continue to roll out and a light appears at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many people are giving themselves permission to imagine their post COVID-19 lives. For some, this means planning wonderful vacations and time away. For others, it’s looking for a new spot to call home, even if only for a few weekends a year. Regardless, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying the getaways you have been dreaming about!

There are few better ways to ensure vacations are accessible on your terms than buying a vacation home. Here’s a look at what you need to know to find the perfect property.

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5 Tips for Maximizing a Small Garden Space

A woman potting plants in her small garden space.

If you’re disappointed with the size of the garden in your new home, or you’re considering a property and the only downside is a small outdoor area, there are plenty of things you can do to turn even the tiniest garden into a perfect green escape to relax in.

In this article, we cover some simple ideas for maximizing your garden and creating the illusion of more space.

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5 Sensational End-Of-Summer Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes

Three ladies toasting with their cocktails for the end of summer.

Nothing says summer like the perfect beverage. Why settle for boring seltzers or the same old beer when you can impress your guests by cooling them off with a creative cocktail or mocktail? Get your end-of-summer parties started with these easy to make recipes for drinks like mojitos, martinis, and more.

Prep Work

Before you get started, it is helpful to have a few supplies on hand. Start your mixology sessions by making sure you have a cocktail shaker and muddle. These utensils seem a little over-the-top, but they allow you to make cocktails faster and easier. When you are choosing your shaker and muddle, think about how easy they are for you to use, clean, and how many drinks you plan to make at once.

You should also keep simple ingredients around like lemons, limes, and simple syrup. Cocktails and mocktails are often better with a unique twist. Think about keeping flavored syrups and fresh herbs to add in too.

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How to Resuscitate Your Bank Account After Buying a Home

A piggy bank symbolizing the need to boost your bank account after buying a home.

Buying property is a huge investment, and it often comes with additional, unplanned expenses. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself in a less than desirable financial position. Before you realize it, your budget is forgotten, you’ve spent money on all sorts of things you’d never imagined needing, and you’re feeling somewhat out of pocket. For this reason, it’s important to know how to balance homeownership and breathe new life into your bank balance. To help you out, we’ve compiled eight handy tips to boost your bank account.

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Air Conditioning 101: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks You Should Know

Woman enjoying the AC in her living room.
Keeping your AC running efficiently will help you stay cool all summer.

During the scorching summer months, it’s hard to imagine life without your trusted air conditioning unit. However, as the degrees drop inside your home, your electric bill can also head in the opposite direction. When faced with skyrocketing bills, it is tempting to give up your AC or live much more warmly from day-to-day.

Fortunately, there are ways you can stay cool during summer without spending a fortune. Beat the summer heat, save money, and keep your air conditioning unit in peak shape by keeping the following AC tricks, tips, and hacks in mind:

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Realty Executives Sudduth Realty Recognized as Top Auction Firm

Mark, Donna, and Caitlin Sudduth at the Wichita Business Journal awards.
Donna, Mark, and Caitlin Sudduth at the Wichita Business Journal Awards.

Realty Executives Sudduth Realty and Auctions, Inc. has been honored as the 2021 Top Auction Firm with the Wichita Business Journal. As a full-service real estate brokerage led by Broker/Owner Mark Sudduth, this Augusta business takes client service to the next level by specializing in traditional sales and real estate auctions. Experiencing explosive growth in the past few years, the firm has become one of the leading auction firms in south central Kansas.

“Contrary to what some may believe, hosting an auction is not ‘giving away’ a property. In fact, effective marketing allows us to successfully increase visibility for unique homes, farms, ranches, and investment properties- properties that are often time incomparable to others in the area.  Although it isn’t appropriate for every client and property, an auction can be a great option to consider. We view it as an additional service that our Executives have in their arsenal,” says Sudduth.

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