ERA Justin's Joana Iliescu offers Relocation Tips for Kids

ERA Justin's Joana Iliescu offers Relocation Tips for Kids

                                           

Joana Iliescu, an active and focused sales professional with ERA Justin Realty offers North Jersey Newspapers readers, important tips on Relocation for kids. “Every year millions of families move. One of the most important issues to anyone with kids is their reaction to the news that they're moving and their adjustment to the new home. Being informed is very important to children. One of the worst mistakes we can make as adults is to assume that kids don't care or won't understand the details. Keeping them 'in the loop,' consulting them about choices whenever possible, and including them in the family game plan will work wonders toward their adjustment.”  Other factors depend on a child's age, she continued:

“Preschool childrenKids under the age of six may worry about being left behind, or being separated from their parents. If you go on an orientation or house-hunting trip before hand without the children, it's important to reassure kids this age that you will be back; bring something unique back to them from the new town. It's also very important for them to express their feelings about the move. Give them a job to do - have them be responsible for boxing up their favorite toys, and 'labeling' their boxes with crayons and stickers.

Ages 6 to 12Elementary age kids are usually most concerned with how the everyday routines of their lives are going to change. Showing them pictures, videos and magazines of their new home will help a lot, especially if you can find new places in advance for the things they like to do. If your child takes dance lessons, find and share information about the new dance studio he or she can go to. If they takes karate, or play soccer or baseball bring that information home.  Even if their favorite thing to do is the park or the pizza parlor, find these places in your new neighborhood and get brochures, pictures or videos.

TeenagersTeenagers are most concerned with fitting in. They may react angrily to the move, even insist they're not going. This is usually due to the total lack of control they have over everything important in their lives - friends, school and jobs - being disrupted. These children can be very worried about making new friends, and what will be different in the new school. They are curious about the clothing, hairstyles, bicycles, cars, etc. that kids in the new city will have. Pictures of all these things are very helpful, so if you take an orientation trip be sure to take many detailed photos/videos of the schools they will be attending.

Other tips for making the transition

1) Give young children an entertaining travel kit for the move.
2) Give older children a diary for recording the trip and move.
3) Give children of all ages a special address book and stationery set for keeping up with old friends.
4) Take videos of the new home if the kids won't get to see it before the move. Arrive well before the movers so kids can explore and become acquainted first.
5) Give children a chore to do, such as working on their room (younger), supervising little siblings (middle), and painting or arranging furniture (older kids).
6) Take a break with the family as soon as possible to explore the museums, sights and recreation in your new city.
7) Arrange a visit to new schools and a meeting with the teacher before the actual first day of attendance.
8) Encourage the children to bring new friends home.

Regardless of when you move, prepare your children well for the transition. By planning ahead, you'll be able to offer them a few details of what to expect. Give the kids plenty of opportunity to express their feelings about the move, and their anxieties about the new school, new friends, teachers, and their sadness at leaving all that is familiar. Try to find ways to address your own emotional needs and your stress load so that you appear available to the kids at all times. Their concerns will only be heightened if they see you with concerns. Find a balance with yourself and your kids, and keep communication open. Planning and organizing can help keep stress to a minimum.  Keep an eye out for signs of stress and anxiety in your kids. Different children have different needs, certainly, and all kids process stress differently. If you do notice acting out or other behaviors that indicate adjustment problems, talk to the guidance counselor or the pediatrician about how to proceed.  Share your feelings and encourage the kids to see the move as a family adventure. You're all in it together. You will all experience emotional ups and downs, and it's important that everyone understands how normal these feelings are. Acknowledge the emotions of moving. Looking ahead to the new house, new school, and new friends should shortly be an exciting experience.”

Joana concluded, “This is an overview of how you may want to handle your move.  It is our pleasure to assist our home Buyers and Sellers throughout the entire process.  Reach any of our sales professionals at either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue.  By phone, (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Additional information about our firm is available on our 1000's of homes searching websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

ERA Justin Realty's Joana Ilescu Reviews Best Dollar-For-Dollar Improvement Returns

ERA Justin Realty's Joana Ilescu Reviews

Best Dollar-For-Dollar Improvement Returns

It would be nice if you could count on getting one dollar back when you sell your house for each dollar you invested in renovations. Most people hope for more than a dollar-for-dollar return. In reality, many improvements return less than the amount invested.

For example, a Cost Versus Value Report,  published by a past National Association of Realtors report, and reported by Inman News, that nationally, the average percent recouped on a bathroom remodel was only 90.1 percent. It was 88.1 percent for a deck addition, 81.2 percent for a family room addition, and  79.4 percent for a major kitchen remodel. These percentages vary throughout the country and are only suggested with variations.

“Does this mean that remodeling is a waste of your time and money? No, but  don't go about a renovation in a haphazard fashion. It's important to do your due diligence investigations before embarking on any remodel project, just as you would if you were considering buying a home. There are many variables to consider,” stated Joana Ilescu Realtor salesperson with ERA Justin Realty Co.

“First, consider that the figures quoted are national averages. The amount recouped on a remodel depends in large part on where you live. There's significant variability from one city to the next, according to the NAR report.  For instance, nationally, homeowners recouped approximately 90 percent on a bathroom remodel. But, the amount recouped for the same job was 109.7 percent in New York City, 100 percent in San Francisco, and only 61.3 percent in Denver, on average.  The return on a remodeling investment will also depend on the value of your home, particularly in relationship to the value of homes in your neighborhood. If you have a small home in a neighborhood of larger, more expensive homes, you could come out ahead by enlarging your home. However, it's important to keep costs in line so that you don't end up over-improving your home for the neighborhood. Buyers tend to discount a home that's priced above the value of other homes in the neighborhood. Before remodeling, it's also important to consider your competition. In some areas, certain remodeling projects are taken for granted. For instance, if you're in an upscale neighborhood of older homes where most homeowners have remodeled their kitchen and bathrooms, you may be penalized price-wise by the market if your home is outdated. In areas where home prices are rising rapidly, you're likely to recoup more on your remodel investment than you would during times of meager appreciation. With this in mind, you're more likely to recoup your investment over the long term.” Joana added.

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty broker co-owner added,  “There's a subjective factor that can't be overlooked when remodeling. This factor is often referred to as pride of ownership. And, don't discount the value of creature comfort. There's a certain sense of well being to be derived from a home that suits your lifestyle while aptly reflecting who you are. Despite these factors, from an investment standpoint, it makes sense to consider resale value before making an investment in a major renovation. This doesn't mean that you should remodel your home with someone else in mind. But, if you're aim is to recoup as much of your investment as possible, it's wise to consider home buyer preferences in your area. If your remodeling is not in tune with what buyers want, it could actually decrease the value of your home. Also keep in mind that while trends vanish quickly, quality and good taste are timeless.  The NAR Cost Versus Value Report was based on professional judgment rather than on actual sales data. Therefore, the report is somewhat subjective. However, it does point out the importance of carefully considering before remodeling.”

Joana concluded,  “All across the nation, one of the most coveted awards that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it. ERA Real Estate was the recipient For Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.”

Joana and all of the ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor sales persons can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. View 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.