Brittany Bekkers

Are you thinking of living with your whole family? An intergenerational home might be a good idea. Here’s an overview of the advantages and disadvantages. Advantages One of the benefits of an intergenerational home is cost savings. In the case of a single-family home, costs associated with the mortgage, electricity, taxes and even renovations can be shared, which significantly reduces a person’s expenses. For those who have elderly parents, living together can also save cos...ts related to seniors’ residences while also preventing loneliness. Family members can also provide babysitting support as needed, which avoids childcare costs. In addition to these advantages, intergenerational homes allow families to be closer together. Family members can therefore share more quality time together. Disadvantages If the decision has been well thought out, there are few disadvantages. It’s important to talk about it all together and determine any rules and boundaries. It’s therefore essential that you maintain a good relationship with your family members with whom you’ll be living, because if there are problems, the situation can deteriorate quickly. If you choose to live with three generations under the same roof, the pace of life may be quite different. So take the time beforehand to agree on the future rules of cohabitation. Finally, if the house is resold, it can be more complicated to come to an agreement with all the selling parties. In this case, teaming up with a real estate broker will be a big advantage, as he or she will give you the right advice and accompany you throughout this important process.

Now, more than ever, I'm choosing to focus on the things I CAN control and that includes my daily habits. So here are some of the things I'm doing daily to help me focus on what's important. I have always been a morning person so before 7 AM I plan to complete a home workout and write my affirmations while getting my dose of caffeine. What are you choosing to focus your attention on?

Are you familiar with time blocking? When it comes to scheduling out my day, both my google calendar and my agenda are my best friend's! I adapted this method in 2020 and my productivity has been through the roof ever since! How do you make the most of your precious time when you’re in work mode?

Like many of you, this year didn't go exactly as planned. I am forever thankful for the lessons I learned that made me grow personally and professionally. 2020 started with a dream vacation to Thailand & Vietnam and was everything I could have imagined! All my hard work allowed me to close on my first investment property this year which was a huge accomplishment! My two cutest little nieces, Zoey & Lenni, were welcomed into the world this year. This year also provided me wit...h extra time to pick up some new hobbies (does wine connoisseur count)? COVID has taught me to take the time to slow down and spend it with loved ones even if it's from a distance or virtually. Time is the most valuable commodity we have and shouldn't take it for granted. I am extremely thankful for all my clients who I was able to help buy and sell in a safe manner this year! Thank you for your trust! I am excited to see what 2021 has in store for me! Now it's time to plan some new goals, personally and professionally! Wishing everyone a safe, happy & healthy new year !

I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written. - Juansen Dizon

What makes a house a home? What you put inside your house can make the difference between whether you enjoy spending time there or not. No matter the size or style of your home, incorporating your personal style matters the most.

If you’ve ever noticed houses with red front doors you may have wondered- What does a red front door mean? Why did they paint their front door that bright color? The history, origin and meaning of a home having a red front door is varied. There is no one origin for the red exterior door. If you are thinking of painting the front door of your home red, consider some of these meanings to decide if red is the right color choice for your front door. Your home’s exterior is import...ant and how you paint your home reflects on you. Consider these meanings before heading out to buy home exterior paint: In Feng Shui, a red front door means welcome. Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy in which the arrangement and color of objects in a room relates to the flow of energy. The front door is known as the Mouth of Chi where energy enters. If you believe in or follow Feng Shui, painting your front door red would create welcoming energy. A red door means welcome in an old early American tradition. If a family had a red front door tired travelers traveling by horse and buggy would know that a home was a welcoming place to rest. They would be able to spend the night there. A red door provides protection. In Biblical times, the Hebrew slaves were instructed to smear blood of a lamb on their front doors to protect their first born from the angel of death. In old Catholicism churches painted the doors of the church red to represent the blood of Christ. Passing through the door would mean that you were on holy ground. Some believe a red door protects the occupants from evil. A red front door means mortgage-free. In Scotland, homeowners would paint their front door red to signify that they had paid off their mortgage. Now that you’ve read some of the meanings and origins behind having a red front door, you can decide if painting your front door red is the right choice for your home.