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Your June Newsletter is Here!

June 10, 2022 by cdiez Leave a Comment

Hello June! This month is heating up as we discuss all things summer-related. From our favorite “dad-approved” man cave spaces to this season’s most popular backyard design trends, we’ve got you covered. We also take a look at the Sacramento real estate market, which continues to make a big splash. Read on for the full scoop!

Check out the latest events and activities that the Greater Sacramento area has to offer.

Sacramento Events:

River Cats Schedule: Click Here For May Games
Sac Republic FC Schedule: Click Here For May Matches
Concerts in the Park: Click Here For This Year’s Schedule
Spring Concert Series in Old Folsom (Every Sunday): Click Here for the Complete Schedule
Now through June 12th (Every Saturday): Dance on the Edge of Summer
Now through June 12th: 21st Sacramento French Film Festival
Now through June 26th (Select Days): Old Sacramento Brew Boat Tours
Now through July 31st (Select Sundays): Waterfront Yoga in Old Sacramento
Now through June 30th (Every Thursday): Twilight Concert Series
June 9th: Food Truck Mania in Roseville
June 9th: ArtMIX at the Crocker
June 11th: Community Garage Sale in Old Fair Oaks
June 11-12th: Sacramento Pride Festival 2022
June 16th: Sac Hot Chicken Battle 2022
June 18th: Sacramento Water Lantern Festival 2022
June 18th: 3rd Saturdays Art Walk in Roseville
June 18th: 3rd Annual Front Street Brewfest 2022
June 18th: Concerts on the Square in Roseville
June 19th: Juneteenth Festival Weekend
June 19th: Father’s Day Car Show 2022 at BaySide in Roseville
June 25th: Taco & Margarita Festival 2022 @ Cal Expo
June 25th: Historic Folsom’s Hometown Parade
June 30th: Shawn Mendes at Golden 1 Center

Summer is the season for spending time outdoors. And what better way to enjoy your time outside than by creating an “Instagram-worthy” oasis in your very own backyard? Check out our seven favorite design trends that you can incorporate into your outdoor space!

Outdoor Kitchens: Outdoor kitchens are quickly becoming the mark of an indoor-outdoor living space. Satsha Lopez-Jaimes, Living Spaces Designer adds, “Just because it’s outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t have indoor luxury, so bring in storage or build in storage through shelving and cabinets; use shelves to display an herb garden in statement planters. To make it restaurant-esque, fill the larger kitchen space with lots of seating for dining.” Not sure what style of outdoor kitchen is suitable for your backyard? Get inspiration, tips and resources here.

Pizza Oven: Two words: Pizza oven. Over the past year, there has been a huge rise in interest in building outdoor pizza ovens. And what better way to ramp up your outdoor kitchen than with your very own outdoor pizza oven? Thankfully, adding one to your home doesn’t have to be a four-figure investment. Companies like Ooni sell portable outdoor pizza ovens for less than $400. Check out their oven here. Check out other affordable options here.

Outdoor Living Rooms: Outdoor kitchens have been on the rise for quite some time now — and while they’re not going anywhere — many homeowners are also interested in creating outdoor living rooms, according to Houzz. Not only do these spaces include stylish and durable furniture sets but many of them also have outdoor fireplaces, rugs, and TVs. Fair warning: Get ready to be the most popular hang-out spot in town! Find budget-friendly items, ideas, and inspiration here.

Fire Pits: The popularity of fire pits, tables, and outdoor fireplaces skyrocketed during the pandemic and will remain in demand this year, and for good reason. Fire pits are a surefire way to lend a cozy, communal feel to your outdoor space. Larger pits can serve as the center of a seating area, while portable ones are perfect for small patios. In terms of the latest outdoor fireplace tech, designer Raboine has another suggestion: “An update on the classic fire pit design we see becoming more popular is the fire table. Fire tables offer a sleek, linear look, which complements the modern design trend.” Check out some of 2022’s most popular fire pit and table ideas here.

Resort Aesthetics: Who wants to transform their backyard into their own private getaway? According to Pinterest, searches for “resort aesthetic” have doubled this past year, along with several other vacation-related terms. Not sure where to find this type of aesthetic? Target, for one, is featuring this trend, showcasing items including fringed patio umbrellas, boho wicker club chairs, and funky acrylic drinkware that would be perfect for piña coladas, daiquiris and, well, anything worthy of a tiny umbrella. Up your resort aesthetic game with this Maddalena Patio Chair Set, which is giving us serious vacation vibes.

Planters: Gardening remains on the rise, and even if you don’t have a spacious backyard, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get in on the action. Many companies and brands are coming up with new ways to make use of every square inch, like these affordable Plant Traps, which allow you to hang plants on the outside of your deck or balcony.

Stonescaping: If you’re sick of sky-high water bills or live in a drought-prone area, consider switching up your lawn in favor of a gravel one, which is quickly becoming the latest and most popular landscaping trend. Hardscaping not only helps you use less water but also creates a more eco-friendly backyard. Consider using pavers and gravel patches to define areas of your outdoor space, like a space for alfresco dining or playing bocce ball. Check out these stone landscaping ideas for serious inspiration.

Father’s Day rolls around on June 19th, and what better way to honor dad than with his very own man cave? Check out our top four man cave ideas to transform any ordinary space into his favorite hideaway!

Movie Theater Man Cave: Grab the popcorn and get ready to enjoy the ultimate man cave complete with ample seating, dimmed lighting, and a massive projector for dad’s viewing pleasure. Transform your basement or one of your spare rooms into an at-home movie theater by incorporating one or more of the below pieces.

Decorated Garage Man Cave: An unused garage is a perfect space for a custom man cave, providing a place for dad to unwind, relax, and entertain after a long day at work. You can easily transform your garage into a man cave and still set it up to be a garage again in the future. Check out this complete guide to converting your garage into the ultimate man cave escape and check out some of our favorite accessories below.

Bourbon Bar Man Cave: Want to transform your ordinary bar into a high-end home bar? The best part is that it won’t break the bank! With a few added accessories, dad can have the bourbon bar of his dreams. Fair warning: Other dads might flock here, making your home bar the most popular hang-out spot in town.

Sports/Game Room Man Cave: Themed man caves are in, and this one is clearly owned by a sports lover. Even if you have a small space, you can decorate tastefully to achieve a sports lover’s paradise. Not sure where to begin? Learn how to create the quintessential sports man cave here and check out our favorite accessories below.

While there’s no denying that our current market favors sellers, we are starting to see a slow but steady growth in inventory that will help eager buyers as they dive into the real estate pool. According to the Sacramento Association of Realtors, the active listing inventory increased 27.8% from March of this year to April. Compared with April of 2021, inventory is up 33.4%. As for sellers, we are still seeing very competitive sales prices. The medium sales price increased 1.7% – from $556,000 to $565,500. This figure is up 15.5% from April 2021 ($489,500).
So what does this mean for buyers and sellers? While still very competitive, data suggests that a leveling market is on the horizon.

Fireworks, Food and Fun! Your Ultimate Guide to the 4th and More!

June 30, 2021 by cdiez Leave a Comment

Summer officially kicked off last week just in time for California’s re-opening and you know what that means…events are back on! The Greater Sacramento area is gearing up with an impressive lineup of fun. From Fourth of July festivities and live music events to River Cats games and summer movie nights, we’ve scoured the region to bring you the most up-to-date local happenings and activities in your area. So shake things up this summer by using our below guide before planning your next outing!

Looking for ways to celebrate the Fourth this weekend? Many communities are set to bring back fireworks, food, and fun! Click on the below events to learn more.

July 3-4: Rancho Cordova 4th of July Celebration at Hagen Community Park

July 4: 4th on the Field Remix at Sutter Health Park

July 4: Fourth of July Parade on Vernon Street in Roseville

July 4: Fourth of July After Celebration at Royer Park in Roseville

July 4: Fourth of July Fireworks at The Grounds in Roseville

July 4: Fourth of July Bike Parade and Festival at Arden Park

July 4: Salute the Red, White & Blue Fireworks Spectacular in Elk Grove

July 4: Annual Fourth of July Family Blast at the El Dorado County Fair

July 4: Fourth of July at Lodi Lake

It’s time to indulge in all that Summer has to offer this year. Click on the below links to see what other local events are taking place now through the end of July!

Sacramento:

River Cats Schedule

Sac Republic FC Schedule

July 2nd (And Select Days): Live Music at Crawdads on the River

Now-August 15th (Select Days): Crocker Art Exhibits: Legends from Los Angeles + FREE Sundays

Now-August 28th: Downtown Live

Now-July 31st: Front Street Water Carousel & Waterfront Wheel in Old Sacramento

Every Second Saturday: Dance on the Edge in Old Sacramento

Now-September 12th: UpcyclePop Art Market in Old Sacramento

Select Weekends (Friday-Sunday): Old Sacramento Underground & Time Travel Tours

July 3rd: Sacramento African Marketplace

July 3rd: Sacramento Seafood and Soul Food Festival at Miller Regional Park

July 8th (And Select Days): 2021 Sacramento Shakespeare Festival (Streaming Live)

July 17-18th: Beer & Taco Festival at Cesar Chavez Plaza

July 25th: 3rd Annual Jazz Fest by the River

July 31st: DOCO Makers Market by River City Marketplace

Carmichael:

Now-August 29th (Every Sunday): Carmichael Farmers’ Market

July (Dates TBD): Concerts in the Park

July 4th (Every Sunday): Carmichael Cars and Coffee

Fair Oaks:

July 14th: Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Progressive Dinner

July 29th (And Select Days): Concerts in the Park

July 30th (And Select Days): Comedy Under the Stars

July 31st (And Select Days): Theatre Under the Stars

Rancho Cordova/Gold River:

Now-July 10th (Week Days): Art at City Hall: Black & White Plus One

July 3rd (Every Saturday): Sunrise Light Rail Station Farmers Market

July 12th (And Select Days): At at City Hall: Abstraction

July 16th: Music at the MACC

Folsom:

Now-August (Thursday Nights): Twilight Concert Series in Historic Folsom

Now-August (Weekends): Weekend Pedestrian Promenade in Historic Folsom

July 9th (And Select Fridays): Summer of Music 2021 at Folsom City Lions Park

July 3rd (Every Saturday): Cars and Coffee Show at Folsom Palladio

July 3rd: Way Out West in Historic Folsom

July 7th (Every Wednesday): Palladio’s Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series

July 2-4th: Folsom Pro Rodeo

July 3rd: First Saturday Art Hop in Historic Folsom

July 3rd: Storybook Time at Sutter Street Theatre

El Dorado Hills:

July 4th (Every Sunday): El Dorado Hills Certified Farmers’ Market

July 8th (Every Thursday): Live on the Boulevard at El Dorado Hills Town Center

Elk Grove:

July 1st (Every Thursday): Neighborhood Market

July 3rd (Every Saturday): Farmers Market

July 3rd: First Saturday Art Reception

July 4th: Elk Grove Run 4 Hunger

July 7th: Food Truck Mania

July 16th: Comedy Under the Stars

Roseville:

July 16th: Friday Flicks at Vernon Street Town Square

July 17th (Every 3rd Saturday): Concerts on the Square at Vernon Street in Roseville

Rocklin:

July 8th (And Select Days): Park Pulse at Johnson-Springview Park

July 17th: Concerts at the Quarry

July 30th: FREE Farmers Markets at Johnson-Springview Park

Wanna get away? One of the many great things about Sacramento is its close proximity to places including Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, and the Napa Valley Wine Region. If you’ve found yourself daydreaming about getting out of town during this pandemic, why not treat yourself to a day (or weekend) trip with family, friends, or that special someone?

Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe is the perfect escape from the summer heat with its wide array of recreational activities including boating, water sports and hiking in the summer. They also have fantastic restaurants, concert venues, and shopping! Take a look at some of the local events happening now through the end of July by checking out the South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe events calendars.
Napa Valley: What better way to kick off summer than by paying a visit to Napa and enjoying a nice glass of wine, exceptional cuisine and mesmerizing views of vineyards…because “wine not”? Take a ride on the Napa Valley wine train and soak in breathtaking landscapes, soar above the clouds in a hot air balloon, enjoy a culinary experience at one of their many award-winning restaurants, or visit one of their 400+ wineries. Click here for a list of upcoming events and here for lodging accommodations.
San Francisco: San Francisco is back in action and has plenty of events in store this summer! Attend one of their Summer Music Sessions (tickets are limited), watch both the SF Giants and the Oakland A’s in action, or visit one of several museum exhibits. If you’re heading to the Bay for the Fourth, check out this guide for fireworks, concerts, parades, and more.

There’s hope on the horizon for buyers. According to the Sacramento Association of Realtors, while inventory is still down 28.6% from May of last year, we did see a 26% increase in inventory from April to May of this year. So what does that mean for buyers? It appears that with increasing inventory, we will reach a better equilibrium of supply and demand. Check out the latest stats here.

The Sacramento Housing Market Makes a Splash

May 14, 2021 by cdiez Leave a Comment

The Sacramento real estate market continues to make a splash with historically low inventory, high competition, and rising prices. While there’s no denying that our current market favors sellers, this month’s newsletter highlights some ways that buyers can prepare before diving into the real estate pool. We also take a look at data that supports a wave of growing inventory within the next year.

Whether you are planning on buying, selling or both, you may find yourself competing with countless others in this red hot market. However, taking care of the items listed below can help you get the edge you need and ensure smooth sailing ahead.

Patience is key: Let’s face the facts…it’s a tough market for buyers in most price points right now. Some buyers are being rushed to make decisions, which can quickly lead to remorse over paying too much for a home. So our advice? Take your time, be patient, and keep logic in mind when submitting offers. It’s also important not to become over-invested in one home because of the bidding wars taking place in this overheated market. This doesn’t mean you should stop looking however – persistency and patience is key. Be ready to check out available homes as soon as they hit the market and act quickly once you come across the right home.

Find the right real estate agent: This brings us to our next point. Whether this is your first or fifth home purchase, it’s still wise to enlist the help of a buyer’s agent. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything out of pocket, and a good agent will help you by sharing their inside knowledge not only of the neighborhood, but also help establish what’s a good value in your price range. Plus, they’ll arrange showings on your behalf and they may also be able to alert you to red flags you’d otherwise miss while touring properties.

Clean up your credit: Your credit score not only impacts your ability to secure a mortgage at all, but it will also determine the interest rate you’ll pay. If you’re worried about your credit score, start working toward raising it by paying all your bills on time and making sure your balances are low. Check your credit report by contacting the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You’re entitled to a free report from each agency once per year. If you spot an error, having the report amended will boost your score. Pro tip: Speak to an experienced mortgage professional. Sometimes they can advise you on what (and what not) to pay down or off, in order to improve your credit score.

Save for a down payment (and then some!): Being able to put 20% of the purchase price down at your closing isn’t necessary, but it could increase your chance of your offer being accepted. In today’s market, sellers are often looking for the most money down possible. Increasing your down payment could also help you in terms of better rates and overall monthly payments. It can also help you avoid paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Last but not least, it’s wise to save for emergencies because once you’re in your new home you never know what may suddenly need repair.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Getting pre-approved lets sellers know you’re the real deal. And, it lets you know what you can afford, so you can focus on the right price points and choose the perfect home to go after with confidence. Rather than just getting pre-qualified, which is more like an estimate of what you can borrow, a pre-approval means the loan is much more likely to get through underwriting once you get a home under contract because the lender has already assessed your credit, income, debts, and assets. Plus, if you find yourself competing for a property, being able to tell a seller you’re pre-approved will give you the advantage you need against others who are not. Finding a lender that has the shortest close time is another advantage in today’s hot market. Our preferred lender, Summit Funding is coming out with a 15-day close guaranteed. Contact Summit Funding Senior Loan Officer Chris Stahl at 916.768.8000 to begin the pre-approval process.

Do your due diligence: Think you’ve found an area you like? Check out neighborhoods at different times of day, and be sure to notice traffic patterns. For example, is the home you like on a street that drivers use to dodge traffic on main streets? Will you encounter school drop-off or pick-up congestion that will make getting in or out of your driveway a hassle? Consider all these factors and anything else that may appeal to you, or bother you personally, as you’re driving past potential homes.

While lack of inventory and high competition has made for a challenging market for buyers, get ready, because it looks like things are about to get at least slightly better for people searching for a home. According to data outlined in a recent realtor.com article, about 10 percent of homeowners plan to list their home this year—with another 16 percent planning to list in the next 24 to 36 months. That translates to an additional 1.5 million homes hitting the market—which, while not enough to completely end the historic inventory shortage, is certainly a solid start.

Options for first-time buyers should also improve. More than half of the buyers planning to list their homes this year (58 percent) have homes valued at $350,000 or less—which means more affordable options should be hitting the market soon.

As we take a closer at the Sacramento housing market, we are also seeing a slight increase in active listing inventory according to the Sacramento Association of Realtors – an increase of 9.4 percent from February to Marchand another increase of 9.6 percent from March to April to be exact. While still very competitive, experts suggest that a leveling market is on the horizon.

We are proud supporters of The Sacramento SPCA and we are committed to helping animals find their forever homes. That’s why Diez & Sigg Properties is a returning sponsor for this year’s Doggy Dash Event. This year’s event will once again be a virtual experience. However, just because we won’t be walking side by side, doesn’t mean we can’t still walk together to save more lives!

On June 5th, walk around your neighborhood with your pup, hit a local park or trail, or get creative at home with your pooch. The Sacramento SPCA will be kicking off the walk LIVE on Facebook and you will be able to share your photos, videos and participate in activities throughout the day. You will still see some of their famous Bark in the Park games and contests to participate in right at home! They will be tracking all the fun using the hashtag: #SSPCADASH2021

Ways you Can Contribute: If you would like to contribute to this cause, you can do so by purchasing a Doggy Dash T-shirt as a part of our “pack”. Click here to purchase your shirt. You can also make a donation here.

Enter our raffle to receive a FREE Pet Gift Basket (valued at over $100!)

Five Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Warmer Weather

March 30, 2021 by cdiez Leave a Comment

Spring is in full swing, and you know what that means: the days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and in a couple of months we’ll be heading into summer.

Summer is one of the best times of year; children are out of school, it’s the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, and of course, everyone’s favorite: good ol’ summer vacation. Most of us are ready for summer, but the question is: is your home? Here are five tips to get your home ready for warmer weather.

1. Get your A/C checked

The summer heat is great for lake days and splashing in the pool. But when you’re done enjoying the sunshine, you’ll want to open the door to a nice, cool interior. The best time to get your air conditioning in working order is before summer hits. Start by changing out the filters. Dirty filters make it harder for your A/C unit to do its job, lower the efficiency of your air conditioning system and waste energy. After you replace the filters, let your air conditioning system run for an hour or so to see how its cooling; a test run will give you insight into any potential problems you need to have serviced.

You should have an HVAC professional service your air conditioning system once a year. Even if you don’t notice any obvious problems, servicing your A/C annually will keep it running longer. Spring is the best time of year to get your A/C service; once summer hits, most HVAC companies are booked solid through the summer months, and the last thing you want is to find yourself in the thick of summer with a broken air conditioning system and no relief from the heat.

2. Switch out your gear

Each season requires a different set of tools, gear, furniture, and decor. To avoid clutter, it’s best to store these items when they’re not in use. If you’re storing your seasonal items, you’ll need to switch everything out as summer approaches so you have everything on hand you need to enjoy the season.

Put your patio furniture out in the backyard so it’s ready for when you entertain guests. Check your grill to make sure it’s in working order and ready for summer BBQs. Switch out those heavy winter comforters with lightweight quilting that’s more appropriate for summer weather.

3. Get your lawn up to speed

One of the best parts of summer is getting to enjoy time outside, often in your own backyard. But if you’re like most people, your lawn could probably use a bit of TLC after the cooler months. Add a few new plants or flowers to add visual interest to the landscape.

Your backyard will play host to many celebrations, playdates, and lazy evenings with your family this summer. In order to enjoy all the fun of summer fully, you want to make sure your lawn is in the best shape possible.

4. Plant a garden

Speaking of the backyard, there’s no better time than summer to plant a garden. The warmer weather is the ideal time for a rainbow of vegetables to flourish, including beets, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and squash. If you’re new to gardening, pick up a few raised garden beds and plant your seeds now. Before summer hits its peak, you’ll be enjoying fresh vegetables straight from your garden – perfect for a refreshing summer salad.

5. Get painting out of the way

You may not want to paint your ceiling yellow, but don’t be afraid to deviate from plain old white. Painting the ceiling a color can make a small room seem bigger, or a room with a high ceiling seem more intimate. Plus, it’s just more interesting. Ask at any full-service paint store for help in choosing complementary wall and ceiling colors, or search online for examples of rooms you like.

If you’ve been thinking about painting the interior of your home, now is the time to do it. If you do decide to paint, consider some seasonally appropriate hues, like gold or sky blue, to bring the feeling of summer indoors.

Summer will be here before you know it. And with these tips, your home will be ready for it.

School Bus Renovation Gets High Marks for Creativity & Design

August 21, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

Once you’ve completed your schooling, you’d probably prefer not to set foot on a school bus again. After all, those yellow behemoths are hardly synonymous with luxury. And yet, one couple, Robbie and Priscilla, opted to skip the RV route and instead renovate a 1998 Thomas school bus. The results send them straight to the head of the class when it comes to working some real makeover magic.

Take a peek at the finished product, which proves you don’t have to be a rock star to have a tricked-out bus.

Looks like your standard school bus with a fresh coat of paint. Not so fast… Check out that fancy front door. Step inside (virtually) and prepare to fall in love with this tiny home on wheels.

So cozy!

The potted plants are a nice touch. Let’s hope they’re bolted down so they don’t spill when the rubber meets the road.

Check out this clever use of space. Who couldn’t benefit from a pull-out pantry?

Forget the PB&J in your lunchbox! You could cook up feast in this sophisticated kitchen, complete with farmhouse sink and subway tile.

The lofted bed makes room for the washer-dryer combo, which will save the owners a trip to the laundromat.

Nicer than you’d find in some homes, the floor and shower tile make the small but elegant bathroom appear larger.

The propane heater allows for year-round use. While cats aren’t traditionally fans of road trips, that kitty looks pretty comfy. Can you blame him?

Your August Newsletter is Here…

August 19, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

As our communities work hard to flatten the curve, we also continue to face new challenges and learning curves of our own. This August looks very different from last year for many children and families throughout the country. Virtual back-to-school nights and remote learning from home have become the new norm. Not to mention, working parents are adjusting their schedules to oversee their children during the school day.

This month’s newsletter explores some of the challenges of at-home learning with the goal of offering some helpful resources, classroom design inspiration, lunch ideas and more. We also take a look at the local real estate market, which has earned very high marks throughout this pandemic. Read on for the full scoop!

Class is in session…at home! With many of our homes now doubling as classrooms, we’ve found a few ways to transform any room or small space into the perfect study spot. Check out these fun and creative ideas for some inspiration.

Create a Cozy Study Space: Limited on space? Build a “Study Nook” in your child’s room to create a comfortable, organized, and efficient place for them to learn from home. You can also utilize a space in the bonus room, art, music, game or playroom. Check out this adorable Parsons Mini Smart Desk from Pottery Barn. If your child is on the go, they also have a great mobile Lap Desk.

Designate a Special Area for Reading: It’s no surprise that children tend to get stir crazy when sitting in one place for long periods of time. So switch things up when it comes to reading time! Whether you have a playroom or a small space in your child’s bedroom, designate an area where your child can escape from the “classroom” and curl up with a good book. Use your imagination and gather a reading chair and comfy blankets, some fluffy pillows, a bean bag chair, reading tent…the possibilities are endless! You can also purchase a bookshelf to store their books and tie the space together.

Stay Organized: Organization is essential to staying on track for the school year…especially when merging the classroom and home. Take advantage of color-coded bins to store homework for each subject, add initials next to each child’s workspace, personalize cubbies, organize school supplies in an easily accessible rolling cart, and hang floating shelves and file holders to your room of choice.

Utilize Natural Light: Have you ever been stuck working in a poorly lit cubicle and had a hard time focusing? The same applies to your kiddos…Help them stay motivated by letting nature inspire them! Creating a study room near windows is not only easier on the eyes, but it will also help them focus on their studies better. You can also breathe some life into the room with beautiful succulents or indoor plants.

Choose Active Seating: Do your little ones have a hard time sitting still? Encourage them to stay active while they’re studying by swapping out traditional chairs with exercise balls. This is also a great option if you’re trying to fit everything into a small study room.

Be Mindful of Distractions: When choosing a study room or area, be mindful of distractions and noises like the television, phones, tablets and anything that might interest them more than their upcoming math test. Opt for background music or silence during study time.

Forget about that boring PB&J sandwich, stale cookie, and those uneaten apple slices…Lunches at home mean that we can be a little more creative and healthy, even when we’re on a time crunch. Check out these simple yet satisfying lunch recipes that will have your kids asking for seconds!

Quesadillas with a Twist: Pair this black bean and sweet potato quesadilla with avocado slices, pineapple chunks, and tortilla chips for a healthy (and easy to make) lunch.
Turkey Roll-Ups: If your kid is a fan of the classics, you can’t go wrong with these turkey roll-ups. Pack with pretzels, celery sticks dipped in peanut butter, and cinnamon-sprinkled apple slices for a well-balanced meal.
Pasta Salad: If your kids are adventurous, try this California pasta salad, which is loaded with veggies. Pair with some fruit slices for a hearty lunch.
Breakfast for Lunch: Is your kid a fan of brunch? Turn on the skillet and whip up these delicious buttermilk pancakes. Pair with some strawberry slices, a hard-boiled egg, and squeezable yogurt for a delicious meal.
Easy Pizza Pocket: Short on time? Make these easy pizza pockets with a can of refrigerated biscuits, lots of cheese, and pizza toppings of your choice. You can save even more time by buying a jar of pizza sauce. These pair perfectly with a side salad.
Cookie Bars: Ok so these may not be the healthiest option, but they’re certainly better for us than processed cookies. So put the Oreos down and make a fresh batch of cookie bars for the school week! You can’t go wrong with this chocolate chip recipe from Tollhouse.

Having the kids home from school is taking on new meaning these days. That’s why we’ve pulled together some informational links and resources to help you overcome the learning curve that comes with this big change.

In this article, the author reaches out to teachers for tips on designing environments at home that are as conducive to learning and discovery as the classrooms they have lovingly created.
This article published by Children and Screens shares 10 tips for successfully navigating the new realities of online learning.
A recent online article published by Time magazine shares the secrets to keeping your kids happy, busy, and learning during school closures.
Julie Mason, a former teacher, and now mother of three and head of content and curriculum at TeacherVision, shares a helpful guide and at-home learning resources for both parents and students.
This online article published by The Center for Discovery outlines some safe indoor and outdoor activities for families during Coronavirus.

According to a recent article from Redfin, more than 27% of homebuyers are searching out of town, with Phoenix, Sacramento and Las Vegas being the most popular destinations. The reasoning behind this? The pandemic is causing homebuyers to rethink what they want in a home, with more people relocating to places where they can afford more outdoor space and room for home offices, according to the article. Click here to read the full article.