Here is an overview of the 4 misconceptions I cover in the video:
Owning rentals is alot of work. At RE/MAX we offer a property management team who can completely run the properties, field the tenants and help you with the entire management. They merely send you a check. It is truly a BREEZE when you use RE/MAX Property Management.
I need to get a great deal and a discounted price in order to buy a rental home. It is really important all buyers realize that as long as our inventory stays so low, there will be very few homes priced at a “good deal.” It truly doesn’t mean they are a bad investment. Most rentals create return on investment while owning them. More importantly, the value will rise as inflation rise allowing you to offload them at hopefully a much higher price.
I can’t get a loan for a rental investment. Although rental investments do work differently in the lending world, many investors get loans for investment properties. I am happy to have you discuss this further with a preferred lender to decide if you qualify for an investment loan for a rental property.
Ok so I can get a loan, Can I get one with no money down? Unlike traditional first mortgages where the home is your primary residence, investment loans work a little differently. Usually speaking a lender would want a down payment on an investment property. Many buyers can get into a home now, with only closing costs and very little to no down payment, but this is usually true only for primary residents, not investment loans. It is always in your best interest to dig deeper with a preferred lender to discuss all your options, but be ready to have a little cash to put down. Remember, it’s an INVESTMENT so the hope is you get that money and then some back when you sell.
Check out my other blog post for more details and additional ways to hedge against inflation, and let us know if you’re ready to make a real estate investment.
As always it is a joy and a pleasure to help you with any real estate needs. Let me help you “Love Where You Live”.
The annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.5%—the highest it has been since 1982.1It doesn’t matter if you’re a cashier, lawyer, plumber, or retiree; if you spend U.S. dollars, inflation impacts you.
Economists expect the effects of inflation, like a higher cost of goods, to continue.2 Luckily, an investment in real estate can ease some of the financial strain.
Here’s what you need to know about inflation, how it impacts you, and how an investment in real estate canhelp.
WHAT IS INFLATION AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT ME?
Inflation is a decline in the value of money. When the rate of inflation rises, prices for goods and services go up. Therefore, a dollar buys you a little bit less with every passing day.
The consumer price index, or CPI, is a standard measure of inflation. Based on the latest CPI data, prices increased 7.5% from January 2021 to January 2022.1 A little bit of inflation is considered healthy for the economy, but 7.5% in a single year is high.
How does inflation affect your life? Here are a few of the negative impacts:
Decreased Purchasing Power
We touched on this already, but as prices rise, your dollar won’t stretch as far as it used to. That means you’ll be able to purchase fewer goods and services with a limited budget.
Increased Borrowing Costs
In an effort to curb inflation, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise the federal funds rate. Therefore, consumers are likely to pay a higher interest rate on new mortgages, car loans, and variable-rate credit cards.3
Lower Standard of Living
Wage growth tends to lag behind price increases. According to Moody Analytics, when adjusted for inflation, average weekly earnings in January were down 3.1% from a year earlier.4 As such, life is becoming less affordable for everyone. Inflation can force those on a fixed income, like retirees, to make lifestyle changes and prioritize essentials.
Eroded Savings
If you store all your savings in a bank account, inflation is even more damaging. As of February 2022, the national average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06%, not nearly enough to keep up with inflation. And economists don’t expect that rate to go much higher.3
One of the best ways to mitigate these effects is to find a place to invest your money other than the bank. Even though interest rates are expected to rise, they’re unlikely to get high enough to beat inflation. If you hoard cash, the value of your money will decrease every year and more rapidly in years with elevated inflation.
REAL ESTATE: A PROVEN HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION
So where is a good place to invest your money to protect (hedge) against the impacts of inflation? There are several investment vehicles that financial advisors traditionally recommend, including:
Stocks
Some people invest in stocks as their primary inflation hedge. However, the stock market can become volatile during inflationary times, as we’ve seen in recent months.5
Commodities
Commodities are tangible assets, like oil, livestock, and minerals. The theory is that the price of commodities should climb alongside inflation. But the classic choice–gold–hasn’t risen consistently during periods of inflation since the 1970s, according to data from Morningstar Direct.6
Inflation-Indexed Bonds
Treasury inflation-protected securities, or TIPS, are U.S. government-issued bonds that are indexed to the inflation rate. Bonds are considered low risk, but the returns they offer are generally low, as well.7
Real Estate Real estate prices across the board tend to rise along with inflation and often rise faster than inflation.8 That’s one of the reasons demand for real estate is soaring right now.9
We believe real estate is the best hedge against inflation. Owning real estate does more than protect your wealth—it can actually make you money. For example, home prices rose nearly 17% from 2020 to 2021, 10% ahead of the 7% inflation that occurred in the same timeframe.10
Plus, certain types of real estate investments can help you generate a stream of passive income. In the past year, property owners didn’t just avoid the erosion of purchasing power caused by inflation; they got ahead.
TYPES OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
Though there are myriad ways to invest in real estate, there are three basic investment types that we recommend for beginner and intermediate investors. Remember that we can help you determine which options are best for your financial goals and budget.
Primary Residence
If you own your home, you’re already ahead. The advantages of homeownership become even more apparent in inflationary times. As inflation raises prices throughout the economy, the value of your home is likely to go up concurrently. At the same time, you’ve locked in a set mortgage payment for the next 30 years, so you’ll be immune to rising rental costs.
If you don’t already own your primary residence, homeownership is a worthwhile goal to pursue.
Though the task of saving enough for a down payment may seem daunting, there are several strategies that can make homeownership easier to achieve. If you’re not sure how to get started with the home buying process, contact us. Our team can help you find the strategy and property that fits your needs and budget.
Whether you already own a primary residence or are still renting, now is a good time to also start thinking about an investment property. The types of investment properties you’ll buy as a solo investor generally fall into two categories: long-term rentals and short-term rentals.
Long-Term (Traditional) Rentals
A long-term or traditional rental is a dwelling that’s leased out for an extended period. An example of this is a single-family home where a tenant signs a one-year lease and brings all their own furniture.
Long-term rentals are a form of housing. For most tenants, the rental serves as their primary residence, which means it’s a necessary expense. This unique quality of long-term rentals can help to provide stable returns in uncertain times, especially when we have high inflation.
To invest in a long-term rental, you’ll need to budget for maintenance, repairs, property taxes, and insurance. You’ll also need to have a plan for managing the property. But a well-chosen investment property should pay for itself through rental income, and you’ll benefit from appreciation as the property rises in value.
We can help you find an ideal long-term rental property to suit your budget and investment goals. Reach out to talk about your needs and our local market opportunities.
Short-Term (Vacation) Rentals
Short-term or vacation rentals function more like hotels in that they offer temporary accommodations. A short-term rental is defined as a residential dwelling that is rented for 30 days or less. The furniture and other amenities are provided by the property owner, and today many short-term rentals are listed on websites like Airbnb and Vrbo.
A short-term rental can potentially earn you a higher return than a long-term rental, but this comes at the cost of daily, hands-on management. With a short-term rental, you’re not just entering the real estate business; you’re entering the hospitality business, too.
Done right, short-term rentals can be both a hedge against inflation and a profitable source of income. As a bonus, when the home isn’t being rented you have an affordable vacation spot for yourself and your family!
Contact us today if you’re interested in exploring options in either the long-term or short-term rental market. Mortgage rates are expected to rise, so you’ll want to act fast to maximize your investment return.
WE’RE INVESTED IN HELPING YOU
Inflation is a fact of life in the U.S. economy. Luckily, you can prepare for inflation with a carefully managed investment portfolio that includes real estate. Owning a primary residence or investing in a short-term or long-term rental will help you both mitigate the effects of inflation and grow your net worth, which makes it a strategic move in our current financial environment.
If you’re ready to invest in real estate to build wealth and protect yourself from rising inflation, contact us.Our team can help you find a primary residence or investment property that meets your financial goals.
The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.
There’s a lot to consider when selling your home, from the market and appraisals to where you’ll go next. Don’t forget, however, that design is also a key factor. It’s often one of the first things buyers notice when they walk into a home, and it’s also a detail that you, as a seller, can easily control.
According to Realtor.com’s 2022 housing market forecast, home for-sale inventory will increase from last year, as will the projected number of overall sales.1 This means, if you’re looking to sell in the near future, now is the time to consider how you can stand out.
Updating your home design is one way to do that. Changes like new security features or upgraded siding can add value to your home now and be highlighted when you market it for sale later. To get the most out of your updates, focus on these popular home design features that will wow buyers in 2022.
Keep in mind, not all of these will work well in every house. If you plan to buy, list, or renovate a property, give us a call. We can help you realize your vision and maximize the impact of your investment.
Eco-Friendly Fixtures
Millennials account for the largest share of current homebuyers, according to the National Association of Realtors.2Sustainable living tops the list of priorities for this generation. A recent Deloitte survey found that nearly one-third of millennials initiate or deepen their consumer investment in products or services that help the environment—this also includes the houses they choose to live in.3
Here are a few eco-friendly design features that will be attractive to these millennial buyers in 2022. Bonus, they can net a significant return on investment (ROI) for you, as a seller, too.
Energy-Efficient Windows: Heat gain or loss from low-performance windows drives 25–30 percent of home heating and cooling costs, according to Energy.gov.4 Therefore, energy-efficient windows can help homeowners save money.
Low-Flow Water Fixtures: According to the EPA, replacing your shower head with one that’s labeled with WaterSense can save four gallons of water with each shower.5 Doing the same with your faucet can save 700 gallons per year. This leads to cost savings and environmental support.
Native Landscaping: According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, 58 percent of members report increased client demand for native trees and plants as a means to combat biodiversity loss from climate change..6 Enhance the eco-friendly appeal of your home with some native plants in the front yard.
Wellness Retreat Nooks
The pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health. For example, in an effort to prioritize mental health, many people are relocating to quieter, more peaceful homes, with 22 percent of city dwellers planning a move to less congested residential areas, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute’s (HIRI) 2021 Insights Summit.7
However, no matter where you live, you can still intrigue buyers by jumping on this trend. At-home wellness amenities, which were once viewed as luxuries, are now on many homeowners’ must-have lists. Indoor spaces that function as a retreat for wellness and self-care have become extremely popular, according to HIRI.
Improve your quality of life in your home with reading nooks, spa-inspired bathrooms, and exercise or meditation spaces. Even if your house doesn’t have the square footage to section off an entire room for relaxation, making simple tweaks to natural light, air purifiers, and indoor plants can help you feel better in your home now while enabling future buyers to see the opportunity for their own space.
Calming Paint Colors
Paint colors that produce a calming atmosphere will also be a key selling point in 2022. Soft earth tones and natural hues will prevail this year, including various shades of blue, green, brown, and beige. Recent research suggests steering clear of trendy paint colors in favor of a more classic palette to bring the feel of nature indoors in a subtle and soothing way.8
In fact, the same research found that buyers are often willing to pay an extra $4,698 for a house with a light blue bathroom or an extra $1,491 for a house with a dark blue bedroom. Another crowd-pleasing hue to refresh the walls with is BEHR’s 2022 paint color of the year, known as Breezeway.9
This shade of green with silver undertones was created to mimic sea glass. As the BEHR website describes it, Breezeway “evokes feelings of coolness and peace, while representing a desire to move forward and discover newfound passions.”
Home Safety Features
Buyers want peace of mind more now than ever before. According to a 2021 survey from the American Institute of Architects, members report seeing an increase in the popularity of these home safety features10:
● Emergency backup power generation
● Accommodations for multiple generations
● Wider accessible doorways and hallways
● Home security monitoring equipment
● Interior ramps and home elevator features
Consider how you can build home safety features like these into the design of your home to enhance your quality of life now and attract more buyers later. For example, you could install a backup generator in the garage and sell it with the house or update your major doorways to be wider.
Before making an investment in expensive home safety upgrades, contact us. We can help you determine what will deliver the greatest ROI for your location and goals.
Designated Work Spaces
It may come as no surprise that after the pandemic, 63 percent of homebuyers want their next house to feature room for a designated office, according to the National Association of Home Builders.11 In addition, 70 percent of these buyers want the office to be at least 100 square feet (or a 10×10 room).
If you can, consider turning a bedroom or a den into a work-from-home office. When designing the space, make it both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Position a desk near the window for natural light, install a bookshelf unit, arrange a few succulents on the work surface, and hang a few framed posters or a cork bulletin board on the wall. You want the space to foster productivity as well as be a place in your home you enjoy spending time.
When you get ready to sell, we can help you highlight your designated work space. Given the high demand for this design feature, it can help you interest more buyers and attract more competitive offers—if marketed creatively.
Luxury Kitchen Retouches
The kitchen has always been a main focal point of interior design, and that’s no different in 2022. Families will always need this space to come together in their own homes.
This year’s buyers want a kitchen with new upgrades and retouches, but you don’t have to renovate the entire kitchen to make an impact. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips on how to create a kitchen that buyers will love without spending too much money on renovations:
Repaint the kitchen, keeping the calm and nature-inspired colors in mind that are most popular right now. Taking a kitchen from dark to light by painting cabinets and walls can make all the difference.
Update the hardware. These kitchen “accessories” stand out and add personality to an otherwise standard kitchen.
Update light fixtures to bring in more light while also adding a fresh look and feel to the space.
Unique Accent Walls
In a recent interview with the National Association of Realtors, Brian Santos, the director of education for Fresh Coat Painters, explains that bold, unique accent walls are trendy right now.12 An accent wall gives a home character while maintaining the calming feel of natural- and neutral-colored walls.
Santos also explains that this is part of a design aesthetic that draws inspiration from the Roaring Twenties, and it’s likely to remain a sought-after home feature in 2022. Here are some bold colors to consider for your home’s accent walls:
Solid black
Jewel or metallic tones
Textured wallpaper
Painted ceilings
Built-in shelves
If you’re planning to sell in the next year, talk to us before adding an accent wall. Depending on your target buyer, it may be a design feature that actually hurts your home’s value. We can run a free Comparative Market Analysis on your home to help you understand what would resell best in your neighborhood.
Exterior Siding Updates
A new exterior siding refresh is one of the most affordable renovation projects you can do to help increase a home’s resale value. The average cost is just $12 per square foot, but higher-end material options can push costs closer to $50 per square foot.13 What’s more, there are many siding materials available, from fiber-cement, brick, and wood to vinyl, metal, and stone.
While all these options can infuse the exterior with character and add curb appeal, fiber-cement and vinyl deliver the highest ROI. In fact, according to a 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, a vinyl siding replacement can boost resale value by $11,315 (68.3 percent cost recoup), and a fiber-cement siding replacement can boost resale value by $13,618 (69.4 percent cost recoup).14
Give your home this simple, affordable, and attractive facelift before putting it on the market. If you’re not sure how to get started yourself, our team can connect you with a trusted vendor to guide you through the process.
Keep These Home Design Features on Your Radar in 2022
These design features can infuse personality into your home while helping to close the deal if you plan to sell in 2022. The average buyer knows just what they’re looking for in a space they plan to call home, so with some investment and foresight, you can give your house an edge over the competition—and boost resale value in the process.
However, you don’t need to make all these changes to attract more buyers. We can help you determine which design features you should add to your home by sharing insights and tips on how to maximize the return on your investment. We can also run a Comparative Market Analysis on your home to find out how it compares to others in the area, which will help us decide what changes need to be made. Contact us to schedule a free consultation!
Being a proactive person is in my blood; it’s truly in my DNA. I will never forget when my father ran for office in 2001. It was my first year of college, I had recently started seriously dating my now husband and our whole family decided to campaign for my Dad. Robert and I drove into New Iberia, LA from LSU to help. My mom was organized, she had a plan, she had people, she had orchestrated a crew to help reach as many as possible. My Mom loved my Dad so dearly, she just knew he was gonna win come hell or high water. My mom is energetic, outgoing and NEVER meets a stranger so she was gonna be sure EVERYONE knew our family and knew why my Dad was the clear choice. My mother was the definition of PROACTIVE. Her friends call her the energizer bunny because she constantly has a plan, a process and is so proactive in every part of her life. Of course, later that year, my Dad did win and was formally elected. YAY MOM! Many will still tell you today that Ginger (my mom) is the one who made it happen. I may have inherited my negotiation skills from Dad, but my PROACTIVE character is definitely my mother’s innate trait. From her I have learned so very much about volunteerism, leading in both community, church and work and mothering in the most nurturing of ways.
Another thought that resonated with me when thinking about Proactive actions was baseball. We have been spending so much time at Ford Park and baseball games lately, no wonder it’s on my mind. When making a baseball play, you must be proactive. You’ve got to know what you are gonna do when the ball is hit way before reacting to the hit. It’s the same with real estate. Often times, my clients and I have a plan of action way before the event happens. This is the sign of a proactive agent.
I try my very best with each transaction to proactively prepare both buyers and sellers for what’s to come throughout the process. The road in a real estate transaction can go many ways. It gets most tricky in these challenging seller’s markets where sellers may not know how to handle multiple offers. Or better yet, they may not know what to do next once the offer is agreed upon. I will educate you throughout the process on the different types of loans, why one offer is superior to another and any pitfalls that can occur throughout the process. I truly feel like the most important hat I wear is being proactively in front of the transaction and not reacting when things occur but having a plan throughout.
As a buyer, it is important to have an agent who is proactive because you want someone who knows this market backwards and forwards to compete on your behalf. It is much easier to write a competitive offer when you know who you are competing against and you can help your buyers best attributes shine in the transaction. I feel that I am very good at this. I am always educating buyers on the way their offer can be the most competitive one and they quickly become the most attractive offer to WIN the best deals.
No matter the changes in the market, it is always better to be PROACTIVE vs. REACTIVE. This is true in life too. Being prepared with your best foot forward and keeping control in the situation is truly your BEST ASSET. It applies at work, in parenting and in relationships.
As always it is a joy and a pleasure to help you with any real estate needs. Let me help you “Love Where You Live”.
After looking up the definition to the word professional this week for inspiration several adjectives appeared including skilled, experienced, and integrity. All of these adjectives come very easily for me to exhibit when working daily in my business. I can truly attribute these great professional traits to my humble and hardworking parents who were such wonderful examples daily of why becoming skilled in your profession was so important. My mother is retired now from 33 years of teaching. There is no one more skilled in life, kids and all things education than a retired teacher. My father is a district court judge in Louisiana who I still witness constantly educating and keeping himself up to date on the changes in Louisiana law. His law background highly influenced my interest in all things real estate related. Growing up I can remember my Dad as a young assistant district attorney working on a large murder trial. He was the prosecutor. I remember my parents allowing me to miss school that day to go watch his closing argument. I still attribute his tactful negotiation skills to my reason for being a bold and brave negotiator for my clients. I’ve always enjoyed negotiating. I’m sure this quality wasn’t fun for my parents when I was the child they were trying to lead.
It has always been a high priority to me to be seen as not only a good mother and wife, but a true professional. I truly want my clients to feel like their needs come before mine and I will always act on behalf of them in the utmost integrity. When I work with you to find a home, there is a lot of initial questions and discovery that occurs and it truly helps me to manage time for both of us by pinpointing exactly how I can satisfy your overall goal. Meeting your goal and having a happy buyer is truly my first priority. When selling your home, it’s equally important that we ensure I know the whole picture and this too entails many questions. In addition, we compile a checklist of task we each want to complete to work cohesively to get the home sold for top dollar. Lastly when we work together, you can rest assured I will confidently represent you in the most professional manner possible.
As always it is a joy and a pleasure to help you with any real estate needs. Let me help you “Love Where You Live”.
Being proficient in your chosen profession is an asset to having a great experience. It works the same in real estate. Becoming a licensed agent is merely the basic education you need to hold a license in the state you work in. For me, that’s truly only the beginning. When I work with clients, they are always surprised when I share that I actually have a 4 year college degree from Louisiana State University (Geaux 🐯). My degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts focusing on Photography. Having a visual background in photography is an asset when showing your home in the very best light. In addition, I have 15 years of sales experience in corporation so this truly sets me apart in my experience from others.
Experience is very important in this business. Each transaction is very different and you truly do learn through each transaction. Having closed over 200 homes, I truly feel that it is equally important that you have the right education to help you understand the best processes and procedures. Recently, I had the privilege to finish with the GRI designation. This designation is 3 classes with each class being 4 days. This is a total of almost 90 hours of classes. The Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) symbol is the mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation. Roughly about 15% of realtors hold this designation. It is truly a sign of superiority.
Below I have provided you with some optimal questions you should consider before hiring a proficient realtor. When I meet with my clients, all of these topics are typically covered. It is truly my pleasure and privilege to help you find a home and “Love Where You Live”.
Five New Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent
A qualified real estate agent can streamline the homebuying and selling process, help you avoid costly mistakes and serve as a liaison with your best interests in mind. But how do you find the right agent?
Here are five critical questions to ask when you’re interviewing agents 1. How many buyers or sellers have you helped in the past year? A productive agent is more likely to be up-to-date on the market. Furthermore, an active agent with experience in your neighborhood, or the neighborhood where you’d like to move, is better positioned to help you.
2. Will you be representing me from beginning to end? In this real estate market, you need to move fast and you need an agent who is focused on you, not just opening doors and writing contracts. Look for a full-service agent who will help you identify properties, schedule showings and walk you through the home and help you negotiate.
3. How will you help conserve my time and make the most of my investment? Plenty of online services claim you can save money and time by completing the process without a real estate agent. But as many clients discover, the savings don’t always come through as promised. In fact, going through this complex process without professional guidance can lead to costly problems later. If you work with an agent, you’ll have a representative who’s in touch with the local market and can lend a helping hand every step of the way. Their expertise can help you find that perfect house and help you craft the right strategy for your offer.
4. What technology do you have that will help me find the right home? Technology coupled with experience makes a great team. In 2017, 42 percent of recent buyers began their home search online. The ability to be alerted of new listings, research school districts and even take virtual tours is important to home buyers but real estate agents can offer a wider range of details about a house than a website can. Does the home back up to a busy street? Why was the price adjusted on the home? Why was a home that was sold recently come back on the market? Using both technology and an experienced real estate agent can help you find the perfect home.
5. How often will I hear from you? Make sure the communication plan aligns with your expectations. For buyers: Do you just want to hear when there’s a new home that may interest you? Do you want regular check-in calls or emails too? For sellers: Do you want to hear from your agent only after a buyer has toured your home, or do you want to be kept in the loop on a weekly basis?
What questions do you have for me? I would love to work with you during your next homebuying or selling experience.
Having a positive attitude in life can truly change the trajectory of all sorts of outcomes. I have always been a believer that God has everything under control, even when things are hectic, confusing, appear grim or even impossible. I have also always been a believer of putting positivity out there so that positivity comes back around to you.
In a challenging real estate market like the one we’ve all been experiencing these last couple of years, sometimes it can be difficult to remain positive under pressure or when things get difficult. In my opinion, this is where mindset matters the most, and it can be the singular thing that makes the biggest difference overall in order to keep the transaction together for the client. I make it my main goal to maintain an encouraging, positive, and optimistic attitude from start to finish with my clients and colleagues alike.
As you proceed about your day, I sincerely hope you find something positive to focus on. Try to stop the negative thoughts in your head and take control and focus on the happy positive parts of your life that are truly life giving!
There are so many wonderful memories that I have of Easter-time. Of course spending time with my family is by far the very most special time I love the most. This year while we are on quarantine it is hard not to think about the wonderful times and things we did with my family during Easter. It is easy to long having my extended family here, so above I included photos of some of my more recent memorable Easters (with family) and this years (less eventful) Easter. I choose to focus on the things we did together as a family and take the extra time to do them with my children. I have included below links to all the amazing things we did as a family and will try my best to include on social media and on my blog, photos of my kids and I recreating these awesome memories we did during Easter-time while I was growing up.
Use these ideas to help keep your kids and families occupied during Easter (or during quarantine). Don’t worry that Jesus has already Risen and the holi”day” has passed, instead, continue celebrating the fact that Jesus lives in us daily and spring is here and we are going to enjoy it EVERY SINGLE DAY!
We love scavenger hunts. As kids, we have always had our Godparents create a scavenger hunt for us to search down our Easter gift. Growing up we did this at my grandparents home out in the country (Estherwood, LA) and I cannot count the amount of times the older children would have to wrasse a horse, or cow to get a clue. Or sometimes it was swim to the center of the pond or pool to get the clue. Remember, Easter isn’t always hot water yet, therefore the pools and ponds could be freezing most times. It was a memory that is cherished the very most. Here are a few ideas for treasure hunts or scavenger hunts. But honestly, we made up clues and just had kids running from one person to the other. We included age appropriate things like do a rollover for Aunt Lindsey, or sing happy easter to Maw Maw. We also made the kids say prayers they knew and raps or songs they loved. The more personalized it was the better. https://images.app.goo.gl/cPFrR9ViN27RvS2T6https://i.pinimg.com/originals/57/cb/1a/57cb1a228ec82fa631233fe1a930e8a2.jpg
Remember, Easter Sunday is only the beginning of the celebration of Easter. So here’s to hoping we can carry Easter spirits and season year round.
Ashley Hurlburt Beaumont, TX Realtor RE/MAX ONE 
