Traverse City real Estate Company Blog

Greetings everyone!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and that you find much joy and happiness in the coming year.  The Kudary's are looking forward to our first Christmas at home with our new daughter, Kellan, and the wonderful celebrations with friends and family.  Merry Christmas! 

If you’re like me, packing for trips can be a nightmare, especially around the holidays when trying to get the packages, the treats and the family to the final destination requires a Master’s degree in organization and patience.

Here are a few helpful tips that will hopefully make your packing job a little bit easier:

1. Make a list ahead of time.  This will be important if you end up having to pack at the last minute.  It will also be useful if your luggage gets lost or stolen. 
2. Know the weather forecast forecast for your destination. 
3. Choose pieces of clothing that coordinate well together and take single items that can be used to complete a couple of different outfits.
4. Lay out the items on your list and make sure they are clean and ready to go.
5. Check on what amenities the hotel provides, such as a hair dryer and toiletry items.
6. Purchase travel size toiletries and pack them in a water-tight case.  Don’t fill bottles all the way to the top to allow some room for expansion with air pressure changes.
7. To help prevent wrinkles, fold clothing as neatly as possible for fewer creases.  And folding clothes into each other will help lock them in place in the suitcase.  Rolling clothing also works well to prevent wrinkles.  When you get to your destination, unpack as quickly as possible.
8. Pack tightly and use all available space, including the insides of shoes.
9. Regarding valuables, don’t take what you don’t want to lose and always keep valuable items (including important documents) with you in your carry-on bag.
10. When it’s time to go home, re-pack your luggage just as you did in the beginning.  Balled-up dirty clothing actually takes up more space.
11. And if traveling by air, remember to stay up-to-date on the latest air travel rules and regulations regarding the items you can and cannot bring with you on the plane.

Traverse City Real Estate - Jason Kudary Real Estate

With home heating costs expected to rise on average nearly $100 more than last year, here are some tips to help you heat your home as efficiently as possible...

1.  Be sure to check your filter every month and change it if needed. A filter should be changed every 3 months, regardless of how dirty it appears.

2.  Use a programmable thermostat to automatically regulate the temperature in your home, keeping it lower at night or when you're away.

3.  Seal and insulate the air ducts in the unfinished areas of your home and then in the finished areas where you can access them.

And when using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace or space heater, please remember these safety tips:  Have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned and keep space heaters on level surfaces and away from flammable objects.

Have a safe and warm winter!

Traverse City Real Estate - Jason Kudary Real Estate

August is here and this first weekend brings plenty of great activities in and around the Traverse City area.  Of course the Traverse City Film Festival is in full swing or take a short drive up to Elk Rapids and help celebrate Elk Rapids Harbor Days.  Friday, August 3^rd is Friday Night Live in downtown Traverse City and the Suttons Bay Art Festival is also going on this weekend.  Enjoy!

Governors from across the country are congregating at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa this weekend for the 99^th annual meeting of the National Governors Association.  Items on the agenda include innovation, life-long learning, alternative energy and trade policies.  The conference is a great opportunity to showcase the beautiful area in which we live and hopefully leave them with one of the positive aspects of Michigan.

Century 21 Northland is a progressive real estate brokerage focused on providing exceptional service to our clients through hard work, integrity, innovative technologies and an upbeat, open environment that promotes creative thinking and the best real estate practices. 

We've just finished printing a dynamic new brochure highlighting our Team members and core company values.  If you're interested in learning more about Century 21 Northland, just give me a call and I'll be happy to provide you with a copy.