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Home with Heart
The Season for Seniors: Trading Isolation for Celebration
by Billy Kornfeld
A busy time of year is coming upon us. Between shopping, travel and holiday celebrations, the next few months will fly right by.

With all this bustling about, we may miss out on a real opportunity for giving: reaching out to and including an older individual who may be without family members or just wants to be included in some festive fun.

According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, about one-third of people over 65 live alone. While people of all ages enjoy their space and solitude to a certain degree, being alone during the holidays is a different matter. With the emphasis on gathering together with family and friends during the holidays, solitude can turn into loneliness. And when those feelings are compounded by other factors, a deep depression can set in.

Do you have seniors in your life? Whether they are neighbors, friends or your own relatives, this season is a great time of year to consider what you can do for them. Perhaps you can include them in some of your seasonal traditions. They may enjoy going to church or community activities. Invite them to the movies or to local performances with your family. Ask them to help you make a favorite recipe or invite them over for some seasonal crafts. You could help them decorate their home as well as make, buy and wrap gifts. Whatever you offer, the relationship you establish is a gift that keeps on giving.

Billy Kornfeld is the owner of Camelot Moving & Storage, a family-owned business serving the families of Santa Clarita for over 30 years. 255-3112

Holiday Movie Night
It's a wonderful time of year to gather and enjoy each other's company. National Property Management Group staff came up with a fun event that you and your board can put on for your HOA this holiday season.

Hosting a holiday movie night is a great way to bring a community together for some family fun and entertainment. Everything from the snacks to the movie will get you in the holiday spirit! Movies like "Christmas Vacation," "Elf," "Home Alone" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" are great options to set the tone for the holidays. Top the movie off with some snacks and beverages to give you that warm, cozy feeling. Hot cocoa or hot cider will keep you warm - and don't forget the popcorn! This event might also be the perfect time to talk to that very merry neighbor who leaves their decorations up all year long. NPMG can assist your board in events like these and others.
National Property Management Group 295-5966

The Secret Benefits of Truly Trusting your Realtor
by Kathy Watterson
I'm not what one would call a philosopher - I prefer to spend my mental exercises on pragmatic things most of the time. But lately, I have been thinking a lot about how "trust" has impacted my real estate business. Maybe it's because the last handful of reviews on sites like Yelp and Zillow included the word to describe my relationship with my clients, or perhaps it's because in today's often-cynical society, trust is harder and harder to come by.

For whatever reason, "trust" has been on my mind lately - as well as how it impacts my business. So, I asked my team: How does "trust" play a role in how we serve our home buying and selling clients?

What they said really rung true to me:
"A lot of times, clients tell me that they trust us so much, they sleep better at night knowing that we've got everything handled. Trusting us means more sleep and less worry for them!"
"Recently, a client was given a very-early offer for lower than what we thought we could get for that home. The client was seriously considering the offer, but because they trusted us, they agreed that we should hold out for something better. Just two days later, we got an offer at asking price and our client pocketed a substantial amount more than they would have, had they taken Offer #1. Trust meant that they could afford a bigger, better home for their family."

"I love when people say, 'I trust you!' because I know we've earned that trust. I know we save our clients a lot of time with referrals - they don't have to search high and low for the best. We already have relationships with the best! Our clients know that, too - so they trust our referral, get great service and save time and frustration."

Your Realtor, in many ways, has your whole world in their hands during the buying and selling process. Choose one you trust!
Kathy Watterson - RE/MAX Santa Clarita 284-5066