8 Tips for Moving with a Baby

Moving is one of those things that will happen a few times in your life. Moving with babies is something that can give you grey hair unless you get prepared and follow these 8 tips!

1. Get organized! Have a calendar specifically for a moving agenda. This will include everything from when you are planning to pack, to when you need to hire babysitters.
2. Plan ahead! This tip encompasses all of the tips. Planning ahead is vital to a lower-stress move with the baby.
3. Plan for food. Moving day can be very hectic. You are going all day, doing high-energy work. Make sure you have fuel to keep you going. Have healthy, protein-filled snacks and meals prepared ahead of time. Limit the caffeine drinks, and have plenty of water on hand.
4. Pack a baby suitcase. In the rush of the move, you might misplace some essential items. To prevent this, prepare a special suitcase for the baby. A few days worth of clothes and essentials, and some extra toys in case you can’t find what you need right away.
5. Change your address. This is something that is always an afterthought. Changing your address can be done easily at https://www.usps.com/.
6. Hire a babysitter! I cannot stress this enough. Recruit friends and family if a babysitter is out of your budget, but you need time to pack, move, and unpack without the baby.
7. Label, label, label! When you are packing, make sure you label the boxes well. If you are really organized, you can even do an inventory and list for the box’s contents. If not, you can just label them with the room they need to go to. Always label your necessities with “Open First” so you aren’t searching everywhere for that shower curtain you know you have.
8. Purge! There is no better time than during a move to purge. Babies grow so fast that they grow out of their toys fast too. Get rid of things that haven’t been played with recently. It is a good time to purge household items too!

Moving with a baby can be hard, but these tips will keep you sane! Join our Facebook Group: New Dads United to tell us your ideas!

Top 5 Indoor Activities for Kids Around Hunt Valley

The weather might warm up for a few days, but more cold, wet weather is on the way! If you are getting cabin fever, here are the top 5 places to take your kids when you need to get out of the house!

1. Kiddie Crusoe Family Fun and Birthday Party Center in Timonium. 12,000 square feet of fun! There are inflatables, art and sand room, play buildings, and a huge indoor playset! It is fun for all.

2. The Ultimate Playzone of Cockeysville includes 6 inflatables, 2 fun wonder centers, and free play areas!

3. Red Zone Adventures in Timonium. Plenty of fun for everyone! There is laser tag, laser maze challenge, basement game room, lightspace play floor, arcade games, and concessions!

4. Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore. Enjoy 3 stories of interactive activities. There are toddler areas, a treehouse, wonders of water section, kick it up section, and more! Learn and play!

5. Maryland Science Center in Baltimore is a great place to learn. Science exhibits, programs, events, IMAX, mysteries, and more!

Do you have a favorite place to take the kids? Join my Facebook page Sparks to Towson and give your feedback!

Ian Lobas of The Lobas Group of Keller Williams Excellence.

2331 York Rd. Timonium, MD 21093.

410-560-5858 Brokerage

443-219-7059          

What Does a Realtor® Do to Earn Their Commission?

If you are a first-time homebuyer, or an experienced one, you are wondering why you should get a Realtor® and what they really do to earn their commission. There are many things that a Realtor can do that you cannot.

Realtors® work on and off the clock, sometimes 7 days a week! This is a full-time, high-energy, demanding job that is not for the faint-hearted! The infographic shows a variety of different things that a Realtor® does daily. There are many, many more things that go into this job.

Marketing isn’t just putting your home on the MLS. It includes sending out any mailings, creating ads, putting your home out there for everybody to see. These are expenses that the home seller doesn’t see.

The expenses that a Realtor® has are more than you think. Multiple different types of fees, insurances, taxes, continuing education costs, marketing costs, salaries, photographers, lockboxes, supplies, and salaries are just a few. At the end of the day, a Realtor® might take home half of their commission.

Realtors® work hard to make sure your home transaction goes smoothly. If you still aren’t convinced, call me and I can tell you what I can do for you! We at The Lobas Group are here to help you with your real estate needs! If you are unsure what your options are, call me, Ian Lobas at (410) 560-5858 or email me at listwithian@gmail.com. You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

Ian Lobas of The Lobas Group of Keller Williams Excellence.

2331 York Rd. Timonium, MD 21093.

410-560-5858 Brokerage

443-219-7059         

Kids and Money

Money is one of those subjects that seems to get set aside to teach later, but money should be something taught starting young. Creating and understanding good money habits is very important in life, and this starts at home.

You can start as early as you want. Start them with piggy banks and encourage them to put any money they get into it. Once that is a habit, add a second piggy bank for just savings. When your child gets any money for chores or gifts, half should go into savings, half for spending. Once they get a little older you can add a third piggy bank for giving. Once they have enough to start a bank account, usually as low as $25, open one and have them deposit their money. Continue to do this monthly to get into a good habit of saving and putting it in the bank.

At New Dads United, being a good example means a lot. Take your kids to the bank with you to show them how you deposit money. Let them watch you do the bills so they understand that money isn’t disappearing into the bank. When you go shopping, point out price tags and show them receipts. These little things go a long way to helping them understand the real value of money.

Is there something that your child has been wanting, like a new scooter? Make a simple graph and chart their savings progress. Once they have enough to purchase it, pull their money out of the piggy bank and go shopping! Their pride of buying it themselves and handing the money over in exchange is truly priceless!

Learning about money is a lifelong journey. Start your kids young, so when they have to earn their way, they know the value of it. Join our Facebook Group: New Dads United to tell your ideas!

Avalon in Hunt Valley

If you live near or in Hunt Valley, you can’t miss the construction project going on at Hunt Valley Towne Centre. Luxury apartments are coming, and they will be in high demand!

AvalonBay is building a 5-story apartment building with 332 units at Towne Centre! This project is expected to be completed this summer and include many desirable features.

Avalon Hunt Valley describes the apartments as “Living Your Style”. The apartments are conveniently located at Towne Centre, and close to everything you need! There will be available studios and one, two, and three bedroom apartments. They feature stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and endless amenities. Do you like to work out? There will be a state-of-the-art fitness center. You will also have access to a nice pool and grilling stations throughout the landscaped courtyards.

If you are looking for more information on the new Avalon Hunt Valley Apartments, contact me, I am here to help!

Ian Lobas of The Lobas Group of Keller Williams Excellence.

2331 York Rd. Timonium, MD 21093.

410-560-5858 Brokerage

443-219-7059