Making Moving a Little Easier On The Young Ones

THANKS TO WALLY TINGLY AT CHICAGO TITLE FOR THIS POST! Moving can be an exciting time in any family's life, but it can also be a time of worry and uncertainty for the smallest members of your clan. To make the transition a bit easier on everyone, here are a few popular children's books to read with your little ones.

The Berenstain Bears series has a book entitled, "Moving Day" (Random House). This book follows the Bears as they make a move to a home with better soil for their farm. Children may have a hard time understanding where their toys are going, and if they'll ever see them again. As parents, it's a hard, but important job to make the transition of moving easy. These books may help to open a dialogue with young children. To open up conversation, consider "Moving House" by Anne Civardi (Usborne Books). One parental review says, "This book is great to make moving to a new house, school, or city easier. It isn't one that we read again and again, but it did give a great opening for conversations of topics related to the move." Another preschool geared book is "We're Moving" by Heather Maisner (Kingfisher). Receiving a 5 star review on Amazon.com, "I'm Not Moving, Mama," by Nancy White Carlstrom (Aladdin Publishing), is the story of a little mouse who refuses to leave his room on moving day. And finally, for your own reading, check out Lori Collins Burgan's "Moving with Kids: 25 Ways to Ease Your Family's Transition to a New Home". Library Journal writes of the work, "A no-nonsense, compassionate guide to helping children deal with the stress, trauma, and potential excitement of relocating...there are no other comparable titles in print. Easy to read and eminently useful, this is the ideal parents' helper when faced with a move across town or across the world."

What you don't know...

Today was the last full day of an extended period of uninterrupted days with Jack. 10 days and 9 glorious nights, to be exact. His mom and I have a 50/50 hussle and shuffle schedule otherwise. This week was a real treat.

Anyway, while I was toiling away building a fort in Jack's bedroom today while he supervised and peeled some fruit for us to enjoy... something happened. But I wouldn't have known about it if not for the pure honesty of a 5 year old.

Handing me exactly half of a peeled Clementine orange, "Here you go, Papa."

"MMMMMmmmmm. Thanks, Jack."

"It tastes really good even though I dropped it on the floor, right?"

Laughing, "It sure does!"

It occurred to me a bit later how different my day to day work life would be if I was this totally transparent with people. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm honest and credible. Absolutely. But I'm also diplomatic and careful. You would be AMAZED at how much emotion I filter out of dialog between two negotiating parties, for example. Or how many problems I solve without ever letting my clients know there was one (or a dozen). This is part of my value. I'm a fixer. My job is to get things done.

After doing this as long as I have now, I'm pretty good at predicting how things are going to go. But my clients aren't as practiced. So as they melt down, heat up or outright blow a gasket- my diplomatic, careful side takes over. I believe that ability is a large contributor to how people feel and the great things they have to say at the end of their Real Estate Roller Coaster Ride when they've had me as their trusted carny.

Who's ready to ride?

My City Can Beat Up Your City

Use this handy-dandy reporting tool to compare Austin, TX to other cities you might be considering calling home.

Or, if you already live here, input your less fortunate friends' and families' city of residence for comparison and let the teasing commence.

Just click "View Community Reports" to get started.

RETT TA GO! :: Take a Note From These Sellers

When I turned to the "Preparing Your Home" page of my presentation to these Sellers, I did it with a grain of salt. Wow. This SW AUSTIN home is immaculate and RETT TA GO!

But don't take my word for it. Come see for yourself at an OPEN HOUSE this SUNDAY from 1 - 4 PM.

And considering they manage to keep their house looking this way with 3 young children hidden quietly away somewhere, A.Ma.Zing. But I wasn't surprised; this is my 3rd transaction in as many years with these wonderful people. I'm honored to be rep'ing their home.

COMING SOON :: überCute two/two in HYDE PARK area :: $249k

Get a jump on the competition and schedule a tour with me before it hits the MLS!

• Lee Elementary
• walk to a dozen or more local eateries
• multiple coffee spots
• mere blocks from HEBabe and 24 Hour Fitness UT Edition
• UT shuttle + Metro stops galore

This home is an awesome opportunity to get your toes into the HYDE PARK AREA area at a great price. Email, call or come by my office to see more photos and talk about the special price readers of this blog can claim. That's right, you heard it here. It pays to whittle away your time on the internet!

Open Letter to My Clients

I feel truly honored to have been selected for a role in your life. The trust you placed in me and my company to represent you is very serious to us. The process can be rigorous, but I know you will agree that very few things can compare to the reward of realizing such a momentous goal.

Additionally, the effect of your selection of STRÜB RESIDENTIAL to work with you in this endeavor extends further in support of our ongoing programs for local nonprofits like the Austin Children’s Shelter, Mobile Film School, KUT and other local organizations that share our beliefs and passions.

I'd love to receive feedback about your experience working with myself and STRÜB RESIDENTIAL. Please find a few moments to help us spread the word by submitting a review at YELP.com (search “strub residential”) or via strubresidential.com/contact. You may also follow us on Facebook.com/strubresidential and Twitter.com/strub! But above all of that, there is no greater endorsement I can receive than a referral from you. Repeat and referral business is the foundation of our success. 75% or more of our business is generated in this fashion. This is something we are very proud of.

The mission of STRÜB RESIDENTIAL is to be your real estate resource for life. Our relationship by no means ends with the closing of your purchase. If you have any future questions or concerns, from property value questions to help searching for resources for a repair or upgrade, please remember I am here to help.