The BELL Home Team is partnering with Farm Swarming to provide four lucky Central New York families with a $50 gift card. Farm Swarming was created during the shutdown last March as a way to provide local families with fresh produce and support local farms in the process. They go straight to local farms to pick up produce weekly and deliver right to your door for a sustainable #FarmToFridgeFresh experience.  
To be entered for a chance to win, head on over to our Facebook page @BellHomeTeam. Simply like and share the post and we will choose the winners on Friday, March 12th. ...

In today’s housing market, there are clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity, the chance to build your net worth, and appreciating home values, just to name a few. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings.
You Won’t Always Have a Monthly Housing Payment
Personal finance advisor Dave Ramsey explains:
“Every payment brings you closer to owning the house. When you pay your rent, that money is spent. Gone. Bye. Not returning. But when you pay your mortgage, you work toward full ownership.”
As a homeowner, you can eventually eliminate the monthly payment you make on your house. That’s a huge win and a big factor in how homeownership can drive stability and savings in s ...

Your moving day is set and it’s time to start preparing. As you’re making your lists and checking them twice, don’t forget to factor in your furry friends. Here are some tips for making sure the process goes smoothly.



Medical records. When moving to a different city or state, one of the main things you need to take into consideration is finding a new veterinarian that is the right fit for you and your pet. If you have family or friends in the area ask for recommendations or do your own research by reading reviews and news articles. Once you find one, contact your current vet to initiate a transfer of medical records. Then schedule a “get to know you” appointment shortly after your move.

Transportation. Whether it’s a short drive or a long plane ride, you pet will likely need to be put into a carrier. For most pets, this is a foreign concept and they require time to get comfortable with it. Start acclimating your pet as early as possible an; ...

Grab a paintbrush and roll up your sleeves – doing home improvement projects with kids just got a little easier. Dealing with dust and contractors and managing the stress of renovation can be rough on you and your family. When it comes to projects for kids, you want hassle-free home renovations without the 85-step instruction manual.
Before you begin your home improvement projects, put a plan in place for your kids. Remodeling your kitchen by installing those updated cabinets might increase your equity, but completing home renovation with children around can prove challenging. Whenever possible, schedule your home improvements during months when kids are in school or daycare or plan a family retreat while contractors get to work. Safety is paramount, so make sure to communicate with contractors about keeping harmful chemicals and tools out of your little one's reach. And to curb curious explorers, talk with your kids about where they can play and which areas are off-limits. Withm ...

Whether you work full-time at home or occasionally need to conduct business in the evenings or on the weekends, a home office a great way to utilize an extra room. A dedicated workspace in your home can be designed to increase productivity and comfort. Here are 5 ideas to get you started.

Invest in a good office chair. Investing in an ergonomic office chair is essential. You may be spending anywhere from 30 to 50 hours a week sitting in it, so your back will thank you. Purchasing one with multiple adjustments is ideal so it fits you just right.
Switch up your lighting. Fluorescent lighting has been proven to be hard on the eyes. Make the switch to LED or halogen light bulbs in your home office and try to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, consider finding a desk lamp to reduce headaches and eye strain.
Keep essentials in reach and organized. Nothing says productivity like a clean, neat workspace. Select a desk with a lot of storage or install creative shelving to keep ...