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Every holiday centers around 2 things; family and food. The 2 things that make us all equal and we can all relate to. We talk about what we will make for weeks ahead of time, making sure to stick to those traditions and recipes that have been in the family forever while throwing in an occasional new one, probably found on Pinterest.

No matter where you decide to gather for your celebrations, the kitchen is where most of the magic will happen. This is the place we cook, create, communicate and we reconnect. More importantly we remember the ones who can’t be with us but how important they still are.

People crave that kind of interaction, especially in this busy world we now find ourselves. They need that place, that feeling of “real”, that center. The kitchen can be that place in most homes.

Whether you are buying or renting, the kitchen is a deciding factor for most people. If it isn’t what you want does it have the potential to be? An easier question to answer if you are buying vs renting granted. But people will give up other “wish list” items for their kitchen. I have yet to hear from anyone, “If I can boil water in it, I’m fine”. It doesn’t matter if it is the first time home buyer, dreaming about that first Thanksgiving dinner they will prepare or the college students I just found a rental for to finish their last year in. The kitchen is HOME.

As you look for that place to call home, what is your kitchen going to be like? Will it be all that you want and still fit into that budget or will it be a vision of the potential you see in an already existing space? Do you need a double oven and/or sink? Do you prefer stainless or color? What will your counter space look like and do you have enough lighting? Because the reality is, our dream home may not have the kitchen we want or can afford……yet.

Don’t close yourself out to a house that you saw on line that is a great price and looks nice except the kitchen. Take a look, get a feel and see what the potential is. I know the idea of doing work on a house before moving in is a lot for many people but, you could be passing up on your dream home and kitchen all for a lack of a little imagination.

I worked inside my home for 3 months before moving in. Taking down wall paper, painting walls and getting the floors taken care of. This was my house and I knew it. The kitchen was huge but in need of major updating. I did what I could afford at the time. You may have that same kitchen. A nice space that has made a lot of meals, desserts and dog biscuits, with a Pinterest board and Houzz.com scrapbook of wish list items of what you want it to be? I’m ok with that.

Whatever your kitchen turns out to be, I know that what comes out of it will be filled with love, warmth and friendship. It will be as much a part of the holiday and get togethers as the stories you will tell and the memories you will make.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all.

By Cindy Penkoff

As a sales person for the past 30 years, I have sold everything from candles to cars. I know that helping people to pick out what best shows their personality is the key to a happy client, whether it is their favorite scent or the overstuffed chair that will have a home in the family room for many years to come. I carry with me the experience and challenge of making sure every client feels at home. I chose Real Estate as a career as it combines my affinity for people, homes and the process of bringing the two of them together. With a natural love of form and function, color and texture and the ability to see things for what they can be, I find it easy to combine my talents to help my clients find the home they’ve been dreaming of or helping those that wish to sell their homes and move on to their next adventure. Although I wouldn't be considered a "seasoned" agent, I feel like I have been doing this my whole life. Add to that the experience of being the assistant to a million dollar producer, my clients get the best of all worlds. Someone who looks at things with a fresh eye as well as someone who has the knowledge to walk them down the road of what can sometimes be a stressful experience My husband and I have been together for 25 years and have a 14 year old son. We live in Trumbull where I sit on the Board of Finance. I believe in giving back. I volunteer as much as possible and have been known to juggle many balls at once. Nothing makes me happier than at the end of a project, seeing the joy it creates. I love my job, my family, my dogs and my country.

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