Moving Can Be So Stressful! Here's Help On How To Manage.

Keep Moving Stresses at Bay by Carla Hill

"Moving is frequently cited as being one of life's most stressful events and it's really no wonder why. It involves a massive change of routine, takes physical labor, and of course, is one of life's largest financial decisions.

These can all weigh heavily on the mind and body. What are some ways that you can deal with this momentous occasion and the stresses it brings? Here are a few simple ways you can deal with the weight of a move.

First, create a support team. This could include friends, family, a significant other, or even a counselor. Don't bottle up your emotions and concerns. Express them before they become pent-up frustration. A good support team can also serve as an excellent sounding board. Offering support is just part of the equation. It's great to have someone that can talk you down or act as a voice of reason.

The next step is to take breaks. It does no good to obsess 24/7 about every last detail. Set aside time each day to discuss and plan your move. Use the rest of your time for normal daily activities. Play with the kids, watch a movie, walk the dog, or go out to eat. The world does not quit turning during a move.

Proper diet and exercise are crucial to helping your body deal with stress. Sometimes we forget that our bodies are machines that require good fuel and servicing to run efficiently. The better we take care of our bodies the better equipped we are to deal with stresses.

There are great exercise routines for all fitness types. If you are new to working out then consider adding in a daily walk. Swimming is also an ideal beginner activity. For those more "fit" buyers, you could join an aerobics class, go for daily jobs, or add in a weight-lifting routine to your current workout.

When the weather permits, exercise outdoors. The fresh air and sounds of nature can be soothing to tired nerves.

Simple yoga and meditation can also do a body wonders. Yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit. If you don't have the time or money to join a class then consider purchasing a yoga DVD. Even simple practices can do wonders for reducing stress.

Finally, don't rush yourself into a new "identity". The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says that moving to a new community is "one of the most stress-producing events a family faces." Moving can mean big changes in friends, groups, clubs, schools, and neighborhoods. We identify strongly with these. Give yourself time to adjust and to fall into new roles.

Yes, moving is a stressful time, but by taking the proper steps you can greatly reduce the amount of stress this event brings.

Published: August 30, 2012"

5 ways to liven up your home before you sell

5 ways to liven up your home before you sell

We are slowly but surely recovering from a long stint of slow home sales, however it is still considered a buyer’s market out there. Many of the buyers will not be looking to invest in a “fixer-upper” as they may not have the funds to take care of what is needed, so before you put your home on the market apply these 5 steps to ensure that you have a place “live” enough to attract the attention of your potential buyers.

Give your Kitchen a Face-Lift

The kitchen may very well be best place to start. You don’t have to over-do it. Replacing the cabinet fronts in your kitchen will be a lot less costly than replacing them all together. And replacing counter tops can give your kitchen that “edge” that will grab buyer’s attention the moment they walk in. But keep it simple, you don’t have to spend excessive money on your kitchen remodeling.

Carpets

Nothing says welcome home than a clean carpet! If your carpet needs a little pick me up you may want to rent a carpet cleaner or pay for a professional to deep condition your carpets. If your carpets are badly worn and have stains that just won’t come out then you might want to consider replacing it. 

Curb Appeal

A lot of us don’t go in our homes through our front doors anymore, but our potential buyers do so creating a “homey” feel would be best when looking to sell your home. Again, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars creating a brand new landscaping look. At least make sure that the grass is cut and looks nice (preferable green). If you have flower beds make sure that they are neat and up kept, add some mulch and remove weeds if necessary. 

 

Bathroom Makeover

Potential buyers can get turned off by your bathroom. Take a good look at it and see what can be done to make it more presentable. Although bathroom remodeling can become a bit expensive, there are some simple improvement steps that you can make that should not put you out too much. If you tub looks old, you can consider re-glazing it. This makes it look “new” again without actually replacing it and is affordable.

Painting

Adding a fresh layer of paint to your walls will make your rooms stand out. The effect that freshly painted walls have on homes is amazing; it can brighten up the room and virtually make it look new again, which is exactly what we want our buyers to see and think when we enter!

I hope that these tips prove to be a winner for you. We all want our houses to be just as good as our neighbors, but remember not to over-do it. Your renovations could increase the price value of your home, but a lot of the time the most expensive house on the block is often the hardest to sell, however the house that looks like it has been neglected is even worse! Good luck and happy remodeling!!

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Staging Your Home

 

The process of staging your home is all about illusions, so to speak. It is more than just cleaning and decorating, it’s about preparing the home for sale and creating and perfecting moods. Staging is the part that takes place AFTER you have done all of your cleaning, de-cluttering, painting, and minor repairs. When you stage your home it makes your home look bigger, cleaner, brighter, warmer, and most of all it makes buyer want to buy it. The key is adding the small details, for example: that perfect amount of lipstick/lip gloss, light mascara, and a stunning single strand of pearls. It’s simple, yet elegant.

Secrets of a Professional Home Stager

Professional Stagers possess the skills of a top-level designer and they create dramatic scenery that appeals to all five senses. Here are some of their secrets:

• Arrange sparse pieces of furniture in an appealing grouping known as a vignette
• Showcase a generous usage of soft fabrics such as silk and satin
• Display unusual knickknacks in units of 1, 3 or 5
• Drape window coverings with simple lines
• Add unique elements to shelving, bookcases and fireplace mantels, which draw attention to predetermined areas

What Accessories Does a Stager Use?

Stagers bring in a vast array of items to spruce up the house. Here is a small sampling of items professional stagers often use to dress each room. How they are utilized is limited only by the creativity and vision of the stager.

• Mirrors
• Plants
• Silk Flowers
• Floor & Table Lamps,
• Area and Throw Rugs
• Small Love Seats
• Ottomans
• Afghans
• Pillows
• Inflatable Queen-Size Beds
• Baskets
• Plastic Tables & Chairs

Professional Staging Tricks & Tips

I spoke to a few stagers in my area and they offered this practical advice for making your space sparkle:

• Apply orange oil to cabinets that appear dry, which will renew their original luster
• Put out large bowls of fruit such as polished apples, bright oranges, luscious grapes
• Arrange colorful and fun cookbooks on the counters

On stager had a “green thumb” and loved bringing the outdoors inside through the use of greenery and plants; in creating clean, crisp spaces and arranging furniture with plenty of room to walk around. Another stager mentioned that bathrooms are essential to dress well. Bathrooms should look open, airy and delightful. One of her favorite tricks is to add baskets filled with spa treatments such as:

• Towels, tied with ribbons
• Scented soaps
• Creamy lotions
• Moisturizing & Facial jars

Just because we stage the house doesn’t meant that the back yard doesn’t need staging too! For patios and decks, bring in plants and potted flowers, and add additional color by setting the picnic table with bright, plastic dinner plates.

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices vary depending on where you live and the local demand for professional home staging. I believe that vacant homes show better with staging, however, fees range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on square footage and the number of rooms staged. It is not a requirement to have a professional stager. Based on the tips that I mentioned in this post coupled with your creative sense of design you very well may be able to create a beautiful “illusion” to your buyers. Good luck!!

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How to prepare your home for selling

Out of all the sellers I have serviced, there are two things that they ALL have in common, they want their home sold fast and want to bring in the most they can for their home. That sounds great right?!  It takes careful planning and the professional knowledge of how to liven up your home that will have your buyers jumping for their checkbooks. Here are a few things that I would recommend doing to transform your home into an irresistible and highly marketable home.

Here's How:

1. Drop ALL claiming rights to your home.
• Look at yourself and say, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf.
• Make a mental not yourself that you will have to “let go” of your emotions and focus more on the reality that soon this house will no longer belong to you.
• Imagine yourself handing over the keys, documents, and envelopes that contain important information and warranties to the NEW owners!!
• Say goodbye to every room.
• Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.
2. De-Personalize.
   Remove the personal photographs and family heirlooms. A buyer doesn’t want to see your personal touches, but would rather want to imagine their own photos on the walls. However, they can’t do that if yours are there! You don’t want the buyer asking questions like, “I wonder what kind of family live in this home?” Instead, you want them saying, "I can see myself living here."
3. De-Clutter!
   Some people collect a sizeable amount of junk! Consider this: if it’s been over a year since you’ve used it, you probably need to get rid of it.

• If you don't need it, you can always donate it or throw it away.
• Remove all books from bookcases.
• Pack up your knickknacks.
• Clean off the kitchen counters.
• Put items you use on a daily basis in a small box that can be stored in a closet somewhere so that it is not visible for the showing.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway! J
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
   Sometimes buyers are nosey! J They will open your closets and cabinet doors just to look. What happens if something falls out, or if the insides are messy? Now think, what if the buyer sees that everything is organized? It will send the message to the buyer that if the closets/cabinets are clean then the rest of the house is taken good care of as well. This means:

• Alphabetize spice jars.
• Neatly stack dishes.
• Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
• Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
• Line up shoes.
•  
5.  Rent a Storage Unit.
   Most homes show better when there is less furniture around. Think about removing pieces of furniture that restricts paths and walkways. And since you’ve removed the books from your bookcases (as I mentioned earlier) it is easier to store them! If your dining table expands, collapse it to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the purpose of each room. The last thing you want is the buyers confused and wondering what the rooms are used for.
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
   If there are certain items in the home that you plan on taking with you (window coverings, appliances, or other fixtures) it is best to remove them prior to the showing. If you have installed new lighting fixtures that are family heirlooms, replace them. If a buyer never sees it, they will never want it or question if it is included in the home. If you do happen to leave items in the home and a buyer wants it, but you say no, it could possibly blow your deal. So pack up those items and replace them, if necessary.
7. Make Minor Repairs.
• Replace cracked floor tiles or counter tiles.
• Patch holes in walls.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
• Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls.
  (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
• Replace burned-out light bulbs.
• If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!
8. Make the House Shine!

• Wash windows inside and out.
• Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
• Clean out cobwebs.
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
• Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
• Clean out the refrigerator.
• Vacuum daily.
• Wax floors.
• Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
• Bleach dingy grout.
• Replace worn rugs.
• Hang up fresh towels.
• Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
• Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
9. Scrutinize.
• Go stand outside of your home. Take a good look at your home. Now, do you want to go inside? Does the home feel welcoming to you?
• Take a slow tour of every room in your house and imagine how it will look to a buyer
• Carefully examine how furniture is arranged/placed and move pieces around until it looks perfect.
• Make sure window coverings hang level.
• Does it have impact and pizzazz?
• Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.
10. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s.
    If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.
• Keep the sidewalks cleared.
• Mow the lawn.
• Paint faded window trim.
• Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
• Trim your bushes.
• Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

I hope you enjoyed my take on how to properly get your house ready for staging. My next article will be on the actual process of staging your home.

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