How to get your home back after the holidays

So the holidays came and went.  You had all your family and friends over,  fine wine,  great music,  kids running around half crazed with all the gifts and sugar consumption, and you, happy with the celebrations but wondering for a flicker of a moment, just how long will it take to get my home back to order!

Here are some quick tips to get organized before the cleaning lady drops by.

Toys

If you have kids, then you know that toys are the biggest contributor to disorganization.
Try this, go through the toys with your child and put in a box all the ones they have not played with in the last 6 months.  Telling them you need to make space for the new toys, will help your child understand the logic of the task.  Another recommendation is to suggest taking the toy boxes to a shelter, and give to those who are less fortunate.  If they go themselves to drop the toys off, they will not only be involved in the process but also learn a valuable lesson in generosity.
Another great idea, at places such as Home Depot, Home Outfitters, you can find some nice plastic boxes of all sizes, shapes and colors with a lid that would easily store your child's toys and keep it in there safe.
These suggestions also apply to clothing (another big gift item during the holidays).   Best to de-clutter the closet space  before you store the new items.  I use a 6 month time limit.  Helps to get rid of the old before you add in the new.  Again, the local shelters would be greatly appreciative for good clothing items.  Also, if your work schedule does not allow you to take these items to them, there are many charitable organizations such a Cerebral Palsy or Diabetes Foundation that if you call them, they will come to your door and pick up your items for you.  You don't even have to be home for that.  Just leave the items out on the drive way or porch marked for them.


Gift wrapping paper

Lots and lots of tissue paper, gift bags, wrapping paper and all of this can easily be disposed of by our grand ole blue boxes.  Lets help keep our planet clean.
Along with that idea, the trees can be disposed of by a simple call to the city's special line for tree pickup.

Food

Lots of leftovers.  Probably for the next few days!  Unfortunately most of us will get tired of eating the same thing a few days in a row.  Personally, I like to have a number of friends over for a left over potluck and it all gets cleared quickly.

Coffee/Wine Stains

Non chemical stain removal secret - Vinegar mixed with Baking soda.   Dab on the carpet or on the couch, wherever the stain is, and let it absorb the mixture.  Amazing stain removal!


Yes, there is nothing more enjoyable than spending quality time with family and good friends.
I hope you've enjoyed  few of the quick tips for taking your house back..
All the best for the new year in a clean and organized home!!!




For Clothesline pickups for CDA or CP please follow the link http://search.hipinfo.info/record/OAK4115?Number=0

For tree pickup - toronto.ca

Should I or Shouldn't I? That is the question.

The “Housing Crisis”... words that have caused nightmares to Realtors and home owners across the globe.

Despite the financial fears amid the real estate market some positive feedback has indicated that Home Staging is a key to the recovery of the Housing Market. (RISMedia)

A recent survey* that polled 500 Realtors and brokers from all over the country uncovered some startling Realtor feedback about the value of home staging in today’s market:
-96% believed buyers react better to fully-stage homes than vacant ones
-94% believed vacant homes take longer to sell than fully-stage homes
-94% believed vacant homes sell for less money than fully-stage homes
-The majority of Realtors surveyed agreed that vacant homes take twice as long to sell and sell for at least 15% less than a fully-staged home.

Shell Brodnax, president and CEO of Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), said she’s not surprised by these findings. “Home staging provides economic stability to real estate by leveraging a property’s appeal to buyers,” Brodnax said. “Sellers get the most they can for their property and buyers benefit from a move-in ready property.  The home staging industry will continue to add to the recovery of the real estate industry.”

Statistics provided by RESA show staged properties consistently spend 78% less time on the market. *(http://rismedia.com/2010-02-10/home-staging-key-to-recovery-of-housing-market/)

Well then, after considering these interesting facts and figures, should I or shouldn't I?  That is the question, or...... is it?


Happy Staging!


e

Mid week rantings

Well, its Wednesday.. someone told me that today is known as a hump day.  Getting over the mid week hump.. and I was thinking about that for a while.. yes, I could see that. Its been a busy beginning of the week, suddenly it just slows down, and then a big rush until the weekend!

Not much to say tonight, I am having a glass of wine and preparing for my Tip of the Day article coming on Saturday. 
Curious to know.. what are you finding difficult when it comes to prepping your property for sale?
Any questions you may have ever wondered about on what to do, send me a note.  I will include for it in my next article!

Until Saturday.... Happy Staging.

e

Less is more or more is less?

Actually, this is not an oxymoron..in fact both are correct.

We live in a society that advertises, get bigger, get more, keep buying.. and so it's no wonder that when the time comes to sell your property you have so much  "stuff" whether valuable or necessary or dare I say expendable?

So for most people, selling a home is the time to purge and get ready for new beginnings.  It's been my experience from my own moves that it's best to purge before you sell.  So, how to do we do that?  Not as easy as it sounds.  Suddenly, everything you have is important and necessary.

When you stage your home, the trick is to clear it of all  items that you have not used in 3 months.
Hard to believe, but if you have not used that plate set in your cupboards or the wine glasses in your shelves (although wine glasses I always use guests or no guests..) then pack them up.
That beautiful vase that was given to you on your wedding day?  Pack it up.  Those heirloom dishes, pack them up.  All those dvds sitting on the shelf, the computer games, put them away.
All those precious memories in picture frames... put them safely in a box.  Those shoes?  Well I am the ultimate shoe girl but the truth is, you won't be using all those pairs of shoes in the next few weeks!  (I would never openly admit to that by the way...)Put them safely in a well labelled box and let your closet reveal all the space is really does have.  The same with the clothing, coats etc.

The fact is that the more you pack away and store, the more space your home will have and the more attractive it will be to the prospective home buyer.  Every one is looking for more space.  So give them the true visual of your home, by eliminating all the extras and exposing the real space your home has to offer.

So, the question is, Less is more or more is less?  Answer.. well you know...

Happy Staging!

e

To be Red or not to be

Ok..

So everyone has their own personal tastes when it comes to painting rooms in their house.
Not to say that a colour choice is wrong, but when it comes to staging, one must figure out what you are trying to say to the propective buyer.
Take for example, Red. Well, its a very dramatic colour that many use in a dining room. Some dining rooms look spectacular in red, depending on the flooring, natural lighting, and of course furniture, accesories and room location. That being said, no matter how complimentary these features are in a property, it seldom does it for the prospective buyer. The issue is becoming attractive to everyone and anyone that walks into your house in the 30 seconds they take to like or dislike your property.
Best colour to paint your house, a neutral color that would go with anyone's particular tastes and furniture.
Recommendations - Benjamin Moore CC90 - Natural Linen.
So.. the big question is, to be red or not to be??

Happy staging..

e