Posts Tagged ‘moving.’
Holiday Home Décor Ideas for Buyers
There are still home seekers that will look for that perfect new home over the holidays, with the intent of moving into their new space in the New Year. Even though it’s not the most popular time to buy or sell real estate because of everyone’s hectic schedules and cold temperatures, house hunting will still be happening. An HGTV article cites that staging your home for the holidays should be stylish and neutral, giving a vibe of the season without going overboard.
So, what do you do so your home is styled in a festive manner without making it look like a scene from “Christmas Vacation”? The following real estate tips will help, offering ideas for decorating your home and keeping your buyers in the right spirit!
Start with a clean slate. Staging your home, no matter the season, should not be overdone. And before you even unpack that first holiday decoration, make sure to clear out and clean the clutter! Take a look at your house “pre-décor”, and make sure it’s already staged, which means the extra tchotchkes and collections have been put away. If you add your ceramic Christmas tree collection to the mix without cleaning, it will surely look cluttered.
People tend to use all additional spaces in the home when they decorate for holidays, and when staging your home, this isn’t a great idea. You still want the rooms in your home to look as spacious as possible, which means limiting the holiday décor. If you think you may miss your 20 Santa figurines, keep in mind that with a little staging strategy, you’ll be celebrating your nextholiday in a new home…and you can decorate in any way you like!
Holiday flair should be cozy and coordinating. Items like a crystal bowl with pinecones or an evergreen wreath can really spruce up your house. It’s best to also match your existing décor with your holiday style. If you have a dining room painted in a soothing sky blue, stay in harmony with it by opting for white snowflakes or silver-toned ornaments and table coverings. Adding red and green to the mix would clash and not complement. The traditional red and green color scheme works well as accent tones if your room has more earthy colors like forest greens, oranges and golds.
Also, tone down gaudy light displays while your home is on the market. It’s best to use simple string lighting to play up your home’s structure or draw attention to the gorgeous fir tree in your front yard.
Highlight the positive. As stated earlier, too many holiday items scattered throughout the home will distract, but if you add the right accessories in the right spots, it will accent your home’s best features. Think about placement of mistletoe in the arched doorway or displaying your menorah on the ledge of your living room’s bay window. When decorating, just make sure to not block a beautiful view or place cheap-looking window decals that may distract the home buyer from your lovely backyard’s vista. Own a custom fireplace? It may be best to not place 6 personalized stockings over it, taking away from its architectural details.
Neutrality is key. When trying to sell your house, it’s best to leave the life-sized Nativity scene in storage this year as well as multiple blow-ups in the front yard like snow globes with a Santa. Because you want to attract any type of home buyer, it’s best to keep low key décor that isn’t overly religious. You also want to make sure the front yard is safe and not scattered with extension cords to activate the Christmas inflatables. An example of neutral décor may include nutcrackers, reindeer and snowmen.
Trim the tree. If a Christmas tree is in your holiday décor plans, make sure the tree fits your space nicely and not overwhelm it. Have a small living room? Use a skinny tree to save space. When your house is on the market, it also may be best to use cohesive ornaments instead of the mismatched, homemade ones your children made in school. Although those ornaments are sentimental, homebuyers will not understand their significance. Instead, set the stage for a perfect holiday in your home with a tree that looks tailored and tasteful.
Have questions about purchasing a new home in the Metro-east or selling your existing one during the holiday season? Contact me for all of your real estate needs at (618) 978-2384 or email me at Sandie@SandieLaMantia.com.
Moving? Things to Consider Before Packing Begins
Most of us at some point in our lives have relocated. Whether it was moving to a new house with our family as a child or packing up and heading across state for college, we all can appreciate how much effort goes into the prepping, planning and packing. Wonderful, new beginnings await us when we move! Here are some handy tips to relieve some of the stress of moving, helping you enjoy the process (and this exciting time) instead.
Know you’re moving? Organize all of the paperwork. It’s important to keep all paperwork in the same spot so you don’t spend time looking for it when a question about the move surfaces. Did you hire movers? Have their information on hand. Is your new house a rental? Make sure you have contact information in case something goes awry upon arrival and you can’t access your new apartment or home. By keeping all moving documents in one spot, you’ll not only avoid the stress of not being able to find something in a jiffy but also enjoy a more efficient move from start to finish.
To Do Lists are Key! As with any big event, keeping a list of “to-do’s” is crucial. You wouldn’t plan your daughter’s engagement party with no planning, invitees, or reservations, would you? With a move, it’s also important to keep track of the steps involved throughout the process. In many cases, it’s simply a good idea to keep a running list of things you may need to remember at a later time. This list can hold important numbers, due dates and more. It’s just one more way to stay organized during a very busy – but exciting – time.
Take photos. You may be feeling sentimental as the move approaches, but this tip has a different motive in mind. Photos come in handy for many reasons. By taking pictures of your knick- knacks before and during the move, your life will be easier once you make it to the new place and you’re trying to unpack and decorate. Know what else? Taking photos of electronic wires and connectors will help you when you’re trying to hook up the TV at the new home just in time to watch the big game! Also, if items get damaged in the move, you’ll be able to let the movers know their condition prior to the move…with the proof of a photo.
Don’t pack items you won’t be needing anymore. I’ve written about decluttering when trying to sell your home, but it’s important to also not spend the time and the effort to pack items you won’t be using in your new home. Moving is the perfect time to declutter! If you are no longer using that cabinet and it’s been in your basement’s storage room, try to donate or sell it. You can also ask yourself, “where will I need this item in the new place”? If you don’t have an answer to that question, it’s likely time to part ways with it.
The internet is filled with practical (and sometimes off-the-wall!) packing tips to prepare you for your next big move. A little preparation and forethought will go a long way, starting off life’s next phase in the right way. Are you interested in that new home or wanting to learn more about selling your existing home? I’d love to help! I’ve assisted many families and individuals in the Metro-east area and beyond find their dream home. Contact me for all of your real estate needs at (618) 978-2384 or email me at Sandie@SandieLaMantia.com.
What Does Escrow Mean When Buying Real Estate?
Are you familiar with the term “escrow”? It has several meanings in real estate, but the most simplistic definition is that an escrow account is set up for you by your lender to pay for homeowner’s insurance and property taxes when home ownership costs are due during the course of any given year.
Basically, escrow is when an impartial third party holds on to something of value during a transaction, and in the case of real estate, buyers write an earnest money check when making an offer that is then placed in escrow. The impartial third party holds on to the check until the buyer and the seller negotiates a contract to hopefully close the deal. When in escrow, the buyer and the seller can’t touch the money. It’s in a sort of “real estate limbo”.
The reason the check is handled by a third party is to protect both parties involved. If you put down earnest money and that money goes directly to the seller, what if the seller decides to hold the earnest money as a way to negotiate? When the money is in escrow, you know that everyone involved in the transaction is treated fairly and gets what is due at the same time.
When talking with your mortgage lender, the term escrow will come up again. Terms like escrow, impound or reserves may come up. All terms mean the same thing: they are funds held by the lender to make payments for your homeowner’s insurance and property taxes. Another term, prepaids, is money collected in advance for bills to make sure there’s enough money on hand to pay when due.
What’s escrow and closing mean?
When the agreement has been made and the purchase is complete, the term “closing of escrow” will be used. Closing officers or escrow officers will sit with you and oversee the final paperwork and make sure the transfer of funds happens smoothly. During the closing, the officer wants to make sure the recording of deeds, money disbursement and all paperwork has been properly signed and recorded. The closing process does take a little bit of time, but it’s important that all conditions are met to make sure the transaction is accurate and complete.
When does a hold-back of funds happen?
Sales can still be completed with a transfer of ownership when funds are still in escrow. One example of this is if you’ve made an agreement with the seller to stay in the house for an agreed upon amount of time while their new home is completed. When participating in this “rent back” agreement, a real estate agent will advise you to have the escrow agent hold back some of the seller’s proceeds until vacating the premises entirely. The reasoning? Your new home should be left in the condition specified in your real estate contract with no damage, etc.
Sometimes during a final walk-through of the new home buyers find something wrong. Also in some cases, work cannot be done prior to the move-out date. If this happens, it’s a good idea to keep money in escrow to help with the expense. Hold-back of funds is also used in new construction, keeping money in escrow until work is completed and the paperwork is signed.
What’s next?
After escrow is closed and all funds have been distributed, the buyer and seller will receive a final closing statement and completed documents in the mail. Make sure the statement is reviewed carefully and if you see anything incorrect or have a question, contact the closing agent as soon as possible. Next, file the statement with all of your other important papers. When tax time comes, you’ll need to have the documents easily accessible for income tax return season.
Let me help you with your next home adventure! As a licensed Realtor® it’s my goal to help make your real estate dreams come true, sharing my knowledge of our local market as well as offering recommendations during the home buying or selling process. Looking for a new home in 2018? Contact me for all of your real estate needs at (618) 978-2384 or email me at Sandie@SandieLaMantia.com.
Real Estate Expectations for 2018
The rest of 2017 and early 2018 is expected to be interesting for real estate. The economy is solid, trade looks fine, and we’ve seen an active new construction environment. It’s possible with labor shortages and higher lumber costs there could be higher home prices with fewer houses for resale. In the ever interesting and ever-changing real estate market, here are some other influences that may affect housing in the coming year (and possibly beyond) as well as tried and true tips for homeowners.
Is 2018 the time to buy or sell your home?
Prices are still sizzling for buying a new home…there’s simply not enough homes for sale to go around. Lack of homes available isn’t just a local problem either – it’s a national one. In some markets, homebuyers will need to get creative (and pay more) when seeking homes with multiple offers, especially in the bigger cities.
Some experts think that with the lack of homes available, it means home prices will continue to be high. There’s really no guarantee that will be the case. Many home builders are feeling optimistic, and that’s always good to hear. Typically, an economy that looks good with lower unemployment rates, you may see more people investing in rental income property or real estate investing opportunities. Millennials are seeking housing as well, and this will all influence the housing market.
What’s economists are saying.
According to many top economists, mortgage rates may rise in the next few years, past 4% and even past 5%. If house prices experience stabilization, increased rates will be manageable. One online article cites the importance of wage growth happening. Chief economist for Mortgage Bankers Association, Michael Fratantoni, stated that “it is getting more difficult for companies to fill their positions.” Fratantoni hopes that companies begin to raise wages to seek more qualified candidates. If this happens, the increase of interest rates won’t be as problematic for borrowers.
Buying and Selling Tips that work in any economy.
We live in a global economy, and even though economists and experts can see trends happening in the real estate market, there’s no real way to know exactly what may happen. Natural disasters, political uncertainty, and more can affect our local market. Here are some tips, no matter the economy, that you can rely on if you want to buy or sell a home in 2018.
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- Fix issues in your home before its sale. Want to get top dollar for your home? Fix the issues that may lower your homes’ asking price. Realtor.com recommends updating appliances, refinishing floors, and cleaning or replacing windows. Because I know the local market and neighborhoods, I can help you decide what improvement will be the best in your particular situation.
- Make sure your home isn’t priced too high. About 70% of all local homes go into escrow within 30 days of being listed. Homes still on the market for 60 days or more typically means the home is overpriced, especially in today’s market. With my help, I can make sure your home is priced right and ready for sale.
- Set a realistic timeline. The real estate market can and will change, so have a firm understanding of your priorities and what your motivation is for selling and/or buying that next home. Are you wanting to sell your home because of a job relocation or simply because you’re wanting a change? Know what is motivating you to move and be ready to be flexible if that dream house on the corner you’ve had your eye on sells or if your existing home doesn’t sell as quickly as you thought it would. Be realistic with expectations and listen to your Realtor® for advice and ideas if adversity strikes.
Buying and selling a home is always an exciting undertaking! As a licensed Realtor® it’s my goal to help individuals and families during the entire real estate process, sharing my understanding of the market conditions as well as recommended strategies to use in any economy. 2018 will be here before we know it, and that means a fresh start and maybe even a new home! Contact me for all of your real estate needs at (618) 978-2384 or email me at Sandie@SandieLaMantia.com.
Stage Presence! The Importance of Staging To Get Your House Sold FAST
Selling your home can be an exciting yet (sometimes) emotional time. If you’ve been in your home for a while, every part of the house tells a story. Strolling from room to room, you can vividly remember rocking your baby to sleep in the rocker in the bedroom’s corner, your first puppy’s favorite sleeping spot in front of the fireplace, and your daughter’s Sweet 16 party in the backyard pool. So many wonderful memories have happened over so many years! With those years and memories made, you’ve also accumulated a lot of “stuff” and perhaps some spots in your home that need to be freshened up. Because it’s impossible to sell those memories with your home, it’s important to rely on staging strategies to entice the new homeowner with images that can be completely their own.
I recommend to clients that it’s best to de-clutter and thoroughly clean the home prior to placing any home on the market. It’s okay to leave a few family photos up, but best to remove most of them because when selling your home, you want to make sure the potential buyer visualizes where his or her photographs will be displayed. Straighten closets; pack up unused items and scattered toys or accessories. Today’s buyers prefer neutral colors, walls and floors, so if you have time and money in the budget to paint, it’s not a bad idea to spruce up the main living spaces.
Why is staging important? A properly staged home creates something called “lifestyle vignettes” (RealtorMag.com) for interested homebuyers. When buyers walk through a home and see a chessboard on a comfortable ottoman, placed directly in front of the stone fireplace with drinks on the end table, they begin to see themselves in the scene. As a Realtor® in the Metro-East, I know which trends are working depending on local demographics. I can help you work with current trends, letting you know which ones are working locally, so you can create a buyer’s dream house. Depending on the home, it may only require organization and some fresh paint.
When you set the stage for potential buyers to see a home filled with fun and friends, it usually also involves food. Many stagers recommend setting the tables and the bar areas with nice plates, cloth napkins and drinking glasses, using a lovely centerpiece to tie it all together. The set up doesn’t have to be overly fancy, either. Simply use matching tableware to create a home that appears perfect for entertaining, whether it’s a family breakfast or a larger gathering with friends and family in the dining room.
Simple staging techniques don’t have to cost a lot of money, either. If you want to entice buyers to walk through that front door, it’s best to stage your entryway with a nice, new welcome mat, colorful flowers or greenery and a clean, welcoming entrance. Potential homeowners often drive by homes even before they schedule a walk-through, so it makes sense that you spend some time and energy on sprucing up the front of your home, helping to make a positive first impression.
Have a dark hallway or a wall that needs a new look? Maybe you’ve taken down some family photos and need something to replace the wall decor? Mounting mirrors in strategic places of the home can do a number of wonderful things. Mirrors enlarge spaces, add modern touches to the home, and light up hallways that lack natural lighting. Mirrors hung directly across from a window or placed next to one add even more lighting to the home, pulling in more sunshine. Many stores even sell mirrors in multi-packs and sizes, creating an impressive collage display that anyone can create.
Other staging tricks that work include outfitting a bathroom with white linens, fresh new shower curtains and some spa-like accessories. After you de-clutter the bathroom, it’s easy to update any bathroom with items that turn your outdated bath into a luxury spa. To set the stage, you can roll and stack new bath towels, place special soaps in a dish on the counter, and even add an orchid or other flower next to the sink.
Staging your home may require a little bit of forethought and some financial investment, but sellers will be happy to know that most staged homes sell faster than homes without staging methods. Look at photos online or in magazines, pay attention to displays at furniture stores, and think about items in your home that you can use (and items that may need to be placed in storage) to create a cozy, lived-in ambiance in your home that’s picture-perfect. Colorful vases, lanterns, books and plants can all be used to produce those “lifestyle vignettes” buyers are looking for in a new home.
As a licensed Realtor®, it is my goal to help individuals and families sell their home with confidence. I want the process to be pleasurable and profitable. If you aren’t sure why your home hasn’t sold yet or want tips on staging your home, I can help. Contact me for all of your real estate needs at (618) 978-2384 or email me at Sandie@SandieLaMantia.com.
Home Features: What’s Trending Now
Have you ever stepped foot in a home during the home search process and fell in love instantly with it? Some styles and house plans simply impress us more than others. The type of home you tend to prefer may also be different depending on your stage of life. Just had a baby? You probably want the bedrooms on the same floor. Have an aging parent living with you? Two master suites would be ideal. Individual preferences and styles may change over time, but the following trends have been popular and gaining traction for many new home seekers in 2017.
Outdoor living continues to impress people looking to buy a new home. Whether seeking manicured yards in a simplified living community or finding a home that backs up to secluded woods, homeowners are taking advantage of their outdoor spaces. This trend is reminiscent of “resort-style” amenities for families wanting to enjoy their homes more than ever before. Why go on vacation when you can bring the vacation home? Pools, outdoor kitchens, and big front porches for catching up with neighbors are just some features that really enhance outdoor living. Other trends like landscaped courtyards and four-season rooms also turn a home into a retreat you may never want to leave!
The use of glass is also a popular element in homes that take advantage of outdoor living. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows are just another way to “bring the outdoors in” and enjoy the views. Living areas, even smaller ones, will benefit from added glass to make them feel larger. Some designers even incorporate sliding walls of glass and screens leading to outdoor spaces (like a pool or hot tub). More glass or easy access to the yard is just another way to take advantage of the home’s neighborhood, amenities and green space. If you live in a lovely setting, why not enjoy the beautiful view by adding more windows or French doors?
Although not surprising, the basements of today aren’t being built simply as places to store your overflow items. Nine-foot ceilings in basements continue to be quite popular, even if the homeowner isn’t planning on finishing the basement in the short term. Homes are being built with taller basement ceilings because not only does it add resale value to the home but also makes the basement more inviting and livable when planning for additional living space. Another trend has surfaced and 9-foot and 10-foot ceilings are preferable features for buyers today with a decreased interest in vaulted ceilings.
Homes today are often being built as forever homes, with “aging-in-place” accommodations still being very popular. This is a newer trend and one that has really made an impact on how people are buying and building homes. With people living longer, it makes sense to live in a home that will be comfortable for years to come. Features like main floor master suites, easy access to every part of the home (with little or no stairs) and taller bathroom counters, comfort-height toilets and walk in showers, the aging in place home can come in all sizes and styles to better suit the homeowner.
There are many trends that are popular today, going beyond just wall colors and flooring styles. Builders are also still focused on energy-efficient homes with high-tech tools to help manage the home’s heating and cooling with the intention of using no more energy than the home creates. Whether it’s an energy-saving fireplace or water efficient fixtures and appliances, the energy efficient home will continue to develop with technology.
Trends are fun to talk about, but the most important feature when looking for a new home is defining YOUR lifestyle. Your house should be the place you feel the most at ease, and as a licensed Realtor®, I have helped families find the best home for their personalized style. Whether you are selling your existing home or looking for a more suitable home to reflect your current lifestyle, I can help. Contact me for all of your real estate needs at (618) 978-2384 or email me at sandie@sandielamantia.com.
Outdoor Living at its Best
Depending on your lifestyle and your desire for outdoor living, you may have different reasons for purchasing a home for its outdoor spaces. Some of us would prefer to have limited weekend warrior duties, preferring a small backyard or simplified living neighborhood. Others, with growing families and a love of the outdoors, may seek a home with a large yard that backs up to a wooded tree line. If beautiful outdoor living spaces make your heart skip a beat, there are wonderful home features and add-ons to enhance your outdoor living for years to come.
Outdoor rooms, a trend that has been emerging for years, is one of the best ways to fulfill your love of the outdoors. Outdoor rooms can be created by the use of architectural devices such as columns, walls, and ceilings, offering transitional spaces that extend your living spaces out into the crisp, fresh air.
Years ago, patio furniture was quite simple; functional, with not a lot of style and comfort. Outdoor furniture had a distinctive look and it definitely didn’t look like furniture that you would want to spend hours upon hours sitting on. But today’s outdoor furniture has mimicked the furniture in our living rooms, with colorful cushions, pillows, end tables and rugs, all made to withstand the elements of the outdoors (within reason) and bringing your guests outdoors, too.
Privacy is important when homeowners are looking for an outdoor room. Usually this can be accomplished with a tree line, fence or decorative wall. By creating some seclusion for your outdoor living space, not only does it offer the privacy we all crave but adds to the intimacy of your space. Not every dinner party should be interrupted by the curiosity of your next-door neighbor!
Outdoor kitchens, once deemed home features of only the rich and famous, are now achievable options for the aspiring homeowner. Outdoor kitchens can include structurally integrated fire-pits and fireplaces, TVs and custom counters built around the “grill-masters” favorite Weber grill. With comfortable seating and even a beverage refrigerator, this extension will rival many indoor kitchens. The addition of an outdoor space, like a kitchen, supports multiple functions for the homeowner. It will likely also deter guests from always entering the home if you own a pool and instead offer a defined living space for the whole family when entertaining outdoors.
Porches and decks are wonderful outdoor living spaces that have also been modernized. Porches are now being built out of composite materials, extending their life and requiring little maintenance. Screens and enclosed patio walls have turned standard decks off the great room into spaces that can even be used year-round. Offering you shelter from the sun and the elements, even when it’s raining you can still enjoy those 360° views of your backyard’s garden that you’ve worked so hard to cultivate. By adding a ceiling fan, furniture and other comfort items, your outdoor living space will be your favorite gathering spot.
Another option for shade is the Pergola. Pergolas can be added to outdoor spaces that may not have existing ceilings or overhangs, offering a way to cool off in the midday summer heat. In a variety of sizes or custom made, pergolas are also a nice decorative touch to your deck or porch. It’s a lighter, more permeable way to enhance outdoor living, but yet very effective. Adding just a little shade to an otherwise sunny spot will also mean you can decorate your patio with flowers and furniture that might not be able to tolerate the heat otherwise.
There are several outdoor living features homeowners may look for in a new home, depending on personal style preferences and interests. With my assistance, I can help you find that perfect home with incredible outdoor living spaces that suit you and your family. I know the local real estate market and have first hand experience about neighborhoods with the best green space available. If you are looking for a new place to call home, it’s time to give me a call at 618-978-2384 or contact me here so that I can help turn your dreams into reality. Happy summer!
It’s the 2017 Relocation Resource List!
All of us know that change can be hard, especially if it involves uprooting our families and moving them into an entirely new town, with new schools and unfamiliar surroundings. There may be mixed emotions filled with excitement about the new opportunity, but also likely some fear of the unknown. Of course, it’s important to find a new home that you love, making you feel comfortable as you adjust to the new environment. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list of reputable resources that could help acclimate you and your loved ones to this new community? Well, I’ve compiled a list of resources to help navigate you through the beloved communities of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, with the hope of making the transition even easier (and more fun, too).
Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. In our community, there are many, many small and large businesses alike that have joined the local chamber. It’s a wonderful organization filled with good people and great resources. There’s a tool on their website that offers ways to search businesses, places and things. Looking for an area restaurant? Most likely, they are a chamber member and are listed on this website with a link to the actual business. Fortunately, most businesses have some sort of web presence today so you can always find more about them online. Learn more about the Ed/Glen Chamber here http://www.edglenchamber.com/home.htm.
Edwardsvilleonline.com. This handy website is another “go-to” resource for people relocating to the Edwardsville area. Residents of Glen Carbon and Edwardsville, as well as surrounding communities like Troy and Maryville, can also go to Edwardsvilleonline when searching for local events, new businesses that are opening in the area, and more. Local organizations can also submit their own events to the website, so you can find a number of things to do, whether it’s a church craft fair, local 5k, or a larger-scale community-wide event in the area. Here’s the link to Edwardsvilleonline: http://www.edwardsvilleonline.com/. It also offers an easy-to-use search engine if you are looking for a specific business.
Both communities have their own websites. Edwardsville’s can be found at http://www.cityofedwardsville.com/ and Glen Carbon’s link is http://www.glen-carbon.il.us/. City business information is available at both sites, including information on administrative services, public works and parks and recreation. If you are on Facebook, you can also follow both community Facebook pages for up-to-date events as well as other newsworthy information.
District 7 is a wonderful, award-winning school district, and if you are relocating with school aged-children you can find more information about the district by visiting the website http://www.ecusd7.org/. For children aged pre-K through 12th grade, District 7 is known for top-notch education as well as extra-curricular activities, including a variety of team sports. Locally, the area also offers private schools for children, including a recently built Catholic High School in Glen Carbon (http://mcgivneygriffins.com/).
Other resources include the Edwardsville Arts Center, located attached to the Edwardsville High School, offering wonderful, affordable art classes for the community as well as a gallery and gift shop you won’t want to miss. The local YMCA offers not just one but TWO locations (Esic Center and Meyer Center), filled with so many classes it will be hard to choose your favorite. An indoor pool, outdoor pool, tennis courts, gymnasium and fitness centers at both locations make it easy to stay healthy. A class catalog and more is available online at http://www.edwardsvilleymca.com/.
Edwardsville and Glen Carbon offer a perfect combination of small town warmth with all of the amenities you’d find in a larger city. Conveniently located just 20 minutes away from St. Louis, you’ll enjoy the short drive to a larger metropolis but will also soon learn that wonderful dining, shopping and activities are available right here, without having to cross the river! I am happy to answer more questions you may have about the area or offer advice. Contact me here or call me at 618-978-2384 with your relocation inquiries. Happy New Year!
Selling Your Home? Winter Tips to Set the Stage
Selling your home in the winter months can be tricky. With back- to-back holidays and usually a lot of entertaining, finding time to do it all can seem overwhelming. It’s also not the most ideal time to put a home on the market because the home, no matter how stunning, may not show as well when it’s cold, rainy, snowy and miserable outside. Plus, if there’s sleet or a snowstorm, it’s hard to get buyers to that Open House on Sunday! Guess what? There are still many things you can do to make your home look welcoming and ready for that perfect “new home shopper” this winter. People still are looking for homes and generally, there’s less competition because of a lower inventory.
Easy access. During the cold, winter months, it’s important to have a safe path to your home that is snow and ice-free. Don’t forget any side walkways or access from your driveway. This is important no matter what time of year it is, but especially important when the path to your home can be difficult to navigate due to snow and ice. When visitors pull up to the home and see you’ve made a hospitable path to the front door, they will notice.
Let there be light! I’ve said it before, but lighting is so important when trying to sell your home. Strategically open up those blinds to give off a pleasing amount of light in the home. If you want to set more of a cozy mood, utilize holiday lights on the mantel and candles at an open house. Today, there are so many variations of wickless candles and battery-powered candles it’s hard to tell which ones are real! Display the lighting properly and it will transform your room. Also, because it can be a bit more dreary outside in the winter, make sure to brighten darker rooms with open blinds and lamps in corners. Use a pop of color with pillows and throws. After all, it’s the holiday season! Take advantage of using tasteful lighting and décor.
Holiday decorations. When trying to sell your home over the holidays, it may not make sense to cover every corner of the home, every open space on the wall, with decorations. It’s best to limit the holiday décor so the potential buyer can still see the “bones” of the home. Too many holiday decorations may detract from the home itself. If you aren’t sure what may be considered “too much”, I’m happy to offer suggestions. There are also many online resources you can use for decorating ideas.
Making sense of scents. When showing our homes off, we tend to want to deodorize it with sprays, candles and oils…especially if we have pets. At some point our noses become immune to all of the smells! For guests, the smells can become overwhelming. Make sure that you keep the scents to a minimum when opening up your home for buyers, especially during this time of year because there are more good smelling, seasonal options available. Another tip is if you burn a sugar cookie candle in the entryway, it’s also a smart plan to offer cookies in the kitchen so as not to disappoint! A clean, well-kept home will always impress the eyes AND the nose. It’s fine to add a holiday scent to the mix, just don’t overdo it.
It’s all in the mood you create. With the winter weather, you have the perfect environment for bringing buyers into your cozy, warm home. Especially during the holidays, most of us relish the time we spend enjoying family, friends, and entertaining. The stage is set! Now is your chance to showcase your home to its best potential. Hang those fluffy robes in the master bath, use fresh pine in the entryway, hang wreaths and place dried, winter flowers around the home. When you sell your home, you are also selling a vision of things to come and memories made within it.
It’s a bustling time of year; so don’t add undue stress to it. There are small things you can do to show off your home’s beauty and potential, without having to start a big remodeling project this holiday season. Adding less stress to this already busy time will let you focus on your family and the year ahead. Want more expert advice? Contact me at 618-978-2384 or by email. I’m sure I can find you the perfect home, making 2017 the best year yet. Happy Holidays!
Tips on Making the Downsizing Process Less Stressful
Moving from a large house to a smaller house can be tricky sometimes. You might tell yourself to just get rid of your extra stuff, but that’s easier said than done. Here are a few tips to help you make downsizing less stressful.
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
You need to ask yourself if you lost everything you owned, what would you want to replace? This will tell you what things are important to you and what things you can do without. It might also help to make three lists: Must haves, things you can live without, and things that can be replaced. The must-have list is obviously going to your new place with you. The things that you can live without you can sell or donate to a charity if space concerns become an issue. The things that can be replaced can be used to sell and buy smaller items to fit in your new home, like a smaller TV or a smaller sofa.
Sell Items You Absolutely Don’t Need
If it’s been stuffed in a closet or still in a box after a year or more, you don’t need it. Organize a yard sale with your neighbors. The more money you make, the more money you will have to purchase the size-appropriate things that are the right fit for your new home. Or save the money and enjoy your new, clutter-free space.
Do Not Duplicate
If you are downsizing because you are moving in with someone else, you need to sit down together and make sure you don’t have any duplicates of anything. This is where your inventory comes in handy. You will need to make decisions about which sofa to keep and which set of dishes to keep, and so on. Even if you are not moving in with someone else, duplicates are not a good idea. In your smaller space you probably don’t need twenty wine glasses for a party. A small set of six would be a better idea.
Make Good Use of Storage Space
Once you move into your new home, make sure you maximize the use of your available storage space. Ottomans that have storage space inside, shelves mounted on the wall, and under-the-bed storage boxes are all great ideas for storage in your smaller home. A good rule for storage in a small space is store up, not out. Make use of shelves in your new home to keep things off of the floor and out of your living space.
Stay Organized
Once you move into your new home, be careful about what you let into your new space. In your new home space is at a premium, a small space can quickly become cluttered. You need to be sure that any new items that you purchase can fit into your storage space and that is it actually something that you need. If you buy a new chair, get rid of the old one. If you buy new clothes, get rid of a similar item in your closet.
Downsizing doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. You may be sad about parting with your things, but think about the new life you’re getting in exchange for getting rid of extra stuff. Whatever your reason is for downsizing, attitude is essential. The more upbeat you are about the process, the smoother it will go.
If you are looking to downsize your home, Sandie will work tirelessly to make finding your new home as easy for you as possible. She can assist you in preparing to sell your home and can help you find the right neighborhood for you with her up-to-date knowledge of the neighborhoods and communities in the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area.
If you have any questions, please CONTACT Sandie. She’s here to help!