A resolution that should be kept....for the sake of your home

Here is a bit of food for thought, all be it not fat free, low cal or all natural. 

In order to start your year off successfully it is necessary to streamline your home. Prepare yourself for an easy breezy, at least first couple of months, while the organization lasts.

Here is how to you can. (you may pick and choose the points that seem attainable based upon your motivation to get with the program in 2016)

Streamline the stuff
-We hear this time and time again DECLUTTER. But it's true. You will automatically feel a sense of accomplishment by cleaning counter-tops, cleaning out "junk drawers" and putting everything else in containers with labels (if you are feeling so ambitious)

Work out a weekly cleaning schedule
If you know what small things you need to achieve every day, you wont have to dedicate Saturday to doing everything. Set up a daily goal that minimizes weekend tidying.

Create a home improvement list
-What do you see that needs adjusting around your home. Invite a friend over to critique things and give them food in exchange for their "kind words"

Find DIY projects
-We have created an entire weekend warrior DIY pinterest board just for you to peruse.

Become energy efficient
-Change out a toilet or two. They now have dual flush toilets which uses less water depending on the number you just completed. Number referring to number 1 (a little tinkle) and number 2 (a little more than that) You may even be eligible for some kind of tax benefit from becoming more energy efficient.


Visit our Pinterest boards for DIY ideas and Organization guidance. We even have one for home improvements!

Home for the Holidays

Prep you home for success during the festive season!
Quick tips on how to be successful in the real estate market this season. 

(Inspired by an HGTV article)

Decorate tastefully
You do not want to take away from your home's natural curb appeal by cluttering your yard with blow up Santas and an entire herd of light up reindeer. Keep it simple with a wreath and a few lights.

     

Hire an Agent
That's where we come in. You want someone who will continue working hard for you even through this busy family time of year. 
















Price your home to sell
This is a great tip for every time of year, but especially when there are a lot of extra expenses due to holiday purchases. You want to still be affordable along with the tree and gifts. 



Be certain you have AWESOME photos 
Do not settle for mediocore phone pictures or un-professional photos of your home. Pictures sell homes. Especially now that much shopping is done online for homes. Your photos may be the only thing prospective buyers ever see. Make sure your real estate agent can work with a professional photographer to capture the beauty of your home. Bluewater has an in house photographer :)

Photo by our Photographer Liz










Open houses during this Season
These can be very festive and a great opportunity for you to help buyers see what their holidays could look like. Provide things like hot cocoa and peppermint sticks, Make sure the home is warm. And a cookie or two never hurt. 



"Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing.
Bah, humbug! Lenders are scrooges these days, but if you've got the means, then why not offer a home loan to a serious buyer? You could get a good rate of return on your money"

Preparing for the Holidays at your Home

These simple steps can make having family and friends over during the holiday season a breeze. If you plan on hosting a large party of cheerful guests 

(Reader's Digest tips)

Brighten up your bathroom- change out curtains or accent items to give a new fresh look to your space

Stow stuff away- clear counter-tops box up unnecessary items to provide more room

Make sure your entry way is welcoming- door mats, wreaths, lights and NO COBWEBS

Add extra seating- go shopping at your nearest home store like Ikea or Home Goods for foldable chairs that can easily be placed in a closet when not in use. 

(Our tips)

Have plenty of extra linens- bath towels pillows and face cloths

Stock the fridge with snack foods- fruits and veggies, crackers and cheese, nuts and party mix

Get your Wi-Fi password ready- It is always a pain to arrive somewhere and use your data plan, make sure to be ready with your internet information to make guests stay a breeze

Stock the bathrooms with extra toiletries- We all forget something any extra items from your previous hotel stays work perfectly for sink top baskets of essentials

Tips for Organizing Your Home for Back-To-School

It's that time!  Back-To-School is quickly approaching.  These tips will help you save time and effort when it comes to those busy school days.

Homework:  What environment does your child/children work best in?  Consider this before designating a specific area in your home for homework.

Meal Planning:  Clean out your refrigerator, getting it ready for school breakfasts, after-school snacks and dinner.  Organize your pantry so that all items are easily accessible, saving you time while preparing dinner.  

Closets:  Probably one of the most stressful times is getting the kids to school on time in the mornings.  Having their (and your) closets organized will save time during the morning hustle.

Scheduling and Appointments:  Purchase a large dry-erase board and place it in a central area where it can be updated easily.  Use this for all school-related appointments such as, sports practice, school functions, etc.  

Equipment:  Purchase large bins and place them in designated areas for school-related equipment such as sports equipment and/or musical instruments.  

Five Things Real Estate Agents Need to Know Before October 2015

Courtesy of Fidelity National Title Group

Information on new mortgage disclosure forms and how they change every transaction you work on after October 2015.

Five things to know:

• Be able to explain the new Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure
• Timing of closings are impacted by disclosure delivery rules
• Title fees may need to be adjusted at closing and explained
• Line numbers have been removed and there are now 7 fee areas
• Your client will likely receive more than one Closing Disclosure

Click here for specific details on Five Things Real Estate Agents Need to Know Before October 2015 (pdf).

Spring Landscaping Tips

With the temperature slowly rising, spring is the perfect time to make your lawn picture-perfect!  Landscaping can make or break a potential buyer or renter's first impression of your home, along with adding value and curb appeal.

The following tips will help you to get your lawn in perfect shape this spring:


Inspect Lawn Maintenance Equipment
Begin by ensuring that all of your lawn maintenance equipment is in good working order.  Address and repair any issues so that you won't be sidetracked in the middle of lawn maintenance if a problem were to occur.

Trees, Plants and Shrubs
Inspect trees and shrubs to see if they're broken and/or damaged.  If needed, prune as soon as possible before spring growth occurs.  Cut back perennials.  Spring is the perfect time of year to plant.  The temperatures are a comfortable level for plants to adapt to a new habitat.  Transplant any plants as soon as possible before they have time to start spring growth.

Flower Beds
Neaten up flower beds by edging and weeding them.  Add fresh mulch if needed.

Fertilizing and Weed Control
Choose a fertilizer that best suits your soil's needs.  Apply a pre-emergent weed killer to get a jump start on weeds before they sprout.  

Visit our Pinterest Board for more!

Real Estate Ethics for Buyers

Many times the subject of the "Code of Ethics" arises when speaking of real estate agents.  But what about the unspoken ethics between buyers and sellers?  There are many times when a real estate transaction goes sour between buyers and sellers that could have been avoided.  Here are some helpful tips to help you keep your transaction as smooth as possible when buying a home.

BUYERS:

• NEVER go behind your agent's back and approach the seller about details of the closing process.
• Always schedule an appointment for re-showings or inspections of the seller's home with your agent.  Showing up at the door of a seller unannounced is likely to not sit well with the seller if they're in the middle of something important.  This might make them less likely to negotiate with you if future negotiations arise.  
• Never negatively criticize the property in a derogatory manner in front of the seller or in public.  Pointing out flaws to your agent is acceptable, but there is a fine line between constructive criticism and and being rude.  Speak to your agent so that they can appropriately express your opinion(s) during their follow-up with the seller or the seller's agent.  More than likely, the seller has an emotional attachment to their home and will not take kindly to derogatory comments spoken in a rude manner.
• Just passed by the home of your dreams and see a "for sale" sign in the yard?  Do you know the seller?  Under no circumstances should you show up at a seller's door unannounced and ask to see the home, even if you think it's harmless.  By doing so, you could jeopardize a smooth transaction by imposing on the seller at an inconvenient time.
• Control your anger.  If you are upset that the seller didn't follow through with an agreement, it could be for valid reasons.  Give them a chance to explain to their agent before any turmoil develops.

By following these simple tips, it could very possibly make your real estate negotiations go very smoothly without negativity or hard feelings.