Dargan Real Estate - Myrtle Beach, SC

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tips

Tips For Organizing Your Kitchen

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kitchenWe all know that the kitchen is one of the busiest spaces in our home. Keeping it organized can really help you save space and serve your family and friends- and even yourself- better. Here are some tips for organizing your kitchen.

Hang it up: Clear some space by hanging aprons, potholders, dish towels and other items on pegs. Just be sure to keep everything at least two feet away from your stove for safety!

Arrange accordingly: Store your kitchenware based on how often you use it. Keep daily use items on easily reached lower shelves. Stock your special occasions higher up. [Read more…]

Easy Room Makeovers

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As much fun as it can be to decorate your home, it can also be pretty time consuming and cause you to put it off longer than you would like to. With Spring in full swing, the urge to redecorate is strong. We have some ideas for you that can make over your home in a flash.

Rearrange your furniture: A little feng shui can go a long way to changing up the look and feel of your home. For example, moving your furniture away from the walls of a room creates a more intimate setting for you and your guests.

Add color: The warmer months beg for color, so why not add it inside your home? Think cheerful colors like bright yellows, royal blues, crisp whites and intense greens. Use them on your bedding, as curtains, or any other spot in your house that needs a little brightening up!

Try a bold tablecloth: Just switching out your tablecloth can make a huge difference in your dining room. Strong color combinations and graphic patterns can add just the perfect amount of punch and take no time at all.

Show your shelves some love: Painting only the shelves in a room takes very little time, but can make a lasting statement. Go for eye-catching colors like orange and red, or use lighter complimentary colors that enhance what your space already has.

With these tips, you can freshen up your living space without spending a lot of time!

Tips for a Successful Open House

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You’ve set a date for an open house, and you want to be sure the right people show up. You have the basics down: declutter and ensure the home is clean and well-maintained, but what else?  Don’t worry; these insider tips should do just the trick.

Open House

Consider hosting an early showing of your home for locals only. If you’re planning an open house between the hours of 1 and 4 pm, invite your neighbors to stop by between noon and 1 pm. The invite will make neighbors feel appreciated and needed, but it will also allow your agent to focus on serious and interested buyers during the actual hours of the open house.

PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE. Bring awareness to your open house by uploading tons of photos, passing out flyers, and advertising in the local newspaper. Make sure your property is listed on the MLS and be sure to advertise the open house on websites like Trulia.com and Zillow.com. An added bonus: post an “Open House” sign in the yard a week before the event to let potential buyers that drive by the home know when they should come back.

Be absent. If you’ve hired an agent, there’s no real reason for you to attend the open house. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in your home, as well as feel they can speak their mind freely, and it might be hard to do that if you’re there.

Secure your home and belongings. It’s okay to set some ground rules when you’re opening up your home to strangers. Require a signature and proof of ID (if you skip it, you run the risk of getting fake names and numbers) from every person who stops by the open house. Bathrooms are off limits–you never want a closed door between a stranger and your home. Dispose of any prescriptions you are no longer taking and/or take them with you, lock up and hide away all valuables, and ensure all guests have a chaperone at all times.

Consider choosing an “off” hour. Most open houses take place on Saturday or Sunday afternoon between the hours of 1 and 4 pm. Host your open house between 3 and 5 pm instead. An “off” hour ensures less open house competition and draws more attention to your property. An added perk: most buyers hit up several open houses in one day. At the beginning of the day, buyers are excited about the properties they are planning to see and fly through them because they’re eager to see what’s next. By knowing your property is the last open house of the day, the buyer can take their time viewing the property–and if they’re still looking–give you serious consideration.

Top Real Estate Websites

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There are thousands of websites on the Web that offer a wealth of information about real estate. Here’s a list of the best.

1. Zillow

Zillow is real estate marketplace that offers a living database of more than 110 million homes (including homes for sale–by owner and agent, homes for rent, homes in foreclosure, new homes, and pre-market homes), mortgage and refinancing tools and calculators, advice forums and message boards, local information, and more.

2. Yahoo! Homes

Yahoo! Homes is partnered with Zillow and also offers a database of homes for sale. It also offers the latest news stories about “Must See Homes,” home finance, and home projects.

3. Trulia

Trulia has an interactive website that is easy to use. It also offers a large database of homes available and helpful search tools. The search feature gives users the ability to search specific areas for crime rates, schools, and more. Users can even sign up for alert notifications when nearby houses are sold or prices are cut. In addition, users can post questions for local residents to answer.

4. Realtor.com

Realtor.com offers real time MLS listings that are updated every 15 minutes. Users can find out how much homes are going for in a specific area and view a summary of statistics about the local real estate market. Advice and news articles are also available.

5. Homes.com

Homes.com offers a property database like the ones above it. In addition, the site offers an Idea Gallery to give users inspiration (and helpful information) for many different areas: Celebrity Living, Curb Appeal, Decorating, DIY Improvement, Entertaining, Green Living, Guides/Checklists, Holidays, Home Buying, Home Living Tips, Home Values, How-To, On The Move, Organization, Renting A Home, Selling A Home.

 

**The sites listed above are the top five most popular real estate websites as calculated by Alexa‘s Global Traffic Rank & U.S. Traffic Rank from both Complete & Quantcast.

 

Childproofing Your Home

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You probably have heard and are aware of many of the suggestions listed below. However, if you’ve just moved into a new home or you’re moving into a new home in the near future–there may be certain things you’ve never thought about before because they didn’t apply at your old home. It’s always a good idea to remind ourselves to practice safety measures in our homes.

Childproof

 

  • Install safety latches on all cabinets and drawers.
  • Use the stove’s back burners, and always turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to keep them out of reach.
  • Keep kitchenware and appliances out of reach and away from tables and counters.
  • Put visual reminders (like Mr. Yuk stickers from poison prevention centers) on potentially hazardous or poisonous items.
  • Install toilet locks to keep toilet lids closed. (Children can lean over and fall in toilets easily, and it only takes one inch of water to drown.)
  • Install anti-scalding devices on faucets and shower heads to prevent burns. Also, set the water thermostat on 120 degrees. (It takes only three seconds for a child to get third degree burns from water temperatures of 140 degrees.)
  • Unplug hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, and hot rollers after use to prevent electrocution and to keep away from curious children.
  • Cover unused outlets with protective plugs or caps. Make sure outlets in the kitchen and bathroom are updated with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s), which turn off electricity if appliances fall into water. For outlets in use (especially ones low to the ground), there are devices that make it difficult to unplug the appliance.
  • Use safety gates at both the top and bottom of stairs (don’t use ones with expanding pressure bars), as well as in front of doors to rooms filled with hazards.
  • Use doorknob covers to keep children away from rooms or other areas that are hazardous (such as swimming pools).
  • Put corner and edge bumpers on furniture and other items (like fireplace hearths) to protect against injury.
  • Keep furniture away from high windows (to keep children off windowsills). Screens aren’t strong enough to keep children from falling through them.
  • Make sure that window blinds do not have looped cords and always lock blinds in place (whether they are up or down).
  • Prevent furniture from tipping over by securing bookcases, shelving, and heavy furniture to walls with brackets and anchors. When storing items, put heavier items on low shelves.
  • Use smoke alarms on every level of your home to alert you to fires and smoke.

Do you know of any other great safety measure for childproofing your home that we may have missed? Share them with us!

The Importance of Home Staging

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We cannot stress the importance of staging your home using the right methods.  It’s one of the single most important things a seller should do before they list their property for sale.

Let’s look at a few statistics.

  • According to the NAR (National Association of Realtors), the average staging investment is between one and three percent of the home’s asking price–which generates a ROI (Return on Investment) between eight and ten percent.
  • 90% of buyers begin their house hunting online. Listing your beautifully staged home with high definition photos, as well as quality videos, will force it to stand out from the competition. As a result, your showing numbers will increase significantly.
  • 95% of homes that are professionally staged sell in 30 days or less! Homes that have not been professionally staged remain on the market for an average of 145 days.
  • Homes sold in the first 4 weeks average 1% more than asking price;  4 to 12 weeks average 5% less; 13 to 24 weeks average 6.4% less; and over 24 weeks average more than 10% less.

YOU DO THE MATH.

Staging your home is actually based around behavioral psychology theories and understanding human behavior. It’s less about decorating and more about knowing how to get your buyers to envision themselves living in your home. You are selling a fantasy. Get rid of anything that detracts from that viewpoint.

Depersonalize. Remove personal pictures and anything else that makes the home feel more like ‘yours’ versus more like ‘theirs’. Clear off counters and shelves, pack away books, and take pictures down off the wall.

Keep furniture to a bare minimum if at all possible. You want just enough furniture to define a room’s purpose without making it feel crowded.

Aim for a cheerful and bright mood. If it’s a sunny day, open the curtains and blinds to let the sun in (but ensure the windows are spotless). If the windows look out into the yard, make sure the lawn has been trimmed and the hedges have been cut. If it’s a gloomy day, turn on the lights in every room to lift the mood.

Fresh flowers are one of the easiest ways to liven up the mood in a home; they make everyone feel good. Use them both inside and outside the home. Flower beds add to your home’s curb appeal, and a walkway lined with beautiful flowers can’t help but impress your buyers before they even walk through the door. Place a tasteful arrangement on a small table near the entry, a bowl of flowers or fruit in the middle of the dining room table, or a vase of flowers on a bedside table or dresser.

Neutral paint schemes create a blank canvas. No two buyers have the same personal preferences and a neutral environment showcases the potential of a home.

Appeal to all the senses. Keep the thermostat set at a comfortable temperature. Make sure your house smells fresh and clean. Sprinkle cinnamon and fresh orange peels in a pot of water and allow it to simmer on the stove for twenty minutes before a showing. Remove it from the stove and put away “the evidence” before the potential buyer arrives.

Bathrooms and kitchen sell properties. Make yours count by replacing old shower curtains and ensuring all fixtures, mirrors, porcelain, and floors shine.

DIY Painting Tips

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One of the easiest ways to update the look of your home before placing it on the market is by painting. It doesn’t matter if you are painting the interior walls a new, neutral color or if you are repainting them with the same color, your home will look cleaner and more attractive with a fresh coat of paint.

If you don’t have the money set aside in your budget to hire a painter, don’t worry! Painting your home is a task you should have no problem tackling by yourself. In fact, I painted my living room area a warm light brown just last weekend. The job can be time-consuming and tedious, but it can also improve the look of your home tremendously.

Before I began my painting project last weekend, I researched online and found a few great painting tips. I read about many things I hadn’t considered, and I also learned there were many things I’ve done wrong in the past. The tips I found were really helpful and I thought I’d share them.

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TYPES OF PAINT

Always use quality paint. There’s really no point repainting if you plan to use low quality paint. The quality will show itself on your walls, and will only result in wasted time and money. It’s definitely worth spending a bit more for a higher quality paint. Trust me on this one. Tested and proven quality brands include Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Sherwin Williams.

Finishes: flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, high-gloss

Flat paint has the least amount of shine and has a matte appearance. It absorbs light and is the best option for hiding imperfections. It goes on smoother over rough surfaces and is the best option for textured walls. It’s a bit more difficult to clean than others and isn’t ideal for high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Eggshell (sometimes referred to as satin) has more luster than flat finishes but doesn’t leave you with a shiny wall. It resists stains better than flat and can be cleaned with a wet rag.

Semi-gloss is tougher than eggshell so it will show less wear over time, but it reflects light and doesn’t hide imperfections. It stands up best to water and cleaning and is the best choice for bathrooms or children’s rooms. Semi-gloss is often the chosen finish for trim and doors.

High-gloss should be reserved for trim and furniture because of its hard and shiny finish.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES

Supplies to consider: paint, primer, roller trays, drop cloths, painter’s tape, damp cloth

Tools to consider: nylon/polyester brushes for latex paints, rollers, screwdriver, sandpaper, paint scraper/putty knife (a 5-in-1 tool is a painter’s best friend), edger

Brush Sizes: 1 – 2″ brushes are best for smaller and tight trim areas, a 2.5 – 3″ brush is perfect for trim or corner work, and 4 – 5″ brushes are ideal for larger areas like walls

PREP

Remove as much furniture as possible. Remove pictures, mirrors, outlet covers, light fixtures, and window treatments.

Don’t use plastic sheets; use drop cloths instead. The paint won’t absorb in the plastic and you’ll end up tracking the paint everywhere.

Wash/wipe walls to remove soiled surfaces and increase adhesion. Sand glossy areas with sandpaper.

Use a putty knife to to clean out large plaster cracks and fill.

Always use painter’s tape to mask areas around doorways and windows, and “seal” the tape with the paint brush handle.

PAINTING

Always stir the paint before you begin and never paint straight from the can.

Be sure to cut in while painting–apply paint to the sides and edges of the walls before painting the middle.

To keep coats even, always apply paint to a “wet edge.”

Paint in 4×4 sections of the wall.

Paint a ‘W’ shape with the paint roller and fill in the middle.

Don’t skimp. Load up the roller–this saves time and keeps you from having to paint a second coat.To avoid drips, roll the paint onto a piece of cardboard each time to even the paint out on the roller.

Remove the painter’s tape before the paint is dry to avoid peeling off any paint and maintain perfect edges.

CLEAN UP

Use a roller scraper to remove the paint from the roller.

Place a layer of plastic between the paint can and the lid to keep it from drying out.

Immediately rinse out and wash your brushes and roller, and keep the brush in its original packaging to maintain its shape. Clean brushes by working soap into the bristles and squeezing out as much water as possible.

Always store left over paint in a cool dry place; recycle empty paint cans.

Pest Control Tips

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I think we all agree that no one likes a pest. That is, after all, why they are called pests. Homeowners prefer to live in pest-free homes for their own comfort and well-being, and potential buyers certainly don’t want to see pests roaming free in a property they are considering for purchase.

Pests of all kinds can especially be a problem in warm and humid climates like Myrtle Beach. However, they can be kept away by enforcing a few time-proven methods.

Pest Control Tips

1. Promptly fix leaky faucets and other plumbing issues.

2. Ensure all food is tightly sealed and stored away. Take out the garbage frequently.

3. Keep the kitchen sink clean and never leave dirty dishes lying around the house.

4. Sweep and vacuum floors often and quickly wipe up spills with soap and water. Clean all floors at least once a week and the kitchen floor twice a week.

5. Don’t leave pet food sitting out overnight. Groom pets frequently and treat them with flea and tick prevention.

6. Store all fruit and other produce in the fridge.

7. Keep the outside of your home free of items that attract pests. For example, don’t stack wood against the house and don’t leave piles of leaves in the yard.

8. Trim plants to prevent pests from climbing them to gain access into your home.

9. Clean gutters often to remove leaves or any other debris that may harbor insects.

10. Caulk and seal crevices around cabinets and baseboards, as well as place screens in front of heating and cooling vents, to block  potential entry points.

If you currently have a problem with a particular pest, Lowe’s offers tons of helpful tips to battle specific unwanted guests.

Tips For Buying Energy Efficient Appliances

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Energy efficient appliances help conserve our planet, but they can also save you tons of money! With many choices available, it can be difficult to know which brand or model is the most cost efficient. Here are a few tips so you’ll know what you should look for.

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  • Ask about special energy-efficient offers. Rebates, low-interest loans, or other incentive programs are often available to encourage buyers to purchase more energy efficient appliances.
  • Read the Energy Guide label. The yellow and black label located on the appliance is required by the FTC on all new appliances (with the exception of ranges, microwaves, and clothes dryers). It will tell you the estimated annual energy consumption and will help you compare the efficiency of competing brands.
  • Look for the Energy Star logo. Appliances with this logo are significantly more energy-efficient than the average model.
  • Refrigerators with fewer accessories are usually more energy efficient. Ice makers and water dispensers use unnecessary energy. Auto-defrost causes lower overall efficiency because it uses heat to speed defrosting. The most efficient refrigerators are 16-20 cubic feet with freezers on the bottom rather than the top or sides.
  • Self-cleaning ovens are more energy efficient because they are better insulated.
  • Front load washers use much less water, hold larger loads, and conserve more energy in reduced water heating. Look for models that come with a sensor that automatically stops the dryer when the clothes are dry.
  • Choose a dishwasher with an “energy-save” or “light wash” cycle which uses less water and runs for a shorter period of time. Also choose a model with an “air dry” option which uses a circulation fan. This uses less power than a “heat dry” option.
  • If buying a new air conditioner, choose a model with an Energy Efficient Ratio (EER) of 10.0 or higher.

For more information on energy efficient appliances, energystar.gov offers a wealth of information!

How To… Spot An Overpriced Home

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Homeowners have a tendency to overprice their homes because their opinion of its true value is clouded with personal memories. Buyers have a lot of choices. If you’re selling your home, it’s important to list it with a fair and competitive price. Just as equally important, buyers need to know how to spot overpriced homes.

How To Spot An Overpriced Home

1. The home has been on the market for a high number of days.

A home is probably overpriced if it has been sitting on the market for a long time. Competitively priced homes bring in multiple offers and sell quickly.

2. Location, location, location.

Location is EVERYTHING.  A home is generally worth less if it’s located on a busy street, schools are poorly rated, and/or the neighborhood is filled with older residents. A home is generally worth more if it’s located on the water or has water views, schools are highly rated, and/or the neighborhood is associated with newer homes.

3. A home without updates has less value.

An outdated or unkempt property usually means money will be spent on updates and/or repairs. A home should be priced less if the house was built by a lower-end builder, fixtures are outdated, fence is rotted, paint is older or faded, cabinets are scratched, wallpaper is peeling or outdated, floor plan is awkward, lacks desirable traits (granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, energy efficient, great landscaping), or needs any known repairs.

4. Price is significantly higher than other homes in the same neighborhood.

Just because a home is a luxury estate located in a modest neighborhood doesn’t mean it’s worth more money. A home is only worth what buyers are willing to pay for it. Customized or unique amenities aren’t always clear indicators of the home’s value either. The previous owner may have spent a fortune installing a bowling alley, but that doesn’t mean every buyer wants or is willing to pay more to have one. The best indicator of a home’s value is to look at the listing price of other homes in the neighborhood or look at homes that have recently sold and for how much.

There’s an informative summary of a research project conducted on the value of housing characteristics on realtor.org. Listed below are some of the conclusions that were determined about property characteristics and the effect they have on the value of a home.

  • each full bath adds approximately 24 percent to the selling price
  • nine foot ceilings add approximately 6 percent to the selling price
  • a sitting area in the master bedroom adds approximately 8 percent to the selling price
  • each additional bedroom adds approximately 4 percent to the selling price
  • the negative effects of age are most noticeable for homes 21-30 years old
  • vinyl and aluminum exteriors sell for approximately 4 percent less than those with brick; stucco and wood exteriors sell for approximately 9 percent more
  • houses with flat roofs sell for approximately 10 percent less than those with pitched roofs
  • contemporary and Dutch styled homes sell for the highest prices
  • internal characteristics that add the most value: family room, dining room, whirlpool, and security system
  • a fireplace adds approximately 12 percent to the selling price
  • a garage adds approximately 13 percent to the selling price
  • in-ground pools add approximately 8 percent to the selling price but over-ground pools add no value
  • the most valued kitchen features: built-in refrigerator, an island, and a double oven
  • the most valued exterior features: sprinkler system, patio, paddock, and tennis courts
  • situated within close proximity to a golf course adds approximately 8 percent to the selling price
  • homes considered “fixer-uppers” sell for approximately 24 percent less than others

 

Still unsure if a home is overpriced?

Consult your real estate agent. He/she is familiar with the current market analysis and the value of homes in the area. He/she wants you to be happy with his/her service and should steer you away from overpriced homes.

What is Curb Appeal?

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thisoldhouse

 photo courtesy of This Old House

Curb appeal is the attractiveness of a property’s exterior appearance. Several attributes that help create great curb appeal include pleasing color schemes, inviting landscapes, and charming walkways.

Thinking about adding to your property’s curb appeal?  A few ideas are listed below to help you get started!

10 Ways to Increase Curb Appeal

1. Give the front door a punch of color with a fresh coat of paint. Garnish your new door with a wreath that reflects the interior style of the home.

2. Replace old hardware (house numbers, knobs, wall-mounted overhead lights, etc.).

3. Add outdoor lighting by illuminating a walking path. Consider solar lighting if you don’t have the wiring capabilities.

4. Makeover the mailbox or replace it altogether. Consider painting the wooden post a color that matches the home or plant a few flowers around it.

5. Add shutters or accent trim to plain windows. Consider adding a window box with plants or fresh flowers.

6. Renew paint, siding, and trim to keep things fresh.

7. Edge the driveway with bricks or stone. Get creative with different patterns.

8. Install new garage doors.

9. Manicure the lawn by cutting back trees and bushes.

10. Rinse dirt off the property’s siding, shutters, gutters, and sidewalks with a garden hose or consider renting a pressure washer.

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 photo courtesy of HGTV

CurbAppeal

photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

 

Can you think of other ways to increase curb appeal?

Let us know!

Advice & Tips: Repairing Bad Credit

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Unfortunately, there’s not an easy fix for bad credit. Repairing negative credit history takes time and patience, but there are several ways to get a jump start on the process.

Step 1: Check Your Credit Report

You are entitled to a free credit report each year and can request a copy at annualcreditreport.com. It’s important to obtain a report that pulls information from all three credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) because they can all indicate a different credit score. Creditors aren’t required to report to all three bureaus, and typically only report to the bureau with which they subscribe.

It’s essential to check your credit report each year to ensure it reflects accurate information. Be sure to check for erroneous late payments, and verify the information listed under the “amounts owed” field is correct. If you discover an error, dispute it with the credit bureau and reporting agency as soon as possible.

In addition to obtaining your annual credit report, you can also obtain credit scores year round at creditkarma.com. They typically aren’t scores used by lenders but should give you a general overview of your credit report’s current status.

Step 2: Set Up Payment Reminders

Making payments in a timely fashion is one of the largest contributions you can make to your credit score. Some financial institutions offer payment reminders via online banking, e-mail, and text alerts. Automatic payments can be set up if you have a really difficult time keeping up with due dates. But, keep in mind, this method doesn’t help instill a sense of money management with creditors because automatic payments only deduct the minimum payment due.

Step 3: Reduce Amounts Owed

Easier said than done, right? It’s worth the hard work and sacrifice because it’s far more satisfying to pay off debt completely than it is to improve your credit score.

A great debt reduction method:

Stop using credit cards.

Determine the amounts owed on each account you have open, as well as the interest rates associated with those accounts. Establish  a payment plan, and apply the majority of funds allotted for debt payments toward the highest interest accounts first.  Continue to pay the minimum amount due on your other accounts. Once the account with the highest interest rate is paid off, move on to the account with the second highest interest rate. Continue paying off debt using this method until all accounts have a zero balance.

Tip: Change payment due dates on several accounts if a large number are due around the same time.

Credit Score Facts

– Your payment history accounts for 35% of your calculated credit score.

– Paying off a debt will not remove it from your report; it stays there for 7 years.

– Delinquent payments–even one day late–majorly impact your FICO score.

– Amounts owed account for 30% of your calculated credit score.

– Keep balances low. Pay off debt rather than transferring or moving it around to other accounts.

– Don’t open new cards you don’t need just to increase your credit limit; it could backfire and lower your score instead.

– Don’t open multiple accounts within short time frames. A flood of new accounts look especially risky if you’re a new credit user. Apply for and open new accounts only as needed.

– In general, credit cards and installment loans will rebuild your credit score. An individual who doesn’t have any credit cards tends to be a higher risk than an individual who has credit cards and manages them responsibly.

– Adding an installment loan (personal, auto, mortgage, student), if you don’t already have one, shows you’re responsible with both major types of credit. If you choose to add an installment loan, make sure it reports to all three credit bureaus. You can find the best deals at a local bank or credit union.

Made a bad decision once or twice?
Most creditors look for patterns of payment rather than focusing on one-time or rare occurrences. So, don’t panic if you’ve had one or two slips in the past.

If you want to learn more about rebuilding your credit–radio host, Dave Ramsey, offers a lot of great advice on many different financial topics.

Declutter & Gain Interest In Your Home

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Presenting the best version of your home is crucial to securing the interest of a potential buyer.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve the look and feel of your home is by getting rid of unnecessary items. Buyers like to envision themselves living in a home and making it their own when they tour a property. It’s not easy to do that if the current owner has too much stuff.

Think about it this way. The less stuff you own, the less you have to clean or maintain. Respect your possessions and maintain them well, but don’t let them weight you down (or more importantly, discourage a potential buyer!)

The thought of decluttering an entire house seems overwhelming for everyone. BUT–we’re confident if you use the following methods, your home can be pristine and clutter-free in no time!

*You must really commit to the process though. Getting rid of a few items you no longer need isn’t going to make a real impact. You must get rid of everything in your home that doesn’t serve a true purpose.

 

GUIDELINES FOR CLEARING OUT CLUTTER

Stop bringing in new stuff NOW. If you decide you need to purchase something new, find two things you can toss or donate in its place.

Schedule a date and time to start the declutter process and stick to it! Work in 30 minute sessions to avoid getting distracted or discouraged. Keep the process going at a slow but steady pace.

Focus on one section at a time. Start in one corner of the room and move your way around. Focus on the stuff you can see at first. Get rid of everything that isn’t absolutely essential to keep, you don’t love, or you don’t use often. Go back through and sort through the stuff you couldn’t see the first time (inside the cabinets, drawers, cupboards, etc.).

Access your storage situation. Find unique and efficient ways to organize by searching the web. You can also find great ideas by looking through home decor magazines or by visiting stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Organize first; buy second. Don’t buy organizing bins, baskets, or boxes before you know exactly what you need. Otherwise, you’re wasting your money.

When storing items, put those you use in easily accessible areas and others in harder-to-reach areas.

The 4-Box Method: Separate clutter into 4 piles: give away or donate, sell (on eBay or Craigslist), store properly, and toss.

Ask yourself the following questions to help decide if items should be kept or tossed:

Have I used the item in the past year?

Do I have another item that serves the same purpose?

Do I absolutely love it?

Would I buy this item today?

Am I only keeping this because I feel obligated or expected to keep it?

Am I saving this item just in case?

Is it worth the time I spend cleaning or storing this item?

 

ROOM AND ITEM SPECIFIC DECLUTTER TIPS

Bedroom

Make the bed EVERY DAY. This quick and easy step improves the look of your bedroom dramatically.

Drag everything out from under the bed. If anything needs to stay there, put it in a clear plastic container. Revisit the container in six months. If you haven’t used anything in the box, get rid of it.

Living Room/Den

Purge your entertainment collection regularly. For every four or five DVDs you decide to keep, get rid of one.

Limit magazine subscriptions to three or less.

Paper

Stop receiving junk mail. Register on Direct Marketing Association for $1 and remove your name and address from all marketing lists. You can also call them at 888-5OPT-OUT! This will remove 75% of the junk mail you receive within 90 days.

Opt out of your phone book delivery by contacting HTC and/or YellowPages.

Switch to paperless billing.

File, don’t pile. Utilize hanging folders for a clear space.

Designate places for unopened mail, bills and receipts, and important personal information. Put mail and bills near your storage of stamps and envelopes.

Electronics

Recycle old electronics, cables, and cords by dropping them off in a box at Best Buy.

Utilize electronic clips to prevent jumbled wires.

Clothing

Keep classic pieces that fit and are in good condition. These items can be recycled over and over again.

If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.

 

*Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home, these methods are great to learn for when and/or if that day comes. The most important thing to remember is to maintain your clutter-free home after you complete the declutter process. Pick up items that don’t belong in a particular room on your way out. If you purchase something new, get rid of something in its place.  

Buying A Home? There’s an App for That!

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With today’s advanced technology, there’s an app for everything and purchasing real estate is no exception. The five apps listed below can offer helpful assistance during the home buying process.

Trulia – real estate search with interactive maps

Trulia Collage.jpg

Features

  • separate sections listing homes for sale and homes for rent
  • search limitations by lot size, year built, property type, price range, square footage
  • an open house tab allows you to view open houses on any given day
  • heatmap feature displays neighborhood crime incidents, rental prices, or homes prone to flooding
  • amenities tab displays restaurants and schools nearby
  • syncs with Yelp! and displays a map with nearby gas stations, grocery stores, shopping plazas, and more

Credit Karma – free credit scoring on the go

credit karma

Features

  • free credit monitoring
  • notification when important changes are made to your credit report
  • credit report card displays factors influencing your credit score
  • free membership
  • financial education and free tools allow users to take control of their credit score

Homesnap – creative home search powered by MLS data

Homesnap

Features

  • snap a photo of a house for sale and read MLS data about it
  • displays estimated value, last price home sold for, number of bedrooms and baths, local schools nearby, interior pictures + more
  • save favorites and share with friends
  • see what homes your friends have searched for or saved as a favorite

Zillow Mortgage – mortgage calculating tool

Zillow Collage.jpg

Features

  • calculate the maximum amount you can afford on a home
  • determine the monthly mortgage payment or if you should refinance
  • shop current mortgage rates
  • live mortgage rates and trends
  • side-by-side customized loan quotes
  • compare lender ratings and reviews

Houzz – interior home decorating and design ideas

Houzz

Features

  • over 1,500,000 photos of interior homes
  • browse by style (modern, traditional, contemporary, eclectic, mediterranean, farmhouse, industrial, rustic)
  • browse by room or location
  • save the ideas you like to your favorites for quick access

 

Do you use an app that you find particularly helpful that isn’t on our list?

Share it with us!