Spring Cleaning!

Ah, the sun is shining and the weekend weather forecast is great, but before you go for that bike ride or picnic let's think about Spring cleaning the house!  Here's some simple suggestions to make it easier for you.

1) Plan your work and work your plan. Pick out a day and plan for it.  Also, projects are always easier with a checklist.  Go through the house and make a list of every area that needs work.  Then make sure to check things off the list as you complete them. Sometimes it's easier to start with the simpler tasks so you gain a sense of accomplishment early on in the day.

2) Don't be afraid to throw or give things away, even though it can often times be difficult to part with things.

When it comes to clothing, if it's not seasonal and you haven't worn it in six months put it in a box.  Label & date the box and put it in the garage.  If you don't go into the box in the next month, then give the box away without opening it at all.

When it comes to furnishings or accessories, if it's broken throw it out or donate it.  Spring is the time to start fresh, so get rid of all those old broken items.  Remember, donations are tax deductible.  Plus, donated items can go on to be used & enjoyed by others.

3) If there are truly things that you can't bear to part with, but you have no room, then get an off-site storage unit.

4) Last but not least, remember when you clean away the clutter you'll not only feel better, you'll have room for the new things you find this year. 

Enjoy the weather!

Tips For Homesellers

Here are four things homesellers can do to help sell their homes in today's market -
1. Get Your Photos online: First, stage your property (through EYH), then get great photos taken and get them online. EYH will work with your Realtor and their professional photographer to make sure the job is done right.  In today's market the internet is the first place buyers will see your property, so those photos have to be terrific. We cannot stress this enough!
2. Make it clutter-free : Go through the house and declutter, with a capital "D".  Go through the house with a fine toothed comb and remove excess clothing and furnishings.  This will make the closets and rooms appear larger.  And don't forget the basement and the garage.  Remember, donations are a tax deduction, so get everything out of the house by donating your extra clothing, furniture or accessories to a worthy cause.

3. Clean, clean, clean: Buyers need to see houses that are "white glove" clean.  So, don't be afraid to bring in a professional cleaning crew to clean your house from top to bottom before it goes on the market.  And, don't forget to professionally clean the carpets and draperies too.  

 

3. Depersonalize:  You want Buyers to fall in love with your home the minute they walk through your door.  To make this happen they need to see themselves living in your house.  And, they can't do that if all they see are photos of your family hanging on the walls.  I know it's difficult to put those memories away, but it's just until the house sells and remember you'll be taking those with you to your new place.

Remember, the best time to stage your house is now!  Give Enhance Your Home a call at 847-748-7777 because we can help.

Freshen Up Your Home Without Breaking The Bank!

Everybody is tightening their budgets and trying to save money these days, so here are some low cost tips to help you spruce up your home or give it a fresh look without breaking the bank.

First, you might want to try a new color of paint around the house. Whether you paint the exterior, interior, one room or one wall, you can make it dramatic and bold, and it can still be inexpensive.

Next, let's anchor your room with one or two larger pieces of furniture to act as the "hub" and perhaps even a focal point. In many cases this will be a sofa or perhaps a bed. Too often people buy small items or small furniture because these may be less expensive. But remember, rooms need to have a good mixture of large, medium and small items to look and have the right balance. I know that might sound expensive, but there are always great sales going on at furniture stores.  You might even find good quality furniture at garage sales or estate sales. The key is to have at least one major piece of furniture in each the room. Some estate sales and discount furniture stores are the way to go!

We also want good lighting. Take advantage of any natural light that comes into the room, blocking it out during the hottest times of the day, but allowing it to fill the room the rest of the time. Think in terms of triangulation - you should have good lighting spread out in the room that forms, at the very least, a triangular coverage.  And, don't forget the energy efficient light bulbs (Check them out here).

Look for fabrics in the remnants department at your favorite stores. You can save a lot by buying remnants instead of yardage from the regular stock. Make a throw, cover some pillows and bingo, a new look.

Use a lot of greenery, whether it is live or artificial. You can easily fill a room up with greenery. It hides unsightly areas, is great filler, and just softens the room oh so much. Buy small plants and place in larger containers and wait for them to grow. Or just stick to artificial greens which will never die and never need water. Just don't forget to dust them once in a while!

Maximize your storage. Look for furniture that doubles as storage, like a chest instead of tables. Buy tall bookshelves and cabinets to take advantage of your room's vertical height.  Shop at second hand bookstores and antique stores for great old books and collectibles at great prices. Intersperse your greenery, books and family photos around the room for that personalized, designer look.

If budget is tight, don't despair. Get creative. You can still make a huge difference in the way your home looks and feels for very little money.

5 Tips to Enhance Your Curb Appeal

Whether you're preparing to sell your house or continuing to dwell in it now's the time to spruce up your curb appeal.  Either way it will add enjoyment to your home.  Remember, staging basics apply to the exterior of your home as well as the interior.

1)  Start from the ground up, by taking a look at your lawn.

  Mow it on a regular basis to maintain a manicured look.  Use grass patch to fill in any bare spots.  There are several economically priced, patch-type products that you can pick-up at your local Lowe's or Home Depot.

2)  A well manicured lawn will help make a good first impression, but a vibrant green lawn, edged by colorful  plants will really wow them.  Check with your local nursery to help you select flowering plants that will bloom for the longest period of time in your geographic area.

3)  Make sure Buyers are not distracted by any clutter in your yard, driveway or front porch (or inside your house).  Remove excess items like lawn mowers, gardening tools, excessive hanging plants / stands or kid's toys.  Store them all neatly in the garage, the storage shed or at an offsite storage unit.  You can also have a garage sale or donate your excess items to charity.

4)  Check the condition of the exterior paint, on the walls and especially the front door.  A fresh coat of paint is not only inexpensive, but it creates a fresh, new look. If time and  budget don't allow you to paint the whole house, just touch up the shutters, trim and don't forget that all important front door!

5)  Another fairly inexpensive tip is to pressure or power wash your home's siding, front porch, walk-ways and driveway.  You can rent a power-washer from your local Lowe's or Home Depot.  And while you're at it, power-wash the back patio and clean your windows too, outside and inside.

Do these things and Buyer's will be saying, "Wow!"

before they walk through your door.

More Staging Secrets to Reduce Your Stress:

"Let's Clean Out Those Closets"

Here's the second of 3 secrets that will help reduce your stress level.  One of the many reasons we have stress in our lives is clutter.  Too much clutter simply adds more work to our daily lives and causes more stress, which then creates a vicious cycle.  Which is why in today's article I'll talk about closets.

  

First, rule is don't buy anything new until you've cleaned out the closet!  After all, you've got to make room for the new by removing the old.  So, go to your closet, open it and begin ...

Step #1:  Remove anything that is worn, torn or tattered.  If it's any of those things it's not wearable.  So, put it in the 'to be thrown out' pile.  And, then make sure you throw it out!  I give you permission to throw things out!

 

Step #2:  Remove anything that is not seasonal and that you, have not

used in three months.  Store these items in a plastic container. 

Label the container with today's date and store it in the garage or basement.  Mark your calendar for three months from today.  Then, if you have not opened the plastic container in three months, don't open it at all!  Instead take it to the Good Will, (or similar charity), donate it, and don't forget to get a receipt to get a tax deduction.

Step #3:  Separate out anything that doesn't fit.  Put the items in a plastic garbage bag, take them to the Good Will, (or similar charity), and donate them.  And, again don't forget to get a receipt to get a tax deduction. 

Remember, a little bit of organization and planning will greatly decrease your level of stress.  Also, remember that it takes about 21 days to establish a new habit, so it doesn't happen over-night.  With a little bit of follow through, you can begin to eliminate the clutter, help to reduce your stress and improve your life. 

Revisting some Past Jobs on the Northshore of Chicago, and the People We Worked With

710 South Greenbay Road, Lake Forest - Michele Wilson, Coldwell Banker

We work with Michele Wilson quite frequently.  With this project we also brought in Dave Welte, Capital Maintenance Group, to help renovate this charming Jerome Cerney Cape Cod.  He can be reached at 847-975-1413.  We de-cluttered, de-personalized and touched up the decor to give this property an updated look.  This even included new carpeting in the basement.  For more details and to view photos click on 710 S. Greenbay Road.  Michele can be contacted directly at 847-217-1760.  

985 Providence, Buffalo Grove - Stewart Ramirez, Remax    

This was the first project that we worked on with Stewart.  He was so pleased that he gave us another project the following week (see below).  The homeowners of this house were real "Do-It-Yourselfers", so all they needed from us was our Home Design Recommendation Report, directions and our detailed professional advice.  For more information about and photos of this property click on 985 Providence.  Stewart can be contacted directly at 847-988-1710.

1614 North  Park, Round Lake Beach - Stewart Raimirez, Remax

 

You know how they say good things come in small packages?  Well, this house is "cute as a bug in a rug".  If you've got a "first time buyer" looking for a place that's in great condition, show them this!  The kitchen is adorable.  The homeowners were a real pleasure to work with.  For info and photos click on 1614 N. Park, or call Stewart at 847-988-1710.

24388 Tyler, Round Lake - Bob Wallen, Century 21 

This is our second project with Bob Wallen.  This project began with a Home Design Recommendation Report, and lead to quite a large project.  We de-cluttered and de-personalized, as usual, but we also suggested decor touch-ups, including painting (almost the entire place) and new carpeting in the living and dining rooms.  We also helped these homeowners begin to pack up and begin the moving process.  For information and photos of this property click on 24388 W. Tyler.

Thanks, Michele, Stewart, Bob and Dave, as always it's great working with you! 

The day we Stage it, is the day you Sell it!

Give us a call at 847-748-7777!

Tasteful Tip!

Whether they are 'selling or dwelling' many people

ask  for my advice regarding what color they should

paint the interior or exterior of their house.  Well, here's today's tasteful tip:

"If the rooms are smaller, paint them a blue or green color, these cool colors will help make the walls recede and give the illusion of a larger space."