Discover space you didn’t know you had by saying adieu to little-used items throughout your home.
We’ve all got a closet that barely closes, or a pantry that’s stuffed to the ceiling with nonperishable items (and yes, that can of beans does have an expiration date). Getting rid of what you don’t need can be a very freeing experience—but it can also be hard to know where to start. Putting your home up for sale is great impetus for a clean out: a home-moving checklist priority should be dealing with clutter so potential buyers don’t consider it a home-buying warning sign and move on to a less-cluttered option.
The scout
If you love that family and friends can rely on you to handle any situation, but your tendency to keep things comes from the anticipation that you might need it someday, you might have a scout’s organization personality. In order to let go, try creating a catch phrase that will help you identify items you no longer use frequently. Try asking yourself, “How often am I really using this?” or “In what situation will I really need this?” You‘ll soon start to realize that you’ll never need a lot of the items you’re holding on to. You can also set boundaries before you begin to declutter. Determine how many of the same type of item you should realistically keep, and then make yourself follow those rules.
Purge old paperwork
Plenty of us keep old tax returns, receipts, mortgage statements from 1992—out of the fear that we’ll need it some day. But be realistic: do you really need the warranty to the microwave you got rid of two years ago? Getting rid of old office paperwork is extremely liberating. Tossing random notes and old checklists and files quickly transforms an office into a place where you can think. Create a box to hold papers that need shredding as you sort, and then shred them while you watch television to make the time go by quickly. When you’ve cut through the backlog of papers, start fresh and shred papers immediately after you’ve sorted the mail.
Shop your pantry
For some people, being prepared means having enough food to feed an army. But the more you store, the more likely you are to forget what you have. In an effort to cut pantry clutter, explore new recipes for a few weeks to utilize what you already own. Avoid buying more nonperishable items until you run out of something. You’ll save grocery money and free up room so you can restock in a more orderly fashion. Make note of how long it takes you to clear out your cupboards, and use that as a guideline for how much food you really need to store in the future.
Restful retreat
Make your bedroom a haven by surrounding yourself with things that bring you comfort and peace. Let go of furniture and other objects in the room that take up space without adding value. If space allows, carve out a nook for a reading chair and ottoman or a chaise. Install artwork or use paint to customize and brighten your space, rather than relying on useless objects.
Organize for your needs
An organized closet can help set the tone for the day ahead. When you can see everything you own, you can find things faster, get dressed with confidence and feel ready to tackle the day. When deciding how you should organize a clothes closet, ask yourself the following: How do I look for things? How do I get dressed? How do I put things away? Sort your items into categories based on your responses. To make things even easier to find, try color-coding items within your categories, and look for cheap storage solutions, such as plastic shoe boxes or bins for belts, socks or scarves.
Declutter and do good
It’s easy to hold on to bath products such as soaps and lotions, especially those received as gifts. But don’t let these items steal prime countertop space or crowd out items you need to access every day. Create a boundary, such as a basket or bin, for “relax” items; when it’s full, follow a “one in, one out” rule. Have extras worth sharing? Local shelters are always looking for supplies.
Play stations
When toys, books and dress-up clothes have proper homes, children can participate in the cleanup process and help keep clutter to a minimum. Consider dividing a bedroom or playroom into activity stations to create clear separation. Make sure children have easy access to items they gravitate to frequently, such as a basket for books. Avoid oversize containers that make it hard for children to find toys, and keep lids to a minimum—except on items you want to control access to, such as art supplies.
Source: www.bhgrelife.com
Almost every sale entails having a home inspection. Sellers can take steps ahead of time to ensure this goes smoothly. Below are some tips to help prepare for inspection day.
- Make repairs in advance of the scheduled inspection and don’t try to hide what’s not working. If something breaks with no time to fix it, leave a note and how it will be corrected.
- The house should be clean and in showing condition. The inspector and buyers will be going through it in much more detail.
- Provide easy access to the attic, furnace, utilities, and under sinks. An inspector should not have to spend time moving your belongings to inspect.
- Replace any burned out light bulbs.
- Leave a sketch of the septic system so it can be easily found.
- Make plans for both you and any pets to be gone from the property for at least 3 hours.
While it’s a little nerve-racking to have your house so thoroughly examined, taking steps to get ready will help ease the process. Contact me if you would like more tips on preparing your home for sale! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
You can create a home office anywhere—but it helps to have a plan for corralling clutter and organizing your workspace first.
Look beyond the boring cubicle walls and get inspired to create a home office that’s just that: part of your home. You don’t need a whole room reserved for an office (although that would be nice!); a desk, a chair and some good organizational and storage strategies are all it takes to carve a nook out of your home for an office.
Corner office
A fully functional home office doesn’t need to have its own separate room. Tuck it into the corner of a dining room and give plenty of storage and ample work surfaces. Use space wisely by installing shelves above the desk and cabinets below the work surface.
Write away
If your office needs are more sporadic, consider a simple writing desk for the occasional bill-paying sessions or mail sorting. This writing area is stylish but serves the function of an office as needed.
Compact office
A handsome secretary can turn any room into an office. Paint it to match the bedding and draperies and it will blend into a cottage-style bedroom while providing a spot to write and a place to store stationery, books and more.
Color coordinate
Put your walls to work in your home office space. Floating shelves can be stacked with binders, magazine boxes and more. Wall-mounted baskets are an easy way to file mail or to-do tasks.
Perfect office setup
Create a corner office at home by zoning a section of a larger room (such as a living room or family room) as a work zone. For more storage, hang floating shelves along the wall. When planning your home office, make sure there are adequate outlets nearby for computers, printers and task lighting.
Inspiration point
Surround yourself with beauty while you are hard at work. Hang art that you love above your desk, or add a few decorative items to your desktop. Improve function by adding a pretty lamp or wall sconces for better lighting.
Pretty space
Old desks often have plenty of drawers and storage, but might not be up to par in the style game. Paint a secondhand desk a fresh color that suits your room’s style.
Smarter office storage
In a small space, take office storage to the walls to keep work surfaces clutter-free. In this space, cubbies were mounted to the wall and magazine holders were screwed into the bottom of the cubbies for an innovative mail sorter. For an easy and affordable work surface, transform a slab door into a desktop by mounting it to a wall and placing bookcases or file cabinets beneath it for support.
Kitchen office
A small desk tucked into a kitchen is suited for many tasks, such as doing homework or jotting down a grocery list. Incorporate a few drawers and cubbies to maximize the space’s storage capacity.
Office with a view
Bump a desk up against a window with a deep windowsill and use the sill as an improvised shelf for baskets and boxes. Plus, placing a desk near a window provides plenty of natural light.
Cozy work space
Turn an awkward closet into an office with a few quick changes. Remove the closet doors and paint (or wallpaper) the interior. Hang shelves along the wall and tuck in a desk for a quick-fix office that packs efficient function into a small sliver of space.
Build a desk
For a simple, do-it-yourself desk, employ sturdy file cabinets as a base and a large desktop, or painted panel, as the work surface. Position the desktop on the file cabinets and screw into place.
Living-room office
Inconspicuously add an office to a living area with a few simple tricks. Incorporate as much concealed storage as possible without distracting from the rest of the room. Take steps to add in elements to tie the space to the rest of the room. A bamboo chair and burlap-covered bulletin board harmonize with the living room’s natural look and help the office adhere to interior-design principles.
Check out JOSA - Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon in Grantham, NH. During the winter, amazing jazz musicians are performing from 4-7pm at The Center at Eastman, 6 Clubhouse Lane in Grantham. Purchase a beverage and culinary delights from Bistro Nouveau while enjoying the music. Adult tickets are $20; seniors and students are $18. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 603-763-8732 or bill.wightman@comcast.net. They can also be purchased the day of the show at the venue after 2pm or by calling 603-863-8000. To see the schedule of upcoming shows visit www.josajazz.com
New Hampshire home sales continue on an upward trend and ended the year with the largest dollar volume of sales in its history. It was 7% ahead of last year for a total of $5.5 billion in closed residential sales. Below are some of the highlights reported by New Hampshire REALTORS.
- The median sales price was $266,000, the 2nd highest in NH history and just $4000 off the historical high point in 2005.
- The average days on market dropped to 68 days.
- About the same number of homes sold in 2017 as 2016.
- The average % of list price received was 98%
To put a more local spin on it, below are some stats for New London, Newbury & Sunapee combined:
- The median sales price was $345,000. ($372,500 at peak in 2005)
- The average days on market was 127 days.
- 203 homes sold, the average % of list price received was 96%.
Whether buying or selling, contact me to see how the market impacts you! Donna Forest 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Figures are based on information from the Northern New England Real Estate Network, Inc. for the period 1/1/17 thru 12/31/17
Come out for a night of fun and patriotic comraderie at the 19th Wheelchair Basketball held at the Sunapee Jr. and Sr. High School gym on North Road in Sunapee, Tuesday, January 23rd. It will be the Sunapee Fire Department vs. the Disabled American Veterans and admission is free. There will be a 50/50 raffle and the fun will start at 7pm!
Curling up with a good book is the perfect way to relax. Every bookworm can agree that where you read is just as important as what you read. We can all relate to reading the same sentence for 15 minutes as a result of being in the wrong place. Noisy, crowded and uncomfortable are not adjectives one wants to use to describe their leisure spots. Reading nooks are little areas within a home that are comfy, cozy and free of distractions. Explore the must-have elements every reading nook needs.
Get Cozy in a Corner
You may think you need a lot of space or to rearrange for a reading nook. All you need is a little corner or any space that is secluded from everything else. Reading nooks can be anywhere; consider a corner in your bedroom, a bay window or even a shed.oftness is a Must
Increase the coziness of your reading nook with softer fabrics. Invest in a plush blanket to create a welcoming cocoon. Paint the walls softer hues to ensure a cozy, distraction-free space. If a big rug beckons, consider faux fur or a great shag rug to spend a few hours with your favorite author.
Softness is a Must
Increase the coziness of your reading nook with softer fabrics. Invest in a plush blanket to create a welcoming cocoon. Paint the walls softer hues to ensure a cozy, distraction-free space. If a big rug beckons, consider faux fur or a great shag rug to spend a few hours with your favorite author.
Comfort with Cushions
Soft fabrics are great, but they won’t give you as much comfort as you need to finish a few chapters of your latest read. Grab some cushions and layer them on the floor, bench or bay window. They are a much cheaper alternative to purchasing a chair. You may also want to purchase larger pillows to line the wall for increased comfort.
Lighting is Vital
A reading nook in front of a big window is always a nice addition. You get an ample amount of natural light, fresh air and peace. The only catch is when the sun goes down, your reading nook will no longer be the ideal place. To get the best light possible, add a lamp or hang a few strings of white lights. Better yet, opt for a with a dimming option to set the mood as you please.
Keep it Simple
Too many distractions can take away from your reading experience. There’s no need for tech gadgets, save for an e-reader. An abundance of framed photos, home décor and other distractions can also take your attention away from the page. Keep it simple by sticking with basics to get the most out of your reading nook.
Source: www.bhgrelife.com
Appreciate the historic period details of this renovated antique cape. Enjoy entertaining in the fully updated, light-filled "dream" kitchen. Gather around the kitchen island and spacious Great Room addition with warming pellet stove. Formal dining room and master bedroom with walk-in closet complete the first floor. Natural woodwork and exposed beams throughout. Three additional bedrooms and full bath on the second floor. Both bathrooms are completely renovated with heated floors. The in-law apartment below provides extra income or privacy for family or friends. Mature perennials and cozy outdoor spaces. Easy access to boating, hiking, and biking. Make this your vacation home or year-round dream! Offered at $265,000. For more photos and details, go to http://tour.circlepix.com/home/V7EDPE/203-US-Route-4-Route-Enfield-NH-4668404
Anne Marie Appel, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
As we approach the end of 2017, there are a number of articles out with predictions on what the 2018 housing market will bring, based on the opinions of economists and housing experts. While no one can say for sure, it sounds like it could be similar to what we experienced this year. Below are some of the highlights.
- Interest rates are expected to gradually rise from around 4% to 4.5% by end of year.
- Low inventory will continue to be a challenge for buyers.
- Millennials could be the most active home buyers in 2018 and they will be looking in higher density, amenity-rich neighborhoods.
- Baby boomers haven’t downsized as much as anticipated. Some speculate this is due to the fact they are working longer and also desire to age in place and not move.
- Home values are expected to grow – some predict 3.2% and others are at 4.7%.
Whether buying or selling, contact me if you’d like to know how the market could impact you. Donna@DonnaForest.com; www.DonnaForest.com; 603-526-4116.
Come visit the Gallery of Trees at The Inn at Pleasant Lake, 853 Pleasant Street in New London, NH. A beautiful display of trees will be decorated by local businesses and available to view from December 26 through January 1, 2018 from 1-7 p.m. You will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite tree and donate to the New Hampshire Food Bank. Hot chocolate will be served to keep you warm. For more information, go to www.innatpleasantlake.com or call 526-6271. Enjoy the Holidays!
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team