We believe the process of buying or selling your home should be enjoyable as well as rewarding. Our commitment to our clients is to work hard and provide them with a hassle-free, fun experience. We know how to make this stressful time much easier with our professional expertise, marketplace knowledge, high-tech marketing strategies as well as our enthusiastic team spirit.
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Whether we admit it or not, there are some cleaning tasks that our minds seem to neglect every now and then. We may be guilty of one or two of these, and that's totally fine. Nobody says we can’t catch up with our spring cleaning duties, especially now that we’re mostly stuck in our homes for a while.Check this list to see if there’s any spot or task that still needs your attention: 1. Purge and Organize Bathroom Cabinets. If you're looking for a place to start organizing and cleaning, look inside your bathroom cabinet or medicine cupboard. Throw out expired medications, old bath products and toiletries that passed their “use-by” dates, and even outdated cosmetics, as these can be hazardous to your health if you were to accidentally use them. It may not be a huge project, but it can still be rewarding as you’ll be freeing up valuable storage space for more important supplies. 2. Clear Out Outdated Pantry Staples. Rummage through your cupboard and toss out anything that is past its expiration date, especially basic goods like flour, yeast, sauces and condiments, oils, nuts, herbs, and spices. These kitchen items can go rancid or simply lose their flavor if they'd been opened a long time ago. Also, getting rid of the ones you will never use will clear out much-needed storage space for new and more important items. Going forward, try buying in smaller quantities to reduce waste, especially spices you don’t often use. 3. Dust Light Bulbs and Fixtures. Cleaning light bulbs and fixtures can be quite a hassle, especially since it requires a stepladder. But it's a necessary chore if you want to have as much light in your home as possible and save money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, dirty light bulbs shed 30 percent less light than clean ones. Because light bulbs these days have a much longer lifespan than they used to because of LED and CFL technology, they’ll eventually get dirty and should be cleaned. Just remember to exercise some caution when cleaning them. Turn off the electricity to the fixture and put a piece of tape over the switch to make sure no one else turns it on while you’re working. Then wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth to get rid of dust and dirt. Refrain from using a damp cloth as the water can get into the crevices in the lamp that can damage electronics. Likewise, don’t spray cleaning solutions directly onto the light bulb to avoid damaging it. 4. Disinfect Doorknobs, Cabinet Handles, Light Switches, and Other High-Touch Surfaces. Especially during these uncertain times, we can't afford to forget to clean things that are always right under our fingertips. Experts recommend cleaning high-touch surfaces above all else to stop the transmission of germs to other areas of the home. These surfaces include light switches, doorknobs, cabinet pulls and drawer handles, railings, faucets, remote controls, desks, countertops, even the handle on your oven or microwave, and knobs of the stove.These surfaces are some of the germiest places in your house because of the number of times they are touched by different hands in a day, especially when family members are all at home. Make sure to disinfect these spots at least twice a day, even a couple of times if there’s a family member who’s sick. 5. Wash Your Reusable Grocery Bags. Can you remember the last time you washed your grocery totes? It's great that you’re doing your part in saving the environment and reducing plastic waste, but your reusable grocery bags harbor bacteria that can be easily moved to the food, and then to your refrigerator. Wash your shopping bags after every use, especially bags used for meats, produce, and pre-cooked foods, to prevent cross-contamination and food poisoning. Throw them in the washer or wash by hand, depending on the bag’s material. And do not ever leave unwashed bags in the car, as the high heat will serve as a perfect ground for bacteria to multiply. 6. Wash and Disinfect Trash Cans. The next time you put out the garbage, sanitize the trash can with a mixture of soap and bleach before adding in a new bag. It's where we throw all the gross stuff and yet we often forget that we also have to clean it. If your garbage can is placed inside a cabinet, disinfect the cabinet as well to make sure nothing icky remains.Here's a few tips to remember when cleaning and organizing your home: Wash your hands properly and frequently. Wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Always read and follow label instructions of a cleaner or disinfectant before using.
Now that we're spending more time inside to comply with stay-at-home orders and even lockdowns in some areas, here are some ideas for you to improve your outdoor space so you can soak up a lil’ bit more sunshine or simply enjoy the nightlife just outside your front door. A hammock or any swinging chair is a simple way to update your backyard. They take up less space, and there are plenty of designs and styles to choose from that will work in almost any setting. It's also a great choice if you want to achieve that beachy vibe using a decorative accessory. Whether you put it on your porch, terrace, or patio, a hammock’s easy swinging motion is calming and it can be a relaxing way to end your day. One way to embrace outdoor living and make your space an extension of your living room is to invest in additional lighting. Luminous decorations, such as floor or table lamps and lanterns, will not only brighten up your backyard but will also add interest to it. Just make sure to choose lamps that are designed for the outdoors and are weatherproof. Another brilliant idea is hanging pretty string lights across an entire space or along a fence to give your yard a rustic vibe. According to Zillow's 2019 Outdoor Living Trends, there's no need to rely on matching patio sets to upgrade your space. Instead, you can mix and match your seating options to achieve that curated, eclectic look that continues to gain popularity. Pull together benches, chairs, pint-sized stools, and ottoman for a unique look. You can even add floor pillows and poufs to create extra seating in your lounge area because who doesn’t love that lovely Bohemian feel?You’ve got more choices than ever, and everything could potentially add some style to your patio. It’s also great if you love collecting individual pieces of furniture or if you just want a homey, vintage look. Just make sure to arrange the pieces and patterns in a way that they won’t look cluttered. Adding textiles, such as rugs and fabrics, is an affordable update you can make to enhance texture and complement the color scheme of your outdoor space. You can also add new accent pillows, cozy floor cushions, and slipcovers to reinvigorate the area. When designing exposed spaces, remember to always check for inclement weather to make sure that any items that could get damaged make their way into storage. When possible, choose outdoor fabrics that can withstand the sun's rays and also dry quickly once weathered. In creating your perfect outdoor oasis, it should not only be stylish, cozy, and comfortable but also functional. It's where you would love to curl up at night with a good book and a glass of wine, or where your family will have dining al fresco on the summer days, so why not equip it with amenities that will encourage activity. In the Zillow research, fire features and outdoor kitchens are particularly popular options.Elevate your outdoor space by installing a fireplace or fire pits, depending on your space and budget. Aside from the unlimited s’ mores, a fireplace will also make your patio usable even on colder months. An outdoor kitchen is also amazing for all the summer barbeques you want to have with your family.
Before the coronavirus crisis, what were your home buying goals?As the current pandemic impacts our lives and businesses, we're all left wondering how long will it last. Many families are affected, our frontline workers are risking their own health to save lives, and the economy is expected to have a cycle of downturn. “Non-essential” businesses and services are closed to restrict activities, and we are given a critical stay-at-home order to help flatten the curve.Major changes have been imposed in the real estate industry, including new policies and guidelines when buying and selling homes. Such policies include strict social distancing, proper and frequent disinfection, and other recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With extreme measures in place, many people have decided to put off buying a home for now until this health crisis settles down.But there are some who are still looking to pursue their real estate plans this year or just want to continue their house-hunting journey even while staying home. If you’re one of them, here are three things you can do to keep your home search on track while giving your best to stop the spread of the virus. 1. Do as Much Online Research as Possible. You may have restricted outdoor and social movements for now, but you can translate it into more time to do research that will definitely be a huge help in your home buying journey. Take this time to do some legwork and investigate these stats and information so you can have a clear path forward once the lockdown is over: Median price of homes sold in your area Average days on the market before sale Schools zones and school reports Transport links Property taxes Crime rates Local neighborhood facilities, such as parks and gardens Neighborhood groups and organizations Common HOA fees, rules, etc. Likewise, take this time to: Check various down payment assistance programs available in your area. Investigate ways you can reduce your closing costs. Assess your cash flow. Determine your budget. Figure out how much you need to set aside for annual home maintenance and repairs. Make a clear list of your must-haves (want vs need). 2. Connect With a Trusted Real Estate Agent. Because of the quarantine, many brokers and agents are also working remotely and maximizing technology in conducting their businesses. You can call or virtually connect with your trusted real estate agent to be informed about the local property market and ask for any general advice. Schedule video consultations through apps like Skype, Zoom, or Facetime to let them know what you're looking for.A reliable realtor will also listen to how you feel about this pandemic, especially if you're feeling stress or anxiety about the ongoing uncertainty. You may not be inclined to go through showings and buy a home for now, and a good real estate agent will understand that. When you hire such an agent, you know you haven’t just found someone who will help you work through the complex homebuying process when this crisis is over—you’ve also gained a lifetime friend! 3. Take Advantage of Virtual House Tours. If you don't want to put your homeownership plans on hold even if you're stuck inside, you can still look online for available listings and properties in your target area. Because of cancelled open houses and showings to prevent the spread of virus, taking a virtual or digital tour is becoming the new norm.Thanks to cell phones, drones, 3D cameras, and other software and hardware, potential buyers are now able to conduct a walk-through of the properties instead of just relying on online pictures. You can even ask your agent if a 360 degree virtual viewing of the home is available. With social distancing measures in place, you can now live chat or FaceTime your agent to have them walk you through a property, or check the surrounding areas and neighborhood. They won’t hesitate to advise you on what is being allowed in your state or area when it comes to virtually shopping for homes. Bottom Line Our usual activities may have been put on the sidelines for now, but with the guidance and advice of experts, continuing your home buying journey is still possible. We may press pause on our home buying plans, but it's better to always be ready and informed about what’s happening in the market. It’s being hopeful and wise, and a great reminder that this too shall pass. In case you are interested, our team has developed a complete system for those who need a great option for purchasing virtually:
We believe the process of buying or selling your home should be enjoyable as well as rewarding. Our commitment to our clients is to work hard and provide them with a hassle-free, fun experience. We know how to make this stressful time much easier with our professional expertise, marketplace knowledge, high-tech marketing strategies as well as our enthusiastic team spirit.
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