Tag Archives: home decor

Stuck On Early Holiday Shopping? Have Some Ideas!

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Stuck On Early Holiday Shopping? Have Some Ideas!

Hello!! Yes, yes, roll your eyes all you want to my last minute holiday shoppers but Lil Red is over halfway done with her Christmas shopping! In case you haven’t noticed, I absolutely love gift giving and because I have so many people to shop for – the earlier I can get done the better for me. A stress free December where all I have to do is wrap up prezzies is the goal.

However, my drive to complete my holiday shopping doesn’t mean I haven’t gotten stuck on gifts to purchase. In fact, it’s been difficult this year because I feel like I’ve used up all of my best ideas before. Lol, so I had to get creative and if you got gifter’s block like me, you might appreciate these ideas:

Insect Condos:

I have quite a few giftees with a positively green thumb and gifts for the garden always go over well for them. This year, I was very interested in insect condos to help promote healthy garden growth as well as our bee population. These little “houses” feature all of the materials that handy insects like lady bugs, bees, butterflies (the list goes on) love like sawdust, bamboo, and cedar wood.

I thought these insect condos would be a perfect addition to the gardens that my giftees tend so lovingly and you can find tons of amazing homemade ones on Etsy or there are plenty on Amazon. I also had to snag a butterfly feeder for my dad (He doesn’t read my blog so I can post this, I swear!) because him and his granddaughter love watching the butterflies in his garden together. I know they will both be happy with it!

Baking Boxes:

This year, I wanted to get something different for the families I work with as opposed to the normal holiday decor, chocolates, or ornaments. So, I found some baking boxes through King Arthur Flour to gift them with. These boxes come with all of the ingredients to make a delicious dessert and I thought it would be a fun activity that all of them could bake and enjoy together.

There is nothing better for baking than products from King Arthur Flour and I was happy to be able to get such nice gifts for a price I was comfortable with. In fact, I plan on purchasing more as it gets closer to Christmas to have shipped to other loved ones on my list.

Willow Tree Figures:

I have always been fond of gifting the beautiful Willow Tree figurines to people because they are sentimental and simple decor and it’s easy to find one that applies to wherever your giftee is in life. For example, last year when my mom and dad became grandparents, I gifted my mom a statue to represent that, as it was a grandma holding her sweet grandbaby.

From celebrating your pets and relationships to saying thank you by purchasing a Willow figure holding a bouquet of flowers, you are surely to find the right one for your giftee!

Stocking Stuffers:

Stocking stuffers are great if you need a little something extra for a gift or you want to do an entire goodie basket. Winter accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves are a great place to start if you’re doing a gift exchange in your friend group. Cozy blankets, a decadent box of chocolates, and bottles of wine always go over well too! Still stuck? Candles, bath and body care, gift cards, your favorite book, and even socks (I like getting them!) are all crowd pleasers.

Take some of the stress out of your holiday preparations with the gift ideas above. Happy shopping!

When do you normally start holiday shopping? Who is the most difficult person on your list to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Solutions For Having Too Much Stuff

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Solutions For Having Too Much Stuff

We’ve all been there. Somehow, over the years, you’ve accumulated piles upon piles of stuff, and now you don’t know what to do with it. The stuff could be work-related (think heaps of documents, bits of equipment you never know if you might need, old materials, even backlogged products you’ve yet to sell) or personal.

What are you meant to do with those homework files from twenty years ago, the hundreds of drawings and old toys your kids used to play with, all those films you watch once in a blue moon? Getting rid of all of this stuff can be difficult, both psychologically and practically, but luckily there are some solutions that can help you move on with the old:

Sorting and Organizing:

If you don’t want to throw everything (or anything!) away, some simple organization can help clear your space. First, sort all of the mess into clear piles. You might even find that one of these piles becomes items you can throw away – it’ll be easier to see with it all separated out. The piles can be sorted by many different categories; age, how often you use something, the type of object it is. Once this is done, put each pile into a separate box and stack them neatly, or find other places to store them. This organization can clear space and create order without forcing you to get rid of all your stuff – a perfect solution!

As you organize, you might find that some of the clutter is coming from storing things for other people. Perhaps you have some of your sister’s clothes in your closet. Maybe your mom’s baking tins are in the kitchen or you have a stash of books from your friend you have been meaning to return. While you have organizing in mind, send those unneeded items off! Services like those provided from Drift Couriers (or a similar business in your local area) offers same day delivery. Your house will be less cluttered and those items you have been meaning to return can be checked off your to do list.

Storage Solutions:

Sometimes, you simply might not have enough space even after sorting and organizing everything. In this case, if you’re still unable to make great inroads by using the trash, it’s worth looking at external storage solutions. These come in many shapes and sizes, from storage trailers, to garage-sized units, to entire warehouses. Renting storage is an amazing solution if you’re running a business that requires surplus stock, and also personally if you’re moving house and need temporary storage for a while.

Having A Clear Away:

Finally, we come to it. The best solution for having too much stuff is simply to get rid of it, and yet this is easier said than done. Many personal items can hold sentimental value and letting go can be harder than it sounds – yet often, after the initial separation, you may never think of it again! It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. To help yourself let go, you can use a tidying method like the famous Marie Kondo.

Getting Help:

If you’re struggling to clear all of your stuff (and who doesn’t), it’s time to get help. Having another person in the room, a friend or a partner, is a great way to force yourself into making decisions. They are there to tell you when you’re being overly sentimental, and to grieve with you over the little items you’ll miss, but really don’t deserve to be taking up space any longer. Getting help doesn’t mean hiring a demolition company, it just means finding a friendly (but stern!) voice to keep you company while you make your decisions.

Clean away your clutter and make your home (and headspace) much more clear! 🙂

Featured Image By: Pexels

Caring For The Trees In Your Garden

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Caring For The Trees In Your Garden

If you have a large garden, planting some trees is a great way to use the space and attract wildlife. However, trees do require a lot of maintenance, especially as they get larger. Before you decide to put any trees in, it’s important that you know what is involved in tree care so you can make sure that they stay happy and healthy for years to come. These are some of the most important tree care tips that you need to know:

Early Tree Care:

When you first plant your trees, they need to be supported by canes and tree guards so they can find their feet without getting blown over by the wind. It’s important that you check inside the tree guards on a regular basis to make sure that there are no pests in there and they are still stable.

You shouldn’t need to water your trees because they will adapt to their natural environment. Over watering them in the early stages could cause the roots to rot, so make sure that you are careful when watering the surrounding areas. Cutting the grass can be an issue as well because it encourages faster grass growth and the grass competes with the tree for moisture. If you do want to cut the grass, do it carefully and leave the area around the tree.

Pruning:

Pruning is an important part of tree care because it encourages them to grow upwards, rather than outwards, and it helps to remove any diseased branches before the infection spreads. Pruning a tree in the right way can be quite difficult, so it’s best to call out a professional company, like VistaScapes LLC to handle it for you. You don’t necessarily have to prune your trees if you don’t want to but they will spread outwards and take over the garden and the risk of disease is much higher.

Coppicing:

As your trees get larger, you need to think about coppicing. This is the process of cutting lower branches and making cuts near the base of the tree to encourage new growth. It also allows more light to reach the ground so any flowers and plants that are close to the tree can still flourish. You shouldn’t need to worry about this until your tree gets quite large, usually after around seven to ten years of growth. To find an expert to help with coppicing when the time is right, simply enter a search for “tree service jacksonville fl” or your local area. This service will help to keep an adult tree in good health.

Avoiding Pests:

Pests love trees because they can climb up and use it as a way to access your home. If you have rats in the house, it may be because your trees are too close to the roof. When you are pruning, make sure to trim the trees back enough so you do not allow easy access for pests. If you do notice a lot of pests, it may be worth putting some traps around near the base of the tree. Just make sure that you don’t use harsh chemicals that could damage your tree. If you are tending to a pest issue, it is a good idea to book an appointment with professionals in Tree health analysis services. Pests can cause more damage to a tree than you might think and you will want to ensure that it remains in optimum health.

As you can see, there is a lot more that goes into planting and caring for a tree than you might have thought. As your tree matures, maintenance is encouraged and should not be left to DIY skills because you could get really hurt. It is a good idea to have a Tree Removal Company selected should you need help. A well rounded tree removal company will not just specialize in tree removal itself and can provide you with the services and knowledge to keep your trees thriving.

Trees are a great addition to the garden. Let them thrive by following these tips!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Getting Your Home In Shape For Cold Weather

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Getting Your Home In Shape For Cold Weather

We’re fast approaching the autumnal and winter months and many of us can’t wait! This season goes hand in hand with all sorts of things that many of us love, including cozy nights in, hot drinks, seasonal festivities, and more. But it’s important to remember that this is a time of year that can prove much harsher on your home and outdoor space.

There are harsher elements to deal with and colder temperatures that could cause potential damage too. So, to help your property make it through these seasons unscathed, it’s important to put a little work in now during the lead up to them. Here are a few areas to focus on that will help you to protect and maintain your property and space as best possible:

Make Sure Your Windows are Double Glazed:

Chances are you’ve been told this time and time again, but by now, every home should have double glazing. If you don’t, you risk all of the heat you’re generating in your home escaping easily. Not only is this a huge waste of money and resources, but it is also likely to leave your property cold, which creates an unpleasant living environment for you and anyone else who lives in the house.

While new builds tend to have double glazing built in as standard, older properties in particular tend to have single glazing. If you’re unsure whether you have double glazing or not, you can always have a professional come in and check. They will then be able to fit double glazing if you don’t have it, helping your home to contain energy a lot better. You may even need Replacement Windows fitted for the best of the best.

Carry Out General Maintenance Tasks:

There are a few general maintenance tasks that are advised in the lead up to autumn and winter every year. Some tasks could easily be done DIY style. However, it is a good idea to have a skilled handyman in mind for the maintenance you cannot complete on your own. To get started, simply enter a search for “Handyman Blue Mountains” (or your local area) to find a well reviewed professional. Here are some tasks that you should fit into your schedule:

Clearing Gutters: The gutters outside your property help to catch rainwater from the roof and ensure that it is transported straight into a drain rather than flooding the ground around your property. However, autumn sees more leaves fall, which can clog up your gutters, along with other debris, making it so they can’t do their job properly. Make sure to have your gutters professionally cleaned during this time of year. This will prevent dripping and potential flooding when it rains heavily.

Have the Chimney Cleaned: If you have a chimney and plan to use it throughout the colder months, now is the time to hire a professional chimney sweep.

Taking Care of Your Garden:

Use Mulch: One of the areas of your garden that is most likely to be impacted by colder temperatures, lots of rain, and frost is your flower beds. To maintain these in spite of harsher elements, you should look into using mulch. Bad weather can see your flower beds become extremely prone to frost and over watering, which can freeze or clog roots in any hardier plants that you have and cause them to struggle or die. Laying down mulch provides a protective barrier against these elements and can also prevent water logging, which can give your plants and trees a much better chance of surviving the autumn and winter. If you’re not in the mood to haul heavy bags of mulch from the store before you start gardening, simply enter a search for “San Diego mulch delivery” (or your local area) to take care of the heavy lifting for you and kick start your project off right.

Plant Hardy Plants: If you’d still like some sort of greenery in your outdoor space during the colder months of the year, it may be a good idea to invest in and plant some more hardy plants. Any plants with petals are likely to wither or die during winter months (even if they’ll regenerate when the weather improves a little), which can leave your garden feeling empty and bare. You can avoid a barren looking garden by adding a touch of greenery in the form of evergreen trees. These are widely available and will keep their leaves year-round. Firs tend to be the most popular option, so browse local garden centers and fir specialists to find the perfect specific species for your space.

Invest in a Greenhouse: Some of us want to maintain growing fruit, vegetables, and other plants year round. This isn’t a hobby we just want to carry out in the summertime. If this sounds familiar to you, you may want to consider investing in a greenhouse. A greenhouse is a secure glass building where you can maintain a constant temperature and controlled atmosphere for your plants to thrive in. This is a particularly effective option if you’re planning on growing things like strawberries, tomatoes, and other plants that can easily be ruined by frost.

These are just a few different areas of home maintenance and improvement that you might want to consider in the lead up to the colder months of the year. Each holds its unique benefits and could prove to be something that makes you a lot happier and more comfortable throughout the autumn and winter until spring arrives again! So, why not give them a go?

Featured Image By: Elle Decor

Mostly Ghostly Halloween Decor

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Mostly Ghostly Halloween Decor

Hi! Around this time of the year I love taking stock of all of the amazing Halloween decor in stores (AKA all year round decor!). TJMaxx, Target, Walmart, and everything in between I just want to see and buy it all, lol. Every spooky guy and gal needs creepy cute decor!

Unfortunately, in COVID times it is hard for me to go out and about on a Halloween decor crawl because of how limited I keep my time in public. So, a few weeks ago, I resorted to browsing online for Halloween decorations and kept coming up short. Everything I liked was either sold out or not worth the price being asked.

Believe you me, I was disappointed because I really enjoy buying new decorations for my apartment. But, then, Johnny reminded me he brought some of his Halloween decor to our place and that put the pep right back in my step. How can these goofy adorable ghosts not make you smile? Check it out:

Johnny is an avid lover of Halloween, himself, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when he had plenty of spoils of his own to show me. He has tons of outdoor decor for when we finally have a place with a lawn and lots of knick knacks to display around the apartment. Now, not being able to shop in store for Halloween decor doesn’t seem all that bad. 🙂

What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? What is your favorite holiday to celebrate? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Give Your Garden A Boost With These Tips

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Give Your Garden A Boost With These Tips

The backyard is the one private space you have in your home that gives you a chance to be in touch with nature and get outside at the same time. It’s also the place you have free rein to be as creative as you like. Getting outside and enjoying your garden space means choosing to reinvigorate and redesign your garden to make it look as beautiful as possible.

You should be able to head into the back yard with a book and a drink and soak up the scenery. The kids should be able to play safely and happily. You should be able to plant your favorite fruits and vegetables, knowing that they are in a healthy place to grow. With the tips below, you can make your garden the most extraordinary place possible, so that you can kick back and enjoy it no matter the season.

Use Trees:

Planting trees in your backyard to frame the garden is one of the prettiest ways to add something amazing. Asking New Life landscape to help you with your lawn is going to help you to map out exactly how you want your garden to look. Adding fruit trees is a great way to not only grow your own fruit, but you will be able to add these trees to the corners of the garden to frame that newly laid lawn of yours. Choose apple trees and lemon trees and watch them grow!

When planting trees, you will want them in their own individual spots while still looking natural with the landscape. To create seamless edges from the mulch bed to grass or the patio, use Metal Garden Edging From Core LP. The results will allow your greenery and hardscapes to flow together effortlessly.

Don’t forget that any new or existing trees will require care too. When looking for a professional to tend your trees, you will want to search online for a “Tree Service in Charlottesville, VA” (or your local area) and enlist the services of a reputable service for trimming, removal, or storm clean up. A professional arborist will also be able to check the overall health of the tree to ensure that it is thriving in your yard.

Design The Beds:

Between those new trees you’ve planted, adding garden beds will enhance the edges of the garden. You can make it as informal or as formal as you like, and you can plant beautiful flowers in the flowerbeds. The beds can vary in length, and you can plant flowers and bushes of a variety of colors to make it pop. You can coordinate the flowers by height and by color, and you can share your ideas with a professional landscaping team to bring it all to life properly.

While the end result is lovely, clearing the space for new flowerbeds can be a lot of hard work, especially on top of the upgrades and maintenance you’re already working on. Give yourself a break and call a Roanoke excavating contractor to get the job done as you lounge in the shade. Then, it will be onto the fun part: Planting!!

Go Beyond Greenery:

Garden beauty comes in more than just flowers and bushes. You need to consider hardscaping. Hardscapes like decorative rocks and stone patios will help you to make your living space comfortable and low maintenance. You can add different types of hardscapes to the garden, too, to really give it a unique look. Imagine a gorgeous stone patio where you can lounge on sun chairs, grill, and entertain friends, evoking all of the feels of endless summer! If this sounds like a must for your backyard, contact a local hardscaper to make it a reality. You will be thanking yourself every time you sit out to catch some rays.

Irrigate:

You should look at installing a drip irrigation or soaker hose system to water your garden properly. Irrigating your landscaped backyard will keep it fresh, healthy and it will stop it from flooding in the rain. Choose the right size irrigation system and make sure that you have your garden covered. You have the chance to create a beautiful backyard, and you should use these tips to give your garden the boost you need.

With the right inspiration, you can make your garden stand out and improve the way that you spend time in it at the same time. Take the time to landscape your garden this year, and you’ll be enjoying it by next summer!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Creating A Perfect Garden

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Creating A Perfect Garden

Having some outside space at your home is a significant asset and one that enables you to enjoy spending time at your property both indoors and outside. Keeping your yard looking great has many benefits; for a start, it improves your home’s curb appeal, which could add to its value should you decide to sell it. Secondly, having a yard that is in tip-top condition enables you to get outdoors and spend time in the beautiful natural surroundings of your garden.

If you don’t naturally have a green thumb, you may feel a little daunted by the idea of taking care of a garden, and the thought of keeping it looking great may feel overwhelming. However, creating a gorgeous garden is well worth the effort, and is so much easier than you may think. Plus, being outdoors and closer to nature is believed to have significant benefits on your wellbeing, so having a lovely garden is most definitely a winner.

Ready to get to work on creating a photo worthy outside space? Here’s how to create a perfect garden:

Luscious lawns:

Your lawn is likely to cover your yard’s largest area, so it is worth taking the time to get your grass looking its best. Achieving a perfect lawn requires the right tools for the job. You will need a mower that makes light work of trimming your grass, plus a trimmer to neaten up the edges. It is worth doing some research for the perfect garden machinery to match your needs, as it does make a big difference. You can click here to read handy reviews to help you decide on the right tools for you. You might also want to check out https://www.lawncare.net/service-areas/georgia/ for the best professional care for your yard.

Pick Your Plants:

When you pick the right plants for your yard, they will stay looking good for longer and will really enhance your space. You will need to consider the climate that you live in along with the soil conditions where you live to choose the perfect plants for your yard. Some plants are better suited to colder conditions, and some flowers are hardy enough to survive even the hottest climates. It is also worth thinking about how much time you have to take care of your garden. If you are short of time, there’s no reason why your backyard cannot stay looking great. It would be best if you simply choose low maintenance options to keep your garden looking awesome with minimal effort.

A Place to Relax:

No garden is complete if you are unable to enjoy it. When creating your perfect garden, you need to consider how you plan to spend your time outdoors, so that you can ensure that your yard matches your needs. Do you love to entertain? If so then you will certainly need a grill, or you could even look into these pizza oven kits for an exciting fixture and a delicious meal. Alternatively, perhaps you like to relax in the sunshine with a good book, or maybe you want to practice yoga on the lawn. Whatever you love to do in your garden, you can create an outdoor space that fits the bill.

Remember that you will want to have shaded areas in your yard during the hot months of late spring and summer. It’s hard to relax when you are sweating buckets! You might want to consider the netting, shade sails, or shade cloths that are offered by sunny-garden-market.com (or a similar company in your local area). The shade sails will look perfect over a patio while the camo netting offers a dreamy escape to beat the heat in. Shaded areas are also a must if you love hosting garden parties so all of your guests have a reprieve from the sun.

Create your own outdoor oasis with new lush garden landscapes!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

5 Ways To Reduce Home-Buying Anxiety As A Seller

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5 Ways To Reduce Home-Buying Anxiety As A Seller

As a property owner, you understand what it feels like to buy a home. Although you can’t wait to locate your ideal house, there’s also a sense of tension. With the figures involved, the last thing you want to do is spend money on a dud. Plus, it doesn’t have to be a dump – you may learn to hate it over time because it isn’t perfect.

Buying a home is easily one of the most stressful experiences ever. However, sellers aren’t exempt from the sensation. When your property is listed online or with a traditional realtor, you must make the interested parties feel as at home as possible. Those who are tense and anxious will instantly dislike the house and choose another property.

You already have a lot on your plate since buyers are incredibly picky, which may make you annoyed and frustrated. It wouldn’t surprise you the number of homeowners that think selling up is a mistake! Still, reducing a buyer’s anxiety levels is vital as it will give them a warm, fuzzy glow, and once they connect that with your house, they won’t want another property.

Here are the five best ways to make investing in your home as stress-free as possible:

Offer Flexible Viewing Times:

Flexible viewing times are the least you can do to welcome potential buyers into your home and give them a grand tour. By all means, discuss the optimal periods with your realtor and let them advertise the information accordingly, yet if they call at 6 PM and ask if it’s okay to pop around for thirty minutes, you should say yes.

There’s no doubt that it gets in the way of your routine, but half-an-hour is a small sacrifice if it boosts the odds of offloading the property. An excellent middle ground is to stage an open house. That way, you can house as many people as will fit throughout the day. The fact that an open house viewing lasts from the morning until the evening is ideal from a flexibility perspective. People will be less anxious when they know that they don’t have to rush.

Opening your home to so many people can be stressful. However, whether you’re working with a local realtor or someone from the team at Lynchburg realtors, they will be able to help make your open house a success. Most realtors have ingenious hacks for staging and showing your home to make it feel like “the one” for anyone who attends the open house. With an experienced professional on your team, it should be smooth sailing!

Spruce Up The Exterior:

In many ways, the exterior of the house is the most important feature. The interior is important, too, but buyers are happy to see the building’s foundation as they want to stamp their authority on the property. They don’t like a house that’s already furnished and hard (or expensive) to restructure.

The outside is a different animal as it’s the first thing they see when they turn up on the drive. Curb appeal is a fantastic way to impress home buyers, and that’s what you should focus on as a seller. Houses that have the wow factor stand out from the crowd in a saturated market place. Therefore, the odds of finding someone who wants to purchase your home are higher.

It’s tough to explain because it’s a feeling. One thing that makes buyers more anxious is the idea that they won’t fall in love at first sight. They won’t if your property omits the elements that are non-negotiable, such as a garden and garage. Not only will these features tick the right boxes, but they’ll also impress the viewers if you take the time to repair impurities and add a lick of paint to make it shiny.

keys1Home sweet home!

Check For Signs Of Pests:

You may assume that you’d know if you were sharing your home with pests. Most people do, which is why it comes as a shock when buyers spot the signs and point them out during a viewing. Aside from blindsiding you, it also ruins any shot you have of closing the deal, with current viewers or future ones. It’s a small market and word travels quickly.

Pests make people anxious because the last thing they want to do is move in and realize critters are running amok. Thankfully, you would notice if big pests were residing in your property. Still, smaller insects are harder to spot as they can seem like the norm.

Mosquitoes are everywhere, so it’s not as if there’s an infestation. At least, that’s how it appears, yet Mosquito Authority points out that people should enjoy their gardens and pools without swatting away flying insects. If your home has water features and dense vegetation, there’s a good chance that the mosquitoes aren’t just visiting.

Other creepy crawlies to watch out for are termites, roaches, and ants as they’re inconspicuous enough to go under the radar. Pests can cause a lot of damage really quickly – especially termites. If you see signs of an infestation, you will want to hire a specialist in Termite Control immediately to prevent further issues.

Respond ASAP:

Whatever your decision, you should respond as quickly as you can to an offer. For buyers, it’s tempting to see meaning in the tiniest of things, so not hearing from a seller will send them crazy. The Balance recommends breathing techniques for people who get stressed out while waiting to hear back about an offer!

Don’t worry if you aren’t going to give them the news they hoped for as it’s part of the process. Remember – the sooner they understand that you want more money, the quicker you can come to an arrangement. Of course, if you leave it for weeks and assume that they don’t have the money, you’ll reduce the chances of securing a compromise.

In reality, their realtor has probably told them that you’d come back with a counteroffer, so they’ll be prepared to increase the bid or take themselves out of the running. You control the outcome, meaning you’re in charge and hold all the cards. Remember that the next time and try and empathize with the people who are desperately waiting to hear if they have a new home or need to make another bid.

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Pexels Image

Accept Cold Feet:

Cold feet – everybody gets them. It’s not rare for sellers to back out of deals because they hate the idea of moving. As a result, you shouldn’t lose the plot if a buyer starts to have second thoughts. Firstly, it may be nothing more than a ploy to reduce the value of the property. Lots of sellers have fallen for it and dropped the asking price out of desperation.

On the other hand, they could genuinely be worried about the prospect of buying your home or are debating between other properties. They could be considering a house on the other side of town, a newly built home from Home Group Perth (or a similar company in your local area), and your property. That’s a big decision! In that case, there isn’t much you can do but hope that the feeling of unease passes and the buyers come to their senses. Sure, offer them another viewing if you believe that it will set the story straight, yet there’s no reason to bend over backward.

With the figures involved, the likelihood is that they’re second-guessing the decision and nothing you do will change that. Instead, the trick is to hold firm and wait. In the meantime, you can continue to talk to other parties and line-up another buyer in case the agreement falls through. Whatever you do, please don’t contact them in-person and harass them as you’ll only increase their anxiety.

Anxiety can kill a deal, regardless of how much you attempt to ease a person’s nerves. The key is to eliminate the tension from the moment they view your property by boosting its curb appeal and fixing flaws, whether they are apparent or hard to spot. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sweet Surprises: Sister Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Sister Edition

Hello all and welcome to the first post of September 2020 here on lifewithlilred! Today, we are going to discuss a sweet surprise from my big sister, Kristen. My sis is my ultimate BFF and I am proud to be the permanent fourth wheel to her, her boyfriend, and daughter. If I could I would be with them all of the time!

This past week, Kristen told me she had a gift waiting for me at my mom and dad’s and I could hardly wait to get over there for work to see what it was. I had no idea what it could have been and no hints were given to me so I went into the surprise blind… And discovered the following:

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As a “just because” prezzie, Kristen surprised me with this super cool skull and butterfly art by Marmont Hill that she found at TJMaxx. Kristen told me she thought it looked “very me” when she saw it and couldn’t pass it up… She was right! It is very me and if I weren’t almost out of blank space on my body I’d get it tattooed, lol.

Unfortunately, I see Kristen and her family nowhere near as much as I would like and we both want to make an effort to change that. However, we text each other pretty much every day. I am so excited to hang my new art up in my apartment and I am going to get the warm fuzzies every time I see it.

After returning home with my treasured new decor, I was in such a giving spirit that I decided to start my Christmas shopping way early. I have a ton of people to shop for, sue me for it! I just had to spoil my sister’s daughter rotten this year and I can’t wait to do the same for Kristen and her partner. Both are such hard working, loving, dedicated parents and friends and if anyone deserves gifts galore, it is most definitely them. ❤

How do you surprise your loved ones? When do you like to start your holiday shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Key Ways To Impress A Home Buyer

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3 Key Ways To Impress A Home Buyer

Are you thinking about selling your home soon? If so then you need to make sure that you are taking the right steps to impress potential buyers. Steps like the following:

Ensure The Property Is In Tip Top Condition:

If you are trying to sell someone your home, they aren’t going to be interested unless you have got it in tip-top condition. All of the repairs should be done. There should be no peeling wallpaper or paint coming off of the walls. Nothing should be broken or look like it is about to be broken. All of the holes in the wall should be filled and anything else that takes away from the condition of your home needs to be sorted out.

If you are not marketing your property as a fixer-upper, then that is not what people expect to see. People will only pay your asking price if they are impressed with your home, and if it looks as though it’s going to need a lot of money poured into it to restore, this isn’t going to happen. As well as making all of the necessary repairs, check that all the decor is up to standard, no paint on the floor, and so on. All of the rooms in the home should be clear and tidy, and you can even look into master bedroom organization tips to keep your room looking awesomely neat.

Don’t Forget About Curb Appeal:

The first impression that anyone has of your home is when they see it from the outside. If you haven’t focused on the curb appeal of your property, and it looks like a mess from outside, they are already going to have this opinion of the home in their head by the time they come inside. This could be detrimental to the possibility of a sale, so you must be careful with this and take the time to improve the outside of your home.

It doesn’t have to be a lot to make it impressive. Simply keep the grass at a reasonable length, add some flowers for decoration, and perhaps a plant pot or two. If the actual house itself looks as though it could use an update, do this too. It might feel like a lot of work for a home you are moving out of, but you can get the money back through the sale, so it’s not the end of the world.

Include A Few Unique Features:

Finally, you need to make sure that you are thinking about adding some unique design options to your home. Don’t forget that there are going to be a few different properties around your neighborhood that will undoubtedly be on sale at the same time. You’ll need to make sure that your home stands out from these. One of the best ways to do that is with a few unique features One of these could be a water feature at the front of the home. These can look incredible and are cheaper to set up than you might imagine. There are even DIY options to explore.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now understand some of the key ways to impress a home buyer. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pexels