What if Nothing in this House is Bringing Me Joy?

Almost everyone has heard about the “KonMari” organizing technique that has invaded the USA.  In 2014, Marie Kondo released her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and it hit the best seller list.  The premise to her method was simple, brilliant and slightly brutal.  We don’t need to live clutter filled lives and oftentimes, the clutter prevents us from enjoying the items that are truly special to us. 

I’d save the family and the pets as they are a source of great joy, but then I walked into the kitchen and felt surrounded by a lot of work.  Dishes to be cleaned, food that needs to be repurchased, floors that need to be cleaned…not much joy there, except for the coffee pot.  I do love how daily, it creates that magic potion that allows me to function! Alright, let’s shake off this bad attitude and be open-minded.

The premise of keep what brings you joy is a good one and that standard makes it easier to decide not to keep the cereal bowls you hate, but bought at a “Southern Living” party 15 years ago and feel committed to them.  According to Marie, sentiment is no reason to keep anything. 

Another outstanding concept Marie employs is that everything must have its place and you must be very disciplined about creating organized areas with cubbies or containers so that when you go to look for something, it’s an easy find instead of some crazed “Where’s Waldo” with the clock running down!  Maybe a label maker will bring joy and eliminate some morning chaos.

My personal weakness of paper clutter is one of her primary targets.  Yes, I have every intention of reading those magazines, but then life gets in the way (remember paragraph 1 with those dirty kitchen dishes that weren’t bringing any joy)?  Marie advocates for throwing out/recycling papers that you don’t need; switch to electronic bills to reduce paper clutter; and file the important ones immediately.  Priceless peace of mind when you can put your hand on what you need!

Marie Kondo promotes storage of almost everything, from paper to clothing, in a vertical format.  Rather than organizing files in horizontal drawers, Marie suggests a vertical file that drops down so that everything is easily visible, and you can quickly locate whatever document you require.  She suggests the same method for clothing, so that your t-shirts are stacked and the decision of what to wear is easier with the colors facing you.

Clothing was the one decluttering task that I fully embraced and found how surprised I was at how few items truly brought me joy.  Yes, I became one of the people in the news bringing bag after bag to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.  Except for some concert t-shirts from my teen-age years.  Yes, Marie, I know memories do not lie in those shirts, but they sure do make me smile!

So, the time has come to incorporate the KonMari format in your life.  It’s not an all or nothing technique and it’s not something that you can tackle in a weekend (unless you’re my friend, Kelly.  She can do anything in a weekend).  For the rest of us, start with something like tackling my arch nemesis, paper clutter, and you’ll see how relieved you feel to walk in the door and not see that daunting pile of “read me, pay me” staring at you!

What are you looking for when searching for your next home?

How many times when looking for real estate have you heard “Location Location Location”!  Many home buyers come with a list of must haves and a wish list; others come focused on location and size.  Over the years, some clients have brought a variety of search criteria to the process. It’s always interesting to see what concerns clients have and if these concerns are helpful to keep in mind for other buyers.

Some clients want no noise.

They want their new home to be free from highway noise and from road noise.  These are buyers who want a peaceful setting in a town, rather than a city.  On the flip side, other clients have sought the opposite and have asked that their home search only include houses that are in a city, preferably convenient to all city amenities and none of that “Green Acres” peace and quiet!  The noise factor became even more intense when train noise was introduced.  One client considered train noise to be acceptable within the realm of a peaceful setting.  Another client would have preferred to be much closer to I95, as long as they couldn’t hear the train! Longtime residents of Madison once told me that if you can’t hear the train, I95 or the fire whistle, you live too far north!  It’s all a matter of perspective, I guess!

One of my favorite clients was very specific with their request that we find a house located in a neighborhood with convenient access to I95.  One had a long highway commute and wanted to get off the thruway and know they’d be home in a few minutes.  Turns out we found them the perfect house so that when they are exiting I95, they shift from work mode to family mode.

A significant number of clients have a “no sump pump” rule when shopping for a house

Unfortunately, it’s not a line item in the MLS, so often we’re in a house where they see potential after viewing the first floor and then a trip to the basement rules the house out by the presence of a sump pump.  Sometimes the pump is there as a precaution and you can see it’s dry or full of cobwebs, but nonetheless, no sump pump means exactly that!

No Farm Animals!

Recently, I thought I’d found the perfect home for clients that was set in walk to beach, town and train location.  They loved the photos and location and we were excited for the showing.  When we pulled onto the street, I heard them gasp because the neighboring house was advertising “eggs for sale” and their child had a fear of chickens.  Suffice it to say that our hope for the perfect home went up in smoke and we left the street in a “fowl” mood!

When you begin your home search, keep in mind that there’s more to consider than the number of bedrooms, square footage, house design and location.  Sounds and smells are often important factors that aren’t on the list, but should be!

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So you’re going to buy a Fixer Upper

HGTV has inspired countless people to take on home renovation projects.  Many watch Chip and Joanna and are encouraged to improve the sore thumb in their own home, but in reality, the task is more complicated than shown on TV, possibly more expensive and certainly won’t be completed in 30 minutes!  What can we do to embrace the urge to rehab our homes without wanting to pull our hair out?

1. 1. Start with one manageable project and take the time to make a list of exactly what is needed to complete the project.  Let’s use a powder room for example and create a list that includes the basics like flooring, wainscoting, vanity, toilet, plumbing fixtures, lighting, fan, switch plates and then expand the list to consider items that might come up, such as sheetrock replacement, electrical upgrades, trim, subfloor and budget additional money for the items that you can’t see.  It’s never fun to spend money on things that can’t be seen or aren’t expected.
2. Take the list you’ve created and go to a few different places (or shop online) to get an idea of what style you like and the cost associated with your taste. If you have champagne tastes, make certain your wallet backs up the style!  It will also give you the opportunity to prioritize where you want to spend the big bucks.  Perhaps you’ll select reasonably priced tile flooring and spend more on a custom vanity or some upscale, attractive lighting?
3. Stop at an open house in your neighborhood to make certain that your design isn’t going to over-improve the house. Your renovation dollars must be inline with the values of your neighborhood and it’s essential that you don’t overspend on an improvement where you won’t recoup the money.  If you plan on staying in your home and want to create the bathroom of your dreams, then full speed ahead!  Create and enjoy your renovation!
4. Once you’ve completed your first renovation project, make a list of other upgrades or changes you’d like to make and organize by priority or timing. For example, kitchen remodels are less painful during the summer since you can grill dinner to avoid the chaos of construction.

Organization is the key to almost any home repair or rehab.  Everything will go more smoothly if you have a list of what you need and ideas, photos or Pinterest of what you want.  Remember the bigger the project, the more choices you’ll need to make and prepare accordingly.  Based on experience, allow more time than a YouTube video or HGTV show suggests you’ll need.  One kitchen back-splash taught us two things – 1. Just because you see someone tackling a back-splash and completing the project in 4 hours doesn’t mean that will be the case for you (as we finished around 1 a.m.) and 2. Sometimes it’s really worth the peace just to pay someone who knows what they’re doing!

How to Prepare for a Move!

Moving day is fast approaching and there are a few things that are often overlooked until crunch time.  Over the years, I’ve found a variety of things at walk-throughs that Sellers have forgotten; some items included a washer and dryer filled with clothes, food in kitchen cabinets, an entire load of dishes in the dishwasher and once, someone forgot to pack their attic.  Let’s review some essentials to make your transition easier.

Protecting your privacy

is paramount and making sure your mail is directed to your new home in time for the move is the best way to make sure no one has access to your information.  Other options to consider include signing up for electronic billing to make sure nothing has the opportunity to be lost in the mail or opening a PO box to make sure your mail is being delivered to a secure destination before you even leave your current home.

Insurance, taxes and driver’s licenses all will need to be updated with the new address.  If you’re moving in Spring or Summer to a town with a beach, ask your agent for information on how to get a beach pass so you don’t miss the chance to check out a peaceful shoreline sunset.  If you’re moving out of state, don’t forget to research new doctors and prepare to have your files transferred.

Moving kits are available with color coded tape to easily identify the destination for each box.  For example, kitchen tape might be yellow and labelled “Kitchen” to facilitate unpacking.  Start packing the things you seldom use and as closing date approaches, pack the more essential items.  Living off of paper plates is the easiest way to guarantee the dishwasher won’t be filled with dishes at the walk-through after you’ve eaten up all the food in your cabinets!

Pack a box of your favorite things that you’ll feel better moving yourself.  This might include anything from your passport to sentimental items. Before you leave the house for the last time, take five minutes to go through the house from attic to basement and check for any personal items you might have forgotten.  If you’re too overwhelmed with the stress and emotion of the transition, ask your Realtor to stop by and check the house for you.

One of the funniest misconceptions of real estate is that we just run out, show a few homes and collect a big check.  Even I miscalculated the amount of work that would be required (and apologies to our realtor, Heidi, who sold our house many years ago and despite that, is still our dear friend)!  Most of us treat your home as our own and we want to get it sold.  If a house stays on the market too long, it may be perceived as stale and then you lose sleep, I lose sleep and we’re both angst ridden!

The first thing we do is to calculate the most accurate listing price based on the ever-changing market conditions, and then is the toughest part: Telling you what the market says.  We all wish values were higher, you’d walk with more money; we’d walk with more money and everyone is happy.  Real estate is like the stock market – if you paid $30/share for GE in May of 2000, today it’s worth less than $14/share. No one is going to give you the 2000 price of $30/share in 2018.  Market conditions set the value of your home, not the agent – or the delivery man, as one previous client suggested, although I agree that he DOES see a lot of homes (from the outside).

Marketing is the next step.  Since over 92% of home buyers begin their search online, photos are critical.  Online promotion, a website for the property, a video, a floor plan, an open house (if desired) and a Broker’s open house follow thereafter.

Scheduling showings and following up with agents to answer questions, confirm they can access the house, emailing promotions to agents, connecting with agents who might have clients in your price range are all tasks that facilitate the sales process.  I still remember my daughter complaining when I’d have to take a work call, “But Mommmmy, one call leads to 2 more!”  Anyone with kids can add the whininess to that sentence!

All of the marketing costs fall on the agents, and we’re happy to work diligently to find the right buyer for your home.  We all have the same goal in mind:  Sellers want to move to their next place; Buyers want their new dream home and Realtors want to coordinate a transaction that goes as seamlessly as possible for all involved.  Yes, we get paid at the end, but the reward of matching a Buyer with their new home and helping a Seller move on to their next phase in life is equally rewarding.  Personally speaking, I often miss the frequent interaction with my clients during the sales process.  It’s like we’re on the same team, working together to achieve a goal.  OK, time to go lie down and wait for the next check to roll in – NOT!