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5 Staging Tips That Will Attract Attention

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It’s Spring, and a homeowner’s thoughts turn to sprucing up one’s abode,  whether selling or not! Following is a guest post with home sellers’ staging advice from another Suzie (Wilson) based on her new book The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House

 

Curb Appeal is Important

Great staging is the key to a successful open house.  And there are two main objectives when making preparations.  

First, you want potential buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home.  

Second, your home must be as move-in ready as possible.  These two ideas lay the foundation for your home-staging strategies!

 

 

The following five simple steps can help shine the best light possible on your property:

 

  1. Neutralize your palette.  Many homeowners enjoy expressing themselves with paint colors, but if your walls are bold and colorful, it can be a detriment to your sale.  Potential buyers may have trouble overlooking the colors, or it may mean needing to paint before being able to match the rooms with their personal decor.  Give your walls a fresh coat of paint in light, neutral tones. A few pops of color with accents are fine, but keep room walls neutral.

 

  1. Updates and repairs.  We can’t say it enough: Buyers prefer homes that are move-in ready.  Put fresh caulking around windows and doors, resurface driveways, replace your aging roof, install new door knobs, and fix that leaking faucet.  Some experts recommend making updates as part of your home sale preparations as well.  For instance, popcorn ceilings are out of fashion and should be removed.  Refinished kitchen cabinets can make a positive impact on buyers, as well as new carpeting.  If you have hardwood floors, show them off, but refinish them first if necessary.

 

  1. Clean up. Your home should be spotless for your open house event; you want to present your home looking new and move-in ready!  Clean every little thing to help sell your home, including your baseboards, ceiling fans, faucets, closet floors, and even that nook behind the toilet you don’t think anyone will see.  Dirt and stains give an impression of neglect. If you can’t get carpets shampooed well enough to lift stains, investing in new carpeting is a worthwhile consideration.  

 

  1. Simplify your space. Your home can feel cramped and cluttered with too many items in it, and home shoppers will need to overlook your belongings to envision themselves in the rooms.  As the Daily Record explains, you want an atmosphere that puts buyers at ease and allows them to focus on the surroundings.  Remove your knicknacks, personal photos, and your child’s refrigerator art. Unusual family heirlooms and other items that show off your personality should be stowed away until you’re into your next home.  Also store any items that are particularly religious or political; items that may offend some buyers’ sensibilities aren’t appropriate for your event. Rearrange furniture to open the space in rooms and to allow a logical traffic pattern.  

 

  1. Curb appeal. Last but far from least, create great curb appeal for your open house.  You want your home to look inviting and well-kept. This Old House notes your front door is your home’s “ambassador,” so it’s a key to enhanced curb appeal.  Repair any wear and tear and give it a spruce up with fresh paint.  If the hardware is tired looking, replace it. Clean your siding and paint any weary trim and shutters.  Make sure your deck and patio are clean and newly painted or stained. Update your landscaping, removing any overgrown shrubbery and planting flowers for your event.  Manicure your lawn and ensure pathways are tidy.

 

Your home is a big investment, and in the real estate market, it’s vital to gain every edge in selling it that you possibly can.  Great home staging can help sell a home faster and get top dollar in the sale.  Putting a little time, energy, and even money into staging your home well can bring you success!

 

Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up for success.

 

For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale, call Suzie Hudson (706-347-1115) or Jim Hudson (706-453-6253)  Before 2018 is over, enjoy owning a home or lot at Lake Oconee!

 

RE/MAX Lake Oconee 

706-453-7777

Home Search: Look@LakeOconee.com  

Blog: Look@LakeOconee.com

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Report of Home Sales 2016 Lake Oconee

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Reviewing the home sales posted for the year 2016 reveals the year to be a profitable one in the Lake Oconee area!  Interspersed in this post are some pictures of the homes Jim and I sold within the past year.

Gracious Home with Privacy

Gracious Home with Privacy

In fact, our real estate activity is continuing over to 2017 with buyers who just haven’t found the right home, yet. As the economy improves, interest rates for mortgages are already moving up.  If you want to sell this Spring, now is the time to list your home. The season is starting early!

 

In 2017, we are also excited about revealing our RE/MAX Collection promotion materials that show your home in the best light. Call us to hear about the RE/MAX Collection.

 

Ranch at Harbor Club

Ranch at Harbor Club

2017 Home Sales in Numbers

Based on the figures posted by the Lake Country Realtors® MLS (including Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair) local agents had a busy year in 2016.

Lake Communities (non-gated):

Total residences sold was 320, average price of $346,000.

Individual Gated Golf Communities fared as follows:

Cuscowilla: 14 residences, average price of $444,000.

Harbor Club:  41 residences, average price of $366,000

Reynolds Plantation:  105 residences, average price of $673,000

Reynolds Landing:  25 residences, average price of $534,000

Great Waters: 23 residences, average price of $459,000

Rustic Lake Oconee Retreat

Rustic Lake Oconee Retreat

Whether you are in the market for buying, or selling,

Lake Oconee Homes

Lake Home for a Family

Lake Oconee has it all: historic homes, cottages, farms, lakefront mansions, or lakefront cabins.

Visit the Lake Oconee Area in 2017 and find the perfect place for your lifestyle.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale, call Suzie (706-347-1115) or Jim (706-453-6253) If you are selling, ask us about the RE/MAX Collection.

RE/MAX Lake Oconee Agents Realty

Home Search: Look@LakeOconee.com  

Blog: Look@LakeOconee.com

Pinterest: SuzieHudson Realtor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do-It-Yourself Staging Tips

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Lake Oconee Homes fpr Sale

Use Items to Stage Mantle

The prime selling season has started at Lake Oconee, prompting many would-be sellers here (and those who must sell in order to be here!) to prepare their homes to show. I have studied professional staging, and practiced it, but have to admit that most homeowners can prepare a home to sell themselves. One can find staging lists in newspapers, Pinterest, magazines, etc. The most important task for the homeowner/stager is to disconnect their personal pride in the home you made for your family, and to look at the home as a product to sell.

The best analogy that I know for selling a home is to imagine that you are selling your car, trying to get the best price. First you have it detailed, then you remove your personal items from the car: windshield stickers for families, schools, and areas; rear-view mirror fragrance hangers, and car seats. A car that is perfectly clean and devoid of personal add-ons will be more attractive to a potential buyer.

Thus, the first step in preparing your house to sell is to meticulously clean it, inside and outside. Don’t forget the lawn, make edging neat, and even plant new shrubs and flowers if necessary. The second step is decluttering. (As I type this word my spell check reminds me that it is not really a word, but stagers have coined it to describe the process of removing objects that are not necessary!) Homeowners can do these processes themselves, ask a talented friend to do it, or hire a handyman.

Even if you have lived with dirty windows, it is a turnoff for potential buyers!

Aside from the basic staging, here are some of my personal tips learned from experience for preparing to sell homes, illustrated with photos from my own files:

1. First impressions are important! Repaint your entry door and/or buy new hardware for it. Have attractive plantings to add color to the front of the house.My gift to each new listing owner is a new door mat. 

2. Buy new, small decorative items to perk up your home’s look. I often purchase inexpensive decorative pillows, towels, vases, pictures, artificial fruit at big box stores. Choose one bright color (red or blue) to unify your look from room to room. New towels (never used by people) soften a bathroom’s look, and can be inexpensive. Bowls of fruit add color to a kitchen or dining room.

Lake Oconee Property

Inexpensive Decorations to Stage Tub

3. Remove personal reminders of your family from sight. Homeowners often overlook partially used shampoos,toothpaste etc. in bathrooms (buy a little bucket to swiftly tuck them away). A few personal pictures are good, they remind buyers that a family lived here, but whole walls of photos are a little much! Collected souvenirs of favorite sports teams may not appeal to buyers, so pack them away. Refrigerator magnets are a no-no!

4. Re-position furniture if needed.  I once had a seller refuse to move the position of his favorite TV chair  that accommodated his needs, but was misplaced in the room! Be creative, furniture does not need to be against a wall. Invite a friend who has an eye for design to help you see the best placement. Be mindful of traffic patterns, or conversational grouping.

5. Don’t stage every room.  If you have already moved out, or your guest rooms or office look neat, don’t worry. The most important rooms to stage are Kitchen, Living Room, Master Bedroom, and all Bathrooms. Buyers want to know if the master bedroom will have space for the bed they prefer. Many times I have taken towels, artificial flowers, spa products, and pictures to vacant homes. I usually stage a fireplace mantel in the main room, too. It looks more like home.

Staging does work! Let go of your personal preferences and make your home look neutral for the average buyer so they can see themselves in the home.

For further advice on Staging, or buying a home for sale at Lake Oconee,

just give us a call.

Contact us at RE/MAX Lake Oconee

Suzie Hudson 706-347-1115, or Jim Hudson, 706-453-6253. 

Home Search: LookatLakeOconee.com  

Blog: LookatLakeOconee.com

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5 Trends to Update Bathrooms at Lake Oconee

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Lake Oconee Trends Bathrooms

Open Master Suite

Home owners are always observing the latest trends in home design as they update their present home, or plan to build a new home. Updating a home’s major rooms such as kitchen, bath, and master suite is also important in a seller’s staging to sell. Buyers always want to have the latest designs and technology in homes they purchase, intending to live in them for many years. One area that is changing in the Lake Oconee area homes is the bathroom. Some major trends are occurring in bathroom fixtures, technology, and design. I have chosen a few of the major trends that we see here in Lake Oconee that improve a Master Suite.

 

1. Integration of the master bath into the bedroom or closet

Instead of the bathroom being a closed off area separated from the bedroom and closet, the new trend is to merge all or some of these areas to create an open space. The photo above shows a vanity, tub, and closet area that are not separated from the bedroom by a door.

2. Free-standing tubs, often with curves

Lake Oconee Bathrooms Trends

Free-standing Tub

There is a move away from the large spa tubs that use great amounts of water and space in the bathroom. The preferred new style bath tub is a free-standing tub that often has curves in the design.

 

3. Larger showers with sound systems  Modern showers are often built large enough for two people, and sport multiple shower heads. Sound technology has come to the bathrooms providing personal playlists to entertain during one’s morning shower.

 

4. Floating vanities which are customized

Lake Oconee Trends Bathrooms

Floating Vanity

The resurgence of Modern styling is expressed in a bathroom by the use of “floating vanities” which may be attached to the wall. These vanities are often personalized to fit the home owner’s needs. Two other benefits of floating vanities is that they are easy for cleaning the floor area, and are wheelchair-friendly!

 

5. Hi-tech additions such as music, lighting that is engaging, medicine cabinets with refrigeration, water

Trends in Bathrooms

Medicine Cabinet, Partly Refrigerated

saving design for toilets The continuing use of water saving features is ever popular in bathrooms. “Engaging” lighting such as lights that automatically come on when someone enters the area, and better lighting over the vanity improve the new bathrooms. One fixture that I find surprising, but useful, is a partly refrigerated medicine cabinet. For today’s lifestyle, a refrigerated cabinet is useful for some medications or organic beauty products.

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for a Lake Oconee Home, call us and we’ll tour the available homes for sale with an eye on the updated master suites and bathrooms!

Contact us at RE/MAX Lake Oconee

Suzie Hudson 706-347-1115, or Jim Hudson, 706-453-6253. 

Home Search: LookatLakeOconee.com  

Blog: LookatLakeOconee.com

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Avoid Mistakes in Selling at Lake Oconee

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As many Lake Oconee Sellers prepare to list their homes in this prime selling season, I want to emphasize several errors that a survey of Realtors (members of the Realtor website Active Rain) voted most likely to hamper a quick sale for the highest price!

Selling Homes Lake Oconee

Realtor Survey of Mistakes

1. Overpriced Home

Nothing retards the sale of a home as too high of a price. We Babyboomers expect to realize a profit from the sale of our home, as we always have done. Many want to be reimbursed for every improvement that we have made over the years of ownership. The new real estate reality is that profits are not as easy to come by as they once were. The true sales price should be set according to the local comparable homes that have sold.

2. Showing Availability

There are some justified times when a seller has to decline a showing by a Realtor; illness, entertaining, work being done on the home. Many Lake Oconee homes are occasionally rented by the owners. However, if showings are often avoided, real estate agents will hesitate to show a listed home. Sellers are advised to maintain a showable home, and accept showings by agents as much as possible, even if it is an inconvenience to them.

3. Cluttered Space

Hopefully, the seller has decluttered the home in preparation for selling, but removing clutter is also a daily chore. A seller will be turned off by dirty laundry, dishes in the sink, a collection of mail or newspapers, or a child’s toys! If time is short, have a large basket ready to dump all clutter into, and put it in the trunk of the car.

4. Unpleasant Odors

Do whatever it takes to remove odors from pets, cooking or smoking before and during the time it takes to sell your home. Only fresh paint is helpful in removing smoking odors, carpet cleaning will help remove pet odors, and just forgoing frying that fish is necessary to prevent cooking odors!

5. Unwilling to Negotiate

Like it or not, some products like homes, cars, and antiques do not have a definite price like a piece of equipment or clothing, so it is expected that there will be the “game” of negotiating for the final price. Be prepared for the process, keep an open mind about price, and other factors in a sale like contingencies for repair, and qualification of the buyer.

6. Won’t Make Repairs

Most homeowners sometimes put off repairs, or are unaware of some household problems that are hidden. Prior to listing one’s home, the Seller should make all repairs necessary to present an attractive buy. Often the Seller will want to give an allowance to the buyer for repairs. Buyers purchasing a home at Lake Oconee are often reluctant to buy a home that needs repair as they will not be present before closing to monitor repairs, and not be familiar with local Lake Oconee companies who do such work. Most buyers make a sale contingent on an inspection of the home, then ask for normal maintenance items to be done before the sale closes.

 

For more information about Lake Oconee Homes

and how to Avoid Selling Mistakes, contact

Suzie Hudson 706-347-1115, or Jim Hudson, 706-453-6253. 

Home Search: LookatLakeOconee.com  

Blog: LookatLakeOconee.com

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5 Kitchen Updates at Lake Oconee

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Kitchen Island

White is a Popular Color

Any Realtor will tell you that the kitchen is the most important room to “sell” a buyer on a particular home. As a realtor and a stager, I have been taking notes on what updates homeowners can make now in their kitchens that also serve as staging for a future resale of their home. The following items are compiled from my showing of current Lake Oconee homes to buyers, and also from my scanning the internet sources. The popular trend at Lake Oconee in remodeling kitchens is towards a style that combines both the traditional and modern elements. Many new upscale appliances find their way into these kitchens, but traditional wood cabinetry and moldings still prevail on the walls. Granite countertops have peaked and are often replaced by marble or stainless steel.

 

5 kitchen remodeling updates that are trending are:

1. Larger spaces The modern kitchen uses an open floor plan to create a larger total area. Today’s kitchens are not just for cooking, but are used for socializing with guests, helping with home work, and taking care of household business from a computer station and desk. If the owner is modifying an older home, this creation of  space may necessitate removing a wall.

2. Islands  Adding an island (or two) makes a kitchen fit for multiple cooks, or  buffet serving area for guests. Islands in the kitchen may be added to an existing space, and often have a built-in sink or cook top. An island may also provide additional dining space.

Lake Oconee Kitchens

Banquette, 2015 Kitchen Trend

3.Eat-in Kitchens The eat-in kitchen has regained popularity for today’s casual lifestyle. Built-in banquettes or island bars are handy for dining.

4. Drop Zones  All homes need a place to store coats, boots, athletic gear, or pets paraphernalia. Plan ahead for cabinets and hooks to store these items in a special area in, or near, the kitchen to avoid clutter.

5. Recharging Ports  Today’s families possess many personal electronic devices. To organize the recharging activity, a new kitchen option is to install a “recharging port” in a special drawer complete with electrical outlets. The recharging area helps declutter the home.

Trends Lake Oconee Kitchens

Recharging Port in Kitchen

 

 

 Lake Oconee is becoming more and more popular as the economy rebounds. Come look at our beautiful kitchens and pick out your dream home while prices are still low.

 

For more information, call Suzie (706-347-1115) or Jim Hudson (706-453-6253) with RE/MAX Lake Oconee.  

RE/MAX Lake Oconee   706-454-7777

Home Search: Look@LakeOconee.com

Blog: Look@LakeOconee.com

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How to judge your home’s curb appeal

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If you have been trying to sell your home, you are well aware of how challenging it can be. However, there is one way that you can increase your chances of success and that is if you improve your home’s curb appeal.

With fewer and fewer qualified buyers in the market it has become even more important to make your home as attractive as possible.

That’s because a very high percentage of people who are shopping for a home decide whether or not they would like to take a look inside the home based on what they see as they drive by the house – or when they arrive for a showing. If the curb appeal is not positive they often leave.

As the homeowner it can be rather difficult for you to see your house through other people’s eyes.

That’s because you have gotten accustomed to how it looks and you see beyond whatever faults it has. However, if you are considering selling your home you have to first look at is as property rather than the roof over your particular head. And, as such, there are a number of things you can do to sell this property for the highest possible dollar.

Before you can increase your curb appeal you have to identify the areas that are ripe for improvement. Here’s a simple exercise that you can do to help you to gage your home’s curb appeal.

First, the next time you come back home, park across the street or down the block. You want to be able to get a good view of your property and its surroundings, as if you were looking at it for the first time. As you walk towards your house imagine that this is the first time you are here.

Is the approach to your property tidy and clean? Is there anything that you could do to make it more attractive?

Take a notepad with you and jot down your first impressions of the yard and the house. Then note the house’s best exterior features.

Once you’ve done that take a moment or two to see if you can come up with some initial ideas about how you can enhance the looks of your house and property. Continue this exercise later.

After you consider the best features of your yard and home, make a note of what the worst features are. Then see if you can think of a number of ways that you could eliminate, improve, or minimize these negative factors.

One thing that could help is if you take pictures of your house. If your camera is a digital camera take the photos in color and look at them that way first. Then turn the image into black and white and analyze them. It may be easier to see the problems when the color doesn’t affect your impressions.

by: Wendy Moyer
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6541.shtml

Top deck trends for summer

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Top%20deck%20trends%20for%20summer%202012It’s that time of year when homeowners are lured outside by the warm, sunny weather. Is your outdoor space ready to be enjoyed to the fullest? If your deck or patio needs updating, catching up on the top design innovations and trends will help you create an inviting area that will add value to your home investment.

This year’s leading trends focus on blending functionality with beauty to construct a stylish and usable space that requires little maintenance. To create the best outdoor space on the block, consider these popular ideas for your home.

Post caps
A big trend in decking is beautification – taking your functional space and adding stylish elements that produce visual appeal. One easy way to incorporate this trend is by installing post caps. Mounted at the highest point on the railing, post caps are one of the most prominent features of any deck or patio. Deck and fence post caps give a polished, upscale look for your outdoor space. These one-size-fits-all caps have nested inserts that are compatible with wood, composite and vinyl posts, making installation simple. They come in a variety of colors and many are available with a built-in solar light. These unique post embellishments are sure to fit your color palette and will enhance your overall outdoor design aesthetic.

Fascia corners
Corner joints can separate over time, creating unsightly gaps. If you’re looking for an easy way to spruce up your current deck, consider adding decorative fascia corners. Simple and unique, decorative fascia corners are an elegant way to adorn deck skirting and cover corner joint connections and an easy way to capture your own personal style while complementing your home’s architecture.

Top%20deck%20trends%20for%20summer%202012Lighting
Incorporating lighting into your deck area is a big trend because it extends the time you are able to spend in your outdoor space. It also adds an element of safety in a visually pleasing manner. Look for solar powered lights to continue to be popular – you’ll find this sun-powered option on numerous outdoor items such as string lights and fountains. Recessed deck lights are another popular lighting option – perfect for stairs because they softly illuminate steps once the sun has gone down.

Multifunctional furniture
Furnishing outdoor space is essential for creating a relaxing, comfortable environment, but it is also a big investment. That’s why more people are looking for multifunctional options that provide a variety of benefits. For example an outdoor sectional can serve as a large couch or be separated for multiple sitting areas. A small table serves double duty when it opens for hidden storage. An outdoor umbrella with solar lights provides shade during the day and soft light at night for easy all-day entertaining.

Composite decking
If it’s time to replace your whole deck, you might want to consider using composite lumber decking in your new design. Composite decking continues to grow in popularity due to its low maintenance and durability. Today’s composite decking is much different than past options because the designs closely mimic the natural look of wood. Latitudes composite decking, for example, features a more natural-looking surface with a realistic grain pattern available in a variety of colors. Plus it’s backed by a 25-year stain and fade warranty, so it’s guaranteed to look great on your home for a long time, making it a wise investment.

By incorporating these top trends not only will you have a great outdoor space this year, but for many years to come.

IMAGE CAPTIONS:
——————————————-
Caption 1: Simple and unique, decorative fascia corners are an elegant way to adorn deck skirting and cover joint connections.

Caption 2: Mounted at the highest point on the railing, post caps are one of the most prominent features of any deck or patio.

Courtesy of BPT

 

For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale , call Suzie (706-347-1115) or Jim (706-453-6253) Through our Multiple Listing Service, we have the key to any home for sale.

RE/MAX Lake Oconee Agents Realty 706-454-7777

Search: LakeOconee.com

Blog: Look@LakeOconee

Pinterest: SuzieHudson Realtor

How to ‘green up’ your home, office or dorm with houseplants

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Looking for a fresh new look for your home or office or want to add some color and cool for your college digs? House plants are always in style.

For an easy transformation for any space, house plants add high impact and eco flair that rival expensive makeovers. Whether you choose orchids or Bonsai, house plants fit any lifestyle, mood and taste.

From finding the perfect plant to decorating ideas at your fingertips, check out the new digital magazine GrowingStyle. This free download and app is your go-to resource for the hottest plants, green living tips, expert advice and lots of eco eye candy.

Whether you’re a long time plant collector or novice, these tips from top garden experts show just how easily house plants will “green up” your life.

The air in there. Did you know that house plants do double duty? They not only add beauty to indoor spaces but also clean our indoor air and remove nasty toxins from carpets, paint, household cleaners, printers and even furniture.

“Besides what they give back in aesthetics, one of the greatest things house plants do is provide much needed humidity in the winter months and freshen the air year round,” says Justin Hancock, editor of Better Homes and Gardens online (BHG.com).

Plant hunter and expert, Mike Rimland, says that house plants help clean indoor toxins commonly found in homes, apartments and offices. “What house plants you choose and where they’re placed are important considerations to maximize air filtering benefits.”

Rimland suggests house plants like peace lilies for bathrooms and Sanseveria and Golden Pothos for your entryway and living spaces. “They’re easy to grow and can help remove volatile organic compounds found in cleaners, carpets and furniture like benzene, formaldehyde, acetone and xylene.”

Set the mood. From added drama to a touch of whimsy, house plants instantly liven up any room or office with natural beauty and add a funky touch of greenery to boxy dorm rooms.

For happy plants, Rimland recommends you assess your rooms for optimal lighting conditions and care requirements, follow the plant care guidelines on the tags and choose plants that fit your lifestyle.

Want to create a quick and easy upscale look or a serene retreat? Nothing beats orchids, arranged in simple or elaborate containers, for high impact drama and Zen-like simplicity.

“As a great ‘everyman’ plant, orchids can’t be beat,” says Hancock. “Mini orchids are easy to grow and perfect for a centerpiece or a thing of beauty and tranquility alone on a windowsill.”

Green-up your space with living walls. If you have limited space or want a visually dramatic, high impact design for a room, living walls are the ticket.

Not only can they improve air quality, but they are quite a conversation piece, adding instant “wow factor” to any room.

Rimland says that living green walls are a great way to maximize the benefits of house plants to purify and beautify spaces. “Whether you buy one of the new kits available or have a professional install your living wall, your rooms will spring to life with living art you create.”

Go green and groovy. Looking for fun and easy house plants that are practically a no-brainer? Water-retaining, light-loving, easy-care succulents and cacti are virtually indestructible and come in many colors, shapes and varieties. So mix them up in containers for a visual feast that draws the eye and soothes the soul.

“Succulents are great-looking, low maintenance plants that make it easy for everyone to bring the outdoors inside,” adds Hancock.

For more ways to spruce up your home with the hottest house plants and tips on decorating with a splash of sophisticated and refreshing greenery, visit www.growingstylemag.com.

Courtesy of BPT

 

For staging your home to sell, you can add color and smooth out the hard edges by adding plants. Many of our listings here at Lake Oconee are second homes, so I look for good quality artificial plants for the same effect. When I preview a home for sale, I see hard edges and cold surfaces if no plants are there. For staging advice, call Suzie Hudson 706-347-1115.

For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale , call Suzie (706-347-1115) or Jim (706-453-6253) Through our Multiple Listing Service, we have the key to any home for sale.

RE/MAX Lake Oconee Agents Realty 706-454-7777

Search: LakeOconee.com

Blog: Look@LakeOconee

Pinterest: SuzieHudson Realtor

Spring to it: Cleaning tips for creating a healthy home environment

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Spring%20to%20it%3A%20Cleaning%20tips%20for%20creating%20a%20healthy%20home%20environmentAllergens lurk inside and outside your home, causing more than 40 million Americans with allergies to cough, sneeze and have itchy eyes all year long, especially in springtime. And, for 25 million Americans with asthma it can be even more problematic. You’d assume cleaning your home would help reduce these allergy triggers, but if you’re not cleaning the right way, you could actually be making the problem worse.

If your cleaning routine doesn’t specifically focus on allergen removal, you may be only moving dust around, sending allergens and irritating cleaning chemicals into the air. To maximize your cleaning efforts to reduce allergens, consider these simple tips from the asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program, the healthy home initiative of the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA):

* You may think dusting your home will help reduce allergens, but if you use a feather duster that simply lifts the dust off surfaces and into the air, you will actually increase airborne dust particles. Instead, use moist cloths or special dry dusters designed to trap and lock dust from hard and soft surfaces.

* Certain cleaning products can also contribute to airborne irritants, especially if they contain harsh chemicals, strong odors or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Choose products that contain none of these irritants, but also beware of “green” labels, as some of these solutions may be made with natural allergenic ingredients, such as lemon, coconut or tea-tree oils.

* Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter with tight seams and seals to prevent particles from leaking out while you vacuum. Also, choose a style that requires minimal exposure during canister emptying or bag changes.

* Rodent dander and cockroach particles are common household asthma triggers. However, some pesticides may do more harm than good for people with asthma and allergies. If you have a pest problem, look for an exterminator with expertise in integrated pest management and experience treating homes of people with asthma.

* Whether you have a cat or dog, pet dander is present in most U.S. homes. Your cleaning routine should include frequently washing linens in your bedroom, where cat or dog dander can settle. Place mite-proof bedding on your mattresses and pillows. Wash your bedding at least once a week in 130-degree hot water to kill mites and their eggs.

* Mold, a common allergy trigger, can grow anywhere in your home where moisture is present. Look for cleaning products that help kill and prevent mold from returning. Also, keep household humidity below 50 percent and fix leaky pipes and cracks to reduce standing puddles of moisture where mold can prosper.

* Gather stuffed toys, where dust mites, mold and pet dander can accumulate, and wash them in hot water and dry completely before using again. Place stuffed toys that can’t be washed in the freezer for 24 hours, then rinse in cold water to remove dead mites, and dry completely. Do this monthly.

* Lots of air passes through window areas, and airborne dust and allergens accumulate on all types of window treatments – which are rarely cleaned. In the family room and throughout the home, replace big, heavy linen drapes with more sensible window treatments such as wood blinds or flat screens that are easy to wipe and keep clean.

Keep in mind that while consumers spend nearly $18 billion annually on asthma and allergy medications, they also spend more than $20 billion on nonmedical consumer products marketed for people with asthma and allergies such as room air cleaners, bedding, vacuums and more, according to AAFA. While demand for such products continues to grow, there is little regulation governing product claims, the Foundation notes. AAFA’s asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program helps consumers evaluate and verify the allergen-reducing effectiveness of a variety of products, from cleaning supplies, air cleaning devices and vacuums to toys, bedding, home improvement products, paints, clothes washers and more. You can learn more at www.AAFA.org/certified.

Courtesy of BPT

 

These tips are good for home cleaning for everyone. Many people preparing to buy a home prefer one that keeps chance of allergens low.  So, keep these tips in mind if you are preparing your home to sell.

For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale , call Suzie (706-347-1115) or Jim (706-453-6253) Through our Multiple Listing Service, we have the key to any home for sale.

RE/MAX Lake Oconee Agents Realty 706-454-7777

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