Part of a Stager’s goal is to strike a balance between making rooms look spacious and decluttered without being sterile. And we need to appeal to all 5 senses to evoke an emotional connection in potential home buyers so they feel that your house is the only one they want. So here are a few tips to help you sell quickly!

• Invite them in. As realtors are unlocking the front door, potential buyers have ample time to check out the state of your entry. Make a good first impressing by decluttering a porch, putting fresh paint on the front door & trim, and adding a welcome mat & a seasonal wreath.

• Deodorize. The first thing buyers notice when they walk in isn’t what they see, it’s what they smell. Open windows as often and as long as possible to air out any stale smells in your home. If you have pets, keep them and their paraphenelia (litter boxes, crates, toys, feeding bowls, etc.) hidden away during a showing. Eliminate pet odors with this “reci-pee.” Spray an air freshener lightly just before a showing, or bake some homemade bread or cookie dough 20 minutes before a showing. Buyers will have a tasty snack and they’ll instantly feel at home from the smell.

• Declutter. Pack up or purge all the excess clutter & furniture from every room. Counter should be completely clear or have no more than 2 major appliances on them in a kitchen. My favorite trick is to clear a room’s furniture out (except the essentials needed to indicate to a buyer what the room’s purpose is) until the room fees too “empty.” Then bring back in 2 items which will make it feel more lived in, but spacious. Place the large furniture items first and fill in any holes with side chairs, tables or bookcases, plants, or artowrk. Purge non-essential items, or pack & move them to an attic or rent a storage unit while your home is on the market.

• Depersonalize. Buyers can’t picture themselves living in your home if photos of your family are everywhere. Remove personal items and photos from tables & walls, and if art is needed on a long wall, replace it with a neutral print, a black & white photo, or create your own art to match the space by framing fabric or wrapping paper in the same color scheme.

• Create focal points for each room. This is important to show off a room’s assests while detracting from its flaws. In every room, decide what the best feature is and manoever the furnture and accessories around it to draw the eye to it like a runway. For example, if you have a fireplace, remove or shift the placement of any furniture that blocks its view from the room’s entry and line up a sofa and side chairs perpendicular to it on the left & right. If it’s a bedroom, make the bed the focus with attractive bedding or a padded headboard that matches the bedding. Don’t have a focal point? Create one with interesting artwork, or paint one wall a darker shade than the rest of the room to draw attention to it. This works particularly well for that tiny or boring bedroom that’s being used as a storage space or Home Office.

• Neutralize the color palette. Bold colors may be great to live in, but no everyone likes them, so to appeal to the widest audience, choose neutal or earth tome paint colors. Here is a list of my favorite paint colors & tips. Try to use no more than 2 or 3 colors in a space. (My favorite color scheme is to use 2 shades of the same color (like a taupe on the walls and dark brown furniture) then let my 3rd color be more bold, like a red, teal, or green pops of color in the fabrics & artwork. And if you have mismatched furniture & accessories, make them look more coherent by painting them all the same shade of dark brown, black, or cream. Spraypaint has come a long way — Rust-o-leum has new shades that cost about $7 can, have a spray trigger for easy use, and don’t require sanding or priming.

• Clean. Make sure your entire home is spotless. I’m talking “toothbrush” clean in the kitchen & bathrooms — every corner & crevice should sparkle. Got a stubborn shower stain? Read my article on how to get it clean and keep it clean. Hire a professional cleaning service if you need help and pay attention to the details like cleaning blinds, fans & baseboards. Have the windows professional washed inside & out, and if your home is natually dark, consider removing blinds & curtains completely while it’s on the market to let the most light in. Powerwashing the outside of your home is also worth the money.

• Add a special touch. Paint a picture for buyers of how much fun it is to live in your home and appeal to their 5 senses by creating little vignettes that make rooms look like you were there just moments ago, lounging or enjoying the space right before they walked in. In the rooms used for relaxation like the living room and master bedroom, cozy up a space with something buyers want to taste and touch, like a breakfast tray with a danish and cup of tea on it, or an open book that’s turned face down on a coffee table, edge of the bed, or nightstand. Toss fluffy pillows and a down throw on a bed so buyers yearn to dive in and snuggle up for a nap. Add fresh flowers for buyers to smell in any space. Show off a gourmet kitchen by making it look like you were just there baking homemade goodies — toss flour on the counter, and set a rolling pin beside a rolled out pie crust or slab of cookie dough that’s half cut-out. Leave a plate of cookies and some cider on a counter with a note to buyers that reads, “Welcome Home!” In smaller eat-in kitchens or sunrooms, a cup of coffee next to a folded newspaper evokes a picture of quiet mornings. For playrooms, set up a board game or pause the Wii and drop two controllers where buyers might be tempted to play a round. Liven up a space with music — we don’t want noise and chaos, just a little soft background music; try soft spa music near an entryway or in a master bathroom suite, and something more upbeat and festive for an outdoor patio where grilling and parties take place. In a sunroom, deck or patio area, set out a pitcher of margaritas, lemonade or iced tea on a table, or set a tub of iced beers next to a grill. It’ll make your home seem like a cozy place to relax and have fun and will get buyers’ juices flowing thinking of all the down time they can have because your home is move-in ready!

With just a little cash and a lot of elbow grease, you can help your home stand out and create a space that buyers can’t wait to move into!

Here are some tips for creating strong passwords:

• Use 8 characters or more; 14 is ideal.
• Combine both upper and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols such as a period, @, #, and $
• Pick letters from a phrase that’s meaningful to you to create a “pass phrase.” (“Do you know the way to San Jose?” could be D!Y!KtwTSJ?)
• Select a unique password and not one that you are using for some other purpose, such as your PIN at the bank or your password to another system.
• Change your passwords every 72 days or less.
• Avoid sequences or repeated characters like “12345678,” “222222,” “abcdefg.”
• Avoid sending your password over email.
• Test the strength of your passwords with a password checker lke the one above.

Get started using a trash bag, a box or tote bag, and some all purpose cleaning wipes.

1. Eliminate Trash & Gather Clutter. Make a pass through the room starting at the door and working left to right. As you move around the room, put all trash in the trash bag, and gather any items that don’t belong in this room into a box or bag that can be stashed until later or toted to the room(s) where they really live.

 

2. Wipe surfaces. Now that the trash and clutter are gone, focus on the major flat surfaces. Use an all purpose cleaning wipe like Pledge Multi Surface Everyday cleaner, Lysol wipes, or your favorite cleaner on a damp cloth, and quickly wipe the surfaces. The cleaning wipes will leave a fresh scent and any dust and crumbs will be nabbed. When the major surfaces are clean, use the same cloth to spot clean the floor.

 

3. “Froof.” This is my word for gussying up a space. Straighten any knick-knacks & decor, fluff pillows, etc.

In just minutes, you’ll have a fresh, livable space again!

FOR EVENTS:

• Groupon.com & Twongo.com: Each day they feature something cool to do in Raleigh/Durham for around 50% off. Deals for Adventure Landing, horseback riding, restaurants, cleaning services, smoothies, mani/pedis — you name it!
• CouponDivas.com: Has grocery coupons, but I like it because it lists where Kids Eat Free!

FOR STUFF:

• RetailMeNot.com: Reliable coupon codes for online checkouts as well as printable coupons for food, apparel, drug store, etc.
• Dealcatcher.com: Deals on electronics, computers, household, clothing, games, etc. Can browse by your favorite stores like Best Buy, NewEgg, Apple, etc.

FOR GROCERIES:

• Coupons.com: Printable manufacturer’s coupons that can be used in any grocery store.

PHONE APPS:

• Pic2Shop & RedLaser: Scan a barcode on an item and see if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
• Cardstar: You’ve heard me talk about them before — put all your club card numbers into the app and cashiers can scan the barcode from your phone — you never have to carry a keyring mess again!
• CouponClipper.com: Multiple coupon offers per store or restaurant on lots of categories including food, retail, entertainment, automotive, services, beauty. Pick the coupon that gives you the best deal and the cashier can scan the barcode right off your phone!

KARA’S SHOPPING & COUPON TIPS:

• When coupons or gift cards come in the mail, immediately tear them out and put in your wallet. Or keep an envelope or small accordian file in your car so they travel with you — place them with your keys so you don’t forget to transfer them to your car next time you head out.
• Do the math. Even though you may have a coupon for a brand item, still compare the sale & generic priced items first because they may come out cheaper, even on double-coupon days.
• Ask if your store still gives a discount for buying a single item, even if it’s a bulk deal like 3/$10.
• Be careful of buying in bulk: check the price per unit now listed in the upper corner of the shelf labels to see if the bulk price is really less expensive. (Or try this iPhone app called CompareMe which will do the math for you!) Overbuying may not be cheaper in the long run and can create clutter. When is it ok to stock up? If the item’s on sale and it’s something you purchase weekly, but picture where it will live when you get it home and only stock as many as your space can hold.
• Avoid overbuying & impulse shopping by reviewing what’s in your cart before you checkout. Do you really need 3 kinds of snack chips this week or can you wait on some till next week’s trip?

So shop till you drop but save time & money doing it!

• Gather up the “Action” items. Create a list of all the things you think you have to do — actions to take, bills to pay, phone calls, events, shopping, and anything weighing on your mind. Go down the list and ask yourself “what ACTION needs to be taken on this?” You may find some things are just “mental clutter” and not actionable and can be immediately eliminated.

• Say “No.” Remove extraneous items from your to-do list by writing down your top 5 “life priorities” and if items on your list don’t contribute, immediately scratch them off. Prevent future items from getting on your to do list by practicing this skill.

• Prioritize what’s real. Many times we identify tasks as high priority that really aren’t important and if everything’s marked “urgent”, nothing will get done. So review your to-do’s and be realistic about what’s a high priority.

• Delegate. Sometimes we get caught up thinking we have to do it all ourselves, but if you’re not getting things done the guilt and stress can be all-consuming.

  So realize it’s ok to ask for help from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or hire someone to help, like an organizer or a virtual assistant like www.TasksEveryday.com. What items can you hand off to keep you focused on the “urgents”?

  Be sure to tell the person you’ve delegated to the order you need things done, and assign deadlines for each task. It’ll prevent any confusion and frustration from either of you and hopefully keep them willing to help in the future.

• Estimate time-to-completion & block time. For truly urgent items you can’t delegate, split them two groups based on how long they will take:

  - “2 minutes or less”
  - “Takes longer to accomplish”

  Then block a hour on your calendar to knock out as many 2 minute items as you can. Set a timer to keep you focused.

  For “takes longer” items, schedule a specific time on your calendar you’ll work on them and just do it.

• Get a “body double.” If you work better with someone else around, ask someone to sit with you for a bit while you work things out.

Then don’t forget to reward yourself when you’re caught up and to express your gratitude to those who helped you.

1. Heat a cup of water for 3 minutes in the microwave
2. Let it sit and steam up the microwave for 1 minute to soften all the stuck-ons
3. Take 1 minute to wipe it out. Easy!

Got smells too? Add a lemon slice or lemon juice to the water before you heat it to freshen things up.

Timesaver tip: Common sense will tell you to wipe up immediately after a mess has been made before it can get stuck on. But if that just isn’t gonna happen, wipe the microwave out after you heat any liquid (coffee, tea, soup, etc.) since the steam will still do the trick.

• Am I legally required to keep it? (i.e., vital records, tax documents)
• If so, for how long?
• Will I actually use it/refer to it/need it?
• Is the information still current?
• Can it easily be replicated if needed again (i.e. found on the web)?
• Is it a duplicate?
• What’s the worst that can happen if I toss it?

Now that you’ve decided if something’s worth keeping, here are some guidelines for how long to keep it:

• Permanently: Vital records including birth/death/marriage/divorce certificates, wills, military records, passports & social security cards should be kept in a safe deposit box. Diplomas, very special memoribilia, medical records (not bills) can be kept at home permanently.
• As long as you own it, then shred: Car title, house deeds, owner’s manuals, warranty receipts, household inventory list, stock certificates (in a safe deposit box)
• 7 years, then shred: Tax returns
• Until the next one comes (generally quarterly or annually), then shred: Investment statements, Insurance agreements & in-network directories, Social Security statements, school schedules
• 1 month: Monthly bills (unless it’s a tax deduction, then 7 years), receipts (once you’ve reconciled), magazines, coupons (until they expire), event announcements (once they pass)
• Daily/weekly: To Do lists, handwritten notes that are out of date, contact info (this should get entered into your address book whether paper or electronic), newsletters
• Never: Junk Mail, flyers, magazines you won’t read, coupons you won’t use, invitations for events you won’t go to. Toss these in the outdoor trash so they never enter your home.

TIP: Most banks have electronic statements and many now keep 3-6 years worth in archives so you don’t need to keep the paper bank statements once you’ve signed up. Also, investment companies can send electronic statements & you can sign up to view statements & prospectuses online so you can shred or toss these as well.

Now go blast through those piles and enjoy a clean desk!

I’m not saying that people shouldn’t work hard or aim high, but when taken to extremes, perfectionism contributes to an overall feeling of never having enough, and of never being satisfied with what you do have. It breeds disappointment for you, and resentment towards you from others when they can’t live up to impossible standards.

I hear many clients express extreme and constant disappointment in many areas in their lives, and find that they regularly employ “all or nothing” thinking like, “If I can’t do it 110% then I won’t do it at all” or, “I feel paralyzed by this stuff and don’t know where to start,” or “I could work for hours but it still wouldn’t make a dent.”

This only creates unhealthy feelings of guilt, depression, and low self-esteem. Often perfectionists fear rejection from others if everything they do doesn’t qualify as sheer genius, and constantly striving for perfection can breed a fear of failure, anxiety, and even contribute to procrastination. All of which can ultimately lead to depression and total immobilization.

So how to overcome perfectionism? Start by vowing to do your “best” (not to be “perfect”) and allow yourself the flexibility for “good enough.” Realize that we’re all in the same boat since no one is perfect. Forgive yourself and others for not being perfect. Recognize that character isn’t developed at the finish line but in your efforts to get there. Reward yourself when you’ve done a good job. Be aware of “grass is greener” thoughts and stop comparing; instead focus on the postive in yourself and others and work towards acceptance.

Want some specific tools to overcome perfectionism? I love this article on LiveStrong.com.

Everyone hates wasting food. It’s money down the drain and a disappointment when you’re looking forward to eating something only to find it’s now a slimy mess in the fruit drawer.

So check out www.stilltasty.com or download their iPhone app. It’ll tell you all you need to know about shelf life and food safety like how to best store fruit, how long thawed meat will stay safe, how long things will last in the freezer, and the truth about expiration dates.

And when you’re storing food, don’t forget to label what you’ve put in the fridge or freezer:

• Which labels? Post-It notes with all over sticky backs or basic white mailing labels are great for both bags & containers. They’re cheap and come off easy. Keep them stuck to the side of the fridge with a magnet so they’re right where you need them.

• What to put on the label? On the label, write what the food is and the date you stored it. Go one step further and write the projected expiration date so it’s a no-brainer at clean out time.

• Where to store it? Store your newest containers at the back of the fridge and move existing ones forward so they get used first.

• Keep it clean. Clean out your fridge right before you shop for groceries. It’ll be its emptiest and will give you a chance to see what you already have so you don’t repurchase. It’s also a great time to quickly wipe down the shelves & drawers.

To make the most of your leftovers and to prevent wasteful shopping, try these sites for a little help with meal planning:

• Lowes Foods to go: www.lowestogo.com – purchase groceries online and someone at the store shops for you and you pick up in designated zone. Can repeat common shopping items.
• The USDA has a wonderful resource with shopping & food safety tips, planned meals, and shopping lists.
• www.bigoven.com – $29.95/mo for recipe software or searchable database, calculate nutritional values, has calendar for meal planning.
• www.mealsmatter.org – cost is free and focuses on healthy eating and recipes
• www.sparkpeople.com – great for dieting & fitness meal planning!

• Remember what you’re working for. Remind yourself of all the good things to come once you reach your goals. Then visualize life beyond the finish line so you don’t lose steam and stop short.

• Prioritize. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if everything seems equally important. So make a list with highest priorities first. Then start working on #1 first and move down the list.

• Identify & eliminate the roadblocks. Ask yourself if an item on your list is really going to help you accomplish your main goals. If not, eliminate it completely. Or if there’s a task you don’t want to do that’s preventing you from moving forward on other items, do it first and get it over with. You’ll be done before you know it and it’ll clear the path to get on with the easy stuff.

• Make goals “bite size.” Break long term goals into smaller, more manageable phases.
  • Be realistic, and give yourself deadlines.
  • For small hands-on tasks, try setting a timer and stopping when it dings so you still get stuff accomplished but won’t burn out or dread it next time.
  • Pick a day and schedule it. Sometimes just knowing when you’ll work on something will keep the guilt at bay.
  • Just get started — tell yourself, “I’ll do one small thing and if I feel like it, I’ll keep going.”

• Do it with a friend. We call it “body doubling” when you get more done just because someone’s there with you. Recognize those times you need someone else around and ask for help.

• Ask someone who inspired you how they did it. Knowing you’re not alone and that what you’re aiming for can be done is very uplifting.

• Find rewards that work for you, then mix & match. Whether it’s allowing time for a hobby, a movie, an ice cream cone, or a walk, make a list of things you can do to celebrate each small success and mix them up so you don’t get bored.

• Track your progress. When you’re feeling particularly unmotivated, take a look back at how far you’ve already come and be proud of yourself for wanting to do something better for yourself.

• Tell someone what you’ve done. Sometimes we just need to hear someone else say “good job.” It’s ok to be proud of what you’re doing and ask for a pat on the back.

• Think positive & lose the excuses. You will get there. Rephrase negative thoughts to focus on how good you’ll feel when you finish.

• Know that this is only temporary. “This too shall pass” is my mom’s mantra in tough times, and she’s right. As usual.

• Ease up. You don’t get points for speed or being perfect, both of which are common paths to burn out. So allow yourself some wiggle room. The ebb & flow is a natural part of any personal growth process, so watch out for “all or nothing” thinking and put small setbacks in perspective. They don’t equal failure.

• Make it fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?