I might not be a trendsetter or lover of most trends, but two popular movements I am keen on are “Less is More” minimalist movements and the increasing popularity of reducing both emotional and physical clutter to focus more on what matters most for a healthier mindset. To focus on the future and see your path more clearly you have to part with the past and let your pathway be more visible mentally and presently. More people are focusing on mindfulness and less materialistic desires. I love this movement and I see no point in waiting for “Spring Cleaning” time to arrive. Here are 8 steps to help you live a less cluttered, more meaningful life in your home.

1. Ladies especially, start with your closet. I know many of us would love to hold onto our goal jeans for another decade because one day we might fit into them–too bad. Ditch them. They’re not serving anyone and let’s face it, if you’re not kicking butt in your health and fitness goals, it’s probably never going to happen. Throw them in the donate pile and move on. Don’t forget to purge that shoe collection of twenty pairs you haven’t worn since 2018 or earlier.
2. The kitchen is one place most people have too much stuff they haven’t used since it was purchased. Instant Pots, Air Fyers, Crock Pots, and all that junk is all well and good if you’re using them. If they’re dusty, lost in the abyss of your cupboards or storage, and haven’t been used in over a year, they need to be donated as well. Seriously, don’t kid yourself with any of your belongings. Either you will use them regularly or you won’t. If you won’t, then you don’t need them. Think of the space you will gain in your pantry and shelves.
3. Tackle the garage! You and your spouse need to organize and downsize the junk. Anything not used since 2018 at best, needs to go to donations and set free. Whether it was expensive or not is irrelevant if it’s not posing any use in recent memory of the last couple years. Toss it. I highly recommend a garage shelf set for the stuff you keep also.
4. Kid’s rooms, playrooms, storage rooms, spare bedrooms, craft rooms, game rooms, whatever, I’m sure you’re collecting crap in there no problem. Release it’s sentimental grip on you and send it away. Toys, games, overflow boxes and storage not opened in forever, camping gear when you haven’t camped in a decade, etc. It all can go to actual use in a new home. Let it do what it was manufactured to do.
5. DVDs, CDs, old books, magazine collections, and beyond, can be scaled down, digitized, and condensed to one organized place with some donated with the rest of the reject pile. Old doesn’t mean valuable so don’t keep crap because it’s more ancient than you. Stream music and purchase the MP3 files instead. Movies, same thing.
6. Most bathrooms are cluttered of half empty product bottles, bath and body gift sets, and old stuff you switched brands from. Check all of the cupboards and cabinets and do a clean sweep. Who cares if it’s still half full if it’s old and you aren’t using it anymore? Junk it. If your towels and cloths are getting gross, they can bid farewell with the three year old shampoo.
7. Cabinets, closets, under the bed storage, attic and basement space, laundry rooms, and storage cubbies all are hiding a lot of stuff you didn’t know you owned still, or maybe ever. Fix that and minimize to the essentials. You will love how easy organization becomes. Don’t forget to do the junk drawers!
8. Furniture–this is an important one. As a realtor I see so many homes with an excess of furniture, game tables, end tables, tables, sofa chairs, ottomans, shelving units, and what have you, that are front and center yet hardly utilized. If you sent them to donations, you’d instantly have more space and openness in the room. Cleaning is much easier too when you have less furniture to move and clean under or dust. Just a thought.

This all might be a lot of work and perhaps each step is a weekend project on its own but if you spent the month of February minimizing the clutter you have, by Spring you’d be living better and seeing more clearly what brings you bliss and what was just there to fill voids. Sometimes it’s emotional but that’s okay too. Don’t let things consume you though and hold your memories hostage to them. They’re not going anywhere and you don’t need taken square footage in your house for every moment you look back on. Through all of this you will see really what your home can do for you in the end, what’s it done for you so far, and what you expected out of it. It’s all a representation of the years and letting go is more of a good thing than you realize. If you don’t know what I am talking about or believe any of this, just do all 8 steps and then come talk to me. Being free of physical burdens is life changing and more so when there is some emotional attachment that needs to be addressed and freed. The end result is just what you needed. I promise.

Yes, you read that right. I also lost weight during Thanksgiving. How? I watched what I ate because not only did I know eating too much would actually make me sick the next day and I’d have regret if clothes didn’t fit, I knew there were so many recipes I loved that would also be good for me even though they were a little indulgent. If you have health and weightloss Resolutions this year (again) I highly suggest you look into plant based meals and I am not talking going vegan or vegetarian…unless you want to. I’m talking about making some of your meals plant based OR making them 2/3 plants and the rest of your meats or dairy. The older you get, the slower your metabolism. Plant based fixes that naturally, easily, cheaply, and without gimmicks or drugs and your doctor will be proud of you! If you look at the latest food recommendations by the USDA and FDA they fully support at least half of all your meals to be fruits and vegetables with every bowl or plate you fill. Check out the Mayo Clinic or more reputable low carb diets like the newest South Beach Diet, it’s more plant based! In fact, every top cancer and health organization has been im agreement for the past few years to reduce weight, cancer risks, disease, and boost immunity. One of the longest standing and healthiest diets that always been top in results and true health, literally since you were born, regardless of age, are the Mediterranean and Okinawan diets because they’re very heart healthy, full of vitamins and fiber, and they’re not entirely vegetarian so they are easy to follow while delicious. If you’re thinking about going even half plant based this year, I recommend these five things to get you started:

1. Spinach– It’s taste is mild and easy to disguise but it’s cheap and VERY healthy.

2. Natural tortillas– Mission brand is the WORST for your health and weight! They’re insanely processed and once you have a real tortilla, you’ll see how plastic they really taste in comparison.

3. Hummus– It makes an excellent condiment replacement and better for dipping chips than fake cheeses and spreads. Replace your ranch and mayo too! It tastes so good on sandwiches and wraps with endless flavors like spicy or more decadent if you prefer.

4. Dave’s Bread is way less processed and has more fiber and protein than a lot of the competition. Costco has a two pack deal and Target also carries it. Also, eat less bread! It’s not that great for you and is really empty calories.

5. Chia seeds– High in nutrients galore and cheap, they add nutrition to smoothies, puddings, baking, sauces, or many liquids. You don’t need much per serving and sometimes a couple pinches is enough.

If you need recipe suggestions, see below. I cut up some of my favorite vegetables for fresh garden sandwiches or tacos because they’re easy meals that are very fast and everyone loves them. Very little cooking, cost, mess, or hassle in a short amount of time to the table. A mother’s dream!

My last post was all about my favorite small business shops and I am continuing on with 5 more new businesses and vendors that carry multiple local products and stores, starting with Old Town La Quinta.

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This gorgeous shopping center offers you all small business brands locals are obsessed with. From Old Town Coffee Company, to Stuft Pizza, Tarah Jade, and La Quinta Brewery, to Solano’s Bistro and Gather La Quinta for yoga and pilates, this place has it ALL!! You have to see them right off Calle Tampico near the Artisan Studios. Seriously, look at this list of amazing places already! We are so blessed to live here in Paradise where the American dream is strong and thriving each day.

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Desert Nest Co. Apparel and goods in Yucca Valley–This quaint store sells adorable clothes and local influenced tees, fun gifts, and more. Check out their Instagram feed and shop to see how special their shop truly is. They have cute gifts, funny gifts, local inspired tees, handmade creations, and more.

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Moonwind Trading Co. also in Yucca Valley sells very chic and hip clothes you will fall for and the most beautiful handmade soaps with florals and oils from Natural Aphrodeedee. They’re so gorgeous, you almost don’t want to use them. Visit their Instagram to shop and see what types of cute goods they offer.

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The street fairs in the desert, which includes VillageFest in downtown Palm Springs every Thursday night, are fantastic for shopping as well as home decor. What I love about these open air walk-and-shop events is the amount of local creatives showcasing their unique and wonderful creations. The COD Street Fair in Palm Desert on weekend mornings and VillageFest allow the public to directly support talented creatives right here in the Coachella Valley. This is continuing money that will stay within the community and support our other local businesses as well. If you’re looking for absolute one of a kind gifts for your loved ones, shop these vendor marketplaces each week!

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And last but never least, is my friend’s business Botanical Verbiage. This beautiful and themed company is all about love languages and dried floral arrangements specialized with add ons fused with essential oils, cinnamon and holiday natural scents like cinnamon, unique wreaths, fresh Poinsettias delivery, and spectacular packaging. Your gift arrives with a sweet card and stunning, long lasting arrangement of color, decor, and natural scents for the home. Each item has a spiritual and personal meaning and combined have deep connection and purpose to those you send to, following all of the many love languages for all occasions.

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Anyone who knows me knows I love to shop small and local first! I’m a big advocate for keeping our business and money in our community and into the bank accounts of those whom need it most. This year I wanted to make a simple and quick guide to just a few of my favorite shops in under an hour from your home, even if you live in the East Valley!

In no particular order, I will start with the cute new shop Desert Market in Yucca Valley. The Hi Desert communities are a beautiful extension of our Coachella Valley and they’re certainly not rich stores taking your money for new Bentleys. These are small town folks working for a simple, humble living to provide for their families and retire one day as they hand down their family-run Mom and Pop shops. Desert Market is just that. It’s just that for several families actually. This adorable store carries handmade home decor, gifts, clothing, and more made by shop owner Heather Mahaffey and local creators across the high desert cities. She created the store to have a place for local creators to sell their unique designs in a storefront space they otherwise wouldn’t be able to open on their own. Heather makes her own furniture pieces and fabulous upcycle furnishings at incredible prices! If you’re a fan of Etsy, this is your favorite website in living color. Follow them on Instagram @desert_market and links to their online store as well if you can’t make the drive soon.

Thick as Thieves in downtown Palm Springs, in a side corridor around the corner from Grand Central, is one stop you have to make this shopping season. This quaint little shop has so many wonderful pieces of home decor and special items you won’t find in box stores and chain locations. From vintage leather goods to one of a kind wood carved accents and handmade pieces, Thick as Thieves has what your loved ones will wish they’d put on their list all along. They also sell custom local inspired designs and tees, place settings, and other handmades for you. Go to @shopthieves on Instagram and http://www.shopthieves.com for holiday store hours and their online products.

Jadabugs in La Quinta near Five Guys and Vons across from the Point Happy shopping center has long been a go to for our family, especially when our kids were little and we needed better baby and toddler goods we couldn’t find on Amazon or at Target. The brands and products they offer are unmatched and now owner Heidi has added classes and programs for moms and their kids! Heidi MacArthur does such a wonderful job with her shop and inventory and is just the friendliest person to greet you. Their newly expanded kids’ boutique is perfect for all of the grand kids, kids, moms, and families to be in the CV.

The other store we LOVED as parents of young children was Lumpy Bunny on El Paseo. Another fabulous small business owner and fellow mom, this store is just incredible! They have a huge selection of very well made baby clothes that are truly fashionable and perfect for family photoshoots. You won’t find any better, more incredible designs. Their toy and book selection is also fantastic and they have busy sensory boards for the little ones to keep them engaged and not getting into stuff at home!

Lastly, (for now) is the Farmer’s Market! I love the Certified Farmer’s Market that runs in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, La Quinta, and Joshua Tree. You get an array of vendors not only for fresh produce and artisan foods, but also goods and products not in any stores. From apparel and bags to jewelry and soaps, the marketplace is a wonderful destination to put on your list. Visit certifiedfarmersmarkets.org for local times and vendors of the week, including Tea with Iris, the knife guy from Ronin Sharpening, local bands and painters, and more!

Whether you’re listing or staying, every home needs a touch of beauty. For sellers, having a special touch always resonates with buyers when they walk in or scroll through pictures on Realtor. For all of us, sometimes it’s the smallest touches we add within our walls that makes an uplifting difference when we need it most.

My friend, Nicole Trigg, makes these beautiful Love Language arrangements with her company Botanical Verbiage and I find them so soothing to watch on her IG stories as she trims the stems and puts the arrangements together to bring a message to its recipient.

Their beauty also got me thinking of this new construction luxury listing we have that though beautiful, needs a touch of color and personality. When you walk into a home, does it speak plenty to you or nothing at all? Buyers ask themselves this when house hunting and even family visiting you. Your home should have its own language to speak that tells guests what its energy is all about.

Doesn’t staging do this? Of course it does, but what I mean are the accent touches that come from you and help buyers, or visitors, of your home feel you and what the home means to you. Staging doesn’t have its own energy often. When you decorate, do you not look for a uniformity and simple feeling you want to feel every day when you come home? When you home shop, don’t you want the home to speak to you in some way that tells you, you found your next place for your family? Don’t you want to know it’s been a place of laughter and amazing memories? Staging is a professional touch but not touching for many. Staging alone looks like this:

Personal attention means adding special photos on the top and special attributes to the staging, such as fresh flowers from the market next to a couple of sweet photos and a memento or two. I love these from Nicole (pictured below) for that added touch because it also provides a subtle scent to greet you through the door and invite you to explore, room to room. These make you want to stay and picture yourself here:

Next to a beautiful family photo, this is perfect. It’s the positive energy you should want. Your space should be inviting but also sentimental. For buyers, purchasing their first home, or tenth, the process is always a sentimental journey for them. They buy to size up or downsize, for happy or sad reasons, so make sure your home represents a language of hope and welcome for new beginnings with happier times ahead. If a home has a stagnant and “cold” feel, anyone coming through will feel that; and for buyers, they may not stay long or consider your home as their next place to build memories. For family or friends visiting, you want anything but a boring and stale vibe for them; even if they’re not your favorite relatives!

If you look in this picture here below, you see it is obviously staged and well put together for a professional appeal and color scheme; BUT, it also has such a homey and wonderful touch with photos of the kids that are adorable and happy, and it brings such a warmth and light into the house not only visually, but emotionally. Your home, on the market or not, when decorating it should emanate the emotion and an inviting feeling that greets instantly and connects the sentiments to each room.

I would personally add a bouquet and welcome sign for buyers for open houses, but I love this beautiful staging and mix of love and happiness. I can sense the home and what it brings to those who live in it, better than I can just a decorated room that feels as no one ever laughed or loved here.

To add the right language and beauty to your room, or just a perfect final touch, visit botanicalverbiage.com and shop their selection. They are locally based here in the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree areas but ship internationally!

Happy Tuesday Friends : )

Photo credits to Pinterest and @mrstrigg on Instagram for all floral photos.

If you’re not careful, over the years your beautiful pots and pans will accumulate burn spots, scratches, discoloring, and inefficiency of cooking. Keep them beautiful and durable with these tips from top pots and pans selling company, Calphalon.

Tips to Save Your Pans:

1. Monitor the heat. The higher it is, the more likely food will burn on the edges and bottoms; even just the juices will cause film and burnt discoloration that’s difficult, if not impossible, to get off. Medium to high heat is often all you need. Going higher doesn’t actually mean cooking faster or more thorough believe it or not. Think about steak: to cook it through and juicy, you cook it lower and longer versus higher and burn the outsides or dry out the top of the meat and leave it under-cooked inside. The same actually applies to most meats and other foods. Higher is NOT better for the meal or the pan.
2. Preheat your pan and let frozen or cold foods, sit out just for ten minutes. You’re not thawing, just letting the cold become cool so it doesn’t burn and simmer on contact to the edges of the pan. Food often sticks right away when you clash frozen and very hot; and that can form burn spots but also mean food is now stuck and hard to remove to flip or saute. If you rub some butter on the edge and it browns, turn the heat down! Your pan should preheat in a few minutes and higher quality pans like copper and stainless steel definitely get warm enough in minutes. The butter should melt nicely and even bubble, but not brown! The pan is too hot and definitely to add frozen foods which will adhere and stick on contact leading to burnt foods and ruined pans.
3. Hotter is not better and more oil is not equated to less stick! More oil can actually cause foods to heat more because oil heats and fries, but also isn’t healthy or always best for the foods you’re cooking. Less is more and that usually simultaneously includes the level of heat. Turn it down to medium and use a meat thermometer and cover the food. It will cook properly and flavorful without damaging the pan and compromising the food. Save calories and save oils from heating up too much and discoloring your pan.
4. Instead of aerosol cans, or Pam, use an oil spritzer! They don’t burn on to the pans like those store bought unhealthy brands and the chemical propellant on them is very difficult to remove once cooked onto the surface. It discolors and is not going to come off from simple scrubbing. You risk damaging the pan and shaving off the metal which can get into your foods. You can also drizzle some oil on a cloth or paper towel and wipe the pan before preheating it. Low calorie and good for the pan and your food. If you have stains and color variations on your pans not coming off, it’s probably aerosol chemicals that have stained your pots and pans and it likely won’t come off at this point. If Bar Keeper’s Friend doesn’t work, it’s permanent.
5. Food cooks unevenly and burning in some places when you cook too much in one pan and crowd in different things that actually should cook at different times and heats. Use a second pan instead to avoid all of that and food burns on your pan against the edges where the crowded foods are resting too often. Blend the foods together at the end when serving.
6. Wash pots and pans but do NOT use steel wool pads, etc. They’re actually abrasive and cause the discolorations and scratches over time which burn permanently also. Use hot soapy water and if the luster or oil residue is still apparent or causing stains, use Bar Keeper’s Friend for stainless pans.
7. For more tips and advice visit http://www.calphalon.com/en-US/calphalon-kitchen/articles-and-tips/customer-service-spotlight

Keep in mind most pans you should use softer, nylon brushes or Scotch Brite pads versus any metal or steel wool scrubbers, despite their claims. For teflon and coated pans especially, do not use those other scrubbing tools. Most pans should be soaked in hot soapy water for ten minutes before scrubbing.

Tips to remember: Lower heat means better cooking and less scrubbing later. Don’t create “burn on” in your pots and pans and save cleaning time and hassle later. Keep the luster, avoid the fluster!

Honestly, who ISN’T tired of the turnover and empty spaces at the River? All we seem to see are vacant storefronts, news of skyrocketing space rents, and businesses jumping ship to shopping centers across the road, or elsewhere in the valley if they didn’t close completely. While losing Forever 21 isn’t much of a loss, in my opinion in terms of a worthy business, it does leave a massive vacancy and open-window building to show off soon empty nothingness. Not a good look. I see a light at the end of the tunnel though.

Think about this: the River has been adding entertainment. That might be the key to its survival. Price gouging small retail businesses isn’t helping anyone and why the place is half empty these days. HOWEVER, they do have the restaurant mainstays in PF Changs, Flemmings, Yardhouse, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Cheesecake Factory, Babe’s, and Ben and Jerry’s; PLUS, the movies, now the Escape Games and soon the Kid’s Clubhouse, an indoor playcenter for youngsters. A huge empty spot like the soon vacant Forever 21 could easily house a similar concept to Laser Oasis that recently closed in Indio. A ropes and ladders climbing gym and a laser tag place can definitely fit in there and think of the business it brings in! Why do people move to the desert? To have fun! It’s cheaper than the cities and more relaxed, but also because it’s a resort town where they feel on vacation and it’s more fun than a sleepy small town that’s cheap to live in but boring. We’re known in the Palm Springs area for fun and attractions, and the River can not only amplify that world-famous image, but revamp the dream developers had years ago when it was built. Businesses centered around fun and ageless reach can flourish there and those places will eventually trickle in hungry kids and families who make a night of it for dinner, and even movies or a dessert treat like a cone on a hot summer night.

Escape, play, watch, and explore, visitors would love the more fun businesses opening up and will enjoy dinner nearby with all of their friends and loved one who also came with them. It’s a more open demographic than boutique shops that tend to be age and niche specific. In a mixed community of retirees and families flocking to our area, it’s time to blend us all together. Those places are also family affairs, more of who goes to the River, and it’s only going to increase as these places open and cater to them. The valley is changing and getting younger. Why not make the River great again by making it fun and the fun hub of the central Coachella Valley for families to have a great afternoon playing and eating together as they do most nights anyhow but everywhere else?

The council of Rancho Mirage, and its elderly residents, have taken much flack over recent years for being unreceptive to change and younger targeted businesses. Case in point: protesting the new In N Out burger just this week. As the tides turn in the CV though, I know younger and more open members will run and win elections which will transform the city’s landscape in areas like this one; and hopefully, whomever purchases the River (listed For Sale) will as well. To make this place a great venue again, we as residents and locals nearby need to be more open and vocal about suggestions and support for re-branding what’s possible. If we love an idea we should speak up as much as if we detested it. We also have to prove its worth if we’re ever going to attract new companies in that might actually stay and prosper. Take your kids to the movies and an ice cream, have some drinks at Drinkg and grab a quick burger around the river path. And Rancho Mirage, listen up: we want FUN. Not pricey, or cheap, shops. FUN. Fun with our kids, fun for date nights, fun for moms desperately needing a night out with friends, fun like an arcade, rock climbing place, or paint and sip studio, fun like whatever. Less shops, more “Let’s go out and do something” and bring everyone along. Then we’ll eat, drink, and who knows what else all in one place for hours. Sound like a plan? Also don’t forget that the Omni Resort is across the street. Paying travelers on vacation seek out fun and close places to take the kids to let off their energy while they relax. Just something (immense potential) to keep in mind.

It seems every summer when the snowbirds come back to enjoy our lovely winter weather, plenty has changed. Restaurants close to sadly not reopen, brand new ones come in their place, more businesses and retail are built, and others thrive and grow with new facilities and expanded services. All of that is a wonderful side effect of growth in the Coachella Valley! So what popped up this year that you may not have tried yet? Let’s take a look:

O’Caines Irish Pub in Rancho Mirage opened earlier in 2019 in the Gelson’s shopping center off Bob Hope and Gerald Ford. They offer authenic Irish food and great drinks in a warm atmosphere. They’re already a local favorite and offer a plenty for fun and social enjoyment. Give them a visit!

The Sandbox Kitchen in Rancho Mirage is a brand spanking new family restaurant located across from Eisenhower hospital on John Sinn and Country Club drive, two blocks from the Bob Hope stoplight. This place is for food lovers of comfort foods and cold drinks. Tacos, burgers, cocktails, sandwiches, you name it, the Sandbox has it!

The Desert Beer Company is also a brand new addition to our thriving desert area, located off Country Club near Eos Fitness. Their specialty is fine crafted beer and sports nights to enjoy with a cold one. Come on in and see what their selection has to offer you.

And the newest of all is Little Bar! Just opened it’s doors this September. The aptly named Little Bar can be found in Palm Desert parallel to HWY 111 next to Mimmo’s Italian restaurant and Tanpopo Japenese cuisine. As you guessed they are bar but also serve great dinners like classic American favorites of steak and burgers. You have to try this cool, new place!

Many of your old favorites are opening soon so get eating! Have a great season, Palm Desert. Hope to meet more of you soon.

I certainly advise clients to start with their most clustered rooms to declutter and pack first. You want to downsize where you need it most before buyers get wind or “previews” of your home. Even if time is of the essence this has to be done to get photos, open houses, and showings done. Pick your worst room. Since most clients haven’t the slightest idea where to start, I always recommend closets first whether it’s your walk-in or the hoarding situation hiding in your hall closets. When you clean and clear your closets, it opens up room from other cupboards and cabinets, or the rooms themselves, to now store and stow hidden away for photos and tours. You don’t want your junk drawer to look like it’s moved into your linen closet or the coat closet in the living room. If you have this going on, let’s fix that!

1. What is your most disastrous cabinet or closet? Pick one. It can be the mudroom, your walk-in, the linen closet, whatever. Get to it. Without lying to you, this is is the most hectic and time-consuming part; BUT, the decluttering and downsizing must be done. If my clients are up for it, I always recommend they hire a local professional organizer for an extra set of hands and guidance into the process. The job will get done quickly and the chaos less stressful. If it’s not an option, hopefully I am able to help you get started and find some clarity in the madness so you can get started and boost your home’s show ability.  Get some boxes and bins laid out so in an hour you’re not drowning in hand rags, Christmas decorations, and all of the stuff you’re about to dump out. Oh, that’s right.
2. Pull it all out. Everything. Shelf by shelf, cupboard by cupboard, empty one side at a time and start small piles of categories. Towels and products are separate, cleaning rags are not with your makeup or shower towels; and half-empty bottles should be pulled forward and used up. Push everything else back or pack it up in a box or basket for later use. Like the moving boxes, have a few containers and baskets handy to sort and organize right away so putting everything back is a cinch. Have a loose plan how it will all go back in and what can be packed away already. The rest goes into the pile to: donate, trash, recycle, give away, or possibly sell.
3. Lay out boxes and piles then start neatly compiling. Fold nicely what should be folded and keep with like items. Washcloths aside from larger bath towels and bath mats. Separate guest from pool, from master, from kids, and so on. Boxed items to be packed away, put neatly and strategically with labels written and keep rooms together so unpacking is easy at the new house. For items staying, I recommend bins and baskets. Examples shown below for a few ways to keep everything together while staying neat and tidy during the move. They show well, photograph like a dream when they’re tidy and well put together,  moving from one home to another is so fast. They have handles often so lifting in and out to move or use while your home is listed is convenient and when the house closes, you lift out, put in the truck, and lift directly into your new home perfectly organized still. Everything is out and available for use the first day! You may not have time to go through and unpack a lot of the boxes, but this way your essentials are already handy and put away. Settling into your new home will be less stress!                                                       * Remember, less is more when your home is on the market and being photographed and viewed. Keep just enough what you can get by with for the next three to four months. You don’t need every towel you own still in the cupboards or bathrobes you only wear in winter when it’s still summer. If the Lake Effect is outside your window, pack up the pool towels and flip flops. If it’s a hundred degrees outside, the bathrobe can go nicely in a box. If you’re doing linens or your walk-in closet, pack up things you won’t use or wear for the next six months. Summer? Winter can go into boxes, and vice versa. If it’s snowing, your swimsuits and skimpy shorts definitely should be gone. (I know this is Southern California Home Blog, but you get the idea. If you’re moving from the cold to here, this also applies! “Goal” jeans and out of season items are pack now types of items.

4. For products and small items (toiletries, personal items), I love the idea of baskets again because of the quick accessibility and getting them from the old bathroom shelves straight to the new ones in a pinch. They’re so much easier when unpacking because the work is already done and your first shower or morning getting ready at least will be a breeze while the rest of your new home is a sea of scribbled and mislabeled boxes for the next couple weeks. Save some stress later!

The same rules apply with accessories and shoes. Is it flip flop or scarf weather? Pick one, not both. Do you need ALL of your belts and smaller accessories out for the next few months? No, downsize and pack a few away. Formal occasion items you have no planned events for can also be neatly packed or stored in protective garment bags at the end of your closet to look tidy and uncluttered for buyers and listing photos. 

5. Discard the rest. Trash what is trash on trash pick up day (and recycling if you have any), take donations right away to be dropped off or picked up, list your “sell” items before you go to bed that night, and anything going to loved ones, have them take ASAP or take to them. It’s pointless to declutter and downsize then keep all that in boxes and bags all over the place! Torn, dingy, and destroyed clothes and shoes should be dumped right away. They’re useless and can’t be taken to Goodwill or given to someone else. Breaking hangers aren’t impressing anyone either so those go as well. 

Your closet should be picture perfect when done. Here are some tips to help get your walk-in and other closet storage areas ready to be seen and listed:

Clothes and shoes falling apart might be ready to be tossed, turned into rags, or worn for now and discarded on moving day for your last trash day at the old house. If you have a crafty friend, sure, let her have them to make dog toys or a handkerchief out of your old tees. 

Hang everything nicely and orderly. Remember that buyers will see this and they do peek through closets, cupboards, and the walk-ins especially. Again, baskets and bins help. Garment bags conceal and provide a uniformed visual look for items you want to keep pressed and safe if they can’t be boxed and folded. They’ll be easy to move after closing also. 

Handbags, along with the scarfs and belts, and other accessories should also be better tucked away from view. What don’t you need, won’t use, haven’t used, no longer want, etc.? Take those out and do away with, then the rest refold and organize neatly coordinated. Your closet should be usable as always but paired down for the move and while on the market. I will link my Pinterest inspiration boards for more tips, tricks, and photos I found to help you see how your home should look while it is waiting to be sold. 

Happy packing and let’s get your home SOLD for top dollar!!

 

–Jenn : ) 

 

http://www.pinterest.com/strongbossandproud–Click on my Organization board!

http://www.instagram.com/agentofparadise for ideas and to follow me!

 

PS: My next blog will include a room by room guide with even more details and help to get closets, drawers, cupboards, bathrooms, and bedrooms organized for an easy move and of course, to show better to buyers and get you more money in your pocket.

As a licensed professional Realtor it’s my responsibility to get your home sold for top dollar as fast as possible. Before I put any home on the MLS it needs to be ready to WOW! But how? It has to be camera ready. We can’t list your home on the MLS without high quality, well laid photos that will stun buyers on any home search app. Homes that sell high and fast, photograph like a dream and they’re #1 on a buyer’s and agent’s must see list. That happens when your house is clean, organized, looks (or is) staged, and immaculately impressive to the vast majority of home buyers and brokers who will walk through those doors. To get your home in listing shape, follow these guidelines:

1. DECLUTTER– You’re moving anyway and I guarantee there are items and large pieces not making the trip with you; and plenty of stuff you haven’t used in quite some time. Toss it, recycle it, donate it, sell it, whatever. Get rid of it first! Immediately you will have more space to utilize in drawers and cabinets, and out of view of buyers. Maybe you just cleared up valuable square footage! Buyers like that. A LOT.

Downsize everything and anything in boxes, bins, closets, garage, pantry and kitchen shelves (look up high), on the walls, on the counters, you get the idea. Start with what you see visually. Buyers see it too. Do you want them to see your disaster of a walk in, or playroom, or bathroom? Buyers also check linen closets and hall cabinets to get a feel for adequate storage.  Can they see it right now? Whatever Marie Kondo, Home Edit, HGTV method works for you, it’s time to cut the clutter.

2. ORGANIZE– Once you have decluttered every room, it is now time to organize what’s left. This is an optimal time to also have some boxes and bins ready to pack for items you won’t be using for a while. If it’s summer, pack all the winter bedding and coats. If it’s winter, pack up the summer wardrobe you won’t be needing for some time. Organize everything how you will pack some of it and the rest how you will put it back much neater. My next blog will be all about hacks and tips to fold, cleam, and keep pristine while your home is on the market; even if you’re living it until close of escrow.

As you organize, sort, and begin packing for the move, you will undoubtedly come across even more items too: old papers, clothes, almost empty bottles to discard or use up and get out of the way, etc. You will find plenty of things you haven’t seen since last year and rarely used. It’s another opportunity to send for donations or pile up on trash day.

As you’re further packing and putting the rest back properly, how on earth do you keep it all neat during this transition of sale and ownership? Keep reading!

3. Put it back efficiently! How? Let me show you…