Real Estate Decoded

I hope you had a great weekend! Thanksgiving will be here in just over two weeks!  Today I am sharing a few tips if you are traveling or if you are hosting and having your family and friends over. TRAVELING?  What to know: If you're a guest in someone's home, here are some things to consider for your stay: Image Source here Don't show up too early or really late. Bring a small token of appreciation for your host. Offer to help. Wake up and sleep around the same time as your host. Remember to say thank you when leaving! Read more tips on being a house guest here and here . HOSTING?  How to prepare and a little inspiration: MyDomaine created a few lists of what to clean if you only have 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 2 hours before your guests arrive. Image Source here I'm loving this centerpiece idea!  But you don't have to use branches!  Others have used sand or rocks or water only or candles only.  Get creative! Image Source here

Happy Monday and Happy Halloween! Image Source here Image Source here I hope you had a restful weekend!  Four things today: 1. If you and the little ones are trick-or-treating tonight, here are a few neighborhood safety things I am forwarding on: Give and accept wrapped or packaged candy only. A parent or adult should accompany children when they are trick-or-treating. Carry a flashlight. Wear light-colored clothing.  Add reflective tape to dark-colored costumes.  Make sure clothing is short enough to prevent tripping. Watch for vehicle traffic. 2. Leaf Collection for the City of Raleigh begins November 7.  Find out which zone you are in and when your collection dates and times are here .  A few things to remember: Rake leaves to the back of the curb. Keep the sidewalks and roads clear for pedestrians and drivers. Do not block or cover fire hydrants.  Image Source here 3. Speaking of leaves, if you're selling your home this fall, make sure to k

We have reached the last full week of October.  Make it a great one! Halloween is one week from today.  If you are looking for costume ideas and treat ideas or ways to let your neighbors know you aren't celebrating, here are a few tips: 1. ON COSTUMES for the little ones, I love these simple, quick DIY ideas compiled by Simple As That .  My favorites are probably the skeleton and Olaf costume ideas! Image Source here Image Source here Image Source here And check out the video on an even simpler idea that only requires a touch of duct tape to turn it into a costume! 2. ON COSTUMES for the adults, check out these 40 Work-Appropriate Halloween Costumes .  My favorite is the ice cream. Image Source here 3. ON TRICKS OR TREATS... I am loving the idea of passing out glow sticks  or glow bracelets to the Trick-or-Treaters!   Other great ideas include juice boxes, local honey sticks, stickers, bubbles, and toothbrushes.  What are you passing out this year?

Hello and Happy Monday! Today I'm sharing four things with you: something currently going on, something I've noticed, something fun for the season, and a little motivation! 1. Something currently going on... Hurricane Matthew may have dissipated, but the after effects are still very much here.  What should you do after a hurricane?  How can you prepare for an upcoming hurricane?  The American Red Cross has great suggestions on what to do after a hurricane and they even have a Safety Checklist . Hurricane Safety Checklist 2. Something I've noticed... Lately, I've seen a lot of mattresses out for trash pickup.  When's the last time you replaced your mattress?  If it's been 7 or 10 years since you last replaced your mattress and box spring, now may be a good time to look for a new one.  If you're waking up sore and stiff, it may be due to the age of your mattress.  A good mattress will ensure a good night's rest.  If you want some help looking fo

I've mentioned this before a few times in other posts, but one app I enjoy and highly recommend is Nextdoor .  It's an app that allows you to connect with your neighbors. Image Source here Here are 7 categories Nextdoor has that can help you: 1. CRIME & SAFETY - Alert your neighbors if you notice any suspicious activity.  One neighbor sent out an alert letting us know that some kids were out ringing other people's doorbells at 1:00 AM. 2. CLASSIFIEDS - I have seen people create posts looking for a babysitter or offering babysitting/nanny services.  I have also seen other job offerings for those looking to hire.  Neighbors also post items for sale. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS - A lot of people ask for recommendations from doctors and dentists to cell phone carriers to tree and bush pruning to hair stylists to where to dispose of an old mattress. 4. FREE ITEMS - A lot of people will post furniture and either sell them at a low price or offer to donate them. 5. GEN

Image Source here The weather is changing!  Pretty soon you'll see the leaves changing color, if you haven't already. This season, it's important to rake those leaves as they fall and not wait until every leaf falls.  Leaves left on the lawn block your lawn from receiving sunlight it needs. What do you do with all those leaves?  Mulch them!  You can use your lawn mower to finely chop them up or use a weedwacker. Other options include: 1. Leaf rake - Bigger does not necessarily mean better.  Pick a rake with a 30"-36" fan rather than one that's 48". True Temper Clog Free 30-in Lawn and Leaf Rake: $17.98 ( Lowe's ) Image Source here 2. Leaf tarp - Instead of filling several plastic bags, consider using one large tarp to rake your leaves onto. Leaf Management Tool/Yard Waste Carrier: $19.95 ( Home Depot ) Image Source here 3. Leaf blower - Use a handheld blower or if you have a large yard, consider using a backpa

Happy Monday!  Happy new week! This week, Fall officially arrives! I stumbled across this three minute clip from Real Estate Today Radio on Fall maintenance for your home.  Have a listen! Here are the key things they mention: 1. Check windows and exterior doors.  Use caulk or weather tight clear tape to seal any drafts. 2. Check insulation in the attic.  Was the roof covered with snow last year?  How quickly did it melt? 3. Check for peeling or chipped paint. 4. Make sure no shingles are missing, broken, or cracked. 5. Clean the gutters. 6. Check your furnace filter. 7. Consider a smart thermostat. 8. Check your smoke detectors and consider getting a carbon monoxide detector. What else is coming? I’ve seen one decorated home so far that is ready for Halloween.  I’ve also seen Christmas trees and decorations at at home . Here are four DIY pumpkin decorations I’m loving for Halloween/Fall: 1. DIY Fresh Floral Moon Pumpkin 2. DIY Pun-kins 3. Vintag

Happy Monday! It’s a new week!  It’s a new work week, school week... Image Source here Speaking of school, in my last post , I mentioned going to a Redfin event.  I want to encourage you all to learn more about the home buying or home selling process.  You don’t necessarily have to go to a Redfin event or webinar (yes, Redfin also has webinars).  You can ask questions to your Realtor or look up events in your area or webinars online. All too often we have this mentality of I know everything , or I can handle it myself , or I think the resources of my family and friends will be enough .  Even if you do know a fair amount, I suggest seeing what’s out there.  As time goes on, we are evolving.  The home buying or selling process is not what it was thirty years ago.  It might be similar, but not identical.  Find out what’s new or what’s different. I was actually debating on not attending the event I signed up for.  I knew I was going to be late anyway, and had emailed the agent

Good morning! I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend! While you relax, and while we transition from summer to fall, here are some decor and design inspiration for you.  I picked some of my favorites from 15 Bloggers’ Fall Into Home Tour, but all are worth checking out. The full list is below: Maison de Pax Nina Hendrick Just a Girl and Her Blog The Happy Housie Finding Silver Pennies Blesser House Migonis Home Cherished Bliss The Woodgrain Cottage Design, Dining and Diapers Rooms for Rent Shades of Blue Interiors House by Hoff The Sunny Side Up Blog The Blissful Bee Which ones were your favorites? If you’re in the mood for an Open House or home tour, contact a local Redfin agent.  I recently went to a Redfin event , and the gentleman who spoke said you can visit five homes in one day, or if you’re really ambitious, you can visit two hundred homes!  Probably not in one day, but maybe in the course of a few days. Whatever yo