Your help is needed to make a difference for Salem homeless families
As you drive down Edgewater Street in west Salem, you can easily pass and not notice the day center of Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network (Salem IHN). It is in an area of older homes converted to business use and apartment buildings. The unpretentious sign gives only a small clue as to what business this location contains. Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network is a safe haven to families experiencing homelessness. The program unites dozens of churches and hundreds of volunteers to serve the goal of self sufficiency for homeless families.
The humble exterior does not portray the mission contained within these walls: To stand against homelessness and enable families to achieve self-sufficiency. To understand the full scope of this mission – it is key to understand the emphasis is on hospitality. Why Hospitality? Each family that enters Salem IHN is valued as an honored guest. These families are our neighbors needing safe places to go and positive people to mentor them. They are families needing help accessing education, housing and resources.
In an economic time when so many families are living paycheck to paycheck, facing foreclosure or unemployment problems the need for a safe haven such as Salem IHN is overwhelming. Families who never dreamed that homelessness could touch their lives seek the resources and expertise Salem IHN provides.
This year Salem IHN celebrated 10 years of serving the Salem area homeless and was also awarded a remodeling grant from the City of Salem. The remodel will enable Salem IHN to improve their office and family day center – the non-descript building on Edgewater Street. Remodeling is nearing completion and operations will move from temporary quarters to resume operations there in September.
What can YOU do?
Sponsor a space. Needs have been identified – large and small that can make a difference in the successful ongoing operation of Salem IHN. From large needs like furniture for the family room, durable window coverings, ongoing yard maintenance to small needs like new towels and bedding.
Volunteer your time. Helping move, unpack or clean. Train to become a mentor, maintain flowerbeds, help with office work. (You can even get a free night in a posh hotel - click here for more information.)
Become a regular donor. Having regular donations – small or large are the backbone of Salem IHN’s success.
The problems these families face are not solved by city, country or federal programs – but by people like you and me. Families helping families. Neighbors serving neighbors. Relationships being built.
Contact Salem IHN at 503-370-9752 on how you can make a difference for Salem families through your time and donations.
Posted by Margaret Oscilia, home stager with Creative Concepts and Contracting and board member of Salem IHN.
Need some incentive to put in some time at your favorite charity? How about a free night at a posh hotel?
Some 50 hotels across the country are giving away a free night to guests who prove that they completed at least eight hours of community service between July 1 and Dec. 20.
The hotels, managed by Sage Hospitality, include some locations of swanky hotels such as Sheratons, Courtyards, Marriots, and more.
Personally - I'm booking my room at The Nines in Portland for a fun "next to free" getaway for my hubby and me. It will be especially fun to only be paying room tax for a fabulous room!
If you live in the Salem area and are wondering where you can spend some time that makes a difference, I just happen to know of some great opportunities too!
Contact your favorite charity - Give a Day and Get a Night!
Creative Concepts and Contracting is a Salem Oregon professional staging and contracting company. Moving or improving? We can help!
How's the real estate market?
Per Forbes, "Even the wisest can't answer that, and experts caution against putting too much hope in rising home prices given the country's unemployment situation and high rate of mortgage defaults. But key measures indicate that some metros are more on their way to recovery than others."
Forbes just published a top 10 cities for a housing recovery - Check out this this article. Forbes goes on to list Salem Oregon in the 4th best city for a housing recovery!
We've had two staged properties this past week sell within days at full or over asking price. Foreclosures? Bargain Prices? No. They were exceptionally prepared and well priced homes that were marketed properly. Wondering how to get started in preparing your home for sale? Contact Creative Concepts and Contracting for ideas and tips on how to get your home to stand out and sold at 503-881-0886!
A recent poll of home buyers asked “Aside from the Kitchen and Bathroom what is the biggest selling point of a house”? Think you know the answer?
It wasn’t a spacious master suite . . .
Lots of storage . . .
a bonus room . . .
or other structural features of a house.
This biggest selling point is available to each and every home seller - no matter the size, location or type of home they are marketing. It’s something over 45% of home buyers want, but it’s often overlooked or deemed as a minor selling point by sellers.
It’s curb appeal!
45% of home buyers felt that curb appeal was one of the top selling points of a house. Every home seller can improve their home’s curb appeal so it will be more attractive to home buyers. We’ll be posting in depth curb appeal tips and tricks for the next few days! Meanwhile – here’s some ideas to get you started.
Take a picture from across the street and be impartial as you view the results. Is the presentation clean, crisp and inviting? Does is give an image of well maintained or in need of attention? If it is in a neighborhood of similar homes will it stand out as attractive or customized?
As you examine the photo of your home and start planning to improve your home’s curb appeal, use these questions to critically analyze the photo
To read the full article click here.
This is the first in a series of curb appeal posts -- more indepth strategies and tips will be posted to help you create car stopping curb appeal affordably and effectively!
Creative Concepts and Contracting is a professional home staging company serving Salem Oregon and surrounding areas that provides full service home staging from model homes, licensed repairs to color and staging consultations. Contact us at 503-881-0886 for prepare to sell tips that will help your home stand out and appeal to buyers!
What super food has received accolades from nutritional experts as providing these benefits?
What super food can you get for 75 cents a pound and a few minutes of your time . . .?
Plus enjoy the birds singing, the view of neighboring hills and a tranquil environment . . . ?
Blueberries -- This year is providing an incredible crop -- especially at MelRose Farms in SE Salem. Usually they have commercial pickers come in so the quantities available for the public are limited. This year the berries need more pickers (can't you hear them calling for you?)! Support your local farmer and local economy here in Salem Oregon!
We enjoyed our second time this month picking there this morning. The berries are huge and sweet and hang like large clusters of grapes on the bushes. In no time at all we had picked 40 pounds and now the possibilities . .
blueberries muffins, blue berry pie, freeze most of them, blue berry pancakes . . . my blue heaven!
The berries are ripening quickly so I'd recommend you get to picking and get your freezer filled up as well! They make a wonderful healthy snack!
From Salem take Hwy 22 towards Stayton. Take exit 7, turn left onto Silver Falls Hwy and to stop sign at Aumsville Hwy. Turn right onto Aumsville Hwy. Turn Left onto 72nd avenue. They are located at 5586 72nd Avenue SE. Phone # is 503-362-2398
Rosey of MelRose Farms also has great recipes, freezing instructions and tips that can help you fully enjoy your blueberries. I think I've got enough that by next year at this time I'll be young, have a great memory and be super trim! This is one super food I love!
Give Rosey a call or drop by and pick soon (eat a few in the field too -- they are irresistable!).
Margaret Oscilia is a home stager with Creative Concepts and Contracting -- a staging and remodeling company located in Salem Oregon and is a blueberry lover!
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Home staging services for Salem & the Willamette Valley-specializing in staging, interior redesign, repairs and remodeling. Let us help you prepare your home for sale or achieve the look you love!
You can't change your location or the market conditions, but you CAN change the impact your home makes and whether the buyer can envision making this their home.
Why do buyer's need to envision themselves living in your residence? Ask any realtor and they will agree -- buyers shop with logic and make offers with emotion. Buying a home is an emotional decision.
To maximize your home selling profits, it must show very well. Creative Concepts and Contracting can help you with all aspects of preparing your home for sale. From staging, repairs or updating, to packing and cleaning - Creative Concepts will help you maximize your time and budget and reduce the stress of selling your home.
Why would your home need "staging" to help make it show well? Staging is a design technique that uses your own belongings and furnishings to make the house inviting to the widest audience of potential buyers possible. Staging emphasizes the positive features of your home, and minimizes the challenges.
If a buyer is distracted by clutter, odors, excess furniture or decorating choices, they are not going to be able to "see" the actual space. Staging is looking through the buyer's eyes and creating a notable impression that will last even if they view six more houses that day! In any market, statistics show that staging helps the home sell faster and for higher prices than comparable homes in the area.
Our goal is to support you in your efforts to sell your home in the quickest amount of time for the most money, and with the least amount of stress. From curb appeal to the laundry area, we can help show off your home to make a premiere presentation!!
Home staging, repairs and remodeling provided for Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Philomath, Stayton and the Willamette Valley Oregon areas.
Contact us at: 503-881-0886
A dated faux paint, clutter and faded bedding are replaced, transforming this bedroom to a resort looking retreat!
When featuring a home for sale, even small areas can make a big impact, like this little courtyard - vacant it hold no appeal but with a few added features it is memorable!
Accentuating the architecture is what great staging does best! Where is the fireplace in the first listing photo?
Decluttered and a light bright photo makes this room appear spacious and inviting.
Correct paint color again makes a huge difference. The first photo was the actual MLS listing photo -- note the difference in the woodwork -- it really stands out after painting!
A spacious master bathroom can seem cold and uninviting -- but with a few accessories really becomes appealing!
Only 10% can imagine the possiblities a vacant room holds -- a huge room can seem daunting when vacant but warm and lovely when staged!
Creative Concepts and Contracting very capably came to my rescue and helped me with my real estate problem. After 35 years in the same home, I was ready to move, but the task was too daunting. They went above and beyond the call of duty by helping me pack and clear out many years of accumulation. In addition to the work they did, they provided me so much moral and emotional support. The transformation they performed on my home was amazing, and during the first open house multiple full price offers were received! Selling my house became a quick and less stressful process due to their excellent abilities! Outstanding!
Elaine Dahl
Homeowner-Keizer Oregon
"From a photographer's point of view, working with Margaret makes my job simple. Her eye for design and attention to detail are top notch. I would recommend Margaret to anyone who is serious about selling their house."
Shane Mincinski - Real Estate Photographer - Corvallis Oregon
Margaret Oscilia really has a keen eye for detail! Her sense of style really creates the WOW factor that makes your home stand out from the crowd and sell faster!! She provided me an amazing model home on short notice, going above and beyond my expectations.
Polly Cappalo
Principal Broker
Windermere Willamette Valley -Albany Oregon
Thank you for all your help in preparing my home for sale. My health issues made this an impossible but necessary task for me; and you performed all the work professionally and beyond my expectations. Your ingenuity and competence made your work affordable and helped my home sell quickly in a "buyers" market. The quality of your work is exceptional - thank you!
Elmer Brown - Homeowner-Portland Oregon
Over and over again, I have been impressed by the real estate transformations Joe and Margaret achieve. I have personally worked with them for nearly 20 years. They are committed to quality workmanship, attention to detail and are resourceful and capable. They are my first choice for staging and repairs.
Don Paterson -Broker Windermere Pacific West Properties, Inc.
The work you did on our home was professional and the results were wonderful. Your attitude and experience made the process fun also. Thank you so much!
Doris - Homeowner - Salem, Oregon
AMAZING! When I walked into the room my jaw dropped! I couldn't believe the difference. Thank you SO much.
Kristen Smith, Keller Williams - Albany Oregon
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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