Kylah Edgin

We're all busy but cleaning is still just one of those things we have a hard time keeping under control. This time of year is especially busy. Here are a few suggestions:

1. First, make a list and prioritize what needs to be done and tackle them in order and one room at a time. Don't beat yourself up if you only get a few of them done. At least you did something!

2. Use multi-purpose cleaners. Go from the bathroom, to the living room and wash the windows without switching cleaners.

3. Multi-task! Are you a phone talker? Wipe down the coutertops, water some plants or dust something while you're talking!

4. Have a family? Put them to work! Little ones can use a dry cloth to dust coffee tables/ low shelves or if they aren't old enough to know better, sweeping is sometimes still "fun". Older ones can do laundry, vacuum, dishes...although they can't ever seemed to be tricked into thinking any of it is fun.

5. Sometimes bribery is a necessity. Period. Do what you gotta do! LOL Write down all the chores that need to be done and place them in a hat. Let everyone pick a chore but write something they'll get in return for doing it. (A pack of gum, a dollar, a hug, etc...)

6. Have people take off their shoes at or outside the door to minimize mud, dirt and debris on floors. If you have space, keep a shoe rack near entry doors.

7. When I'm putting groceries away, I usually clean the fridge and/or freezer at the same time to get rid of old food and clean up messes that have magically appeared.

8. If you see something spilled, clean it up right away-even if you're in a hurry. In reality, it probably won't take more than a few minutes. If you forget about it, it will set and either stain or be harder to clean later.

9. Ready to go somewhere and either waiting for someone else to be ready or for them to show up? Clean the coat closet while you're waiting, sweep the front porch, sidewalk or garage if it's nice outside.

10. Get off the computer!!! I know this is the hardest one for me but it somehow always works!

Feel free to add your own!

One of the most effective methods for decorating/staging for spring is to add/change out your fabrics. Just the fact that the weather is warming up, may mean you should consider adding some sheer fabrics to a room or bring in more garden elements. Here are some spring tips, that will help you move forward.

·Lighten up your rooms. Remove those velvet drapes. Cover over that corduroy sofa. Put airy sheers on the windows. Add a slipcover to the sofa and/or chairs.

·Take up those heavy area rugs. If you still need rugs, lay down some sisal or cotton rugs in light, cool colors.

·Add furniture to your porch or back yard. Gazebos are getting more decorative and less expensive all the time and can be purchased at discount stores for under $200. Gazebos are great for defining a seating arrangement outdoors or for protecting you from the sun as you enjoy a casual meal outdoors.

·Box up your dusty, darker floral arrangements and store them. Bring in fresh green plants, flower pots, an oriental-looking orchid. You'd be amazed at the instant change and how these spring tips can instantly move it away from the wintery look.

·Rearrange your accessories. Dust the shelves. Put up fewer accessories for a lighter, airy look. Lighten the frames. Display your floral china or white dishes, pitchers, glass.

·Bring out (or purchase) sheer curtains, sheer tablecloths, sheer bed skirts. Lighten up the throw pillows. Recover them or just put new zippered covers on them.

·De-clutter your rooms. Buy decorative baskets to store items that are an eye sore. Look for ways to add enclosed storage in your rooms.

·Clean out the fireplace. Add new fresh birch logs or decorate with white or off-white candles of different sizes and shapes. Choose scented candles for the fragrance. Make or buy a decorative folding screen that has spring flowers or a light, airy color.

·Sweep and tidy up your exterior front door. Replace if necessary. Paint it an inviting color. Wash the door and windows. Hang an artificial silk flower wreath on the door. Place colorful potted plants on the porch leading the eye to the front door.

For many reasons, homeowners are calling me before they are calling you and in the last year, it seems more are trying to sell the house themselves. Although it's normally a financially motivated decision, I firmly believe that they should use a Realtor and I can give them the basic reasons why this would benefit them: you have full access to the MLS and other search technologies, you can run comps, you know feel of the market, you do the contracts, etc... That's obvious! What isn't? What are more concrete, less obvious reasons to discuss with the homeowner?

It benefits me to have a Realtor sell the property simply because you are able to get more people in the door than they can themselves. You have marketing outlets and networks. Almost all of my business is by referral. I hope to better communicate with the homeowner why it is in their best interest to use you and in turn, you will get more people in the door to see "me".

I do want to add that this conversation comes up more than you would imagine since one of my very first questions is always "Do you have a Realtor?". More often than not, if they are planning to sell FSBO, they feel they owe me an explanation why-even when I don't ask for reasons. 80% of the time, they don't seem comfortable with the decision and I feel it's part of my responsibility to make the process of selling their home easier.

Help me help you help them!

Although a lot of Realtors that see the blogs on ActiveRain aren't in my same area, your input is priceless to me. I have been involved with offering staging information during sales meetings at large agencies and giving smaller classes on a more intimate level with smaller groups. Again, I feel like most of the information out there is repetitive and quite frankly, simple. You can find it anywhere. What would make a Staging class more exciting or "worth it" to you? What information are you tired of hearing about and what is the information that's most useful to you? We all know that your time and my time is valuable and wasting it for either of us is counter-productive. The bottom line is, we all want that listing to move as fast as possible. It's good business in all arenas, period. The same old, same old is great and don't get me wrong, it's still useful, but it's already available. You don't need to sit in front of me to find it. I'm also not talking about continuing education classes that you have no choice but to attend the last week of December. You know you're out there, don't pretend it hasn't happened. ;) How can I REALLY help?