Summer Vacation and Your Home!

Summer Vacation and Your Home!

You found your perfect home, you bought it, you moved in and unpacked, and now you're ready for some well deserved R&R.  Whether it's just a few days out of town or a few weeks on a tropical island, there are some things you should do to prepare your home for your absence.

Preparing to Leave

Clean Out the Fridge:  Throw away anything that is or will be expired by the time you come back. Wipe down the shelves and door jams to prevent mold or mildew.

Shut off the water:  If a hose to a dishwasher or washing machine were to break, you could come home to a very large mess.  So turn off the water to at least those appliances.  You might want to run them and then leave the doors open to let them dry out so you prevent mold and mildew.  Also, getting the laundry and dishes done means no mess or extra work when you get home.

Prep Your plants and outdoor space:  Make sure all gutters and downspouts are clear.  Overflow could seep under siding and flood basements.  Mow and trim plants and hedges.  Ask a friend or neighbor to help or pay a neighborhood kid to mow and check on the house.

Leave on some lights:  Make it look like your home by leaving on some lights or have them on a timer if you don't want to waste money on your electric bill. Maybe pay the same kid who is mowing to turn on some lights at night. However you do it, it's important that your home look lived in even when your away.  Most criminals are opportunists; they will take the easy route every time.  So don't make it easy.

Unplug and reset thermostat:  Unplug all your appliances; they suck up energy even when not in use and no one wants their house to catch on fire because of a loose or crossed wire. In addition to that, reset your AC. You don't want to turn it off completely because it could get very musty, so set your AC to 85 and your house will stay cool and free of mildew.

Hold mail and newspapers:  A few quick phone calls and the post office and local delivery boy will hold all your stuff till you get back. Or you can give that kid a few more dollars and a key and he can take care of it for you.  

Preparing for your return

Food:  Make sure you have some non-perishables so when you get back, your first meal home is hassle free. (things like pop tarts, coffee, and soup are good to have.

Keep the house fresh:  Plug in an air freshener oooor you know that kid? Yeah have him open a few windows for a couple of hours a day.

Change the sheets:  There is nothing worse then coming home from vacation and having to do work.  Changing your sheets and maybe putting a dryer sheet in the blankets will insure a great night's sleep on your return home.

Tidy Up:  Sweep, Vacuum, Wipe down counters and any other stuff you know you won't want to do when you come home.

Happy vacation and don't forget to tip your neighborhood kid: he worked hard while you were gone!!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Freshen things up!!!

HOMES BY DESIGN FOR 2015

Looking for a few ways to freshen up your home’s interior design for the New Year? Check out these ideas from home furnishings retailer BoConcept New York and Cheryl Hucks Interior Design.

Get the Blues – Blue is the color of the year, and while cooler tones have been popular for several years, shades of blue will be more prominent in home design in warmer and bolder shades. To update your home décor, add a sofa or accent pieces in midnight blue or indigo.

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 Heavy Metal – Add a little sparkle to your home décor by adding a few metallic elements, such as a brass floor lamp, silver picture frame or throw pillows with copper stripes.

Natural Elements – Using natural materials adds more space and depth within your living space. Furniture made of natural wood, especially in lighter shades, creates an open, airy atmosphere. Try mixing wood pieces with other natural materials..

 Tone on Tone – Create a contemporary tone-on-tone look by layering one color with varying shades and textures of the same color. Despite using different textures and saturation levels, designers at BoConcept say the overall appearance will be soft, calm and sophisticated.

Make a Statement – Some designers say using large prints and floral fabrics for accent furniture pieces can make a bold statement and give a room a creative focal point. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Selling Your Home During the Holidays.

HOLIDAY

Staging tips

        You may be trying to sell your home during the festive holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the holiday decorations completely. Just don’t overdo it, say the staging experts at Frontdoor.com. Instead, stick to a few simple decorative touches, such as a pinecone centerpiece or an evergreen wreath. Avoid religious themed decorations, which may turn off potential buyers.
     Avoid using decorations that might clash with your current color scheme. For example, if the décor in the living room is blue, silver and white, choose accessories that complement that color scheme, such as blue glass ornaments and silver or white candles.
      Use accessories to draw attention to the home’s best features. Hang a few tasteful ornaments from the mantel to showcase an elegant fireplace or hang an evergreen garland around the bay window.
      Keep inflatable characters in storage while your home is on the market. Instead, use simple string lighting to showcase a fir tree in your front yard.
       Make your home extra inviting by lighting a fire in the fireplace or turning up the heat a couple of degrees on chilly days. Offer tasty treats like hot apple cider and fresh-baked cookies to create a welcoming environment.
       With a little creativity and common sense, you can enjoy the holidays while trying to sell your home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com
 

WHEN IT RAINS, IT REALLY POURS

Tips and Trends for homeowners,Buyers and Sellers.     

   No matter where you live, emergencies are bound
to happen when you least expect them: the furnace
breaks down, appliances stop working, the roof starts
leaking or a window gets smashed. The costs for repairs
can be tough to stomach, unless you have an
emergency fund.

Setting up an emergency fund is easier than you think.
These tips from Bankrate.com will help you handle
unexpected surprises with ease.

   

•  First, estimate how much money you might need for the fund. Experts suggest saving enough to cover four to seven months of expenses. Remember, this fund should not replace your entire income, and it should not be used to fund luxuries, like vacations, fancy new clothes or a new car (unless your existing one breaks down).  Keep funds accessible, but not so readily available that you are tempted to borrow from it.

 

• Set up an account separate from your regular checking account. Consider using credit unions, which   allow consumers to open accounts with smaller sums of cash, and online banks, so you can’t withdraw money from a storefront location.

 

• Be sure to use the funds only for emergencies, such as replacing broken appliances, replacing the furnace or paying your regular monthly expenses after a job layoff or during a lengthy illness.  

•   Begin slowly. Start with a deposit of $50 from each paycheck, then increase it gradually with each job change or pay increase. Set aside a portion of commission checks and tax refunds, too.

 

 

With these simple steps, you’ll have greater peace of mind, knowing you are prepared for any emergency.

   

Still Inspired After 25 Years in Real Estate

When Cynthia Schmier first visited Yelm in 1985, the main things she remembers are “one stoplight and tumbleweeds.” Thirty years later, both she and the realty business she started, RE/MAX Country, have become fixtures downtown and symbols of the growing local economy. After 25 years in business, she continues to be inspired by the clients she works with, the team she’s created, and the Yelm community.

With clients, she says, it’s important to stay in the moment; therefore no matter how many houses you’ve sold, each day is different. “Every client has a unique criteria based on what’s going on in their life,” she says. “You’re strategizing to help them reach their objective. That’s what the art of real estate is. It’s facilitating their needs and keeping an emotional ride out of the picture as much as possible. It changes moment by moment.”

She also finds that working with clients can be a great vehicle for personal growth. “It’s a personal journey of unwinding,” she says.  “Every person I engage with is a discovery of myself and how I interact with that person. It’s revealing and is always rewarding. I like the adventure - what unfolds when you go down the trail with a client. That is probably the biggest reason I love this business.” Cynthia’s motto: “Excellence - More than a Goal, It’s A Way of Life!”

Within her office, she’s worked to develop a culture that is honest, supportive, and constantly evolving. “The embodiment of the building is ‘What can we learn from this?’” she says. “It’s the people. We review everything, including the client’s feedback regarding their experience. We may agree or disagree, but it’s their feedback that gives us the opportunity to see what we’re projecting and how to improve on ourselves. This is the pot of gold.”  

Her team includes specialists in different areas of real estate and, as she puts it, “Everyone works their buns to the max in this firm. We really have a great support here.”  One thing that Cynthia is very clear on stating to all her clients is that without her staff she couldn’t do it. They make it happen.

Over time, Cynthia has seen many changes in the region. When she first became a real estate broker in 1990, Yelm was still very much a rural town, although a growing one. “I couldn’t find a house to buy that had sheetrock,” she says, laughing.

Having moved from a high-end lifestyle in the vacation mecca of Lake Tahoe, California, the transition was a bit of a shock.  At the same time, she found the Pacific Northwest extremely inviting and spent five years on a one-hundred-acre property in Chehalis before moving to Yelm.

Today, she says, “I love this community. I love the diversity. We have founding families, we have international people, we have military, history, and just friendly folks. My inspirations come daily interacting with such fine traits.”

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com