It's Your Move

The days of bribing friends and family to help you move are probably long gone.  But getting help isn’t necessarily any easier – finding a good, reliable moving company that can get the job done right takes careful research.  Before you hire any moving company, do a little legwork to make sure it’s legit, in your price range and offers the services you need.  USA.gov, Relocation.com and ApartmentGuide.com offer the following tips.

First, find out some details about the company.  Does it have an operating license?  Check with your local state authority or the Department of Transportation, depending on whether it’s an in-state or interstate move.  Does the company carry insurance, and what are the limits?

Also investigate the company’s track record.  Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints, and ask the company for references you can contact.  Repeat customers who do business with the company can be some of the best referrals.

Get estimates from several companies to compare rates, and only consider those estimates that fall within the appropriate range.  Also, find out exactly what’s included in the quote (packing materials such as tape and extra boxes aren’t always included).  Low quotes could ultimately mean paying more money after the move, since some companies don’t itemize what others include in the estimate.

Be prepared for questions moving companies will ask you.  What is your time frame?  How far will you be moving?  If you rent, do you have renter’s insurance, and what does it cover?  Will you need moving insurance or packaging services?  Where will the moving truck park?  Are there stairs or elevators?  By preparing yourself ahead of time, you can make that stressful move go a lot smoother.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475 

Drain Trust

Spring is prime time for house cleaning and maintenance, which should include careful cleaning of gutters.  Although they’re designed to act as a drain and protect your home, they often get clogged with leaves and water.  They should be cleaned twice a year.  To get started, consider these steps from Lowes.

First, clean the downspout.  Set a ladder on the side of the house where the gutter starts and where most leaves and twigs get trapped.  With gloves and a towel, remove the debris and let it fall in a bucket.  Move the ladder down the gutter and repeat the process.

Check all gutters for holes, leaks, dents and other features that may need repairs.  If your hangers are loose, tighten them or replace them if they seem damaged.  Sagging gutters are an indication that the hangers are too loose.

After you’ve covered the perimeter and have removed most of the debris, spray the gutter with a garden hose to rid any remaining debris.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can make your own window cleaner by mixing equal parts white vinegar and warm water.  The vinegar eliminates window streaks and smudges on glass surfaces.

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

Tips for Sellers: Pre-Showing Checklist

Thanks to CW Title for this handy Pre-Showing Checklist!

Selling a home can a stressful time.  There is packing, moving and many other things to keep in mind.  Below are a few tips that can make things easier on you and your family.

All over house:

• Empty the garbage in each room
• Dust and vacuum
• Open blinds to make rooms brighter
• Turn on lights, even during the day

Bedrooms:            

• Straighten up closets
• Beds are nicely made            
• Dirty clothes in closed hamper
• Toys picked up and put away in children’s rooms

Bathrooms: 

• Put away everything that isn’t essential such as hand soap, towels, etc.
• Drawers and cabinets are cleaned and uncluttered
• Clean the shower and tub
• Fold towels neatly
• Put the toilet lid down

Kitchen:

• Dishes should be in dishwasher or put away, don’t leave anything in the sink
• De-clutter the countertops… put away toaster, coffee maker, blender, etc.
• Clean and organize the refrigerator
• Cabinets and pantry are tidy
• Stove, stovetop and microwave clean of food stains
• Take out garbage and recycle

Living Room:

• Straighten pillows and cushions on the couch and chairs
• Turn answering machine volume to low so they don’t hear people leaving you messages
• Dust television screen

Office:

• Tidy up
• Dust computer monitor

Hallway Closets/Storage Areas:

• Double check that they are neat and orderly (towels nicely folded, etc.)

Pets:

• Clean kitty litter
• Fresh water in bowls, or put away until they leave
• Fresh food in bowls, or put away until they leave
• Clean the fish tank if needed
• Clean cages for birds, hamsters, etc.

Yard:

• Mow lawn, rake leaves during autumn
• Sweep walkway and doorstep
• Turn on outside lights if evening time
• Pick up after pets and put away outdoor toys and tools

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

Your Home - Custom Scents

There is a strong connection between smells and human emotions. Given that home-buying can be an emotional process, you’ll want your home to look and smell good when you’re getting it ready for a showing.  Make sure your home passes the smell test by following these tips from HGTV.

If there are any foul odors in your home, don’t just cover them up by baking cookies – try to identify the source and focus on eliminating the odors.  Old carpets are often the biggest culprit.  If you don’t have the time or budget to replace old rugs with new carpet or hardwood floors, wash the carpet with mild detergent soap and water solution, then go over it with a damp towel to neutralize the odor.  And be sure to circulate the fresh air by keeping windows on opposite walls open.

After you’ve rid your home of bad scents, or if you just want to fill it with more pleasant smells, consider boiling fruit peels, spices or herbs in water.  Rather than throwing away lemon or orange peels, boil water and let the peels sit for a few minutes, adding water every half-hour or so.  You can also mix the peels with other soothing scents. Using oils such as sandalwood, lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus can be therapeutic and inviting.

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

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475

Curb View

Everybody knows that first impressions matter. The outside of your house ways a lot to guests and potential buyers before they even walk in the door.  There are easy ways to clean and freshen up the exterior of your home that don’t require gallons of paint or a landscaping crew.  Consider these tips from DIY Network.

Start with the front door.  If you’re willing to make a bold move, paint your door a bright color like canary yellow to help your house stand out (as long as the color is complementary to the trim, the shutters and the rest of the house).  Also, make sure lighting fixtures match the style of your house and are working properly.  Another quick way to brighten up the front of the house: add flower boxes or pots with colorful blooms to your porch railings or around your door.

Curb appeal is all about the details.  Ask yourself:  Is there sufficient outdoor lighting?  Are overgrown plants and bushes creating an unsightly mess?  Is your home address visible?  Revitalize your door by replacing old hardware, installing tidy new address numbers or giving it a paint job.  What’s more, as simple as it sounds, installing a new mailbox – near the road or mounted to your house – can go a long way toward showing off your home.  The options and materials are endless, but as with any other updates, make sure the style fits your house.

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

Universal Appeal

As more homeowners choose to live in their homes longer as they age, many of them are improving their space with universal design features to help them live more comfortably.  Before making any improvements, the National Aging in Place Council outlines the most common universal designs modifications.

Are the entryways accessible?  Adding a ramp or constructing no-step entries can help those confined to a wheelchair or who have trouble climbing stairs.  Open floor plans and wider hallways make everyone feel less cramped and allow people to move around easily.  Wider doorways provide easier access to other parts of the home and enable people to move larger items in and out of the house.

To improve safety in bathrooms, install grab bars and elevated toilets.  Make sure there’s enough turnaround space for someone in a wheelchair, and consider lowering the bathroom sink and adding a roll-in shower with multiple showerheads.  A non-slip floor and shower surface will help everyone stay on their feet.  In the master bedroom, consider reconfiguring an existing walk-in closet or building a new one with storage at different heights.

In the kitchen, lower cooking surfaces and countertops built at varying heights will appeal to home cooks to have difficulty bending over or have height limitations.  Wall ovens and microwaves should be mounted at reachable heights, and storage and shelf space should be abundant and accessible.

Well-placed skylights and ceiling lights will aid those with poor vision and make the home more personable and safe.  Installing rocker switches and door lever handles can aid people with poor hand strengths as well as those carrying groceries into the house.

A universally-designed home provides smart solutions for everyday living that everyone can enjoy.

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

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475

A Fresh Start

Most New Year’s resolutions involve promises to fit into last years’ suit and to avoid the fast-foods lane. But don’t let your self-improvement list end there.  These home improvement tips, suggested by About.com, help make your home safer and healthier in the New Year.

Safety first.  Make this the year to be truly prepared by creating a household emergency kit.  Pack it with first aid supplies, a working flashlight, batteries, extra blankets, a can opener and some nonperishable food.  Also take the time each month to make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working.  Purify the air in the home by swapping out furnace filters every month, and burn real firewood rather than mass-produced logs to avoid potentially harmful chemicals.

Throw it away.  De-clutter your life one room at a time.  Start with the kitchen: Toss and recycle containers that have long lost their matching lids, and pare down small appliances to the ones you use most often.  Then head to the bathroom and dump half-used bottles of shampoo or face wash that have gone unused in the past six months to clear up space.  Finish in the living room by consolidating or recycling old magazines or newspapers.

Invest wisely.  Is your refrigerator on its last legs?  Saving money to update or replace aging appliances should be on every homeowner’s mind.  By saving a small amount each week – say $10 or $20 – homeowners can work toward a specific goal, such as purchasing a more energy-efficient washer and dryer set.  When deciding what to buy, be sure to research any potential cost-saving benefits, too.

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

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475