July 2018 Mortgage

July 2018

Make the most of Should you

rent or buy?

small space living

Refresh your

real estate etiquette

Hani Ali also featured: Tracy Hinton Taylor Loop

contents

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professionals 4

Email marketing 101 — Make the most of your efforts

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Refresh your real estate etiquette

t featured cover mortgage pro

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Hani Ali

q featured mortgage pro

Tracy Hinton

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q featured mortgage pro

Taylor Loop

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buyers&sellers 9

Should you rent or buy?

Ask yourself these 5 questions

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New in town? Tap into your REALTOR’SŽ rolodex

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Make the most of small space living

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Email marketing 101 —

Make the most of your efforts When it comes to marketing, there has never been a better time to be a mortgage professional. The sheer volume of venues available in which you can market yourself, your services, or brand, and connect with others, is greater than at any other time in history.

From blogging, to social media, to websites, to online and print publications, it’s truly a great time to be in the mortgage industry.

However, there is one marketing strategy that continues to dominate when it comes to yielding the best ROI — email marketing. True, by today’s standards, compared to social media and other digital marketing platforms, email marketing is a dated strategy. Yet studies continue to show that when email marketing is done properly, it is still one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your audience, and more importantly, generate business.

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It’s important to note however, that a poorly planned or haphazardly executed email marketing campaign can certainly fall flat. So how can you increase the odds of your email hitting its mark? Here’s a look at five best practices to ensure your emails are received, opened, and acted upon.

Start with a Succinct, Snappy or Silly Subject Line — The subject line of your email will be seen before any of the content included in your message, so it needs to be succinct, but it also needs to be attention grabbing. For some, the magic formula may be a short but standout headline, while others may find a subject that is a bit sassy or silly receives better feedback. If you’re handling your email marketing on your own, try mixing it up, and evaluate the results from the different styles.

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When email marketing is done properly, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your audience, and more importantly, generate business.

being buried beneath others. Email tracking services are available and can help you determine when your audience likely reads emails, but if such a service does not fit in your marketing budget, a good rule of thumb is to stick with mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and early evening.

Make Sure Your Emails are Mobile Friendly If you are sending an email that contains graphics or a video, make sure that it is optimized for a mobile device. Studies have shown that not only do most people read their emails from their phone or tablet, they also delete and/or unsubscribe to emails that are not optimized to be mobile friendly.

Be Mindful of Frequency — Emailing your audience too often will lead to email fatigue. Bombarding your database increases the likelihood that you’ll receive requests to unsubscribe. There are conflicting reports on how often you should be reaching out to your target audience, but more than once a week is typically not recommended. Many find that once or twice a month is perfectly sufficient for solidifying or maintaining top of mind awareness.

Time Your Distribution Wisely — Emails that are received at 2am are not likely to be deemed important. This shows that the sender is obviously not in touch with their target audience, or else they wouldn’t dream of sending an email in the middle of the night.

Likewise, sending an email first thing in the morning is generally not smart, as you run the risk of the email Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Conclude With a Call to Action — A marketing email that doesn’t prompt readers to act is an ineffective email. Every marketing email you send should have a call to action, however small it may seem. Drive people to your website, tease them with a new blog entry, ask them to call you, or ask for a referral, but make sure you do something. A call to action is imperative.

Many mortgage professionals will find that having email marketing campaigns automated removes a great deal of stress, and reduces the likelihood that they’ll go too long without contacting their database.

There are many such services available, but if you don’t know where to start, ask a successful colleague what has worked for them. Even in the inherently competitive mortgage industry, a trusted colleague, manager, or business coach will be willing to share their secrets for successful email marketing so that you too can take your business to the next level.

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featuredagent Tracy Hinton magazine

Tracy Hinton had always loved working with numbers, and after going to school for accounting, she was primed for her next challenge. At the time, her sister was working for a mortgage company in Omaha, with a new office set to open in Lincoln. At her sister’s suggestion, Tracy decided to apply her skillset toward a career in mortgage lending, a transition that proved to be a natural fit. She set to work as a loan originator in 1997, going on to become branch manager by 1999. In the two decades since her tenure in lending began, Tracy has carved out an esteemed reputation for adaptability, personalized service, and wise financial counsel.

Today, Tracy leads two offices in Omaha and a third in Lincoln. In total, she oversees a talented roster of 10 loan officers, licensed to serve clients throughout the state of Nebraska. Considering her lengthy experience in the industry, she’s managed to amass 95% of her business through repeat and referral clientele — a proven demonstration of her ability to deliver results and cultivate relationships that outlast the closing table.

In fact, Tracy has worked repeatedly with the same families over the course of multiple generations. Reflecting upon her professional philosophy, Tracy cites round-the-clock accessibility and adaptive industry knowledge as two of the driving factors in her success to date. “I understand that the process can feel stressful, and questions may arise. That’s why I make myself available to clients 24/7,” she says. “The agents and buyers I serve always know they can reach out to me with questions and I’ll be there.”

Likewise, Tracy emphasizes the importance of educating her clients throughout the transactional process. Her decades of service have afforded her experience in countless loan products, market fluctuations, and shifting regulations. To add to her arsenal of tools, Tracy makes it a point to stay ahead of the curve and pass along her expert insight to those she serves. “Knowledge is power,” Tracy says. “I make sure all my clients are educated through every step of the process and always close on time. It’s my job to make the process as easy as possible and to educate clients on how best to match their budgets, goals,

and expectations with the appropriate price range. It’s important to create a game plan based on what’s realistic and what will serve a client’s financial health and comfort level. Ultimately, my job is to pair clients with the best product to serve their goals and needs. I would never put a client in a program that I wouldn’t put myself in.”

Tracy’s years as a business leader in a detail-oriented field have also informed her workflow. She prioritizes efficiency, organization, and steadfast communication to ensure clients are well served. In today’s fast-paced marketplace, the ability to move with precision and speed is an incomparable value-add for clients and agents. “When we prequalify, we really prequalify,” Tracy explains. “I make it a point to get every required document up front to keep things efficient. That way, when clients begin the house-hunting process, they can do so in earnest, without having to worry about fetching any more documents at the last minute. It comes down to this: you have to be respectful of your clients’ time.

By being up front and working in a systematic way, processes are streamlined. By the time my clients find their dream house, we have nearly every component necessary to get the deal closed.”

To give back, Tracy and her offices support Habitat for Humanity and have participated in local home building projects in their community. Additionally, Tracy is a big believer in supporting causes close to the hearts of her referral partners — from drivers for the city’s mission, to sponsorships of local events. In her remaining free hours, Tracy most enjoys time spent with her family and loved ones, traveling alongside her husband and children, and spending time with the beloved family dog.

Looking ahead, Tracy plans to continue cultivating her flourishing business, endeavoring to further develop her existing team’s talents in the years to come. For now, she’ll continue serving the aspiring homeowners of the Nebraska community she calls home. “I truly enjoy what I do,” Tracy reflects. “I’m committed to making sure my clients are taken care of 100% and are left with a positive experience with the lending process.”

Tracy Hinton

Peoples Mortgage Company | Lincoln, NE 402.440.3782 | thinton@peoplesmortgage.com | www.thinton.loans.peoplesmortgage.com NMLS# 5172 | Company NMLS# 6274 | Equal Housing Lender

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Refresh your

real estate etiquette

There was a time when the rules of etiquette governed everyday interactions, and breaking those rules was ground for (mild) scandal. Fortunately, social norms have relaxed over the years, and most of us operate much less formally than in times past. But even in this informal age — and in some cases, because of it — it’s important to observe a set of guidelines and best practices when it comes to real estate etiquette. That’s because, at its heart, real estate is, and always will be, a people business. And as the famous Maya Angelou quote says: “… People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” With that in mind, here are some simple rules of real estate etiquette that can help ensure you always make your clients and colleagues feel good about working with you.

Behave Respectfully Toward Colleagues Real estate is a unique profession in that your competition is often also someone with whom you have to get along to reach a successful outcome for your client.

Cultivating a reputation as someone who is respectful to all the parties in a transaction — other agents, lenders,

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appraiser, stagers, inspectors and everyone else — will only serve you well. That means being on time for meetings (or calling if you’re going to be late), quickly responding to messages, being willing to resolve issues as they pop up and never speaking ill of someone behind their back. If you’ve heard someone else is difficult to work with, give them the benefit of the doubt. Go in with an open mind and you might find that the two of you hit it off and get along great. By demonstrating respect for your colleagues at every level, you’ll become someone other agents and real estate pros can’t wait to have the chance to work with again.

Offer Feedback on Listings — You take your clients to a home, they decide it’s not for them and then what? Do you just move on or do you let the seller know what your clients liked and didn’t like about it? Not offering feedback is a little like going on a first date and then never calling the person again — they’ll get over it, but they’ll always wonder what went wrong. Offering polite, constructive feedback is not only the right thing to do, it could lead to a deal.

If your clients like the house with the exception of a

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At its heart, real estate is, and always will be, a people business. few small things or one big deal breaker, you might be able to get the seller to make concessions and create a win/win outcome for everyone.

Mind Your Manners on Social Media — Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay. And it can be a landmine for your business if you’re not careful. A simple rule of thumb, never (ever) write something on social media you wouldn’t say to someone directly, and never post a photo you wouldn’t want your mom to see. Even if you have separate business and personal accounts set up, clients and colleagues are bound to cross from one to the other. And while technically not social media, be careful with texting, too. Never talk badly about a person or a business via text; it’s all too easy to accidentally send it to the wrong person. If you simply must get something off your chest, call a trusted friend — ideally someone not in the business — and talk about it instead.

Work Out Issues One-on-One — No matter who you work with or what size brokerage you’re in, at 8

some point you’ll have a disagreement with a colleague.

When it happens, don’t be the person who immediately escalates the situation by involving your broker or cc’ing half the office on a snarky email chain. Work things out one-on-one, preferably face-to-face (too much can get lost in translation over email). It won’t always be easy, but when you gain the reputation for being someone who takes the high road, there’s a good chance those disagreements will hardly ever happen.

Leave the House Like You Find It — Whether or not the listing is occupied, it’s important to leave it in as good (or better) shape, than you find it. Turn off the lights (if it’s approaching dusk leave one light on), straighten anything that gets moved and be sure all doors and windows are closed and locked — that includes interior garage doors and any exterior gates or security doors. Additionally, if you notice anything out of place, say, a leaky faucet or a trail of ants on the kitchen floor, do your best to remedy the situation and be sure to contact the listing agent immediately to let them know what you saw.

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Should you rent or buy?

Ask yourself these 5 questions Any milestone life event, such as getting married or divorced, having a baby, relocating for a new job, or sending adult children out into the world, can put you in the position of having to choose whether to rent or buy your residence. There was a time when conventional wisdom dictated that buying was always the better choice, but the ’08 housing crash changed that.

Now, experts advise that people make the decision to rent or buy based on more than whether or not they can afford a mortgage payment, and take several other factors into account as well. Here are five questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to rent or buy the next place you call home.

How Stable is Your Life? — None of us can predict the future, but before choosing to buy a home, you need to have a general idea of where you see yourself in the next five years. Do you have a good job that you enjoy Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

and plan on keeping? Is your relationship status likely to change? Will you be adding to your family — or will it be shrinking when kids move out? Are you making plans to travel extensively? The way you answer all these questions will factor into your decision to buy or rent.

Bottom line: If your life is reasonably stable and you foresee it staying that way, buying a home may be the way to go. If not, continue to rent until things settle down.

Have You Saved for a Down Payment?

While in some cases it’s possible to purchase a home without a down payment, most financial experts advise against it for a number of reasons. For one, buying a home without a down payment means a higher mortgage payment and will also require private mortgage insurance. Additionally, sellers are more likely to accept an offer that includes a down payment, especially in competitive markets.

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Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer for whether anyone should rent or buy their home. It’s a decision entirely based on each person’s unique set of circumstances.

Can You Afford the Monthly Costs? — As a renter, monthly housing costs are generally limited to rent, utilities and perhaps, renter’s insurance.

When you buy a home, your monthly costs on top of the mortgage payment can include property taxes, HOA fees, yard maintenance, and higher utility bills than you’re used to because you’re heating or cooling a larger space and using more water. Making sure you’re financially prepared before buying a house will help ensure you get to enjoy your new home and not struggle with being “house poor.”

Are You Prepared to Furnish and Decorate?

Furnishing and decorating a home takes vision, time, effort and, of course, money. Even the most committed minimalist doesn’t want to live in a space that’s devoid of personality (or furniture). And really, at least half the fun of owning a home is making it your own with paint, décor and furnishings. When you’re working out your financials, don’t forget to factor in the cost of decorating the home.

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Do You Really Want to Own a Home?

This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth doing some soul searching to figure out if you’re really ready to be a homeowner. Many people buy a home because they feel it’s the logical “next step,” or because friends and family pressure them into making an investment, only to find it wasn’t what they really wanted. Spend some time really thinking about your needs, your goals, and the life you want to live. If you come out of it feeling energized and excited about the prospect of owning your piece of the American Dream, go for it! If not, keep renting until you feel differently.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer for whether anyone should rent or buy their home. It’s a decision entirely based on each person’s unique set of circumstances. And remember, nothing is forever. You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way.

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Hani Ali

Hani Ali Hani Ali has carved out a masterful career defined by professionalism, industry expertise and a relentless commitment to the success of his clients. After earning an undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics and an MBA in Business Economics from DePaul University, Hani was ready to make waves in his hometown of Chicago.

In 2013, Hani earned his originator license and swiftly met success, achieving $30 million in volume 12

during his first full year. He quickly caught the eye of Guaranteed Rate, and joined the company to continue growing his business. As Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending, Hani is now one of the Top Loan Originators in the country.

Hani conducts business in all 50 states, but his primary service areas include Chicagoland and the Midwest, California and Florida. All told, about 85% of his business is generated by repeat and referral Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

“When you take on a mortgage, it’s a huge responsibility. As a lender, you’re impacting the homeownership process in a very intense way, and despite how transactional it can seem, I take my role very seriously.”

clientele stemming from past clients, real estate agents, CPAs and financial advisors. Hani credits his strong referral business to his tried-and-true market understanding and education.

“To me, the most important thing is to know what you’re working with,” he says. “I push myself to be the guru of guidelines and product knowledge, to be an expert.” Hani heads a capable team of professionals who each play an integral role. “It’s very important to make sure you’ve hired committed key players,” Hani says. “I’m very big on process and flow and strategically enabling each individual on our team.”

Beyond his razor-sharp understanding of the mortgage world — from shifting regulations to the details of product options — Hani believes in communication, accessibility and transparency. While he closes roughly 500 loans a year, his focus remains on the client, the milestone of homeownership, and the nuances of each transaction.

“I’m dialed in seven days a week,” Hani says.

“Transparency is everything. It’s so important to ensure that clients know what the process entails, understand what’s going on, and that they’re being educated on their options. I’m also really big on accountability. When you take on a mortgage, it’s a huge responsibility. As a lender, you’re impacting the homeownership process in a very intense way, and despite how transactional it can seem, I take my role very seriously.”

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Beyond his knowledge and personal integrity, Hani offers efficiency and speed to his clients and REALTOR® referral partners. He and his team take files from start to finish in an average of 14 days — a figure that’s far ahead of the national average.

Outside the office, Hani gives back through civic and charitable work. He’s an active alumnus of DePaul University and serves on the executive voting board for the Guaranteed Rate Foundation, an organization devoted to partnering with community members in need. Most recently, the Foundation joined forces to support the work of a local battered women’s shelter.

Additionally, Hani supports causes related to children’s welfare, including the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Hani also enjoys time spent with family and friends, boating and snowmobiling.

Looking toward the future, Hani plans to continue taking his business to new heights, capitalizing on the exemplary presence he’s built on a national level. His goal is to become the number one originator in the country, and he plans to get there by staying ahead of the curve. “Our business is constantly changing, so you have to be innovative in your process and your flow, predicting what consumers want before it’s needed,” he says. “It’s my goal to always stay ahead of that curve and be able to determine how to change the process for the better.”

At the end of the day, Hani is inspired and driven forward by the people he’s committed to serve. “I recently sold my home and bought a new one, and I 13

“I love making people’s dreams come true and I’m a big believer that when you’re willing to help people and give freely, it always comes back around in a positive way.” got to experience that feeling again,” Hani says.

“Buying a home is such an exciting time; your life is changing. It’s so rewarding to help a client go through that experience and make it an easy, efficient process that takes some stress off their shoulders. I also love helping clients who haven’t been able to

get approved in the past, to achieve that goal of homeownership. To be able to turn that around for them is so gratifying. I love making people’s dreams come true and I’m a big believer that when you’re willing to help people and give freely, it always comes back around in a positive way.”

Hani Ali Guaranteed Rate | Chicago, IL 773.328.6414 | hani@rate.com | www.rate.com/hani NMLS# 971709 14

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New in town?

Tap into your REALTOR’S® rolodex There are few professionals who will know more about their community than real estate agents. Even if your agent doesn’t happen to live in the exact location where you’ve purchased a home, there is a good chance that you have an incredible resource at your fingertips, who will be more than happy to help you get acquainted with your new neighborhood.

REALTORS® are almost unanimously active in their communities, often involved in multiple community organizations. In addition, because their profession puts them in contact with countless people every year, real estate agents always know a lot of people in different industries. Moreover, because part of their job Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

is to be able to introduce and educate others on the various benefits afforded by each community, they tend to have their finger on the pulse of the regions where they live, work and play.

As a newcomer to town, the vast knowledge that your agent possesses is an invaluable resource, right at your disposal. Here’s a look at some of the many resources most real estate agents can provide, when you’re moving to a new community.

Movers — Experienced real estate agents will be able to recommend you to a trustworthy, professional moving company to make your move as seamless as possible.

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REALTORS® are often worth their weight in gold, not only when it comes to helping you secure a buyer, or helping you to get into a new home, but in helping you feel at home in your new community as well.

Pet Sitters/Boarding Facilities — Trying to move while your pets are running around, or stressed out, can make moving day a lot more cumbersome. Instead of trying to keep an eye on Fido or Fluffy while moving, ask your agent for a referral to a safe place to keep your pets until you’re able to pick them up.

Cable/Satellite/Internet Providers — Your REALTOR® or the seller’s agent will be able to provide you with the options for internet service and/or cable options available in your new community so you can schedule installation ahead of time, and have all systems up and running when you need them.

Daycare Centers — If you’re moving with young children, you can certainly spend time online researching reputable daycare or childcare centers in your community. Or, you could save time and just ask your REALTOR® for a recommendation.

Carpenters/Handymen — Because real estate agents work with these professionals frequently, they will be able to refer you to a skilled professional to help you with repairs, or construction projects.

Painters, Carpet & Flooring Professionals You may wish to have your new home upgraded a bit before you move in, or after you’ve moved and if so, your REALTOR® definitely has the name and number of painting and flooring professionals who can help.

Electricians — If there are new lighting fixtures you’d like installed, or if you have specific electrical needs your new home isn’t properly wired for, contact your agent or the seller’s agent. They will be able to refer you to a trusted, experienced electrician in your area to make any necessary changes.

HVAC Professionals — When you need your hot

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water heater replaced, or your furnace serviced, a single phone call to a real estate agent can likely save you a lot of time researching HVAC professionals online.

Landscapers/Seasonal Professionals — If you’re looking for help with mowing your lawn, designing gardens, raking leaves, or even snow removal in the winter, ask your REALTOR® for a referral — they will have one.

Babysitters — Believe it or not, real estate agents may even be able to point you in the direction of a trusted, reliable babysitter, for times when you need to leave your children at home.

Restaurants — If you’re looking for a nice evening out, or an amazing weekend brunch, your REALTOR® likely has suggestions in spades. To boot, they may know of specials, coupons, or weekly events at various restaurants in town.

Fitness Facilities or Classes — From yoga, to local gyms, to great walking, running, or hiking trails, your real estate agent will know where residents go to exercise.

Community Events — From getting in touch with your local chamber, rotary, or neighborhood association, to discovering a weekly farmer’s market, or story time at the library, your REALTOR® is a valuable community resource for you to utilize.

Real estate agents are in the business of helping others. Their success is also contingent upon knowing the ins-and-outs of the communities where they work.

As the result, REALTORS® are often worth their weight in gold, not only when it comes to helping you secure a buyer, or helping you to get into a new home, but in helping you feel at home in your new community as well.

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featuredagent Taylor Loop magazine

When Taylor Loop was hired by a regional mortgage company four years ago, his transition to lending made for a natural fit. His father had worked in mortgages, and Taylor himself always had a natural affinity for numbers and clear communication. Before his tenure in mortgage lending began, he worked in civil litigation, which trained him thoroughly in the detail work of contracts and creative problem-solving. Today, Taylor is in command of a flourishing career, fortified by a reputation for transparency, clear communication, and a proven ability to deliver on his professional promises.

Licensed in the State of California, Taylor largely serves the regional Inland Empire community. With the help of two assistants and a dedicated in-house processor, he leverages loanDepot’s range of products to serve aspiring homebuyers of all kinds. With the entirety of his business generated by repeat and referral clientele, Taylor has cemented lasting relationships with those he serves. Agent referral partners and lending clients turn to Taylor for his consistent communication, upfront honesty, and his comprehensive understanding of the market. In fact, many of the files that cross Taylor’s desk come to him when other lenders aren’t able to deliver. He uses his experience in litigation, as well as his knack for numbers, to source solutions in short order. “I’d say 70% of what I do is reverse engineer,” he explains. “A lot of files come my way with issues — they’ve had trouble or have fallen out of escrow.

It’s my job to reverse engineer those files to identify the problem and find a solution. I really enjoy that problemsolving aspect of my work.”

What’s more, Taylor’s approach is comprehensive and specific. No two files are alike, and Taylor takes a strategic, customized approach to fit clients with the appropriate product. “From a buyer’s perspective, when you work with me you’ll get the best deal available,” he explains. “LoanDepot has so many different products. We’re able to close loans quickly and offer ideal terms. Buyers can trust that they’ll have access to the product that’s the right fit. For

the agents I work with, I provide a high level of service, I follow-up regularly, and our ability to convert quickly and consistently will earn agents the highest return possible.”

Communication is a cornerstone of Taylor’s business, and a characteristic on which he prides himself. Beyond being forthright, he stays connected with clients through regular follow-ups via phone, email, or mailers. He also stays accessible and responsive throughout the entirety of the transactional process, from prequalification to end of escrow.

“I’m thorough, honest, and I always put my clients’ best interests first,” he says. “If you’re straightforward and transparent from the start, you never have to worry later on down the road.” In addition to his abiding professionalism and client-centric care, Taylor has also cultivated an exceptional track record. By his second year in business, he earned a spot in the Top 1% of mortgage originators, a title he carried into his third year, as well. Likewise, he closed on $29 million in volume by year two, and nearly doubled that by year three. His ability to render results while maintaining personalized relationships is the hallmark of his working philosophy.

Reflecting upon what he enjoys most about this career, Taylor cites the interpersonal component of his work, while crediting the industry for its limitless potential. He values the ability to get back what he puts in — a freeing yet ambitious challenge for an energetic entrepreneur. “I really enjoy the flexibility of being my own boss,” he says. “You get what you put in. I also like the problemsolving elements of what I do and finding solutions for my clients is very satisfying.”

Outside of the office, Taylor is a family man and most enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and loved ones. In considering the future of his business, Taylor hopes to continue growing his enterprise year over year, with plans in place to reach $100 million in volume within the next two years, and $150+ million within five years.

Along the way, he hopes to bring on like-minded team members as his imprint continues to organically grow.

Now, with four years of intrepid service behind him and a steady hand guiding his business, the road ahead is bound to yield continued results for Taylor Loop.

Taylor Loop loanDepot | Temecula, CA 951.404.0158 | TLoop@loanDepot.com | www.loanDepot.com/TLoop NMLS# 1179433 Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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Make the most of

small space living

The Tiny House Movement is one of the fastest-growing housing trends in recent memory. Tiny houses are fully functional mobile living spaces that measure from 100400 square feet. Obviously, fitting all of life’s necessities in such a tiny space poses many challenges. But you don’t have to live in a tiny house to face the realities of small space living. Studio apartments, loft spaces, cottages and many other small spaces all present similar issues. Here are seven ways you can maximize small space living to create a comfortable, well-organized and stylish home.

Take Care with Color — Adding color to walls is one of the fastest, easiest, most affordable ways to add character and personality to a room. But be careful when you’re working in small spaces, because the wrong color can make your room seem smaller than it 18

actually is. Avoid dark colors and stick with lighter hues to make the space feel more open.

Embrace Light & Reflection — Keep window coverings light, both in color and materials. Heavy window coverings will make rooms look and feel dark and claustrophobic. Stick to lighter colors and airy fabrics that allow light to filter through, even when closed.

Another trick is to let curtain rods extend past the ends of windows on either side to create the illusion of width. Mirrors are another great way to visually trick the eye into thinking a room is larger than it is. Bonus points if you can hang a mirror across from a window to capture and reflect even more light.

Make Furniture Multi-Task — When you live in a small space, everything should have more than Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

You don’t have to live in a tiny house to face the realities of small space living. Studio apartments, loft spaces, cottages and many other small spaces all present similar issues.

Get Control of Clutter — Clutter is the enemy of small space living. When every available surface is covered with mail, magazines, clothing and other everyday odds and ends, the space looks messy and unfinished.

One way to keep clutter under control is to practice the rule all minimalists live by: one in, one out. That simply means every time you bring something new into your space, an equivalent item has to go. If you buy a new pair of shoes, for example, you have to get rid of a pair you already have, and so on. It’s definitely challenging, but it will make you think twice when tempted to purchase something on impulse, knowing that something you already have will get the axe.

one purpose. Think ottomans that double as storage space, tray tables that pinch hit as end tables, and dressers that serve as nightstands. If you live in a studio space, it’s practically illegal to have a sofa that doesn’t fold-out into a bed. And remember seeing Murphy beds (also called wall beds) in old black and white movies and TV shows? They’re making a comeback and can solve a multitude of small space furniture and storage issues.

Keep Floors Clear — Crowding the floor with baskets or bins for storage may seem practical, but it will make room look and feel smaller. Open things up by keeping floor space clear and moving storage up to the walls (or even the ceiling, in some cases).

Shelves, hanging baskets, peg boards and other storage solutions will keep floor space free.

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Utilize Hidden Spaces — The space under, in between or behind furniture is no longer just a place for dust bunnies to collect. When you live in a small space, it can be used for valuable storage. You can get specialized storage bins made to slip under the bed or simply use your imagination to decide what goes where, like slipping a folding tray table under the couch or hanging an ironing board or shoe rack behind a door.

Keep it Extra Clean — Speaking of dust bunnies, small spaces need to be cleaned more frequently and thoroughly than their larger counterparts. It’s easy to ignore dusty corners or a too-full trash can in a large space, but everyday messes add up quickly when there’s not a lot of room. Take some time at the end of every day to do a quick cleaning and you’ll keep your small space feeling tidy and inviting.

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