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JUNE 2018
Get Ready, Get Set . . . Move! Did you know that June is the beginning of the peak season for moving? Kids are out of school; the weather is great and real estate sales are booming. However, moving can be both an exciting and a stressful time. As soon as you know you’re moving, start planning! If you plan on selling, try to think of your place not as your home, but as an investment. This will help you make decisions that are less emotional and allow you to make changes that hopefully result in a quick sale for the best price possible. Everyone knows it’s important to make your home look its best. Staging is a common term, typically associated with bringing in new furniture and accessories . . . but did you know you can stage your home using what you already own? There are many simple, affordable things you can do to make a good first impression. Experts say most buyers make their decision at first sight. With this in mind, what will they see as they approach your home? Be sure that what they see is an asset. Consider applying a fresh coat of paint to your front door and replace the welcome mat if yours isn’t very welcoming! Once inside, buyers are reaffirming their curbside decision. The key here is to present a simple, clean, attractive home. Despite your decorating style, it’s important to make it easy for potential buyers to envision themselves and their things in your home. Neutral walls, minimal furniture, de-personalizing (i.e.: remove family photos) and de-cluttering help tremendously. And since you’re moving anyway, it’s the perfect time to start packing items away in anticipation of moving. The sooner you start, the easier it will be. One way to minimize stress is by allowing enough time to organize and purge unnecessary items prior to putting them into boxes. Why waste time, energy and money packing and moving things you no longer want or need, right? If possible, have measurements of the rooms in your new home and a vision in mind of how you want it to look and feel. Measure your existing furniture to make sure it will fit in your new home and is a style that will complement your new vision. But
here is the tricky part . . . take only items that contribute to your vision! Ask yourself: Will it help achieve my goal? Is it the style I want? Does it lift my energy when I think about it or look at it? Do I absolutely love it? If you don’t answer yes, perhaps it no longer has a place in your life Not many people like packing to move out, myself included. But I honestly love settling into a new place . . . it’s fun! (TIP: I’ve found if you complete one room ASAP, it becomes a sanctuary and a welcome place to rest while you work on the rest of your home.) A good rule of thumb is to work from big to small. Place larger furniture pieces prior to smaller pieces, making sure it all fits according to plan. Instead of pushing furniture up against the walls, consider placing it on an angle for a fresh new look. Once all the furniture is in place, you’re ready to add lamps, hang artwork, mirrors, etc. and finally all the fun accessories. I consider myself a “glass-half-full� kind of person, so I choose to believe that moving allows us the opportunity for a new beginning and a fresh start. I think that’s exciting and I hope that you do too! P.S. Next month I’ll share creative new ways to use furniture and accessories. Until then, happy home re-decorating! Temecula resident Rita Wood, The Room Arranger, has been a certified member of the Interior Redecorator Network since 1999. Her specialty is helping clients transform their home using the furniture and accessories they already own and love. Contact Rita at: www.TheRoomArranger.com ; 315-481-9659; Rita@TheRoomArranger.com Meet Rita at her decorating workshops at Hobby Lobby. See her or the store website for details.