C & M Real Estate

Here is some good news for my sellers: home staging can be done on any budget! Although in some cases I might recommend a professional stager, in many cases, some simple DIY staging can go a long way. If you're considering the DIY route, my author friend @aliwenzke suggests answering these four questions: 1. Who is your target audience? ... 2. What is your budget? 3. Does your house look and feel move-in ready? 4. Does each room have one (and only one) purpose? If the answer is no, we have some work to do! So here are my top DIY staging tips: -Paint any accent or brightly colored walls white, grey or beige. -Balance bold furniture with neutral pillows or decorative throw blankets. -When in doubt, add a plant to help freshen the air. -Remove anything that will remind the buyer of housework, like paint cans, cleaning supplies or the toilet plunger (trust me, I've seen it all)! -Lighten and brighten your space by removing heavy rugs and curtains, and adding light bulbs with 800-1000 lumens. Comment below and tell me one thing you already know you'd need to do if we were staging your home today.

There is no such thing as selling your home without first decluttering. The good news is, I have some tips for you from the woman who wrote the book on decluttering -- literally! Here is what blogger, author and moving pro @aliwenzke recommends: (1) If you are not someone who enjoys decluttering, then ask a family member or friend for help (and find out their Starbucks or wine order!). You can also consult with a professional organizer who can help you declutter your home vir...tually. (2) Declutter by category and always start with the heaviest items first -- weight matters. Decluttering for a move is different than when you're channeling your inner Marie Kondo, decluttering to spark joy. (3) Always create five piles: donate, sell, trash, keep (to pack), and keep (to display). Have your trash bags and moving boxes ready, so you can pack your items while you declutter. Are you interested in more STRESS-FREE SELLING tips? DM me and I'll send you a copy of my Stress-Free Selling checklist1

It is pumpkin patch season Tell me where you love to go to get into the seasonal spirit! Yesterday we went to @liveoakcanyon pumpkin patch it was tons of fun.

Having the "moving talk" with kids is never easy and almost never goes entirely as planned. Here are my tips: Have the conversation as early as possible - better they hear the news from you than a neighbor or an overheard phone conversation. When you do have the conversation, don't leave it open ended. Be clear that no amount of convincing will change your decision.... That said, give your kiddos plenty of time to ask questions! Depending on their ages they will have lots of questions like 'will I still get to see my friends?' and 'can the dog come with us?' The more information they have, the more in control they will feel. Even if the move is not something you're 100% excited about, be as optimistic as you can be. Recognize that some sadness is natural, but helping your kids see all of the benefits of the move (a bigger house, closer to the grandparents, etc.) can help everyone in the family prepare. How old were you the first time you moved!?

Do you decorate your home for Halloween? We don't go overboard, but you can bet there is a pumpkin on our front porch! In 2020, you gotta celebrate everything you can, right? If you post your Halloween decorations, please tag me -- I want to see them all!

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a real estate agent and a REALTOR? A real estate agent is someone who is licensed to help consumers buy and sell commercial or residential property. A REALTOR is a trademark referring to someone who's an active member of the National Association of REALTORs (NAR). I am proud to be a real estate agent and I always abide by the strict NAR code of ethics.

When your home is on the market, we aren't just selling four walls and a roof. We're selling a lifestyle. That means we need to help buyers envision what their lives would be like in your home: baking cookies at the holidays, having wine and cheese night in the living room, playing in the backyard with their kids. In order to sell your home most effectively, I always ask my clients why they love their home. Chances are, if you loved lighting a fire in the fireplace and snuggling in for Friday movie night, or sipping your morning latte on the balcony off the primary bedroom, your buyer will too! So, just for fun, tell me in the comments: what do you love most about your home?

Happy SECOND () Day of October! Be honest, how many pumpkin flavored beverages have you already consumed? I am excited for this month -- not only is it Starbucks pumpkin cold brew my favorite but I will be sharing some of the best selling + moving tips this month including a few from @aliwenzke, the author of a fabulous book called The Art of Happy Moving. Tell me one thing you are looking forward to in October in the comments below

I am not just your real estate agent. I am your advocate. If you're buying a home, my job is to listen to your wants and needs, absorb the information, and guide you through the process. If you're selling a home, I will help you price your home competitively, get the best possible offer and look out for your best interest throughout the negotiations.... YOU are always in the driver's seat and I am here to help you navigate.

Let's play one of my favorite games: would you rather? If you could choose between a sleek all-white kitchen and a contemporary contrasting color scheme, which one would you pick?

Happy Labor Day

Yes, there is a lot to celebrate in September. National Good Neighbor Day I'm totally in for. Can’t we all agree being a good neighbor these days can go a long way!! Take a peek at this month's holidays and noteworthy dates. Tell me in the comments what you are most looking forward to