Whether you're a freelancer, a business owner or a current employee without access to your normal work space - following these 8 tips from our experienced Realtors will help you stay organized and productive while working from home. 

Tip #1: Get up, dress up & show up

Being able to wear whatever you like can be an advantage of working from home, but it can also be a hindrance when it comes to getting in the right frame of mind. We’re not suggesting you put on a blazer but there’s a lot to be said for changing into something other than your PJ's as a physical reminder that you’re at work. 

Fixing your hair and make-up can also be a great way to start your day. In knowing that your are ready to face whatever the day may bring, you'll be much more apt to accepting virtual meetings and posting on social media letting your clients know that you're still in business.

Tip #2: Learn to time block

Having a plan for the day is crucial to staying productive. Start by rising at the same time each day and follow a rejuvenating morning routine. Bonus points if you’re able to get outside and get a little exercise in while you’re at it. Get dressed and ready for the day and plan out your day. Write a to-do list, schedule yourself a lunch break, a start and finish time, and stick to it!

Tip #3: Dress up your work space

If you don’t have a clear distinction between where you work and where you relax, it can start to feel like you never leave the office. Choose a space with natural light and ventilation, and invest in a comfortable desk chair. Clear any clutter and keep only what is inspiring and practical. Set up your laptop & printer, plug in your favorite fragrance, start Alexa on your favorite playlist and get to workin!

Tip #4: Minimize your distractions

Anyone who has spent a day working from home knows the temptation is real to tackle the home to-do list. If it can’t be done in your lunch break, leave it until after hours. Also consider scheduling breaks, putting your phone on silent and setting boundaries for visitors.

Tip #5: Snack Right

A downside to working from home is having access to the fridge 24/7. The easiest way to avoid binge eating on snacks is simple—don’t have them in the house or prep your lunch & snacks with healthy options. Stock up on nutritious foods instead of processed snacks and prep your food the night before to prevent eating out of procrastination.

Tip #6: Stay Grateful

When things feel tiresome or uncertain, remind yourself how good your gig is. Realize that you are blessed to still have a job and believe in your abilities to get the job done. While keeping bigger goals in mind is vital, acknowledging the smaller day-to-day successes is what will keep you going. We are all in this together!

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU

LIST YOUR HOME

After all of the preparation required to list your home, you are probably ready to relax and wait for offers. While most of the hard work is done, it is important to keep in mind things that you may run into during the sale process. As you begin to welcome potential buyers into your home, here are a few things to expect now that your home is listed!

1. You might feel like you live in a museum.

You may have spent a great deal of time cleaning and decluttering, but now you are going to need to maintain that cleanliness. Potential buyers are going to expect a home that was as neat as the listing photos they saw, so it is important to meet their expectations. Now that you have officially listed your home, maintenance is necessary. There may be showings where you don't have time to do a full deep-clean, so choosing to keep your home 'show-ready' will help reduce any stress about the appearance of your home for a showing.

2. There will be some inconveniences. 

Now that you've realized your home needs to be 'show-ready' at all times, you might be starting to think that there could be an inconvenience or two during this part of home-selling. While your real estate agent will be helpful in this process, you may need to switch around plans during the evenings or weekends when you are typically home so that your home can be shown.

3.  Expect to hear critiques and criticism.

This is often the main thing that first-time home sellers struggle with. It is not always easy to hear the issues a potential buyer may have with the home you have created. While some criticism can feel insulting, it is important to remember that it is not personal. Potential buyers are not trying to hurt your feelings, they just want to picture your home as their own. Your agent can be a key part in buffering criticism. They will be able to take suggestions from potential buyers and relay it to you in a way that is helpful and constructive.

4. Home maintenance will be crucial.

While maintaining home cleanliness is important, you will also need to keep up with maintenance tasks. Your lawn will need to be mowed, your heating and cooling systems need to be operating properly, as well as any appliances that will be staying when your home sells. 

5. There can be some additional expenses.

After you've accepted an offer, the closing process will begin. There will be inspections and final walk-throughs, and this can bring about issues that may need resolved before the sale is closed. Depending on the issue, you may need to pay out-of-pocket for repairs so that you don't need to negotiate your sale price. 

If you're ready to sell your home and need someone by your side to guide you as you prepare to list, give me a call today!

Choosing The Perfect Area Rug

If you’ve ever seen a perfectly styled room, you probably noticed that the area rug was used to tie the room together. Because they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and designs, it can be overwhelming to decide what area rug is perfect for the room you are trying to decorate. Here is a short guide to help you find the perfect fit.

1. Determine your price range.

In order to shrink your option pool, the best first step is deciding how much you want to spend. Area rugs can get expensive, and they tend to grow in price as they grow in size. Other factors, such as material type and pile (the height of your rug fibers) will impact the price too. If you set a range before you go shopping, you can save yourself the heartbreak over a rug that is way out of your budget.

2. Decide on a size.

Ultimately, the size of the rug is up to you. There are recommendations depending on the room type, but it is YOUR home so the final call is yours. For living rooms, it is recommended that you center the rug and make sure it is large enough to cover all furniture space. Low-pile rugs will last longer if you have a heavily trafficked living room. For your dining room, consider a rug that will hide stains from accidental spills and will have about 2 feet of empty rug space outside of your table - that way, dining chairs won’t scratch your floor. For bedrooms, choose a carpet that has 3 or more feet on each side of your bed. Usually high-pile rugs are best for bedrooms to add a cozy vibe. 

3. Choose a style & color.

You’ve made it to the best part! Now that you’ve slimmed down your choices with price and size, you have options based on your color and style preference. When choosing your color, keep in mind that the rug can either be the dominant color in the room or it can accent colors you already have. Designs are all about personal preference. If you want the rug to have a bright pattern, it can be the center point of your room. Otherwise, you can pick a calming rug that balances out the room if it is otherwise busy. Keep in mind that patterns will hide stains and traffic.