Home improvement resolutions

Do you have home improvement resolutions but don't know where to begin? If you need to kick a project into gear, consider these simple but motivating strategies:

• Seek inspiration and ideas. Check out HGTV, BHG.com (Better Homes and Gardens), your favorite shelter mag or furniture store.
• Enlist help from family and friends. There may be experts in your midst who would love to share their knowledge about your project. Do you admire your neighbor's garden? Ask how it got that way.
• Take a class at your local home improvement center or community college. Maybe you really can do it yourself!
• Solicit referrals. The people who are passionate about your plans (see above) probably know other folks who can help you.
• Check out professional organizations and Angie's List for pre-approved trades people.
• Take notes. Get a small notebook or use your smart phone to jot down all of your project particulars: room sizes, paint colors, sub-contractors' contact info, etc. You'll need it.
• Last but not least, check with your local government to determine whether or not a permit or licensed professional is required before starting any major work in or around your house.

Happy new year!

Christmas Clutter

If you're like me, you may love the holidays but hate the mess that can accompany them. Here are some clutter control tips for Christmas:

1. Start with what you have. This time of year, it's easy to get carried away in the spirit of the season. But before you impulsively purchase more icicle lights or that giant inflatible Santa, make sure you know what you already have at home. Determine what you'll be using before you buy more decor or you'll end up with duplicates as well as a mish-mash of styles.

2. Decide what you don't want. After you've pulled out all of your Christmas decorations, determine what you're not using. That burnt out string of lights, those broken ornaments, the old dust-catching centerpiece. Repair, recycle or replace. Don't keep and store things you'll never use again.

3. A clearing opportunity. Use this time of year to clear out the old and make way for the new, especially if you have kids. Whether you do it yourself or get them involved, it's important to evaluate the safety and usefulness of existing games, toys and books.  Donating gently used items to less fortunate children is a worthy way to make room for new presents. If done with your children, it becomes a teachable moment.

4. Don't over-do it. We all love a well-decorated home. But if every surface is covered in garland and pinecones, your guests will have nowhere to set down a drink. And unless you live on a Candy Cane Lane, your house does not need to look like Clark Griswold's. Limit your wattage and use a timer. Safety and energy savings first.

5. It's not too late. If you've already over-bought and over-decorated and have no time to de-clutter, fear not. There's still time to order a gift certificate from Patty Clears Clutter. It's the perfect stocking stuffer for the person who has everything! Visit http://www.pattyclearsclutter.com/ or call 630-205-6677 to order.

The Psychology of Staging

As everyone knows, this is a challenging time to sell a house. If your home's been on the market for awhile and hasn't sold yet, it may be time to do one of two things: lower your price or improve your home's appearance. If you're really serious about selling, you may need to do both.

For the right price adjustment, consult your listing agent. (S)he knows your market and can objectively price your home to sell, based on realistic comparables. For a fresh assessment of your home's showing potential, consult a stager. Unlike an interior decorator who creates a personalized design reflecting the homeowner's taste, a stager creates a contemporary model home look that will appeal to the largest number of potential buyers.

Staging can also have the effect of psychologically separating you from your home, which can be a good thing. Let me explain. Once you've made the decision to sell your home, it's helpful to view it as a product to be marketed, rather than a reflection of you and your family. This means de-personalizing, de-cluttering and neutralizing the house to meet the expectations of today's buyers, regardless of your personal preferences. When effectively staged, buyers will be better able to imagine themselves living in your house. And in the process, you'll become less attached to your home, making it easier for you to let it go.

For assistance with staging your home, contact Patty at www.pattyclearsclutter.com or 630-205-6677