The housing market is undergoing a time of change and buyers are looking to take advantage of record-low interest rates. That provides an opportunity to get the most money for your home, even if you are looking to sell it quickly. Whether you are looking to downsize or move to a less congested area, taking a few simple steps can help you sell your home quickly so you can move ahead with those plans.

1. Declutter Every Space

Clutter is a big turnoff for potential home buyers. Take steps to clear out any extra stuff. Look into closets, under the bed and in the attic and basement. If you haven’t used something in a year or more, it can probably be safely tossed out or donated to a charity. However, some things have sentimental value or are only for special occasions. For those items, consider renting a 5×5 storage unit Petaluma. This way you can safely store your possessions without them cluttering up your house. As an added bonus, you will also get a head start on the moving process.

2. Touch Up Landscaping

First impressions are crucial to a quick home sale. Take the time to spruce up your landscaping, especially around the front entry. Trim trees and shrubs so they are neat and attractive. Add mulch and a few bright flowers to garden beds for a colorful contrast to the lawn.

3. Update the Kitchen

Minor kitchen updates can have a big impact and often produce the best ROI for home sellers. Swap out the cabinet and drawer pulls with new hardware, refresh the plumbing fixtures and add under cabinet lighting to refresh the space and make it feel current.

Selling your home and all the prep work that goes into getting it listed can be stressful. Working to maximize its impact on buyers and create a great first impression will help you get through the process quickly and with minimal costs.

Access to a municipal sewage system is not always practical. For example, you may live in a rural area far from your neighbors, let alone the nearest town. Where access to the sewer system is not available, homes are instead equipped with septic tanks, which are sort of like onsite sewage treatment facilities for the properties in question.

If you have a septic tank, it is not something that you can take for granted. You may have a catastrophic failure on your hands if you fail to take the necessary steps to maintain your septic system on a regular basis.

1. Monitor What Goes Into the Tank

Anything that goes down a drain in your home, including toilets, sinks, and garbage disposals, ends up in the septic tank. Limit the use of your garbage disposal or discontinue it altogether. Avoid pouring solvents and oil-based paints down the sink. When a pipe gets clogged, use a drain snake to clear it rather than a chemical drain cleaner. Don’t flush anything down the toilet other than bathroom tissue and human waste. Fix any leaks so that the tank is not burdened with excess water.

2. Inspect and Pump Frequently

Even if you are careful not to send anything into your septic take that doesn’t belong there, it will eventually fill up. The system can also break down for many reasons that may or may not be your fault. You should have a professional inspect mechanical components once a year to make sure they are in good working order. Septic tank pumping Omaha TX can take place less frequently, but no longer than three to five years.

3. Protect Your Drainfield

A critical component of the entire system, the drainfield removes contaminants as liquid emerges from the septic tank. You can protect it from taking on excess water by keeping rainwater drainage systems away from it and from incursions by roots by planting trees at a safe distance. Under no circumstances should you ever drive or park your car on your drainfield.

There are several studies that show how having organization skills leads to less stress and anxiety, better time management skills, and a happier day to day life. Below are four quick tips to decluttering your home.

Hire

You may be surprised to learn that some people enjoy organizing others’ lives as a profession. For larger messes or untidy spaces, consider hiring organization assistance Clinton IL to help you with a variety of tasks, such as downsizing, hauling items away, or designing new spaces (like an office, attic, or playroom.) The professionals will require you to pay a fee for their services, but the opportunity to redesign part of your home or office without too much work on your part will save you time and stress.

Purchase

One of the easiest ways to organize a room in your house is to purchase furniture specifically designed for the task. Cube shelves, corner desks with extra storage, and magazine boxes are a few ways you can rearrange clutter into a neater space. There are also a variety of interior design websites and blogs to give you inspiration for organized decorating.

Donate

If you haven’t used something, worn something, or watched or played something in over a year, chances are you don’t really want it or need it any longer. Instead of reorganizing these things or moving them into a storage space, donate them to people in need.

List

Thanks to the Internet and its many resale apps, you can sell items you no longer use if they are in reasonably good condition. Instead of flipping and fixing houses, you can sell clothing, decorative items, or unused appliances. It is also a great way to earn extra money. 

With some assistance, you can turn your home or office into the neatly organized space it should be.

If you are shopping for a new home, particularly in a large city, there is a good chance that multifamily housing or apartments are your best bet. Fortunately, architectural trends are keeping up with the demand for these dwellings. There are new trends for everything from leasing to new smart home technologies, like those in the Manayunk apartment buildings.

The Latest Amenities

Many luxury complexes offer smart home amenities, wi-fi, Icafes and increased intelligent home technologies. Even the older buildings are installing Nest and Ring tech to make even the most tech-minded happy with their connectivity.

Tenants are also demanding better outfitted common areas and social events. Some luxury apartments are complete with an onsite concierge to alleviate the demands of city living.

Green Leasing

Many of the latest buildings are green friendly. Some of the most modern ones are being called the most energy-efficient apartments ever. Tenants are even being asked to sign green leases that stipulate that they use sustainable living practices while they rent.

Life-Work Balance at Home

The life-work balance is becoming more critical as more people work from home or at least bring their work to their apartments. Complexes are now making this more comfortable by providing in-home offices as well as community-based luxuries. Some of these luxuries include clubhouses, cooking and life classes, open outdoor spaces and gardens.

Affordable Luxury

Previously, luxury apartments were only for the very wealthy. Many of the newer designs and designers offer more luxurious living at a lower price by making their unites smaller but pack full of features. By expanding common areas, social spaces and outdoor amenities, they offer luxury features without the luxury price.

These trends are expected to continue as more people move from large suburban living into more compact socially conscious apartment living. Multifamily complexes are expanding their features to keep up.

Prior to pursuing real estate prospecting, set yourself up for success. For example, set goals and a business plan, develop a detailed schedule, track your results and gain knowledge.

Set Goals and Develop a Plan

Your goals should be reasonable and based on data. Don’t set unreachable goals.

Your short-term goals should focus on your work, such as the number of contacts you want to make in a week. Your long-term goals should be about your results. For example, you may want to receive a specific commission rate or earn a specific amount of money. Evaluate both your short- and long-term goals each year and make adjustments.

Schedule Your Time

Stick to your plan. Results require productive activity, so schedule tasks. Pursue significant interactions and dedicate the time you need to achieve your goals.

Place your leads on lists of priority and motivation, and if leads have gone cold or are dead ends, take them off your list. You are tightly scheduled, so avoid procrastination. Follow-up delays may cause you to lose a client to another agent. Use multiple contact methods.

You may call your prospects multiple times, but be respectful and polite, asking for their permission to call again. Seek to give your clients what they need and solve their problems. Be honest and caring and listen to your clients.

Track Your Efforts

In your calendar, write down your accomplishments and how you achieved them. If something didn’t work, write it down. Take the time to develop a list of strategies that work the best for you. Learn something from every “yes” and “no.”

Adopt a Positive Attitude

You cannot make your prospects pick up the phone, so don’t get discouraged. Remind yourself that you provide a valuable service and help others through your work. Weekly events and sharing valuable information boost engagement and communication.

Gain Knowledge

Learn about real estate law and the neighborhoods and markets you serve. Consider learning new skills and strategies, such as accounting and negotiation, that will improve your business and may transfer to other areas of your life.

If your not a mathematician, the thought of data analytics can be overwhelming and confusing. As a business owner, big data isn’t something you should be afraid of. In fact, you should embrace it. Data analytics has the power to grow your business and boost your profit beyond what you can do on your own. If you’re worried about your lack of knowledge in the area, it is easy to employ informative data analytics services Philadelphia PA services to assist you.  Here’s what data can do for your business.

Impressive Service Level Performance

With analytics, you can better predict consumer demands for your product or services. This allows you to scale your operations up or down accordingly. You can meet commitments on time and offer more consistency to your expenses.

Improved Order Fulfillment

There are many things that can impact a consumer’s need for your items. There are also buying trends that line up with holidays, certain hours of the week, or even the weather. When you can analyze vendor performance in conjunction with your own consumer trends, you are better equipped to know which suppliers will be the most effective in meeting your order needs.

Enhance Customer Service

In spite of your efforts, not all of your customers will receive the best service. It could be for reasons beyond your control, such as a supplier was late with an item or the shipment was damaged. Analytics lets you look at each complaint and evaluate the backstory for the situation. This can help you weed out vendors or other components that continue to be damaging to your customer service. In the same token, by evaluating the customers with the most loyalty to your company, you can continue to target these individuals for maximum investment. You are better able to create customer value.

Data analytics can transform your business. The good thing about working with a software or third-party evaluation company is that you don’t have to be a mathematician to get the benefits of big data.

It is safe to say that social distancing will remain a reality for the foreseeable future. Working from home is something new for many of us. I for one find it great! Here is how I make the most of the situation.

Mornings

Every day starts with positives. I wake up leisurely, unencumbered with the thoughts of impending tasks. With their school closed the kids sleep-in as much as they want. Not having to get myself ready for work means that I can devote time to other thinks. These include making a proper healthy breakfast. The commute to work used to take loads of time, which is now saved. Staying at home also takes away much of the stress and grid of office. I sometimes answer my work emails while having breakfast in bed.

Workplace comforts

It is lovely to work from home where every comfort is within an arm’s reach. I feel that working in my PJs or shorts has made me more efficient. For the occasional video conference I simply throw on a blazer on top of my t-shirt. I make some coffee or step out on the balcony whenever I need a break. With fewer cars in the streets the air feels much cleaner. Not being exposed to as much dust and pollution, my skin feels nicer.

Reinventing myself

Staying in has let me de-stress. I spend more time on my hobbies and likes. I have had time to make a workout routine and do yoga. The beginnings of a small kitchen garden are starting to take shape. This one was on the drawing board for the longest time. I plan to diversify into other activities. I’ve learnt some new recipes. Now I bake my own bread instead of buying it. I’m thinking about starting a YouTube channel featuring my kids.

More cuddles

Working parents are invariably forced to juggle work and family. One of the biggest perks for me is the extra time, love and laughter with my family. As a working mom I missed many milestones with my children. This also caused some guilt. Now I spend a lot more time with the kids. We play and bond and learn all the time. I’m also giving them an opportunity to see what mom does when she’s at work. I hope to make them understand responsibility, and inspire them to be independent. Not having to hire a nanny is an added bonus. Someday I’ll save-up enough to send money online to send them to good colleges abroad.

Marital bonds

I can now find time to make up for all the missed dates with my husband. Because our lifestyle is not so hectic anymore, we are both in a more relaxed state of mind. As we both work from home it feels almost like we are coworkers. We have come to understand each other’s work lives better. Sometimes we are able to help out one another with tips and suggestions on work-related matters. We are actively being there for each other, and it’s a great feeling. This has deepened our understanding of each other. We are starting to feel like a team juggling household chores and work. We’re both also starting to realize the importance of mental health and mindfulness.

Final thoughts

This is no doubt an uncertain time. While the circumstances have created new challenges, they have also given me the time to pause, look back to my past, and reflect on my lifestyle. In some ways introspection has changed my priorities and the way I make decisions. Preserving the health of my family, our love and friendships is important. Life is a journey, and I want to achieve my goals every day.

About the author:

Tricia Lee is a contributing writer at Sparkwebs LLC, a Digital and Content Marketing Agency. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel, dance, and read books.

Every Florida homeowner needs to make special preparations in advance of the hurricane season. High winds and heavy rain can cause significant damage to any home, and you may be unable to leave your home for days due to heavy flooding and rising sea levels. Here are some of the most important things that you can do to safeguard your home and family.

Get Impact Doors and Windows

Every time that the region is put on notice that a hurricane is headed its way, there is a massive run on materials to board up doors and windows. These materials may not stand up to hurricane-force winds. The best solution is to get impact resistant doors and windows that are built to withstand the intensity of a hurricane. If you’re looking for impact doors West Palm Beach, reach out to a company that can offer you a competitive quote on professional installation.

Address Roof Repairs

Any small problem in a roof can turn into a big problem in the event of a hurricane. If your home is more than thirty years old and your roof hasn’t had any maintenance performed in over a decade, you may want to consider having your roof inspected for any possible vulnerabilities. In addition, you should ensure that your soffits are thoroughly secured and can hold up to high winds.

Bring Things Inside Immediately Before a Storm Hits

You should not leave anything outside of your home or on your patio or balcony. Items such as chairs or potted plants should be brought inside or they could strike your home or blow away and strike another home.

Fortifying your home can offer you peace of mind during South Florida’s hurricane season. Take care of the important door and window replacements, make sure your roof is intact and make a plan for last-minute preparations to keep your home safe.

Here is a brief US flag history:

On January 1, 1776 that thе Continental аrmу wаѕ rеоrgаnіzеd аnd аttunеd according tо a Congressional resolution which аnnоunсеd American fоrсеѕ tо the command оf Gеоrgе Wаѕhіngtоn.

Thе ѕаmе dау, thе American Cоntіnеntаl Armу wаѕ оbѕtruсtіng Bоѕtоn whісh hаd bееn tаkеn оvеr bу thе Brіtіѕh army. It has bееn ѕаіd that thе first Amеrісаn flаg wаѕ mаdе in Mау оf 1776 bу Betsy Rоѕѕ, a Philadelphia ѕеаmѕtrеѕѕ whо was асtuаllу an асԛuаіntаnсе оf Gеоrgе Washington аnd a friend with other рrоmіnеnt and hіgh-rаnkіng Philadelphians.

Whаt Rоѕѕ had in his mіnd was thе five-pointed ѕtаr іѕ uѕеd іnѕtеаd of thе star with six роіntѕ juѕtіfуіng that thе fіvе-роіntеd ѕtаr can bе сut оff еаѕіlу wіth a fеw trіmѕ of thе ѕсіѕѕоrѕ.

The first informal flag of Amеrіса was called the Grand Unіоn Flаg, аlѕо knоwn as thе Cоntіnеntаl Cоlоrѕ.

Thіѕ fіrѕt unofficial flаg was fоrm оf thirteen alternating whіtе аnd red hоrіzоntаl ѕtrіреѕ, wіth the Brіtіѕh Unіоn Flаg іn the canton.

On June 14, 1777, the first оffісіаl Amеrісаn flаg was ассерtеd bу thе Cоntіnеntаl Cоngrеѕѕ. Thіѕ flag was also knоwn as thе Stаrѕ and Strіреѕ for it consisted оf 13 ѕtаrѕ whісh rерrеѕеntеd thе fіrѕt 13 colonies. Thеrе is not enough evident оf who асtuаllу dеѕіgnеd аnd made this flag but it is said thаt іt was Frаnсіѕ Hорkіnѕоn, a Cоntіnеntаl Congress mеmbеr, designed thе flаg.

However, bеtwееn 1777 аnd 1960, thе Cоngrеѕѕ put into рrасtісе thе рrосеdurеѕ thаt vаrіеd іtѕ ѕhаре, dеѕіgn аnd ѕtruсturе оf thе flаg. And іt wаѕ dесіdеd thаt thеrе was a need fоr аddіtіоnаl ѕtаrtѕ tо rерrеѕеnt аll thе states оf Amеrіса.

It was оn Jаnuаrу 3, 1959 thаt President Eіѕеnhоwеr issued аn аdmіnіѕtrаtіvе оrdеr whісh ѕtаtеѕ that the arrangement оf thе ѕtаrѕ ѕhоuld bе in ѕіx horizontal rоwѕ оf еіght, еасh single роіnt оf every ѕtаr directed uрwаrd.

In 1791 and 1792, after Kеntuсkу and Vеrmоnt wеrе added tо the Union, two stars and twо ѕtrіреѕ were аddеd durіng 1795.

Thіѕ stimulated lawyer Frаnсіѕ Scott Key tо wrіtе аnd соmроѕе a роеm which later bесаmе the U.S. National Anthеm.

It was іn 1818 thаt five mоrе ѕtаtеѕ hаd been аddеd and dесlаrеd аnd thе Cоngrеѕѕ dесіdеd tо раѕѕ legislation thаt fixes the number of ѕtаrѕ аnd ѕtrіреѕ. The stars wоuld hаvе еԛuаl numbеrѕ as the ѕtаtеѕ.

On Julу 4, 1960, thе lаѕt new ѕtаr wаѕ added аftеr Hawaii bесаmе a ѕtаtе, whісh gives a total number оf fifty ѕtаrѕ. This is the type of the flag you can buy today from Flags Unlimited.