CENTURY 21, Author at CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty - SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.

5 Essential Networking Tips for Real Estate Agents

October 15, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Networking is important for any career, but it’s especially important for people in the real estate industry. A crucial component of a successful real estate career is the ability to make connections and form strong, authentic relationships. People are trusting you to help them with one of the biggest decisions they’ll make. You need to be able to make connections (and keep them).

1. Attend networking events: Going to a networking event is an easy way to meet potential clients and professionals in your industry. Bring your business cards and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to as many people as possible.

2. Engage in meaningful conversations: When it comes to networking events, quality is better than quantity. You may feel compelled to talk to as many people as possible, but it is actually more beneficial to talk to fewer people but have meaningful conversations with them. It’s much easier to follow up and create relationships when you can reference the conversations you’ve had.

3. Prepare in advance: Prepare your elevator pitch in advance. Know how to describe where you work, what you do, and any hobbies or interests that make you unique. Think about a few questions to ask if you run out of things to talk about. People love talking about themselves and it will show that you are interested in getting to know them.

4. Follow up: After meeting someone, immediately follow up by email to keep the conversation going. If you stay in touch, it’s more likely that you’ll be the first person they think of when they’re in need of buying or selling a home.

5. Participate in your community: Whether it’s joining your REALTORS^® association or going to a town meeting, it is good to be active and engaged in your community. Getting out there and making face to face connections will be beneficial your career. This will also allow you to become more familiar with your community, giving you an advantage when it comes to buying and selling in the area.

There is always room to improve how you network. Practice makes perfect. The more your network and make actual, in person connections, the better real estate agent you will be.

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Keeping Up with the Joneses How to Make the Most of Your Small Backyard

October 13, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Keep up with the Joneses. Make your backyard feel much larger and turn it into a place where you and your family want to spend time. From BBQs and family dinners to gardening and playing hide-and-go seek, you’ll love living large in your “bigger” backyard.

1. Decrease clutter: Decreasing clutter will make your backyard feel larger. One way to decrease clutter is to purchase pieces that serve multiple purposes. Keep toys, gardening tools, and more in a shed or in the garage instead of outside.

2. Evaluate what you need: Think about how you want to use your backyard, and only buy what you will use. Don’t put something in your backyard because you feel like you should. If you know you won’t be entertaining outdoors, don’t buy a large table.

3. Add elevation: Create levels in your yard to give the illusion of a larger space. Add a few steps or platforms to create different sections. Go the extra mile and change the flooring on the different sections to create visual separation.

4. Create a focal point: Even the smallest of spaces needs a focal point. Whether it’s a sculpture, fire pit, or table, creating a focal point will bring the entire landscape together. Choose your focal point early in the design process so that you can decorate the rest of the yard around it.

5. Delight in the details: While it is best to keep small areas minimally cluttered, you can still have fun with the details! Add accessories like a chic lantern, outdoor lighting, and painted terra cotta flower pots.

Follow these tips to infuse personality into your yard, make it feel larger, and turn it into a place where you and your family want to relax, play, and entertain. Now just call the Joneses and invite them over for dinner!

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Fall Flowers: 5 Flowers to Plant this Fall

October 10, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Love gardening? Don’t put the shovel and gardening gloves away just yet. You’re in luck because there are beautiful flowers that will bloom in the fall.

1. Turtleheads: These perennial flowers are named for their shape which resembles the head of a snapping turtle. Turtleheads are low maintenance, grow up to three feet tall, and can blossom in blue, pink, or white. Learn more about how to care for turtleheads from Fine Gardening.

2. Aster: Asters are small, daisy like flowers that can grow up to three feet. Some are relatively smaller, only growing four inches. Depending on the kind of aster, they can be blue, red, white, or pink. Almanac has more information on how to properly care and grow asters.

3. Mums: Mums the word! Mums are a classic fall and winter plant that are seen in many gardens. They’re a perfect flower for planting in large batches and can be either perennial or annual. More information on planting mums can be found at HGTV Gardens.

4. Marigolds: Marigolds bloom any time of the year, including the fall. They can grow up to five feet tall and have daisy or carnation-like flower heads. Learn more about the proper care of marigolds from The Flower Expert.

5. Sneezeweed: These strangely named, large yellow flowers bear a striking resemblance to sunflowers. Best grown in moist, rich soil, they can sprout anywhere from three to five feet tall. Learn more about planting sneezeweed from About.com.

These perennials flowers will make your garden look beautiful during any season and they’ll give your garden some color during the fall. Get ready to fall for these gorgeous flowers!

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Open House Oops: Don’t Make These Mistakes

October 8, 2014 By CENTURY 21

An open house is a crucial component of the home selling process. In fact, 45% of buyers have said that they purchased a home after going to the open house. When hosting an open house, it’s important to avoid errors that can make the presentation of the home less effective. Don’t make these common mistakes.

1. Don’t stay: According to Bankrate.com , it’s important, as the home seller, that you don’t hang around the open house. This includes children and pets as well, which can cause a disruption. Buyers are less likely to say how they feel if the seller is present, and it may make them uncomfortable. Let your licensed real estate agent handle the open house, they know best.

2. Remove all personal items: Fox News suggests before the open house begins, remove pictures and other personal items so that potential buyers can envision themselves living in your home.

3. Cleanliness: Make sure your home is at its cleanest and neatest during your open house, says Fox Business. Buyers are likely to want to see areas that you may forget to make presentable like cabinets, your “junk drawer” and the closet where you stashed, well, everything.

4. Don’t play music: Some home sellers choose to play music in the background to make buyers more comfortable and create a livelier atmosphere, but this can actually work against you, according to USA Today. Music is very subjective and people may not like the music you play. Music could also be distracting.

5. Manage temperature and smells: Take the Goldilocks approach, and try to find a temperature that is just right. Your home should not be too cold or too warm – you want your guests to be comfortable. Parade.com advises to not overpower your home with air fresheners or cleaning products. It makes sense to stick to smells that are simple and clean.

Open houses are an essential part of the home selling process. Make your potential buyers feel right at home.

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First Impressions: Door Decor for Fall

October 6, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Make a great first impression for trick-or-treaters and guests this season by decorating your door with festive flair. Incorporate wreaths, pumpkins, and other symbols of the season.

1. Wreaths: Buy or DIY a wreath made of leaves, fruit, and fall flowers. Hang your wreath on the front door to create a colorful, welcoming, and engaging entrance.

2. Pumpkins: Pumpkins are practically the mascots for fall. Aside from a classic wreath, there is no better way to decorate than using pumpkins. Carving or painting pumpkins can be a fun activity for you and your family. Gather together to decorate the pumpkins and place them on your steps. (Don’t forget to roast the seeds for a delicious snack.)

3. Fall flowers: Plant or display fall flowers such as perennial sunflowers and chrysanthemums. They’ll add a colorful and fragrant touch to your doorway.

4. Farm stand baskets: Place a farm stand basket filled with colorful fruit, leaves, and dried corn stalks on your front porch to show your love for fall. If you’re skeptical about leaving perishables such as pumpkins or gourds outside, this is a great alternative. You can use fake fruit and leaves that still give off a natural, autumn look.

5. Spooky elements: Delight neighborhood trick-or-treaters by transforming your door so that it looks like an entrance to a haunted house. Buy fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, witches hats, and other frightening finds.

Get into the fall spirit by adding color, texture, natural elements, and a spooky surprise to your front door. Now just grab a pumpkin spice latte, your favorite cozy sweater, and get started.

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3 Things to Do With an Abundance of Autumn Leaves

October 3, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Fall is officially here and that means the trees will be filled with brown, yellow, and red leaves. Although the leaves look beautiful in the trees they look less than beautiful scattered throughout your lawn. Luckily, there are beneficial things that you can do with your leaves (after you jump in the big pile).

1. Mulch: Use leaves to make mulch. Rake the leaves into a pile and spread them across and around your garden. This gives the garden more depth. The leaves also eventually break down and provide your garden with natural protection and nutrients, helping it stay healthy through the cold winter months.

2. Insulation: You may have not realized it, but fallen leaves are a great source of insulation. Pack the leaves into garbage bags and then place the bags around an exposed exterior, such as a crawlspace or basement window. The leaves provide natural insulation which may help decrease your heating bills this season.

3. Craft: There are countless crafts that you can do with leaves. Spend the day working on arts and crafts projects with your family. Make a decorative pillow by placing the leaves in ink then pressing them on the outside of a pillow. Spray paint the leaves and use them as name cards for a dinner party or make a festive fall wreath for your door. You can also make art for around your home. Make a collage or a rubbing then frame it and hang it up. The possibilities are endless!

There is no need to throw away all the fallen leaves in your yard. Get creative and upcycle them. Your garden, your home, and your family will thank you!

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Old to New: Tips for Rearranging Your Furniture

October 2, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Give your home a new look without buying anything. Rearrange your furniture to make your room feel brand new. Use these tips to try something new without spending a dime. Take some cues from our Friends and find a style that can last a day, a month, or maybe even a year.

1. Take measurements: Take measurements of the furniture and the space before you move anything. You don’t want to move something just to have to put it back again. Just ask our Friends: Ross, Rachel, and Chandler.

2. Position your biggest piece first: Start with the biggest piece of furniture because the placement will make the largest impact. Check your measurements first to make sure that everything will fit. As our Friends would say, just say no to pivoting.

3. Arrange your seating in a new way: Push your seating area away from walls, creating a more intimate and conversational space. Moving your sofas and chairs away from the walls creates a less boxy look while also making the room appear larger. Don’t be afraid to position your furniture so that it is better for communication. Contrary to Chandler’s opinion, the focal point doesn’t have to be a TV. It could be facing your neighbors windows or Central Perk, for example.

4. Combat clutter: In the same sense of not cluttering a room, make sure your major elements are reflecting each other. If you have a fireplace in your living room put the “vintage” apothecary table on the opposite side of the room to balance it out.

5. Create distinct areas: If you have an open floor plan like our Friends create separate areas by grouping your furniture in different sections. You may want a separate area for rehearsing Smelly Cat, making a trifle, and playing with ducklings.

These tips will help you to create a new look that your friends and family will love. What are you waiting for? Start moving!

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5 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy for Fall

September 29, 2014 By CENTURY 21

It’s officially fall! Break out your sweaters, boots, hot apple cider, and other fall essentials. Make your home cozy and comfortable so you can enjoy family game nights, carving pumpkins, and curling up with a good book.

Use these tips to make your home snug and homey.

1. Candles: Lighting a candle, especially one that gives off a fall scent, such as pumpkin or apple spice, will help you relax after a long day. Scented candles fill a room with a sweet or spicy aroma, give an extra bit of light, and add a calming effect to your house. They instantly make any fall night cozier. (For safety never leave burning candles unattended).

2. Plush throw blankets: Placing a fleece or knitted blanket on your couch will instantly add a warm feeling to your home. Curling up under a blanket on a cool night, while your scented candles are lit, makes all the difference. As an added bonus, this is a great way to add color and decoration to your furniture.

3. Switch your curtains: During the summer months, you keep your window treatments as light as possible to cool off your home. Now with a cold breeze in the air, warm up with a heavier material. This adds natural warmth and coziness to the room. Go the extra mile and make the curtains a deep, warm color like chocolate brown to really bring the season into your home.

4. Add a fabric table runner: Sitting down at your dining room table can sometimes feel too formal and bare tables don’t add anything extra to the room. Change the dynamic by adding a seasonal table runner. This brings a homely feel and makes any family dinner feel more festive.

5. Layer your area rugs: Putting more than one area rug in a room will give an added cushion, perfect for lounging on the floor and watching television on a chilly night. More than one rug also means more warmth so the chill that wooden floors bring won’t be an issue this season. Opt for a color like orange or brick red to tie the look together.

Incorporating these fun, cozy fall ideas into your home is a great way to change up your decor, while also creating the perfect atmosphere for you and your family. Now pour some hot chocolate or hot apple cider and gather around for game night.

Recommended Reading:

-Fall into Fall: 5 Ways to Make your Home Fall Ready

-How to Make your Home Summer Ready

-5 Ways to Take Your Living Room from Good to Great

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Ask Our Expert: First Things First

September 27, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Michael Beal of CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc., College Station, Texas, asks:

Many customers feel overwhelmed when they move into a new house. Is there an easy way to tackle it— and make a house feel like home?

So you’ve just moved into your new home. It’s a clean slate full of exciting possibilities. But for many people this euphoria can often dissolve into emotional overwhelm. Knowing where to start can help you move forward with more confidence.

Here’s what I advise my clients:

Start with the kitchen: Most of us have to eat at least three times a day. But really think about how your food prep might change from one house to the next. How much do you REALLY entertain? Did you buy the fish poacher or the meal sealer 10 years ago and only use it once? If so, don’t let it take up valuable space. Rule of thumb? You should work the hardest to reach things you only use once in a while, reserving closed storage areas at arms’ length for things you use every day.

Color your world: Before you go any further, think about paint color. It’s the cheapest and easiest way to completely customize your home to your new style. While things are still in boxes, and before you buy new furniture, let paint do all the heavy-decor-lifting first. It will also help crystallize your new design theme before you go shopping for your new pieces.

Next tackle your bedrooms: Because these are the vital spaces to our well-being and where we begin and end every day, don’t save them for last. Often simply out of ego we tend to get the entertaining spaces done first. They then sit there hardly used while the bedrooms remain in an upheaval.

Consider the closets: If you were fortunate enough to have a walk-in closet in your last house, but were still challenged with it filling up too fast, think about getting an armoire for the bedroom. It’s a great place for men to put their suits and business attire, leaving more space for “her” in the walk-in closet. No sense in you bumping into each other every morning, fighting to get dressed.

CHRISTOP HER LOWELL, an Emmy Award winning interior designer and TV host, is known for doable design advice and simple ideas that net stunning results. Log on to Christopherlowell.com to learn more.

Recommended Reading:

-Dressed for Success: Outdoor Improvements

-Ask Our Expert: Budget Friendly Bathroom Update

-Small Changes, Big Difference: 5 Low Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

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Summer Transitions to Fall: Home Decor

September 26, 2014 By CENTURY 21

As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” The fall season starts in just a few days and excitement is in the air. The beginning of a new season is the time for a fresh start. Welcome it with a new look for your home. If you prepare your wardrobe for fall, shouldn’t you change your home decor as well?

Here are a few ways to transition your home decor from summer to fall.

1. Neutral Tones: Swap out your bright colored decor for more neutral tones. Take a cue from nature and add brown, orange, red, green, and yellow elements.

2. Slipcovers: Add a slipcover to your couch or chairs. They’re available in a variety of colors and patterns, making it easy to change the look of your home without purchasing new furniture.

3. Bed linens: Change your bed linens from bright hues to darker colors and thicker material. Add a throw blanket or quilt for extra comfort and warmth. Add a few red, orange, or green throw pillows to complete the look.

4. Details: Bring the nature indoors. Add a pumpkin, a bowl of apples, or pine cones in various areas of the house. Add some fall scented candles and flowers such as orange roses, sunflowers, dogwood, aubergine dahlias, bright yellow marigolds, and deep burgundy ranunculus.

5. First Impressions: Make a great first impression by making a fall wreath and putting orange or red potted plants and pumpkins on your front steps.

These tips will give your home a new look for the new season. We predict that you’ll fall in love with your fall-inspired home!

Recommended Reading:

-How to Style a Coffee Table

-Serene Spaces: 5 Tips for Creating a Calm Bedroom

-10 Incredible Home Organization Tips

-Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

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