tricks Archives - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

Storage Solutions: How to Store Winter Items Efficiently

April 3, 2015 By CENTURY 21

The sweet smell of spring is in the air! There’s no more snow on the ground, so there’s no longer a need for your earmuffs, snow boots, or puffy coats. Say goodbye to your shovels and snow blowers until next season.

It’s time to store those pesky, bulky winter items someplace where they won’t be bothersome. The trick is to store them efficiently, safely, and securely.

1. Plastic bins: Opt for plastic bins that allow garments to breath without trapping moisture because moisture will dull the fibers. For bulkier items, use larger, deeper bins that you can place in a storage space. For smaller items, use thin, long bins that can be stored under your bed.

2. Store like items together: Storing similar items together makes unpacking next winter much easier. You’ll know exactly where every item is, causing less of a hassle.

3. Delicates: Cashmere sweaters or any other delicate pieces should be stored differently than everything else. You’ll want to store these items in a cotton canvas storage bag and then place them in a bin. This will keep the fabrics fresh and allow your clothes to keep their shape.

4. Boots and shoes: Storing shoes, especially ones as bulky as winter boots, can seem difficult. But, in fact, it’s quite easy. Invest in a few boot trees to store in your boots, helping them keep their shape, and then lay them flat in a storage bin. Wrap each pair in a cotton pillowcase or T-shirt to keep them dust free. For smaller booties or loafers, stuff them with tissue paper to help keep their shape. (StyleCaster)

5. Cool Temperatures: The ideal storing temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s not recommended to store items in a place that gets a lot of natural or artificial light and it’s best to avoid basements, garages, and attics. (AboutHome.com)

6. Winter tools: As for those snow blowers, shovels, and other winter tools, change the oil and store them in a cool, dry place to ensure that they are in tip top shape for next season.

These tips will make your home less cluttered and ready for spring!

On the Road Again: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

November 17, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Congratulations! Buying a home is an exciting time for every family. The next step is packing up your current home and moving into your new one. Moving can be overwhelming but, luckily, we have a checklist to help you make your move efficient and organized.

The Ultimate Moving Checklist:

1. Disconnect all utilities: Before you move schedule for your cable, internet, electricity, etc. to be turned off. Call your provider about a month before the move to let them know the date that you want to stop the service.

2. Schedule new utilities: Let there be light! A month before your move, call all your providers to schedule to have your utilities setup.

3. Measure doorways and furniture: Take the extra precaution of measuring all your furniture and doorways in both your new and old home. Inform the movers of the measurements and make sure they have a backup plan in case some pieces can’t fit.

4. Change mailing address: Don’t let your mail get lost in the shuffle. Call your post office five weeks before the big move and let them know of your change in address.

5. Leave a change of address: It’s better to be safe than sorry. Leave a note for the new residents, informing them of your new address. If any stray mail gets through the postal system, they’ll be able to send it your way.

6. Get covered: It seems like a tedious task but it’s important. If you’re moving outside of your current neighborhood, it’s best to call your old pharmacy and transfer all your current prescriptions to a local pharmacy closer to your new home. Tell your doctors that you are moving and ask for referrals and record transfers. If you have children, make sure to register them for school in your new school district.

7. Notify accounts of your move: Whether it’s your newspaper and magazine subscriptions or your credit cards, don’t miss anything. Call all the important companies and providers in your life to give them your new address. Don’t forget to get your homeowners insurance changed to your new address!

8. Tag your furniture for placement: You get to your new home, furniture is all moved in, and it just so happens that everything is in the wrong place. Prevent that by sticking notes on larger pieces of furniture, signifying where they belong in the home.

9. Create a “just in case” kit: If the movers are late or get lost on the way, it’s best to be prepared. Fill a box with cash, a first aid kit, toilet paper, snacks, and any other daily essentials you may need to get yourself through moving day.

10. Get a new driver’s license, voter’s registration, etc.: Changing your address through the postal service and other accounts are important, but don’t forget to take care of personal documents as well. Change your address on your driver’s license, insurance policies, and voter’s registration.

Moving to a new home is the start of a new chapter. Be prepared in all aspects to ensure that you have the best moving experience ever!

Recommended Reading:

-We Asked, You Answered: Advice for First-Time Homeowners

-How to Make a House a Home: Creating Memories

-The 5 Biggest Seller Mistakes

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Instagram Tips for Real Estate Agents

August 22, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Instagram is a social media platform that allows people to share and edit photos. More than 100 million people use Instagram every month, making it a valuable space to engage with potential, current, and past clients. Use Instagram to showcase listings, promote your personal brand, and generate leads.

Here are a few best practices for Instagram.

1. Optimize Images: Instagram is a visual platform so the most important best practice is that the images are visually appealing. Whenever possible, take photos when there is natural light and take photos that are clear and focused. One of the unique features of Instagram is the ability to edit photos. Users can apply filters and make advanced edits to components like brightness, saturation, contrast, and warmth. There is also wide variety of third party editing tools such as Snapseed and Afterlight. These apps provide even more editing tools and features.

2. Utilize Hashtags: If you caption your photo with a hashtag such as #RealEstate #Listing or #HouseForSale, your followers will able to click it and track all photos captioned with that hashtag. Using hashtags is an essential and necessary part of boosting engagement and creating a following on Instagram. It allows people to find and follow you in a simpler way. People can also search for hashtags and photos will come up in search. This is a great way to get noticed as a user!

3. Engage with Followers: Follow and engage with other users. You can find people to follow by searching hashtags that interest you. Once you’ve followed people engage with them by liking posts and leaving meaningful comments.

4. Analyze Timing: Timing matters on Instagram. There are times of the day when your community is more active. It is important to know when your followers are online so you can interact with them and, hopefully, get more engagement on your photos. Most communities are more engaged at night so consider posting pictures in the evening. You can track your most engaged time of the day by using Iconosquare, a website that analyzes your Instagram statistics.

5. Create Videos: Videos are a newer feature to come to Instagram. You can take a short video tour of your listing to give buyers a look before even entering the home. If they like what they see, they can contact you immediately to set up a time to meet. Potential clients may also be so impressed with your innovative new media skills that they will call you when they are ready to buy or sell a home.

6. Promote Posts: Share your photos on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and your blog to create maximum engagement and exposure.

7. Use Instagram Photo Maps: When posting a photo to Instagram, you have the option to add location, essentially adding it to your photo maps. The photo will show up on an actual map, allowing your followers to see where you have taken the most photos. This will allow you to show your knowledge of certain areas and neighborhoods and the exact location of any listings.

Now that you know these best practices you can apply them and grow your Instagram following. Interested in learning more about how social media can help your career? Read our best practices for Twitter, Pinterest, and SEO.

Recommended Reading:

-Home Office Essentials

-Productivity Tips for Working from Home

-Picture Perfect: How to Take Great Photos of Your Home

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Serene Spaces: 5 Tips for Creating a Calm Bedroom

June 19, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Your bedroom should be an oasis. It’s the last place you escape to after a long day and the first place you see when you wake up. With the stress life throws at us, it’s essential to come home to calm space. Creating a tranquil bedroom is easier than you think.

Follow our tips to make your bedroom a serene space:

Neutral Paint Color: Use neutral paint colors in your bedroom to create a soothing space. Bright and vibrant colors tend to be more distracting when you’re trying to relax. Incorporate shades of ivory or pastel blues and greens.

Soft Lighting: Strong overhead lighting, like fluorescent bulbs, is bright but distracting. Light bulbs that cast a warm light will give your room a cozy feel.

Aromatherapy: Give your bedroom a spa like feel with aromatherapy. Light candles or incense (safely) in order to create warmth and tranquility.

Hide Clutter: Conceal clutter. A clean and organized space will make it easier for you to relax and unwind. As Benjamin Franklin said, “A place for everything, everything in its place.”

Minimal Electronics: The ultimate way to make your bedroom a calm place is to skip out on electronics as much as possible. Your bedroom is a place for you to recharge. Electronics can be disruptive and even make it harder for you to fall asleep. Your bedroom should be reserved for sleeping, reading, and relaxing.

There are enough stressors outside the home. Make your bedroom a place you want to come home to at the end of a long day.

Recommended Reading:

-How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

-10 Secrets for Making Your Bedroom Feel Large

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10 Incredible Home Organization Tips

May 21, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Organization may seem like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be! Our fun and efficient organization tips will keep your home looking tidy and spacious. Who doesn’t love a great, inexpensive, home hack?

1. Bathroom Towel Rack: Towel space is important in a bathroom. Use a coat rack as a towel rack.

2. Produce Baskets: Baskets are perfect for storing produce and supplies. They also look charming, if we do say so ourselves!

Martha Stewart

3. DIY Chalkboard Bins: Use chalkboard paint to label what is in each of your storage bins. You’ll know what you need – without having to take down the bin.

Here’s What’s Cooking

4. Mason Jar Organizers: Clear jars make it easy to spot what you’re looking for and you can save valuable real estate on your desk!

Shoppe

5. Letter Holder: Recycle an old shutter by using it as a letter holder!

Scraphacker

6. Magnetic Tool Holder It’s easy to lose your tools in a cluttered garage. Keep your nails and bolts neat, tidy, and visible by making a magnetic tool holder.

Listotic

7. Ladder Laundry Rack: Add extra space to your laundry room! Paint a small wooden ladder and hang it from the ceiling. Add hooks and start hanging your laundry to dry.

8. Wine Rack to Office Storage: Turn a regular wine rack into an office storage tool by putting in cups filled with pens, markers, or other office supplies.

Organize and Decorate Everything

9. Magnetic Spice Holders: Yikes! It can be so hard to find the right spice. Organize your spices by making magnetic spice holders that you can put on your fridge. Find the right thing, every time, and save space.

One Lucky Pickle

10. Jewelry Organizer: Turn a mirror frame and fabric into a DIY jewelry organizer. It saves space and it looks beautiful – fashion is art!

The Plunge Project

We’ll be back again soon with more organization tricks that will help your home feel clean and comfortable! In the meantime, you may like our series on styling different areas around your home!

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Home Decor 101: How to Style a Nightstand

February 24, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Style your nightstand to reflect your personality and streamline your morning and evening routines.

A nightstand is an important component of your bedroom. It is the last thing you see when you turn off your light and fall asleep and the first thing you look at when you turn off your alarm and turn on the light before getting out of bed.

Here is our list of essential items for your nightstand:

1. Reading Lamp: Choose a lamp that fits with the decor style of the rest of your room. For example, if your room can be defined as Art Deco choose a modern lamp and if your room includes Coastal elements choose a lamp design that is inspired by the ocean.

2. Clock: Regardless of your morning routine a clock can help insure that you are on time.

3. Accessory: Add an accessory such as a tray to store the jewelry you wear every day, your favorite candle, or a vase of freshly cut flowers.

4. Picture Frame: Style your nightstand with a picture of loved ones to make you smile when you fall asleep and when you wake.

5. Books: Who doesn’t love reading in bed? Keep a few books at arm’s length.

6. A Notebook and a Pen: You never know when inspiration will strike! Be prepared.

7. Art: Hang your favorite print, photo, or painting above your nightstand to tie the look together.

What recommendations do you have for styling a nightstand? How have you styled the nightstands in your home?

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