It's January and time its time to undecorate, organize, and restart the home search!
Jan 04 2007
Scary! Halloween is almost here! Isn't it amazing how quickly the year is flying by! We can't believe it is almost time for trick or treaters...ghosts and goblins...and all that leftover candy! Here are a few fun ideas for you and your family to do this year.
A trip to Remlinger Farms for the corn maze, train ride and see the farm animals is always a great time. It is located in Carnation. The address is 32610 NE 32nd Street, Carnation, WA. Open from October 1-30, weekends from 9:30-6pm. Their phone is (425) 333-4135 or check out their website at www.remlingerfarms.com
And finally, don't forget the some basic Halloween safety tips:
Wear light colored costumes to be visble in the dark, carry a flashlight or purchase "glow in the dark" necklaces and bracelets.
Make sure costumes aren't too long to avoid tripping.
Use makeup or facepaints instead of masks.
Walk on the sidewalk and cross only at corners.
Trick or treat only in familiar areas.
Go with Mom, Dad another adult or a buddy...never trick or treat alone.
Never go into a home or apartment building without an adult.
Only trick or treat at houses with outdoor lights on.
Oct 26 2006
Mercer Island Homecoming Parade and Football game! Just a quick last minute reminder that traffic may be a little heavier than usual as the Mercer Island High School Marching Band, cheerleaders, homecoming court and floats take to the streets of downtown.
The parade begins at 5:30 at Mercerdale Park (77th and 34th) and proceeds north on 77th, past Farmers Insurance, Albertsons, Key Bank and turn left onto 27th. The parade will finish on 76th Ave, just south of 24th, at the 76th station at around 6:00.
Then up to the High School at 7:30, for the big game against Bellevue! After the game don't forget to follow the band up the street and into the "mosh pit" for a spirited dance with the band!
Oct 09 2006
Real Estate How-To, Practical issues and solutions.
When selling your home "Stage It" so it
shows as well as it possibly can.
To improve your chances of selling your home for top dollar, it helps to really clean it up and "stage" it. Often times we will hire professional interior designers to bring furniture and decorations into a vacant property, before putting it on the market, to show off in it's best light. However, if you are still occupying your home while it is on the market we offer these tips:
Use soft lighting. Lamps are kinder than overhead lights. Keep the blinds wide open.
Place furniture so there are clear pathways through the house. Remove furniture that crowds hallways, is too big for the room or makes rooms seem cramped.
Thin your furniture collection to make the room appear larger. Avoid placing sofas or big chairs so that you see their backs.
Declutter. Pack up framed pictures, odd artwork, crafts. Clear off tables and kitchen countertops of small appliances and utensils. Clear away magnets, notes, calendars, artwork etc from the front of the refrigerator.
Bathrooms need to be sparkling, squeaky clean. Make sure toilet seats are down and personal bathroom items are stowed. Put out fresh towels. Limit your colors to one or two.
Clean out your closets. Buyers want to believe they'll have plenty of storage space.
Right before a showing, light a scented candle, bake some cookies, or put some potpourri on the stovetop. Turn on quiet music such as easy listening or light jazz.
Hide pet boxes.
Place fresh flowers around the house and keep them fresh.
Buy new doormats.
Keep shrubs and trees trimmed, grass mowed, walkways cleared. Lay fresh mulch. Hiring a professional landscape maintaining person is money well spent.
Put all outdoor toys such as bikes and balls away.
Plant flowers in pots for the front door.
Keep the front door freshly painted. Replace any fixtures on on the door, such as brass plates at the bottom and door bells that look tarnished or worn.
Make sure light bulbs inside and outside work.
For further information on staging or selling call Lou or Lori at 206-948-2591 or 206-949-5674.
