Since time only seems to be getting faster, spring will be here far sooner than we realize. In addition to the new life that gets breathed into the outside world, so begins the seasonal tradition and two words that may scare you, spring cleaning. But don’t be too afraid, we’re here with some tips to help organize and complete the intimidating task of spring cleaning your home!Start by cleaning one room at a time!Deep cleaning your house from top to bottom is no easy task, and we know that, however, starting to clean one room at a time is a great way to divide and conquer the task of cleaning your home.Follow the ChecklistWe’ve attached a helpful checklist of things to help you stay on track during your spring cleaning journey. Make a ScheduleIt makes zero sense to try and rush all of your home’s cleaning into one day. Pick a weekend or break it out over a few weekday evenings. It should be a fun and therapeutic process for you, not a dreadful task. Don’t Forget the AirAn often overlooked and arguably one of the most important things is air filters. Please please don’t forget to replace your filters. Air quality is an important part of feeling clean and an overall clean feeling/smelling space.Spring cleaning is a big undertaking but with a little planning and some helpful tips and a neat checklist, this year should be pretty easy! Good luck, and get to cleaning!  

Managing showings, tough negotiations, buyers with crazy demands, and surprises in appraisals is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to selling your home. While working with a trusted real estate agent is key to getting the most eyes on your listing, it is the contract to closing process that makes working with a REALTOR® non-negotiable. For many sellers, this process can be confusing, which is why we created a step-by-step guide to filling to help you get started. Step 1: Choose the right agentThe most important step in our guide! Once you find an agent who you trust, they will make sure that you take the appropriate steps, at the right time to sell your home. Your agent will guide you along the way with everything from pricing to negotiating. When selecting your listing agent, you can work with someone you already know and trust, or you can interview a number of agents to make the best selection. Step 2: Evaluate your home's valueOnce you have selected your trusted agent, arrange a time with them to evaluate the value of your home. Your agent should provide you with a comparable market analysis that accounts for the recent sales of similar homes, as well as any updates you or past owners have made that may increase the overall value of your home. Remember: a seller's greatest mistake is to overprice their home. Keep the price in line with your agent's market evaluations Step 3: Prepare your home for sale and establish a marketing plan The process of preparing your home for sale could include a number of different tasks. Cleaning, making improvements, decluttering are great areas to start. While you work on getting your home showing ready, your agent should work on getting your home's personalized marketing plan ready. Work together with your agent to identify your home's selling points and choosing the best advertising to display them! Once your home is on the market, open houses and price adjustments may be necessary. Be sure to keep your home in tip-top shape for any and all showings! Step 4: Negotiate offers Have a game plan in place with your agent for how you will handle offers that come in on your home. If you're selling in a low-inventory market, you may experience multiple offers. And while you may find yourself gravitating to that with the highest number, remember there are other variables to consider: Do they have a preapproval for their loan? Is the purchase of your home dependent on the sale of their current residence? These questions, among others, are important discussion points to bring up to your agent. Once the negotiation is accepted, your agent, along with the buyer’s agent will begin connecting with the appropriate professionals who will assist in the close of your home. This list includes the buyer’s lender, a title company, inspectors, and appraisers. Soon you will receive a tentative closing date!Step 5: Prepare for inspections Beyond ensuring that your home has remained in its best shape, to prepare for inspections is to prepare for another round of negotiations. Your buyer and their agent will order inspections. Once the findings are reviewed, they may make requests for necessary repairs or replacements. This could come in the form of you completing the repairs or in the form of a monetary compensation presented to the buyer at closing Step 6: Prepare for the appraisalYour agent as well as the buyer’s agent will make the necessary arrangements to bring in a professional to determine the value of your home. If a home doesn’t appraise for the agreed-upon sales price, you are in danger of the deal falling apart. Now, more than ever, the value of working with a trusted agent shines. Step 7: Get ready to closeBe sure to consult with your agent on the necessary materials you need to provide your title company and/or bring to the closing table. Finally, you will attend your closing, sign all the necessary paperwork, and hand over the keys!  While each home sale can vary, we hope that this quick breakdown gives you an idea of the overall selling process. If you’re looking to list your home, remember to #ListWiththeLeader and work with an agent associated with the top area brokerage! https://www.coldwellbankerishome.com/agents 

Making the decision to sell your home is exciting! New adventures, new memories and new beginnings await! The good news for sellers is that demand for new inventory is incredibly high right now, resulting in less days on the market and offers that typically exceed the listing price. However, the process of selling your home can be overwhelming and stressful. Follow the tips below to help keep the selling process as stress-free as possible.Find A Rock Star AgentFinding a Real Estate Agent is arguably one of the best ways to reduce the amount of stress that comes with selling your home. A good portion of stressors you will face are things a qualified agent can guide you through. From deciding on a list price to marketing your home, reviewing and negotiating offers to being by your side at the closing table, your agent can assist every step along the way. Declutter, Deep Clean and DepersonalizeIt is important to make sure your house looks its best before going on the market so you don’t have to worry about getting it ready for spontaneous showings. If you are still living in the home while it is on the market, it is important to remove as many items from the rooms as possible so your home appears spacious and organized. If you are not living in your home, consider having it professionally staged to showcase its potential and how the space could be utilized.By deep cleaning your home prior to listing it on the market, you won’t have to panic about making sure your house is ready for last minute showings. All you will have to do is tidy up and walk out the door. In addition, depersonalizing your home will make your home more appealing to buyers. They won’t be distracted by your lifestyle or your family photos scattered through the house. Rather, they will be able to visualize themselves living there and take note of the amount of natural light that comes in during the day or how spacious the living room is.Have A Game PlanBefore your house is active on the market, discuss with your realtor when showings and open houses work best for you. It is difficult to keep your home in perfect shape 24/7, so coming up with a set plan will allow you to always be prepared and for your home to be as appealing to buyers as possible. It might also help if you tell your agent you need a two hour notice prior to a showing so you are not last-minute scrambling around to prepare your home to be seen.

When marketing a home, sellers want it to be as quick and easy as possible. However, it takes more than luck to make this happen. It requires some work to get your home sold in an efficient manner. To get your home ready for sale, below are a few things to keep in mind. Disassociate from HouseLeaving your home, especially if you’ve been there for a long time, can certainly be an emotional process. While its difficult, you want to detach yourself as best you can so buyers can picture themselves living in the home. Pack up personal photographs, knick-knacks, and any other clutter that might distract buyers. Present them with a clean, impersonal environment so they can picture their own photos on the furniture. DeclutterOver the years, people can collect an astonishing quantity of things in their home. They may be keeping hold of these items because of personal attachment, an intention to fix it in the future, or the desire to pass it on to others. However, if the items have not been used in many years and don’t have a definable memory, you probably don’t need it. Aim to discard items as responsibly and usefully as possible by donating new and gently used items to charities or other non-profits. Organize Closets and CabinetsWhen touring a home, buyers will wonder about the space within and whether it will suit their needs and belongings. They will be curious about any closed door, drawer, or storage area. It’s vital to make sure these are organized before potential homebuyers look through them. When they see everything all organized and efficient, it expresses that you take care of your possessions and likely took good care of the house, throughout the years, as well. Consider Renting a Storage UnitHomes tend to show better with less furniture. Remove any pieces that block or hamper walking paths and walkways. You can put these items in storage along with any distracting art, to make the home look bigger and cleaner. You want to leave just enough furniture to showcase the room and express its purpose and potential. Make Minor RepairsRepairs can make or break a sale. When potential homebuyers tour a property, their eyes can zero in on any items that are in need of repair or refurbishing. You want your home to be memorable in their mind, but you don’t want to make a bad impression that stays with them. To avoid this, replace any burned out light bulbs or repaint any areas that are chipping off. Think About Curb AppealYou want to make the exterior of your home just as appealing as the inside. A sale can be lost if the buyer won’t even get out of the car to look at the interior. Make the area look welcome and inviting with fresh paint on doors, a floral element like a potted plant or a wreath, and make sure to fill any cracks on the pavement. To finish off, take a moment to linger in doorways and picture how the home could look to buyers. Examine how the furniture is arranged and make sure everything is appealing. You want the home to look like a clean and beautiful but also serve as an open slate for buyers so they can imagine themselves living there with their own possessions.   

Do you have an extra room in your home and aren't sure what to do with it? Check out these fun and innovative ways to turn that spare room onto a useful space for you and your family.Guest Room:Using a spare room as a guest bedroom is one of the most common ways to utilize an extra room in your home, but it is also a very practical solution. If you frequently have overnight guests, it would be convenient to already have a room set aside so your guests don’t have to pay to stay at a hotel for one or two nights.Home Office:Whether you are in need of somewhere to work from home or a quiet place to pay bills and take care of paperwork, turning that spare room into an office will surely provide you with the perfect space to get your adulting done. Invest in a desk with lots of storage space and a cabinet or two to help you stay organized.Movie Theater:If you and your family like to sit back, relax and watch a movie together, a home theater sounds like a perfect fit for that spare room. Grab some comfy seating, maybe even a few beanbag chairs, a large TV or a projector, and a popcorn station, and you are set to go!Hobby Room:Do you have a passion for art? How about music? Do you have a large collection of something that needs somewhere to be displayed? If so, dedicating a space where you can enjoy your hobby is a great idea. It is easy to acquire a lot of items and materials that relate back to a hobby or collection. Why not dedicate a room to that hobby and keep it tidy behind closed doors? Home Gym:If you are trying to get in shape but don’t have time to go to the gym, converting your spare room into a home gym is perfect. Just grab some weights, a yoga mat, and a treadmill or a stationary bike, and voila! If you want to spruce up the room, try adding a mirror and a TV.Lounge:If you need a sweet hangout spot for when you entertain guests, then turn your spare room into a lounge! Add some cozy furniture, a cool light fixture and a pool table, and you have yourself a cozy entertainment space. And don’t forget the fully-stocked minibar! Closet:Have you outgrown the closet in your bedroom and need somewhere to store your ever-growing wardrobe? Turn that extra space into a walk-in closet! Add a few clothing racks, a large mirror, and plenty of drawers and shelves, and now you have the perfect place to get ready for work, school or a night on the town.

  If the past year taught us anything it was the importance of home. After so much time spent indoors it’s understandable that everyone is taking a long look around their space and are ready for a change, and they’re not alone. As we settle further into 2021, we take our new perspective and appreciation for home in some new directions. According to professional designers, below are some of the house trends we expect to see more of this year.  Embrace Texture Rustic textures could edge out smooth elementsKitchen designs of the past few years have heavily favored a clean polished smooth look but its predicted that this style may be swapped out with colorful ceramic tiling. This tiling could be used to created backsplashes in key areas or cover the entire room. However, these handmade tiles are often more expensive than their manufactured counterparts. To cut costs, consider putting individual pieces of ceramic hand painted tile among other more neutral sections. Plaster over drywallBefore drywall came along, interior walls were often created by layering plaster over wooden strips. Drywall is quicker to install however and quickly rose to dominance due to its convenience. The depth and texture that plaster provides is set to make a new comeback.  Get Back to Nature Natural fabrics over synthetic.Synthetics such as polyester, nylon, and rayon could lose popularity in 2021 in favor of more natural and even recycled textiles. With continued growing awareness of the environment and our impact on the earth, more sustainable materials and natural fabrics could become on trend for home décor. This may include organic cotton, recycled polyester, and low impact linens. In addition to natural fabrics expect to see the return of earthy tones such as wine reds, golden yellows, and sagey greens. Plenty of plantsThis year seems to be one where we desire to go back to nature above all. This could prove to be especially true when it comes to indoor plants. By incorporating house plants into your home decor, you can refresh the air in a room and even brighten your mood. This doesn’t necessarily mean to go overboard though as  a few easy to care for indoor plants will do the trick on their own. Outdoor entertaining spacesWhile we’ve spent a lot of time indoors lately, many desire to get out while still respecting the time and situation we’re in. There’s anticipated to be a huge demand in outdoor recreational areas such as firepits, water features, pizza ovens and of course outdoor furniture that is sustainable all year round.  What is Old is New Again The rise of the grandmillenial styleThe “grandmiillenial” trend is described as a revival of homey designs and styles that bring to mind your grandparents homes. This may include floral wallpapers, antique art, crocheted throws. What may seem a surprising trend on the surface actually fits well with our current craving for a cozy and comforting home space. Wallpaper is backWith so many renting, self-adhesive removable wallpaper is gaining  in popularity.It’s an easy way to provide a dramatic change to a room and if someone gets tired of it, they can simply peel it off. This should be used sparingly and strategically in the home though, such as a dining room, a bathroom, or In closet spaces. Somewhat anticlimactically though the big trend of 2021 may be bucking trends! 2020 was a year when we drew close to core comforts and indulged in whatever brought a sense of contentment and peace in troubling times. With this new year, people are less drawn to comfort and more towards a need to thrive and assert individuality. Designs could veer towards layouts that throw out the rule book and reject limits. Instead of one style, maybe combine multiple styles. Anything goes this year. Make it your own. Sourceshttps://www.insider.com/best-and-worst-interior-design-trends-for-2021https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/home-design-trends-for-2021-1942419https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/expert-advice/2021-interior-design-trends/https://www.indecortrends.com/trends-2021-whats-relevant-in-this-years-interior-design/  

As we begin a new year, and we push ourselves to be better students, parents, friends, and overall more improved versions of ourselves - it’s a great time to think about how we can improve ourselves as homeowners. Like many things in our lives, as we get busy we find ourselves neglecting, or simply not maximizing our space. Since we are spending more time than ever at home, it’s a great time to improve your environment to help your well-being in the new year. Here are a few resolutions to get you started:Add Life to Your SpaceWhen we say to maximizing a space, it often gives the connotation of just adding more stuff - however truly maximizing a space is making a space useful and helpful for your life. Our homes obviously have many purposes - to play, to work, to gather, but one of its most important purposes should be to relax and improve your well-being. A great way to change your space to help you relax is to add some green to your space. Many studies have concluded that there are health and mental benefits to being around plants and nature. In fact one study found that keeping ornamental plants in the home and in the workplace has been found to increase both memory retention and concentration. The calming influence of natural environments is conducive to positive work environments by increasing a person’s ability to concentrate on the task at hand. Work performed under the natural influence of ornamental plants is normally of higher quality and completed with a much higher accuracy rate than work done in environments devoid of nature. Going outside or being under the influence of plants can increase memory retention up to twenty percent, a recent University of Michigan study showed” (Sewach). The effect of nature in the home and in the workplace serves to stimulate both the senses and the mind, improving mental cognition and performance. (Bisco Werner 1996; Brethour 2007; Frank 2003; Pohmer 2008; Serwach 2008; Shibata, 2001, 2004; Yannick 2009)Donate Unneeded ItemsA common belief amongst those who hold onto items is that they don’t want to item to go to waste, particularly if they feel they could use them in the future. However, with many of the community in need, it’s an excellent time to donate. Beyond having a cleaner, less cluttered space, donating and giving back to others also can help to improve your mental health and well-being. Studies show that any act of altruism is connected to positive physical and mental effects. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this includes lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem, less incidence of depression, lower stress levels, and even longer life and greater happiness (Talk Space 2020). If you have items to donate, check out this list of charities that have free donation pick-up.Plan a Renovation ProjectWanting to spruce up your home? While you likely are waiting for warm weather to get started, it’s a great time to start planning your renovation project now. Planning early can help minimize measurement errors, and allow you to compare pricing and maximize sale opportunities. For instance, President’s Day and the weekends leading up it, often have deals on appliances, mattresses and other home goods. If you are considering selling in the next year, also reach out to your real estate agent as they may have some good tips on what buyers are looking for in a home like yours.Doing That ChoreWe all have one - a chore that’s been waiting for us to complete. The one that we’d rather sit through a reading of the encyclopedia instead of completing. Well 2021 will be the year! Identify the chore, make a plan with incremental steps for completion and put time-blocks on your calendar OR delegate this task to a professional.Touch-base with Loan OfficerLast but not least, with historically low interest rates - take time to review if refinancing would be a good option for you. Refinancing is not always the best scenario for every homeowner, however it can provide an opportunity to lower your mortgage payment, improve terms such as removal of private mortgage insurance, or switch from adjustable to fixed rate mortgage. Whether or not a refinancing is a good option for you, will depend on your unique situation - credit worthiness, current mortgage balance, starting mortgage terms and interest rates. So it’s best to review these options with a trusted mortgage loan professional to determine if refinancing makes sense for your situation.Sources:"Health and Well-being - the Benefits of Plants", Texas A&M Agrilife Extension "Giving Back Mental Health Impact", TalkSpace 2019"What to Buy Every Month of the Year", NerdWallet 2021"Furniture Donation Pick Up: 8 Charities that Pick Up Your Stuff for Free", MyMove 2021

If you've been paying attention to home inventory levels you may have noticed that low inventory has increasingly become the new normal. While beneficial for many sellers, this new dynamic has presented challenges for potential buyers. So what can you do to prepare yourself for buying a home in a low inventory market?Find a RealtorThe first thing you want to ensure is that you have a real estate professional representing you. Your realtor will help you identify and show potential properties, put in offer paperwork, and assist in negotiation process. With less homes available, your chances for multiple offers situations and heightened tensions increases. Your Realtor can help to you to say objective, and make knowledgable decisions. Plan for Current Living SituationIt may seem like common sense, but before starting the search for your next home put a plan in place for your current living situation. If you own your home, this means selling your current home. Your Realtor can help you by providing comparable properties in the area, as well as help you identify potential renovations and repairs to maximize your home’s value. Realtors can also help save headaches by helping you source and coordinate with contractors. Lastly, and most importantly your Realtor will assess and price your home. A common reason homes do not sell or take longer to sell is that they're not priced correctly, thus it's important to be accurate. Furthermore, many sellers are wary about offers with a contingency based on the sale of their current home, and so it's best to have your house sold first to avoid issues with putting in an offer.Determine the Bare-NecessitiesWhile we are experiencing low inventory, there certainly is not a shortage of buyers. This means that you need to be ready to act when you find a home you like, or there's a chance it could go pending before you even decide. In order for you to do this however, you must have a realistic criteria for the area, know what you could/could not live without, and communicate this to your realtor. If area is the most important feature, be aware this will narrow your options on amenities. If particular amenities are desired, this will narrow what areas you're in. If budget is tight, both amenities and area may be limited. Being realistic with your expectations, will help you to ensure a better outcome.Get Pre-ApprovalSome homebuyers desire to start viewing homes prior to getting pre-approval, however, what they likely do not realize is that this delays your ability to put in an offer on a home when you find one you like. With high-competition in a low inventory market, you could end up losing the home you want. Additionally, it’s important when you begin the process of selecting a lender to choose a reputable lender. There are many lending institutions in the marketplace now that do not ask for supporting documentation and don’t do additional verification like credit checks, income, and asset verifications to determine your pre-approval amount. This could potentially be an issue if your pre-approval amount drastically differs from the verified pre-approval amount.Being Prepared for Multiple Offers & NegotiationSo you found the home you like, you submit an offer for asking price, you start seeing yourself and family in this home, you can almost smell the fresh paint when another buyer submits a higher offer and you lose the house. Although frustrating, is a reality you need to prepare for. With many homes on the market hours before pending, most sellers in the area are seeing several offers in the first few days and in some cases, hours. Since these sellers do not know you, they will be considering the terms of your offer and this is why it's important to put your best foot forward with your offer submission. While negotiations are meant to be back and forth, in current inventory conditions, you will need submit a competitive offer just to get a seat at the negotiating table. Looking to get started with your search started? Find a realtor that’s right for you here. Continue reading →

There is no denying it—the best time to buy and sell is when the market is booming in the spring and summer. However, selling during the winter season is becoming more common and is not impossible to do. Follow the tips below to ensure your home is inviting and enticing to buyers during the colder months of the year.1. Now that winter is here and trees are bare, it is even more important to make curb appeal a priority because your home is more exposed. Be sure to touch up the paint and clean the gutters to improve the appearance of your house. It is also a good idea to keep prospective buyers’ safety in mind by clearing snow, ice and leaves from your walkways and and stairs.2. Try to make buyers feel warm and cozy when they are viewing your home. If you have a fireplace, consider lighting a fire, or perhaps light a few candles throughout your home (nothing too strong of course), to create an inviting atmosphere. As a nice finishing touch, bake some tasty treats and have hot cocoa or cider to offer to buyers as they tour your home.3. Having high-quality photographs of your home is even more important during the winter months than any other time of the year because homebuyers will more likely be doing their house hunting from the comfort of their homes. It is also good practice to include a summer or spring photo of your home, if possible, when listing your house on the market so buyers can see how the yard and foliage looks year-round. 4. It is also encouraged to have a virtual tour of your home available as well; you may experience less foot traffic during the holiday season due to weather and traveling plans. Having a video tour could potentially attract buyers who are not available to physically tour your home or may not want to risk driving in a snowstorm.

Whether you prefer it in the style of Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé, or Whitney Houston, the tune “I’ll be home for Christmas” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs around. Originally released by Bing Crosby in 1943, “I’ll be Home for Christmas” was written from the perspective of a World War II soldier, serving overseas during the holiday season. The carol has the soldier speaking to his family, requesting snow, mistletoe, and presents under the tree, while ending on the line “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” 2020 has many of us unable to see our family and friends as much as we’d like, but for our men women serving overseas, time away from their loved ones is nothing new, which is why there are many programs designed not only to thank them for their service but to ensure that every one of our soldiers has a holly jolly Christmas. We’ve compiled a list of several ways to support our military this holiday season. Check it out below: Soldier’s Angels – Holiday StockingsSoldier’s Angels’ Holiday stocking program works to brighten the spirit of deployed service members and veterans by providing them with a stuffed holiday stocking. People looking to participate simply send a stocking stuffed with items from a suggested “wish list” to Soldier’s Angles. Many also include a handwritten note or card. Operation Help a Hero – Operation Christmas Spirit Operation Christmas Spirit collects donations for nearly 500 military families to make their Christmas wishes a reality. Operation Help a Hero provides those wishing to join in Operation Christmas Spirit with many different ways to get involved. From adopting a military family, to donating money – or even technology, there is an easy way to give back no matter who you are. Full Circle Home Full Circle Home connects deployed service members with their loved ones across the country by helping over 21,000 troops send their “heroes at home” holiday gifts and hand-written notes. Christmas SPIRIT Foundation – Trees for Troops Trees for Troops is a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation which provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees to members of all military branches and their family, with the help of donations, sponsorships, grants, and many, many volunteers. Armed Services YMCA – Operation Holiday JoyFor 16 years, Operation Holiday Joy has collected donations in order to deliver baskets of food to military service members and their families on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition, Operation Holiday Joy has delivered over 320,000 toys to military children. Wreaths Across America The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor, and teach. And they do so every year, by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at over 2,100 locations across the United States, at sea, and abroad. Those wanting to participate can do so by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or donating. In addition to the programs listed above, many local Veterans’ Service Organizations (American Legions, VFWs, etc.) provide a number of different ways to support service members, veterans, and their families. Checking with these local organizations is a wonderful way to impact those within your own community! We hope you and your family are lucky enough to be together and home this Christmas, if only in your dreams. Happy holidays, everyone. 

Often times when we think of the holidays, we think of trimming the tree, spending time with friends and family, and crossing items off our Christmas lists for our friends and family. However, just as we consider the perfect gifts to put under the tree, it's also a great time to consider giving back to the community. As we know, 2020 has been a challenging year for many across the Miami-Valley region. With COVID-19 not only threatening our health, but our sense of security and livelihoods. In May, 41 percent of small businesses surveyed by the U.S. Census Bureau said they had experienced a large negative effect from the pandemic and another 46 percent said it had a moderate negative effect (Dayton Daily News, 2020). In July, a separate report found the Dayton area endured more than 100 permanent business closures between March 1 and July 10 (Dayton Business Journal, 2020). While unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to control the future, we do have the power to make a difference with our purchases this holiday season. Changing from purchasing a gift or two from a national retailer to a local retailer can truly help make a difference to a local business and to our economy. Here are a few items you might want to add to your list to help support our local Dayton businesses, and our local economy to help keep #DaytonStrong:The Art LoverAR Workshop Dayton Art Institute Museum Art Has No Rules The Fashion LoverBrim on Fifth Shop After 5 Clothing Beauty by Dani Clash Dayton YaytoondayThe Wine & Spirits LoversDayton Wine Bar A Taste of Wine Belle of Dayton Dayton Barrel WorksThe HomebodyRestoration Botanicals, our very own Leslie Teculve, Property Management Specialist Loc'd N Scent Eclectic EssentialsThe Sports LoverDayton Dragons Dayton Flyers Wright State RaidersThe FoodieCake Hope and Love (Curbside pickup available Scratch Food (Delivery) Wheat Penny (Gift Card Available) Meadowlark (Gift Card Available) Bellbrook Chocolates (Curbside pickup available) Esther Price ChocolatesThe Music LoverOmega Music Dayton Assemble the perfect playlist from local artists (Delivery)Other Great Organizations to Support One Bistro Dayton Live Dayton Theatre GuildSources"More than 100 Businesses Permanently Closed", Dayton Business Journal, 2020"Dayton Region Small Businesses Continue to Struggle", Dayton Daily News, 2020

Thanksgiving is upon us! And, if you aren't quite ready to host your family and friends for a Thanksgiving feast, we are here to help! To help prevent a Turkey Day disaster, follow these tips to prepare your kitchen ahead of time.Make Room for LeftoversIt is finally time to go through the refrigerator and throw away that container of pasta you forgot about from last month. A big meal generally means lots of leftovers, so it is good practice to make sure you have room in your refrigerator to store leftovers. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to shove containers of food into an already stuffed fridge. Taking time to clean out and organize your fridge beforehand will make your life much easier on Thanksgiving Day.Be Prepared to Send Leftovers with GuestsIn addition to making room in your fridge, it is equally important to be stocked up on tupperware containers, aluminum foil, plastic wrap and zip-lock bags so you can send leftovers home with your guests.Prep Your Utensils and ToolsWhether your guest list is small or large, be sure you have enough plates and utensils for everyone attending. If you are using plates and silverware that are used for special occasions, be sure to clean and/or polish them prior to guests arriving. In addition, be sure that your kitchen knives are sharp and ready for carving the turkey, and that you have all of the serving utensils you need for your meal.Make a Meal Game PlanWhen preparing a large meal, it is important to have a game plan beforehand so you can cook accordingly. Make a list of all of the dishes you will be making and what ingredients you need to purchase from the store. Make any dishes that can be made ahead of time to reduce the amount of work on Thanksgiving Day. Alternatively, if your Thanksgiving dinner is more of a potluck-style meal, be sure to know who is bringing what dish to reduce the chance of duplicates.Thaw the TurkeyEveryone looks forward to eating turkey on Thanksgiving, but they don’t necessarily look forward to cooking it. Thawing your turkey takes a surprisingly long time, so be sure you aren't caught holding up dinner because your turkey is still half frozen. If you plan to put the turkey in cold water to thaw (never use hot water!), it can take around 30 minutes for each pound. If you plan on thawing it by placing the frozen turkey in the refrigerator, plan on one day per five pounds. Appliance PrepHaving guests over for Thanksgiving always results in a ton of dishes that need to be washed. To avoid having to hand wash all of the dishes or having to leave them in the sink, be sure your dishwasher is empty and ready to load. It is also a good idea to use the self-cleaning function on your oven prior to Thanksgiving to make sure it is clean; having a clean oven results in your food cooking more evenly.Clear Your CountertopsBefore you start preparing your favorite dishes, it can be helpful to clear off your countertops so you can take advantage of as much space as possible. Put the toaster in the pantry, throw away those old grocery receipts that are piling up in the corner and finally put away the dishes you have had “air drying” for the past three days. Now you have room to prep your favorite dishes without feeling like you have no space.

According to recent survey conducted by LightStream, despite the ongoing pandemic, 73% of homeowners are planning to renovate this year. This seems to stem from the fact that isolation has made American’s take a much-needed closer look at their home. Fall is actually the perfect time to tackle some badly needed home projects before winter comes blowing in. If you’re one of the many homeowners who are planning to update their home, below are a few key things to focus on. Home Heating and Air SystemsIf a furnace is 10-15 years old or takes longer to kick on than usual, it’s probably time for a replacement. Pay close attention to the SEER rating and look for efficient fuels such as natural gas which can help save you money in the long run. While you’re preparing the furnace for the season, don’t forget to take care of the trusty AC that just got you through the summer months. Clean and cover your outdoor air conditioning units to help prevent any damage from rain or snow. Note, this does not apply if you have a heat pump model that is designed to switch to heating mode when the weather gets cold. GuttersThe gutters are essential throughout fall and winter so it’s best to take good care of them. Clean them out while it is still somewhat warm outside. Regular maintenance will prevent gutters from overflowing with rain, leaves, or snow which can damage your roof over time. WindowsIn the winter months, do you often feel a chill when sitting next to certain windows or notice condensation on the glass panes? Likely these issues can be fixed if you upgrade to multiple paned windows. If you have single pane windows in your home, you would do well to replace them. These older types of windows are poor insulators and replacing them with double panes will help to trap more heat in the home. Roof and ShinglesThe roof may have a rough winter ahead of it and to avoid undue stress and damage, you’ll want to make sure the roof is in tip top condition to help it resist the wind, rain, and snow that is likely coming its way. Before it gets too cold, you want to replace any missing shingles or other damaged areas. InsultationCheck on your weatherstripping around any doors and/or windows. These little strips are meant to seal openings and gaps to prevent drafts throughout your home. However they can wear down a bit over time. If you notice any faded weatherstripping, don’t hesitate to replace it. You may be losing a lot of heat through those pesky gaps. If you have an attic, you’ll also want to check for any air leaks up there. These can be sealed off with foam insulation which will help to keep your home warm over the coming winter. Don’t close off any vents though as you’ll need those open and unobstructed to get rid of any humid air hanging around the home.  FireplaceIs there anything more relaxing than a cozy spot by the fireplace on a winter day? If you’re planning on spending some time in front of the fire this season, take the time now to thoroughly clean it out and check the state of the chimney. You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of firewood. If you have a gas or electric fireplace, they will also benefit from an inspection before the snow starts to fall. ExteriorsTo ensure a beautiful lawn come springtime, there are several important projects its best to start in the fall. Raking leaves seems like an obvious one but this will also aerate your lawn and prevent it from becoming suffocated. To go a step further, consider fertilizing and winterizing trees, grass, and bushes so your greenery enters winter properly nourished. Fall also offers some days that are warm enough to still get some exterior painting in. A touch up can help prolong the life of a home’s siding and trim. Any surface that is likely to get covered in snow should also receive a fresh coat of paint or sealer. This is something that is best to be done sooner rather than later as many paints aren’t recommended for use in temperatures below 45 degrees.Sources: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/13-best-home-improvement-projects-to-tackle-this-fall/ss-BB18Nqe2https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/maintenance-repair/fall-home-projects/?slide=slide_e2181708-dd55-422a-a81a-1fbea4ccc722#slide_e2181708-dd55-422a-a81a-1fbea4ccc722 https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/15-best-projects-to-do-in-fall/      

About this time of year goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are all the rage, but what if you’re experiencing some seriously scary stuff in the months outside of October? We’ve all had it happen. The chill that runs down your spine, the light flickering in the hallway. Some can simply shrug off that eerie feeling, but when these spooky occurrences continue to arise, you may come to some haunting conclusions. The good news is, if you think your house is haunted, you’re not alone. In a 2014 survey by the National Association of REALTORS, 28% of REALTOR responders have had to sell a house or find a new home for someone who believed their current place of residence was haunted. And while living in a haunted house doesn’t mean you have to immediately pack your bags, if you’re ready to put a for sale sign in the yard, there are some things you should know first.   Determine if your house is really haunted This is the only paragraph where we will reason with any skeptics or cynics, but the truth is that a potential maintenance issue with a home is probably more likely than a haunting. However, both can be equally scary. Sometimes homes make noise, especially when they are older, and there are a number of chilling stories that could probably be solved with a repairman instead of a ghostbuster. Flickering lights? Maybe call an electrician. Windows slamming shut when no one else is home? It might be time to replace them. See a stranger walking down the hallway and then suddenly disappear into thin air? Okay, sell the home! Don’t be spooked by disclosures – work with an agentIn the state of Ohio, REALTORS are not required to disclose if a murder or suicide happened at the property for sale or if the home is believed to be haunted, however, many agents may encourage transparency to protect their sellers from potential legal issues. When it comes to understanding how much you should tell potential buyers about your home’s frightening history, always trust the advice of your real estate professional.Kill any eerie rumors and stigmaAnother area where picking the right agent is crucial. Whether you’re selling a haunted home or just a home that buyers may THINK is haunted, property marketing is important and so is working with an agent who will treat your listing with professionalism and expertise, which includes combating any stigma. Your agent may even suggest making some improvements to the house to give it a fresh (non-haunted) new look.Be prepared to lower the price If all else fails, lower the price. This can be said whether your home is haunted by vengeful spirits or bad wallpaper. If your home in any way poses a challenge to sell, it’s best to prepare yourself that lowering the price may be the only option to get buyers through the door. We hope you never need the tips above, but if you are planning to sell your home, for ANY reason, call a Coldwell Banker Heritage agent today!  

Halloween is just a few days away, and beyond the frightening ghouls and goblins is something truly to be feared – vandalism. As the 2015 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found vandalism peaks on Halloween with vehicles being 2X more likely to be vandalized. Additionally, insurance claims were 9% higher than the average claim. So how can you enjoy treats while avoiding tricks? Number of Insurance Claims by Holiday (2015)Source: Scary Statistic: Vehicle Vandalism Peaks on Halloween, CarscoopsSecureOne of the easiest things you can do is check to make sure your valuables are secure. This means locking your doors and windows for both your vehicle and home. You should also remove or hide any valuables in your vehicle, and park in a garage if possible. It’s also a good idea to install/activate a security and/or ask your neighborhood watch to patrol the area during beggar’s night hours.VisibleAnother key area to reduce your chance of becoming victim to vandalism, is increasing visibility. You can increase visibility by installing/turning on exterior lights around your home. Additionally, if do not own a garage, park your car in a well-lit area. Besides adding more lighting, trimming bushes and shrubs can make it more difficult for someone to hide. While we cannot prevent all tricks this Halloween – we do hope these tips will help to reduce the likelihood of vandalism!SourcesScary Statistic: Vehicle Vandalism Peaks on Halloween, CarscoopsHalloween Sparks Most Vandalism Claims of the Year, APCITrick or Treat, Deter and prevent halloween vandalismHalloween Safety Tips, National Neighborhood Watch

This year has brought a lot of unexpected changes. The cost of lumber has sharply increased which has an effect on the new housing market and its costs. Read the article here: https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/10/14/record-high-lumber-costs-drive-up-new-home-prices

If you’re looking for a fun way to get in shape, take your workout outdoors. In fact, exercising outdoors provides benefits the traditional gym workout does not — and just 30 to 40 minutes of exercise a few times a […]

Are you just now thinking of selling your home but are afraid you may have missed your window of opportunity to list this year? Think again! Yes, spring and summer might be the busiest time of the year for the housing market, but there are actually perks to waiting to list your home until the fall. Here are five benefits to listing your home in the fall:1. Curb Appeal: Listing your home for sale in the fall allows you time to utilize the warmer months to improve on the curb appeal of your home. You can use that time to paint the exterior, fix or add a deck, pave the driveway, install a fence and work on landscaping. Not only will these things make your home look nicer, but it also has the potential to increase the value of your home.2. Picture Perfect: With clear skies and trees bursting with color, Autumn offers an opportunity for beautiful photos of your home. The atmosphere that comes with fall weather will make your home feel more welcoming and cozy to potential buyers as well. In addition, the weather tends to be more stable, meaning you have less of a chance of rain and excessive heat.3. Serious Buyers: Because spring is the busy season of real estate, buyers can afford to be picky due to the abundance of inventory. They might hold off on writing an offer and extend their search. But, with the end of spring and summer, buyers will be eager to get settled. No one wants to be moving on cold snowy days, and certainly not during the busy holiday season. With a market where inventory is more limited, buyers will want the process to move quickly. And, as a perk, your home will stand out and not get lost in the pool of houses for sale because there are less options for buyers to pick from.4. Buyer Demographics: Spring is a wonderful time for families to move and get settled before the school year starts. But, empty nesters and millennials generally start the process later in the year; more than half of buyers don't have kids under the age of 18 still in the home. In addition, employers who need to relocate employees often wait until the market starts slowing down to avoid higher rates.5. Realtor Attention: Agents are at their busiest during the spring and summer, and are often working with numerous buyers and sellers at once. If you wait until the market is in it's off season, your agent will likely be able to give you and your home more attention. When they are busy with endless showings, open houses and other appointments, it might be difficult to ensure you get the time you need or want with your Realtor.

Moving is something that all of us find ourselves doing at one point or another. And pretty much everyone dreads it. Moving is not seen as fun, its seen as a chore, one that you sometimes have to bribe or cajole friends and family into helping you with. While there may not be a way to make this task an enjoyable one, with a little planning you can make it an efficient and hopefully timely one. Below are some hacks that might make the moving process a little easier. PreparingWith everything preparation is usually the name of game. So, when you’re moving, don’t forget the pregame portion! Before even moving, here are few things to keep in mind. Call Utility companiesAs soon as you know you’re moving, you want to get your utilities in order. Cancel any utilities that you have scheduled at your old location then set them up at your new home. This is something that may only take a few phone calls but can save you a lot of grief when you’re getting settled into your new residence. Measure everythingMaybe you already have the layout of how you want your furniture figured out. However if you’re like most of us, you may get all your bulky furniture into your house and realize it’s a bit too big for the corner you were picturing in. To avoid this, go ahead and measure all your furniture or large appliances so there’s no surprises and you can plan the layout of your home ahead of time. Collect boxesThe earlier the better. Pretty much as soon as you realize you’re going to move, you should start to accumulate boxes for all your items. Some places like U-Haul offer free boxes if you ask for them as well. Make a packing essential stationBefore you start packing, take stock of everything you might need such as tape, scissors, plastic wrap, sharpies and more. Put everything you’ll need throughout the packing process in one box. Not only will this ensure that everything is in one place but its also portable! You can take this packing station into every room you need to pack up so you don’t keep going back and forth whenever you find you need something for packing is in another room. Make some handlesWouldn’t be great if we could make the handling of boxes easier too? Well, you’re in luck. Using a box cutter, cut triangular holes on two opposite sides of the box. This will make a handy little handle for you to gain some leverage and grip when you’re lifting and carrying boxes.  PackingAll right using everything above, you’ve prepared as much as you can but now its time to really get down to business. Protect fragile itemsThis is no surprise, but breakable items are well…breakable. However before you drop some coin on packing peanuts and bubble wrap, there maybe a few things already around the house that you could use such as magazines, newspapers, plastic bags, or old towels. Keep those clothes where they areOkay so you’ve got a full closet of clothes and a few dressers to boot, obviously you’re going to have remove all those clothes and neatly fold them in their own boxes, right? Actually you can save yourself some time by using those hangers and dresser drawers to you advantage. For items hanging in the closet, go ahead and leave them on their hangers, simply wrap a garbage bag or wardrobe bag if you have it. For the wardrobe items, leave everything in their drawers and wrap plastic wrap around each one to keep the items safely in place. This will also make your dresser lighter and easier to move. Keep hardware in plastic bagsMoving furniture is never easy. Even if you have light easy to assemble furniture, once you take it apart you run the risk of losing all the little screws that held that IKEA chair together. However if you keep every bit of hardware that comes of your furniture in a little bag you don’t have to worry about that. Even better, tape that little baggie to a larger piece of the furniture it belongs to and you’ll know exactly what it goes with when it is time to rebuild. Label the boxesThere is a number of ways to label and organize boxes but marking the box before hands can save a lot of confusion and needless moving back and forth between rooms. One method that makes a lot of sense is creating an inventory list that lets you know everything inside. Another way would be to color code boxes by room, and reference it with a key/map that lets you know ahead of time which room each box should go to when you’re ready to unpack. Label your cordsWhen moving, you’re probably going to be unplugging a bunch of cords and hookups. One way to avoid additional confusion and needless tangles is by looping the cords through some old toilet paper or paper towel rolls. You can go a step further and then label these rolls as well. While we’re on the subject of cords, take a quick picture of the back of your tv or computer so you have a reference when you hook up your devices in your new place. Put a piece of plastic wrap over open toiletriesWhen packing up your bathroom, you likely have several already open toiletries. To avoid a messy situation, put a small piece of plastic wrap over any open bottle or tube and then screw the cap or top back on over it. Make heavy items portable­If you have suitcases or large rolling bags, utilize them. Pack up heavy items such as books into a rolling suitcase to avoid the strain of lifting or moving heavy boxes. Take a picture or two to remember the old houseThis really doesn’t affect the efficiency of unpacking but moving can sometimes be an emotional experience. Hopefully you’re moving on to a bigger and better residence. However some time down the line you may want to look back and remember the place you left behind. Take a few pictures to remember the home by so you can treasure it in the future. UnpackingAlright you’ve gotten to final leg of the journey, all the boxes are packed up and have been transported to the new residence, now all that is left is to unpack. Unpack boxes by roomIf you planned ahead and grouped all your boxes by room, now you can grab all the boxes and take them to the right room and unpack within each room. Use rubber bands to prevent getting locked outWhen you’re unpacking you may be going in and out of the residence and may not remember to take your brand new key or maybe your new doors are a bit sensitive and like to lock on their own. To avoid getting locked out on your first day, loop a large rubber band from one side of the door to the knob on the opposite side. Take a breatherMoving can be stressful, remember to brace yourself take breaks if you feel yourself getting fatigued or tired.

Last year 31 million people chose to move, and 9.5% of which moved across state1. If you're like one of these 3 million movers and plan to move across state, than it's not hard to imagine the stress that an interstate move would pose! From the search to packing, to moving - there's many things that can go wrong. Are you looking for ways to reduce your stress during your move? Here are a few tips!Knowing What You WantWhen you go into the process of buying a home, you will find that there are a number of variables and combination thereof that make a home more or less desirable to you. Many times buyers will begin their search before they've identified their criteria - and this can lead to too many options making you feel even less confident about your selection, and possibly leaving you with buyers remorse after the purchase. One area you will want to consider whether you're more suited for a condo, house or manufactured home, a new construction vs already built home. In addition differences in financing, and future property management, there are also differences in the inventory and time to close that will affect your timeline. You will also want to consider whether you are more suited for a city, suburban or rural lifestyle. This will help you to narrow areas, and will help you find a home that's best fits you.Additionally, before you start your search across state-lines, go through your criteria to properly weight the items that mean the most. If you are having trouble identifying, narrowing or weighting your criteria, consider the longer-term goal for the home. Is this a property that you anticipate on selling in the next 3-5 years? Do you anticipate household growth in the next 3-5 years? Do you anticipate a potential job change in the next 3-5 years? Additionally ask yourself what's my timeline - do I need to move quickly or do I have time to search? Asking yourself these questions will help you to better frame your thinking when deciding on the most important factors for your family.Planning & ResearchBeyond knowing what you want - you got to have a plan! In the process of buying a home, timing can be very delicate and having a plan can help you get to the closing table sooner, and as painless as possible.  Your plan should include the who, what, where, and when. Starting with the Who, create a document of all your potential contacts during the process for your reference. Realtor, Movers, Lender, Preferred Contractors, HOA, Builder/Zoning (if applicable). Documenting your contacts will help to make going through this process easier. In addition to having an idea of what you are searching for, you will want to have a basic understanding of what the steps are you will be taking throughout the process, and what type of funding and down payment you might need. Being knowledgable and anticipation, can help you to avoid surprises. Along with knowing the process, you will want to keep in mind important dates and document these together. If you need help in this area, discussing your goals with your realtor and in the case of lending, your lender, are certainly resources to help guide you in this process. Understanding How Market Will Affect YouWhen you're not involved in the industry of buying or selling a home, you may not be aware of just how much the market can affect your sale. Some of the factors the market can affect are the federal interest rates, length of time to buy or sell a home, buyer demand, demand for new construction, and building material costs. Additionally, you may also not be aware of how anticipating the challenges and benefits of the current market condition can help you make a better financial decision. For instance, in a buyers market vs a sellers market, you might find that you may have the ability to ask for more favorable conditions in negotiations. Taking time to know how the market is doing not only nationally but within the locality you are planning to relocate, will help you to best position yourself for a seamless transaction. Also, don't forget that conditions are always subject to change, so just remember to do your research on the market within the 6 months you decide to make your move. Working with a Helpful Realtor, that Specialized in RelocationAs mentioned throughout this article, your realtor should be a resource and an advisor. Particularly when you are in the process of relocating to another state, you will need a resource and have a trusted network of professional that can answer your questions. Since a realtors services vary from agent to agent, if you're not yet working with an agent, it's important to interview your realtor before selection. One criteria you will want to consider is how knowledgable the agent is of the area. Knowledge of the area can help agents to better direct you to homes that will fit your criteria and budget. Also, an agent who is knowledgable of the area, will be more likely to have knowledge of the differences in zoning regulations, tax differences, and investment potential. Additionally, your realtor ideally should ideally have experience buying or selling in your price range. Across different price ranges - buyer criteria, lending requirements and features that are marketable will vary. Last but not least, since you will be working with this person over the course of months, to possibly even years it's also important that you choose an agent that fits your preferred search process & communication style. While it's important to have a good understanding of what you will be looking for, and have an idea of funding first - you will want to interview and get the process with your realtor started early. The earlier you begin this conversation, the earlier they can be a resource to you.If you're not working with a realtor, and in need of a knowledgable relocation professional, please reference our relocation page for more information on the services we provide and check out our agents working across the Dayton, OH and Richmond, IN areas.Sources:Moving Industry Statistics, MoveBuddha, 2020