Hello friends! Do you have indoor pets? I can no longer have cats or dogs inside the home due to allergies and risks associated with Lyme disease, but I have been blessed with the companionship of both cats and dogs as roommates over the years. As a decorator and “clean freak” this was not always an easy relationship, but I did learn a few tips and hacks that helped minimize messes, odors and kept accidents from happening. Cats seemed to be a little trickier at times, and can be the bane of a naturally fragrant household so today I will be focusing on feline friendly ways to keep your home looking (and smelling) beautiful! *This post contains affiliate links.
As a vintage decorator I have a major pet peeve…technology! That’s a pretty big issue considering we live in a tech based society, and I am a blogger. It’s not that I don’t like the convenience of technology, but modern tech devices and cords cluttering things up just don’t compliment vintage decor! I am on a major de-cluttering and organizing kick, so I have been looking for specific ways to organize and hide technology in a vintage style home. *This post contains affiliate links.
Spring is here and that means more time spent in the great outdoors! Many of us will begin working in our lawns and gardens, cleaning up debris, dragging out the gardening tools and getting things ready for warm weather. The bad news is, we won’t be alone! Ticks love spring weather, and contrary to popular belief, the critters don’t really go dormant in the winter. Chances are they will be hiding in tall grass and under leaf matter and mulch, so you need to be take proper precautions any time you are working or playing outdoors. For today’s post I just want to share some quick ideas for creating a safer lawn and garden by reducing tick populations. *This post contains affiliate links.
Why do I know so much about ticks? If you have been following my blog or social media for a while, you might already know that I have been fighting Lyme disease and tick born co-infections for many years. While I am much better these days, it has been a very hard battle. People often are surprised that I absolutely love deer however! (I even collect deer antlers and use them in my decor). We have a forest across the road and our family enjoys watching deer frolic all year long! I am not afraid of them, but I do keep my distance. After all, it’s really not the fault of the deer…the mice are to blame (but that is another post for another day!)
Prevention is the best defense against these demons ticks, so today I am going to give you just a few quick pointers on how to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease on your own property.
If deer and other stray animals have a habit of wandering into your yard, you might want to consider fencing it in. A deer can carry around 400 ticks (yuck!) so it’s best to keep them away from your property. Fencing a whole yard or garden area can be costly, but there are many inexpensive DIY fencing ideas on Pinterest which are perfect for keeping deer and stray animals out, while keeping pets (and kids) safely in!
Of course adding a security or privacy fence has the added benefit of personal privacy, while keeping your property safe from human intruders too. A secure garden needs to have a perimeter fence or other barrier, as well as gates that you can lock. Don’t forget to shut up any structures like sheds and garages, and put secure locks on them.
Pests in your garden can be more than just an inconvenience—they can carry disabling and even fatal diseases. Good tick control measures are important, especially during the summer, as ticks can transmit over 200 infections and viruses. If you live in an endemic (high risk) area, you might want to consider having your property professionally treated to reduce disease carrying pests, including mosquitoes.
NOTE: MOSQUITOES CAN CARRY LYME DISEASE AND CO-INFECTIONS IN ADDITION TO MALARIA AND WEST NILE. WEAR REPELLENT ANY TIME YOU WILL BE OUTDOORS!
Every state and most countries have numerous reported cases of Lyme disease and the numbers are increasing every year. Even if you don’t live in a high risk area, you should still treat your yard. There are many safe alternatives to harsh chemicals if you are sensitive to them or are concerned about the environment.
Keeping your lawn and property well maintained will also keep tick populations down. Remove woodpiles far away from the house structure (ticks love woodpiles) and always rake and dispose of leaves and debris. Chances are, ticks will be hiding under leaf matter and mulch, so you need to be take proper precautions any time you are working or playing outdoors, and that includes colder days. Wear gloves, light clothing and boots if possible.
Now with all the excitement of spring gardening, I don’t want to end this post leaving you with the “heebie-jeebies,” so here is a beautiful spring garden picture to get you inspired for warmer days ahead!
Dear friends, I certainly hope you will use these ideas as you work toward creating a safer lawn and garden. Just remember that ticks are active now in early spring, so take proper precautions using repellent, and always do a thorough tick check anytime you have been outside, including on well manicured lawns, parks, baseball fields etc. May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, so I will be doing a more thorough post on Lyme Disease then. Until then, happy and safe spring garden planning!
Spring is a busy time in real estate and a great time to put your home on the market. As a licensed real estate agent, the granddaughter of a real estate broker, and successful “for sell by owner/house flipper” myself, I have quite a bit of experience in this area! Taking the right steps at the start will ensure your home sells quickly and for a great price.
If you are considering a big move, here are five tips for selling your home fast. *This post contains affiliate links and/or sponsored content.
1. Choose A Great Realtor
If you need to get your home sold quickly, exposure is key. Finding a reputable and knowledgeable realtor is important. A great realtor can really minimize the stress of selling your home. There are different ways to choose the right real estate agent, which include searching realtor websites, meeting with local real estate agents in person, and speaking to friends and family about their recommendations. Ask business experts and community leaders for recommendations as well.
You might want to choose an agent who is active on social media, as this will greatly increase the chances that your home will be presented to a wider audience than just the readers of a typical realtor’s ad in the Sunday paper.
2. Make Necessary Repairs and Home Improvements
While it might seem like a waste of money to make certain home repairs before selling your home, it could make a difference when it comes to receiving offers. Most people understand that there is some degree of work to do when moving into a new home, but many potential buyers aren’t going to be interested in having a long list of repairs to make. Cosmetic changes might not be too much of a deterrent to buyers, but problems with electrical wiring or plumbing really need to be fixed before listing your home, or you may have to lower your asking price. Getting these home repairs taken care of before selling might cost you money out of pocket, they’ll be well worth the return on your investment.
No matter how much you might love trendy colors, if you want to sell your home fast, I highly recommend painting all the rooms the same neutral color such as ivory, light beige or various gray tones. Use an egg shell or flat finish to minimize imperfections in the walls. Even if potential buyers plan to paint the rooms according to their decor preference, walking into a freshly painted home which is light and bright will make a positive first impression. Painting all the rooms the same color will make the house seem bigger and more put together. It will also give most buyers the ability to move right in without having to paint right away, since the neutral paint will work with any decor.
Home staging simply means to declutter your home and to decorate it minimally and stylishly, while removing some of your own personal style. This allows potential buyers to visualize themselves in your home with their own belongings. While you want may want to keep some decor on display, such as a nice mirror over the mantel as an accessory, it is better to pack away family photos, trophies, and knick-knacks around the house. Instead decorate minimally, with a a candlestick or two on the mantel and fresh flowers on the dining room table. If possible, remove excess furniture temporarily to storage and stick with the essentials to make rooms appear more open.
The first is that when potential buyers come to view your property they need to be able to see what space and storage you have available in your home. If your property is full of your personal belongings, furnishings and decor, then they won’t be able to do this and won’t put an offer in. You can invest in different shelves or storage options to store your items so your home looks tidier, you could use live edge products to make your home seem more rustic.
Don’t forget to address the exterior of your home when staging. Clean up your yard, and add a few pots of flowers to the porch for curb appeal and to create a warm welcome and you will bepresenting it well.
5. Be Your Own Agent
In addition to hiring an agent, you can also do some extra work to get your home sold faster. Taking good pictures is one of the best ways to set your home apart from others in a competitive price range. Not all realtors are photographers, so the photos they use in their listings and on social media may not really highlight your home’s best features. A real estate agent might do a rushed job when it comes to taking photos for their listing, so if you’re good with a camera or have a friend with a knack for photography, go ahead and take your own photos too.
Your agent should be happy to use the best photos. In addition, you might consider creating a free website or blog where you share pictures of your home in room tours, and highlight some of your favorite things about it. I was able to get our previous home sold in less than three weeks by creating a free blogspot blog specifically for selling our home. You can share the link to your blog on social media which will give potential buyers to check out more of your home in addition to the real estate listing.
Following these five tips really can help you get your home sold fast! If you have any other questions about selling your home or specific decorating questions for home staging, I would be happy to offer advice. I can also create a For Sale By Owner or Home For Sale blog for your home if you are interested in that service. Simply leave a comment below or message me via email. I love talking homes and real estate!
