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Start Moving in the Right Direction
Moving is stressful, whether it’s across town or cross-country. Once you’ve closed on your house, the reality of packing, moving, and setting up a new home can become overwhelming. While no list can make a move “stress-free”, planning ahead and staying organized can help make your move a little smoother. Here is our list of tips:
Getting started:
- Once you know your prospective move date set up a quick timeline to make sure you can get all the important tasks done and ready in time for your move.
- Consider how much stuff you have by doing a home inventory. This can help you decide whether you need to hire movers to help you or if you will be managing your move on your own. Many moving companies supply inventory lists to help you assess the size of truck you will need. You can use your list as double duty for insurance purposes later.
- As soon as you decide how you will be moving, make your reservations. In general, moving companies and truck rental services are over-booked at the beginning and very end of the month. If you are planning on hiring a moving company, contact a few in your area for a price quote. To find companies ask your real estate agent, family, or friends, and consult online reviews. It is also a good idea to request a quote and compare companies.
Preparing for your move:
- Moving is a great opportunity to get rid of clutter, junk, or outdated items. Set aside some time to sort through your closets, storage spaces, files, drawers, and more. Go through cluttered areas and organize items by “keepers”, “give-aways” and “garbage”. You will have less to pack and an opportunity to update after you move. Contact a local nonprofit organization for your donations; some will arrange to pick up larger donations like furniture. If you have items of value, eBay or Craigslist are good options.
- Changing your address is one of the more tedious tasks in the moving process. You will need to change your address with the United States Post Office. You can find the online form here.
- You will also need to change your address with each account you have. Here is a list to get you started:
- Employers
- Bank(s)
- Utilities (Electric, Water/Sewage, Oil/Gas)
- Cable/ Telephone
- Cell phone service
- Credit Cards
- Magazine subscriptions
- Insurance companies (auto, home/renters, health, dental, vision, etc.)
- Pharmacy
- Other personal services
Let the packing begin:
- Before you start packing, it may help to visualize where everything you have will go. Perhaps furniture will fit better in a different room? Consider the floor plan of your new home and figure out what will go where. This will aid in packing and labeling as you box everything up.
- Use a tool like floorplanner.com to plan where furniture and items will go.
- When it comes to packing you have some options. You can work with a service that provides reusable boxes for moving or you can reuse or purchase cardboard boxes. Make sure you have enough boxes, packing tape, dark markers, and packing paper.
- Pack rooms according to your floor plan. Label boxes with contents and room. This will make it easier to unpack your home, knowing where everything is going.
- Real Simple magazine has some great tips on packing for your move.
- If you have to disassemble any of your furniture, make sure you keep all the parts and directions together.
- Make sure you set aside your necessities for the day you move. Being tired and unable to take a shower or make your bed can be hard at the end of a long moving day. Here are some ideas of what you may like to pack in your “day-of-move” boxes
- Clean linens for the beds, pillows and blankets
- Clean towels
- Shower curtain, liner and hooks
- Toiletries, hand soap, toothbrush, etc.
- Disposable utensils, cups, napkins, etc
- Rolls of toilet paper
- Snacks and water
- Change of clothes
- Tools for reassembling furniture, installing hardware, and hanging photos
Making your move
- Come up with a game plan with your family, so everyone has a role and a part to play.
- Once the house is empty, do a once over on your old place to make sure it is clean for the next owners/occupants. Here is a useful checklist for cleaning.
Warming your new home
- Once you have settled into your new home, warm it up by inviting friends and family over to celebrate.
- Announce your move to far-away friends and family through moving announcements to make sure you stay on the holiday card mailing list.
How An Accent Wall Can Bring Everything Together
What is it about an accent wall that makes people refer to it as a “wonder wall”?
An accent wall is an emphasized wall in a room that has been designed to attract attention from adjacent walls. The simplest (and cheapest) option to go about an accent wall is by means of paint, though some may opt for wallpaper or tile. Homes with accent walls add a surprise element to a room and define an area of space that deserves attention.
Choosing the right wall
Experts say that the first wall you see upon entering a room is typically the accent wall. In many cases, the wall will have a fireplace or a built-in bookshelf, or something that suggests it is the focal point of the room. In this case, you want to accent that wall by emphasizing the central point with a background color.
Choosing the right color
Color accent walls can add depth and dimension to a room, and make a room seem bigger, warmer, or brighter. If a room is large, consider using warm colors to make the room appear more welcoming, or if the space is smaller, a lighter color can make a room look more spacious. You can visually enlarge or shrink a room by choosing the right color for your room.
Light reflections
Remember to think about how lighting affects the color of a wall. The color you choose may change depending on light sources that reflect on walls. For example, incandescent lights will have a different influence in comparison to natural lighting against walls. Different light sources can affect color choices, so don’t forget to experiment with lighting against colored walls.
Tinting the ceiling
Typically, wonder-walls function independently of the ceiling, as they usually remain white. However, by adding a few drops of the wall color paint to a can of ceiling paint, you are able to slightly tint a ceiling. This subtle color scheme can make for a perfect ceiling finish to compliment an accent wall.
How to do it yourself
Painting an accent wall is an easy home improvement or do-it-yourself project. All that is needed is a short list of low-cost products, including:
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- Painter’s tape
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- Paint (with primer)
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- Tarp
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- Roller and brush
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- Putty and scraper
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- Sandpaper
The directions are simple: tape off the desired wall, spread tarp across the floor, fill any holes or cracks on the wall, sand and smooth out the surface, then paint the accent wall using zigzag strokes.
Painting an accent wall is a great DIY project for anyone to tackle over a weekend or even a few hours. What is your take on the one-wall wonder? Is an accent wall an overstatement, an understatement, or a room well-balanced?
Quaint Home on a Large Lot in Greeley!
Well maintained home on large private lot at 2164 Buena Vista Dr in the desired Cascade Park neighborhood. Walking distance from shopping, parks, and Centennial pool. This turn key home with upgrade potential features spacious bedrooms with hardwood floors, eat-in kitchen, updated dining room and bathrooms, fully fenced yard and mature landscaping. Brand new roof with transferable warranty and no HOA! Contact Suzi Espinoza for your private showing at 970-652-1394 for more information or click the link below for more details.
Beautiful Remodeled Home in Fort Collins!
Unfinished Brownstone Town-home in the Heart of Fort Collins!
1038 W Mountain Ave a luxury Brownstone unit with high quality construction, ready for the buyer’s personal design! Presenting an open and flowing floor plan, conceptual designer kitchen, dining space, gas fireplace, 3 luxurious master suites, flex space, and balcony overlooking Mountain Ave. Featuring a large front patio and private fenced yard space in back. Including one-car detached garage and additional parking. Easy access to Old Town, City Park, & CSU. The only zero maintenance lock-and-leave living on Mountain! Contact Kyle Basnar for your private showing at 970-481-5689 for more information or click the link below for more details. Please note that the video below is for a similar model.
Luxury Brownstone Town Home in the Heart of Fort Collins!
At 1034 W Mountain Ave each plan presents an open and flowing floor plan with high quality construction and finishes, designer kitchen, 2 beautiful master suites, and flex space (plumbed) which could be converted into a 2nd living space! Designed with privacy in mind, each has a large front patio and fenced yard in the back. The perfect setting for low maintenance lock-and-leave living! Individual garages with additional parking and all within walking distance to Old Town. Contact Kyle Basnar for your private showing at 970-481-5689 for more information or click the link below for more details.
Ranch Style Home Overlooking Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor!
7205 Royal Country Down Dr Custom ranch home with an open layout and towering ceilings! Gourmet kitchen w/slab granite, soft close drawers, built-in breakfast nook and office. Kitchen open to great room and dining room. Raised Ranch with walk out basement. Custom Bonus 2nd story loft. Master suite w/ walk-in closet, heated floors and a luxury bath. Heated and insulated garage w/ Epoxy floors and golf cart bay! Contact Kyle Basnar for your private showing at 970-481-5689 for more information or click the link below for more details.
How to Get Started in Real Estate Investing
Investing in real estate is one of the world’s most venerable pathways to building wealth. When properly managed, income from renting or real estate investment trusts can provide you with the financial security to plan out the rest of your life. The conclusion is easy to envision, but knowing where to begin can be overwhelming, particularly for anyone who has never previously owned a home.
At Windermere our goal is always to improve and support our communities, so we’ve put together a few key things to keep in mind as you enter the world of real estate investment.
Know the right type of investment for you
Investing in real estate needn’t commit you to being a landlord. A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a low-maintenance way to get involved in real estate with next to none of the day-to-day monitoring required of direct property management. REITs are trusts that typically own multiple properties, and investors may purchase shares within the REIT. Typically, as the value of the property rises, so too do the values of your shares. If you’d like to dip a toe into real estate investing before diving in fully, a REIT is a great place to start.
Start with your own home
Owning the roof over your head is a basic step towards investing success. Even better, when you plan to live in the home you’re buying (rather than renting it out), you will likely benefit from lower mortgage rates and a cheaper down payment. The reasoning is straightforward – lenders see a loan to people purchasing the home they live in as an investment in people highly committed to the property.
Once you’ve owned your own house for a few years, you can look to purchase a new home to move into. By purchasing the new home with the intent to move in, you’ll be eligible to receive more favorable financing once again. After you’ve secured your new home, your first home is primed to be transformed into a rental property, and you can continue to see a return on your investment. If you’re seeking further support with buying a first, second, or third home, our website and our agents are full of information.
Cast a wide net
The best investment opportunity isn’t always going to be right underneath your nose. While there are logistical benefits to focusing locally with your investment, you may miss more profitable opportunities in another burgeoning market. Real estate is a long game, and patience tends to be rewarded. There’s no cause to rush a decision of this magnitude, so investigating other states and regions to find the property that best fits your situation is a process worth considering.
Three Deck Design Ideas to Get Your Yard Ready for Summer
A delightfully warm spring in many parts of the Western U.S. has many folks brushing off their summer clothing early. While this is exciting for all who love the outdoors, public spaces like parks and beaches may be overcrowded. What better time, then, to focus on ways to maximize the space you have in your own home. There’s no one ideal way to design or set up your deck, but we’ve put together a few of our favorite ideas to help inspire your next redesign.
Multi-level Decks
Credit: H. Camille Smith / HGTV
- Especially if your square footage is limited, tiering your deck into multiple levels is a great way to incorporate extra outdoor space into your home.
- By separating your deck into multiple levels, even slightly, you can create a cozy sense of separation between spaces.
- Give yourself options for privacy. Depending on your property, the base level of your deck may be below your fence-line. If you have a view you’d like to enjoy with your barbecue, consider a second tier.
Built-in Seating
Credit: lizmarieblog.com
- A simple way to save space and hassle is to build in your seating spaces during your deck’s construction.
- It’s important to consider what you will predominantly be doing on your deck. Lounging while reading? A corner bench is a great fit and can be outfitted comfortably. Potlucks and cookouts? Consider higher benches or fences with wide tops for easy plate placement.
- Consider your environment. If your deck will weather rain, sand, or wind consistently, don’t write off surfaces like brick and concrete, which can be framed as appealingly as wood or other stone.
Custom Lighting
Credit: istikharawazifa.com
- As the sun fades, your deck’s utility can shine or fade with it. Including discreet lighting within the construction of your deck is a small step that can pay huge dividends.
- Increasingly popular low-voltage systems have made a well-lit backyard and deck drastically more affordable.
- Depending on your location, solar powered lighting is a worthwhile investment that can help accentuate your stairs, fences, and other outdoor decorations.
Double Up
Fort Collins, over the last 12 months, has seen sales of homes priced $1,000,000 and over almost double.
There have been 47 sales of these luxury properties during the last year compared to 24 sales the year before that.
The current pace of roughly 4 of these properties selling per month is both unprecedented and very different compared to the other Northern Colorado markets.
Loveland, Greeley and Windsor have only seen very slight increases in sales of homes priced over $1,000,000.
So where are these homes selling in Fort Collins? These are the top neighborhoods for luxury sales:
- Fossil Lake Ranch
- Old Town
- The Hill at Cobb Lake
- Linden Lake
