May-

We are thinking of putting on a deck off the back of the house. At the moment, before quotes, we have become a little grandiose in our plans but I have a feeling we will be brought down quickly when we see the cost.

Our first thought was to have a Trex Deck put on. I tried to tell my husband that it was about 2 times the cost of a regular boards. I was wrong. Seriously wrong. $.87 vs. $3.00 to $4.00 per board .

When did all these costs go up? I let you know what I find out..but we are thinking of actually 2 decks joined at a 45 degree angle. Enough room for our Gazebo at one end, the fire pit at the other. Sounds great in the planning.

May- 

Quotes are in and we've selected our builder .  Seem to be just what we are looking for-Realistic, ambitious, excited, and ready to go!  They drew out our plans on a CAD program and it looks just like what we envisioned.  Still a little grandiose but we're excited.

The plans have been approved by the city and we are about to start the building process for the deck. I'm excited to be enjoying it a little bit this summer and I'm also a little concerned as I know the ongoing maintenance when Trex isn't possible can be significant. - but for now...we start the build. We are using local contractors and so far I'm really happy and satisfied with the experience.

The 'call before you dig' people should be out by tomorrow and then it is on to the drilling for the posts. I tried to warn our contractors that our yard is a combination of rock, shale and more rock. There is no way to get around it. They said they were prepared. I remember seeing my neighbors when they put their in ground pool in- the number of trucks hauling those rocks away ...were hard to keep track of. At least they don't have to haul rocks away...

June-

 It's raining. and raining some more.  If you look ahead at the forecast, the entire month seems compromised.  - yes a few hours here and there but not enough time for a crew to get out, get holes dug, city approved and complete.  Seems like such a small thing, actually...till you look at the weather.

June- 

still raining and now we are half way into the month.  I said the long term forecast didn't look good and it still doesn't .  They believe they can start next week.  Fingers crossed! If we can't do it soon, the paint put on by utilities will fade!

Under all is the Land

"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend other survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization"

Part of the first paragraph to the Preamble to our Realtor Code of Ethics.

Were you ever aware that Realtors had a had a Code of Ethics?

"Such interest impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social ...responsibility and a patriotic duty to which Realtors should dedicate themselves "

Did you ever think of your Realtor as patriotic in this sense?

It's a higher calling that most of the public in not aware of nor do they think about . We learn this when we become Realtors and are reminded at least once every 3 years when we are required to maintain our continuing education. Just wanted to share that with you.

Dreaded enemy!

I have met the enemy and he is me!
I spent most of this week-end cleaning out a spot I've dreaded for over 5 years..my basement. Storage space, yes. Junk collecter..no! It's all precious stuff! Well, reality is, it has been well loved for a long time but I've moved on, changed my taste, I don't know..but it now lies in tubs in the basement.

I don't have the largest of homes and don't have the ...space to show off my treasures in China Cabinets and I'm not into spreading it out all over the house but some of these things I've had for many many years. What to do!!

I haven't decided yet. I'm at a loss. These aren't treasurers anyone else would think valuable. Many I've used to stage houses over the years. But times are changing and it's time to find new homes for these things. I'm just not sure where or how to part with them.

Spring what?

Touching again on those terrible words 'spring cleaning'..but it's only March!! What better time to consider those terrible jobs.

 Why wait until the weather breaks and you would rather be anywhere but inside!

So- it's cold outside. Where to start? Pick a spot...top or bottom your choice.

One room at a time. Start left or right. Touch or clean in one direction and end in the middle. So, Clo...set to the left? Start there. Pull it all out, sort, get rid of, clean the shelves, vacuum or clean the floor, and straighten and put back everything. Don't forget the wood trim around the closet door and the base railing.

While you are deciding what the pitch, try the 'fly lady' website trick..get a trash bag and put 27 things in it- or more if you get inspired- that will leave and never come back.

Pull the bed from the wall, vacuum it out, clean the baseboards. Move on. Toys? stuff laying around? find a new home for it. They can live somewhere..just not here.

I've not mentioned the windows but the insides and the casings, go to it. The outsides should/could wait until the spring rains are over. Do the curtains need cleaned? When WAS the last time they there dusted, cleaned, vacuumed or washed? Sometimes I have a hard time remembering. It doesn't make the fun thing to do list.

One room done and done. Doesn't that feel much better?

Every Sellers bane and every Realtor's nightmare.

Talking to a Seller about why there property is not selling isn't always this easy. It's Convincing a Seller that selling a home has NOTHING to do with the way we live every day... It has everything to do with presenting a product that would convince someone to purchase it by keeping it as neat, clean, cleared and enhanced with fresh paint and nice touches like flowers, fresh towels and clean smells

 

If you are selling or have thought about it, you need to know that for that period of time until you are in contract, your home becomes a product. Just as if you were in a store room looking at a new bedroom set- you would not buy from a company that showed you bed that had been slept in or clothes all over it.  You would want it to be clean, neat, and look as if it's ready to buy.