My oh my, it has been too long since my last post, however, now is the time for organizing...it is always time for organizing for me!
Spring forward, first, let's look back. I wrote a post on organizing your garage in July of 2008 that got many of you interested in reclaiming valuable space for your vehicles. Endless Optionslet's talk boxes was another post in July 2008 that had your interest. Most viewed was the series of posts on Estate Liquidation (July to August 2008).
Today, let's get organized! Spring cleaning is what we are ready for. I start with my closets.
Top Options for a More Organized Closet:
Keep empty hangers together. For a unified look and feel, use hangers of the same kind (all wooden, all plastic in the same color...you get the idea).
Return wire hangers to your local dry cleaner on a monthly/weekly basis.
PURGE the items you do not wear. Donating them, gifting them to a friend/family, or selling them at a consignment shop. (Use bankers boxes to tote items to their new home)
SORT your clothes into categories and then by colors. You will be happy with how much easier it will be to create your outfit for events and for daily wear.
Utilize organizing products to manage the limited space in your closet for maximum visual display. Think about how exciting it is for you to look at the displays in the department stores and keep this visual appeal as much as you can. It will be such a joy to open your closet.
Controlling clutter in closets can be achieved with just 5 minutes a day organizng items back into their place.
Before we get to the 10 Ideas to Consider, I want to share a little story.
I have been a list maker my entire life.
My family use to tease me about my "To-Do Lists".
One day when I was in my 20’s I visited my parent’s home.
As a joke, my Dad, put a To-Do List on
the refrigerator that read “HAVE BABY”.
Yes, I was indeed pregnant, and overdue...
I did not think it was funny at the time!
And now here are the first 10:
1. Work from a To-Do list. This is my MOST FAVORITE TOOL. Tackle the most difficult tasks during your prime time of the day.
2. We all know, the hardest part is getting started. Once you are in motion, it will be easier to keep going. You may find it is not as bad as you expected, and now that you’re involved, you’re began stopping procrastination.
3.Sense of time. Procrastinators often have an unrealistic sense of time; you’re sense is a project will take forever. You think you have “plenty of time”. Being realistic, will help your choice of stopping procrastination.
4.Work with the time available to you. One of the techniques I have seen used most often, people estimate that a project will take ten to twelve hours, so they keep waiting for a day when they can devote that amount of time to it. Often, for a procrastinator, that day never comes.
5. Remember the even five minutes is enough time to get something done. One or two phone calls or more can be returned in that time.
6.If it seems like there really is no time, carve out a half hour or so from your existing schedule. If you really want to take up a new trait-say jogging, try getting up a half hour or so earlier each day (or on the weekends). If you want to do it, you will find the time.
7.One of the most difficult things for clients to do is minimize interruptions. With cell phones and a constant barrage of incoming e-mails, you may intend to spend fifteen minutes getting started on a new project only to find that you wasted that time dealing with unexpected phone calls and distracting e-mails. Solution: ignore these interruptions for the time you allotted to work on a project.
8.Consider your workspace. Organizing your space for efficiency and productivity is critical.
9.Clear your work area of all else so you don’t let your eyes wander. This will almost assure you of being productive.
10.Ending with another favorite-You don’t always have to start at the beginning. If that first step seems the hardest, start with another part of the project.
Most of us procrastinate in one area or another at some point in our life. There are those of us that procrastinate about everything. Oh, I know, it started innocently enough but in time it became a habit. A bad habit!
Often, we agree to do something in the excitement of the moment, and then we are driving home and think I don’t want to do this thing I agreed to do. Thus, procrastination has its invitation to stand front and center in your brain.
Here are common reasons why you procrastinate:
The feeling of overwhelm. What is the cause, overload of information, too many details or too many options – oh my!
Over estimating time needed. Thinking the task is too time-consuming, that it will take forever. A variation of this is thinking you have forever to finish something.
You would rather be doing something else.
Waiting long enough, the project/issue will go away. Maybe the project will be canceled or the appointment postponed or…….
Perfection is the goal. Often fear of turning in a report or finishing a project because of worry about failing or judgment. Often, delay until the last minute technique is used so if the project or report does not measure up the phrase “Oh, I would have done better if I’d had more time.”
Not wanting to take responsibility. If a project is not completed, then you will not be held responsible.
Fear of success. Fear of success??? Completing something and succeeding, will you be able to live up to that standard in all future projects/reports? How will your friends and family relate to you once you are successful?
Last-minute adrenaline rush. Often people feel that they do their best work “under pressure.” What happens when there is a plan “B” or plan “C” that interrupts your last minutes?
What can you do about it? Next week you can learn the top 10 ways to stop procrastination. Yes, there are many more ways, but if I list all of them you may procrastinate reading the article – oh my!
I was researching topics and ran across this; spending money to clean and de-clutter your home can bring a return of 578% on your investment. This statistic supports what I teach my clients. Many people hesitate to invest their time and money in cleaning and de -cluttering. A high percentage of Real Estate Agents recommend their clients invest in this type of project. Out of all the home repair projects you can invest your time, energy and money in, you can get the highest percentage return with this project.
So, let's run some figures. You spend $400.00 on this project; at the 578% return mark you could get an increase in the price of your home of a nice $2,312.00. Not a bad investment of your time, energy and money.
You are ready to sell your home. Great! Now let’s view this property as a product, not as your home. Use your “Buyer’s Eyes” to objectively view your home and find the ways to highlight its assets while downplaying its flaws.
As an organizer, my clients have found someone other than themselves may be better suited to see the home objectively. This is necessary to help you formulate an action plan to get your home whipped into shape by organizing and making changes to market your home as "move-in ready."
An un-cluttered and organized space ensures the “buyer’s eyes” will be able to respond to your home in a way that makes them imagine themselves living there. Clearing away anything that would interfere with the moment they feel as if it is their own ideal home.
Yes, emotions enter into this for the seller and buyer. Your objective on this side of the transaction (the seller) is to clear away all that will not promote the positives of this piece of Real Estate. Once you are on the other side of this type transaction (a buyer) you don’t want to have to visually edit the stuff because you want to see the architecture, the space, the limitations of a new home that will add to not take from what it would take to make it your own.
Here are some Guidelines for creating spaces that buyers can relate to personally, that speak to their emotions and make them want to stay.
1. First Impressions
2. Eliminating Clutter
3. Emphasizing the Positive
4. Downplay the Not-so-Positive
5.Lighting and Color
6. Home Buyers Appeal
7. Cleaning
8.Odor free
9.Repairs
10. Updates
11. The “Wow Element”
You are ready to get started. As you walkroom by room; take notes of your first impressions. What grabs you and what glares at you? What will give the buyer that feeling of home?
This project is about marketing, staging and putting your best effort into a profitable and quick sell. Organizing and staging share many similar philosophies. The second guideline addresses Eliminating Clutter. The packing starts now! Pack away a good percentage of everything in the room in order to create a clean, open and spacious feel.
Emphasizing the Positive while Downplay the not-so-positive is our next step. Finding a beautiful focal points emphasize what you love about the room and hide or distract the negative aspects of the rooms.
Working on down the list, focusing on lighting and color to make each room into a bright, warm and inviting space that will delight the “Buyers Eyes”
Depersonalize the space while retaining the warmth and fun will enhance Home Buyers Appeal. In order for a buyer to “feel home” they need not be reminded of this being your home.
A clean house, odor free in good repair is the goal. Put on your “Buyers Magnifying Glasses”. Really look for the dirt, don’t judge yourself just see what needs to be done. Remember FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Get the home sparkling clean, get it smelling fresh and be sure the buyer is not making a mental “repair list”. Get your handyman in to make the repairs that will help make your home perfect in the Buyers Eyes.
Updates with the current trends will help make this piece of real estate stand out if your budget will allow. You can be real creative with this part of the project.In some cases, you may need to make some purchases to accent the positives and minimize the not-so-positive.
“Wow Elements”. You need “Wow Elements” in each room; it is a huge part of your marketing strategy. The visual effect and the feeling can make a hugh difference.
As an organizer, often my clients have me come in and “organize” their closets and drawers so they can have that FEELING they had when they were shopping. Marketing is about “order and display”. Think about how an orderly and creatively display draws you in through your “Buyer’s Eyes”. Think about how you feel. My clients want to have that same “WOW Elements” in their daily life so periodically I go in and organize closets, drawers, pantries, office, etc.
This strategy in marketing offers guidelines that address subtleties that will nudge the buyers to subconsciously desire to live in this home. Looking through “buyer’s eyes” is a helpful technique to transform your home into a space the buyer wants for their home.
Oh my! You feel this is not something you want to do. Okay, you are ready but you do not want to do it alone. Consider hiring a partner to coordinate this project. I am available to help you achieve your goals in staging your home to sell quickly and for more money.
Beth Richardson, Personal Organizer, Life Events Coordinator, and Notary
The magazine “Real Simple” offers wonderful advice and guidelines for organizing and moving. They suggest two months before your move that you start going through your home and deciding what you want to move and what you want to get rid of.
OR NOT - IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE
Improve your QUALITY OF LIFE. How? Why?
HOW? You organize to Improve your QUALITY OF LIFE. There are several reasons to be organized, you give yourself access to the things you use and love by getting rid of the stuff you don’t. When you are organized, your homes, offices, and schedules reflect, encourage, and support who you are, what you want, and where you are going.
WHY? Organizing your home or office NOW will make a move in two months or two years that much easier. Think about it, what thrilled you yesterday may not excite you today. Tune up your system at lease once a year. Assess the situation, determine whether your space is organized or not, don’t just see how it looks, see how it functions.
The items you keep to preserve memories often clutter up closets, drawers and valuable living space. Letting these things go may not have been an option. Make it easier to let go of sentimental items by taking photos of them before giving them away. You can then place the snapshot in a scrapbook for periodic trips down memory lane. Regain valuable space in your home or office.
Circulate dormant possessions; don’t hang on to items you aren’t using just because you spend good money on them. If you ever need them again, these items will probably find their way back to you.
Create a Treasure Chest. Some memorabilia is a wonderful treat, however, too much is overwhelming. Turn a beautiful trunk into a treasure chest, and keep only what will fit inside.
The last several articles on Estate Liquidation were informative but so very dry. This week let’s talk about sparkling things and delightful memories shared with our relatives and friends.
Downsizing is a buzz word now but it is not new. My grandparents sorted through all their prized possessions as they prepared to move into a smaller home in 1973. I witnessed the process and made mental notes.
I was the first grandchild that lived close to my Grandparents. I was the first girl. I was adored by both Grandma and Grandpa and was given full run of the house and of her shop (she was a seamstress and upholsters).
Grandma created and sewed outfits for me and my Barbie. She volunteered a lot at the church and each summer they would have a Rummage Sale. I would go and buy all sorts of costumes, shoes, purses. I was allowed to wear my grandmother’s jewelry when I played dress up. I though this was the most wonderful privilege a girl could have.
What does this walk down memory lane have to do with the topic of converting prized mementos into art, you may ask? My grandmother was very creative and artistic and for weeks she took over the dining room table for her newest project. She was making a collage with her jewelry.
Grandma placed her mother's garnet choker in the center and carefully placed the matching ear rings on each side; her work of art began to take shape. Many of the pieces of jewelry were the items I had played with for years.I had seen Grandma were almost every piece to church. The garnet broach belonged to my great grandmother. I love the collection of rhinestone pins that she carefully placed throughout the piece. We had many conversations about our memories and about our relatives. The project took weeks to complete. It was one of the best summers I spend at my grandparent’s house. I had grown up loving this house it was the only one I had ever known. It provided closure for my grandparents, my mom, and the rest of our close relatives.
This piece of Personal Art was our project, Grandma and Me. When we got to the new house we decided on which wall and hung the piece almost immediately. Grandma lived in her new home for about 12 years. As the estate was being liquidated I was the lucky one to get this Jeweled Picture and I am so grateful to have this work of art, this personal piece of history in my home.
As a personal organizer I am often busy helping my clients sort through items that they treasure. As part of the process we often brain storm on how to convert things into art. It is such fun. You could start thinking along these lines and convert your prized mementos into art.
This group of articles was created to maximize the value of a personal estate while minimizing the efforts by you or for the family, executor or conservator. This Multi-tiered approach to Estate Liquidation leaves the real property ready for SALE after generating maximum income from the personal property.
Yes, we are at the end of the project. Estate Liquidation – The Final Accounting offers some final thoughts:
Be organized and make photocopies of everything, including sales and expense receipts, appraisals, and all relevant materials.
Consider putting all sales and expenses in a spreadsheet for the convenience of your attorney or accountant.
Keep a hard copy for yourself and give one to all other interested parties, including family members.
Outline of Headers for Spreadsheets
Global expenses for the project
Commissions/Fees
Advertising
Postage and Insurance
Cleaning
Movers
Bookkeeping/Accounting
Personal Property Expenses
Your original Inventory List can be expanded if originally created as a spreadsheet. The new columns to add (for tracking data and expenses):
Appraisal
Repairs
Refinishing
Movers
Storage
Sales Staff/Commissions
Staging
Bookkeeping/Accounting
Preparation of Property for Sale Expenses
Construction
Maintenance/Repairs
Clean up
Supplies
Storage
Bookkeeping/Accounting
Life Events Coordinator/Personal Assistance Services –My niche and my passion is Supporting People In Achieving Success & Quality of Life, one project at a time.You are considering taking this project on, but you will need an assistant. I can be ofsupport in creating a Timeline, deciding What to Sell, deciding How to Sell, investigate options for Selling to Private Buyers/Selling to the Public, coordinating Donations, support in Preparation of the Home for Sale, and support in Recording Sales and Expenses.
You will be making lots of decisions. I am that “GO TO” gal when you need to delegate parts of the project, such as: take photos of the entire inventory ofpersonal items, locate venues for events, handle shipping or storage of items, provide local research of any type, in fact just about anything you can think of that supports you as the Estate Liquidator . This “GO TO” gal is also a Notary Public.
Liquidating the personal property and preparing the residence for sale is a time consuming and labor intensive project. At this stage of the game I would say you have sharpened your networking skills. Getting the house on the market for sale is the ultimate goal and you are getting closer to that point. Let’s look at where we have been and where we are going.
Goals Achieved:
Strategy for Project
Inventoried all the personal property
Decided What to Sell
Decided How to Sell
Goals that are in front of you are:
Donation-Boxing and bagging up unsold items for donation, Scheduling pickup for donations and Hauling and Disposal of all that is left
Boxing and bagging up unsold items for donation really need no further explanation. Tips on choosing a Charity does. Consider creating a list to explore the following:
Does the charity offer a pick up service?
Will they offer a 4 hour pick up appointment or just an 8 hour appointment?
How much advance notice do they require?
What items will they not accept?
Does the charity have requirements on how the items are boxed or bagged?
What are the guidelines for determining value?
Will you be provided with a receipt?
Who do they recommend you contact when they don’t accept certain items.
Looking at your Inventory List, there are a few items that are going to be hard to place. Let’s take these items and look at some options – oh my!
Pianos and organs, believe it or not, they are often very challenging. Whether you sell or donate a piano, for purpose of LIABILITY, insist that it be removed by a professional piano mover. A reminder, the cost of the mover is an expense to be submitted to estate accountant.
Same goes for grandfather clocks. Start a list for items that requiring a Professional Hauler.
Any very large item or heavy item, especially if the route to the outside of the house involves stairs, sharp turns, or narrow hallways needs to go on the list for the Professional Hauler.
Mattresses usually are not accepted by any charity. Add these items to the list for the Professional Hauler.
Blankets, quilts and towels can be donated to animal shelters.
Clothing has to be high-end, very fashionable or vintage to be able to be sold. For the rest of the clothing you have Consignment or Donation as your options. Consignment usually requires items to be freshly dry cleaned and they must be on hangers. Because of the time and expense involved many people often just go the donation route. however, if you are into the consignment scene you will of course choose to go this route.
Personal items and clothing of ethnic or historical interest can be donated to cultural centers.
Books (except for first editions and collections of antiquarian value*) can be donated to your local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, local libraries ( Friends of the Library e-mail is friends@lexpublib.org) and local schools. All usually accept books that meet their criteria.
Consider hiring a local hauler to do this job-choose a reputable hauler who will dispose of everything in a legal manner that is kind to the environment.
Sort large metal objects such as appliances from the other debris-landfills charge extra for appliances, recycle companies do not.
Landfills often charge extra for mattresses and box springs
Make separate arrangements for hazardous waste such as paints, thinners, fertilizer, and motor oil as landfills usually do not accept them.
Consider ordering a large disposal bin from your local waste management company. They will haul and dispose of the debris for you.
Determine, find, schedule & supervise any tradesmen required to repair or paint
Clean Up
Consult with your Real Estate Agent for recommendations for professional tradesman for the repairs and painting of the property. Discuss strategy on where to put your time; energy and money to prepare the property to maximize your return in today’s REAL ESTATE market.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Beth Richardson, Personal Organizer, Life Events Coordinator, and Notary
Life Events Coordinator/Personal Assistance Services –My niche and my passion is Supporting People In Achieving Success & Quality of Life, one project at a time.
Habitat for Humanity 
http://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/
Lizette Fitzpatrick, Real Estate Agent
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