Options - Oh My!

Top Options for a More Organized Closet

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:21:44 -0500

Spring is here!

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 Options let'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.

STOPPING PROCRASTINATION

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:50:29 -0500

The First 10 Ideas to Consider

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.

Are You (or Someone Close to You) a Procrastinator?

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:25:57 -0500

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!

Link to a You Tube presentaion on Procrastination

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXziurFkQxM

Investment Return is High on De-Cluttering Project

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:33:22 -0500

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.

Buyer's Eyes

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:33:36 -0500

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 walk room 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

Moving or Not-Improve Your Quality of Life

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:16:36 -0500

MOVING

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.

Converting Prized Mementos into Art

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:32:41 -0500

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.

Estate Liquidation – The Final Accounting

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:29:52 -0500

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 of support 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 of personal 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.

Books on the Topic

Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust

by Mary Randolph

The Executor's Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Settling an E...

by Theodore E. Hughes

How to Administer an Estate

by Stephen Christianson

How to Settle an Estate (How to Settle An Estate)

by Charles K. Plotnick

Your Trustee Duties: How to Dissect a Trust Contract, Prepare...

by Holmes F. Crouch

The Executor's Handbook

by Theodore E. Hughes

Quotes to Inspire

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:54:04 -0500

"Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow has not yet come.
We have only today.
Let us begin."

~ Mother Theresa

"Where ever you are, be there totally."

~ Eckhart Tolle

Estate Liquidation - Part 4

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:38:39 -0500

An Outcome to Wish For

Donation and Hauling Unsold Items & Preparing House for Sale

Habitat for Humanity http://www.lexhabitat.org/

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.

* Google this topic for your local options

HAULING and DISPOSAL

1 800 Got Junk http://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/

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.

PREPARING THE HOUSE FOR SALE

Lizette Fitzpatrick, Real Estate Agent

http://www.lizette.us/

Consulting with your Real Estate Agent
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.

Nest Week:

Recording Sales & Expenses

Estate Liquidation - Deciding How to Sell

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:20:16 -0500

Often I hear people say how easy it would be to just take all of the estate items to a consignment store. You can make that your game plan, however, does that meet all of your goals?

How to Sell the inventory of the Estate. Let’s break this section down into the Primary Buyers, Secondary Specialty buyers and third are the buyers looking for deals (items that your 1^st and 2^nd group of buyers passed on). Think of both the positives and negatives for each option.

PRIVATE BUYERS

Private sales allows for disposal of personal property quickly and with less expense and risk than holding a sale open to the public.

Dealers and private buyers know the resale and collectible value of items and are willing to pay more that the general public.

Liability and the possibility of accident, breakage, and theft are lower by inviting professional buyers and dealers.

Unadvertised private sales reduce the risk of burglary or vandalism of the vacant residence.

Dealers & private buyers buy multiple items and items in lots.

Dealers & private buyers show more respect for the property.

SPECIALITY BUYERS

Consider using one of the options of consignment of specialty items with someone experienced with on-line auctions.
Consider putting the items up for auction yourself. At least be sure you know what the value of the items is before you make any decision. Again, research is time well invested.

PUBLIC SALES

Holding public sales incurs additional time, labor, and expense.

The public at large is generally looking for bargains.

Liability and the possibility of accident, breakage, and theft are increased with public sales.

Advertised public sales increase the risk of burglary or vandalism of the vacant residence.

While buyers from the general public may buy multiple items, they often purchase only one or two items at a time.

Many estate sale shoppers enjoy haggling.

Public buyers leave the residence in a mess.

Classified advertising is more costly than you would think.

Knowing and understanding your goals is paramount. Getting the house on the market for sale is the ultimate goal. Another goal is to maximize the value of a personal estate while minimizing the efforts of the family, executor or conservator.

You may be prepared to undertake this project and manage all aspects of Liquidation of the Estate. Options – Oh My! offers multiple services to assist you in this type of project. I can help you with just about anything that requires personal or business assistance such as personal organization, photo documentation of real estate or personal items, witnessing legal documents, shipping or storage of items, local research of any type. The benefit of the services I offer is you can contract for any above on a part –time basis. I have a “What ever it takes” attitude to satisfy the needs of you the client with grace and sensitivity to the loss of a precious family member or friend. I subscribe to a “win-win” attitude for all parties involved while honoring the property and the family members and their memories.

You are considering all your options on How To Sell, so Google “Estate Liquidation Lexington KY”. Visit the sites of professionals Estate Liquidation experts. Whether you do it yourself or hire the work done be sure to take into account what your time is worth.

Next Week:

Donating Unsold Items & Recording Sales and Expenses

Estate Liquidation - Sorting and Deciding What to Sell

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:00:41 -0500

Sorting and Deciding What to Sell

You have an estate to liquidate and you are overwhelmed. Keep in mind that the true vale of an estate lies in the sale of the real property. However, you have lots of items to liquidate. Break this huge project into manageable mini-projects. If you have not started making an Inventory List, start now. Sorting things and putting them into categories is most helpful. Consider the following:

First sort is by type of item and value.

Second sort is by function, such as furniture, collectibles, antiques, books, clothing, kitchenware, tools, sporting equipment, etc.

Third sort is by value, such as desirable, ordinary, passable and junk.

Another useful tool is to photograph all items. Start with the rooms as they are set up. Think of a catalog and identify each item and reference it to your inventory list. This process supports you in communicating with family members and/or friends regarding things they would like to have. It also makes communication with family members that are in distant locations much easier. Circulate the inventory list with photos with the family/friends and let everyone make their selections. Remember to consider both sentimental and monetary values. Consider allowing family and friends to select some keepsakes or mementos. A Professional Resolution Consultant can be hired to mediate disputes.

This next step is critical; arrange to move saved items to a proper storage space. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT attempt to store items you want to keep on the premises. In hectic times items are mistakenly sold, discarded, damaged or misplaced.

Now you can shift your focus to selling and donating the items that are left. Market these treasures for maximum income. To assess value to the items on the inventory list you can research compatible items in retail stores (here again the photos are very useful). Research items using the internet, on-line auctions sites are a valuable resource to learn about this entire process. Gain as much knowledge about your inventory prior to your sale.

Keep in mind that the true value of an estate lies in the sale or rental of the real property. Remember that in most cases, the original retail value, even for antiques, is much greater that the resale value of second-hand property, because the original seller already made the profit. The items on your inventory list may not be worth as much as you think.

Consider having valuable items and collectibles appraised. If you have the personal property appraised, be sure to tell the appraiser why you are getting it appraised. There may be vast differences in the appraised values depending on whether it is for resale, retail, or insurance purposes.

If you sell to private buyers and dealers, make it clear that you expect to receive at least 50% of what they think they will be able to resell it for. Most dealers consider that fair, and will honor your fairness with their honesty.

Some buyers prefer you to set the price, instead. DO YOUR RESEARCH. When in doubt, sell it. A smaller price may be better than not selling it at all.

Next week

Decide How to Sell

Consider the Primary Buyers, Secondary Specialty buyers and finally the buyers looking for deals (items that your 1^st and 2^nd group of buyers passed on).

Estate Liquidation

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:07:03 -0500

Getting the house on the market for sale is the ultimate goal.

However, consider the importance of arranging for the possession that was cherished by your loved one, to be matched with the proper recipient. This task is a beautiful expression of respect. Anyone who buys estate items may value their purchase or they may resale the item to someone who values the treasure. Great place to start is with research. You will best utilize your time and energy by knowing and understanding your goals. This is also the time to decide if you will be taking photos of home prior to breaking it apart for liquidation. You may decide to walk through and vidoe the residence. I have found both so very helpful in a number of ways.

Now, down to the ABC’s of how to break this huge project into a manageable mini-projects. For the next several weeks we will look at this topic in detail.

Once you begin you will see the importance of first taking an inventory of what is in the estate. You will get a true sense of what this project is all about. You are responsible for properly disposing of a varied and vast amount of items. It may have taken a person a life time to accumulate things and now you are assigned the task to liquidate this estate in a timely manner. The time it takes to inventory the estate will be well worth it.

Note: Look in the file cabinet, often an inventory will be in the insurance files. A list of the valuable may have been included in their home owner’s policy.

To make the task easier start by sorting things and putting them into categories. Your first sort is by type of item and value. Your next sort is by function, such as furniture, collectibles, antiques, books, clothing, kitchenware, tools, sporting equipment, etc. Third sort is by value, such as desirable, ordinary, passable and junk.

Scheduling time for this project is critical for success. Liquidating the personal property and preparing the residence for sale is a time consuming and labor intensive project. Consider the following and start creating a timeline for your project.

Sale: Scheduling, preparation and staging may need about four days with 2 people.

Labor: Boxing and bagging unsold items for donation may need about 2 days with 2 people.

Donation: Someone will need to be on site so allow 4 to 8 hours.

Hauling and Disposal: By this stage of the project you may be ready to wrap it up and you may want to us a professional hauler.

Cleaning: Allow a full day for 1 to 2 people.

Additional Coordinating: Find and schedule your buyers.

Determine, find, schedule and supervise any tradesmen required to repair or paint house.

Record keeping of all projects, expenses, & sales for estate.

You will need to allow any where from 4 to 8 weeks if you choose to take on this project yourself. Hiring a competent professional can usually complete the job in half this time. Whether you do it yourself or hire the work done be sure to take into account what your time is worth.

Next week:

Sorting and Deciding What to Sell

IS YOUR GARAGE A "NO PARKING ZONE"?

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:34:08 -0500

This week let’s tackle organizing the Garage. You know, it is that space designed for parking your vehicles. Organizing the garage is always a good place to start, once you commit to organizing your home. Oh, too much going on now, then schedule this project on your seasonal “TO DO LIST”. Fall is only 67 days away and it is the perfect time to organize this space because everything that came out of the garage in spring and summer needs to go back into the garage before winter blows in.

Still not wanting to tackle the garage, consider this, what is the first sight you see upon returning home? You pull into your driveway your garage door opens and there it is. What is the last sight you see when leaving home? Oh, all that clutter is bothersome. Not really how you want to start your day is it? It is my intention to set myself and my life up for success.

Organizing the garage has just shot up to the top of my week-end “TO DO LIST”. How about you?

SORTING, great place to start, pick a section of the garage and start SORTING. You will need to designate a place for all the things to keep in the garage, things to donate, and things to be put back in their proper place in the house/office/car. Last but not least things for the trash. Next, there are a few concepts to ponder:

As you sort you will see a pattern starting to develop and you will see what ACTIVITY ZONES need to be created. We are converting the garage from a No Parking Zone to a clean organized space for parking your valuable vehicles and space for a few things we need outdoors.

Remember; keep like items with like items. Think of how a store is set up, they organize things for you to be able to find what you need. With this in mind, which of the following zones work in your life style?

Lawn and Garden
Sport Goods
Automotive
Household Tool
Paint & Carpenter
Holiday & Art/crafts
Toys

Critical to your success is time spent to “Plan your space”. Sketch a layout of the garage including measurements of the space and measurement of the storage pieces. It is like a puzzle, it can be fun to set up your ACTIVITY ZONES.

Use the common sense approach, it is really so logical. Colonize every inch; Peg board, shelves, totes, clear boxes, and any container that keeps things accessible. Keep the most used items with in reach of the work surface.

Make it comfortable. When you create a work station, consider the lighting, Lighting is very important. Step stools, benches, and a chair are the items you will need to make the space inviting to work in.

Get up off the floor; Hooks or units that utilize tracks and attachments that make the walls perfect for hanging bikes, skis, golf clubs, rackets, and the like. Create a section close to the door to the house with a peg board or clips for brooms, mops, brooms, ladders, flash light and the things you need in the house.

In all organizing project SORTING AND PLANNING are the key to your success. Too busy to organize your garage or don’t want to tackle such a job, hire someone to do the job. Consider calling Options – Oh My! I love to organize.

Endless Options - Let's Talk Boxes!

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:06:36 -0500

There is a move in your future! This can be fun. It really can. Let’s get the supplies you will need to make this process be as smooth as possible. Now is a great time to start organizing things so the move will flow. I have some great ideas to help this process. So here we go, the topic is Endless Options - Let’s Talk Boxes!

Before you buy moving boxes consider purchasing some bank boxes at the office supply store. If you’re moving good stuff (would you pay to move bad stuff and a great reason to organize now) you should use good boxes. They are about a dollar each and “boy-oh-boy” they are versatile. I have bank boxes that are about 7 years old that are still very usable.

The reason I recommend bank boxes to all my clients is because they are sturdy, manageable for almost anyone with handles build in. They are the perfect size for books, binders, magazines, all that office stuff that you may need to access.

Remember to LABEL the box, I want to say “read my lips” but that is silly so I will say read the statement again “REMEMBER TO LABEL THE BOX”. If you are not able to commit to a permanent label use a “post it note” or tape a 3X5 card to the box until you get comfortable with the process. Look, there is a place for a label-oh my!

Another reason I use and recommend bank boxes is they stack very well. Think about it. They are all the same size and they have lids (sturdy lids) for easy access. Bank boxes can be utilized after the move to store documents or treasures. I store my seasonal items in them. When I go to a pot luck dinner I use a bank box to transport my hot dish with the serving piece and my hostess gift. If they box gets damp I simply collapse it and toss it in the recycle.

As a professional organizer I use these boxes to sort things when I have a project that deals with clutter. Once things are sorted, my clients are much more willing to get involved in the process of organizing.

This piece of cardboard is easy to assemble into a box. Another neat consideration, they fold up flat and store in a dry place until that next move, you know there will be another one.

So far this sounds simple, I want more on this topic Endless Options - Let’s Talk Boxes!

Photo Boxes

Next in this conversation on boxes, I recommend to all my clients and I use myself are photo boxes. I buy them by the dozen so they match. I buy as neutral a design/color as I can so they will work in multiple environments. I love options and re-using thins. Again, the idea is to use them now to sort and store photos, DVD, CD, VCR Tapes, iPod paraphernalia, cell phone paraphernalia, recipes cards, receipts, canceled checks, check registers, collectibles, keepsakes…the list goes on and on. The goal here is to gather like things and put them into containers that are stackable and also have easy access. Just because you are moving does not mean your life does not go on and you need access to your stuff!

Do you remember what to do next? Did you read my lips? “REMEMBER TO LABEL THE BOX”. There is even a space for the label and the label is usually included.

Moving Boxes

Next on our list of Endless Options - Let’s Talk Boxes! we come to moving boxes. Consider the following. If you have used boxes and they’re in decent shape (not bent, torn, or damp), go ahead and use those. You have lots to choose from.

Regular boxes. New boxes made of strong corrugated cardboard (with an edge-crush test rating of at least 32 pounds per inch printed on the box). They cost from $1 to $5 each, depending on the size, but are less expensive when purchased in bulk. Whether you choose old or new boxes make sure you have a variety of sizes to accommodate the different items you need to move.

How many boxes do you need? “That’s like asking, ‘How long is a piece of string?’” A rule of thumb, you can count on using at least 100 boxes for a sparsely furnished three-bedroom home, says a full-service mover in Atlanta that specializes in corporate moves.

Specialized boxes. For dishes and other fragile or heavy items, make sure to use “dish barrels,” which cost between $5 and $7 and are made of double-walled cardboard. Well worth the money.

Wardrobe boxes, with a metal bar for hanging clothes, greatly simplify the packing and unpacking. Some movers may supply you with free wardrobe boxes for your move, which they’ll collect once you unpack them — make sure to ask before you place your box order. Expect to pay $7 to $15 each, depending on the size, if you have to buy them.

Long flat-frame boxes are ideal for protecting most large pieces of art and mirrors. These, too, may be provided by movers. If you’re moving yourself, you can purchase them from truck-rental companies.

Tape and tape guns. Brown packing tape, not surprisingly, is ideal. Never use masking tape or duct tape — they don’t stick well to cardboard. A couple of heavy-duty tape guns — one for you, one for your spouse or a friend — make taping and cutting a lot quicker. To pack up the contents of seven to eight rooms, you’ll need at least 440 yards of two-inch-wide tape. (Tape rolls come in 55- and 110-yard sizes.)

Endless Options - Let’s Talk Boxes! has been written for you to learn more about achieving success. You make the choice, as you see there are endless options-oh my!

Three Concepts About Clutter and Quality of Life

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:40:18 -0500

Even organizers need inspiration, motivation and encouragement. Life is busy and I have some “clutter” issues of my own from time to time.

Being organized enables me to make the most of my time, talents, skills and resources. My reference library contains numerous books, magazines and other resources for organizing. A favorite resource is a box of cards by Julie Morgenstern, the bestselling author of “Organizing from the Inside Out” and “Time Management from the Inside Out”.

This week I am working with “Organizing from the Inside Out Cards”. Each card offers a concept and a new way of looking at the process of getting organized. My intention is to focus on the following concepts:

*Be aware of the cost of clutter. Be mindful of the cost of keeping things-it costs time and space to take care of things you don’t use.

*Improve your quality of live. Give yourself access to the things you use and love by getting rid of the stuff you don’t.

*Attack the visible clutter first. The visible clutter is more current, and will provide you with immediate, dramatic, results.

My housekeeper was due to arrive at 8:00 A.M. so I was real motivated and tackled all the visible clutter at 6:00 A.M. sharp. I am organized but I have had a busy week that just went through the weekend all the way to this morning – you know how that goes.

Would it be helpful if you had a buddy? I am a great organizing buddy. Just let me know how your decision making is flowing. A buddy offers non-judgmental feedback to help you can stay focused and energized.

Beth Richardson

Personal Organizer, Life Events Coordinator, & Notary

859-333-8239

Quote to Inspire

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:34:16 -0500

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein

Eliminating Visual Clutter

Beth Richardson (Options - Oh My!) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:13:30 -0500

Eliminating visual clutter has great value and is the first step in creating the life you deserve and desire. Evaluating the small details of daily living will put you are on the path of envisioning your larger goals. Being organized will save you time, energy and money. Order in your daily life helps keep you calm and sane. Consider using 15 minutes a day to start clearing clutter.

Quote
“Today’s problems cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them.”
Albert Einstein

www.optionsohmy.com

Beth Richardson, Personal Organizer & Life Events Coordinator

859.333.8239