We’re honored to hear from Ingrid Williams, local mom of 5, Realtor for Re/Max, and DMMB business sponsor today:
I have posted over the last 6 months about buying and selling real estate, and this month I thought I would focus on something a little different. Since I’ve talked about all the little things you can do to make a house sell – staging your home, how to pick the right real estate agent, etc. – this post is about how to make your home a refuge and enjoy the space you have. And best of all, these ideas won’t cost you a thing!
1. Spend Time IN It:
How much time do most families really spend at home? With today’s full schedules it’s almost a badge of honor to rattle off our daily itinerary to our friends. And ask anyone how they are and they’ll most likely reply, “Busy!” So, how about setting aside some time just to be “at home.” And no cheating by working on house projects, paying bills, or planning your next day’s schedule. Just enjoy the time to think and relax. A home is not just a place to put your head on a pillow at night. It’s a place to retreat. It’s okay to say no to outside things; the peace and renewal you’ll find at home is worth it.
2. USE Your Home Space:
So you’ve decided to take a day or evening at home… now what?
For starters, turn off all the distractions so you can really enjoy your home by interacting with the people in it. Put the smart phone on the charger and (gasp) turn it off. Don’t hit that on-button to the TV or computer. How about doing a little baking, writing, or drawing? Learn to knit. Or maybe just sprawl out on the floor to play a game or work a puzzle with your kids.
Whatever you do, just get out of the “eat dinner, watch TV, and go to bed” routine.
3. Add Some True Warmth:
Your home should be a safe place for your family. I’m not talking about looking around the home and eliminating physical hazards; rather, you should look to eliminate emotional hazards. Your home should be a place where love abounds. Use kinds words and encourage one another. Practice speaking and showing love for each one in the family.
As I said at the beginning of this post, our homes should be our refuge – our place where we are all encouraged and loved.
4. Invite Others to Join You:
No one’s home is physically perfect. Everyone can find fault with their home in some way or another, even those who have expensive, custom homes that they themselves built! In fact, it’s very easy to focus in on the negative things about your home and use them as an excuse not to entertain. But life was meant for relationships. Have friends over and enjoy their relationships anyway, and quit worrying. Don’t fret about what still needs to be done to the house. Friends and family don’t care about the details of your house or your “honey-do” list that is anything but done. What they do care about is that you made time for them and invited them into your home.
The bottom line here is that it really doesn’t matter what type of house you live in, but it does matter how much of a home it is. Life is about building relationships and passing along to others the good things you have received.
Take some steps this week to turn your house into more of a home than it’s ever been.
Connect With Ingrid
To regularly receive my monthly coupons and real estate advice, just email me at [email protected] and I’ll add to you to my monthly email list. You can view my website here.
And for help in determining if this is the right time for you to sell your home, give me a call at 515.371.5277 and I’ll be glad to come out and do a free market analysis on your home.
