subject: Staging Your Home Like a Pro

Are you considering putting your house up for sale, but not sure where to start? Afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won’t get the price you want?

Think about staging your home, or in other words, setting the scene for immediate buyer interest in your property.

To be really effective, you need to look at both the outside and the inside of your home. Here are some tips to get you started with the inside of your home:

1. De-clutter. This is one of the most important things you can do. It might be easier to think of de-cluttering like this you’re moving anyway, so why not start packing now?

Pack up everything you don’t need and store the boxes out of sight in the garage (or consider temporarily renting a small storage locker).

2. Organize your closets – put similar colors together, pants together, skirts together, shirts together etc. Why? Because it will make the closets look bigger. (Really.) An organized closet appears bigger, and you want your closets to look as spacious as possible.

3. Make your home look like a model. You want to de-personalize as much as possible, so potential buyers can imagine themselves and their own belongings occupying the space in your house. That means minimizing and putting away everything you don’t need or use.

Clear off kitchen counters as much as possible. Stash all those appliances you don’t use and put miscellaneous small clutter in a few attractive baskets or boxes.

And the biggest tip of all? Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at your property for the very first time. What impressions are you getting? Would YOU buy your house?

What would you like to see changed before you put an offer on your house?

And don’t worry about spending several thousand dollars to get your house ready to sell.

You’ll get it all back when your house sells. Proper staging helps you sell your house in a shorter time and at the price you want.

Warmly,

XXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email

Subject: 3 Tips for a Healthy You

We all want to be healthy, but sometimes the idea of it seems overwhelming. You can make a few simple changes to your lifestyle that can increase your happiness and put you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Drink plenty of water. We all get busy and forget to hydrate. Get a water bottle that you can take with you wherever you go to help keep you hydrated.

2. Get enough sleep at night. Sleep is important to both our physical and mental health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommends that adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep a day.

3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly. For example, taking a brisk walk. The CDC also recommends some type of muscle strengthening exercise at least 2 days a week.

Warmly,

XXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email

Subject: Air Travel Made Easier

Traveling can be a stressful time. Reduce your stress with these tips.

1. Arrive early. Arrive in plenty of time to check bags and get through security. Check with the airport you are traveling from for their recommended arrival time. It’s okay if you have time to spare. Use this time to go to the restroom, have a snack and even check a few emails.

2. Reduce your time in line with TSA pre-check. For $85 you can apply for TSA pre-check which saves you time in the security line and you don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, and belt. The process takes about 2-3 weeks. For more information visit dhs.gov.

3. Book the first flight out. When booking your flight try to book the first flight out if you have a connecting flight, that way if you are delayed your chances of getting on another connecting flight are much better.

4. Make your luggage stand out. Not only do you want to make sure you have an ID tag on your luggage in case it gets lost, you should also add a colored ribbon to your luggage, so it stands out from the rest of the bags, or better yet, the next time your purchase luggage opt for something with color or pattern to help you quickly identify your bag.

5. Check your bag before you leave. To avoid any issues at the security line double check your bag and all of its compartments before leaving home. Make sure your contents in your bag meet the TSA regulations and that you have no sharp objects in your bag.

6. Upgrade for more legroom. If you don’t want to pay the price for a first class ticket many airlines offer a premium economy option which gives you extra legroom to make your flight a more comfortable experience.

7. Dress comfortable. Select an outfit that is comfortable for you to travel in. It is a good idea to dress in layers. Airports and airplanes can vary drastically in temperature.

8. Bring snacks. You may not have a long flight but there is always a chance of delays. Bring yourself snacks to keep you from getting hungry during your trip.

9. Disinfectant wipes are a must. Bring some disinfectant wipes to wipe down your seating area on the airplane. Wipe the tray table, arm rests, seat belt, etc. to help reduce the spread of germs.

Warmly,

XXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email

subject line: House Fire Prevention and Safety Tips

Knowing how to prevent and detect a house fire is vital to the safety of those in your home.

Here are some common fire dangers according to consumersafety.org:

• Check your home for cords that are worn out or frayed. Remove and replace these cords.
• Stay safe when cooking in the kitchen. It is a good idea to have a fire extinguisher that is easily accessible in your kitchen to quickly put out a fire.
• Smoking in the home is also a cause of house fires.
• Candles that have been forgotten and left burning while not home or set too close to something that is flammable or knocked over by a child or a pet, can all cause a fire.
• Unplug your curling iron or hair straightener when done using and make sure it is placed in a safe spot to cool away from flammable materials.
• When using an outdoor fire pit make sure the fire is at least 25 feet away from any structures and that sticks, branches and shrubs are cleared from the fire area. Use extra caution when lighting the fire and keep a shovel, water and a fire extinguisher nearby in case the fire becomes too big or spreads outside of the fire pit.
• A grill can also be a common cause for starting a fire. When grilling do not leave it unattended and make sure it is placed away from the house and railings, and out from under eaves and tree branches. It is also important to keep your grill clean ensuring the trays below do not have a buildup of grease.
• One key element to fire safety in your home is your smoke alarms. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you have a smoke alarm in every bedroom, on every level including the basement and outside of all sleeping areas in the home. The alarms should be installed on the ceiling or high up on a wall and at least 10 feet from the stove. The NFPA also recommends that you use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one goes off, the rest of the alarms in the house will go off as well. You should test your smoke alarms monthly. For those who are hard of hearing you can use special alarms that have strobe lights and bed shakers. The NFPA states that all smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old. If your alarm does go off, make sure you and your family leave the home immediately and if there is smoke, get below the smoke to exit. You should have a fire escape plan that you and your family have practiced so everyone knows what to do in case of a fire and where to meet outside of the home once they have exited the home.
For more information and tips on fire safety visit www.nfpa.org. Sources: www.nfpa.org and consumersafety.org.

Warmly,

XXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email

subject line: A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet

It is important that in addition to love and attention, your pets are kept healthy and safe year-round. Here are a few useful tips to keep your furry friends feeling their best.

1. Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current. Keep records filed somewhere you can easily find them. Set a calendar reminder to help you keep track of when they are due.

2. Does your pet have a collar with a name tag and your contact information on it? Make sure your pet has your current phone number and address on their name tag so if they get lost they can easily be returned.

3. Give them regular exercise. Just like us our pets need exercise. Not only does it help your pet maintain a healthy weight they are happy spending time with you chasing a ball or frisbee or running around at a dog park.

For more tips on keeping your pets healthy contact your veterinarian for advice and information.

Warmly,

XXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email

subject line: Five Ways to Increase Your Curb Appeal

Whether you are preparing your house to sell or simply want to make a good first impression, curb appeal is important.

There are a few simple steps you can take to add curb appeal to your home without spending a lot of money.

1. The Front Door: It is the entry to your home so don’t neglect it. Get creative with your front door by adding a splash of color. Try a fresh coat of paint or a bold and colorful new door mat.

2. Make a Statement with Some Flowers: Keep things symmetrical by adding a flower pot to each side of the entrance. Visit your local nursery and ask for advice on the best design ideas for your flower pots. Get something with more height for the middle and then place lower annuals such as wave petunias around the edges so the flowers spill over the edges of the pots.

3. A Good Clean Rinse: Use a pressure washer to clean your driveway and walkways. Then clean your windows inside out to let the sun shine in.

You will be surprised at what a difference this will make!

4. Take Care of Your Lawn: Your lawn has a huge impact when it comes to the over-all curb appeal of your house. Make sure to keep your lawn manicured and green. For expert advice on caring for your lawn visit the national Association of Landscape Professionals’ website at https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/.

5. Upgrade Your Lighting: Visit your local hardware store to select lighting that better fits the style and size of your home.

Quality lighting for your garage lights and porch lights will upgrade the entire look of your home.

With these budget-friendly changes you will see your home’s curb appeal drastically increase.

Contact me to find out the accurate value of your home. See front page for contact information.

Warmly,

XXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email