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Nichol Sandoval, Turning Houses into DreamHomes (DreamHome Staging & ReDesign)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Do you use it?
Do you love it?
Does it represent who you are or something special?

Then it goes!
Toss, donate, gift, pay forward.

Feb 02, 2017 03:55 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

What I tell clients to declutter depends on the individual client... they are all different. But always to clear of kitchen and bathroom counters as much as possible to make them look bigger.

Feb 02, 2017 03:49 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Three weeks ago, I got a new toy and wanted to play with it, but I needed to find my old heavy duty tripod. The old one that has one leg that will pull from the receptacle and make me spend the next ten minutes re-assembling. That is the Tripod I wanted to find.

I think I folded it and placed the collapsed tri-pod in a shelf in the resources room. Wasn't there. Or in the bedroom or other bedrooms or family room or Florida room or garage. I looked. Five times, talking to myself, "WHere is it?" I realized I threw it away because it had a busted leg.

Resigned to spending $100+ for a replacement, I head to the office to do some online shopping. On the drafting table behind my desk I see, set up for use, my old tripod.

I searched the room no less than five times looking for a collapsed tripod, and could not see the one atop the drafting table. It had been there, unobstructed, plain as day, since the creation of my last ad campaign.

My point is, sometimes we can not see, because we can only see what we want to see. Many people can not see their clutter.

I start with, "Do you know when last you used any of those remotes on the table top?"

 

Feb 02, 2017 05:08 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671
  1. Have a home for everything, having stuff does you no good if it is lost in the clutter.
  2. Think twice, or thrice before buying anything, most of us do not need most of our stuff.
  3. Be generous, give your stuff away, it may be better off cluttering someone elses house.
Feb 02, 2017 03:04 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Yep follow Kathy Streib you'll get plenty of ideas

Feb 02, 2017 03:03 AM
Rainmaker
4,456,506
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Nicol I have no problems thinking about what to write my problem is time:)Endre

Feb 01, 2017 11:50 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,642
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Nina Hollander makes some good points. Candice A. Donofrio is right on..whether selling or not!

Feb 02, 2017 04:42 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nichol,

Candice A. Donofrio gave you a great list.  It is exactly what we do.  A

Feb 02, 2017 03:34 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

We don't live in our homes in same way we sell our homes.  Until then, be happy where you are and with what you have.  In that same vein . . .

The world’s most elegant woman, Coco Chanel, was said to have advised the following when dressing with accessories:

“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”

Taking this sage advice from a woman who was far ahead of her time, what would you “take off” from your calendar of 1001 things to do today?

If you could do one less thing, what would it be?

Feb 02, 2017 09:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Nichol Sandoval Candice A. Donofrio and Bob Crane gave you some good ideas.

Feb 02, 2017 06:18 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Hide-your marijuana plants ! 

Feb 02, 2017 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I've been working with some hoarders during 2016. It takes patience. Make a list of places that take donations.( Salvation Army, Lupus Foundation, Viet Nam Vets, etc). See if they want to give anything to family members. Make a place for things that go in trash and to recycling. Old clothes can be donated to homeless, churches, or any charity organizations. You'll need lots of boxes. Small ones are best. They will want to save many things that others think are junk. Don't argue or try to pressure them to get rid of anything that they aren't ready to get rid of. Spring cleaning isn't the same for everyone. outside, gutters might need cleaning, leaves raked, bushes trimmed, decks sealed, shingles repaired, chimneys and fireplaces cleaned and /or repaired, furnace filters cleaned or changed, etc. The list could be different for different people.

Feb 02, 2017 03:11 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Nichol Sandoval - replace and not add! If a new smartphone comes in, do not save the old one! (And that's true for all other things, too.)

Feb 02, 2017 09:36 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If you haven't needed it in a year let it go. Store things in clear plastic containers so you can easily see what is stored inside. That's my two cents.

Feb 02, 2017 08:15 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kathy Streib, Shar SitterSharon Tara and other stagers on AR would be great resources for you!

Feb 02, 2017 02:50 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Ditto Candice and Bob. Personally clutter stresses me out and I want to throw or give away almost everything. It is harder talking to clients who are sentimental about their belongings.

Feb 02, 2017 09:37 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Just do it is my motto.

Feb 02, 2017 09:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I live by Candice A. Donofrio 's answer....if I don't use it, I get rid of it....I can honestly say I Have NO Clutter...

Feb 02, 2017 08:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,662
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Paper work:  Toss it, File it for reference or Use it now.

Feb 02, 2017 07:28 AM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

Take a photo of the room.
Look at the photo.  
Does it look spacious? Airy? Clean? Inviting?  
Sometimes a photo speaks a thousand words ...

Feb 02, 2017 06:11 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Not at all...

Feb 02, 2017 05:48 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I just keep buying out buildings LOL

Feb 02, 2017 04:37 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Bob Crane nailed this one!

Feb 02, 2017 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
440,656
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Decluttering is a great way to recycle usable items to various shelters or other groups in need.  Who needs 4 kitchen colanders or 2 dozen bath towels?  We not only help ourselves when we declutter, we help others!

Feb 02, 2017 04:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Hmm afraid I really can't offer any suggestions that come to mind

Dec 06, 2017 09:07 PM
Rainer
259,005
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Whenit comes to organizing/cleaning, I just put stuff in piles by category until everything that needs sorting and filed is out.  Then I organize those piles into file or folders or the big round file.

Mar 03, 2017 09:52 PM
Rainer
16,637
Nichol Sandoval
DreamHome Staging & ReDesign - Hollister, CA
Turning Houses into DreamHomes

So much great info. Thanks for all your insights, I have a good amount of material here to write about now! Yey!

Feb 16, 2017 09:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

It feels good to sift through stuff, and get rid of it! 

Feb 05, 2017 04:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Have you used it in the last six months?  Will you for sure use it in the next six months?  No to both?  Get rid of it.

 

Organization ideas: Have a list of the items with a priority rating (urgent, high, medium, low) and estimated time to completion (hours) on your monitor or fridge (some place you'll see it regularly).  Start working on the big ticket items and maybe some of the "quick wins" like weeding a front yard.

Feb 03, 2017 09:18 AM
Rainmaker
2,383,311
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

 As a stager I've advised on clutter on a regular basis. I would say collections and excess decor accessories would probably be the most common items I've had to suggest be removed. Books, clothes and toys are right up there too.

Feb 03, 2017 07:22 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

There are many excellent blogs on this topic.

Feb 03, 2017 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

This could have been a blog!

Feb 02, 2017 10:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Michael J. Perry took my answer. 

You can always write about your market and do market reports on specific neighborhoods or segments of your market. That's my two cents for when you have writer's block. 

Feb 02, 2017 06:13 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

You are asking the wrong guy but my assistant take care of it all the time.

 

Feb 02, 2017 01:21 PM
Ambassador
5,828,832
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Nichol, Thanks to James Dray for tagging me on this. 

I suggest they make 3 piles (if they are  moving) 

1. things they don't use or want anymore and can be donated, given to others or sold

2. things they will want at their new home but don't need now

3.things that just need to be tossed in the garbage

Best of luck!

 

Feb 02, 2017 11:35 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Kitchens should be first, clear the counters. My best clients rented a storage unit and removed lots of stuff for better showings. As to yourself, when decluttering, don't try to do too much at once, it can be overwhelming. Best to do about 10 items a day. You'd be surprised how easy it will be to find them!

Feb 02, 2017 10:06 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

There are varying degrees of clutter and hoarding.  Every client is different. There is an emotional/psychological component to what causes people to keep things they do not use. Everyone is treated with dignity. Generally speaking, lists will not help.  I wish you all the best with your quest for organizing tips. 

Feb 02, 2017 09:59 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  We moved recently.  We gave away mountains of stuff.

Feb 02, 2017 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Feb 02, 2017 07:03 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Nothing I can add.  You got some great tips here.

Feb 02, 2017 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hi Nichol, I was never one for lots of "stuff", I use it or loose it!

Feb 02, 2017 06:16 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

For clutter, i always tell them start in the kitchen, bath then bedroom and on to the living room. As far as what to write about. Write about your area, any good events? whats the market like? how is the weather and is it affecting the market? 

Feb 02, 2017 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

For declutter tips, read some of Kathy Steib's posts!

Feb 02, 2017 05:38 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

Rent a storage unit and move as much of your unnecessary belongings off the property as possible! If it is spring or summer, box up your winter clothes. Get rid of your turkey tray, extra plates, mismatched tupperware, and those spices you bought six years ago and never use. Take down most of your pictures, spackle and touch-up the paint. No more than one item on any flat surface, period! The more stuff they remove, the more spacious the home feels and the easier it is to clean prior to a showing.

Feb 02, 2017 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

throw it away

Feb 02, 2017 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well, stagers have the job of telling the sellers they live with too much stuff. I have videos & checklists on my website that I refer clients too.

NO IDEAS from me at all until they are going to sign first. I would say that people have no idea their house looks like a tornado hit it. I always tell people that the kitchen is one of the top areas to tackle first OR at least stash it in the cabinets.

People just do not want to see other peoples junk or distracting garbage anywhere in the house.

Feb 02, 2017 05:09 AM