Hello,
We’re ringing in a fresh beginning with the new year! Whether you’re looking to sell your home this winter or you’re looking to redesign your current home, we have tips to help you get ready. Plus, check out some New Year’s resolutions for your home to help you make the best of 2022!
Tips for Designing your Home Office
When the world shut down in 2020, many people realized their home office wasn’t as “work friendly” as they thought. While we may have thought it was temporary then, many companies have decided to stick with remote work, allowing their employees to stay home permanently. Whether you need a company or personal workspace, here are three tips for your perfect home office.
Where should it go?
Before anything else, think about the best location for your home office. If you have a spare bedroom, that’s likely the best location. If not, consider where you can set up a workspace that will allow you to accomplish what you need. Where will your desk fit? Is it a good space for tech? Is it quiet enough for you to focus?
What furniture do you need?
There are many options for desks from elaborate designs to something simple that folds up at the end of the day. Also, think about what storage space you need and what kind of chair you want. Depending on what you do, this will look different to each person.
Make it your own
A great thing about working from home is you can make your office fit your personality. Select decor that matches your ideal aesthetic. Pick the style of furniture that you like. Create an inspiration board to keep you focused throughout the year. This will help you feel more like it’s your own space.
New Year's Resolutions for Homeowners
“New year, new you” doesn’t have to only be about yourself. In 2022, you can apply the same principle to your home. Take this year to resolve to make your home more clean, green, and efficient. Here are some ideas that can help!
Clear out the clutter
When you live in one place for a long time, you tend to accumulate a lot of clutter. Whether it’s kitchen items you thought you no longer use or decor that doesn’t fit your style, it all starts to take up more space than needed. At the beginning of the year, take a look around your house and identify what you can toss or donate. Then, for the rest of the year, resolve to only purchase what you truly need.
Go green
Think about ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. These can start as simple as turning off lights when you leave the room or keeping your heat at a lower temperature. If you haven’t already, switch out your lights for LED bulbs. You can also fit your plumbing with low-flow options. You can even go as far as installing solar panels or starting a composting bin.
Create routines
Much of the time, we have the best intentions of keeping systems running in our homes, but life interrupts them. Find a simple routine that works for you that you know you can keep up with. If you have multiple people in your home, give everyone a list of jobs.
Benefits of Selling your Home in the Winter
Most home sales happen in the spring or the fall. However, selling during the winter months can put you at a great advantage. Here’s why!
Less competition
Even pre-pandemic, there were generally fewer homes on the market during the winter. Now, with the inventory shortage, there will likely be even less, which means your home can receive more attention. This makes it even more likely that you’ll be able to sell for the price you want.
Motivated buyers
Buyers who look for a new home during the stress of the winter months are motivated. They’re not looking around to see what’s available; they’re prepared to make a move immediately. Make sure you’re ready to move as quickly as they are.
Company bonuses
Around this time of year, many companies give out yearly bonuses. Employees who were counting on this could budget it into their new home purchase, meaning they have more to spend.
Flexible schedules
Many people use their vacation days around this time. This means it can be easier to schedule showings with prospective buyers, since they’ll likely have more availability.