4 Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Items When Decluttering


When decluttering your home, there are four ways you can get rid of items you no longer need.
There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.


Today I want to give you some ideas on how to declutter by selling, donating, recycling, or disposing of your unwanted items. We all have items in our home that we no longer want. Perhaps it’s a consequence of living in a society where speed and efficiency are of the essence. Everything has to be quick so we can try and grab some relaxing time. This is perhaps why the trend of decluttering has become so popular—it’s a response to the acknowledgment that we tend to own too many things. Decluttering is good for both you and your home for a variety of reasons, but the foremost is that it gives you the chance to use everything you own. There’s no point worrying about storage for items you have no use for, so getting rid of them gives you access to more room in your house for the things you actually will use. However, this isn’t just another blog post about how to declutter your home. Instead, we’re going to focus on what happens with the “not needed” pile that you have decided can exit your home. What can you do with these things? You have four options: 1. Sell. For the items that are still in a usable condition but also just a surplus to your requirements, you can sell them. There are a variety of different ways to sell, but here are a few ideas:
  • Use auction websites like eBay. Clear photographs and a well-written description will catch people’s eye, so spend time creating your listing where necessary. The more effort you put in, the more likely you’ll find a buyer.
  • Consignment stores. If you don’t want to go through auction websites, these stores sell items on your behalf and then give you a cut of the profit, usually at a 50:50 ratio. You might not get as much, but it’s still easier than selling yourself.
  • Sell items on social media sites like Facebook. Join local groups and explain what you have to offer—there are lots of options for hosting a virtual stoop sale!
  • Hold a garage sale
It’s always worth spending the time thinking about these things, as it helps to clarify the way you organize your life from this point on.     
2. Donate. Some people have the wrong impression of what donations actually entail. They round up all of their unwanted items, dump it at the door of a charity shop, and tell themselves they have done their part. If you want to donate, then it’s important you avoid this. 

Charities want these items, but they need to be usable items. This means you need to wash any clothes you donate and make sure anything you hand over is fit for purpose. What you give away will hopefully be sold at a profit to the charity. Donate items that have a real second-hand value and find another method of disposal (such as listed below) for everything else.

3. Recycle. If you no longer use an item, it might still have a use in some capacity. Recycling items into separate containers and finding somewhere to take them can be time-consuming. If you’re as pressed for time as most of us are, then consider using a home organizer for the project. Be thorough if you have small amounts that you can sort through yourself. Clothes can be recycled or reused. As for furniture, it’s worth a cheap online ad to see if there’s anyone who is interested in buying it.

4. Repurpose. For example, if you have an old set of shelves that no longer works with your decor, rather than removing them from your home, you could find a new purpose for them. Perhaps you could move them into the garden to hold pots of plants or be chopped down to create wall shelving? Finding ways to repurpose old items is a trend, often referred to as “upcycling.” You’ll have to dedicate the time, but you could give a new lease of life to an item otherwise destined for a landfill. 

Hopefully, by following one of the above options, you will find a solution that works for you. It’s always worth spending the time thinking about these things, as it helps to clarify the way you organize your life from this point on. Unless you want to have to run through these decisions again in a few months’ time, perhaps it will be worth focusing on what you bring into your home and make sure it’s something you really need!

If you are going to start the process of selling things online, I have several ideas for websites that you might want to consider, so do not hesitate to email and ask about a specific need. If you’re thinking of buying a home, we have a team of qualified, experienced listing partners and buyers specialists who are ready to work with you to make your transaction a positive experience.  

If you have any real estate needs or questions, feel free to give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email us at info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.

                                                                   

Items to Check Off Your Summer Maintenance Checklist


Today I want to talk to you about everything you need to do to keep your home and yard in tip-top shape this summer.
There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.


With the change of each season comes a new set of maintenance tasks for your home. Now that summer's here, you'll want to prepare your home and yard for the onslaught of summer heat. From air-conditioner upkeep to hanging a clothesline, these simple chores will help keep your home happy and healthy:
  • Check detectors. Check your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they're working properly.
  • Inspect air conditioners. If you haven't already, prep your air conditioners and fans for their busiest season. With the help of your spouse, install window air conditioning units. Also, remove and clean the filters before firing up the AC. If you have central air conditioning, consider a professional servicing. And be sure to clean all ceiling fans and other fans with a damp rag. If you have high ceilings, a ceiling-fan duster can help you de-grime hard-to-reach blades.
  • Enjoy a dry spell. Install an outdoor clothesline to dry your laundry in the summer sun; you'll save money and energy by skipping the dryer. Plus, who doesn't love the smell of air-dried sheets?
  • Clean your outdoor cooker. Give your grill a deep cleaning. 

Deadhead both perennial and annual flowers to keep them productive.     

  • Polish your porch. Thoroughly sweep painted porch floors; then mop them with an all-purpose cleaner. If there's a lot of built-up dirt on the floorboards, you may need to scrub them with a brush.
  • Analyze your deck. Look over your deck for signs of rotting and hammer in any nails that are poking up. Then, determine if your deck needs sealing. Sprinkle water on the deck's boards. If the water beads up, you're in good shape; but if it soaks right in, it's time to reseal it.
  • Wash your windows. If you didn't tackle exterior window washing in the spring, now's the time to get your glass clean.
  • Make much ado about mulch. Add a layer of mulch to keep weeds down and help the ground retain its moisture in the heat. It'll give your plants a chance to grow.
  • Be a leak detective. Check your hoses and exterior faucets for leaks—even a tiny drip can add up to a big waste of water. Pinhole leaks in hoses can be covered up by winding regular electrical tape around the (dry) hose in overlapping layers.
  • Primp your plants. Deadhead both perennials and annuals to keep them productive. If you have visible dead foliage from spring bulbs, pull it out to maintain a tidy look, but if the daffodil or tulip leaves are still green, leave them alone; they're busy nourishing the bulb to bloom again next year.
  • Plan your watering schedule. Train your garden to endure dry days by watering deeply a couple of times a week, instead of watering lightly daily. This style of watering will promote the growth of deep, strong roots.
  • Stop dirt at the door. Keep summer's mud and muck outside with not one, but two doormats at your main entry door. Place a coarse mat at the exterior and a softer, cloth one on the interior to catch the most dirt. Better still, instruct family members to remove their shoes upon entering. If you live near a beach, a tub of water for sandy feet placed by the door works wonders for keeping sand outside where it belongs.

I am sure you have already completed many of these projects, but I hope that I was able to share and encourage you with other projects you may not have remembered. 

If you are thinking about a new home this summer, at Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, we have a team of qualified, experienced listing partners and buyers specialists who are ready to work with you to make every real estate process a positive experience. If you or someone you know is ready to buy or sell a home, give us a call today at 717-695-3177, email info@joydaniels.com or you can visit us online at www.joydaniels.com.
                                                                                                            

What Else Should FSBO Sellers Know Before Listing?


There are so many different issues that can arise when selling a home FSBO. Here are four more of them.
There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers.
If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.


Welcome back to part two of my discussion on why you should not sell your home on your own. A For Sale By Owner represents a lost opportunity for Realtors and sellers. The agent misses out on the chance to sell a home and build their portfolio, but the seller loses out too. If you didn’t watch last week’s video, take a moment now to watch it here. We covered four FSBO issues there, and we’ll cover four more today: 1. There are too many people to negotiate with. Some of the many people with whom you will need to be prepared to negotiate with include the buyer, the buyer’s agent, the buyer’s attorney, the home inspection companies (who also work with the buyer), the buyer’s lender, the appraiser, the title company, the town or municipality, and more. 2. Let a skilled negotiator handle the negotiations for you. Having an experienced negotiator on your side could save you thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way, from the original offer to the possible renegotiation after the inspection, you need someone who can keep a deal together until it closes.
With an agent by your side, you’ll be able to maximize the three P’s of selling: preparation, pricing, and presentation.     
3. What is your home worth in today’s market? There is so much information out there about home sales, prices, and market demands. How do you know what affects your specific situation? Real estate values and demand from homes are hyperlocal, and an experienced, local real estate agent should be your primary resource to competitively and correctly price your home at the beginning of the selling process. Hiring someone who has their finger on the pulse of the local market will enhance your selling experience and increase your final sale price.

4. Security issues. Have you considered how you will keep your home and family safe when showing it to strangers? How are you going to vet prospective buyers when they call for an appointment? When you agree to show your home as an FSBO, you are letting strangers into your home. With an agent, you have the comfort of knowing that the buyers who come see your home have been vetted, not only just for safety, but also to ensure that they are serious about buying a home.

Don't be one of the many FSBO homes that receives lower offers, isn’t well negotiated, and fails to sell due to lack of expertise in the transaction. I don't want you to find yourself in a mess. We are experienced in selling homes and know and understand all the details involved in a successful transaction. 

If you have any questions for me or you’re ready to sell your home today, don’t hesitate to reach out and give me a call at 717-695-3177 or email me at info@joydaniels.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.


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