Date Archives: July 2019

Making the decision to sell your home may come with a range of emotions. It's nostalgic to see this chapter of your life come to an end, yet exciting to start a new journey. Selling your home may feel like a stressful time,  but when working with a trusted real estate agent it's quite the opposite! The biggest factor to selling your home is hosting an open house, allowing potential buyers to take their time exploring the home. Of course, when working with a Choice Properties real estate agent, we will go above and beyond to ensure your home selling needs are met and handled. Here is our guide to hosting a successful open house. 

What is an Open House?

An open house is an event in which the home for sale can be visited by interested buyers without having an appointment. Your Choice Properties agent will manage the staging of your home by arranging refreshments, snacks, welcoming visitors, and offering tours of the property. 

What Should I Do Before an Open House?

It's important to allow potential buyers to feel welcomed into the home. This is an opportunity for them to envision themselves in the space, making it crucial to have both exterior and interior cleaned and maintained. When posting your home to sell, prepare for an open house by cleaning the outdoor space. You should:

• Mow the lawn
• Trim overgrown bushes and trees
• Touch up on chipped paint
• Clean/organize the garage
• Power wash driveway 

Once the exterior of the home is in tip-top shape, it's time to move inside! Consider this checklist of preparing for an open house:

• Set the temperature to a comfortable level 
• Depersonalize the space
• Organize and clean closets 
• Deep clean the kitchen, including stove, backsplash, and countertops 
• Clean bathrooms, preparing fresh soap and hand towels
• Vacuum and shampoo carpets 

The main benefit of hosting an open house is to help the home sell quickly. Taking the time to prepare the exterior and interior of your home will help the open house go smoothly, where your expert real estate agent will take it from there. 

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Buying a home offers the chance to completely make the space unique to you and your family. The blank slate allows those to fill the space with their style, expressing their personality in every room. Whether you're comfortable in a rustic home, modern, or country-chic, it is entirely up to you! If you're looking for something new and fresh, consider trying the design trend on the rise: minimalism. Minimalism means inviting only the essentials into your space, while limiting clutter and miscellaneous items. Here is how you can bring minimalism into your newly purchased home. 

Choose Neutral Colors 

The first step to introduce minimalism to your space is selecting a neutral color scheme. It is suggested to go with soft whites or light gray for a minimalistic-feel, which allows natural light to pour into the space while making the room feel welcoming. If you crave more color, go for a powder pink! 

Furniture and Materials

Similar with colors, you will need to find a balance of materials. Combining different materials, such as natural wooden floors with a metal coffee table creates an industrial, yet warm style. Incorporating organic materials into your custom build will always be on trend. The most important key is still choosing furniture that you find comfortable. Don't settle for a stunning couch that offers zero comfort!

Declutter and Add Storage

Perhaps the biggest aspect of choosing a minimalist design is decluttering. If you don't feel comfortable donating items you are currently not using, consider using a storage unit for the time being. More homeowners are opting for a minimalist design as a way to start fresh and live simply. Decluttering and only keeping the essentials allows you to do this, feeling rejuvenated and stress-free in your personal space. 

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Along with budgeting to purchase your first home, you may want to consider budgeting for items you will need to go along with your new house. Buying a home is an exciting time and can easily overtake your thoughts! However, you may not have thought about the list of items you need with a home that you did not need with an apartment. Stay tuned to learn what to purchase after buying your first home, leaving you fully prepared for tackling this journey head-on. 

New Locks

The first step when moving into a new home is changing the locks and updating your keys. There's a chance the previous owners gave friends or family a number of spare keys. Avoid any misunderstandings or worries by changing your locks. 

Lawnmower

For those who do not plan on hiring a lawn care service, purchasing a lawnmower definitely makes the top of the list. Take time to research brands and pricing to find one that fits with your needs and budget. 

Gardening Tools

While browsing lawnmower options are your local improvement store, don't forget to look through other outdoor necessities! Most likely, you will need a garden hose to wash cards, water flower beds, or to keep your grass green. Along with a hose, you should also consider a rake for leaves, weedwacker, or shovels for snow. It's best to be fully prepared when moving into your new home. 

Handyman Tools 

Buying an older home may mean small repairs here and there. It's highly advised to have a stocked tool box for last minute fixes, or for DIY projects! When purchasing a tool box, be sure it comes with:

• Hammar 
• Assorted screwdrivers
• Hacksaw 
• Pliers 
• Plumber's wrench
• Power drill 
• Staple gun
• Tape measure 

Miscellaneous Items to Purchase for Your New Home

Along with the essentials, you may also feel the need to purchase:

• Patio furniture 
• Outdoor grill 
• Window coverings (blinds, drapes, curtains)
• New kitchen appliances 
• New linens and towels

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Summer welcomes days of splashing in the neighborhood pool, weekend barbecues, and the opportunity to make new memories. Although swimming and play dates are to be had, it can still be a challenge to keep kids entertained for an entire three months. This is the perfect season for kids to attend fun and interesting summer camps! Summer camps are a great way for children to make new friends while releasing their energy. It gives them a chance to experience a new adventure, where they will look back in the years to come and appreciate the memories. Explore these summer camps in Logan County for a new kind of experience. 

YMCA Camp Willson

This summer camp in Logan County offers kids the chance to spend their time in the great outdoors! They can enjoy:

• Swimming 
• Hiking 
• Horseback riding
• Fishing
• Making music
• Creating art 
• Roasting marshmallows

The YMCA Camp Willson offers over 15 different camps, each accustomed to age groups.  If you're interested, register today!

Kirkmont Center

The Kirkmont Center is known for offering a safe, fun year round camps for people of all ages! These camps come with a wide range of activities, where recreational facilities include:

• Canoeing 
• Swimming
• Climbing wall
• Zipline
• Giant Swing
• Archery 
• Hiking 

To explore dates and select the camp you are interested in, browse their website for open registration dates!

Kiddie Academy of Powell

The Kiddie Academy of Powell offers summer camp for ages 2-9 years old, striving to make their summer as educational as it is fun. Throughout the summer, children may:

• Plant a garden
• Perform a play
• Organize a museum 
• Plan a sports day
• Plan a water day 

If you and your child are interested in discovering a summer full of adventure, learn more at Kiddie Academy Summer Camp!

Choice Properties offers you a chance to find the home of your dreams. We work with your budget and ideas in mind to support your ultimate vision. Call us if you are ready to check out the available inventory or to speak with a reputable agent who can assist you with your home buying needs.