Wednesday, March 18, 2020

What to Do While Stuck in Your North Shore Home

North Shore Home Improvement Tips
Many of us are responsibly practicing social separation by staying in our North Shore homes until coronavirus blows over. If you find yourself already getting cabin fever, consider now a great time to accomplish some of the projects you’ve been wanting to do around the house! As your North Shore real estate agent, allow me to offer you some ideas, before you go stir crazy.

Declutter. Now is the perfect time to declutter your North Shore home. After all, no one likes spending time in a cluttered space, and clutter is found to increase anxiety, which none of us need right now. Grab some boxes or garbage bags and go through each closet, drawer, cabinet, etc. one at a time, removing anything you no longer need or use. Separate the unwanted items into piles to donate, sell, recycle or toss. You’ll feel so much better once this is done, and if you want to sell your North Shore home this spring or summer, you’ll be one step ahead of the crowd by getting this done now!

Spring clean. Once you declutter the home, take it one step further and get your spring cleaning done! Whether you usually spring clean your home, or it’s just something on your wish list every year, this year is the perfect chance to actually make it happen. Take one room at a time. Dust, vacuum, scrub, organize. Give each member of the family a list of chores, then reward all of you at the end. Clean your windows well so you can enjoy the spring sunshine and outdoor views while stuck inside. Clean out your refrigerator and pantry of expired food and condiments so everyone knows what’s safe to eat and what’s not. Again, house cleaning is another important step to the home-selling process, if this is on your future to-do list.

Home improvement. Now is also a great time to work on some of the home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. You might not want to head to the store for supplies, but see what you can order online, such as updated cabinet and drawer handles, modern lighting fixtures, or window treatments. If you have leftover paint stored in your house, consider giving your rooms a paint refresh. Do some DIY projects around the house. House Beautiful shared a great list of 27 DIY options for when you’re stuck in the house. If you’ve been wanting to turn a room into a guest room, or office, make the switch now. 

If you want to sell your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or other North Shore communities, keep up with housing market statistics and get in touch with me. If you want to buy, organize your documents for a mortgage preapproval, start browsing listings and give me a call. As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here to help! I am still working full-time to make your North Shore real estate goals a reality this spring, so don’t hesitate to give me a call and let’s see what we can do!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


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Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Remove Common Odors from Your North Shore Home

Odor-removing tips for North Shore homeowners
If you are selling your North Shore home soon, working ahead on your spring cleaning, or planning for guests to visit for spring holidays or spring break, now is a great time to combat house odors! Often, the most common types of house odors are undetected by the homeowners. We get used to the smells we’re around all the time. But when someone else comes into the house, they might notice them. Getting rid of these odors is key, especially when selling!
As your North Shore real estate agent, here are some tips for removing some of the most common house smells:
Pet smells – If you have pets, you most likely have a pet scent going on in your house, whether subtle or not. Most pet owners worry about urine smell the most, but odors could also come from pet hair, ears, slobber, pet toys, etc. To remove the odors, first clean the pet! Give them a good DIY cleaning, or make an appointment. Vacuum not only your floors, but couches, pet beds, throw blankets, etc. Use a crevice tool to get in tight spaces. Use baking soda on the carpet, or if there are urine spots, use baking soda with a half-water, half-vinegar solution. Wash pet toys.
Must/mildew – Even if your nose is blind to these smells, your eyes aren’t blind to the sight of them! If you have a basement, crawlspace or anywhere you suspect mold or mildew, inspect the area for gray or white splotches. If you find any, use household cleaners on mildew. If it’s fuzzy, it may be mold and you may want to call in professionals. Prevent it from coming back with a dehumidifier in the basement, running the fan during showers in the bathroom, and improving air circulation. Deodorize these rooms in a pinch by setting out bowls of vinegar, baking soda, or even half an onion.
Old mattresses – It’s not your fault if old bedding has a smell to it. Every person sheds dead skin and body oils when sleeping, so these are going to build up no matter what. The easiest way to clean a mattress is to sprinkle baking soda over it, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up. Add a couple drops of an essential oil to the baking soda for a lasting good scent. Wash your sheets and bedding regularly. Use this trick on pillows if they can’t be washed, or run in washing machine if they can.
Kitchen odors – These are the most common types of odors, especially if you cook often. Take the trash out regularly, and put some baking soda or fresh coffee grounds at the bottom of a clean trash can to soak up smells. Clean out the fridge/freezer of spoiled food and clean the insides and all of the shelves. Open the windows/doors to help strong food smells escape faster.
For more odor tips, check out this House Logic article. When ready to sell and/or buy in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or other North Shore communities, give me a call! As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here and ready to help you accomplish your North Shore real estate goals as soon as you are!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website


Local Expert... with National Connections!